Cardinal

<<Member Directory>>

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Floor 9
<<Gatekeeper of Fire>>
Party Limit: 4 | 20+ Posts
Prerequisite: Must have completed <<Guardian of Fire>>
Repeatable for standard thread rewards, and <<Cerberus Etching>>

Quest Rewards:

• 3500 Experience Points
• 7500 col
• Each player receives:
  • Cerberus Etching (Unique Material)
    • Removes one enhancement on a weapon and replaces it with Burn. (This effect cannot override the Burn enhancement cap. Consumed on use.)
• POTENTIAL REWARD | If Cerberus, Inferno's Rage, used Blazing Bite at least once during the quest
  • Unlock <<TECH-G>> collected sword art.

Requirements:

• Defeat 3 <<Infernal Hell Hounds>>
• Defeat <<Cerberus, Inferno’s Rage>>

Summary:

With the count of years behind the players stacking up higher and higher, so too are they encountering mutated versions of the more typical respawning bosses. First it was the Wasp Queen, then it was Avalanche, then Sand Shark. Now, it appears that even Cerberus has gotten one of Cardinal’s premium facelifts, reborn as <<Cerberus, Inferno’s Rage>>. While the previous iteration of this boss was aggressive, it is said that the new and improved version is on an unprecedented level of danger. Facing it is not an endeavor for the faint of heart.

That being said, the rewards for defeating this new and improved Cerberus are considered well worth the risks involved. It is said that overcoming Cerberus will grant one the means to make their weaponry truly extraordinary. What’s more, rumors have begun circulating that those who know how to properly manipulate the boss’ AI will walk away with an exclusive skill that can bolster their offensive power beyond typically thought possible.

Will you accept the challenge, and face off against Cerberus one more time?

Outline: 

Volcano's Effect: Due to the extreme heat, each player will suffer 30 unmitigatable damage on their posts while in combat during this thread. This effect can be ignored if the player has the <<Survival>> extra skill active, or the Fireproof or Flame Aura enhancements on worn equipment.

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Enemies:

<<Infernal Hell Hound>>
These mobs will always travel in packs, working in teams to protect one another and their alpha. Though they won’t typically pick fights with those stronger than themselves (without good reason), they’ll descend upon those weaker with a tenacity and coordination unrivaled by other predators of the floor.

HP: 450/450 | DMG: 125 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2

Abilities:

• Burning Bite | On successful attacks, the player is afflicted with T4 Burn. (56 unmitigatable damage per turn for 2 turns.)
• Boiling Hide | On successful attacks against an Infernal Hell Hound, the player receives 25 thorns damage. Successful critical attacks against Infernal Hell Hounds increases damage received by the player to 40. This damage is negatable by Fireproof.
• Infernal Soul |Deals additional damage. (+25 minor crit | +50 major crit)

 

<<Cerberus, Inferno’s Rage>>
Alpha to its brethren, this boss commands a small army of less powerful hounds that will work to defend it until its last breath. Sporting three heads, adventurers have found this boss to be particularly difficult to kill. Not only are its stats high, but it will enthusiastically fight with all three heads at once, making it difficult to find safe openings with which to strike.

Cerberus, Inferno's Rage (Head #1) HP: 650/650 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2
Cerberus, Inferno's Rage (Head #2) HP: 650/650 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2
Cerberus, Inferno's Rage (Head #3) HP: 650/650 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2

Abilities:

• Bloodless | This boss is immune to all status ailments.
• Bringing Hell | This boss can attack once per turn for each head active.
• Limited Availability | Players can only target one head at a time. This also extends to AoE attacks.
• Burning Bite | On Cerberus' successful attacks, the player is afflicted with T4 Burn. (56 unmitigatable damage per turn for 2 turns.) This ailment is negatable by Fireproof.
• Boiling Hide | On successful attacks against Cerberus, the player receives 30 thorns damage. Successful critical attacks against Cerberus increases damage received by the player to 50. This damage is negatable by Fireproof.
• Infernal Punishment | On a critical attack, heads of Cerberus that have not yet attacked for that turn will gain additional damage and 50% Phase for their attack that turn. (+25 on minor crit | +75 on major crit)
• Blazing Bite | If all three heads are reduced to 150 HP or less without any having been destroyed, <<Cerberus, Inferno’s Rage>> will howl with all three heads, summoning 3 <<Infernal Hell Hounds>> to come to its aid as a Free Action. They attack immediately, as part of the same post. Damage from new applications of Burning Bite is now doubled. (112 unmitigatable damage per turn for 2 turns.)  
   

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Epilogue: 
If <<Cerberus, Inferno’s Rage>> did not use <<Blazing Bite>>:

If <<Cerberus, Inferno’s Rage>> used <<Blazing Bite>>:

 

 

 

Floor 21
<<The Hidden Village>>
Party Limit: 4 | 20+ Posts
Repeatable for standard thread rewards.

Rewards: 

• 2,000 Experience Points
• 5,000 Col
• POTENTIAL REWARD | Bonus Experience Points
  • Granted upon the defeat of (2 * Party Members) Dragon Knights. This reward may only be obtained once per character.
    500 Experience Points
• POTENTIAL REWARD | Bonus Materials
  • Granted to players who successfully complete the EXTRA objective: Plant Mushrooms. This reward may only be obtained once per character.
    2 x Mushrooms Planted Materials (All players in quest receive combined amount)
    • If a player has the Gathering Profession, they are able to plant twice as many mushrooms. They will receive double the granted material reward upon completion of quest and close of thread. (Double materials only for those with Gathering)

Requirements:

• Complete the following objectives:
  • Fulfill these task requirements: [Whiff out torches], [Topple cairns], [Plant rusted equipment], [Plant Fool’s Gold], [Go into hiding].
  • Travel back to town in three posts or Slaying all Dragon Knights.
• Must roleplay the following:
  • Talking to Ureka in Charko.
  • Performing tasks in the tunnel towards Charko.
  • Stealthing from the Dragon Knights.
  • Walking back to Charko or Engaging in combat with the Dragon Knights.

Summary:
Charko is a village that doesn’t open up much to anyone. It’s recluse; the people keep to themselves, in fear of drawing attention from adventurers and passersby. So it is strange when one of the villagers has a quest marker above their heads -- stranger still when it is a council member of the city. She introduces herself as Ureka, responsible for maintaining community well-being and relations, and recently one of her members have reported growing concerns of dragon knights near the borders of town.

The sleepy citadel isn’t much for combat; weapons and military defenses would set most of the citizens at an unease. But, between the help of adventurers and herself, perhaps there’s a better way to reroute these wandering patrollers.

Outline: 

PART I | THE REROUTING EFFORT

Note that LD modifiers do not apply to this section of the quest.

The dragon knights will be advancing closer to the village at the end of every post rotation once the quest is initiated. After 5 turns, the dragon knights will have reached the village and the quest will have failed. Players will need to restart the quest to try again.

Each turn, players will also roll for LD as a free action. Players will need to have their total LD beat a certain threshold per rotation in order to stay ahead of the dragon knights. If their LD total falls below this threshold at any point during this phase, the quest will have failed. Players will need to restart the quest to try again.

For their post action, players may perform tasks based on their individual LD roll. Players may complete as much progress in their task in a single post action, however they may only perform one type of task in a post action. As an example, players may whiff out two torches if their individual LD is 4, but they may not also topple a cairn in the same post action.

Note that if the quest is taken solo, Ureka will join as a participating character. The solo player will then be capable of taking two free and post actions to perform quest mechanics per turn.

LD Threshold

Rotation #	Total LD Threshold
1	4
2	8
3	16
4	32
5	64

Tasks

• Whiff out torches: Players must whiff out 4 torches. They may do so once their individual LD rolls have reached 2, 4, 6 or 8.
• Topple cairns: Players must topple marking cairns. They may do so once their individual LD rolls have reached 3, 6, 9 or 12.
• Plant rusted equipment: Players must plant borrowed rusted equipment in select areas. They may do so once their individual LD rolls have reached 4, 8, 12 or 16.
• Plant Fool’s Gold: Players must plant Fool’s Gold once only after the above three tasks have been accomplished. This may be done at any individual LD roll.
• [EXTRA] Plant mushrooms: When the above four tasks have been completed, players may choose to plant mushrooms to not only further the route’s disguise, but to help bolster the village’s food supply. Additional rewards will be granted based on the amount of times these mushrooms have been planted.
• Go into hiding: Players may end this phase of the quest early by rolling for stealth and beating a standard passive detection roll of 9 on the LD. Players who have gone into hiding may still roll to add to the total LD threshold, but may not take any additional actions to complete tasks.

All players must end the quest phase by going into hiding. This starts the next phase of the quest.

If all players have not successfully gone into hiding by rotation #5, the quest will have failed. Players will need to restart the quest to try again.

Should players be waiting for their party members to successfully go into hiding, they need not roll to maintain stealth, however must narratively remain as such.

 

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PART II | THE AFTERMATH

Now that the dragon knights have successfully been directed elsewhere, the party will be asked to head back into town. On the other hand, the dragon knights do have monster cursors above their heads…

The party is offered two options. The party as a whole must pick one:

RETURN TO CHARKO

SLAY THE DRAGON KNIGHTS

 

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NPC's:

<<Ureka>>
A demure and courteous young woman, who is slightly more formal and peppy than she first lets on. Playing the role of intelligence on the council seat, it is little wonder how she’s capable of orchestrating a suitable plan in somewhat dire times (with only minimal losses).

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Enemies:

<<Dragon Knight>>
If it’s shiny at first glance, they want it, and they’ll only scowl in the face of false tribute before moving on. Loyal to Tessleth, they continue to search the floor and extort its citizens of any valuables they have by brute force and intimidation. Prideful folk, they fight in pairs at minimum, with a strange strategy: only one of them will attack, whilst the rest of their party defends. 

HP: 650/650 | DMG: 125 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | EVA: -1

Abilities:

• Formation | Dragon Knights oft work in teams, and must be spawned in groups of two or more. Their party will consist of every member being a Shielder save for one of them, who will assume the role of Lancer.
• Lancer | All Dragon Knights seen on patrol are lance users by nature of training. Only one Dragon Knight in battle will assume a lance weapon, gaining a 50 DMG buff and attacking on its turn. If a Lancer falls in battle with other Dragon Knights in its party, the healthiest Dragon Knight will assume the new role of Lancer.
  • Critical Eye | A roll of 8 on their designated monster die will be considered a critical attack.
  • Long Reach | The length of their weapons alongside the broad and swift movements of a trained warrior results in some of their attacks capable of cleaving through several players at once. On a critical attack against the primary threat target, roll for attacks against every other member in the player’s party.
• Shielder | If there are multiple Dragon Knights in combat, every other Dragon Knight except for one designated Lancer will carry a tower shield instead, incapable of attacking. Their MIT will increase by 75 whilst they are defending; they lose this bonus when they swap to a Lancer. 
  • Pawn | On any attack against the Lancer, the player must make a separate roll to determine Pawn’s activation. Should that roll’s CD be 6+, the damage taken by the Lancer would instead be taken by the healthiest Dragon Knight in the enemy party.

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Epilogue:

If the Dragon Knights were not slain

If the Dragon Knights were slain

If Mushrooms were planted

 

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Image Credit:

Ureka from [Monster Hunter Rise].
Dragon Knights by [chearin from artstation].

Floor 10
<<The Dragon Age Crusade>>
Party Limit: 3 | 20+ Posts
Must have completed <<DHA 9: Cavity of Ruin>>
Repeatable for standard thread rewards.

Rewards:

• 5,000 EXP
• 10000 Col
• 10 Materials
• 1 Chest (Shared.  The player writing the final post rolls to open the chest and adds it to loot distribution as agreed upon by the group.)

Requirements:

• Roleplay reaching the ancient doorway
• Roleplay discovering journal entries & opening the door
• Traverse through the dungeon & slay 4 * party normal monsters & 2 * party elite monsters
• Defeat miniboss
• Defeat boss

Summary:

The players must roleplay their journey through the tenth floor searching for the doors. Once discovered they will find a single slot for one key. The keys will then glow and players can fuse them into one larger key which can be used to unlock the massive doors. In front of the doors is a journal entry which the players can pick up and read (in spoiler below). As the doors begin to creak open, the players can hear the dark words of Zymirth laughing as he flies overhead towards the open doors.

"Fools! You have only sealed your doom! My master awakens at last! And I his faithful servant shall lead his armies to desolate these lands! Ahahahahaha!"

Inside the doors is a massive dungeon with huge curved tunnels and oversized rooms for various uses. Many carvings and stories are etched into the walls as well.

Journal Entry: Warning! If you wish to avoid spoilers do not read this until your character picks it up and reads it

Outline:

Past the doors is a dungeon which the players must traverse through is a labyrinth of corridors and massive rooms, both bearing plenty of room for massive creatures to maneuver through. These corridors are twenty four feet tall and are lit by glowstones hanging on the walls and in the water on either side. Runes and symbols line and decorate the columns, and the walls have art and depictions of different scenes from ancient times. Throughout the many corridors are drawings and carvings, runes and writings depicting what appears to be an ancient war against some dark entity which ruled over the dragons. It is impossible to translate any of them, despite the entire structure being perfectly preserved.

Upon defeating enough undead hunters and undead abominations, the players will find a large gate room. Inside this gate room are trees, brush, grass, and even magically generated sunlight. At the gate itself Zymirth can be found desperately trying to open up the gate. However upon finding the players he will viciously attack them for the sole purpose of protecting his master.

 

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Enemies:

<<Undead Dragon Hunter>>
Having been dead, unburied and abandoned for countless ages, these ancient hunters no longer care what they do, who they serve, or why they fight. They resort only to instinct or to direct commands from Zymirth, and never feel or think anything of their own. Despite this their fighting nature, style, skill and expertise remain, resulting in an opponent who will never be fazed or fearful, show no hesitation or emotion, and fight with deadly skill and precision.
HP: 400
Base DMG (see Masters of the Art): 8
MIT: 50
ACC: 3
EVA: 1

True Undead: Undead dragon hunters are completely immune to debuffs, paralysis and stun, and all DoTs save for fire based enhancements. Attacks from weapons with the fallen enhancement deal 10% less damage against them and Holy deals 50% more (rounded down). They are unaffected by any skill used to generate additional hate.
Masters of the Art: Every turn, the dragon hunters attack by using one of the following sword arts from the One Handed Straight Sword and Curved Sword sword art lists based on their CD roll:

• CD 1 - 3: Shadow Explosion (One Handed Straight Sword)
• CD 4 - 6: Nova Ascension (One Handed Straight Sword)
• CD 7 - 9: Legion Destroyer (Curved Sword)
• CD 10 - 12: Butterfly Illusion (Curved Sword)

Master over Slave: During the fight with Zymirth, the dragon will command the Undead Dragon Hunters to intercept any succesful attacks against Zymirth. While intercepting attacks against Zymirth, the Undead Dragon Hunters have their mitigation halved (50 ➜ 25) and receive double the final damage. They can do this once every three rounds, and can deal their attacks while protecting Zymirth.

 

<<Undead Abomination>>
This creature is a fusion of countless bones from both humanoids and dragons left scattered across the ground, as well as random souls forced into it to give it life. These abominations act with ruthless brutality, having minimal to no thoughts of their own as they are nothing more than a mass of souls and bodies forced into one. While this prevents the creature from thinking logically in any way sense or form, it gives the monster unimaginable willpower and rage. This creature attacks with reckless abandon, making wide heavy strikes, charges and rushes, with no hesitation or fear of it's own life.
HP: 600
DMG: 150
MIT: 50
ACC: 3
EVA: -1

True Undead: Undead Abominations are completely immune to debuffs, paralysis and stun, and all DoTs save for fire based enhancements. Attacks from weapons with the fallen enhancement deal 10% less damage against them and Holy deals 100% more (rounded down). All hate generating skills and enhancements are doubly effective.
Wild Rage: Every three rounds, or anytime a player gains more than 4 hate in a single round, the undead abomination swings it's arms, legs, tail(s) and arms at everything around it dealing an additional 125 damage to each player in the party with the most hate.

 

<<Zymirth the Wretched>>
As before Zymirth will act primarily as backup and support for his minions, letting them attack the players directly for the most part. However he will also be more aggressive, choosing to attack the players from the skies whenever he has no need to ressurrect his undead warriors or abominations, or use his roar or breath attack. When he attacks it is vicious and filled with malice, but is also driven by fear should the players defeat him and somehow get past the gate itself. His arrogant personality remains, but he is more desperate, more vile, and more aggressive in his actions and words now.

When he begins channeling dark magic through his being, his body begins to decay even further. Now acting on pure desperation he strikes like a berserker, seeking to obliterate every player within it's gaze.
HP: 2700
DMG: 300
MIT: 25
ACC: 1
EVA: 4
Necrotic Body: While Zymirth's scales are all but rotten away, resulting in a pitiful amount of mitigation, his magic infused body makes up for it with the increased agility, but also powerful regeneration powers. Each passing turn he regenerates 50 points of damage, and heals himself for 25 points per hit he makes on the players. However he mostly lets his minions fight in his stead, only making an attack every other turn. Zymirth is immune to paralysis, stun, bleed, and poison enhancements. He receives double damage from fire based damage.
Dragon of Old: Unlike any of the previous dragons fought, Zymirth is not a descendant of the ancient dragons, but is one of the ancient dragons. As a result, he possesses a voice of authority unlike any other, allowing him to create an almighty roar. This roar paralyzes the players for one turn, as well as reduces their accuracy and evasion by 1 point for the two turns following stun recovery. Finally it reduces final damage of the players by 10% (after mitigation, rounded down) for the two turns following stun recovery. This ability has a 4 turn cooldown (based on combat rounds, not the number of attacks Zymirth makes), and Zymirth will use it on his third turn in combat.
Undead Summoning: Zymirth can and will conjure, summon and raise undead dragon hunters and abominations from dungeon around them. While this ability has no cooldown, Zymirth can only have four dragon hunters and two abominations on the battlefield at a time, and furthermore it takes one full round for the undead to make it's way into the chamber from the corridors outside. In order to ressurrect the dead he requires a post action, meaning he cannot attack, use his breath attack or roar, and has no evasion bonus. He will not ressurrect his undead forces again unless half or more have been slain and can ressurrect more than one at a time.
Breath Attack: Zymirth's breath attack is a very powerful and deadly acid spray that can hit the entire party, Potag included. Should his breath attack hit, the victim will not suffer any immediate direct damage, but will receive 100 points of unmitigatable acid damage for 2 turns. Before Necrotic Surge, he can only use this ability once. After Necrotic Surge, this ability gains a cooldown of 2 turns.
Necrotic Surge: As a final attempt to defeat the players, if his health reaches 15% or below, he will cancel the spell keeping the undead minions alive and will instead empower himself with dark magic. The result will restore his health to 25% and increase his stats as such: +2 additional accuracy, +30 damage, and makes Breath Attack an ability that has a cooldown of 2 turns. This only activates once and lasts the entire fight.

 

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Epilogue: 

<<Floor 26>>

Floor 26 is encompassed entirely by the sprawling capital city of the Empire of Ladonia.  Draped over a series of low, gently sloping hills and valleys, its urban landscape extends to the very edge of the floor, where the walls that supposedly protect it also serve to mark the outer edges of the floating castle.  Standing upon their battlements, players see golden, wheat-laden fields stretching to distant forests and unreachable mountains beyond.  It is an illusion, projected at the city limits to maintain the fiction of imperial scale and might.  NPCs are perfectly capable of traveling beyond the walls, but any player attempting to cross the threshold instantly reappears at the floor’s teleportation portal. 

Ladonia is the city’s name, as much as the nation that it purports to rule.  Grand in scale and opulence, its wealthiest quarters are unmatched by anything that players have seen anywhere in Aincrad.  White marble and limestone buildings make up most of Ladonia’s architecture, much of it a mismatch of different styles and influences copied from fringe borderlands and other realms conquered to fuel its ever-expanding glory.  Galtea was the latest such rival to fall, and many of its most skilled craftsmen and scholars have been dragged to the outskirts, bound by oaths of indentured servitude  in exchange for paltry recompense and the pleasure of serving their conquerors.  Those less fortunate were brought here in chains.  It is a miserable existence, mocking what little remains of their fallen pride and culture.  Nothing remains of Galtea itself, as a nation, since Ladonia unleashed the might of its skybound armada and their divinely granted and devastating weapons upon them.

Unlike other floors, where variations in geography and the sprinkle of smaller settlements often determine prominent areas and zones, Ladonia’s neighborhoods and major districts form the equivalent.  Seemingly endless layers of ancient catacombs lay concealed below the artisanal  glitz and pomp that govern the upper avenues, and here the truth of Ladonia is revealed.  Its vast wealth and power were built upon the backs of people, many of them used, consumed, then discarded or ground down to the bone.  They end up in the sprawling lower levels without status of privilege, or access to the grandeur they produced for others.  Here, they seethe, and the powder-keg waits for its match.

At the center of the city is the seat of the Empire.  From the Imperial Palace, Grand Imperator Razwell III governs his infinite domains with the assistance of his three oldest sons, the princes Rasler, Vex, and Lamont.  Aging and faltering, the Emperor is beset by threats on all sides, some within his own, extensive family.  The native population of Ladonia is mostly human, but nearly any imaginable manner of humanoid can be found walking its streets, or more likely below them if considered beneath notice to those who reign.  Nobles, courtesans and merchants walk richly appointed streets and broad avenues, many carried upon palanquins and other assorted modes of travels.  The dilettantes attempt to out-do each other in splendor, while the masses watch.  The common folk stick to the outskirts and imperial guard roam everywhere, half of the latter considered to be as corrupt as those they are sworn to protect.  Ladonia simultaneously prospers and teeters precariously under the weight of its own successes.  

Ladonia boasts that its recent defeat of the rival Kingdom of Galtea was made possible by a great gift, granted to them by the Empire’s divine patrons: the Lords of Fate.  Though few actually know what it was, as the battle took place far from the capital, it wiped out Galtea with a single use. Galtean refugees speak of a bright flash of light before an intense heat washed over the kingdom and destroyed three-quarters of their fair city in an instant. Despite having lost their homeland, some survivors are said to have banded together and infiltrated Ladonia itself, bearing plans to exact vengeance.  Wars are brewing in alleys and parlours of the empire, with opportunities aplenty for devoted champions and the more notorious sort.  Many Galteans still follow the lead of their King, whom they claim escaped their realm’s fall and plots against those who wronged them.  He’s become a martyr and folk hero to many, receiving credit for every slight or mockery to imperial authority.  Wanted posters litter the lower levels, to no avail.  Suspects are rounded up and merciless interrogated, fanning growing flames of rebellion.  Even the Lords of Fate are said to have gone silent with concern.

Main Settlement:

<<Ladonia: The Imperial Quarter>>

Imperial Ladonia is known for its grand scale and military might. Nowhere is this more blatantly on display than the regimented rows of austere-looking barracks, training grounds, administrative structures and assorted panoplies of power on display around the imperial palace.  The central structure is immense, dwarfing everything else in the city, with multiple pavilion-filled gardens, lavish fountains, awe-inspiring fields of sculptures and other amenities beyond imagination, each of them dialed up to eleven on the quality scale.  It is impossible not to be moved by the treasures and history gathered in its endless colonnades and halls.

Intended as a monument, as much as the Imperial residence, the palace likewise functions as an impenetrable, multi-layered fortress.  Clerks, priests, warriors and courtesans mingle in accordance with an intricate dance throughout the grounds.  Outsiders stand out starkly, being unfamiliar with the cloaked dance of local politics, etiquette and prestige.  They quickly become pawns in the Machiavellian games and power plays of the many factions struggling for control.

Not actually a safe zone, the many guards on patrol eye all players warily, regardless of their status.  Anyone foolish enough to cause a scene will be dealt with swiftly and harshly.  Still, agents and assassins remain commonplace here, wielded as weapons in deadly contests and vendetta, often hiding in plain sight.

The royal family rarely leaves the central tower residence, which literally and figuratively overshadows all other structures with its magnificent craftsmanship.  Finely detailed sculptural relief covers every inch of the tower’s entire surface, recounting the history of Ladonia’s rise.  The uppermost reaches are said to shroud a shrine and chapel to the Lords of Fate and are said to contain a prophecy that will doom the Empire.  Players may only enter the parlors and vestibules of the lowest floor. All upper levels remain barred to them by the system itself.

Other Locations:

◉ « Nobles District » 

Renowned for housing the palaces and estates of the wealthiest and most celebrated noble families in the Empire, this district is second only to the Imperial Quarter in its opulence and security, though the latter is more often provided by the men at arms of each house.  The Imperial Guard maintain a modest, watchful presence, mindful of their status as active reminders of Imperial authority.  Forces from various factions have been known to clash openly, but the embarrassment of censure for such brazen violence is considered uncouth and often stains the reputations of both houses.  The true dangers here are rarely plainly seen.

Should players not carry themselves with confidence through this area, arrogant nobles will eat them alive by insulting them in any way possible. Wealth, influence and prestige are the only true marks of merit here, and those who might voice their disagreement with the status quo will promptly be reminded of their place, and any related slights avenged from the shadows.

◉ « Aquilainean Bazaar »

Unlike most market districts scattered throughout Aincrad’s other floors, the Aquilainean Bazaar purports to provide only the highest quality luxury goods, made available at extravagantly inflated prices.  Much of it is dross dressed up with flashy baubles and exotic bits of colour and scents.  Only the discerning consumer can spot the true treasures among the trash, or so say the absurdly rich patrons who often make sport of declaring, then parading their ridiculous expenditures.  

The Imperial Guard maintain a heavy presence throughout the marketplace, but half of them are only there to collect graft and do little to keep the peace.  The large number of travelers and mercenaries who frequent the various shops only complicates the efforts of those with more honest intentions.  Meanwhile, the entire place is teeming with thieves, many operating under the auspices of the Brazen Guile - a shadowy syndicate of misanthropes with fingers in every pie across all of Ladonia. 

The only safe zone on the entire floor is located around the Concordance Commons, near the eastern outskirts of the city, and the caravan gates.  It is also where the floor’s teleportation can be found.  Shops, taverns and inns surround the space, offering a spectacular spectrum of wares, services and lodgings to travelers from the Empire’s many provinces and stranger lands beyond.

◉ « Ladonian Skyport »

Located on the edge of the Aquilainean Markets, the spire of Ladonia’s impressive skyport is second only to the imperial palace in height and magnificence, standing as a symbolic reminder of who actually keeps the col flowing.  Massive spars, dotted with berths for private, commercial and military airships span outward from the central tower, which uses a series of variant teleporters to move goods and people about, though only in the skyport itself.    

Security is especially tight throughout the facility, and access to its uppermost reaches is wholly restricted to Ladonian military officers.  Players cannot travel more than ten levels up the tower, though it visibly rises dozens of storeys beyond that point.  Deadly battleships can be seen hovering at the topmost levels, like an omnipresent threat and reminder of the Emperor’s true instruments to power.

Smaller aerial taxies are readily available for use throughout the lower spars, shuttling people to fixed travel points all over the city.  Fares vary by the size and level of luxury of the ferry.  Private carriage can also be arranged, and features prominently as a tourist attraction and feature in romantic escapades. 

Skyrat pirates are rumored to have agents in place throughout the skyport’s infrastructure, smuggling all manner of goods about the city under the guise of legitimate business.  Their ships occasionally make daring raids on isolated docks and wayward transports that wander too far from the patrol lanes and picket ships that litter Ladonia’s skyline. 

◉ « Galtean Refugee Zone »

The designated zone at the edge of the city where survivors of the destroyed Kingdom of Galtea are permitted to squat.  It is technically outside the walls, and the only part of the floor accessible to players beyond that boundary.  Part slum, part improvised prison camp, it is relatively easy to enter and much harder to leave.  A small palisade rings its outer reaches, with weapons pointed inward, making it quite clear where Ladonia considers the threat to be.

Found in a rocky area near the perimeter of Ladonia, the surviving Galteans find themselves relegated here in the absence of any possibility that they could afford to live anywhere else.  Numerous guards patrol the area and remain on high alert, watching over the locals and treating them as one might expect of a conquering power towards the conquered.  Ladonia isn’t know for its beneficence.  

The Galteans are considered to be the lowest end of the social spectrum in Ladonia, often forced to wear a yellow armband or other marks in order to be granted limited access to the city proper, and only at the invite of some other party.  While anybody is allowed access into the area, those who visit will be treated suspiciously by the guards, inviting the trouble that usually follows. The Galteans have access to water and limited supplies of food as provided by the Empire, but only if they earn their keep by providing either some specialized service that brought them here in the first place, or as indentured labour working in nearby mines or performing other backbreaking tasks - all for the benefit of the Empire. 

Any Galtean who steps or speaks out of line is typically beaten, sometimes to the point of death. Few Galtean Refugees willingly engage in discourse with strangers, especially native Ladonians. They mention little to nothing of their homeland or how it came to its end, though the symbol of the grey raven appears with unusual frequency throughout the camp, drawing much ire from the guards.  It was once the mark of Galtea’s missing king.

◉ « Low-Ladonia »

The slums of Ladonia are located in extensive catacombs and sewers directly beneath the city, extending into exposed, poorer residential quarters along the outer edges of the floor. Those that dwell here remain at the bottom of the food chain, sleeping in tents or derelict buildings abandoned as their former occupants moved on to better things. 

While treading through Low-Ladonia, one can easily find that their belongings have been pickpocketed by NPC's. There isn't much currency flowing through the slums, but there remain a few vendors selling various essentials such as food. Of course, it is low-quality but sold at dirt cheap prices to match the economy. No guards patrol the area, allowing just about anything to happen. Fights often break out and most NPC's wouldn't bat an eye at finding a corpse face down in the middle of the open street. A few Galteans have also managed to escape the Refugee zone and have made their way down here, shedding or concealing whatever marked their heritage to conceal their identities. 

Located underground, or in the shadows of the walls and upper districts, Low-Ladonia is cold and damp, having little access to direct sunlight.  There is a lingering odor in the air, mostly from connections to the old sewers, some of which remain active.  The ancient sewer system remains accessible through a series of rusted gates and tunnels.  Few people in the city proper even remember that these places exist.  

The Sewers are not without dangers as a wide variety of monsters can be found within.  True peril comes in the form of Blighter covers, Brazen Guile spy rings and splinter cells, and the occasional Galtean rebels.  Strangely, having an orange icon over your head tends to earn you a better reception with most of the mobs and NPCs in these areas, to the extent that some will actively parley with players who would be actively assaulted were there crystals shining green.

Transportation

Ladonia’s infrastructure is unmatched, offering practically every form of travel convenience imaginable.  Mounts of every shape and size can be purchased or rented here, though they cannot leave the bounds of the floor.  Carriages, carts and palanquins fill the streets, just as airships of every shape and size litter the skies. Travel in Ladonia is more constrained by whether you should be someplace, rather than how you’re going to get there.

Common Mobs of Floor Twenty-Six

Field Boss of Floor Twenty-Six

« Floor Twenty-Six Labyrinth »

No details are currently known about the location or nature of the labyrinth on Floor 26.

To locate it, a scouting group must roll a combined LD of 150. Refer to the Tutorial for more information on scouting protocol.

Quests:

<<Link>>
<<Link>>

Labyrinth: Unknown
Boss: Unknown

<<Floor 25>>

Floor 25 is an ominous and foreboding floor, and yet also strangely calm, at least in certain areas. The staircase from floor twenty-four, below, emerges into what appears to be a shrine to some unknown entity. Stepping out of the shrine, visitors find themselves within the floor’s main settlement situated against the great gates of an immense and terrifying labyrinth. Its outer walls stretch higher than anyone could ever hope to reach, and are both flat and seamless.  It is impossible to see over the top. The walls also stretch to Aincrad’s outer edge, to be found nearby in both directions, completely cutting off the majority of the floor from access.  The only place left to go is the entrance. 

What little can be seen outside the labyrinth is nothing but dangerously rough, uneven, even shattered and cracked terrain.  Toxic smoke belches out from the ground, poisoning any entity foolish enough to attempt to cross over it. There is no wind, nor breeze, on this floor.  The air is stale and cold.  A thick blanket of low-hanging sooty-grey clouds hangs low in the skies, breaking only rarely to allow the slightest sliver of light to pass.  Such respite is never known within the Labyrinth itself.  Rain falls occasionally, and always directly downward and often as a deluge.  The place is dour and depressing, at the best of times, weighing on the spirit and the soul of any who travel here.

The NPCs that inhabit the floor are a rugged mix of humans, orcs and minotaurs. Their culture and way of life is based entirely on cooperation and survival. Most if not all of the minotaurs are warriors, hunters, and shamans. Each stands between seven feet and nine feet tall.  They also often sport trimmed beards, wearing beaded jewelry if they are shamans, or armor if they are warriors or hunters. The humans are primarily laborers, craftsmen, researchers and alchemists, favouring bright woven clothing, or gambeson armor and dark cloaks when hunting. The orcs are warriors, more often than not, but a select few among them also serve in other capacities. They are short of stature, standing between four and five feet tall, with orange-yellow skin, and often donning animal hides and leathers. Despite their vast differences in culture and history, they work together in surprising harmony for the sake of their common survival.

Special Conditions:

Main Settlement:

<<Lite'tara>>

Lite'tara, meaning 'standing light', is the one and only settlement outside of the Labyrinth, and was once also known as the Settlement of the Iron Fist. It spreads out across the shallow valley that rests between the Labyrinth gate and the edge of the floor itself.  The place consists mostly of tattered tents and small buildings such as huts and hovels with a smattering of larger cabins. Workplaces are usually open to the elements.  A rare few have tarps overhead to protect their tools and  equipment from rainfall. The local populace trudges along, as best they can, managing to scrape by and endure. Despite how grim and deadly this floor is, Lite’tara is relatively lively. Ringing hammers and the wafting scent of fresh cooked bread serve to break up the dreariness of the landscape.  Hearty conversations are often accompanied by the prayers and chanting of shamans, and the occasional the boastful laughter of warriors. There is an undercurrent and spirit of life to the place, which offers hope.  

A large cluster of tents and structures are set aside for research and alchemy, including a small library where all recorded knowledge is kept.  The collective of shamans commune with ancient spirits and entities in their own set of rituals circles on the outskirts, and so forth. Every group has their place, integrated into the whole.  

Standing at the gate of the labyrinth is a very old minotaur whose mane has turned gray.  He hands out starlight chalk, which leaves magically glowing marks behind that followers can use to find their way back.

Sub-Settlements:

◉ « Ogo'mathas » 

Ogo'mathas, meaning "City of Champions" is found deep within the Labyrinth, supposedly in the center of it. To find it players must roll a modified LD of 11+ twice. The entrance is easily spotted above ground, but the settlement itself lies beneath the surface. By observing the surroundings it becomes clear that the place once stood on the surface.  It  either sank or the Labyrinth was built up and over it. Populated primarily by minotaurs, it also hosts some who've become hopelessly lost in the Labyrinth and have given up any hope of ever escaping it. The stone buildings are ancient and covered with indecipherable text and images. The atmosphere here is grim and serious, with no entertainment to be found. Within the fortified town is a massive castle appointed to hold off the denizens of the Labyrinth and shelter the entire population, if things get really bad. A statue of Orgoth the Minotaur rests at the center of town. The text at the base of the statue reads: "The Greatest of Champions Shall Emerge When the Need is Most Dire."

Other Locations

◉ « The Labyrinth »

Taking up the vast majority of the floor, the Labyrinth is endless. By use of magic, supernatural power or some other force, the Labyrinth exists in a pocket dimension contained within the tower of Aincrad. It’s bigger on the inside, where a pale, dim sun barely managed to cast light enough to reach its outer walls.  Nor does this paltry orb ever move, thus the darkness lies thick within the maze. The floor and walls are all completely smoothed and seamless stone. Throughout the Labyrinth are many square towers offering excellent vantage points from which to survey the maze.  Most of them are spread great distances apart to make it hard to reach one from the other.   Even these offer only a temporary benefit, as the Labyrinth itself changes constantly. Every hour, corridors shift slightly or turn differently, as new doors open while others close. Even the towers will slowly shift from one area to another nearby. A single day’s passage can result in an almost completely different maze design, not that time has any referential meaning here. Even worse, the maze isn't always completely flat, and can curve up and downhill. There are pits, traps,  chasms and many other forms of malleable landscape and architecture.

Accidentally encountering another wanderer, whether by themselves or in a group, is practically impossible in the Labyrinth. Navigation is horribly difficult, and danger lurks around every corner. There are no natural sounds within the labyrinth, save those produced by players or the monsters they encounter.  Only their own movement and voices will echo through the area. A sense of dread and fear clings to everyone who travels here. Many places in the Labyrinth are also filled with fog and mist, adding further confusion and disorientation. All dungeons on the floor will always be within the Labyrinth, and will always be a maze themselves. There are also several layers to the Labyrinth, being the surface and at least two subfloors of mazes below. Stairs leading between these layers are also scattered throughout, making it that much more difficult to navigate.

◉ « Shrine to Shadows »

Somewhere within the Labyrinth is a very ancient and unusual shrine. To find it, players must roll a modified LD of 20+.  Located in a small clearing of soft soil with a spread of dry grass, a chilling breeze blows in a continuous circle around the shrine itself. Many carved stones are placed around the shrine as offerings, each with their own unreadable writing upon it.  The shrine itself is a large stone arch with what appears to be an orb in the center. When approached, a pale blue light fills the interior of the orb, shining through its carvings and circular openings in its center.  This light follows the players wherever they go,  until they leave the shrine. Whenever the light is active, shadows in the clearing seem to gain substance and begin moving independently, as if reaching out to the carving symbols in hopes of communication. Once the players have seen the shrine light up, they will hear faint whispers from the darkness whenever traversing the floor, though they cannot discern what they say.

Any shamans hearing the description of the shrine cannot decide what to make of these omens, whether malevolent or benevolent.  Nor can they confirm anything the players may ask or speculate. This is one of the only two locations where monsters will not appear in the Labyrinth.

◉ « Foreboding Towers »

Standing taller than any other structure, and found randomly throughout the Labyrinth, are ten foreboding and ominous towers. In order to find one, a player must roll an LD of 18+. These towers possess their own spiral staircase unlike the far shorter, square-shaped watch towers scattered throughout the Labyrinth.  Journeying up the stairs is an exhausting ordeal, usually taking between two to three hours to ascend or descend, depending on the endurance of those making the attempt. At the top of each tower is some sort of arena-like floor, though there is no surrounding seating. Stone pillars stand along the edge of each ring, and lines, runes and texts are carved in as well. These platforms sit above the perpetual cloud cover of the Labyrinth, where the sun and sky shine a pale crimson.  Most curiously,  the locations of the towers shifts daily, rotating in a predictable, radial pattern with each other.  No one has been able to discern why.

◉ « Shrines of Light »

Only found in rare caves that required an LD 16+ to discover, their telltale mark is the cobblestone  pathway set into soft soil that draws explorers to them. At the end of the path and back of each cave is a circular stone platform with vibrant grass around it. One large pillar and two smaller ones serve as a shrine. Sunlight shines down from above, without any opening or reveal to indicate its sources. The closer a person gets to a shrine, the more relaxed they become. A warm feeling filling them, and soothing them of stresses and fears gather on their voyages. There are many of these shrines in the Labyrinth. Based on the writing, carvings and symbols found at each of them, they are dedicated to "light itself" or something similar. No one seems to know their origins.  The shamans theorize that these shrines are devoted to an entity of light, though no one knows who or what it might be.  This is one of the only two locations within the labyrinth where monsters do not appear.

Transportation

None.  Walking and climbing are the only options.

Common Mobs of Floor Twenty-Five

Field Boss of Floor Twenty-Five

« Floor Twenty-Five Labyrinth »

Twenty four hours after the death of the floor boss and departure of the party, the <<Endless Maze>>  at the heart of the Labyrinth turned inward and twisted itself into a confluence of paradoxical passages that is said to include three separate, internal layers.  Its tunnels and corridors became more twisted, winding, complex and confusing than even the rest of the Labyrinth.  Unlike the rest of the Labyrinth, this place actively changes constantly, as if it is governed by different physical laws that teeter too close to the nature of entropy for sanity to be maintained.  No one should linger here long, for fear of losing their minds.

Players must roll LD 20+ to find a stair to the next deeper level, making rolls in accordance with the unique conditions listed above.  The Detect and Reveal mods are applicable to these rolls.  At the very center of the <<Endless Maze>>, players will find the room where Orgoth the Minotaur was freed from the Shadow’s influence and the players ultimately helped him defeat his villainous darkness. A crown-like ring of magical lights still floats over the room, like a spinning crown, eliminating all darkness from the space.  No hostile mobs can enter the boss room, which has since become an unguarded safe zone.
 

Quests:
<<Essence Of Titanium>>
 

Labyrinth: And a Shadow Attend [Labyrinth Boss]
Boss: Paving the Way to Floor 26 [Shadow, the Malevolent]

 

<Floor 24>>

Floor 24 is primarily an open expanse of water dotted by islands of various sizes that somehow float on or above the crystal clear water’s sparkling surface.  A ring of high mountains surrounds the edge of the floor to contain the sea.  Untethered to the ocean floor, the archipelago is clustered around a single main land mass, with dozens more hovering around in its orbit.  No one seems able to explain how it is that the islands float in the water, or what causes some of them to spring up into the sky on thin spires of rock that resemble the shape of a funnel cloud.  Nearly all of the lesser islands at surface level are connected by an intricate web of slender bridges, each no more than ten feet wide.  They arch lazily up into the air to allow the passage of smaller vessels below.  Some of the walkways are barely the breadth of a single person, which can require some patience or ingenuity when encountering another traveller heading in the opposite direction.  Wider platforms sometimes break up the spans, serving as rest points and viewing areas.  Water taxis also run often between various locations throughout the floor.
Most of the islands are unnaturally flat, seeming like they might once have belonged to a single expanse of grassland, making them ideal for agriculture and husbandry.  Bright, sandy beaches frequently mark the edges of islands flush with the water’s surface.  A few even have limited patches of tropical forest that also provides a source of lumber and other more exotic materials.  The sea provides almost everything else, and is a vast, largely unexplored area that offers the floor’s primary source of threats.  

Though its waters are crystal clear, light penetrates barely 50 feet below the surface, beyond which everything is dim to completely dark.  Most of the areas along the floor perimeter and in the centre, around the main island, are shallow enough to allow for easy exploration of the extensive coral reefs and all manner of abundant plant and animal life.  The areas beyond belong to the depths, where the Sahagin and other dangers dwell. 
Floor 24 is blessed with a perpetually warm and pleasant climate, marred only rarely by storms, which are otherwise anchored to specific islands along the outer fringe.  There are no seasons here, and the locals are known throughout Aincrad for savouring their endless summers with frequent and excessive feasts of rich food and abundant drink.

The inhabitants of the floor are very friendly and accepting of the players, whom they have to see as saviours and valued allies. Dressing mostly in togas, robes and other similarly loose garments,  their behavior is noble, gentle and dignified. The people hold a great many festivals to their gods, praising them with great regularity.  Legionnaire guards patrol and protect the settlements, maintaining fortified positions in the major settlements, from which they fan out to oversee the less inhabited areas.  Legionary ships also patrol the seas. The inhabitants are peaceful, preferring to focus on the development of their arts and culture instead of battle.  They do have one intransigent enemy: the water-dwelling Sahagin, with whom they have been at war for many years.  Away from actual fields of battle, the only conflict here can be found on the sandy floors of the colosseum, where champions fight till one concedes defeat or dies in their tournaments.

The NPCs of floor 24 worship a pantheon of many gods.  The greatest among them are well-known, with shrines and temples devoted to them found at nearly every turn.  They are:

• Sol, god of sun, warmth, who is said to keep the sea from submerging the lands, as well as guard and protect the inhabitants. 
• Luna, goddess of the moon, tranquility and the sea, who is said to provide peace and calm in the night, and to have set aside her wrath in the storm anchors.
• Ceras, goddess of agriculture and fertility. 
• Aporo, god of festivals and music. 
• Farna, god of wildlife and marine life.
• Flova, goddess of plant life and spring. 
• Jandis, god of fate and choice. 
• Jurio, goddess of love and marriage. 
• Minharva, goddess of knowledge and wisdom. 
• Ponito, god of death and winter. 
• Mercora, god of champions and contests.

Aside from their gods, there is only one creature which the local NPCs fear: the demon beast known as Leviathan.  Upon hearing the players’ boasts that the great nemesis had been slain, by their hands, there was much skepticism and denial.  How could the mighty titan of the depths have been defeated?  Yet, rather suddenly, attacks from its Sahagin minions dropped dramatically in frequency and severity.  The truth was inescapable.  These champions had indeed done the unthinkable.  Celebrations erupted all across the archipelagos, and a new festival was dedicated to celebrating and commemorating their triumph.  Even now, locals sing the praises of any player they encounter and offer thanks for their deeds, or of those who came before them. 

Main Settlement:

<<Scalabis>>

Scalabis spreads across most of the main island which rests at the very center of the floor. It is the only island that has a bedrock foundation connecting it to the ocean bottom. Most of the large island is urbanized, made up of vast and layered architecture with a strong Roman-like style. Marble is everywhere, creating a luxurious and noble atmosphere, as well as a strong, formal sense of presence and identity. The main avenues are wide and well-organized.  Navigation across the city is quick and simple. Citizens here smile and stop to help one another, as well as any players they encounter.  Even the friendly neighbourhood legionnaires occasionally lend a hand.  The city is replete with public facilities like temples, bathhouses, clinics, gardens, market squares, etc.  No single building could be considered 'small' save, on its own, though a contest of comparative scales seems to underlay their otherwise functional natures. There are nobles living in the city, but they are often generous, courteous and gracious to both players and NPCs alike, regardless of their status.

Scalabis’ harbour and lighthouse dominate one portion of the shoreline, with a near-constant stream of traffic flowing in and out at all hours.  The rest of the coast is open as beaches for anyone to enjoy, spending time amongst the waves, sun and sand as they please.  Most of the shipping traffic consists of fishing vessels and biremes. The latter are primarily used for transportation of goods or people, but can also be found being used by legionnaire for their patrols.

Sub-Settlements:

◉ « Palma » 

One of the few, hilly islands on the floor, Palma is located at the most eastern edge of the archipelago.  It is the site of the main temple to Sol, outside of Scalabis.  A grand, marble structure faces the point on the horizon where the sun rises each morning, bringing Sol home from his overnight journey.   It is said the sea sparkles like a jewel when viewing it from the temple steps at dawn. 

A small and far less impressive camp surrounds the temple, where local merchants and pilgrims gather to pay homage, or just to play tourist.  Few permanent structures exist here, save the residences of the priestly orders attending the temple, a few storage buildings, and a small keep with a protective garrison of legionnaires.

◉ « Massa » 

Massa is Palma’s western counterpart and sacred ground to those who worship Luna.  Unlike the pristine white marble of Sol’s temple, Luna’s is deeply striated with veins of indigo, reminiscent of the ocean depths that surround it.  Where Palma is the daytime party place, Massa is preferred by visitors for romance and evenings filled with wild revelry.  The locals are rarely awake during the day, preferring to keep a nocturnal schedule in deference to their goddess.  Local amenities are otherwise nearly identical. Some say that the moon and setting sun's light create a beautiful purple color across the sea and sky if you watch the sunset on their hilltop.

◉ « Marsonia » 

Marsonia is south of the Scalabris and concentrated around one medium sized island with several surrounding reefs that form a wide, curved lagoon. Immediately upon arrival, players will notice a large fleet of fishing boats, lured here by the fertile fishing grounds in the surrounding waters. The docks are rife with activity focused on trade and industry, where backroom bargains and handshake deals are standard stock, and even more interesting things happen in the lurking shadows. Players can find nearly any variety of clothing, armor, potions, food, and other goods in Marsonia’s markets.  The resale market of player-made items is particularly popular.

Other Locations

◉ « The Colosseum »

The colosseum is, without a doubt, the largest single structure on the floor. Open daily, it features everything from mock-battles, for personal training to fantastic festivals and events, to full-fledged battle royale where combatants duel to the death.  Despite their enlightened demeanors, the arena serves as the outlet for floor 24’s NPCs’ darker impulses.  

Tournaments and contests of strength and valor draw the biggest crowds. Most of the contestants fight until the other yields, but it is not unheard of for a fight to continue until one or the other dies accidentally or by design. The terrain inside the colosseum can be widely manipulated and modified to suit the needs of the day, ranging from flat earthen land to angular, broken ground with large stones and boulders, or even a pool of water in the center with a wooden platform. This enables every type of warrior, with various skill sets, to test themselves at advantage or disadvantage, depending on their talents. If players choose to have a duel in this arena, the locals will often come to watch should they hear the news, as it is a public place. 

◉ « Raitoboru Bay »

This location is famous as a vacation spot for single and courting players and NPCs alike.  It is said to be unsurpassed for general relaxation and ambiance. Under sunlight and moonlight, the bay has vastly different colorings and sparkles in the most spectacular manner. Its waves and tides are never violent.  The waters even seem to actively avoid knocking over anything constructed of sand on the island’s beaches, and dampen splashes directed against anyone who doesn’t wish to get wet. Swimming in these waters eases tension, bolstered by inexplicable added buoyancy.  Even the most adamant, hard-case disciplinarians and edgelords will have their muscles relax, energies recover, and find themselves rejuvenated overall. It is even rumored that, unless the person wishes to remain so, no one leaves the bay with sadness, anger, fear or regret lingering in their heart.  

◉ « Paradise Islands »

Located in the northern waters, the Paradise Islands are among the most rugged on the floor.  Dotted with cliffs faces, rock spires and partially overgrown by jungle, this area is favoured by  those who prefer a vacation filled with athletic activity and challenges.  

Each island differs greatly in shape, size, vegetation and wildlife.  Great spans of rock, wayward vines, interlaced branches, caves and grottos seem to interconnect the chain.  Monsters are actually rare here, which adds to its popularity as a tourist site.  Rare and secret ingredients required to make potions of water breathing are said to be hidden among the islands’ thick jungles, though no players have yet to be able to confirm it.

◉ « Storm Anchor Islands »

Floor 24’s fantastic climate is unnatural, apparently by design.  Raucous rains and thunderstorms are somehow tethered to four specific, rocky and barren islands scattered at far corners of its otherwise calm and  open waters.  Divers report seeing massive metal chains linking the underside of these largely featureless islands to something in the dark, underwater depths, but none have ever managed to find their ends.  Perpetual rains and lightning scour their rocky, broken surfaces, preventing any life from grabbing hold, yet fragments of masonry and hints of old foundations can sometimes be found.  No one knows who established the Storm Anchor Islands, how, or even why.  If asked about them, the local NPCs just shrug and give thanks to their pantheon for having sequestered the worst and most violent weather away from the rest of their waters.

◉ « Underwater Ruins »

An uncanny abundance of ancient ruined cities and other hints of lost civilizations are scattered throughout the ocean floor, linked by remnants of long-lost roads and pathways that must once have connected them.  It is almost as if an entire underwater world, an entire kingdom or empire, sunk into the sea all at once. Most of these ruins are now occupied by Sahagin, who utilize the fractured battlements to house their own fledgling society.  Rumours are rife that the Sahagin are actually the twisted descendants of whatever realm was lost to the ocean floor.  Each ruin contains everything one would find in ancient cities, towns and settlements, ranging from temples and shrines, castles and colosseums, to farmsteads with pens and pastures for livestock long since vanished. Leviathan once dwelled in a castle that dominated the largest of these ruins, and is strongly suspected of having played a preeminent role in whatever calamity befell its people.

Transportation

The primary mode of foot traffic between the islands of the floor are wooden raft bridges, which consist of two ropes attached to either side of an island. Tied to the ropes are wooden panels that float on the water which the player walks on when crossing them. Some pathways are suspended bridges or even impossibly slender stone spans, giving a clear access for ships to sail under them. A wide variety of water-borne vessels are also utilized, particularly for the shipment of bulk goods or large numbers of people.  Water taxis take many forms and frequently ferry people to and fro from popular docks and waypoints scattered throughout the floor.  Every island is linked to the rest by some form of physical connection, supplemented as required by naval traffic.

Common Mobs of Floor Twenty-Four

Field Boss of Floor Twenty-Four

« Floor Twenty-Four Labyrinth »

Floor twenty four’s labyrinth is a series of broad, multi-layered ruins in the darkness of the ocean depths, protected and isolated by a supernaturally strong current that prevent direct descent into its grounds.  Forced to approach from the sea bed, those who seek to enter it find themselves amidst a series of ancient ruins left behind by some long-lost civilization whose culture once closely mimicked that which still thrives upon the surface. A cultish faction of Sahagin still dwells here, controlling the various seaborn monstrosities once spawned by Leviathan, their former lord and master.  They long for better days, when the surface realm feared them and their power, and would do anything to restore those times and resume their predations upon their ancient foes.  In the ruined throne room of a massive castle, at the heart of the labyrinth, players can still find the empty boss room where Leviathan fell, the inky, toxic sludge that was its blood still clinging and coating the stone floors and walls.

Quests:
<<Incognito Antics>>
 

Labyrinth: 'Sahagin Shenanigans' [Labyrinth Boss]
Boss: Paving the way to Floor 25 (Floor 24 Boss Battle - Leviathan)

.

<<Floor 23>>

Serenity shattered by endless, duplicitous war.  This is the tale of Aincrad’s 23rd Floor, where rivalry between the Sun and Night, two tribes of elves, lasted for centuries with no clear winner in sight. The original spark to have lit such a hateful conflict had long since faded from even their impressive memories and drifted into the realms of myth.  War had become a habit enshrined in culture and fostered by hatred between kinfolk, until they knew no other way to regard each other. This floor shares two levels.  The first is a sylvan paradise once filled with bountiful forests and locked eternally on the cusp between Spring and Summer.  Recent events have changed all of that.  The latter is a damp and dank Underdark where exiles seek refuge and plot vengeance for grievances; new, old and imagined.
Players eventually breached the floor and found the feuding elves, breaking their deadlock by siding with the Sun against the Night.  Some claim that their biases played into the decision, while others argue that they were beguiled by the Eldred King’s wiles.  A simmering war that had become a seemingly eternal skirmish suddenly burst into furious and tragic conflict.  The balance was broken.  Sun started to overcome Night with the aid of the strangers.

Queen Lun’Rael, called the Night Lily by her worshipful people, watched from her high tower in the Kriit Woodlands as they were butchered.  Slowly, the Night elves began losing ground.  Bolstered by the strange powers brought to bear by the newly arrived strangers, the forces of Kith’Sarai, the Eldred King of Ydalin and Lord of the Sun, broke through their enemy’s lines, hunting down and slaughtering their fellow kin wherever they found them.  Whole towns were put to the flame in the name of righteous vengeance.

As doom was upon her people, Lun’Rael used the dark magics passed down by generations in her family to perform one final, sacrificial act of defiance to wipe clear the entire battlefield of life at the cost of her own. Most of the Night tribe had fled to the underground to seek shelter in advance of their Queen’s final act. Their ancestral home in the Kriit Woodlands was instantly transformed into a withered, lifeless husk and has since become known as the Vale of Ruin.
The elven tribes that dwell on Floor 23 have both seen their cultures shattered by tragedy.  Once-proud traditions have been lost, and former identities replaced by the banal.  Forced underground by their defeat, the Night elves were quickly branded as Dark elves, while their Ydalin kin took for themselves the title of Wood elves, befitting their status as masters of the entire, albeit diminished, forests on the surface.  But nature itself abhorred both their deeds, and the chaos their actions had wrought.  Their rivalry had been stable enough to sustain near-immortal lives, but now, even the seasons no longer know their place.  

Still reeling from the devastation of Lun’Rael’s curse, Floor 23’s surface climate remains unhinged and now reflects the moods of each player and NPC in their immediate surroundings.  The brooding sulk will find themselves under clouds of perpetual and cold autumn rains, whereas a bubbly, cheerful child will bask under the warmth and glow of the summer sun.  Those with hope and promise in their hearts foster Spring, whereas anyone with an orange marker is cursed to suffer the chill of an eternal winter. 

While the Dark Elves busied themselves with rebuilding their civilization, the Wood Elves have focused on mourning.  Their pyrrhic victory devastated their society, leaving unfathomable numbers dead.  Every family was affected, most suffering the loss of at least one parent, if not both.  These once-proud people have fractured into small family units settling in isolated homesteads and lodges throughout the surface of the floor to reflect and recover.  Kith-Sarai’s kingdom is shattered and he still fumes over his stolen victory, plotting to regain the glory denied to him, though much of his power is gone.

The defeat of the Dark Elf Council by the players cleared the way for them to proceed to higher floors, but left a raft of calamity and unresolved consequences in their wake.  The spirits of nature on the surface remain unhinged.  Power struggles loom among both the Wood and Dark elves, and both sides see the players as partially to blame for their respective downfalls.  Even now,  a darker and more sinister malignant force seems to be gathering strength in long shadows cast by old conflicts.

Main Settlement:

<<Kalanaes>>

The new capital city of the Dark Elves founded in the Underdark, Kalanaes spontaneously developed its own portal soon after its construction was completed, much to the surprise of players and NPCs alike, and the dismay of the surface elves who found theirs vanished.  The city is a bit of a mess with simple buildings composed of clay, stone, and even tents make up homes and merchant stalls. Everything has been quickly cobbled together from limited supplies available in the elves’ new environment.  Massive pillars connect the cavern floor and ceiling, with structures nestled around, up and even into them as everyone crammed in for space.  Dim lamp-like devices fueled by local phosphorescent mosses provide just enough light for the residents, most of whom have since developed night vision to better cope.  The bitter Dark Elves who live in Kalanaes show no kindness to strangers.  Players Few even know of their Queen’s death or the details of the tragedy that befell their former home, and the ruling council will go to murderous extents to keep it that way.  Through her name, they have assumed control of her people and actively hunt down and suppress anyone who might undermine their legitimacy.

Sub-Settlements:

◉ « Aradennia » 

The original point of entry to this floor, Aradennia is the former Sun elf capital, and remains the site of the Eldred King’s court.  Much of the settlement is abandoned. Only the inner fortress and keep built into a massive clustered grove of giant oaks are still active, with two-thirds of the surrounding shops and residences now sit vacant.  The wood elves have lost faith in their sovereign, whom they blame for having wrought the calamity that befell their people.  Only a hundred or so Elven NPCs still dwell here, though the city once housed many more.  Most of the outer areas of the settlement are eerily quiet and starting to be overgrown by nature, though the high quality of the original elven craftsmanship will likely keep it from simply being subsumed.  Nearly any manner of common and high quality goods or materials can still be obtained here, though supplies are starting to dwindle.  The legacy of the Sun elves appears to be fading.  

◉ « The Vale of Ruin »

Once the pride of the Night Elves surface dominion in the Kriit Woodlands, it was destroyed and left in shattered ruins when Lun’Rael unleashed her devastating spell. Little remains, save scorches stone, scoured bones, fractured walls and battlements, and the ghosts of the fallen.  The Night Lily’s tower still lingers, somehow defying gravity in its precarious, ruined state.  Entire sections of it are missing, and the whole of what remains threatens to come crashing down upon the surroundings.  This city once rivaled Aradennia in size and grandeur, but it now little more than blighted, unholy ground where tortured and twisted souls still linger.  Burnt and broken siegeworks of Kith-Serai’s armies still surround the city, littered with hundreds of blasted suits of bone-filled armor.  Nothing lives here.  Even the ground is dead.  Rains cannot seem to wash the stain of tragedy away and turn into brackish pools within its boundaries.

Other Locations

◉ « The Underdark »

A network of cavernous tunnels deep beneath the surface has become home to the elves cast out from their surface homes.  The Underdark spans nearly the entire length of the Floor, without a hint of sunlight able to penetrate the tall cave ceilings. There are no mosses, crystals or other sources of light down here, unless travelers bring them with them.  Most of the caverns here are dry and composed of hard granite with sparse springs and meandering water flows providing the barest means for sustenance.

(Note: Players receive a -1 to all BD rolls while in the Underdark due to lack of light, unless <<Night Vision>> is active.)

◉ « Deep Corventhol »

Several ruined settlements predate the migration of the Dark Elves to the Underdark and still linger there, laden with foreign script and other relics left behind by another unknown, ancient race.  None know who or what they were or what became of them, and the Dark Elves are too preoccupied with survival to concern themselves with such details.  The largest known collection of these ruins has been dubbed Deep Corventhol by Dark Elf explorers who are busy exploring the areas nearest to Kalanaes in order to prepare defenses and plan for future expansion.  Their initial surveys were quite circumspect, but rumours abound of an extensive series of catacombs potentially filled with riches and lost knowledge.  The quality of stonework in the ruins is impressive, and highly decorative, despite resisting all efforts to decipher it.  Everything seems to be made of identically sized blocks stacked in a patterned order, as if suggesting some sort of massive puzzle.  Perhaps time will reveal more.

◉ « The Surface »

Once divided between the Ydalin and Kriit Forests, much of the latter was turned into a wasteland during the war that culminated in the creation of the Vale of Ruin. The rest of the floor has mostly recovered from those terrible conflicts, and flourishes as best it can beneath the curse of unbalanced nature.  Though life still thrives here, an oppressive undertone of anger and shame suppresses the grandeur of long lost days, when all elven people lived here in harmony.  Many of the Wood Elves have returned to wilds and seek to restore that lost communion, though it will likely take many years.  They have the patience for it.

◉ « Kriit Wastelands »

Blackened and twisted by destructive magics unleashed during the elven war, the Kriit Forest eventually became better and more accurately known as a wasteland.  Few trees still live here, most of them having become burnt out or disease-riddled husks, with the rest petrified by leeched run-off from despoiled springs and streams that no longer flow.  This is a place of desiccation and decay, where the dry winds seek to suck the life from the pores of the living and call for retribution for the wrongs done to the natural world.  

◉ « Ydalin Forest »

A massive, sprawling forest made up mostly of giant deciduous trees with a lush undergrowth of fronds, ferns and grasslands as ground cover. Ydalin still holds on to shadows of its paradise past, but is troubled by unnatural discontent and the consequences of wild magic gone awry.  

Plants and wildlife are abundant throughout the forest, making it an ideal hunting ground for the scattered Wood Elf homesteads and hunting lodges that can still be found.  All seem burdened by memories and poor choices, the consequences of which can be plainly seen about them.  The seasons intermix here, matching the mood of each player and NPC in their immediate surroundings.  Large gathering are avoided as they tend to amplify the effect with potentially catastrophic results. No one knows how to lift the curse, though many are eager to participate in any potential solutions.

Transportation

Most travel across the floor must be done on foot.  The forested areas are too dense and covered in large roots to support the construction of roads, which would also contravene the elves’ desire for harmony with nature.  The Underdark’s geography is likewise too rugged to support anything more than foot paths and trails.

Common Mobs of Floor Twenty-Three

Field Boss of Floor Twenty-Three

« Floor Twenty-Three Labyrinth »

Lun’Rael’s sacrifice had already taken place by the time the players discovered the identity and location of the floor bosses, for they were many.  <<Isaxi>>, <<Ratar>>, <<Rori>>, <<Evahira>>  and <<Durares>>  - the Dark Elf Council - and the power behind the throne.  These vile champions had been manipulating the war for some time, having even convinced their Queen of the need to sacrifice herself as a means to consolidate their power.  

Reaching the boss room, first requires breaching through the concealed behind massive black iron doors, The Bleakswords that once guarded the labyrinth's entrance have largely been dispatched, though some are said to linger still in the catacombs leading up to the tower wherein the Council once conducted its foul business.  

Quests:
<<Fonsa's Sacrifice>>

Boss: Paving the Way to Floor 24 (Floor 23 Boss Battle - Dark Elf Council)

 

<<Floor 22>>

Floor 22 is serene, predominantly sunny, and absolutely brimming with the fullest sense of tranquility. A smooth breeze runs through the floor, sending whispers through the trees and soft ripples across the water, bringing with it crisp and cool air from the mountains that surround it. Its forests are divided by the occasional field, or by the much more common creek or river, all of which run into some sort of lake, whether it big or small. These interconnected waterways are usually navigable channels, crossable by some sort of bridge (though the condition of which varies greatly), or, if it comes to it, swimmable. There are no rapids on this floor, no terrifying monsters to run from or dangers to face; everything moves slowly, calmly, and with little other purpose than to linger in its own gentle repose. In the center of the floor is the massive lake that largely serves as the de facto hub of player-based commute. 

To the north, the cliffs dominate, and are for the most part inaccessible by normal means. However, recently discovered underground passages lead into a network of tunnels and caves that can, when carefully navigated, bring a player to the top, offering an unparalleled bird's eye view of the terrain below them. The tunnels are strangely roomy and comfortable, and host a myriad of refreshing pools within their depths. 

The weather and seasons are normal here. While it rains the most in the spring and snows in the winter, clear days are numbered among the most common and anything otherwise is considered a semi-rare occurrence. In turn, this only further serves to reinforce the serene and peaceful sense that pervades the entire floor; with lazy mobs spoiled by the nature of their environment, Floor 22 serves players as an easy and popular hunting/vacation spot. 

NPC Inhabitants of this floor are few and far between, and the most people will see outside of Coral is the odd hunter, fisherman, or lumberjack hard at work or just relaxing in the shade. Solitary figures beware: they're known to kindly invite players who approach to do the same, though they aren't always much for deep and thoughtful conversation. It seems, much like the mobs who inhabit it, this floor's residents seem happily complacent in leading their lives quietly and peacefully. Bialas, Warden of the Storm, was the electrically charged unicorn floor boss of this level, defeated by players after a hard-fought battle.  The floor’s sublime and peaceful climate is attributed to its defeat.

Main Settlement:

<<Coral>>

Coral is one of the smallest main settlements in the game, to the point where calling it a city or a town would be putting it generously. Comprised primarily of rustic log cabins built upon foundations of stone, the cozy, rustic charm of the hamlet extends not only to its architecture but to its residents. Most NPCs here exude a certain air of friendliness and hospitality, even extending so far as to only cautiously warn those marked with orange cursors that they shouldn't be within the town's boundaries. This, of course, doesn't apply to those criminals who'd overstay their welcome in the picturesque  fields of Coral, nor does it seem to concern the guards of the settlement. Interestingly, the guards of Coral are not uniform in appearance.  Each varies is age, race and gender.  They all don what appear to be a unique assemblage of slapdash scraps of leather and chainmail.  Their only shared feature being the sword on their waist and the simple shield they all carry proudly. With a population just barely numbering into the seventies when including children and the elderly, players seeking weapons or armor will be sorely out of luck, while those searching for general goods or common material will be directed to the family farm and mill down the river. 

Sub-Settlements:

◉ « Fulbright Mill » 

The go-to place for foodstuffs and simple trinkets, the Fulbright Mill is a family-run farm and general store that exists as the only real mercantile establishment of Floor 22. The NPCs who run and work the surrounding land are simply tagged by Cardinal as "Fulbright". A stern-faced father and anxious looking teenage son work tirelessly in the mill, while the mother and her two excitable youngsters work and help aid hungry travelers in an open-air farmer's market. The shop opens every weekday at the crack of dawn, and closes down at sunset without exception. 

◉ « Home of the Weary Smith »

Further out, on the opposite side of the floor when compared to Coral and Fulbright Mill is the Home of the Weary Smith. This outcropping of cabins is home to an old, hearty blacksmith with a long white beard and a well-muscled form. Welcoming adventurers with a complimentary dinner and a place to stay the night, should they need it, this friendly senior spends his retirement tending to his garden with his sons and plump cats. Spoken of with high regard by the residents of Coral, Arthur Blackstone is more than happy to provide a safe haven for those hunters who find themselves in want of company. 

Other Locations

◉ « Lake of Reflection »

This aptly named lake stands out as one of the floor's most recognizable locations. Unlike other waters on Floor 22, this place shines unnaturally bright, reflecting twofold whatever light hits it, whether sun or moon or stars. While not uncomfortably blinding by any means, this unique quality makes it nigh impossible to see beneath the surface while the weather is clear. Still, the lake is rich with underwater creatures of varying size and rarity, and here, players find another spot to unwind or fish up the King of Lakes. 

◉ « Forest of Memories »

In the Forest of Memories, bittersweet moments long since past reanimate in flickering illusions always just outside of a player's eyesight. A person? A familiar scene? By the time someone turns their head to better identify it, it'll be gone, as though vanished into thin air... or as if it had never been there at all. Regardless of what these mirages are or aren't, the conflicting accounts of brokers and players alike seem to all agree on one thing: there is nothing to be learned here, save for the sleepy ambience of the woods themselves. 

◉ « The Reclaimed Sentinel »

Somewhere deep within the Forest of Memories lies a great guardian, crumbling and partially reclaimed by the earth. Made of dilapidated stone, with colorless gems embedded in its core, this giant of a monument lies in a clearing presumably of its own creation, its colossal sword embedded in the dirt and grown over by grass, moss, mushrooms, and other flowering flora. Here is a quiet place, not of eerie warning or gentle tranquility, but of a much deeper respect. Woodland creatures and monsters of all natures gather here to rest on or around the petrified golem without interest or worry in hunting or being hunted. Rumored to have been the missing labyrinth boss of Floor 22, it's said that it grew a love for the nature it roamed and sealed the rampaging Bialas away, ultimately being drained of its energies in the process and only having time enough to find its final resting place. Striking the immortal warrior's corpse will briefly reveal several empty HP bars and the title "Stalwart Sentinel?" before it glitches out of view, causing all mobs in the clearing, passive and monster alike, to become hostile to the aggressor. 

◉ « Sapphire Falls »

The Sapphire Falls are most breathtaking when seen at night -- beneath the shade of the surrounding cool grove, a series of miniature waterfalls cascade down cliffs of jagged rock. The vapor emanating from the falls and pools chill the air.  Players can feel a noticeable drop in the temperature  whenever they come within range of this location. At night, when the moonlight touches the ponds, the waters glow a vibrant blue and dappled sparkles reflect the shine of the stars above.  An ocean of blue and purple flowers encompasses these waters seems to sway endlessly in the misty breeze. 

◉ « Natalie's Reprieve »

Upon traversing an intricate network of caves and underground passages, players could potentially find themselves on the sunny peak of this floor's tallest mountain, overlooking its many lakes and rivers and forests in its entirety. Inhabitants say that here, where the earth meets the sky in heavenly splendor, even the broken can be made whole again. Against all odds, moss, grass, flowers, and a single oak tree decorate the predominantly rocky mountaintop beautifully in the spring and summer, as yet another sign of nature's gentle caress. A frequent pilgrimage for those unafraid of heights, and even still for those who are, players will always find the remnants of a recent encampment atop its grassy summit but never a sign of NPCs travelling to and from. The place is said to be named for someone's past love. 

Transportation

Getting around on the twenty second floor is easy. Well-worn paths of dirt cut the way through most of the forests, bridges often assist in scaling some of the more inclined hills further north of the floor. Should someone feel so inclined to cut their own way through the terrain, they'd find that for the most part, the trees are well spaced apart, and easily give way for even a large travelling party. In Coral, players can rent horses should the fancy strike them, and similarly, boats are an easy and useful find to navigate the waterways. Even where it would seem people would normally not frequently traverse, there can almost always be a bridge found to conveniently assist in crossing a river or canal. 

Common Mobs of Floor Twenty-Two

Field Boss of Floor Twenty-Two

« Floor Twenty-Two Labyrinth »

See <<Reclaimed Sentinel>>, above.

Quests:
<<King Of Lakes>>
<<Witch Of The West>>
<<What We Fight For>>
<<SOTW: Shocking Stallion>>

Boss: Paving the Way to Floor 23 (Floor 22 Boss Battle - Bialas)

<<Floor 21>>

The 21st Floor of Aincrad is an intricate network of wide open caverns and twisting tunnels.  Its it littered with eerily still and black underground lakes that mirror the void and darkness that hangs around every corner.  No sun has ever reached these depths, but phosphorescent moss and fungi can be found in any areas where enough ambient moisture accrues to sustain them.  A few isolated caverns are blessed with abundant clean-flowing springs and defensible entrances that enable small settlements to survive.
 
Unlike some of the more volcanic floors, most of these caverns appear to have been carved by water.  The walls are often slick and smooth.  Several large, winding rivers carve their way between major areas, sometimes serving as the only means of passage, though it can be a tight squeeze.  Surprisingly, most of the water is both drinkable and refreshing, unless tamped with for sinister purposes.  
 
Cavern floors and ceilings are thick with viscous stalactites and stalagmites, the latter often forming from mineral deposits dripping from their twins above.  Most of the level's stone surfaces look melted, but are simply caked with the same runoff.  Towering mushrooms and other fungi growths are common here, and serve as both a source of food, material and shelter for those who call the floor home.  Some have taken things a step further and have literally carved structures into the immense vegetation.
 
This is a world of vibrant darkness, where light and those who pine for its absence are reviled, and everything from the sublime beauty of stillness to the spine-chilling terror of being hunted as prey exists side by side.  Ambush and concealment are a way of life, and people survive by trusting only themselves.  Unlike some of the other floors, individual caverns here rise and fall vertically, often by hundreds of feet, rather than stretching across a wide open landscape.  Blind corners, treacherous shafts and slides are the norm.  Rockslides and raging waterfalls are as much of a threat as the things lurking behind them.
 
The inhabitants of this floor are dour and heavily burdened workers of the mines, quarries and other resource industries that seek to exploit the floor’s abundant wealth. Everyone works while the elders stay in their homes to tend to children and their chores.  Only rarely are any able to  enjoy the hot springs, letting their bones relax for a while.  NPC Inhabitants of this floor are a diverse lot, with no one group holding dominance over any other.  Various humanoid races mine the mineral wealth visible in the walls, floors and ceilings around every turn.  Myconid races - or plant-people - can also be found in isolated enclaves.  Most denizens of the floor are both superstitious and wary of strangers, associating their arrival with unwanted attention that often leads to greater peril.  This is a hard place to live.

Tesseleth the Tyrant, defeated floor boss, once lorded over this level and ruled it with and iron-clawed fist.  His dragon knights served as agents who scoured the floor and enforced his will and whims.  The dragon is gone now, but some of his brood and servitors still skulk the darkness of the labyrinth with dreams of reclaiming what was taken from them.   Elsewhere across the floor, the order Tesseleth once imposed has broken down.  Floor 21 has become a far more savage place in its wake.
 
Main Settlement:

<<Tomoika>>

Tomoika is by far the largest and best protected settlement on the floor, serving as the main point of supply and shelter for outsiders who seek fortune and glory in its depths.  Carved into a series of massive pillars formed by linked stalagmites and stalactites, the rest of the town is comprised of a series of platforms strewn randomly around the between its five central spires.  From a distance, the place resembles a majestic cluster of natural stone, infested with a plague of metal and greed.  The imagery isn't far off the mark.
 
Originally established as a trading post by ambitious dwarves of House Thumos, Tomoika has since grown into a center industry.  Outbound expeditions and caravans form and obtain supplies here, while craftsmen from across Aincrad seek many of the rare goods and materials unique to floor 21.  It is also home to the floor’s only portal plaza, which provides a chokehold on import and export.
 
Heat belches out of Tomoika’s unique furnaces and foundries, powered by the fury of various fire elementals harnessed for their ability to burn without creating smoke.  It is said that this was a penance imposed upon them by their rival water kin in the long distant past.  Now they seethe and rage deep underground, impotent to change their fates, while their cores are bled for the benefit of others.
 
The townsfolk of Tomoika once worshipped Tesseleth the Tyrant, a giant shadow dragon and the floor boss of this level.  They used to sacrifice half of their monthly earnings and production just to appease the creature.  Since Tesseleth’s demise, other rivalries have rushed to fill the void.  Dwarven merchants and others seek to claim House Thumos’ legacy and rule over the city.  Others seek to establish monopolies and drive their rivals out.  Assassins suddenly find themselves in high demand as merchants and criminal vie for power, staking claims while eliminating those of their rivals, if not the rivals themselves.

Sub-Settlements:

◉ «Hotsprings Spa» 

The original dwarven settlers of Tomoika soon discovered a series of nearby springs said to have special properties granted to them by the unique crystalline formations growing in the pools.  Shaped like large trees, they were dubbed Zesh by the dwarves and are so revered by the locals that the area has since, somehow, become a safe zone.  Geothermal vents are believed to be the heat the waters, though this floor isn't known to have any active volcanoes.  No one questions it as the miners use these pools to help relax their worn bodies after long days of hard labour.  Players are allowed to come and go as they please, as long as they remember to unequip their weapons and armor first.  A small contingent of guards from the mining guild keep the riff-raff out, as they've seen substantial improvement in the morale of their workforce since the springs were made available to everyone.

◉ «Charko» 

A small village hidden in deep caverns far off the main paths of travel. The people in this village are quiet and keep to themselves, doing their best to avoid interactions with players or other NPCs. They never gave sacrifices to the Floor Boss.  Their small settlement became a refuge away from the ruthlessness and chaos that permeated the rest of the floor during Tesseleth's reign, but instilled in them such a strong desire for isolation that it now borders on paranoia.   They now seek to preserve it at any cost, especially as most locals fear that Tesseleth's death is but a ruse intended to flush them out.  

Other Locations

◉ «Underground Waterfalls» 

Nearly all of floor 21’s caverns have water flowing through them in some way, but one location stands out over the rest, where a series of ancient waterfalls formed from years of wear and tear of the running water over the rocks. The walls are covered in glowing crystals which have been kept there by the crevices of the stones, giving an ominous glow behind the waterfall, making it a popular attraction for dates for players and NPC's alike. This area is strangely without any spawning monsters or bosses, so players that need to get away to a safe place are free to come here and relax for as long as they may need.

◉ «Blood Crystal Caverns» 

A series of expansive caverns that once served as a major staging area and base for a strange faction of allegedly self-aware mobs calling themselves the Sundered Spire.  It was from here, directly below the Lake of Reflections on Floor 22 that Skalaugh and his vanguard broke through the stone separating the floors and attempted to cull as many players as possible in the immediate aftermath of the Tanabata festival.  Nothing remains of the Spire, save old debris and detritus, but the blood-red crystals that lined Skalaugh’s hide and powered the faction’s twisted immortality still line every surface.  Some say that the shards light was dimmed during the epic clash that occurred here, whereas others claim that it has slowly started to return. 

◉ «The Geode Cache» 

Discovered accidentally by a dwarven mining expedition, this unusual grotto is actually a series of expansive and interconnected geodes.  The crystals vary dramatically in composition and color between the individual areas.  All seem to radiate the same, ambient low-level light and are reputed to be of the finest quality for acoustic resonance.  Brave and ambitious performers have made special trips to this area in the past, where some claim they have managed to complete their best works.  Care must be taken, however, as crystalline life forms have been discovered to inhabit the area and seem to be growing in aggression as more and more visitors tromp through their home.

◉ «The Chittering Halls» 

Named after the seemingly endless hordes of spiders that seem to spawn here, the chittering halls are favored by players who seek to grind their way through the system’s deepest and darkest corners in search of treasure and other rewards.  It is easy to become lost in these winding passageways, where layer upon layer of webbing seems to change the layout of the space before your eyes.  The broken terrain, combined with ubiquitous white strands strewn over every surface can make it hard to find bearings.  If it weren't for gravity, some travelers might even struggle to determine which was up, though the spiders descending upon them tends to often serves as a suitable reminder.

◉ «The Grand Necropolis» 

Once the seat of an ancient and powerful realm, it sank into the ground over centuries and became lost to history.  Herein slumbers an ancient king who betrayed and slaughtered his people, surrounding himself with their remains as twisted trophies to a Pyrrhic victory.  In his triumph, he defeated himself, falling into a deep and seemingly endless torpor, until players came to the Floor Twenty One.  Something about their presence roused the Time Forgotten King and the legions of ancient dead that still surround him.  Undead soldiers have been spotted wandering in nearby caverns, collecting information for their liege as he regains his strength and makes ready to rouse his armies for war, once again.

Common Mobs of Floor Twenty-One

Field Boss of Floor Twenty-One

« Floor Twenty-One Labyrinth »

The labyrinth entrance is located deep in the Chittering Halls, where players must fight through waves of hangry arachnids while searching for it.  Concealed behind countless layers of webbing and shifting stones, a grand tunnel leads from the halls to a series of isolated caverns that lead back toward Tomoika.  Geothermal vents keep the area extremely warm, making it the perfect incubation chamber for Tesseleth's brood.  Countless drakes and drakelings nest in small caves or on high ledges, attacking anything that moves and isn't one of their own.  Players intending to reach the boss room must sneak or fight their way through a gauntlet of dragonspawn keen for a fight and always searching for their next meal.  

The boss room itself is directly below Tomoika.  It is a large cavern filled with stalagmites and stalactites, and featuring the five main support pillars of the city above.  Inset between them are the sole set of entry doors, made of highly tempered black steel.  All of the other niches are prisons for the primal fire elementals that feed the settlement and its endless hunger for heat and energy to sustain its industries.  Littered throughout the room are crystallized warriors who seem to be frozen in place and time. Some of the ones that remain intact inside their crystalline prisons still wear solemn and determined expressions while others show fear and agony as though they had seen pure hell in their final moments. These warriors wear different types armors and weapons, and most of them don long, dark-colored capes marked with the symbol of a great black dragon. Few of them are still left since the final battle claimed their master.  The elementals rage at the presence of anyone in the chamber, but only Tesseleth himself knew the key to freeing them.  The great beast's obsidian skull still remains as an immortal object hovering in the center of the chamber like some dark obelisk.  All efforts to move it have failed.

Quests:
<<The Hidden Village>>
<<Trouble In The Mines>>
<<Betrayal Of The King>>

Boss: Paving the Way to Floor 22 (Floor 21 Boss Battle - Tesseleth the Tyrant)

<<Floor 20>>

Floor 20 is a dense tropical rainforest laid over jagged, mountainous terrain.  Various fractious tribes of human NPCs live here in secluded settlements, competing with each other over resources and vying for dominance over the most plentiful hunting grounds.  Travel throughout the forest can be leisurely one minute, then both hazardous and exhausting the next, mitigated only by the staggering beauty of the scenery.  Fruit trees and bushes provide an abundant source of food.  Cascading waterfalls litter the entire level, fed by pools and springs.  Whitewater rapids are common, as are deep grottos buried into cliff faces, where secrets lay buried, waiting to be discovered.  This is a floor rife with high adventure, ready for escapades, and perfect for semi-quiet weekend getaways, provided you don’t mind all of the bugs.

Beyond all of its natural beauty, Floor 20 does have one other rather notable feature: an abundance of giant bugs.  They are so prevalent that they have become focal points in almost every aspect of local culture.  Moths, cicadas and tarantula hawks are especially venerated by local religious practices, but every known form of giant insect can be found somewhere on this level.

Most of the local NPC population is human.  Short and stocky in stature and bearing square features, they are a passionate people who can be utterly ferocious when roused.  Dark hair is almost ubiquitous, offset by a penchant for vibrant, colorful clothing, and every imaginable form of body art.  Artisans of all types are especially prized and celebrated in their culture.  They live in distinct tribes that compete with each other in all things: sports, war, life and love.  Religion is also front and center, with each tribe espousing the virtue of their particular patron from the pantheon of insect spirits they revere as gods.  

Three such creatures have come to special prominence:  the great moths, as the spirits of skies and heavens, the great cicadas, as the spirits of earth and fertility, and the great tarantula hawks as the spirits of war and sacrifice. Other insect spirits also have lesser followings.

Since the death of Mortha the Magnificent, floor boss and greatest of the moth spirits, some of the local inhabitants became spiteful, even murderous, towards the Players who had taken the life of their great master.   They kept that anger in check, tempered by the fact that the Players allowed Mortha's spawn to survive their assault upon the boss room, and then to hatch and fly free.

It remains a touchy subject.  No matter what excuses the Players use they will only fan their anger by bringing up the topic. Players asking the inhabitants how they may correct their mistake is equally a dangerous idea. Secret cults still worship the great moth and would see their master avenged by putting each and every player they encounter to the sword.  Many of the shrines, monuments or statues to Mortha outside the safe zones are surrounded by fanatics who will attack Players, without hesitation, for no other reason.

Main Settlement:

<<Xoco>>

Also known as the 'Holy City of the Gods', Xoco is the main settlement of the twentieth floor. It is an impressive city with many intricately carved, sculptural stone buildings interconnected with rope bridges.  Ruled by worshippers of the Great Moths, its architecture is clearly designed to highlight the inhabitants’ connection to the sky. Every available surface is incredibly decorated with carvings, much of it painted with vibrant complimenting colors. There are many temples, shrines, altars and statues in Xoco, devoted to each god in the local pantheon.  Jungle  overgrowth is also carefully trimmed to give off a very beautiful and vibrant feel to the place, letting light penetrate as much as it prevents any obstruction between the sky and its chosen people.  There must be something to it, as wide swaths of the city’s tier-like construction entice moths to land frequently to be fed by the priests and their acolytes. Curving staircases pressed against the tall buildings and cliffsides, rope and stone bridges are the primary pathways for travel here, as opposed to open roads or highways. Near the edges of the settlement are makeshift stables housing giant insects which serve as transportation for the inhabitants and Players alike. The largest and most prominent feature of this settlement is the temple of Mortha. Players are rarely if ever allowed to enter the temple grounds without a suitable sacrificial offering.

Sub-Settlements:

◉ « Cigrotha » 

A smaller settlement resting within the sunlight forest, this settlement consists mostly of tents, straw shacks, wooden cabins and hovels. Far less impressive and decorated than the other settlements, Cigortha is a farming community surrounded mostly by agricultural lands and few other structures.  The sacred temple here is open to the elements, with the river flowing through and beneath it.  A large central plaza accommodates  bonfires, dances, celebrations, ceremonies and other rituals. Most of the warriors in Cigortha are armed with bows and arrows. Many domesticated giant cicadas, ants and beetles wander this land, used as beasts of burden to plow fields, make irrigation trenches and even to bore tunnels to help insects and mammals live together in harmony.

◉ « Tarakawn »

Also known as the 'Holy City of Champions', Tarakawn consists of two divided by a high cliff. The lower section serves primarily as living quarters and rests at the base of a cliff with walls to protect the city’s inhabitants.  A complicated series of trenches, ditches and waterways drains water away from the settlement, serving as both sewers and flood control. This area is populated mostly with houses, marketplaces, workstations, and a small number of guardhouses. Statuary is everywhere and the inhabitants frequently worship and pray to their preferred gods according to their own fashion. Long, steep, winding staircases and elevating platforms connect the lower areas to the upper city atop of the cliff. A large courtyard sits at the cliff’s edge, where warriors marshal for training, battle and war.  It also serves as a gathering place and site of refuge if the lower city is ever flooded or invaded.  Barracks, armories, smithies and temples surround the main square. The grandest temple, both in size and prominence, is devoted to the grand tarantula hawk, though other deities get their share of devotion. Tarakawn is widely regarded as the most militant and warlike settlement on the floor.

Other Locations

◉ « Sunlight Forest »

A dense and rainforest full of lush foliage, abundant sunlight reaches the forest floor to cover everything in greenery.  Even moonlight peers through the thin tree canopy to set alight the forest floor.  Every manner of life flourishes here, whether plant or animal in nature.  It is a land of plenty, capable of sustaining many creatures.  Countless streams and rivulets gather into wide pools of clear water that then flow and join together in beautiful strings of waterfall and rapids that keep everything moist and refreshed.  Every imaginable form of giant insect likewise roams the forest, such that nests, hives and burrows are nearly unavoidable.  All of them vie for control of territory and resources in an endless cycle of competition emulated by the local NPC tribes.  

◉ « Stardust Valley »

A small valley within the Sunlight Forest, it is sparse on trees and underbrush, covered instead by long, tall grasses, bubbling ponds and small creeks.  During the day the valley seems largely unremarkable, save for these minor quirks. Everything changes at night, starting with the last light of dusk, as large swarms of lightning bugs gather and sweep across the valley. They normally stay on the tall grasses, occasionally floating above them in search of another spot. They are said to be attracted to  intense emotional states, such as moments of love and affection, sorrow and heartbreak, and other such non violent emotions.  When affected in this way, they gather together and swirl around the affected person to encourage, comfort, or rejoice in the sensation, sharing in the outpouring of feelings.

◉ « Tajruha - Edge of the World »

Avoided by nearly every inhabitant of the floor, including even the fanatics who hunt Players from the shadows, this place is eerily quiet. The structure and architecture of this temple are completely alien to that of any other found on this floor, with many unrecognizable writings and carvings written that are alien to both NPCs and Players alike. The temple itself resides on a peak near the western edge of the floor, perched precariously at the edge of the mountain's cliffside. Beyond it there is nothing but the sky above and void below. A steep, dangerous pathway just outside of the temple leads to a lower stone platform where the Players can view the rest of the Castle Aincrad above and below. No wind blows here, and the sun’s light feels cooler. The air is light, and a sense of weightlessness pervades the area, as if it somehow sat between the earth's atmosphere and the edges of space. Despite the incredible view, a fear of falling strikes every heart that gazes upon it.

◉ « Shrines of the Gods »

Scattered throughout the floor’s rainforest are many shrines dedicated to different gods. Size seems to suggest their relative importance. Each shrine consists of a single hexagon shaped room with an incredibly deep pit and a large pillar in the center where an altar rests. Statues of the patron god line the corners of the room as well as carvings and writings devoted to its significance, heritage, descendants and legends. The list of shrines of best known shrines include those devoted to: moths, cicadas, tarantula hawks, ants, wasps, bees, flies, dragonflies, fireflies, beetles, rolly polly bugs, and many many more. A series of more gruesome shrines filled with dark worshipers and devoted to vile monstrosities are also rumored to exist.

◉ « The Upper Reaches »

The highest sections of the many mountainous areas of the floor are bare of any vegetation.  It is here that the most dangerous forms of giant insect life build their hives, infesting the peaks by tunneling into them.  Pock-marked and riddled with openings, only the bravest or most foolhardy would willingly travel here.  Guards and sentinels frequently swam on the ground and in the air, challenging anything foolish enough to encroach upon their domains.

Transportation

Transportation on this floor consists mostly of three types:

1. Giant domesticated ants, which are the most common and easily trained. Larger drones are often trained and armored for war, serving as mounts for high ranking officials and warriors of the cities. Riding ants will not typically listen to Players’ commands, and will only traverse directly between settlements. Depending on conditions however, such as quests and events, ants may or may not offer Players rides. 
2. Giant dragonflies are reserved for use by local NPC nobility and rarely made available for use by Players.
3. Giant beetles are commonly used as war mounts, given their resilient exoskeletons, and natural strength and weaponry.

Common Mobs of Floor Twenty

Field Boss of Floor Twenty

« Floor Twenty Labyrinth »

The entrance of the labyrinth is in a hollowed out peak in the Upper Reaches.  The brightly lit tunnels of this hell hole are filled with cocoons of various victims offered as sacrifices to their defeated overlord.  Glow bugs and still roam the tunnels in large numbers, enhancing the light that penetrates the partially translucent stone.  Gigantic versions of the otherwise large creatures found elsewhere on the floor dwell in these tunnels, and remain as hungry, vigilant guardians. In the center of the maze is the large canopy area where Mortha was slain. A stone monument has been placed as a sort of grave not by the inhabitants, but by the giant moths.

Quests:
<<SOTW: Pouncing Puma>>

 

Boss: Paving the Way to Floor 21 (Floor 20 Boss Battle - Mothra the Magnificent)

 

<<Floor 19>>

Floor 19 is divided unevenly into two lands known as "Haven" and the "Forbidden Lands". The Forbidden Lands take up the majority of the floor, covering well over 90% of its area. They are a vast expanse of open plains, steep canyons, large deserts, and scattered forest groves desperately clinging to life. Wildlife is also sparse and limited to whatever can survive on scrub grass, along with stunted shrubs and vines.

The remnants of ancient structures dot the ruined landscape, serving as testaments to greater times now long past. The floor's inhabitants refuse to enter the Forbidden Lands altogether. While years of tradition and horror stories play a part, the main reason why the NPCs steer clear is the thundering presence of massive creatures of earth and stone known collectively as the "Forbidden Ones." These enigmatic colossi meander aimlessly throughout Forbidden Lands, each with features mimicking their preferred terrains.  The self-imposed isolation of the NPCs in Haven confines them to a tiny, barren portion of the floor that often experiences harsh weather and lacks the beauty or bounty of the distant forests. It is, however, somehow kept safe from the rage of the Forbidden Ones. 

The NPC inhabitants of the 19th floor are all human with light-colored and often gray-toned skin.  Their hair is invariably black, grey or white, cut short or tightly bound.  Face-paints and tattoos in earth tone colors are their only known form of artistic expression.  They favor wearing animal hides, including heavy cloaks, to better protect them from the relentless lashing of the elements. All are calloused and hardened from endless physical labor. People here are always stoic and serious. They scorn any action or comment that has to do with entertainment, humor, fun or anything otherwise deemed ‘childish and wasteful’. Even their children are dour.  Players are typically addressed as "wanderers", and avoided if they are known to have traveled to the Forbidden Lands. When asked why travel is forbidden, the locals provide a variety of responses:

“The powerful creatures are too dangerous." 

"Evil monsters guard the ruins beyond Haven and squash anything that even tries to sneak a peek." 

"It is a sacred and holy land, never to be trespassed." 

"We dare not risk the wrath of the guardians!”

Watching someone enter the Forbidden Lands is the closest thing you can get to an emotional response from these depressing people.  For them, it is like watching someone else throw away their life.  Nothing seems to scare them, yet even the hardiest among their number quakes at the mere mention of the creature they call “Tanos.”  Even many years on, Tanos remains known as the fearsome demon of incredible power who once commanded all of the Forbidden Ones. Tanos is also said to have single handedly destroyed the lost civilization from which the NPCs of Haven descended. Before the players arrived, he stood stationary on the highest point on the floor, looming like an immovable mountain and surveying their broken dominion. A single inhabitant had somehow angered him, and in a blind fury, he struck down everything that was. 

Players eventually succeeded in defeating Tanos, but his minions linger and rampage still, lashing out at all players who drew too close. The inhabitants refuse to believe that Tanos the Unshakeable was slain by such puny strangers, and continue to enforce the taboo that keeps the Forbidden Lands off-limits.

Main Settlement:

<<Home>>



"Home" is a very humble settlement made up mostly of leather tents and huts, with a few wooden shacks here and there. Its name commemorates the fact that its residents have no other safe place to stay. A deadly seriousness usually hangs over the settlement. Despite it being a safe zone, the settlement frequently fends off attacks by packs of wolves that harry the locals for the bounty of their meager flocks and limited crops.  Players can attack the wolves, if they wish, but will otherwise be ignored during these raids.

There are a handful of makeshift shops here, where trade can occur,  but their stock is limited and the style trends strongly to the rustic and pragmatic. If players look inside the tents they will see minimal possessions and a multitude of mats for sleeping all in one tent. Even the shacks are no better adorned.

Sub-Settlements:

◉ « Mikiakus » 

Mikiakus is the name of an ancient ruined city within the Forbidden Lands. The name's meaning remains a mystery, as is much of the city.  Devoid of life, this settlement is eerily quiet. The city was built for occupants of two vastly different scales: human and colossal.  Its diameter and height are impressive, but the ruins are overgrown with moss, thorny vines and a large assortment of fungi. 

Many of the walls and structures are broken and shattered, having apparently endured the ravages of time as well as the passage of angered colossi.  Everywhere is littered with cracked and broken stone, bits of fragmented masonry and faded statues worn to the point of becoming featureless. Travel here is difficult, even on foot, often requiring lengthy, perilous climbs and acrobatic shenanigans to reach isolated ledges and other vantage points.  Certain areas have ancient texts and relief carving recording the history of those who once lived here, though the language has since been lost.

Other Locations

◉ « The Forbidden Lands» 

The Forbidden Lands encompass the entire area of Floor Nineteen on the far side of the Bastion Wall from Home.  Desolate, broken and barren are just a few terms that will immediately come to mind as players set their sights upon this vast wasteland of shattered rock strewn with occasional ruins somehow having survived the constant ravages and wanderings of the various colossi that wander aimlessly about the place.  It is a treacherous land, with only the barest hints of water and plant life, and living creatures are nearly impossible to find.  Tanos' wrath, and the destruction unleashed by his Forbidden Ones, have left an indelible mark upon this landscape.

◉ « The Bastion Wall Shrine »

The Bastion Wall Shrine straddles the large, high promontory that separates the lands of Haven from the rest of the floor.  It is the only known point of travel between Haven and the Forbidden Lands. Coming from Haven the players will traverse an incredibly long stone bridge over an impossibly deep chasm.  It leads them to a narrow winding stair that clings to the otherwise shear wall face leading them up to the level of the shrine atop the bastion wall. The shrine itself is a single long hall with sixteen stone idol statues, eight on either side. Their features have been lost to time, but their forms are suggestively similar to colossi known to ravage the wastes.  

At the far end of the hall is the main chamber of the shrine, where light pours in between the columns onto a single stone altar. It is rumored that there was once an NPC spotted kneeling at the altar, but all of the reports are too old to be confirmed.  No hostile creature will ever come anywhere near this shrine, which is a safe zone. Beyond the shrine, players will find another winding staircase descending down onto the plains of the Forbidden Lands.

◉ « Secret Gardens of Yaruun »

Even after its discovery, it remains incredibly difficult to locate them. Rumors abound that the passageway moves from time to time. Others believe that certain quests or achievements must be completed before a player can find the entrance. Whatever the truth may be,  those who have managed to find the Secret Garden of Yaruun describe it as 'the most sublime and peaceful garden that there ever was'. Filled with soothing ambience, fresh air, teeming with lush vegetation. Even small animals such as foxes, rabbits, birds, squirrels and the like can be found here. It is rumored that simply resting in the garden recovers health and energy more quickly, and clears the mind allowing them to be more fit for battle when they leave. Though some say it is so alluring that all who enter face the great temptation of never leaving at all.

Transportation

The only way to traverse this floor is by foot. Mounts cannot cross the bastion wall and no suitable creatures can be found in the Forbidden Lands

Common Mobs of Floor Nineteen

Field Boss of Floor Nineteen

« Floor Nineteen Labyrinth »

The labyrinth can be found in a canyon nestled between the two tallest peaks in the Forbidden Lands. While easy to locate, it is far more perilous to traverse as it is also teeming with stonecrawlers and every other form of colossi imaginable.  At the very deepest part of the canyon floor, broken into hundreds of scattered fragments, players can still find the lingering, motionless remnants of Tanos' broken body.

Quests:
<<Keep Calm & Ki-Raion>>
<<SOTW: The Colossal Shadow>>
 

Boss: Strike Upon the Colossus [Floor Boss Battle]

 

Floor 23
<<Escaping the Underdark>>
Party Limit: 2 | 20+ Posts
Prerequisite: Must have completed <<Search and Rescue>>
Repeatable for standard thread rewards, and <<Fonsa's Song>>.

Quest Rewards:

• 2,000 Experience Points
• 3,000 Col
• Each player receives:
  • Fonsa's Song (Unique Debuff Song)
    • Hypnotic Melody: When played, reduces a single enemy’s accuracy and evasion by 1 each. Can stack with Lullaby and Hypnosis debuffs. Effect lasts for one battle.

Requirements:

• Roleplay talking with Tythen (and Fonsa, if still alive) at their home.
• Escape the Underdark to Ydalin Forest.
  • Interested in roleplaying the other option? Remember, you may retake <<Search and Rescue>> for a different outcome.
• Roleplay parting ways with your Dark Elf allies.

Summary:

If Fonsa is Alive:

If Fonsa is Dead:

Outline:

If Fonsa is Alive:

If Fonsa is Dead:

The quest ends when the players reach a suitably isolated area in Ydalin Forest, where Fonsa and Tythen will attempt to forge a new life.

---

Epilogue:

If Fonsa is Alive:

If Fonsa is Dead:

 

<<Floor 18>>

Floor Eighteen is a massive, endless mire.  Most of its swampy area is composed of small patches of muddy ground overgrown with reeds and tall barely-rooted grasses, but a few rarer parts are better described as sunken forests. Water levels in the shallower swampland generally comes to the knees, making it possible to traverse by foot.  Doing so is a horrendously exhausting experience.  Mounted travel is essentially impossible without the use of rare, specialized mounts. Bits of road, fences and decaying stone bridges still poke out of the water here and there, suggesting that the floor’s current condition wasn’t always the case.  The sun is rarely seen here, where the skies are perpetually overcast, making it difficult to follow the passage of time.

Most NPC inhabitants of Floor 18 are human, but they are a frail lot, with brittle bones prone to breakage at the slightest impact.   Many have had their forms altered and frames bent due to poor nourishment.  The living conditions take a serious toll. Most of the villagers keep these ailments to themselves, wearing tattered long clothing that cover most of their bodies.  Masks are likewise especially popular as both fashion statements and to cover their worn and drawn out faces. Few wander far from their homes, stagnating in their settlements, just as the rest of the floor does around them.

Tales tell of the Sundrinkers, predecessors to the current inhabitants, who built much of the original infrastructure around the floor, including Eriwald’s Crossing.  Most of their great works now sit below water.  They are enviously called such because the sun still reached through the haze of clouds in those days.  The arrival of some foul beast from beyond brought an end to that golden age, as its very presence poisoned the land and the sky, rendering everything toxic and flooding the floor with its festering waters.  Things improved a bit after players arrived and defeated this infectious horror, but the recovery was incomplete.  The floor has since settled into this oppressive malaise that has stricken the land as much as its people, leaving both with little hope for a brighter future.

Main Settlements:

<<Eriwald>>

Eriwald is the name of the main settlement of the eighteenth floor, constructed on a precarious network of wooden stilts and piles, forcing residents and visitors alike to navigate the various buildings via raised rope bridges and boardwalks. Despite the unstable appearance of its structures, the settlement overall is surprisingly sound. The locals attribute this to the craftsmanship of Eriwald, an architect from the now defunct Sundrinker generation, who was suspected of constructing the entire settlement in a few nights.  Eriwald itself is one of the smallest main settlements discovered in Aincrad to this point, boasting only twenty five buildings. As a result, the number of services available to players is also extremely limited, including a single tavern - affectionately called Mucksucker’s - and a jury-rigged smithy only capable of crafting and repairing the most basic equipment.

Eriwald's Crossing, the only stone bridge to have survived the downfall of the Sundrinkers,  connects the settlement to either side of a large, slow-moving river along its eastern edge.  Fording the river on foot is treacherous, at best, and generally considered to be a foolhardy task tantamount to basting one’s self for the enjoyment of the local wildlife.

Sub-Settlements:

◉ « Serpent's Pitch » 

Where Eriwald is a larger network built on an unsteady foundation, the secondary settlement of Serpent's Pitch is its exact opposite, in a negative light.  Built on one of the few dry patches of land in the thickest portion of the flooded forests, the location is closer to a large camp than any form of actual town. Strewn across a trifling area of dry and stable land, the cluster of tents is in fact the only place on the entire floor which grants players the option to rent a place for overnight recuperation. A few dozen tents are available for rent on a first-come, first-serve basis, with a small number of additional lean-tos utilized for simple services.   A lone, ring-shaped pavilion stands at the centre of the camp and is used as a mess hall, offering a common central fire and cauldron for long-cooking stews and the like. Merchants occasionally set up a small open-air bazaar nearby, colloquially known as the ‘Flotsam and Dross’, that typically offers a limited assortment of trinkets and Sundrinker artifacts recovered from the mire.  

Other Locations:

◉ « The Bog of Lost Sun  »

A title given by NPCs to most of the mires that cover the floor, the Bog of Lost Sun, is so named for the fall of the last of the Sundrinker generation. Beneath its waters sit better days, now drowned by decay, dank water, and the detritus of time.  While the area itself can seem precarious and dangerous to navigate, most of it is relatively stable. The weather here is unchanging, with a constant humid fog hanging just above the surface of its murky brown waters. 

◉ « The Darkwaters  »

Flooded forest regions of the eighteenth floor are referred to as Darkwaters by the locals.  Here, the constant overcast weather combined with increased water depths leaves little but gloom and a reflective black mirrored surface that reflects the towering petrified tree trunks that loom menacingly overhead.   It is highly recommended not to attempt traversing Darkwaters areas by any other route than the rare lonely bridges and plank walkways connecting various dry patches. Dangerous creatures lurk both below and above, awaiting a chance to attack anyone foolish enough to do so.

Transportation

Foot travel is the only real option on the eighteenth floor.  The mire is too full of obstacles, and varying in depth, for boats to be used effectively. There are no established roads or pathways outside of the settlements, and the remnants of those around are in a dangerous state of decay.

Common Mobs of Floor Eighteen

Field Boss of Floor Eighteen

« Floor Eighteen Labyrinth »

The Floor Eighteen Labyrinth is found deep within the heart of the largest Darkwater area, at the far south end of the floor and well past any established bridges or trails.  Here, a forest of infinitely tall petrified trees with thick, tangled roots, marks its boundary.  Those wishing to enter must fight their way through increasingly numerous and exceedingly aggressive versions of wildlife found elsewhere in the mire.  
Boat travel is impossible here.  Players must navigate the area entirely by climbing and crawling over, under or between the thick network of roots that press together like a thick sort of webbing just above the water’s surface.  A few rare patches of dry land can be found along the way, offering brief respite before continuing the slog to the next.

To cross between the patch of land, each player must try to swim across the water or navigate the roots without provoking the attention of the nearby enemy mobs. To do so, they must make a roll of the LD towards a threshold indicated below. If they meet or succeed the threshold, they pass to the next piece of land without provoking a battle. Groups combine their rolls and compare the sum to the applicable threshold.  If they fail, they must complete the related battle before they can continue.  All five thresholds must be passed in order to reach the boss room.

• Threshold 1 (6 x Player Count):
  • Failure results in the following battle: 2*(number of players) loot minimum mobs, each with ACC 1, EVA 1 and MIT 50
• Threshold 2 (7 x Player Count):
  • Failure results in the following battle: 3*(number of players) loot minimum mobs, each with ACC 1, EVA 1 and MIT 60
• Threshold 3 (8 x Player Count):
  • Failure results in the following battle: 4*(number of players) loot minimum mobs, each with ACC 2, EVA 1 and MIT 70
• Threshold 4 (9 x Player Count):
  • Failure results in the following battle: 5*(number of players) loot minimum mobs, each with ACC 2, EVA 2 and MIT 80
• Threshold 5 (10 x Player Count):
  • Failure results in the following battle: 6*(number of players) loot minimum mobs, each with ACC 2, EVA 2 and MIT 100

Players who successfully navigate their way to the center of the Labyrinth will reach a large, moss-covered, spongy patch of land. Pools of acid of varying sizes and shapes litter the area, though any attempt to interact with them fails, registering as a system error.  Found at the back of the area is a wall composed most of tightly intertwined trees, making an impassable barrier. At the base of this wall is a monstrously sized bundle of wolf fur, seemingly left by <<Malethis>>, the immense and corrosive dire wolf that was once the floor boss.
 

Quests:
<<The Poisonous Warg>>

Boss: Paving the Way to Floor 19

 

Paragon Levels are indicated by the color blue.

TIERS
A player’s Tier denotes certain things relating to their stats - namely, how their Skills and Enhancements interact with their Tier. Each Tier is composed of 10 standard levels, and Paragon Levels do not affect one’s Tier.

Tier 1 starts at level 1.
Tier 2 starts at level 11.
Tier 3 starts at level 21.
And so on.

PARAGON LEVELS
Once you have reached the level cap, which is determined by the Current Top Floor Cleared + 5 (i.e. Floor 28 + 5 = 33), you are able to continue to accumulate EXP and levels. These levels past the level cap are considered “Paragon Levels”. For every 5 Paragon Levels, you gain +20 HP, +2 EN, and +5 SP. There are also certain benchmark rewards of Paragon Levels that are only attainable once per character.

Paragon Level formula: Total EXP level - Level Cap = Paragon Level.
EX: You have 47,600 EXP. This places you at “Level 34.” As the Level cap is set at Level 33, the formula would put you at 34 - 33 = 1 Paragon Level.

NOTE: Paragon Levels are fluid. Once the level cap is increased, Paragon Levels are converted to standard levels to match the level cap.

PARAGON LEVEL BENCHMARK REWARDS
[All Bound to Character (marriage system does not bypass character-bound items)]

Paragon Level 5 - Laurel Wreath (Earn Col equivalent to 15% of player’s EXP earned in thread)
Paragon Level 10 - (1) Gleaming Scale, (1) Demonic Shard, +1 LD to Looting*
Paragon Level 25 - (1) Gleaming Scale, (1) Demonic Shard, Free Skill Respec
Paragon Level 50 - (1) Gleaming Scale, (1) Demonic Shard, x3 Paragon Tier Up Tickets, Custom Skill**
Paragon Level 75 - (1) Gleaming Scale, (1) Demonic Shard, Custom SA
Paragon Level 100 - (2) Gleaming Scales, (2) Demonic Shards, Access to ‘Champion’s Hall’***

* This bonus only applies to looting, searching for and opening chests.
** Limit of one use per equipment.
*** Posting in this thread will allow the player to choose a list of seasonal consumables that’s shown up in past events and take a copy of one. Limited to one post per month per player. 

SAO-RPG is a text-based roleplay forum based on the popular anime franchise Sword Art Online. The game runs on a play-by-post format, incorporating elements of dice-rolling systems to determine the outcome of various actions such as gathering, combat and search rolls. Most elements in SAO-RPG adhere to canon, however this roleplay does not feature canonical characters in any way. 

How to Play

Players start by creating their character, fashioned under the system SAO-RPG uses. Once approved, players roleplay their characters in topics on the forum; occasionally alone and sometimes with other players. If multiple characters are present on an adventure, they take turns writing posts for each other, describing their actions and/or the environment before passing control of the pen over to their roleplay partner(s). 

Sometimes, players may take actions that have an outcome to be determined by chance. In these scenarios, players will want to use the game's Dice Roller to resolve these actions; the results cast by the roller will then be incorporated into the description of the player’s actions. 

This continues until the adventure reaches an end, to the consensus of all characters involved in the topic. When a topic is closed, it is sent for staff approval, and then rewards are distributed from there. Rinse and repeat!

Most of the time, adventures and environments are fluid and left up to the discretion of the players involved. However, some key fundamentals of the world need to be upheld (eg. the setting of SAO, description & key elements of floor environments) whilst some mechanics like quests, crafting and combat have more structured rotations and rules that must be abided by.

Using the Guide

Because of the many intricacies SAO-RPG holds, the manual is quite the lengthy read. We do not expect players to remember any nor all parts of the manual at any given time; simply use this guide as a reference to be reviewed against when in doubt of any mechanics, rules, structures or systems in the game.

There are two major pieces of reading when it comes to understanding SAO-RPG:

• The Site Manual, which you are reading right now, acts as our version of the Player's Handbook.
• The Resources List acts as a glossary or index for various aspects of the game.

Asking Questions

Feel free to ask questions often; even if something has been stated in the manual/guide, it never hurts to get a second opinion for verification or clarification, and the interest in the system is often interpreted as enthusiasm by staff. Members of the Player Support Team (PST) are often available to answer these questions; most of them can be found through the roleplay’s Discord server, however they may also be contactable via direct messages (DM’s) through the forum. One may refer to a list of staff here.

SAO-RPG Rules

• The username that one registers with and uses to log in will be the username of their character within Aincrad. Take care when registering accounts to choose a proper username!
• A user may have multiple characters, however they must be registered as separate accounts. Furthermore, their journals must state that the character in play is an alternative character (alt), a deviation from the user’s main character of use.
• All roleplay posts must have a minimum of 150 words of in-character text (unless noted). Battle stats and OOC notes or comments do not count toward this minimum.
  • Posts in the Merchants and Shops sub-section, as well as posts in which a character is stunned or paralyzed, require only 100 words of IC text.
  • Posts in the Player Request Board sub-section, while regarded as in-character, do not have a word count requirement.
• Spamming is not allowed under any circumstances.
• Any form of cheating, intentional rule-breaking, or abuse of exploits or loopholes is strictly prohibited.
• Keep all posts and journals PG-13. Should players find themselves unsure if any content they wish to write would go beyond PG-13, message a staff member for clarification. For any content intended above PG-13, please see the Unrestricted Chat Filter sub-section.

Credits

Without the time, care and attention of the following individuals, this guide would not be as rigorous and thorough as it would be today. On behalf of SAO-RPG, we thank you for your service:

@NIGHT @Axios Deminence @Bahr @Lessa @ChaseR @Snow @Freyd

---

Introduction Table of Contents Starting the Game Character Creation Navigating the Site Stats, Items & Tiers Skills & Mods Roleplay Rules Thread Anatomy Using the Dice Roller Using the Economy Dashboard Gameplay Thread Mechanics Post Actions Gathering Treasure Chests Dungeons Combat Looting Stealth Field Bosses Character Growth Quests Evaluations Familiars Shops Professions Guilds Housing Cursor Colours Paragon Levels Custom Skills Custom Sword Arts End Game PvP, Player Killing Labyrinths Floor Boss Raids Death & Rebirth Glossary

SP & Level Chart Skills & Mods List Enhancements List Sword Arts List Housing Reference FAQ Crafting Professions Blacksmith Tailor Artisan Alchemist Cook Performer Appraiser Gathering Professions Fishing Foraging

Floor 18
<<The Poisonous Warg>>
Party Limit: 3 | 20+ Posts
 Repeatable for standard thread rewards.

Quest Rewards:

• 500 Experience Points
• 2000 col
• POTENTIAL | If <Venom Snapper>> and <Wolves>> are defeated
  •  Each player receives:
    • Bizarre Antidote (Consumable)
      • This vial, when consumed, will provide the player with the same effects as a regular Antidote of Perfect quality. In addition, the player will feel lighter, granting them an additional point of EVA. This effect can stack with other EVA consumables. Effect lasts one thread, or until all Antidote charges are consumed.

Requirements:

• Roleplay speaking to Gyrard within the city of Eriwald.
• Roleplay escorting the Caravan to Serpent's Pitch
  • Players that do not ride in the caravan must each make 3 posts before the fight.
  • Players that ride in the Caravan must each make 1 post each before the fight; however, they are ambushed (see below). 
• Defeat <<Poison Snapper>> and 2 wolves simultaneously without letting the Caravan become destroyed.
  • Or
• Successfully flee with 2 unmodified rolls of LD 15+ before the Caravan is destroyed. (This option provides reduced rewards.)
• Roleplay the ending.
• *Note: If <<The Caravan>> is destroyed while retreating, the player(s) fail the quest and still have to defeat Poison Snapper and Wolves.

Summary:

In the back alleys of Eriwald, the player(s) can find an NPC merchant seated on a stool within a Tavern. As the players approach him, he drinks the rest of the liquid that was left within his mug before acknowledging them. "Well, it seems I have finally found some better luck. Here I was, just beginning to believe that I'd be stuck in this wretched village forever. Came 'ere over a week ago, delivering some goods from Serpent's Pitch. Problem is, I hardly made it here to begin with. I was attacked by a pack of wolves about halfway through. Tried talkin' to the guards but it was far too out for them to venture." The round middle-aged man slides his mug back over to the bartender. "Thanks Mack." He tells the man before standing and facing the player(s). "I don't dare travel out and get attacked by those beasts. I'd stay here, but my family is waiting for me in Serpent's Pitch. They won't be able to survive without the profit I made from my sales for much longer. Say, would you be willing to protect my caravan and I across the way?"

Upon acceptance, Gyrard offers up a pleasant smile to the player(s). "Excellent. There will be a reward in it for you, even more if you can kill the beast that's causing my trouble. Allow me to prepare the Caravan and I'll meet you outside the front gates to the city." He heads out of the building and another voice will hail the player(s). "Careful out there. I've heard word that the pack's alpha gives a nasty bite. I've heard some mentions of poison.  You might want to stop and grab an antidote before you go out there." Rex will nod towards the player(s) as he cleans a mug and returns to paying attention to others in the tavern. 

Once the player moves out, they will find Gyrard standing outside the gate.  He and the rest of his team are harnessing massive packs full of supplies onto their backs while waiting for the players to join them. "Glad you could join me, 'fraid that I couldn't manage to get you a mount. This ground is very boggy, but I've made my living by mapping out a rare and reliable route for my wagon.  Keep your eye on the water, too.  Lots of nasties hiding just below the surface." 

Outline: 

The players must protect <<The Caravan>> from attack, ensuring that it reaches Serpent's Pitch.

---

NPCs:

<<Gyrard>>
A simple merchant trying to make ends meet to support his family that lives within Serpent's Pitch. The middle-aged man speaks in a gruff tone and while he isn't suited for battle he is quite gifted in the art of business. He is well known and liked by his customers to the point of being on a first-name basis.

---

Protect the Caravan!

Players must defend <<The Caravan>> from enemy attacks!  

<<The Caravan>>
HP: 500/500

Abilities:

• Inanimate | The caravan is immune to all status effects except for Burn.
• Fast Travel | Players can decide to ride on the caravan on the ride, reducing the number of posts required before the fight can begin; however, this activates the enemy's <<Ambush>> ability during the first turn of combat. 
• Flee! | All players forfeit their Post Action to hop into the caravan and attempt to get away. All player hate values temporarily becomes zero until they leave the caravan again. While the hate of all players is at 0, the mobs will attack <<The Caravan>>. The party leader shall roll and the enemy is successfully escaped after 2 natural rolls of LD 15+.
• Muck! | If the party leader rolls a natural LD of 5 or less while attempting to flee, the wheels of <<The Caravan>> will become stuck in the mud of the swamp. Each member of the party must devote a post action to freeing the wheel from the mud before more flee rolls may be attempted.
   

---

Enemies:

<<Poison Snapper>>
A strange mutation transformed this wolf into a much larger and colorful version of its previous incarnation With its pack, it hunts down unsuspecting merchants and is well-known for its poisonous bite.

HP: 500/500 | DMG: 100 | MIT: 45 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1

Abilities:

• Venomous Bite | On a MD 9-10, Poison Snapper sinks its fangs into the target with the highest hate. This deals 50 unmitigatable poison damage each turn for 2 turns as an ailment effect.
• Revenge | If a <<Wolf>> dies while Poison Snapper is still alive, on the turn after its ally falls, Poison Snapper shall make an attack on the player who killed it before making its normal attack.
• Destroy | If no target has hate on <<Poison Snapper>>, it shall attack <<The Caravan>>
• Ambush | Activated by <<The Caravan>> (see above), the pack shall ambush without warning, acting first in the rotation and with absolute accuracy on this attack, before the players can even get a turn. 

 

<<Wolf>>
A standard wolf, hunting alongside Poison Snapper to increase the pack's strength, ensuring a steady supply of food.

HP: 200/200 | DMG: 75 | MIT: 25 | ACC: 1

Abilities:

• Destroy | If no target has hate on <<Wolf>>, it shall attack <<The Caravan>>.
• Ambush | Activated by <<The Caravan>> (see above), the pack shall ambush without warning, acting first in the rotation and with absolute accuracy on this attack, before the players can even get a turn.
   

---

Epilogue:

<<Poison Snapper>> and <<Wolves>> evaded:

<<Poison Snapper>> and <<Wolves>> Defeated:

 

Floor 13
<<Arabian Nights: Libel>>
Party Limit: 4 | 20+ Posts
Must have completed <<Arabian Nights: Unfinished Business>>
Repeatable for standard thread rewards.

Quest Rewards:

• 2,500 Experience Points
• 50,000 col
• POTENTIAL REWARD | Each player receives:
  • Jathoom's Spine
    • Granted upon the defeat of <<Jathoom>>.
    • T4 Unique Consumable | Gain one slot of Vampiric (Defensive) for the duration of one thread. Does not stack with its enhancement counterpart.
• POTENTIAL REWARD | Each player receives:
  • Qarinah's Blood
    • Granted upon the defeat of <<Qarinah>>.
    • T4 Unique Consumable | Gain one slot of Vampiric (Offensive) for the duration of one thread. Does not stack with its enhancement counterpart.
• POTENTIAL REWARD | Party leader receives:
  • Shard of Diablos
    • Granted only to the party leader if <<Morgiana>> is still alive upon the defeat of both <<Jathoom>> and <<Qarinah>>.
    • Unique Consumable | Removes one enhancement on a weapon of Tier 4 or below and replaces it with Vampiric (Offensive). This effect cannot override its maximum cap. This item is consumed on use.

Requirements:

• (Optional) If adding <<Morgiana>> to the party, meeting with Morgiana.
• Use Tracking or Searching to find Qamaqim
• Seek out, find and agree to help either Qamaqim or Dalilah.
• Escort Qamaqim or Dalilah to their destinations.
• Decide whether to interfere or stand aside as Qamaqin and Delilah confront each other
• Fight Jathoom and/or Qarinah.
• Travel with Qamaqim or Dalilah to their destinations.
• Find and talk to Qamaqim or Dalilah.

Summary:

Ali's message is curt this time. It isn’t clear if it was out of faith in the abilities of wayward adventurers, or if it is out of spite for his beneficiaries. Either way, his instructions direct players towards the thirteenth floor. Alongside his notes are a sketch of the man players are told to seek out. Most of the language is foreign on the sheet of papyrus, but one title and name are clear: Arch Thief Qamaqim.

No other description lies about the nature of his directions. Unusual, but perhaps the man to be sought out will have further information.

Outline:

If Morgiana survived <<Arabian Nights: Unfinished Business>> for all players in the party:

The thread closure post for <<Arabian Nights: Unfinished Business>> for all participating players must be listed in the closing post for this thread.  Morgiana can only participate if she survived for all players participating in the thread.

PART I | SEEKING CONTACT

In the expanse of Floor Thirteen, it’s difficult to find who one might be looking for without running into trouble. Players have the following options to complete this section of the quest; the party as a whole must pick one.

Tracking | Route requirement: <<Tracking>> mod

Searching

PART II | MAKING CONTACT

Here, the party as a collective would have found someone of importance. Depending on which NPC is found, different interactions will occur.  The party must either choose to help Qamaqim or Delilah.

Qamaqim

Dalilah

The party may take a player's post action to disengage from the located NPC should they wish to retry the Part I: Searching section of this quest. This also applies to parties who have taken the Tracking route.

Disengaging from an NPC will alter the chart in that section of the quest; upon rolling for the NPC that they have just located, they will locate the alternative NPC instead (eg. Upon disengaging from Qamaqim, rolling for Find Qamaqim will now yield a Find Dalilah result). Disengaging from one NPC will lock the party into the new result; players will not be able to disengage a second time.

Upon clearing this section of the quest:

If the players had followed Qamaqim:

If the players had followed Dalilah:

PART III | A CONFRONTATION

Be advised that during this segment, rolls for enhancement CD procs (e.g. Recovery, etc.) must be made separately from your attack rolls. Rolls for opponents and Morgiana must also be made separately.

As the two adversaries are squabbling, players have the following courses of action to take. The party as a whole must pick one:

Do nothing

Attempt to stop the fight | Route requirement: 2+ players or Morgiana is present in party

- - - - -

Depending on the results of the CD roll, one of the following two scenes plays out:

Kill Jathoom

Kill Qarinah

 

---

Allies:

 

 <<Morgiana>>

Her prowess is still nigh unmatchable, and her elegance in combat performance still regions to this day. Hey -- isn’t dual wielding kind of a cheat for someone other than the Unique Skill user to flaunt around anyway? What gives?

HP: 620/620 | DMG: 15 | MIT: 85 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 | BLEED: 48 (9-10) | PARALYZE (9-10)

Abilities:

• Direct Orders | Morgiana's actions are determined by the Party Leader.
• Dual Wielding | The user of two blades, Morgiana is capable of attacking the same target twice per turn.
• Discreet | Despite attacking twice per turn, she will only generate hate on her initial/first attack.
• Emergency Recovery | When non-fatal damage would leave Morgiana with less than 155 HP, she will recover 62 HP immediately after the attack resolves. This effect cannot occur more than once per round. 
   
• Sword Arts | This ally uses sword arts. Look to the table below to determine the art they use in battle. 
  • The sword arts used by this enemy are affected by cooldowns. These cooldowns will hence be affected by [Delay]. Refer to the resources list [here] to view each art’s respective cooldowns. Should an art be on cooldown, the list cycles upwards until a sword art is found to be available for use.
    
    Examples: 
    • [Legion Destroyer] is on cooldown, but [Butterfly Illusion] is not. The ally uses [Butterfly Illusion].
    • [Lasting Chopper] is on cooldown, and so is [Meteor Fall], but [Bear Knock] is not. The ally uses [Bear Knock].
       

Conditions		Weapon Type
MD	CD	Curved Sword
- - -		[x5] Bear Knock
[1 - 8]	[1 - 4]	[x9] Meteor Fall
[1 - 8]	[5 - 8]	[x9 Focus] Lasting Chopper
[1 - 8]	[9 - 12]	[x11] Dancing Hellraiser
[9 - 10]	[1 - 6]	[x11 AoE] Butterfly Illusion
[9 - 10]	[7 - 12]	[x13 AoE] Legion Destroyer

---

NPCs:

<<Qamaqim>>

If there hadn’t been wanted papers included with his sketch, perhaps ‘Arch Thief Qamaqim’ would’ve sounded only like a self-title. However, true to his (most definitely public) moniker, he is cunning and quick, but first and foremost he is a friendly, emotional sort of man.

<<Dalilah>>

Demure is a description that comes to mind describing Dalilah; she is curt, courteous, modest, but sharp and quick-witted when it comes to her environment. She doesn’t mind chatter, but won’t share much of herself nor her life -- a private type of person, most likely still grieving the loss of her loved one. 

---

Enemies:

<<Corrupted Beast>>

Awful hound-like creatures made out of shadow, vile and bones. They might’ve once been human, but it’s hard to tell now, when their living form is but coagulated darkness in a carapaced mess.

Corrupted Beast | HP: 500/500 | DMG: 150 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2

<<Jathoom>>

This four-legged vessel’s face morphs continuously; yellow eyes grow at will upon its form so that it’s aware of its surroundings at all times. Its limbs morph into hands and arms that are humanoid; and yet, it moves gracefully like a stag, a dream turned night terror and become reality.

Jathoom | HP: 1950/1950 | DMG: 250 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 3 | THORNS: 30
This boss uses its own BD roll when attacking.

Abilities:

• Demonic Rest | The Jathoom is a creature of sleep. It may apply <<SLEEPING>>, a status disablement that causes players to lose their turns until attacked by an enemy. Players can remove this effect from other players by sacrificing their post action to do so.
• Narcolepsy | On a natural roll of BD8+, if the attack connects with its target, the player gains <<SLEEPING>>. This status effect cannot be parried. The attack is to be resolved before <<SLEEPING>> is applied.
• Sleep Paralysis | Victim’s of the Jathoom’s spell will not dream; instead, they are forced to reckon with ghastly terrors in their present world muted of colours. Players who are <<SLEEPING>> will suffer from Jathoom’s thorns' damage on its turn. This damage will not awaken the target and is unmitigatable.
• Appendage Growth | On turns where at least one player has <<SLEEPING>>, the Jathoom will gain +25 MIT and +5 THORNS. This effect does not stack if multiple players are sleeping.
• Self-Mending | The Jathoom’s body is capable of repair. When targeted by a player’s attack roll of a natural LD15+, the creature will heal 50 HP after damage is dealt if the damage is non-fatal.
• Injured | Fighting with the <<Qarinah>> has weakened the Jathoom’s structure. Self-Mending will be nullified.
  • This effect is only applicable if the players chose the Do nothing route.

<<Qarinah>>

Anyone trying to describe it as a dazzling, voluptuous creature, would have been slain within the first few seconds of encountering such a beast. This demon is audacious, brash and cutthroat -- its swift, whirling, jaunty maneuvers are but its victim’s dance macabre.

Qarinah | HP: 2250/2250 | DMG: 200 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2 | BLEED: 48 (8-10)
This boss uses its own BD roll when attacking.

Abilities:

• Phantasm | The Qarinah is a creature of dreams. On misses against the Qarinah, players will gain a stack of <<HALLUCINATING>>, which applies a -1 ACC until their next successful attack. <<HALLUCINATING>> can stack up to a maximum of 3 times.
• Embargo | Qarinah is a tricky devil, and her wings give her much promise in the way of disrupting players’ actions. The first item used at the start of a turn will benefit Qarinah instead of the players, the demon having stolen it away from them.
  • Buffs that affect members of the party will benefit Qarinah instead.
  • If the item is a debuff, Qarinah will use it against the primary hate target instead. If there is no stated hate target, players get to decide who receives the debuff.
  • Qarinah still has to obey consumable enhancement cap limitations. She will gain buffs in accordance with the order in which the Players attack her, gaining their respective buffs. Once she has reached the maximum number of combat buffs (5), she will not acquire any more.
• Gentle Grip | The Qarinah can grow long nails and swipe every target on the battlefield. On natural rolls of BD9+, roll against every player in the party. If the attack hits, it deals 150 mitigatable DMG and Bleed, dealing 48 unmitigatable damage for two turns. This status effect cannot stack, but can refresh.  Gentle grip replaces the original attack, and can only trigger once per round.
• Vampiric | Triggers on a natural roll of CD9+, as part of an attack roll against any player. If the attack hits, Qarinah heals for 125 HP instead of dealing damage. This effect is automatically considered a hit if the target is suffering from Bleed.
  • If triggered on the same round, <<Gentle Grip>>'s effects will occur before <<Vampiric>>.
  • Separate rolls must be made for <<Gentle Grip>> and <<Vampiric>> if they are to occur in the same turn.
• Tenacious | Disablements (stuns, paralysis, freeze) will not remove this enemy’s evasion, but will still remove its next post action. 
• Devour | On turns where a player is <<SLEEPING>> (see below), the Qarinah will attack them instead of the primary hate target, healing for the amount of damage the player receives after mitigation. In the event that multiple players are <<SLEEPING>>, Qarinah will attack the target with the highest hate. If multiple <<SLEEPING>> players are tied for highest hate, she will attack the player that most recently used an action.
  • This effect is only applicable should players have picked the Do nothing route.
• Ferocious | Angered by the <<Jathoom>>, Qarinah’s strikes are likely to be destructive. When <<Gentle Grip>> occurs, Qarinah’s attacks will apply <<SLEEPING>> to targets who are <<HALLUCINATING>>.
  • This effect is only applicable should players have picked the Do nothing route.

---

Epilogue:

If Morgiana is alive:

If only Qamaqim is alive:

If only Dalilah is alive:

If no NPCs are alive:

 

Floor 7
<<Arabian Nights: Unfinished Business>>
Party Limit: 4 | 20+ Posts
Must have completed <<Arabian Nights: The First of Many>>
Repeatable for standard thread rewards

Quest Rewards:

• 1,000 Experience Points
• 30,000 col
• Each player receives one of the following:
  • Sorcerer’s Armor
    • T3 Perfect Heavy/Light Armor | Envenom | Mitigation II
  • Sorcerer’s Cloak
    • T3 Perfect Light/Cloth Armor | Envenom | Evasion II
• POTENTIAL REWARD | Granted only to the Party Leader
  • At least one part member must be wearing <<Cassim's Ring>>
  • Mask of the Inferno
    • T3 Perfect Heavy Armor / Shield | Flame Aura | Mitigation | Taunt
• Unlocks <<Arabian Nights: Libel>> quest

Requirements:

• Roleplay talking to Morgiana about the sigil.
• Disenchanting the sigil by choosing to Hire a Specialist or Scrounging for Goods
• Roleplay install wards around Ali’s neighbourhood.
• Roleplay investigating the Bandit Sorcerer’s hideout.
• Sneak or fight your way to the hideout.
• Slaying the following enemies: <<Bandit Sorcerer>> and <<Summoned Ifrit>>, which must be fought together.
• Note whether or not Morgiana survived the quest.

Summary:

The address provided leads the players down one of the busy main streets of Nimbus. Where players might have expected to meet the man extraordinaire, instead a dainty young woman stands with arms folded. Her attention is caught the moment eyes are laid upon her.  She gestures for the party to follow with a beckoning of fingers, taking them down an alley right behind Ali's home.

There she reveals a strange symbol half etched in the stone and dirt. Morgiana introduces herself, then explains that the sigil was placed by a spellcaster before she cautiously attempts to approach the potentially deadly ward. A small flame flickers out; enough to tell the players that it is a trap of some kind, made to spark fire from proximity alone.

"It must be premeditated. After the errand he's sent you on, Ali is now a man with a target on his back, and magic like this doesn't usually just manifest by happenstance," Morgiana concludes. "It's my responsibility to see this threat cleared out, as his housekeeper. I would appreciate your help in my investigations, if you are willing. We'll get rid of this trap first, then set out to find the person who set it."

Outline:

PART I | DISENCHANTING THE SIGIL

There are two options to remove the sigil from Ali's home. The party as a whole must decide on one:

Hire a Specialist

Scrounging for Goods

 

The liquid inside the alchemical flask is poured upon the sigil, and the acid seems to eat at the engravings in the stone. Morgiana dusts off her hands once the work has been complete. "We'll have to make sure that this doesn't happen again while we're away," she explains. "Let us install our own wards next. I'm sure Ali would be more than happy to float the bill."

- - - - -

PART II | THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS

There are two options to install the wards by Ali's home. The party as a whole must decide on one:

Standard

Cassim?

 

CD	Location
[1-2]	An abandoned distillery right within Ali's neighborhood, only a few blocks away from his home.
[3-4]	A dusty cellar within the vicinity of Ali's neighborhood, repurposed into a barren mage's workshop.
[5-6]	The second floor of an abandoned home, somewhere near the borders of Nimbus.
[7-8]	A secluded hovel on the outskirts of the main settlement, fashioned out of rock and wood.
[9-10]	The back of a tavern stowed away in Deepedge; entry is only allowed should someone utter a passcode to the bouncer to gain private access.
[11-12]	A moderately-sized cavern, bearing into the side of a large rock formation in the middle of the Rocky Plains.

After a locale has been decided upon, players may progress to the next phase of the quest.

Players will be tasked with investigating their selected locale for clues about the sorcerer. However, during their approach, it becomes obvious by the number of mercenaries around the hideout that the mastermind behind this is well guarded.

It looks like, perhaps, the end of this route might once more require a return to violence.

- - - - -

PART III | REVENGE AND A LITTLE BIT MORE

During this segment of the quest, Morgiana will join the player's party as a follower under the following condition:

• No members of the party has Cassim's ring equipped.

There are two options for players to tackle the suspicious mercenaries. The party as a whole must decide on one:

Stealth

Combat

 

---

 

Allies:

 

<<Morgiana>>

Ali's housekeeper. Brokers scrounge up very little information about her, for one reason or another, but her performance in combat is something to wonder about. A sword dancer by trade, perhaps? Take care not to stare too much.

HP: 620/620 | DMG: 13 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 3 | BLEED: 36 (9-10) | PARALYZE (9-10)

Abilities:

• Direct Orders | Morgiana's actions are determined by the Party Leader.
• Dual Wielding | The user of two blades, Morgiana is capable of attacking the same target twice per turn.
• Discreet | Despite attacking twice per turn, she will only generate hate on her initial/first attack.
• Emergency Recovery | When non-fatal damage would leave Morgiana with less than 155 HP, she will recover 62 HP immediately after the attack resolves. This effect cannot occur more than once per round. 
   
• Sword Arts | This ally uses sword arts. Look to the table below to determine the art they use in battle. 
  • The sword arts used by this enemy are affected by cooldowns. These cooldowns will hence be affected by [Delay]. Refer to the resources list [here] to view each art’s respective cooldowns. Should an art be on cooldown, the list cycles upwards until a sword art is found to be available for use.
    
    Examples: 
    • [Legion Destroyer] is on cooldown, but [Butterfly Illusion] is not. The ally uses [Butterfly Illusion].
    • [Lasting Chopper] is on cooldown, and so is [Meteor Fall], but [Bear Knock] is not. The ally uses [Bear Knock].
       

Conditions		Weapon Type
BD	CD	Curved Sword
- - -		[x5] Bear Knock
[1 - 8]	[1 - 4]	[x9] Meteor Fall
[1 - 8]	[5 - 8]	[x9 Focus] Lasting Chopper
[1 - 8]	[9 - 12]	[x11] Dancing Hellraiser
[9 - 10]	[1 - 6]	[x11 AoE] Butterfly Illusion
[9 - 10]	[7 - 12]	[x13 AoE] Legion Destroyer

 

---

NPCs:

<<Ali>>

Soft spoken and gracious with his words and actions. Extremely wealthy, and hence an unfortunate target of banditry wiles like these, too. Though he is rarely seen throughout the quest, he may make an appearance at its conclusion. A man of general tragedy.

<<Cassim>>

Ali’s older brother. He’s still a little on edge with regards to talks about his kidnapping, but he is friendly and courteous, very much matching his younger brother in demeanor.

---

Enemies:

<<Arabian Mercenary>>

Built upon the way of the sword and culled by the endless cycle of being pitched against one another, these mercenaries are nothing short of blood thirsty and battle ready. Each of them carry a dog tag -- the only remnant left of their identity once their equipment has been passed on to another worthier living being.

HP: 400/400 | DMG: 12 | MIT: 25 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2
This mob uses its own BD roll when attacking.

Abilities:

Sword Arts | This enemy uses sword arts. Look to the table below to determine the art they use in battle. 

• The sword arts used by this enemy are affected by cooldowns. These cooldowns will hence be affected by [Delay]. Refer to the resources list [here] to view each art’s respective cooldowns. Should an art be on cooldown, the list cycles upwards until a sword art is found to be available for use.
  
  Examples: 
  • [Dimension Stampede] is on cooldown, but [Vent Forth] is not. The enemy uses [Vent Forth].
  • [Dancing Spear] is on cooldown, and so is [Divide], but [Heft] is not. The enemy uses [Heft].
     
• Please state the bandit’s weapon type alongside their names in the die roller.

 

Conditions		Weapon Type
BD	CD	2H Assault Spear	2H Straight Sword	Warhammer
- - -		[x5] Heft	[x5] Straight	[x5] Crash
[1 - 8]	[1 - 4]	[x12 Focus] Divide	[x11 Stun] Fight Blade	[x11] Lift Asunder
[1 - 8]	[5 - 8]	[x13] Dancing Spear	[x12] Astral Hell	[x14] Ripple
[1 - 8]	[9 - 12]	[x15] Imperial Southern Cross	[x15] Calamitous Disaster	[x16] Fling
[9 - 10]	[1 - 6]	[x14 Delay] Vent Forth	[x14 Stun] Tempest	[x15 AoE] Wallbreaker
[9 - 10]	[7 - 12]	[x16] Dimension Stampede	[x17 AoE] Galaxy Destroyer	[x18 AoE] Odin's Wrath

---

<<Bandit Sorcerer>>

The Bandit Sorcerer may be quiet in their steps, but they are by no means stealthy, nor quick, especially when having to keep up a glowing ward surrounding them in a shimmering blue light. They attack via alchemy vials -- not the best choice of arms, but perhaps this niche may unsettle some players enough to play into the sorcerer’s favor.

HP: 600/600 | DMG: 115 | MIT: 25 | SAFEGUARD | ACC: 3 | EVA: 1 |
This boss uses its own BD roll when attacking.

Abilities

• Active Ward | The Bandit Sorcerer always keeps a ward of Safeguard* up. If the ward goes down, on the sorcerer’s next available turn, they will take a post action to bring this ward back up.
  • * [Safeguard] completely negates the next attack’s damage, however any additional effects the attack may inflict upon the opponent may still apply (eg. Bleed, Paralyze, etc).
• Ranged | The Bandit Sorcerer attacks from range. This enemy is immune to the retributive effects of Immolation Potions, Thorns-type and Aura-type enhancements.  Enhancements with the (Defensive) subtype also cannot trigger against this target.
• Envenom Vial | The Bandit Sorcerer uses thrown vials for their attacks. All successful attacks will apply Envenom to the target, dealing 24 unmitigatable damage over the next four turns. This status effect does not refresh, but can stack.
• Living Battery | Tethered to its summon by a hellish flaming chain, the Ifrit is capable of taking away health from the Bandit Sorcerer to restore its own with Drain.

<<Summoned Ifrit>>

A beast spawned into the world by means of magic, alchemical reagents and human sin. An Ifrit only knows of two things: to bring horror and hellfire to the descendants of the iron prison.

HP: 1000/1000 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 2
This boss uses its own BD roll when attacking.

Abilities

• Soulbound | As long as the Bandit Sorcerer remains alive, the Ifrit cannot die, clinging to life with 1 HP.
• Drain | As a free action every turn, the Ifrit absorbs enough health from its summoner to restore its own HP gauge to full. This can kill its summoner if the health taken away is enough to drop the Sorcerer to 0 HP.
• Phase | The Ifrit ignores 50% of the target's mitigation on a critical attack.
• Blazing Claws | The Ifrit applies Burn to the target upon a successful attack, dealing 42 unmitigatable damage over the next two turns. This status effect does not stack, but can refresh
• Burning Chains | If the Ifrit attacks the same target as the Bandit Sorcerer, the chains that bind the duo will lash out in retaliation, dealing 100 additional mitigatable damage as well as applying/refreshing Burn against the target. Mitigation against Burning Chains is calculated separately from the other attacks.  This effect hits automatically, even if one or both triggering attacks missed.

Environmental Effect:

Comes into effect only during the fight against the <<Bandit Sorcerer>> and the <<Summoned Ifrit>>.

• Rally | If the maximum number of mercenary reinforcements (10) has not been defeated prior to fighting the <<Bandit Sorcerer>> and <<Summoned Ifrit>>, the remaining mercenaries will spawn into the fight one by one, on every other turn. This effect ends when the <<Bandit Sorcerer>> is dead.
• Personal Score | If the entire party is equipped with [Cassim's Ring], Rally will be nullified. The skirmish between the players and the Bandit Sorcerer/Summoned Ifrit pair will be kept a secret affair.

---

Epilogue:

If no party member is wearing Cassim's ring:

If at least one party member is wearing Cassim's ring:

If Morgiana dies in the fight with Bandit Sorcerer & Summoned Ifrit:

The thread summary must clearly state whether Morgiana survived, for future thread verification.

Floor 5
<<Arabian Nights: The First of Many>>
Party Limit: 4 | 20+ Posts
Repeatable for standard thread rewards

Quest Rewards:

• 500 Experience Points
• 15,000 col
• POTENTIAL REWARD:
  • Dungeon Map: Cave of Wonders (each) - only if Cassim or his ring are returned to Ali
    • This map may only be opened on floors below Floor 50 (and only for floors that have so far been explored)
    • For the duration of this dungeon, all players will receive a +2 LD that stacks with on top of their LD values. This +2 LD bonus takes effect when rolling for loot on monsters and when rolling on the LD table for the dungeon reward. 
    • All players also receive +50% col obtained at the end of this dungeon.
• POTENTIAL REWARD:
  • Cassim’s Ring
    • TIER 1 DEMONIC JEWELRY: Prosperity 3 | LD 1
    • Only the player who kills Cassim gains this item, and only if it is not returned to Ali.
• Unlocks <<Arabian Nights: Unfinished Business>> quest

Requirements:

• Roleplay entering the bandit stronghold.
• Choose one option to retrieve Cassim: Bribery, Combate Route or Stealth Route.
• Roleplay meeting Cassim.
• Roleplay returning to Ali.
• The thread summary must clearly state whether or not Cassim survived.

Summary:

The Cave of Wonders was once but a legend -- that is, until word spread around Aincrad that such a locale actually exists, seen with a handful of players' very own eyes. Information trickles in that a man by the name of Ali would lead others there, on the condition that they retrieve his brother first and foremost, having been stolen away for extortion of valuable information.

You meet the sorrowful man at a tavern in Fortazela, and he digs into discussions in a heartbeat. 'A couple of words' he offers, as his levy for the arrangement before the parties leave. With that knowledge and a bit of searching, the NPC believes that anyone would be able to find the mythical cavern. "But I'll hand it to you on a golden platter," he barters. "You know of familial bonds by now, I'm sure. Cassim is worth more than wealth."

True to the quest log’s words, there stands a bandit fortress in the middle of the desert, half-built into the depths of a shallow cavern. It appears well-guarded and excessively furnished; at least now oncoming adventurers know of why these fiends may need the funds. But with lodgings like these out in the wild that haven't seen a mark of shamble, might it be that the bandits pose more of a territorial threat than initially perceived?

Outline:

PART I | GETTING BACK CASSIM

Players will be directed towards the bandit fortress, facing up against a stronghold's worth of opponents. They are offered multiple options to retrieve Cassim. The party as a whole must pick one:

Bribery

Stealth

Combat

- - - - -

PART II | RETURNING TO ALI

With Cassim now under the players' care, the party is offered two options. The party as a whole must pick one:

Keep Cassim alive

Kill Cassim

NPCs:

<<Ali>>

The secret-keeper to the location of the Cave of Wonders. Soft spoken and gracious with his words and actions.

<<Cassim>>

Ali’s older brother; a tad on edge from his kidnapping, but nonetheless compliant, respectful and curt.

---

Enemies:

<<Arabian Bandit>>

Vicious, powerful -- anonymous. Each individual face is lost to the wind, the unit acting as but a pawn to the whole.

HP: 250/250 | DMG: 10 | MIT: 25 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1
This mob uses its own BD roll when attacking.

Abilities:

Sword Arts | This enemy uses Sword Arts. Look to the table below to determine the art they use in battle. 

• The sword arts used by this enemy are affected by cooldowns. These cooldowns will hence be affected by [Delay]. Refer to the resources list [here] to view each art’s respective cooldowns. Should an Art be on cooldown, the list cycles upwards until a Sword Art is found to be available for use.
  
  Examples: 
  • [Dimension Stampede] is on cooldown, but [Vent Forth] is not. The enemy uses [Vent Forth].
  • [Dancing Spear] is on cooldown, and so is [Divide], but [Heft] is not. The enemy uses [Heft].
     
• Please state the bandit’s weapon type alongside their names in the die roller.
   

Conditions		Weapon Type
BD	CD	Curved Sword	Javelin	2H Assault Spear
- - -		[x5] Bear Knock	[x6] Furious Spike	[x5] Heft
[1 - 8]	[1 - 4]	[x9] Meteor Fall	[x9] Tribal Fury	[x12 Focus] Divide
[1 - 8]	[5 - 8]	[x9 Focus] Lasting Chopper	[x11 Focus] Gungnir	[x13] Dancing Spear
[1 - 8]	[9 - 12]	[x11] Dancing Hellraiser	[x12] Arahabaki	[x15] Imperial Southern Cross
[9 - 10]	[1 - 6]	[x11 AoE] Butterfly Illusion	[x10 Delay] Dragonfly Cutter	[x14 Delay] Vent Forth
[9 - 10]	[7 - 12]	[x13 AoE] Legion Destroyer	[x14] Merciless Fury	[x16] Dimension Stampede

 

---

Epilogue:

If the party rescued Cassim:

If the party failed to rescue Cassim, but returned Cassim’s ring to Ali:

If the party failed to rescue Cassim and kept Cassim’s ring from Ali:

The thread summary must clearly state whether or not Cassim survived.

<<Floor 17>>

Floor Seventeen sports an equatorial climate with geography split into three distinct areas: coastal, lowland, and mountainous regions.  Each area makes up a roughly equal portion of the floor.  The entire landscape is littered with the remains of past battles, with broken shields,  spears and armor scattered along scorched patches of ground. This floor has known the scourges of war. Ill winds combine with hot temperatures, when the sun is at its peak, to scour the land clear of the weak and the timid.  Only in rare shadows or beneath the refuge of an evening sky can milder temperatures be enjoyed, though never to a point where one cannot feel the heat on their skin.

The NPC inhabitants of this floor are mostly human, with olive or bronzed complexions due to their constant exposure to the sun.   Two groups constantly strive for cultural dominance across the floor, each centered around a separate city-state located at the far corners of the floor.  Athenaia and Spartaia are ancient rivals and their citizens compete in all things, from physical prowess to mental alacrity.  Long, loose and flowing clothing is common for both, generally comprised of a  single  piece of cloth wrapped around and secured at the shoulder. The main differentiator between the two cultures is the color of their garbs, with Athenaians wearing light blue or white clothing, and the Spartaians sporting red or dulled brass or bronze attire.

The Athenaians and Spartaians were locked in a seemingly endless conflict, fighting constant battles to gain footholds and expand their respective territories. Some believed that their divine pantheon perpetuated the conflict as a source of amusement, with humanity viewed as little more than playthings.  Many citizens, on both sides, consider their divine overlords to be insane or delusional in their beliefs. 

When the players first arrived, they were deemed a neutral party, considered equivalent to mercenaries for hire, free to set and change their allegiances as they wished.  Relentless war continued until a crucial landmark was finally, fully seized and held by the armies of  <<Spartaian King Leonidas.>>   It was an area deemed sacred ground for both sides. With the assistance of the players, Leonidas and his army were defeated and both sides were forced to withdraw forever from the site.  The conflicts seemed to lessen in ferocity in the aftermath, but rumors now spread of a resurgent and impending tidal shift.  Open war is brewing once again.

Main Settlements:

<<Athenaia>>

Athenaia is the largest settlement on the seventeenth floor located to the far southeast, and the main home of the Athenaian NPCs.  Constructed on top of a mountain ridge that had to be flattened, its acropolis remains the heart of the city to this day, and is officially deemed to house the residences of the gods.  All of the buildings in the city are constructed of white marble with sienna-colored tile roofs.  Most are carefully and formally arrayed in a deliberately ascending order of importance along a series of long, wide staircases and ramps that meet just below the acropolis.  Here, the Athenaian council governs its people from an ornate headquarters that rings the topmost plateau that is reserved for the deities themselves.  The main teleportation plaza of the floor can be found just beyond the central government buildings, located inside of a circular amphitheater.

Broad streets spread across the lower areas of the city, stretching out into the fields and assorted military installations that dot the surrounding landscape.  Small stalls line the roads where players can find quests and other tasks issued by the Athenaian military, most of them asking for assistance in their battle against Spartaia. 
 

<<Spartaia>>

Spartaia is located far to the northwest, along the point where the coastal and lowland regions blend together. Slightly smaller than its rival city-state, Spartaia sports very similar architecture, although the local quarries produce mostly blood-red marble lines with veins the color of brass, which reflects the city’s martial culture and heritage.  The entire city is laid out with precisely regimented military order, hierarchy being implied as well as clearly labeled in its grid-like arrangement.  Soldiers are as common on its streets as tradesmen and other citizens. Unlike Athenaia, where military affairs and infrastructure are deliberately relegated to the realm beyond its walls, Spartaians have blended a martial mindset into their cultural identity. 

Everything in Spartaia comes from the central government building located in the geographic heart of the city, where the military and governing council share a single building.  To outsiders, the entire settlement resembles an armed camp or fortress on the borderlands of civilization.  Guard posts, barracks and training grounds are commonplace, and offer diverse opportunities for employment to mercenary players, mostly enlisting them for assistance in fighting Athenaia.
 

Sub-Settlements:

◉ « Corinthia » 

Corinthia is a third and formally neutral settlement located at the exact center of the floor.  It is surrounded by a lowland area to the north and west, and rugged hills and plains to the south and east.  Sinuous bodies of water wind their way around the floor, breaking up the terrain into something resembling a series of peninsulas.  Local architecture and design here are very reminiscent of Atheniaia and Spartaia, sporting mostly white marble streaked with grays and gold.  While Corinthia formally aligned itself with the Athenaians, it was a marriage of convenience for the sake the helping them to defeat the mad Spartaian king.  Courtesies are maintained, but the locals prioritize trade and wealth, and are far less interested in the agendas of their warring rivals.  Corinthia is also considered neutral ground for both factions, and serves as a hub of intrigue, especially after the sun sets.

◉ « Larissa » 

Larissa, like Corinthia, is a smaller settlement seemingly modeled after the larger main settlements of Athenaia and Spartaia.  It is located in the southwestern region of the floor, where coastal and mountainous regions meet. Unlike the other three city-states, Larissa is one of the only places where one can find white marble that contains a greenish tinge, which is also renown for the accented hue that it casts throughout the settlement during the early parts of the morning. It is also the only settlement that truly offers no allegiance towards any other parties.  Ruled by a merchant council, Larissa prioritizes trade trade over all other considerations.   Many local NPCs are former residents of the other city-states who brought with them their diverse cultures and traditions, but have grown weary of their endless conflicts and machinations.

Other Locations:

◉ « Coastal Region »

Taking up about a third of the floor, the coastal sections of the seventeenth floor are a mix of white and yellow sandy beaches, all connected by moderately sized, interconnected bodies of water.   Most of the open bodies of water on the floor are saltwater, stretching out to the very edges of the floor.  Freshwater springs, rivers and ponds are rare and valuable features, not to mention a frequent source of open conflict.  Naval battles and seaborn raids are common in these regions, which are also notoriously plagued by pirates that prey on merchant and fishing vessels.

◉ « Lowland Region »

Lowland regions can be found throughout the floor, but are most common in the areas around Corinthia and Larissa.  Composed of long stretches of scrabbly grasslands and sparse patches of stunted forest, the lowland regions are primarily used for agriculture.  Vineyards and olive groves are commonplace here, as are grazing herds of livestock, especially where the rocky soil is too thin to sustain more aggressive planting.  Homesteads often dot these areas, occupied by NPCs wary of strangers eager to bring war and devastation with them.  

◉ « Mountainous Region »

Much of this floor is dominated by arid, rocky areas where travelers must be wary of treacherous footing, sudden rockslides and other an overabundance of bandits and tricksters. Outside of the patrolled roads where most merchants and NPCs travel, there are both barren and dangerous lands not well suited to the soft or the faint of heart.  The windswept ridges, crags and gorges of this area are merciless, and home to many forgotten battlefields littered with remains of the simmering Athenaian/Spartaian conflict.  Cloud of heavy smoke still sometimes linger in the air, serving notice of an ongoing or recently concluded battle.

◉ « Nemean Plain »

Located to the far east of the seventeenth floor, this lowland area serves as the home of a dangerous pride of felines led by a majestic lion said to have a  nigh impenetrable hide. The Nemean pride travels a semi-predictable circle, stopping randomly at one of several preferred sites to rest.  They are also the reason why the Athenaian/Spartaian conflict has no hold here, as even the most hardened commanders on either side hesitate to risk treading upon the cat king’s paws.

◉ « Mount Olympia »

At the northeast corner of the floor stands a lonely mountain, shaped like a large spire that stretches so high its peak is lost, concealed behind the perpetually thick clouds that obscure the summit. This area is rumored to be the true home of the local pantheon of gods, who are said to grant random favor to travelers or else take fickle interest in their misfortunes.
Guardians patrol the perimeter, sporting god-like physiques of their own and reputed to be capable of flight, or at least to be able to stand upon and leap from clouds.  Stepping too close to the base of the mountain will earn their ire, which soon turns to wrath as they obey their masters’ wishes and ensure that visitors are turned away.

Transportation

Horses and small wagons are the supplementary forms of transport for the seventeenth floor, with the latter mainly being used for the transport of goods.  The floor has an adequate road network linking its city-states, but travel by river or sea is typically far faster and more efficient.

Common Mobs of Floor Seventeen

Field Boss of Floor Seventeen

« Floor Seventeen Labyrinth »

The Floor Seventeen Labyrinth is found to the south, not far off the same road that leads to  Corinthia. The closer you get to it, the louder the sounds of battle ring above everything else.  The Labyrinth itself takes the form of a large scale battle between Athenaians and Spartaians armies, and remains a densely packed melee no matter the direction of approach. 

Players reaching this area are immediately approached and challenged by commanders from both sides, unless they are already in active service to one group or the other.  Attacking members of one faction immediately triggers a hostile response.  It is also entirely possible to have both sides turn against you
Initiating combat with any foe immediately disables a player, or their group’s, ability to recover health when out of combat, although their energy will still recover as normal.

To reach the end of the battle zone, as well as the floor boss area, the players must successfully pass through four combat encounters, each of increasing difficulty. No more than three out of combat rotations are permitted between encounters. The battles are as follows, and is comprised of foes from the faction opposite to that which the players are aligned:

1. Four Hoplites
2. Three Hoplites and two Elites
3. Three Elites and one Commander
4. Three Commanders

Upon reaching the center of the battlefield, the players will find a large open area with cliff faces to  each side. The large area is littered with broken weapons, torn robes, and smashed shields of Spartaian colors.  These are lingering evidence of the conflict that led to the defeat of the Leonidas, the floor’s boss.  A small, improvised shrine can be found at the center of the clearing, displaying a beautifully decorated golden Spartaian-style helmet.  The helm’s faceplate bears Leonidas’ countenance. Located behind the helmet, scratched into the marble dais upon which it rests, is a message, signed with the names of the representatives of Athenaia and Spartaia: "This sacred place shall never again be desecrated as result of our battles." 
 

Quests:
<<Challenge Of Olympus>>

Boss: Into the Fray [Floor Boss Raid]

<<Floor 16>>

Floor 16 consists of a massive volcanic island, filled with huge, tree-like protrusions clustered between large numbers of streams and lakes that bubble up from the plentiful springs that dot the volcano’s slopes.  These “trees” are actually calcified deposits of rock and dirt overgrown with long grasses, vines and other assorted foliage.  Dozens of tiny settlements are built into these and other natural landforms throughout the land, accentuated by simple wood, stone, thatch, and mud structures.  Extensive networks of underground caverns and lakes interconnect below the surface, filled with all sorts of creepy, crawly and otherwise unpleasant things.

The NPC inhabitants of this floor are Dwarves.  Preferring to dress in tribal gear made from bone, cloth, and animal hide, though some choose to accessorize with intricately-crafted metal armor and weapons.  The locals are well-known for their friendly natures, openly sharing food and materials and coming together to care communally for the young and elderly alike.  There is very little conflict and hardship here, as everyone does their part for the whole. The NPCs also travel freely outside of their settlements, hunting, scouting and ultimately gathering raw materials for their work. They are equally friendly with players, and will gladly point them in the right direction if they seem a little lost. 

Prior to the defeat of <<Akumasaru - The Infernal>>the entire floor had been parched to the point of desiccation.  Water shortages led to droughts that withered and eventually scorched the landscape. Bands of weaker Akumasaru would swarm and ravage towns, leaving all but three of the settlements on the floor entirely destroyed.  When the floor was cleared, the life-giving waters returned, flooding the dry river beds and basins.  Plant-life slowly recovered, and the infernal beasts that once terrorized the floor were vanquished.
 

Main Settlement:

<<Venrough>>

A large, sprawling village nestled along the largest waterway near the heart of the island, Venrough was built around the entrance to the labyrinth in a large, ring-like fashion. Homes, inns, taverns and shops are built directly into, onto and around the strange, giant packed earth structures that litter the area.  Most buildings in town are of wattle and daub construction with reed bundle or thatch roofs, and are lit with a special kind of moss that glows with a soothing orange light. Several large chasms and cave mouths at the center of town lead down into the caverns below, with oddly convenient natural staircases carved into the tunnel floors and walls. Venrough is crowded with bustling shops and taverns, cheerful cries of ‘Lali-ho!’ frequently echoing around the village.

Sub-Settlements:

◉ « Atalina » 

Atalina is a small village that rests on a series of gigantic stony outcroppings resembling branches and overhanging a crescent-shaped lake.  A multitude of marvelous waterfalls drizzle down from these immense limbs into pools that sustain the abundant local wildlife.   The local NPCs construct bridges to link the various areas, using wood, vines, and stone in unusual and creative ways to create an organic harmony in their architecture. 

This place is widely recognized as a safe haven.  The settlement’s unique construction is hard for monsters to reach, and its beauty makes it a popular destination for players to visit. Small pools of water frequently collect in nooks at points along the branches that are heated by magma-like sap flowing within the stony branches that suspend the village, forming natural hot springs.

◉ « Mogheim »

Mogheim is a small village in a region of the floor still suffering from the desiccating effect of the floor boss’ rampage.  It has very little to offer in the way of shops, but makes up for it with lively bands of dwarvish musicians roaming around the town, playing folk music for those that visit. Mogheim is not a safe zone, though it is very rare that monsters would spawn within the confines of the town. Once ravaged by the Akumasaru, its recovery has been slowed by the absence of a reliable source of fresh water.

Other Locations:

◉ « Verdant Hill »

A series of large, green, ringing hills near Atalina, it may once have been another volcanic caldera that went extinct long ago.  The area is especially fertile and filled with a wide variety of flowers and various critter-like mobs often favored by players as pets and familiars. Pixies and plant-like monsters are common and abundant here. A series of natural springs form a shallow pool at the center point of the bowl, which sometimes swells its banks after a heavy rain.

◉ « Scorched Villages »

Found throughout the floor, these once vibrant, bustling towns and villages have been razed to the ground by the Akumasaru, leaving the inhabitants to die, if they are lucky.  Some suffer even worse deaths and become corrupted by the invaders’ touch. Zombified fauna and villagers wander the roads of the towns, chasing after the living as they travel along the abandoned streets.  They are cursed and endure an endless thirst that compels them to search endlessly for anything they can convince themselves will quench it, even blood. If players ask for directions to these towns, the residents of the various villages will become anxious.  Many still have family and friends lost to the lingering plague and divulge their whereabouts with hesitation.

◉ « Vulkahm Caverns »

The Vulkahm Caverns are a large collection of tunnels dotting the outer walls of the volcano at the center of the floor.  Most are filled with large rivers and pools of lava, though the flows are irregular, changing their course randomly and exposing new sections of tunnel to explore.  Unfortunately, they offer little warning before they change back. Monsters in this part of the floor tend to be especially vicious, and hunt down anyone that trespasses on their territory.  The blistering heat of the caverns is also staggering. Players must roll CD every post, suffering 14 unmitigatable damage on a roll of 6 or less.

◉ « Grisaia Meadow »

A small meadow nestled on one of the higher "branches" near Atalina, it offers players a stunning view of the floor and the brilliant blue sky above it.  The entire meadow is covered with a special moss that gathers and holds sunlight, and is the most common source of materials used in the crafting of glow stones.  Local NPCs frequently gather it for sale or for their own use.

Transportation

Boats are the most common form of travel throughout the floor, most of the actual terrain being too hilly and overgrown for the effective construction of roads and paths.  Protected transport consists of carriage boats pulled by pairs of large fish.  A few ambitious NPCs offer limited land based transport consisting of backet-like harnesses on the backs of earthen golems, able to traverse land, and scale the sheer walls of the floor to reach high up areas. Unprotected transport consists solely of simple rowboats, and travelling on foot.

Common Mobs of Floor Sixteen

Field Boss of Floor Sixteen

« Floor Sixteen Labyrinth »
The Floor 16 labyrinth lies deep within the cavernous underbelly of the floor accessed through Vulkahm Caverns and suffused with blistering heat that causes its floors and walls to glow. The labyrinth has been carved from pitch black stone with deep grooves in the floor that occasionally spout lava.  It is also filled with sharp, glowing hot crystals that fill the tunnels with burnt orange light.  Fiery mineral-like foliage litters every visible surface, occasionally cooling to deeper purple-reds or dark blues, or heating enough to become a bright yellow, or an icy bluish-white.

Players that travel within the labyrinth take 16 unmitigable damage every other post, caused by the sheer blistering heat that emanates from the depths of the labyrinth.  This damage is halved if a player makes use of the <<Survival>> Skill. Monsters found within the labyrinth are much fiercer, and relentlessly chase down players that dare to tread within its grounds. Players must also roll CD every 4th post that they are out of combat in order to determine if they encounter mobs. Fleeing from these monsters is done with a -1 penalty as the mobs relentlessly chase them.

CD 1-4:  3 Obsidian Vargs

CD 5-8: 4 Lesser Akumasaru

CD 9-12: Nothing Found

Quests:
<<The Swashbuckling Buccaneer>>
<<SOTW: Fighting Fish>>

Boss: Small Steps Forward [Boss Raid]

<<Floor 15>>

Floor fifteen seems perched atop an enormous, sprawling plateau that slopes gently downward from the northwest to the southeast. The floors edges are a sheer precipice that reinforces any visitor’s sense of being on a mountaintop step, at a high elevation.  It is cold and dry, and the air feels thin when drawing breath. Most of the precipitation comes in the form of hail, and the western edges of the floor remain frozen beneath a layer of permafrost. Thin rivers crisscross the landscape and strips of boreal forest break up the otherwise monotonous steppes along with sprawling grasslands that are largely inhospitable. The eastern regions are modestly more comfortable, enjoying slightly higher temperatures and lusher soil. The eastern-most points even have a few hardy farms, but depend entirely on the ice-cold creeks and rivers running down from the west.

Unlike most of Aincrad's floors, fifteen has only one permanent settlement, as the local NPCs are nomadic by nature. These sturdy people are nearly always on the move, travelling between a handful of semi-established campsites and moving between them on a biweekly basis. They are entirely dependent on their livestock and will give their lives defending their precious herds, which consist mostly of goats, sheep, and yaks. In general, these nomads are kind, hospitable people, but they are slow to trust and unlikely to completely accept anyone outside of their own family unit. Only by traveling with them and taking on some of their rigorous workload, can a stranger ever hope to earn their trust.

Various predators roam the fifteenth floor, including brown bears, wolves, and foxes. Generations of living off the land taught the nomads how to defend both themselves and their flocks. That changed with the appearance of Dawa and Dorje. The twin snow leopards stood twice as tall normal, yet also moved with impossible speed. At first, they primarily struck at night, dragging animals off into the darkness without a trace. Gradually they grew bolder, and began working their way up the food chain. By the time players got involved, Dawa and Dorje had begun preying on humans. The NPCs have grown more relaxed since the beasts were killed, though they still talk of the "night hunters" frequently, and make special use of them during bedtime stories to keep children from wandering off.

Main Settlement:

<<Lhasri>>

Lhasri is the only known permanent settlement on the floor, but it compensates in size and grandeur by virtue of its location. Situated on the eastern side of floor fifteen, Lhasri straddles the floor’s main waterway, which happens to mark where the rugged western steppes end and the floor’s sparse eastern farmlands begin. Boxy brick buildings climb into gray skies, draped in flapping flags and are most often painted in tans, browns, and oranges. Earth tones dominate the local art and culture.  

The single tallest building in the city features an enormous indoor bazaar, with the government operating in the floors above. At six stories tall, it towers above the rest of the settlement. Other structures mostly house shops, taverns, apartments, inns, and the homes of NPCs. A network of stone bridges connect various key locations, spanning across the river and its few tributaries.  Crowds tend to gather on the bridges as they offer the best views. Lhasri is always bustling, even at night. 

The local culture is rich and dramatic.  Art, in all its forms, can be found all over the city. The NPCs primarily wear wool dyed with bold colors, favoring horizontal stripes for accent. Long sleeves are common, and clothing is often worn in layers with robes or overcoats helping to protect against the harsh climate. Men and women alike wear their hair long, often in braids, or piled atop their heads and ornamented with beads. Religious influence is everywhere; gold statues and ornate tapestries proudly display the figures of the local pantheon. Lhasi’s cuisine is incredibly aromatic, favoring mustard seed and other strong spices.  The streets are always lined with food carts from various vendors, their wares wafting throughout the entire city. Pop-up stalls sell snacks, textiles, trinkets, and many assorted ingredients of various shapes and sizes. Street performances are a common source of entertainment, and especially welcome from visitors.  The locals play horns, sing songs, and even act out dramas in small troupes. Lhasri is a lively city and a stark contrast to the otherwise seemingly slow-moving floor.

Other Locations:

◉ « The Heavenly Palace »

The Heavenly Palace is an enormous building crafted of red and white stone perched atop a moderately sized peak near the floor's northwestern edge. The path leading up its final approach has hundreds of steps.  It is a frequent destination for local pilgrims and tourists alike. The interior is filled with long hallways and large rooms, all offering spectacular views of the rest of the floor or out to the grand expanse beyond Aincrad itself. It is a place to celebrate all forms of art and always has countless paintings and sculptures on display throughout the grounds.  The site’s acoustics are also unique throughout all known floors of Aincrad, luring many singers and musicians here to practice, perform, network, or simply to find their muse.

◉ « Mount Rabten »

Often simply called "Rabten," this is the largest peak on the entire floor and is nestled at the farthest western reaches of the floor. Special gear, iron will and supernatural toughness are said to be essential for anyone attempting to reach its summit, where powerful foes are said to dwell. The challenge of the climb alone leads those desperate to prove themselves to their peers to make the attempt.  Not all success, but those who do often return telling wild tales of their findings.

◉ « Palden Glacier »

Harsh tundra surrounds Palden Glacier, which also dominates the southwestern portion of the floor.  This massive slab of ice is a prime location to hone one's combat skills, as it features mobs of both land and water aspects, but the landscape is notoriously perilous. Sharp, slippery slopes lead to unstable footing, and harsh winds make fighting here even more difficult.

◉ « Temple of Kunchen »

Nestled in the central boreal forest is the Temple of Kunchen. It is a place of quiet reflection, with open halls and airy rooms. Wind chimes are attached all over the exterior and serenade the occupants whenever breezed blow.  Large, soft cushions allow comfort and rest to players seeking solace. Monks do drift silently along the grounds, though they very rarely interact with the players themselves. If prompted, they may offer a few words of sage advice.  This area is a safe zone.

Transportation

Within Lhasri, the narrow roads and crisscrossing alleyways make getting between points inconvenient, if not outright difficult. Most people prefer to simply move about on-foot, though the occasional rough-looking bicycle will be utilized. Outside of the city limits, horses and pack mules provide the most reliable means of transportation. They can be rented from stables near the city walls, or borrowed from nomadic NPCs. Travel becomes far more difficult as players reach higher altitudes. Yaks are rarer than horses, but they can be sturdy mounts, and are capable of climbing mountainous terrain.

Common Mobs of Floor Fifteen

Field Boss of Floor Fifteen

« Floor Fifteen Labyrinth »

Though the entrance to the labyrinth can be found atop the floor's plateau at the northern edge of the floor. Much of it is located in deep, narrow gorges where rugged ice and rock press in on all sides, forming a claustrophobia-inducing series of caves and tunnels. The bleach white bones of animals are scattered all over the ground, with the occasional human skull mixed in for good measure. It’s an odd sight in a world where dead bodies normally disappear, and likely contributes to the place’s heavy sense of foreboding that quickly turns to dread.. This was once the home of Dawa and Dorje, the monstrous snow leopards that terrorized the entire floor. Though the Frontliners defeated the brothers, their kin continue to hunt anyone who dares trespass into their lair. 

Due to the close quarters, the dark, and the unfamiliar landscape, all players are affected negatively in combat (-1 ACC, -1 EVA). It is also very easy to get lost in the maze of tunnels, so adventurers are typically warned against venturing in alone.

Quests:

Boss: Just that Slow [Floor Boss Battle]