Snow

Clad in the gifted clothes from Hikoru, Snow wandered the market streets. This area of the Town of Beginnings often drew the warriors of the upper floors. Here, the young phalanx watched as members of the game bartered, exchanged, and showcased their specialty equipment - equipment similar to what she would need to avoid an untimely end.

As an ex-resident of the Beginner's Refuge, Snow lacked any Col. Her whole life up until this point was under the watch and care of another - people like Icarus, who devoted their lives to those who feared the wilds. At Daire's death, the blonde vowed to cast aside her fears. She equipped the novice weapon she was given at game start two years ago. Now, after meeting people such as Opal, Seul, and Hikoru, she realized the basic weapon would not suffice. She needed to find something to carry her through her trials.

One such shop caught her eyes, "The Lion's Den".

Snow witnessed several patrons leave, clad in expertly crafted attire. Not just any attire either, but subtly reinforced and padded for protection in combat. As someone who loathed the aesthetic of metal plates riveted to one's body, Snow lit up at the prospect of cloth or leather armor. Perhaps she could find something similar to what her recently deceased friend once wore?

Snow hurried in, mindful of not disturbing any of the current customers. The very first thing to catch her eye, was the white lion that rested by the fireplace. Snow had heard of familiars, but on the first floor, they weren't common in the Refuge District. The noncombatants there were unsettled by the idea of monsters or beasts going rogue, no matter how many times they were told safezones prohibited HP Loss. With a slight anxiety at the back of her mind, Snow began to peruse the shop's wares, looking for something to catch her eye. As she shopped, she kept mindful to avoid close proximity to the lioness.

As she searched, she noticed the name "Ariel" as the maker of most of the items. The name reminded her of something. She opened her inventory and looked at the black hoodie given to her from Hikoru. In the details, Snow found the name, "Ariel."

"This is the tailor that made my hoodie!" Snow softly exclaimed under her breath.

Clad in the vanity clothes of a non-combatant, Snow wandered the market streets. This area of the Town of Beginnings often drew the warriors of the upper floors. Here, the young phalanx watched as members of the game bartered, exchanged, and showcased their specialty equipment - equipment similar to what she would need to avoid an untimely end.

As an ex-resident of the Beginner's Refuge, Snow lacked any Col. Her whole life up until this point was under the watch and care of another - people like Icarus, who devoted their lives to those who feared the wilds. At Daire's death, the blonde vowed to cast aside her fears. She equipped the novice weapon she was given at game start two years ago. Now, after meeting people such as Opal, Seul, and Hikoru, she realized the basic weapon would not suffice. She needed to find something to carry her through her trials.

One such shop caught her eyes, "グランデフォージ".

Prior to this death game, Alyssa lived in Kyoto with her roommate and late friend, Daire. She immediately recognized the katakana as the "Grand Forge". Aside from her familiarity with it, the many players which gathered around compelled her to browse its wares. Quietly, she pushed her way through to the store's showroom. Elegantly crafted works hung about with price tag windows faintly glowing beneath.

One such weapon piqued her interest. Its name: "Extension of the Storm"

Snow walked up to its position against the wall and ran her finger along the haft. Blue like her eyes, and with a mirror edged blade crested on its tip, the weapon appealed to her personal aesthetics. As her eyes trailed down to the pommel where the price window sat.

2250 Col/6 Crafting Materials

Snow slumped her shoulders and sighed.

I'm going to use this thread to create Snow's OST. I'll start with her first track and theme. Please note, the title I link is generated by me, but the original composer and title will be in the youtube video, or soundcloud bit.

Here we go:

[Track 1] "For those who can no longer fight" - (Snow's Resolve)
[Track 4] "A warmth beats in the cold" - (Love Theme)
[Track 5] "Insurmountable Odds" - (Boss Battle)

[Track 10] "No More Chances" - (Sorrow)
[Tack 12] "The Puppeteer Revealed"

"Thank you everyone. Let me start the party," Snow chimed in. "I can do that much at least."

The young girl propped her spear against the crook of her shoulder and gestured her hand to produce the in game menu. She recalled the people who had introduced themselves and began to sent the invites. The first was issued to Opal. She stated she would take a passive role and only support if needed, but having Snow's health visible in the hud would be helpful. Next, the eager giant with the tiny blade by the name of Drake. His outward appearance seemed threatening, intimidating even, but chances needed to be taken. He would be a strong ally or the last thing she saw. Third, the blue haired paladin by the name of Icarus. His manners and poise bled an aura of trust and good will. His presence alone was comforting.

Snow then closed her menu, the party at a full team of four. The others who had gathered had yet to share their names and out of them, the three chosen seemed most willing to help. The smaller girl was crass and blunt. The other two gentlemen who seemed to know Opal seemed quite content watching and likely providing advice from a distance.

Snow looked to her party as the acceptance prompt appeared to them.

"If it's alright with you, I want to draw the first aggro," she asked. "Silly, I know, but I want to take my first step into the fight with confidence." 

((OOC: Per Icarus' suggestion below, someone may initiate combat before my next post. Snow will understand.))

Snow grew familiar with the Town of Beginnings. She knew those who frequented the market, the patrons that supported the Beginner's Refuge, and the various NPCs. In fact, it was the latter that often helped Snow cope with the day to day. Daire and her used to talk about how realistic the non-players were in this world. Their context sensitive discussions were impressive and were someone oblivious to the concept of NPCs, they would seem as normal people. There existed one NPC in particular that Snow frequented:

Madam Seraphellia.

Over the years, Snow had grown to call her "Angel" for short, and after each visit, the NPC came to know Snow personally. While Snow never truly could get information about Angel's origins, she loved to sit in the Inn's kitchen and listen to Angel's stories gathered from the many players who came and went. Angel had a sweet motherly quality about her. She cared for people. Odd to hear, but she truly cared about the players. Snow saw her as a person, even though she knew all well the woman was nothing more than bits and bytes in a digital dream.

"Angel~" Snow chimed as she swung open the door to the First Light Inn.

"Snow, my dear!" Angel replied. "How have you been?!"

The young blonde paused, struggling with the proper response in the sparsly populated building. Eyes were on her, curious as to how one was able to illicit such a response from a system-ran avatar. The novice adventurer took a breath.

"I'm well," Snow lied. "And you?"

The teen approached the breakfast bar in front of her NPC friend and took a seat. Madam Seraphellia smiled while continuing to tend to the dishes she dried.

"Oh you know, dear, busy feeding the rough and tough usuals. Always working and never sleeping a wink!" Angel replied with nothing but a positive tone.

Her jovial attitude always put a smile on Snows face. Today was no exception. 

A menu appeared in front of Snow, one she had seen when shopping for food or accessories for her room at the Beginner's Refuge. This time, it held a potion of mitigation. Were it not for the late night messaging sessions with Daire and her fellow friends on the front lines, Snow would have been none the wiser.

"Thank you," The blonde hit accept, not wanting to be rude and refuse the charity.

Then, the crowd descended. Was this a sign? Everyone was so friendly and willing to help. Was this was it was like to be out there fighting? In the Town of Beginnings, everything functioned like a normal city. In fact, it was like the downtown marketplace in Kyoto she remembered. The only difference was the thick red line between the fighters and the "dead weight" as they so affectionately called those too scared to take up arms. Perhaps she should have fought sooner? Maybe then... Maybe then her friend's name wouldn't be on that monument.

"I want to do it," Snow stated firmly, her knuckles white from gripping her spear. "Teach me how to fight."

She looked to those gathered with fierce determination. Snow was done playing house. It was time she joined the battle for freedom.

Snow was in mid jog for the archway leading to the fields when a hand tapped her shoulder. The girl slowed to a halt and spun on her heels. Her eyes held an aura of tenacity and anger not from this stranger, but from her repressed mourning of her closest friend. Snow scowled as the girl spoke. However, as this woman known as Opal continued, the gravity and truth of her words began to whittle away at Snow's blind frustrations. The look of anger melted from her features and exposed the tender, morose expression beneath her resolve.

"Thanks miss," Snow gave a slight bow of her head in respect. "I'm sorry, you're right. I've heard the stories from other acquaintances who stayed on the ToB like me. I-I..."

The young blonde felt a heaviness in her chest. Memories from when Daire and her first met flooded back to the surface from where she tried to keep them buried. The tears welled near her eyes, but the girl swiped them away with her arm before her weakness could be shown. She vowed to be stronger -- for Daire. 

"My friend died last night," the words came from Snow's lips softly and heavy with sorrow. "We made a promise long ago, when this nightmare began, if she ever died on the front lines, I would live for her."

Snow took a deep breath, looking up to the dark haired warrior and her menacing weapon.

"I haven't touched this spear in two years. I-I don't know what I'm doing and honestly... I'm scared." Snow's grip tightened on the wooden haft. "Miss Opal, I would be in your debt if you could help me. I don't want to stay here anymore. I don't want to keep pretending that one day it will just end. It's been two years, and they've only made it to the thirteenth floor where Dai--"

Snow clenched her teeth. Her friend's true name would not come out so easily. It was too soon.

"Where Last Chance fell..." Snow corrected.

((Open to anyone. Looking to start some long term IC friendships.))

Daire is dead.

Snow got the message early this morning. One of Daire's companions sent her the PM at 3:00AM. Alyssa's heart hung heavy at the news. Apparently, she fell to the 13th floor boss fight. Ironic that it just so happened to be Friday and the 13th of July. She stood in front of The Monument of Life, staring at it.

Last Chance - 7/13/27 (Floor 13)

Two years ago, Snow would have been in tears. Now, well... So many had fallen, that even the loss of her friend seemed dull. Her eyes burned, but she held back the tears. She got her crying done that night after the news. Her new resolve wouldn't let her cry for Daire. She had to be strong. She had to live for her best friend, no matter the cost. No more hiding. No more waiting in the Town of Beginnings for this horrible game to end. Snow had to live.

The young blonde bent at the knee and placed a single flower at the base of Monument. Several other players were able to afford permanent vanity items. Unfortunately, Snow's would only last 15 minutes before bursting into glimmering fragments and being lost to the world. As she stood, she silently promised to return with a permanent marker. Until then, Snow had some catching up to do.

She took a deep breath, equipped her starter weapon she had locked in storage for these two years, and made a beeline for the nearest city gate. There, she would begin the slow grind to catch up to the frontliners, unaware of the dangers posed to a level one player.

Profile
Username: Snow
Real name: Alyssa Skyfeather
Age: 22 Years
Gender: Female
Height: 5' 7"

About: History/personality

Alyssa was originally born in the Czech Republic with her mother and her father. Her family was a standard middle class household where her father worked as an assembly line personnel and her mother worked in an exotic bird store. Growing up, Alyssa had an extreme fascination with creative arts. Her parents would often find her using crayons on the walls or building small villages out of household items like books, glasses, and silverware. Both parents were extremely supportive of her, and purchased her first sketch book at the age of seven. From there, Alyssa's interests blossomed.

In late grade school, Alyssa earned the eye of her instructor for her talents. Her instructor also supported her. In fact, her instructor encouraged her so much, she offered to tutor her in her off time. Throughout schooling, Alyssa blossomed into a gentle soul with a fair group of friends and very few enemies. She remained humble and open minded. Near her last year of middle school, her instructor presented her with an amazing opportunity: should she be able to afford to attend college, her instructor would send her to study abroad at a place of her choice.

Motivated, Alyssa took it to heart. With her parents support, Alyssa started working with her mother to help generate income. At night, she spent sleepless hours working on commissions for people over the internet. While it was difficult, Alyssa finally achieved that goal. She approached her instructor with the news and with the aid of the school program, Alyssa was approved to study abroad. Where did he pick?

A small studio in Kyoto Japan.

While there, Alyssa was housed up with another student of the same program, a girl by the name of Daire Chance. Unlike her situation in the Czech Republic, Daire was from a wealthy family in America. Regardless, the two girls bonded strongly. Daire was fascinated by Alyssa's artistic ability for illustration, and Alyssa fell in love with Daire's 3D designs. It was Daire that first got Alyssa into games, starting with classic titles like Final Fantasy, Devil May Cry, and StarFox. Then, along came the NerveGear. Daire bought a pair for both of them with her parents' money and a copy of Sword Art Online. Both girls were excited to try it, hearing fantastic reviews about the quality of art and design that went into it. Little did they expect what would happen next.

LINK START!!!

Virtues:

Determined: Alyssa has proven over and over again that if she has a goal in mind, she will accomplish it. She understands that there are things that can be changed and others that cannot. She had the wisdom to differentiate the two and will change what she can. 

Positive: Alyssa has lived in the harsh conditions of the Czech Republic, but has always looked for the brighter things. With such support of those who loved her, she always leaned toward the silver lining. She looks for the good in people, and believes it is in everyone.

Creative: Alyssa is extremely creative and loves to see others create. She is a fan of art and loves small trinkets. Because she is so creative, she often thinks of new approaches to complicated solutions.

Flaws:

Finicky: Because Alyssa is an artist at heart, she has very specific needs for certain aesthetics. She will not wear certain pieces of clothing or go to certain restaurants based on their outward performance. This can sometimes be seen as being shallow, but she will try everything at least once. She is vocal about her disdain and does not see a reason to hide her opinion when asked.

Flirt: Alyssa is generally a friendly girl. This friendliness often can be seen as being exceptionally flirtatious. While not exactly her intent, Alyssa often comes off as a tease and has placed several of her closer friends into the dreaded "Friend Zone". This can often cause uncomfortable situations between people she meets. Sometimes attracting some of the worst types of people. 

Anxious: Alyssa does not handle extreme negativity well. In times of dire straits, Alyssa begins to break apart. Her thoughts become erratic and she struggles to perform at her best. While she is overly determined, her anxiety can greatly impair her ability.

Profession

[F4-Restaurant] Snow's Rotating Sushi Bar
Level 6: Mentor Cook
352/639 EXP Needed for Level 7
7 Crafts per Day
Benefits from "Hard Working" +2 EXP per Craft, +1 Craft Attempt
In use: [Sushi Knife] (+1 EXP per Craft)
Cooking Equipment:
» Sushi Knife [Obtained Here]

Skills
Skills Slots: 4/4
114/115 Total SP Available
Non-combat:
» First Aid
5/5 Ranks (30 SP)
Active: Post Action
Energy Cost: 3*Rank EN
Cooldown: 1 Turn
Effect: Heal 4% * Rank of a target party member’s maximum HP (rounded down). Cannot target the user.

Mod (6 SP)
Field Medic
Active: Post Action
Energy Cost: 15 EN
Cooldown: 3 Turns
Effect: Heal your entire party (including yourself) for 25% of each party member’s maximum HP (rounded down).

Passive:
»Two-Handed Assault Spear:
2/5 Ranks (13 SP)
Passive
Effect: (+4 DMG) The effectiveness with which a player can use two-handed piercing type polearms. 

»Heavy Armor:

3/5 Ranks (23 SP)

Passive

Effect: (+18 MIT) The effectiveness with which a player can use Heavy Armor Equipment.

Combat:
» Extra Skill: Concentration
Active: Free action
Cooldown: 3 Turns
Effect: Gain +1 ACC until the start of your next turn (must declare use in roll purpose).

» First Aid
2/5 Ranks (13 SP)
Active: Post Action
Energy Cost: 5% of healing done (rounded down)
Effect: Heal 4% per rank of a target party member’s maximum HP (rounded down). Cannot target the user.

Weapon skills:
» POLEARM - RANK 5 (+7 DMG)

Familiar:

Inventory

Consumables:
» 10 Baker's Buns
» 15 Water Flasks
» 1 Mitigation Potion (+36 MIT/1 Thread) Gifted by Opal ((USED HERE))
»  SpyGlass (3/3) (Reduces posts needed to search for dungeon/familiar by 5) [Obtained Here]

Weapons:
» Sif's Needle [Obtained Here]

» Extension of The Storm

Armor:
» Pride [Rare Light Armor - Pants] [+9 MIT] [+9 Thorn] - ((Gifted by Hikoru))
» Hope [Perfect Light Armor - Hoodie] [+1 Savvy] [+2 EVA] - ((Gifted by Hikoru))
» Freya's Blessing [Obtained Here]

» Freya's Spite [Obtained Here]

» Gwendolyn's Wings [Obtained Here]

» Loki's Horns [Obtained Here]

Trinkets:
» Baldur's Pride [Obtained Here]

» Sif's Farewell [Obtained Here]

Storage:
» Plain Two-Handed Long Spear
» Kitsune Mask ((Vanity)) [Obtained Here]
» Anneal Blade [+1 Damage] ((OHSS))
» In Loving Memory [Obtained Here] [Used Here]
» Extracted Perfume [Obtained Here]
» Hazelnut Cookie Rounds [Obtained Here]
» Cheerful March - Allure [Obtained Here]

Housing
» The Snow Estate (Approved Here)

Roleplays
» [OP-F1] A Girl and A Spear [Complete]
+1 SP, +1 Hope (LHT ARM), +1 Pride (LHT ARM), +1 36 MIT Potion, +57 col
»  [OP-F1] An Escapist's Worst Nightmare (Complete)
+1 SP, +57 col
» [PP-F1] <<Making A Living>> An Artist in the Kitchen (Opal) [Complete]
+2 SP, +2,100 col, +15 Materials, +Cooking Extra Skill
» [PP-F2]<<Long Live the Queen>> Snow in the Wind - [Archived]
» Floor 11: Taft's Spring Festival (OP) - [Complete]
+1 SP, +1 Kitsune Mask
» [PP-F1] Nepent's Bane <Secret Medicine of the Forest> (Snow) [Complete]
+2 SP, +580 col, +3 Materials, +1 Anneal Blade
» [SP-F1] The Harvest Before The Snow - [Archived]
» [PP:F1] A Dirge for Azide, A Hero of Aincrad [KoTB and Company] [Complete]
+1 SP
» [PP-F11] KoTB Social [Complete]
+1 SP
» [F01-PP] <<Nature’s Treasure>> [Complete]
+2 SP, +11 T1 Materials, +200 col
» [PP-F4] Titles are hard - [Complete]
+2 SP, +200 col
» [F06-SP] My Reflection <<The Gemini>> [Complete]
+5 SP, +1 T1 Material, +1,000 col, +<<Concentration>>
» [F07-PP] I was not ready <<A Case of Wurms>> - In Progress
» [F3-SP] A Friend of Nature <<Feeding Your Enemy>> - [Failure-Complete]
+3 SP, +400 col
» [F01-PP] <<The First Few Lessons are Free>> - [Complete]
+5 SP, +200 col, +5 Health Pots (+40 HP), +1 Damage Pot (+1DMG), +1 Over-Health Pot (+50HP)
» [F03-SP] Mistakes <<Search for the Hoya>> - [Complete]
+5 SP, +1000 col, +4 [T1 Materials], +<<Hoya of Minos>>, +<<Rare Trinket #150265>>
» [F21-PP] Working the Fields <<Nature's Treasures>> - [Complete]
+5 SP, +8,550col, +76 [T3 Materials], +8 [T1 Materials]
» [F02-PP] Murder Hornets <<Long Live the Queen>> - [Complete]
+5 SP, 200 col, +1 [Matriarch's Stinger](+1DMG)
» [F03-PP] The Silent Church <<Feeding the Enemy>> - [Complete]
+3 SP, +200 col, Familiar Acquired
» [F02-PP]<<Let There Be Light>>Dancing in the Dark In Progress
» [F01-PP] The Gemini - Snow vs Calrex - [Complete]
+3 SP +400 col
» [F01-PP] Slower Day than Usual - [Complete]
+2 SP, +100 col
» [OP-F24] Valentines Tournament Arc Round 1 - Opening Ceremonies and Observer Thread - [Complete]
+3333 EXP, +500 col

Relationships

Acquaintances:
» Drake
» Icarus
» Seul
» Hikoru
» Megitsune
» Mari
» Shield
» Calrex
» Assassin
» Lessa
» Alkor
» 

Friends:
» Opal (Deceased)
» Lawfer
» Galilea
»

Close Friends:
» Last Chance (Deceased)

Lover:
»

Story Thus Far

[Episode 1]
Daire is dead. Snow received the message from the front lines. Her close friend's passing hit Snow harder than anything before. However, when the two girls were trapped in this game, they made a promise to one another. Should one of them die, the other would live for them to beat this death game and see their families once again. Snow, previously too scared to leave the Town of Beginnings, is no longer going to wait idly by for others to risk their lives. She equips her spear, steels her resolve, and makes way into the fields for the first time.

[Episode 2]
In her early adventures, Snow met a few people associated with the Knights of the Blood Oath. They took her in and helped to show her the rest of Aincrad was not as dangerous as she had previously thought. She became close friends with Opal, a rather mature and cynical woman who boasted strength, beauty, and an orange marker indicating she had killed another player. At first, Snow felt afraid of Opal, but her positive and open mind learned that a label does not make a person. They confided in one another and Snow felt she may finally have another friend to help support her in this prison they all shared. Unfortunately, Opal's kindness was a result of a dwindling will to live on. Not long after meeting her, Opal perished at the hands of a player named Volcano. Since then, the members of the guild drifted their separate ways. Snow was removed from the roster over night and hasn't heard from her new colleagues since.

Again, the young blonde found herself alone in a dangerous world. She had no pillar, no guide, and no friends. This weighed on her and slowly hung at the back of her mind as though her inability to help lead to the tragic fates of others. Since then, Snow met several players branded as killers by the system. Each told a story. Each held secrets. In all, Snow learned that her fears and worries were shared by nearly everyone she met. The feeling of loneliness and exile in a digital world began to loosen and blend in with the status quo. With lance in hand, the young woman resolved to try and understand and ease the pain of other players. She would try to become the pillar of support Daire was for her.