( @Raidou )
His eyes closed, a familiar voice would be the first to speak to him. It was the voice of the one that had been willing to promise the well-being of his people and to raze the Grand Imperator. It was to no surprise that the man had no intention to allow him to live. He himself had been the first to draw his blade, he was the enemy, the antagonist of this battle. Gabrandr made no return in response, no words were required. An understanding had passed between them as his judgement itself was being passed.
( @Eruda)
The next to speak was a voice not as well known to him. Opening his eyes, they would meet the green-eyed blonde. Ah, he knew her. Like he had been, a fire blazed within her. They were not the same granted from the Fates, but something different. Perhaps hers burned entirely within? She carried the same mindset as the first. It was his actions that had brought them to this.
( @Freya @Simmone )
The voice of another blonde, the one that had taken the cape of his regalia if he could recall correctly. Taking a different approach to the same outcome, she questioned the viability of his words. The blame was on him for lashing out so quickly after they had began messing with his own Scathers. His actions were inexcusable, he would make no defense for them. There just didn't seem a way for the two sides to understand one another. Another voice, this one curt and cunning. His eyes fell on her as she approached, her words voicing her own opinion. He had met people like her before. Everything came down simply to a value. The only thing that mattered was how much worth you could bring to the table. He simply didn't have any worth left to bring the table.
"Activated what exactly?" That was what she had asked wasn't it? "The Scather... Or at least the original one. It was given to Ladonia for one purpose: to put down Galtea... or me for that matter. It is what brought down the Galtean Empire in the first place." His voice lacked the same purpose that it had before. The fire within him had burned out, his voice losing its meaning was only to be expected.
( @Morgenstern )
"Why do you stop fighting? Is it because you won't? Or is it because you can't?" The voice would suddenly ask him. Surprised at the question, he would stare for a moment at the questioner. Another blonde, this one adorning mostly white. If he remembered right, it had been him that made the last strike against the Makeshift Scather. "There isn't a reason for me too. I could continue to fight but... why? What would it bring me? I would feel no better to strike you down and it would only bring further pain and suffering." He watched as the younger man would turn and become the first to speak in his defense. Why though? They had been enemies on the battlefield, so why would he stay his hand now?
( @Koga )
Another would speak, also voicing in defense of Gabrandr's own life. "The threat's been eliminated, there's no reason to put another man to death." It was humoring... to think that one would show mercy in a place like this. There was no room for it in war... and yet, perhaps this wasn't. They weren't warring, only defending their own sides. It reminded him, that one woman... she had been looking for a door earlier. Could it...?
( @Freyd )
“You speak to us of Fate, and denying its designs?" This sudden voice was obviously outraged. However, he knew this voice just as he had the first. This voice had been contesting his from the very beginning. This time, the man took a different approach. Instead of calling his words a lie, it was instead: his existence. A low chuckle forced out of him at that moment. Galtea, nonexistent? Perhaps the man was off his rocker a bit. "To you, Galtea may be fake. But to me... it is everything. It is the realest thing to me. Tell me of where you hail from? I've never seen anyone quite like you people before. Haven't even heard word of you in the past two years of gathering intel on Ladonia and what destroyed my Kingdom. You all simply... appeared. Should you tell me of your home, I'm sure i'd have a similar reaction."
( @Hirru )
The angry words were followed by a much different tune. A Green? Haired man would approach, the words breaking the silence caused by the dark-haired man's words. "Everyone says you should die for your sins, I can't say that they're wrong or right. It's not for me to say. Not anymore." His eyes would watch with a slightly confused expression as the man continued. He had spared another like him? A Galtean? The only information granted to him was that it was a child and pawn. A pawn to whom?
The man brought out a crystal from his pocket. A small blue one. He had yet to see such an item but... he felt a strange connection to it. There was something similar between him and the object. However, the man's words would bring his attention back from the crystal. The Scather, he wanted information on it. On how to destroy it? Why would he contribute to the effort of stopping him from doing the same? It seemed the man was willing to offer mercy in exchange for the information. Gabrandr didn't care for the mercy however. He would be willing to give the information if it would simply help the Galtean Refugees. He didn't get the chance to voice this before another stepped forward and made the most chaotic decision possible.
( @NIGHT )
Suddenly, a short-haired woman would stand before him. Pivoting to face her peers, she would brandish her weapon in his defense. A horrified look would appear on his face. "Why... Why are you doing this?" Those were her allies were they not? What would drive her to face them to protect him?
"I just had to protest on the dislike ratio for this fight."
( @Raidou )
What kind of answer was that? Her actions made little sense to him, but attention would quickly be pulled away from her. The man in Red from before spoke against those that stood in Gabrandr's defense. It seemed the man was worried that he would still strike against them. A reasonable perspective. However, it would seem his perspective on the Scathers in general. The man still seemed confused on the difference between the Scathers he had just been faced with and the one that remained poised at the ready in the Ladonian castle. It made sense: the man had not yet witnessed the original. He had only managed to see the cheap replicas he had fashioned in hope of destroying the first.
"How many were you willing to kill, to liberate your people. How many unseen faces were you willing to erase just to remove Razwell. That is your mistake, because this wasn't the way."
Unwilling to lie, he would speak the terrible truth. "I would have destroyed the entirety of the Palace. I would have brought it crumbling down and seen the royal line of Ladonia fall with it." The power required to destroy a weapon crafted from Aetherian metal was far too great. He was unsure if the Scather would have actually be destroyed by his planned attack. At least, the man who intended to use it would have been taken out.
Suddenly, chaos would take hold of the scene. Words began to shout rampantly, and Gabrandr could only watch on. It seemed that while they fought together, these people were formed an unnwavering force. However, it seemed they were all pushed forward with entirely different motives. These motives now continued to clash in front of him. If they had been brought here by Fate's design, this ending was fitting. Fate could only persuade them along, never taking true control of anything.
( @Freyd )
It was there that he was handed the choice. Tell them what he knew and do the noble thing and finish himself off. An offer he was unopposed to. Should these people save the Galtean's, he would be more than willing to fall on his own sword had they wished it. Nodding his head, his eyes would turn to the floor.
"The Scather is..."
( @Macradon )
A sudden shouting would interrupt the NPC, silencing him once more. It seemed that the white-haired knight who wielded devastating attacks from before was not happy with the outcome of their fight. Perhaps he was one that simply relished the battle? He would be far better off testing his strength against the guards of Ladonia would he not?
More chattering took stage as many others began making their own decisions. The direction changed from a heated debate to more of an agreeance. It seemed that they would begin reuniting. In a few short minutes of bickering, the situation would become much less threatening. Drawn weapons were put at ease. Why Gabrandr cared about whether they fought or not was unknown to even him.
( @Shiina )
Another girl would directly approach him. If he recalled, she was the foolish one that attempted to ride his Makeshift Scather... the one that had gone off. Before, he had thrown her to safety although she had been the one to put herself in such peril. It was unknown as to why the Scather had gone off without his ignition either.... Something about her though, he couldn't take his eyes off as she approached. The young girl's dark hair suddenly spun into a blinding white-gold. Brows furrowing, he hadn't the slightest clue what was happening. Until she would simply speak, her hair brushing his shoulder as she spoke into his ear.
As she first spoke, his eyes would widen with terror. He would watch as she simply spoke and in only a moment he would understand what this girl was. The soft melody played in his ear would change the scenery before him. While he could still hear her speak, familiar faces would reach his eyes. The smiling face of his wife, and the playful laugh of his son as he approached. He could feel himself reaching out to them, but his hands would reach nothing. The two of them were completely out of his reach.
( @Simmone )
The girl's voice would stop and he would close his eyes. Making a silent decision, he would hear the voice of yet one more speaking directly to him. It was in the form of question. It seemed that she had deemed he still had some worth of use to her after all. "Perhaps, but under what pray tell would you part with them? Your life? Ours?" Reminded of what he was supposed to be doing, the dying fire inside of Gabrandr had once again set aflame. Was it a second wind? Or a final gasp? Only time would tell for now.
( @Gabrandr )
Taking a stand from his crouched position, he would look on to the people in front of him. Although some may oppose to his life, if there was any chance left to take a stand in defense of Galtea he would have to take it. "I am well aware that there is many of you that would more than willingly strike me down, but if you would allow me to give my final piece I would appreciate it greatly." Gabrandr's eyes fell on the woman who asked him what he would be willing to trade his information. "Should any of you be willing to help save the remnants of Galtea, I would be more than willing to part with any information I may have regarding... well, anything." Pointing directly above him, he would begin to address the bigger questions. "The Scather that Ladonia has access to is sealed somewhere within the Royal Palace. It was gifted and powered by the Lords of Fate alone with a simple goal in mind: to destroy me."
Lowering his hand, the King's gaze would begin to move between the people in front of him. "For the past two years that Galtea has held refuge here, I have been gathering information and making plans. About a year ago, I learned of the existence of the Scather. I got to catch glimpse of the creation, but only because they were moving it to a more secure location. I know not of where in the Palace it is being kept. All I know is that it was being kept ready for when they ensure of my death. Their plan was to use it against me, or against the remnant people of Galtea to wipe them off of the board after my death was assured. It was then that I decided I needed to do my best to make sure the moment couldn't arrive where they could fire it."
Opening his palms up to himself, he would gaze into them. "A Scather, whether Makeshift or the original, is powered entirely using the Lords energy. That means: to my knowledge, only I or the Lords of Fate themselves can power one. Of course, I can't power the original Scather back to full like a Lord could, but I could give it enough energy to destroy something. The difference between my and the original Scather's are not just power, its function. Razwell's Scather can be fired by anybody, as long as it has charge. It can also search for energy itself to activate. Mine can only fired by somebody who wields the power of fate."
Thinking he had given enough background information, he would continue more with the matter at hand.
"Should we waste time, Razwell most likely intends to fire it on the Galtean Refugee zone. What incited him to make such action, I'm unaware of. It is odd that he would suddenly activate the weapon and have it start hunting for ammunition."
Turning to @Freyd, he would offer the man some words. "I will take you up on your offer, but I would change the agreement slightly. I will use the rest of my life and energy to help and protect Galtea. With all of your assistance, I believe we can do away with destroying the whole palace as well. I'll die, but I'd like to give my death some meaning." Stepping forward away from the entrance to the boss room, he would head to the opposite wall. "You all came here for a purpose. While I don't know what that purpose is entirely, I think I may know what you came for." Raising his weapon to point at the wall, an Armament would appear in the air and strike forward. Stone and rubble blasted out of the way, an opening was made. "I found this when creating this opening down here in the last year. Unknowing of where it went, I sealed it off. Something tells me this is what you came for. If you don't wish to assist me, feel free to continue on with your own journey."
Walking to the center of the group, he would hold out his hand. A warm blue light would gather around him. Suddenly, one of his armaments would appear just before each player in the room. "I know each of you are strong, but allow my aid. Keeping these by your sides will help to protect you." Stepping back towards the entrance, he would glance at the players again. "For those that would help me with Galtea or simply wish to validate my words: come. Our next battle takes place on the surface."
Lamont had just begun to make his way to Gabrandr when he pulled the stone from his pocket. Was he going to use the very limited amount of power he had to try and resurrect the leader of another kingdom? The man had served his purpose, perhaps it was better to let him go?
Approaching, he would find that much of the man's regalia had been singed. It appeared the Galtean King wasn't able to withstand the sheer amount of energy he had called forward. Crouching next to the man, he would bring the stone close to the King. Curiously, the stone would react to the king and begin to glow brighter the closer it came to the man. "You all and your dealings with Fate. Insane. Fate should be left to its wiles."
"Ok, dude, it's time to let the big kids play. A tiny rock will only do so much."
Standing to attention immediately, his eyes would travel to the trio that had arrived. "This 'tiny rock' is a bit more important than it would appear. I thought I gave the command to- are you even listening?" The newcomer had taken Gabrandr's head into her lap and begin humming. Frightened with the shaking of the ground, he would step back and his eyes would seek answers in the others.
Gabrandr's external injuries and burns would heal, and his eyes would flutter open shortly after. "Where?" he would begin to question. Sitting up immediately, wary eyes would turn to the blonde-haired girl. A sudden annoyed voice would speak before pulling him to his feet. Bewildered eyes would find Celeste. "Thank you," he would tell her dryly before brushing the dust off of his burnt regalia. "I will return and ensure that all of those not participating in the fight are kept safe. I'll assume that up there is your ship, Miss ...?" he would tell the red-haired girl. "Assist with pressing forward and I'll make sure you don't have to worry about what's behind you."
Eyes fell on the group of Ladonian soldiers held back by a duo of women. They looked like they were handling it and wouldn't be needing his help. "Come, Messenger. I'd like you to stay close. Razwell shouldn't have enough energy to charge his toy again but I'd rather be safer than sorry. You too, Prince." A sword was unsheathed and Gabrandr began pushing towards the Galtean Refugee Zone.
The room was small and dimly lit as only a handful of torches lined the walls in the area that rested in front of the Boss room's door. A pungent odor filled the air, the same that had filled the long tunnel from where the field boss had fought the initial party. When all was silent, the players would be able to hear the constant drips of the sewers behind them echoing from the tunnel. Surrounding them now entirely unchiseled stone. In fact, the small area outside of the tunnel almost seem to have blown open through the work of dynamite or some other form of explosive. All that separated the mass of players and the boss room was a rotting wooden door held together with steel bindings. Despite its state, the etchings of a boss room rested on it. There wasn't any turning back now.
The fated battle beckoned.
Guidelines
- Players will have until midnight CST [1 AM EST] on November 9th [10th] to post their stats.
- Players are allowed to use 5 crafted consumables for the battle and any amount of consumables from Quests or Field Bosses (Consumables that expressly note they are ineligible for floor bosses and raids remain unusable.)
- The traditional strike rule is in place for this fight. After missing 3 posts, the Player is removed from the fight and forfeits all rewards from the thread.
- Once the battle starts, players have 72 hours for each rotation to take their turn.
-To join the battle, players are required to create their own stat block. They can do this manually or use Raidou's Spreadsheet found in the pins of the Discord Frontline chat.
Example: Hidden | HP: 780/780 | EN: 96/96 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 20 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 4 | BH: 42 | LD: 1 | HLY: 16 | PHASE | REC: 8 | V.D.: 42 | V.O.: 85
-Players will post all math for their own characters including: Healing (even passive), Energy use and recovery, and Damage. This REALLY helps staff out when crunching numbers and checking that everything is working as intended.
General Notes:
Please ensure that the following are included in your stats:
- Shifts (or note as ‘none’ if you don’t have one)
- Combat masteries
- Source IDs for all consumables* (ID roll, post link, or feast provided by another player)
- Level and Paragon Level (will matter for thread closure)
- Tier of equipped and carried items (T4 assumed where not noted. Please inform staff if otherwise)
*Not required for items in Battle-Ready, just those you actually consumed.
All corrections and clarifications must be completed before the deadline for Group 1 to finish posting. Please update your initial post and then tag or DM @Freyd to let him know when you have done so. Items requiring action, as noted in the spoilers beneath each character below, will be stricken as they are completed. Items mentioned as 'notes' are for your reference only and do not require any action. Unresolved issues will result in buffs/items/etc. being unavailable and removed from stats prior to calculating the first boss post.
Three people have looked at the stats, but things can still sometimes slip through. Let us know if you spot any errors, or have any questions or concerns.
Formatting of all stat bars has been standardized to try and help staff process boss posts more quickly. Please do not change this format, even if it may be different from that to which you are accustomed. You know your characters far better than we do, and we trust that you will manage and appreciate your assistance.
Lastly, please be sure to clearly state your post actions and your use/recovery of EN during your posts, and check your hate values. Related information has been pulled out into separate stat lines to help staff check these values. Your assistance will help staff process boss posts more quickly.
Thanks, and good luck!
~ SAO Staff
P.S. Special thanks to @Raidouand @Samfor their help in reviewing the raid stats!
Hidden reacted to Gabrandr in [BR-F26] Paving the Way to Floor 27 [Gabrandr-The Broken King]