Shard

So yeah, I'm just looking for a few people to have some fun with RP'ing- specifically people who like to craft a narrative.

I'm pretty big into arc's and character development. You have grander plans for your character than just being an aimless murder-hobo socialite? You want to create bonds and a coherent story for your OC?

Then let's do it together! 

I generally prefer longer form posting, but I'm not a post-nazi- I'm just wanting to have fun, level a little, and tell a cool story.

Let me know if any of you are interested/have idea's for a fun RP. We can discuss it and see if our goals are mutual. 

Also for simplicity sake, my OC, Shard is a male, 20 y/o and can be veeeery generally described as gruff, but internally fluffy.

>> Shard's Journal <<

Hot, moisture permeated air fills Shard's lungs as he focuses in on the man closing in on him. Shard's two-hander dully gleams in the mid-day light of the jungle, his sturdy arms easily keep the heavy blade pointed directly at the newcomers centre of mass. It was relatively simple for even Shard's hungover mind to tell this man was a higher level, simply based on his fancy looking equipment. Also, funnily enough the man looked foreign. Probably American or Eastern European- a rarity in a game dominated by Japanese players. 

There sure are all types...

Shard snorts softly, watching as the man stands there impassively as if gauging him, his hand on the hilt of his weapon. Could Shard take him? Probably not- especially with his equipment being in disrepair. Let alone the abysmal state of his inventory- unless this newcomer was here to raid Shard's ale stock. Truly rich men come in all shapes and sorts. Just call him Shard, King of the Alehouse. Actually, that doesnt sound so bad to Shard right now.

Returning to reality, Shard lower's his own blade slightly, more-so pointed towards the man's crotch. His own face just as impassive as his companion, the corner of Shard's mouth curls upwards, a small flash of amusement in his dark, tired eyes.

"Drink?"

In a single un-threatening movement, Shard holsters his blade, opens his menu and brings one of his many sealed flasks of ale into reality. Lazily leaning against a large tree, Shard gestures the drink towards the yet unknown man. 

"I feel like if you were gonna PK me, you would've while I was passed out- also, your green."

*Drip-Drip-Drip-Drip*

Cool liquid falls from dense foliage above- perfect, perhaps too perfect tear shaped drops, wet the face of a man unmoving below. With slow, rhythmic timing, each crystalline tear impacts his nose, cause small tremors of movement from still closed eyelids, the water then melting into his glistening brow. The heat of the amazon inspired forest causes a low lying haze which obscures the ground, and soaks anything in a slurry of warmth and moisture. Auto-generated jungle sounds- cawing birds, scurrying critters, and a distant rolling thunder colour the air, making the computer generated landscape feel all the more real.

"Grrruuuhhh"

A moist crunching noise echo's through the forest as the man slowly eased himself up into a sitting position, the username <<Shard>> hanging over his low hung head. Little crunching noises sound in his spine as he agonizingly keeps himself propped up and dark eyes peel themselves open. Shard looks around listlessly, taking in his surroundings in a similar fashion to one who just woke from a long, deep sleep. Sleep seemed to be the only thing he was capable of anymore- sleep and a lust for wandering.

*Sccccrunch*

A scrapping noise reverberates under him, as Shard shifts his weight. He looks down, mouth curling downward as he notices that he was sitting on his two-hander, the once impressive Fortis Gleam, a blade which had- and still continues to see him through any conflict which he was stupid enough to stumble into. Pulling the large, double-edged blade from under his bottom, Shard runs his worn, soiled hands along the face of the sword. Dozens of nicks and craters cover it's once razor sharp ventsteel construction, the signs of it's lack of mantainace showing.

You treat that thing better than you treat some people...

Shard's right eye twitches, remembering a voice he would rather forget- an old memory of better times haunting him. Shaking his head, as if to toss his toxic thoughts out, Shard pushes himself up onto his legs. He doesn't bother to brush off the various debris of leaf and dirt that cover his iron breast-plate, or cling to his dark-cloth pants. Lifting his Fortis Gleam into the sky, Shard swiftly places the blade back into it's sheath on his back with practiced precision, before taking another moment to take in his surroundings.

"Huh"

Lifting a dirty hand to his head of messy inky black hair, Shard tried, and failed to remember how exactly he had gotten himself in the middle of the sixth floor mob-infested jungle, let alone how he had passed out there. Activating his menu, Shard scans the map to confirm that he is indeed smack-dab in the middle of the jungle- an area he hasn't cared to venture into since many months before. The young man's face twists slightly, nose sucking in as if in a reverse sigh. His inventory was nearly empty, apparently having used most his stock of bread, all his water, all his HP potions and teleport crystals- oh wait, he still had twenty-eight flasks of ale. So empty of anything that would help him.

Shard rubs his eyes and lets loose an explosive sigh. All the signs point to him getting black-out drunk. Again. What would they say?

*Crunch-Crunch-Crunch-Crunch*

Shard whips around, facing a hazing opening in the foliage, silently brandishing his sword to face whatever is moving towards him- whoever is moving towards him...

(OOC: Feel free to join in- I gave whomever an opening!)

Hello everyone, my name is Shard!

I am a player who was once active about... Well almost a year ago, but had to take a break from RP for personal reasons.

Technically this isn't even my first into, so think of this as something more of a friendly "nice to see you all!"

Even though the vast majority of the people I used to RP with, both friends and foes alike, are no longer active, I'm looking forward to new adventures with you all.

Please feel free to look over some of my past adventures with Shard, and maybe let me know if you'd be interested in questing or something. My OC is a bit gruff, but he's fluffy under it all. :mrgreen:

Before I jump back into things, I'd just like to ask a general question to anyone who can answer; How much have the systems here changed since I left last year? From what I can tell, most crafting and how the battles take place seem to be different, but perhaps I'm just being overwhelmed or something. 

I'll be reading the rules over again, but any personal help is appreciated.
 

A hammer held high once more makes contact with flaming orange metal, sending sparks flying. Flames bleach out of the furnace, heating the room it near unbearable levels, giving the small room an almost hellish orange hue. Each time the hammer falls, the metal seems to cool, slowly taking the shape of a sword, until finally, in the midst of the super-heated shack, the blade begins to glow brightly as it's true form is birthed into the world.

"Come on. Come on." Shard chants to no one in a low tone. Lowering his hammer, the soot covered man removed his goggles, his dark eyes now something of a reverse raccoon, the majority of his face being black as night. His sinewy body was soaked with perspiration and somewhat bent over as he waited with narrowed eyes for the blade to finish it's incubation.

Finally, in an act of divine retribution for some sort of sin Shard couldn't seem to recall, the glowing blade shatters into a million particles.

For a moment, Shard continued to stare at the now empty anvil before him. On his HUD the message <> continued to flash for minute, before pulsing out of existence and appearing as another message in his inbox.

An explosive sigh shoots through Shard, as the man lethargically drops his hammer onto a counter, turning to head out the door of his shack. Turning the handle of the door, Shard is assaulted by the mid-morning light. He covers his blackened face with a similarly soot covered arm, but as he steps through the doorway, all traces of forge ripple away, leaving just a man, soaked in sweat, clothed in light smiting gear.

This had been the fifth failed attempt this week. At first Shard had just attributed it to the cardinal systems randomization system, but by the fourth failure Shard stared to have doubts. He was supposed to be one of the better smiths on the floor, yet here he was, wasting valuable mats on pixie dust. At this rate he would need to head up to the higher floors again, probably gone grinding and leveling for another week. Another week of not smithing, something he didn't enjoy the thought of.

Giving his head a good shake, sending sweat flying out in all directions, Shard grabs the towel hung on his stall, long unattended. Looking up and down the busy morning streets of Urbus, Shard quirks his mouth in thought. It had been over 12 hours since he last ate, and it seems a shame to stay inside on such a nice day. Deciding his path of action, Shard turns on his heel, moving in the direction of one of more frequented food dispensaries.

Wiping some sweat off his head, Shard puts his hands in his dark smiting pants, making his way down the street silently, ignoring the general noise and ruckus around himself- Wait, why is there a ruckus?

Stopping in place, Shard turns his head to look over his shoulder giving the group of male players a weary look. They seemed to be quite taken with... something. Turning his body to face them, Shard ran a calloused hand through his thick black hair, noticing there were actually quite a few people talking and pointing something or someone out out.

Stepping forward, out of the shadows- actually more pushing his way through the small crowd of young men, ignoring their cries of protest and annoyance, Shard looks up and around, then, a beat passes.

Silver hair. Silver hair shimmering in the light wind.

Time seemed to slow as the woman continued to walk down the street, seemingly totally unaware of all the attention her stunning looks drew. Shard's face was pale, mouth dry as she continued to move down the street just ahead of him. Her head turns, and he see's the same otherworldly violet eyes he saw- back then.

As Freya continues to walk down the street, basket in hand, Shard's mind goes blank. She he go to her? Call out to her? Should he just leave her be? A lot has happened since they last saw each other. Maybe too much?

"Freya."

Without realizing, Shard had already stepped forward out onto the street, his voice and body having minds of there own. As usual his voice was low, but still carried through the wind. His breathing was hitched. His mind was blank, but he was- happy to see her, even if she had forgotten all about him, and the short night they spent together back in that little inn on the first floor...

Shard's hand slowly finds it's way up, as if reaching out to Freya as she turned to flash him another of her radiant smiles. His face betrays him as his lips, once pressed into a small smile, open slightly to call out. Watching her silver hair shimmer and vanish out the door, any words the contemplative man may have had vanished with her. His vision of the entrance, rich wooden doors coloured a deep orange hue by torchlight, slightly ajar where Freya made her exit, seemed to blur. Blinking rapidly, Shard refocus his darked eyes on his hand, still outreached.

Slowly balling his hand into a fist, his arm drops back to his side. Shaking his head, another small grin flashes across his face- but only for a moment. A small series of coughs bubble up from inside him, as he slowly turns back to the bar, noticing a few players eyeing him, then quickly looking away. Shard snorts, opening his menu to see his bank now once more filled with COL. Looking at the number with an appraising face, the man shrugs, looking to his side where the NPC barkeeper continued to serve drinks and food.

"Another Ale." Shard calls out, his low voice catching the NPC's attention. With a wide smile, the NPC quickly sped off to acquire his drink, leaving Shard to contemplate his upcoming journey the second floor and a certain young woman with simmering silver hair...

This is Rust.

This game makes me laugh.

Shard jumps hearing the voice to his side, rolling backwards out of the sand, into a standing position. In a single smooth motion he draws his blade, his eyes wide, panting as he stared at this random... Kid? What? Slowly, Shard lowers his blade, looking at the boy with disbelief, his eyes narrowed. How in the world did this Shanok kid get in here? It took him hours to find this god forsaken place!

"How?... Never mind." Shard sighs deeply, allowing his pent up anger and confusion to leave his body, before looking back at the kid. He didn't seem to be especially dangerous nor high level, so Shard found it hard to believe he was able to get here the same the same way he had.

"I'm Shard" His voice is slightly strained as he lifts his two-hander onto his shoulder, moving past Shanok to stand before one of the many great pillars. His face was like stone as he examined the pillar, before shaking his head. Turning back to look at Shanok, Shard raises an eyebrow, the darkness of the cavers behind seeming to absorb the light around him.

"What brings you to Hamentutank's Tomb?"

Shard's eyes go wide in sunrise as a soft hand moves to the side of his face, smoothing itself over his jaw. His mouth opens, normally hard and unforgiving, gaping softly as this incredible woman brings him in closer, her lips but a scant few millimetres from his own. His eyes moving down, he spotted them; her violet eyes, so full passion and desire. For a moment, something was a fire within him, causing the smallest of momentum in him. A momentum he had long though washed away with the baptism of fire that was SAO.

As her lips lightly brushed his, Shard could feel his heart beat fasten in pace, the room going silent. His hand slowly, shakily moved from his knee, reaching out to her. He could taste sweetness as a soft sigh escaped her red lips, her air moving into his lungs, beating the fire within him. Though his face remained in a state of pleasant surprise, eyes wide, mouth open softly, deep inside he fought a battle of will, for the path this woman could lead him down may not be the one which helped him accomplish his goal. His ideal.

Before he had a chance to make any real decision, his hand still clutching at air, she suddenly says no, tearing him from his stunned state. No, what? Shard's eyes narrow in realization as he remembers his offer about the room. Wordlessly, he watches as she pulls away, stepping back onto the reality of the wooden floor. Truthfully, Shard was dumbstruck. He could only continue to stare with narrowed eyes and gaping mouth as she fixed her cloak, smirking all the while. What just happened? Wait, what?

His dark eyes continued to watch as she activated her menu, leaning back into the counter once more, crossing his thick, banded arms. As a trade for 3,000 Col popped up before him, his mouth slowly moves back into a line, looking over the pop-up to the woman standing behind. For a moment, his eyes are dusky in annoyance. Honestly, he just didn't like the idea of owing this woman even more. Especially if she was going to refuse his offer.

However, as his eyes met her own, he felt disarmed, the darkness of his eyes vanishing into warmth and amusement. Was she trying to scare him? He didn't know if he was scared or not, but as she spoke, voice so transparently showing her worry and fear...

Looking down at the ground, Shard scratches the back of his messy black hair, before looking back up. Gently sliding off his stool, he stands before Freya- this amazingly generous woman who not only paid for his meal, but now offered such a sum to a person she had only just met. She was beautiful like a goddess. And now all he had was words.

"Once I accept this, I'll owe you. Do not think I wont pay it back." Shard's eyes are warning, as he closes some distance with Freya, standing only a short distance from her now. There is no threat there, as his massive frame towers over her, if only a silent promise. Honestly, Shard had no idea if he would ever meet her again, but as he reached out and silently accepted the Col, something inside him hoped they would.

About damn time. (Seriously though, I'm glad this is a thing)

Now we just need to figure out an item pricing system and NPC shops.

God Eater OP

I have no idea why. I've never even watched it.

Shard was never one to complain about being in warm weather, having grown up in Hokkaido and North Dakota, but as he continued to trudge his way forward, feeling the heat of the Aincrad sun bare down on him, he felt the right to bellyache. Looking up into the bright sky, his face a mask of displeasure; eyes narrowed, brows furrowed, mouth locked in a deep frown. The brutal ray's of the sun had forced him to un-equip his armour, leaving only loose clothing and white cloak. Shard shakes his head, as he once more rued his use of a cloak, only to be reminded once more why he needed it as beads of sweat go flying from his tan face. He knew that without the cloak, the heat would even worse, the sun's light being absorbed by his normally dark clothing. At least the cloak reflected the light, even if it was a bit stuffy inside.

Shard barely notes his stumble as he made his way down another dune, his leg momentarily jarring, before he deftly skids down the rest of the dune. You could say he was dead to it all now, no longer caring where the sand went or if he fell in it. it was already everywhere and he had already wiped out countless times. As he crests yet another dune, overlooking a massive sea of white sand and heat, Shard stops, seemingly starting out into space. eyes blank, mouth a line, he contemplated why he was here. On this level. Why? Well, it was because he heard of an interesting quest for mat gathering in the area. He knew it was rare, it was profitable, and that it was hard to locate. But if he knew it would mean hours upon hours of torture, walking through dunes, he would have simply gone to grind his normal sources.

Wiping off his damp forehead, Shard sigh's, using his hand as a visor as he scan's the area once more. He knew he was close now. He spent a small fortune getting the location from his info broker, so he was pretty damn sure. Clenching his fist, dark eyes narrowed, Shard considered how he would teach the broker a lesson if this was the wrong area. Shard knew there were less hostile environments on this floor, but nope, the location of the quest was obviously right in the centre of a sand desert. With a deep grunt, Shard takes out a flask of water, taking a deep chug before starting his way down another dune, moving towards the location flashing on his HUD.

Shard's eye twitches slightly, as he stands like an obelisk, in the middle of the desert. His face deadpan, Shard's eyes continue to move down from the ground, up to the nav-marker that flashed a foot before him. Unbelievable. Taking another swig from his water flask, Shard shakes his head, looking up into the sky. His eyes were almost pleading, by this point having spent hours on the floor, the thought of coming out of it with nothing was just... well too much for him to bare.

"Fuuu-"

Teeth now bared in annoyance, Shard once more attempts to stomp on the point where the marker hovered, his leather boots doing nothing more then throwing sand back up into the man's face. Sputtering, eyes watering from the particles, Shard lets lose a small sc- roar, falling to his knee's. Normally, he would have been focused on getting the sand from his retina's, or perhaps sending the broker a message telling her how thankful he was. Instead he felt the need to reflect on his life. He could see the cool winter's of his childhood, the grey summer's of the majority of his young adult life. His parents, Dog, even his job at a steel plant, all things that he now found so distant. For a moment, Shard could imagine he was back in his cosy forge, or maybe back in that Inn on the first floor he left so long ago. Places he found more comfortable then most back in the real world.

Eyes slowly moving open, slightly red and irritated, but otherwise somber, Shard sits back on his hindquarters. His face was significantly cooler then he desert around him, stoney and contemplative. Did he really find SAO more comfortable then real life? A knot forms in his gut, the sick realization creeping upon- Suddenly Shard stands up off the ground, face darker. No, he could never be comfortable here, not in the same way as home- his real life. Where the tragedies of life seemed far away, and he never felt the need to harm, or be harmed.

Pulling his blade from it's sheath, Shard throws it's massive blade into the sky, pointing at the sun. His eyes are wide with passion, teeth bared as he glares into whatever was above.

"F--k you Kayaba!"

Without waiting for a response from above, Shard drives his blade into the ground in anger, punishing the desert sand for the sin's of their creator. Did he expect a response? Of course not. Shard doubted Kayaba would care much about him. One thing that Shard did notice, was the sound responding with a barely audible rumble. Slowly opening his eyes, Shard spots the nav-marker having just over his blade, driven so deep into the ground. Following the sliver blade down to the ground, Shard's eyes go wide. The sand around the blade was sinking and turning, as if a sink-hole, the sound of air hissing.

"Ah-" *WHOOM*

With a sudden explosive force, the ground around Shard seems to explode, falling out from under him. Flailing, he attemptes to gram onto whatever he can, but no matter where he grasped, the sand would give way, and the fall into an unknown darkness would continue. Is this how it would end? Would he die in a hole, somewhere in the desert? Eaten by whatever burrowing eldritch monstrosity had decided to feast upon his supple- *thud*

Shard blinks a few times, eyes narrowed as he tried to figure out if he was dead. He could tell he was laying on the ground, it was dark with only a single bright light shining from above, and he had sand in his pants. Oh, sand. With a low groan, Shard sits up from his position covered in dirt, looking around. Though it was dim, he could distinctly make out various massive pillars that surrounded him, moving out into the darkness. His nav-marker continued to hang somewhere above him, flashing in place, as if to say, "I told you so, you ass."

A small grin forms on the large man's face as he stands up out of the tiny hill of sand that was brought down with him. Sword still in hand, Shard jabs it into the air. There are no words, but his dark glare, looking up the light as if a rival beaten. The moment would have been perfect, if not for the sand hill giving out from under his boots, causing Shard to fall backwards with wide eyes. Yelling as he went, his voice carried out from the chamber, up into the desert, travelling for miles.

I watched this movie on a whim a while ago. On my own too. That was harrowing in its own way.

But, yeah, I liked it. I'm not exactly a massive Disney fan, but the music was good, and the characters charming.

I do feel a bit cheated though. The internet basically told me the entire story before I watched it.

I think it's a neat thing that you are trying to do here, in fact, I had a similar idea, but decided I didn't have the time.

Anyhow, I'll just ask how exactly you review our characters. Our journals don't often reflect the true nature of a character, as its in RP's that we "show" how they truly are.

I would ask for a review, but Shard is still pretty "new" as far as RP's go. He's only really completed one and I'm barely quarter way through the development arc I have planned.

I'm already on the SAO group on steam, so I would be in- assuming I had time for things. Well if we make a plan to play something that I own/can get free, I'd be in.

I didn't even realize we had a FB page. I may go like it, but I'm not sure I would with my personal account.

We should probably have specific mat's for enhancing equipment, rather then dual purpose things.

Of course, the way mats work right now, any differentiation is somewhat nebulous. Everything is freehand, so really there is nothing to stop someone from gathering on mat type, then later changing it and simply saying something like "PC traded the old mats for these new ones!". That ties into our none existent Col system, where if we had Col, we could charge for switching mats, which would make sense.

I was once considering a floor like that where even towns are not safe, but I didn't really know how exactly we went about deciding what's on what floor?

I always assumed that the first people to reach the floor decided what it was like, or something like that. Assuming the floor did not have a canon appearance.

So how long does the game run? I heard 10 hours which isn't too bad, but it would be a no go for me if it didn't have proper replayability.

If an RPG does not have more then 20 hours content, then I require replayability. Dragon Age Origins would maybe take me 60 hours is I enjoyed my time. That's about what I want in an RPG. Not to mention it had lots of replayability.

Beh. I prefer my almost never used Worm (Wyrm) deck over most the sliver deck's I've seen anyhow. It's green, it's fun, and it's simple to use.

I heard it was pretty good, but have yet to try it myself.

Was the game not hacked or something during it's initial release?

Gotta say, I have been playing the [censored] out of Titanfall lately. Not very frequently mind you, but in long stretches when I have a day off here and there. Just reached rank 36, and am quite happy to be unlocking the LMG soon. I have been messing around in the campaign mostly, I think I have played through each side 3 times by now. I prefer the Hardpoint Domination matches where I can defend points with my CAR SMG or Shotty.

Compared to CoD, how would you rank Titanfall?

From the little I played, I was pretty impressed. Titans felt sufficiently powerful, the movement was fluid, and the weapons were fun.

Unfortunately, I played on PC, so my skills were reasonably hampered, messing with my view of the game. Once I get an Xbox One, I'll probably pick this up.

We're on the internet. I wont hold it against you.

Also, congrats on winning the name.

"You are," Shard's voice is still low, cool and soothing like flowing water. If flowing water was a six foot four smith. In a way, Shard was impressed she knew who he was, it was not like they had ever really taken the chance to talk- well, not that Shard ever went out of his way to interact with people, but he had a vested interest in her shop. He was starting to get tired of wearing the same thing for month on end.

For a moment, Shard stays silent, eyes moving down to the ground, then back up to meet Kyoki's. Even if his interactions with people as of late have been much more frequent then usual, he was still slightly unsure how he should go about this. She didn't exactly seem scared- heck, it was like she barely realized he was different. Wait, was he different?

"How's business? It's been a while since I last went down a floor." Shard tilts his head slightly, remembering how surprised he was to see a tailors shop spring up not that long ago. It's not like they didn't exist, so much as few players invested enough time to actually reach the store stage.