Atzo

Atzo sat in silence as she spoke, sitting beside him. He listened intensely to everything she had said. “There seems to be a lot of parallels between this man and myself” he thought “Interesting how we always find ourselves around the same people whether it is our goal or not.” Atzo put his arm around her in attempt to comfort her, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder. “I wish I could say I knew where you sit.” He sighed, it was more of an ashamed sigh than anything else. “Though I know his side of the story all too well.” 
Atzo paused knowing this would not be comforting and changed the way he went about the topic. “In my eyes, you are innocent. Don’t hold these things against yourself, you were young. You were ignorant and knowledgeable. You were the kind of person that people like me would prey on. But, you have clearly learned from your blunder. You show remorse and regret which shows you want to move on from what happened. Don’t be ashamed that you can lie, the world is run by lies. Learn how to use it to your advantage, learn how to tell the signs of others lying to you.” 
Atzo took a breath, as he decided what he should tell her. “I have orchestrated murder after murder. I was a member of the mafia in my free time back in the real world. You were a victim of someone who wanted to use you to hide. It is a common tactic we use. We back you into a corner and give you the illusion of choice while making a subtle threat by telling you what we have done. The difference between him and me, if you are wondering, is that I am not asking you to hide me. I have no doubt that when all is said and done that I will have been ratted out. So until then, if you will allow me, I will teach you how to identify it. I will teach you what to look for, what to say, and how to get the high ground. If you let me I will mold you, but you have to let me.”
@Eatos

Atzo sighed “Your analysis is close but incorrect, I will however leave it at that” he thought for a little bit listening to Domarus, taking in what was said and asked. “I can’t say I have a use for your skill yet. But if I needed your skill right away I would have taken a much different approach. I instead want to gain the ability to call you should that time come, hense why I said a ‘trade of favors’. If you are looking for an ally then I would be happy to back you, assuming when I am called on there is an equal exchange when I need you. I want to consider this as us gaining connections. I want to be able to have reach in Aincrad and I can’t do that without connections. Perhaps one day we can learn more about each others, I will no doubt learn a lot from you if this goes through. But that is what I want, I cannot promise you col and materials, I know very well that I don’t need to. All I can promise is that I will come when you need if you will come when I need.” Atzo was satisfied with this, though he had a feeling that they weren’t done just yet.

@Domarus

Atzo shook his head “If I get myself into a position like that, either I will get myself out or I won't. I have never had anyone look out for me, I don’t think I would want to start.” He paused for a moment as he thought “What will happen when I get myself into a scenario like that? I know I don’t have a choice, though I also know that if I needed to rely on others I would never be able to live it down. It would just grow on my conscience.” He shifted in his seat. Eatos then answered his question, kind of. “Trust me I have a decision that I made that haunts me every minute of every day. But please, if you feel like you can, please explain. I have no problem listening, I may even have some advice for you on the matter.” He took a deep breath, as he pushed the thoughts of what he did to Solomon away. 

@Eatos

Atzo shrugged normally not one to take compliments but still “That isn’t incorrect. I definitely try to predict moves.” After saying this he activated Fight Blade and rushed the creature, though he missed and the creature bit into him with a tone of force. “Ooph, but apparently I am not as good as I should be at it.” He had to admit he had gotten worse over the time he played the game. It seemed there were too many other things to focus on that kept him from being able to actually succeed at such things. He needed to focus and come up with a plan. Upon being thrown to the ground he stood up and dusted himself off before getting back into position. “So, any ideas on how we should end this thing other than hit it harder?” Atzo chuckled a little, as he watched his battle healing activate. He was happy it came in handy, he took it on a whim.

ID# 86799

Stats

Atzo chuckled “There is always the possibility to be killed, be it by high level red players or a mass of monsters. I could be taken down if the right scenario were to occur. But to answer your question, no I cannot be caught off guard. I do not allow myself to be caught off guard.” He looked around and dusted off the guild emblem on the right breast of his cloak. “You know, If you want protection I suggest joining a guild. I am the Leader of the Emerald Harbingers and we are looking for more members so if you are interested let me know. I have been known to save a guild member from death from time to time.” He waited for a response, he was definitely happy with his setup. He knew how to shine with recruitment and this was a good way to do it. He shifted the leg he put weight on as he waited.

Atzo nodded as Vargas acknowledged the lack of members “We really need to get on recruiting. Especially with all the people we have been losing.” Atzo said before activating Fight blade and attempting to hit the Toll again. His blade missed its mark and grazed the ground beside it. “WHY” Atzo yelled “WHY DO I ALWAYS MISS WHEN THEY ARE STUNNED?!” It was getting ridiculous at this point. A stunned creature should be easier to hit, but instead every time he tried to hit one he was unable to. Atzo took a breath and calmed down. “Anyways, I can't give you an assignment until we have more members. We need to make that our priority, hopefully that will work. Any ideas on how we should do it?” Atzo was calm down now, though he was still not too happy, “I guess we need a meeting don't we? It has been a while since I called one, it would help us get things in order”

ID# 86798

@Vargas 375/420 | 41/42 (-2/+1) | 18 MIT | 2 EVA | 4 Bleed | Hate: 0

Atzo 420/420 | 33/42 | 3 Eva | 1 LM | 1 Savvy | 2 acc | 1 [T1] Bleed | 10hp/Round BH | Hate: 1

_______________________________________________________________________________

Troll 128/210 | 63 DMG [Stu

Atzo nodded “Well you are lucky then. Not many low levels will leave the main city, it tends to bring about people who are looking for fresh blood and monsters that want the same.” He said as he stretched. “Oh, yeah, I was perched in the tree. I do that from time to time, it allows me to observe my surroundings and relax without fear of being easily seen. But that just goes to show how dangerous these places can be. If I was a red player and wanted you dead, you would be dead by now.” He chuckled at the thought. “Then again if I wanted to I don't even have to be red to kill you” he thought to himself though he had no intention of doing such things. It was odd that this player was so trusting of Atzo. Did he not notice that a high level stranger could be dangerous?

Atzo watched as the beast fell. He was surprised at the sheer power that these players had, though he guessed that was what happened when you were high level. “Indeed, well done” Atzo said attempting to put some sort of congratulation in his voice “It no trouble, I will never turn down some SP. Thank you for allowing me to accompany you.” Then she asked about friends lists. He had almost forgotten they existed. “Oh, sure.” Atzo sent her a friend request, once it was accepted he turned to the path. “It was very nice to have quested with you, perhaps we can do it again sometime. But for now I am going to go meditate. Good luck on your adventures and if you ever need anything feel free to message me.” With that he headed towards the Waterfall to sit and think as his plan was before. “I will have to put some of today in my journal. Who knows, I might even be able to write a poem based on it.”

@Birdie

Atzo rushed in head first, ready to attempt to finish this battle as quick as he could. He didn’t acknowledge the vast heat, thanks to survival he was much better at handling it. He activated <<Charge>> and <<Fight Blade>> as he rushed it. It swiftly fell to the ground as he finished his attack. He saw that his bleed has activated as well. “That could be concerning” he thought to himself “I probably have more aggro than Birdie, though with it being stunned that could change in the next round. It may even make it easier for her to finish it off.” There was a clear smokish smog that was in the general vicinity of the creature, Atzo hadn’t noticed it before but he hopped that it wouldn’t get in their way as the duo attempted to slay the beast. “I must say, this is a very enjoyable part of the game.” He said attempting to make small talk while the fought “I know the stakes aren’t this high with other games but do you know if there are any with the awe inspiring abilities that this one has?”

ID# 86763

Stats

They had been walking through the caves for a little bit in silence. Atzo’s awe had worn off and it started to seem regular. He found that when you analyzed an area like he did such things would happen. Suddenly they saw a troll approaching them. Atzo charged the Troll head on, activating Fight Blade as he ran. It swiftly fell to the ground, stunned. “So what are your plans for the guild?” He asked Vargas as Atzo allowed time for his companion to attack. “I haven’t heard from you for a while. How have things been going? Anything in particular to update me with?” He probably was probing a little too much but he didn't care. He needed to make sure that Vargas was still up for the task he had been assigned. Otherwise Atzo would have to keep finding new people to fill high rolls and he was getting real tired of that.

ID# 86760

Stats

Atzo knew that he had said a lot there, but at this point why not wear your heart on your sleeve? “Doubt that things will get better, though I guess there is always the possibility.” He sighed. “Why do I do this to myself?” He thought “I knew I was going to have a challenge today and yet I still have these problems at hand, I wonder if I will ever learn from my past or if I am just doomed to walk in circles my whole life?” Atzo heard the howl through the tree’s, he switched back to his leather coat from his Amulet of the Damned. “Yeah, I am as ready as I will ever be I suppose.” He thought for a moment before saying “I don’t think we ever came up with a plan… we probably should have done that by now but if you have any ideas then let me know”

@Birdie

Atzo shook his head slightly when she mentioned getting out of the game. “It seems to be a common goal to leave this game. I can’t personally understand why someone would want to re-enter the heartless world we left. At least here you can grab hold of your life and direct it to where you want it to go, instead of others taking you down their own path instead.” He took a second to think after she has asked him to answer his own questions. “I have no problem doing so but I will say that you may not enjoy the answers I give. As for the first, I will answer for the two different ways I think you may mean by that. Why I am interested in your state of mind? Because I like to take in as much information on others as I can so I can better understand how to talk to them and where they are coming from. Why am I so open with you with my state of mind? Because you have a striking resemblance to both my Archbishop Eatos and my companion... Solomon.” there was a hint of regret in his voice when he said the name Solomon but it faded away quickly. “As far as my goals, I wish to lead the strongest guild in SAO, help low level players rise to the frontlines as fast as possible, figure out how to integrate my skills from my past into this game, and begin to understand feelings other than hate and logic. Though I feel no need to leave this game, I fear who I come back to, whether or not my brother is still alive and that I will no longer be able to fit into my old…. Job. if my emotions change as I want them to.”

@Birdie

ID# 86753

Atzo took a second to design the wording. “Alright, first off if you don't feel comfortable answering a question I will not be offended if you choose to not answer. That said one, why are you so interested in my state of mind? Most people tend to back away when I explain to them what my problems hold. You don't even know me and here you are still listening to me, having asked questions that brought about…. Potentially unpleasant answers. The second question being, what are your aspirations and dreams? What drives you to do what you do and pushes you to succeed? I understand it is an odd question but I tend to go by the same logic as H.P. Lovecraft did when he said I never ask a man what his business is, for it never interests me. What I ask him about are his thoughts and dreams. I am always curious as to what drives people, it creates better stories and poems that way as well.” He kept walking forward, only watching her from the corner of his eye.

@Birdie

ID# 86748

Atzo watched as her frown deepened from the corner of his eye. It concerned him about what she would be thinking. Then he listened to the tenor of her voice as she spoke of the society within this game. “They way you say that makes me feel as if you know just how bad it can really be.” he thought for a moment as she went and picked something up in the leaves. “If you will allow me to ask I have two questions for you.” Atzo was trying to be polite with his words, he knew that the emotionless tone could give of an impression of him not caring about the conversation or the task which was certainly not the case. “I wonder how poorly I come across,” he muttered to himself quietly, not realizing that he was speaking outloud. “I would assume I come across as distant though that isn’t abnormal for me. Wonder if that is why Raina left me… oh well, this is not the time to focus on such things”

@Birdie

ID# 86746

They continued through the forest, Atzo could tell he was overwhelming her a little bit. “Don’t be sorry about my father, my brother finally took care of that a few years ago.” then she asked a question that was praised as a statement “Oh, I am not doing better. I am just trying to get better. It takes a long time for this stuff to actually get better, and with how these things go every step forward brings two steps back. At least here I feel like I can actually try to get better without worrying about punishment.” He tried to reign back his explanation a little bit. “She may look like Eatos but she isn’t” he though to himself, reminding him about who he can and can't trust “I have to keep from unveiling all of myself as I did yesterday. I don't know this woman well enough to do so and I fear that I will scare her away if I do”

@Birdie

ID# 86743

“That is understandable, I have no qualm with people looking to do their own thing.” Atzo said. It was normal for people to not want to join a guild, and with how this game was, he was curious about what brought her to that decision but felt it was probably not something he should ask about. Then she asked him about what had happened the other day. “My guild is very structured, mirroring a kingdom from the dark ages. King being the leader, Crown-Prince being second in command, Archbishop is the title given the head of my advisors, who we refer to as bishops, and has the same power of the Crown-Prince. Under Crown-Prince are the Dukes, then Earls, then Knights, then Barons. Emotional energy is the best way to describe the ability to show emotion and deal with them, both of which I have quite the trouble dealing with on a regular basis. My father made a point to keep me from feeling emotion, essentially chaining up my emotions and locking them in a prison. It takes a lot of energy for me to attempt to use the emotions if I am not replicating them based on the emotions of others like I normally do. I was on the edge of having antisocial personality disorder before this game started”

@Birdie

Atzo entered the pub, keeping to himself. He walked to a back corner, ordering a chalice of pink fox wine. He knew that you couldn’t get drunk in this game but he still enjoyed the taste. The hood of the Cloak of the Changing Tide was on his head, hiding his fiery hair. A strand of yellow and a strand of blue seemed to dance on the emerald green, gemlike background of the cloak as they swam about it. “I am glad I got out of the house today” he thought to himself. “It has been quite the interesting week that I have been dealing with. I wonder what else is in store for me. I am sure that Stryder will be sending me a message very soon to ask me to go on a quest with him. And I am sure to get as much of an earful as I did with Eatos.” He sighed quietly. His face was completely emotionless and he sat with perfect posture. “I hope that things turn up for us tough I know that when it rains it pours.”

Atzo nodded, he was surprised by the mention of Solo Player though he didn’t show it “It is rare to see a solo player as of late. If you ever feel like settling down into a guild, we are always looking for new members.” Atzo hit accept as the invite to the party popped up in front of him. He sent a message to his guild, telling them that he would be busy today and warning them to stay out of trouble. He did this while Birdie was accepting the quest. On mention of being ready to go, Atzo nodded and quickly changed his equipment. He switched his leather coat for the Amulet of the Damned. “Very well, I will follow your lead. Also allow me to apologize for my un-emotional appearance. I haven’t the energy to show emotion as it stands, I had a very interesting day yesterday on floor four with my Archbishop that wiped my emotional energy.”

@Birdie

Atzo watched as the visor glowed, Atzo, himself, bolstering his own emotional barrier. There was much that he was curious about, though he needed to conserve his energy and choose his words wisely. It would take some careful stepping to ensure that he got what he wanted. He thought for a moment on the questions Domarus had asked him. “I cannot say I need your skills yet. Yet being key there. But It is always good to have contacts that you can rely on, and though I must commend you on how hard it is to analyze you, I will go with my intuition and how you compose yourself. You show yourself to be a lot like I am, though you do it in a very different way. I have no doubt that you can close yourself off to the world and hid the emotions you wish to have hidden until the time is right, but you have hidden yourself behind that visor this entire time. You have not given me the chance to analyze you. As I have not given you the chance to analyze me. Still you come into my house, outside a safezone and trust that I have no plan to kill you, and that I have not set an ambush for you.” He paused to think for a while. “Regardless as to you being a stranger, based on the fact that you are showing your ability to keep to yourself as you do and my instincts telling me to make a business deal with you. I feel as though it will end well for both of us. You state your goals, and they mirror a few of my guild’s goals. To help and protect others, to stop players from dying. Though I wonder if you have other goals that you do not wish to share. But, I digress. Whatever your end goal is, I would like to set up a sort of, trade by favors, if you will. A back and forth between us of help be it in col or power. A favor for a favor.”

@Domarus

Atzo analyze the man, he was definitely a low level, he probably would be able to recruit the kid to the guild if he wanted to. “It all depends on how you want to do it. Some people are still able to keep themselves safe when they are on the frontlines. People like Hikoru are masters of stealth and use that to protect them from damage and to deal extra. It is an interesting tactic and strange with how they fight.” Atzo didn’t lose the warm smirk-like grin he wore. “It is a pleasure to meet you Leon. So, if I may ask, what brings you out here? It is not everyday you see people relaxing outside the safezone” Atzo wasn’t lying per se, though he saw it quite often, it was mostly members of his guild and himself that would be doing it. They seemed to have a tendency to do such things.

@RenaldoFarqwad

The girl apologise again for the fall, Atzo shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. I have learned how to keep myself and another from falling on the ground as you could probably tell.” He then turned to leave when she asked him about whether or not he had taken a quest. “No, I can’t say I have. Though if you are looking for an extra blade then I would be happy to oblige. I am Atzo, The Forgotten King and leader of the Emerald Harbingers. It is a pleasure to met you.” He holds out his hand, still showing no emotion in his voice or face. It wasn’t robotic but instead stonelike. He looked the player up and down, she seemed to have a similar build to him which would lead to some very swift takedowns if they did it right. It would definitely be interesting to watch how she handled herself in battle. Misguidance, the mirrored blade, hung loosely at his hip. He didn’t have a real sheath for it just a series of snaps that he put on the hilt so that he could have the mirror still shown when it was put away.

@Birdie

“I don’t think you get what I am saying Eatos”. He looked her dead in the eye, there was more anger behind it than anything at this point “I am not going to let another guild member end up like Izzrikl. Dead by my command. So I am going to protect you whether you want me to or not.”
He broke the gaze and took a deep breath, letting his anger subside, taking Misguidance back. “I have a good plan set in place incase something happens to me again. I have you and Stryder in positions of power so that if I do fall there are people I trust who can operate the guild as if I were still there. Ever wonder why Archbishop doesn’t follow the same structure as the dukes? It’s because you are there to keep Stryder in check just as he his to keep you in check.” 
Atzo found a fallen tree to sit on, overlooking the lake. “I am curious now, what was it you were trying to show me Eatos? You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
@Eatos

Atzo had been exploring the sixth floor. It wasn’t abnormal for him to wonder, in fact he was on his way to the Waterfall of the Sage again, try to figure out what it was that cause the weird state of mind he had been in. He was observing everyone around him watching them silently as he walked, his Cloak of the Changing Tide’s gem-like, emerald green surface rippling as he moved. He was watching a blue haired lady who reminded him of Eatos as she approached an NPC he shrugged as he passed by behind her. “I never realized that blue hair was so common” He thought to himself. Suddenly she started to fall, Atzo quickly adjusted his stance to catch her. He put his arms across his body like he would when he was doing trust falls with his brother and lightly letting himself fall onto his back leg to slow her descent. He then lightly pushed her back up to an upright position. “Its no problem, you would be surprised how many people have bumped into or fallen on me.” Atzo’s face was blank of emotion, he didn’t have the energy to put into it today. His voice seemed emotionless and cold.

@Birdie

Atzo had finished the drinks, he put them on a silver tray to carry them. “Why do I have this?” He asked himself as he began to walk up stairs carrying the tray like a butler would. He entered the room and handed the drinks to the girls. Setting the tray on the dresser and grabbing his tea off of it he leaned against the wall and kept to himself, not wanting to intrue on anything conversation. “I wonder what brought me here, this place I stand.” Atzo thought to himself, He stopped putting effort into his emotions and his face turned into somewhat of a blank stare at the window. “All this time I was pushing to be a better person, have emotion and knowing what it meant. I wonder how that equates to me being this way. I will have read into it later.” He made no attempt to move, save sip his green tea.

@Kievla @Telrenya

(To cite my sources I will be listing a reference page that will take you to the books the settlements, notable locations, and mobs can be found. If they aren’t tied to a book I will be citing it as a link to the authors wiki. That said H.P. Lovecrafts work is in the public domain, but credit will be given where credit is due.)

Description: Floor <<insert floor number here>> Is a dark and menacing floor. Half of the floor is covered in very deep salt water. There are constant waves hitting the shore that can be heard no matter where you find yourself. The sky is always heavily clouded and has an eerie greenish-blue appearance as if it was about to violently storm. When it does storm, the sound of the waves can still be heard, hitting harder than before. Colors seem to be dampened here, normally bright colors tend to look dimmer due to the lighting.

The wilderness is dense and swamplike. There are patches of forest that are so tightly squeezed that what little light that does come through the clouds is nearly completely obsolete. Everywhere seems to have very still air and every sound can be heard clearly. No animals can be heard in the environment, familiars tend to be on edge due to the strange surroundings. 

While animal life seems to be completely absent, plant life thrives here. Most trees have large glowing fruit (1). Some have theories as to the cause of the strange fruit but no one really has an answer. There are many rumors of strange beings that live in the waters, watching; some say that these beings lurk near the water’s edge, waiting for the unwary to come too close, then dragging them under; drowning them. Others say that that on March 23rd and April 2nd (2) they would come out of the water, dance and cause havok.
 

Main Settlements: 

Arkham (3)- Arkham is a large, land-locked, town full of scholars and students of Miskatonic University. There are rumors of failed experiments from Miskatonic that caused abominations (4), though that has not stopped anyone from attending the prestigious school. The whole town seems to be very old, most buildings have failing brickwork and look as though they are going to collapse at any second. In the Miskatonic Library (3) is said to have once held the Necronomicon (3), a rare text that was written by a man named Abdul Alhazred (3) though most at the university question its existence at all. 
Most of those who live in Arkham are very friendly, even given the fantastical horror that was around the town. It seemed that most of the residents were more concerned with schooling than anything else.

Sub-Settlements: 

Innsmouth (5)- The small settlement of Innsmouth is vastly different from the city of Arkham which lies to the south east of Innsmouth. The only similarity being the number of buildings many of which seem as though they should be condemned. There is a strong, vile, fishy odour that can be noticed a mile out and only intensifies as you get closer to the town. It was very rare to find people walking the streets, and when you did you were met with expressions of disgust. Most of the people you see have strange proportions, elongated heads with bulbous eyes that never seemed to shut. If you asked one of the residents of Arkham about Innsmouth, you may hear them reference this as The Innsmouth Look. The only notable places in the town consisted of the Church, the Gold Mill and the Docks.
The Church is the largest structure, it had a sign that read “The Esoteric Order of Dagon”. Though when you attempt to look through the archway where a door should be, you only see a curtain of darkness.
The Gold Mill is the only industry in the town other than the Inn and the General Store. No one is allowed into the mill, no one seems to ever enter or leave, however if you stand by the fence that surrounds it you can hear the sound of banging metal as though there were blacksmiths working there.
The Docks are the home of many fishermen, though they all seem to live in the town. On occasion outsiders have been driven out of the town for trying to fish at the docks.

Dunwich (6) - Dunwich is a small town that lies directly east of Arkham and sits on Miskatonic River. Across a covered bridge one sees a small village huddled between the stream and the vertical slope of Round Mountain, and wonders at the cluster of rotting gambrel roofs bespeaking an earlier architectural period than that of the neighbouring region. It is not reassuring to see, on a closer glance, that most of the houses are deserted and falling to ruin, and that the broken-steepled church now harbours the one slovenly mercantile establishment of the hamlet. One dreads to trust the tenebrous tunnel of the bridge, yet there is no way to avoid it. Once across, it is hard to prevent the impression of a faint, malign odour about the village street, as of the massed mould and decay of centuries. (7) 

Notable Locations:
Miskatonic University (3) - A large university in the center of Arkham. It houses many scholars of all types and the Miskatonic Library. 
The Gates of Yog-Sothoth (6) - On Round Mountain outside of Dunwich is a large and strange rock formation, similar to Stonehenge. There is not much known about this area, save the rumors that if you know the right words you can unleash a great evil on the world.
Miskatonic River (3, 6) - A large murky river that runs between Arkham and Innsmouth that Dunwich sits on.

Mobs:
Deep Ones (5) - A mix of frogs, fish, and humans. Some have pinkish skin but most have green seaweed-like scaly skin. No one knows where they come from save the water itself. 

Mindflayers - Strange squid-men that walked about looking for something to kill and eat (Non-magical, they attack with their tentacles)

Living plants - Plants that have an animal like inelegance and act feral
Ghouls (4) - strange zombie like creature, seemingly made of body parts from different people, some had detached heads or other limbs

References