Pinball

It was fighting without pause that threw Pinball off. At least, that's sort of what he decided was the reason for his miss. The lanky young man was used to employing hit and run tactics -- something you couldn't do when you were surrounded by a bunch of giant dogs, fighting alongside another player, were worried about said other player's missing chunk of HP, or all of the above. A moment after the Sword Art's delay wore off, Pinball unleashed another rapid firing of blasts of energy, cutting one of the Wolf Wargs in half and damaging another - the third's blast, however, struck nothing but dirt, sending up a cloud of microscopic debris as Pinball took two steps back. The Alpha was watching them hungrily, taking snaps at them when they got close, but the smaller wolves wouldn't let Pinball get past to unleash a follow-up. They had to be taken out first, he figured, and then the real fight would begin. 

Action Taken: Sword Art - [Shadow Explosion] [-12 EN/+1 EN] {Well Rested} 
Warg 1: ID#154194 BD: 5+4= 9 (Hit) ~ 15*9= 135-20= 115 DMG 
Warg 2: ID#154195 BD: 1 (Miss) 
Warg 3: ID#154196 BD: 5+4= 9 (Hit) ~ 15*9= 135-20= 115 DMG

Blood Bane | HP: 1250/1250 | DMG: 225 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 3 | FENRIR FANG | CALL TO HUNT | FEAST OF BLOOD
Warg Wolf #1 | HP: 0/500 (-115) | DMG: 175 | MIT: 20 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 | SONIC FANGS | PROTECT THE ALPHA
Warg Wolf #2 | HP: 27/500 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 20 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 | SONIC FANGS | PROTECT THE ALPHA
Warg Wolf #3 | HP: 120/500 (-115) | DMG: 175 | MIT: 20 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 | SONIC FANGS | PROTECT THE ALPHA

[0, 4, 2] NIGHT | HP: 649/1155 (-78 -78 -77-36) | EN: 64/110 (+1, -13) | DMG: 19 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 5 | LD: 3 | BRN: 36 | BLGT: 72 | BLD: 36 | TXCVM: 24 | PARALYZE: 9-10 | TAUNT | BLEEDING (36) [2/2]
[0, 1, 2] Pinball | HP: 1280/1280 | EN: 89/128 | DMG: 15 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 64 | BRN: 36 | BLGT: 36 | BLD: 36 | TXCVM: 24

SONIC FANGS: DMG 225 on CD10+.
PROTECT THE ALPHA: Blood Bane is untargettable until all Warg Wolves are defeated.
FENRIR FANG: On MD9-10, deal 200 mitigatable damage, apply BLEEDING (36).
CALL TO HUNT: Raises all enemy DMG and MIT by 25 for 2 turns on CD rolls of 10-12. Cooldown of 2 turns.
FEAST OF BLOOD: Heals by 25% of damage dealt after mitigation. If attacking a player who is BLEEDING, heal for an extra 200HP.

Silence, he was used to. But now, sharing it with another? It felt like there was something missing. A memory, perhaps, faded and ancient, of a time where he'd love to fill that quiet happily. The thought of it - of her - made him drop his gaze. A wayward hand brushed against the jar at his waist, his only real comfort. 

Soon, though, the path opened, and they were fighting again. The sound of dancing steel was enough to rouse Zomekko from her commanded slumber, and the familiar leapt to his sword in an instant, enveloping Jack's Hellfire in a dark aura. Pinball followed NIGHT closely, unleashing deadly blasts of crimson energy as soon as she was finished with a target; but even then, he couldn't help but notice how both the wolves and their alpha were seemingly focused on her and not him. He could tell she wasn't a tank, and it worried him. 

Action Taken: Sword Art - [Shadow Explosion] [-14 EN/+1 EN] {Well Rested}
Warg 1: ID#154185 BD: 5+4= 9 (Hit) ~ 15*9= 135-20= 115 DMG 
Warg 2: ID#154186 BD: 8+4= 10 (Hit) ~ 15*9= 135-20= 115 DMG 
Warg 3: ID#154187 BD: 5+4= 9 (Hit) ~ 15*9= 135-20= 115 DMG 

Blood Bane | HP: 1250/1250 | DMG: 225 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 3 | FENRIR FANG | CALL TO HUNT | FEAST OF BLOOD
Warg Wolf #1 | HP: 253/500 (-115) | DMG: 175 | MIT: 20 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 | SONIC FANGS | PROTECT THE ALPHA | STUNNED
Warg Wolf #2 | HP: 253/500 (-115) | DMG: 175 | MIT: 20 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 | SONIC FANGS | PROTECT THE ALPHA | STUNNED
Warg Wolf #3 | HP: 253/500 (-115) | DMG: 175 | MIT: 20 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 | SONIC FANGS | PROTECT THE ALPHA | STUNNED

[0, 2, 2, 2] NIGHT | HP: 1018/1155 (-101-36) | EN: 89/110 (+1, -10) | DMG: 19 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 5 | LD: 3 | BRN: 36 | BLGT: 72 | BLD: 36 | TXCVM: 24 | PARALYZE: 9-10 | TAUNT | BLEEDING (36) [1/2]
[1, 1, 1, 1] Pinball | HP: 1280/1280 | EN: 100/128 | DMG: 15 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 64 | BRN: 36 | BLGT: 36 | BLD: 36 | TXCVM: 24
 

Sonic Fangs: DMG 225 on CD10+.
Protect the Alpha: Blood Bane is untargettable until all Warg Wolves are defeated.
Fenrir Fang: On MD9-10, deal 200 mitigatable damage, apply BLEEDING (36).
Call to Hunt: Raises all enemy DMG and MIT by 25 for 2 turns on CD rolls of 10-12. Cooldown of 2 turns.
Feast of Blood: Heals by 25% of damage dealt after mitigation. If attacking a player who is BLEEDING, heal for an extra 200HP.

It took him a moment to recognize her face. Zomekko leapt from his sword once their enemies were slain, wrapping herself comfortably around his neck and locking her empty white eyes with NIGHT. Pinball tilted his head to the side, slightly, and tapped the jar on his waist. The command was silent, but so was Zomekko used to such orders, and the ghostly cat floated easily into the glass, curling up inside and filling it up the the brim. Even as Pinball spoke, thin trails of evanescent black smoke lifted from the uncovered jar. 

"Right," he replied evenly. He briefly hesitated, then remembered an Orange player gripping a weapon during conversation wasn't likely to put people at ease. In one smooth motion he sheathed the weapon and looked down the path. The boss should be somewhere up ahead -- and surely it wouldn't kill him to travel with the woman again. 

It still made him uncomfortable though. So without another word he started walking. 

Someone else was hear. Before he could make his move someone else joined the fray, slinging their sword in elegant arcs through the air, striking each Warg in quick succession and leaving them stunned and twitching. One of them, he noticed, was suffering from a debilitating array of status effects. Maybe even stronger than his-? Interesting. 

Still, he wasn't going to sit out just because someone else showed up. If anything, the newcomer was welcome; it meant he wouldn't have to work as hard. Pinball had showed up here first, and he made that clear as he reappeared in a flickering explosion of shadow and light, neatly slicing the prone wolves with blasts of crimson energy. One cut was all it took, and their veins blackened. With their health dropping substantially, it was clear that they weren't going to last another attack -- which meant Pinball had a moment to rest his gaze on the swordswoman beside him. 

                                                                                                              
Action Taken: Sword Art - [Shadow Explosion] [-16 EN/+1 EN] {Well Rested} // Sneak Attack: Trickster & Blindside
Sneak Attack: ID#154171 LD: 8+7= 15 {Stealth Maintained} 
Warg Wolf 1: ID#154171 BD: 8 (Hit) ~ 15*9= 135/2= 68 DMG + 36 BRN + 36 BLGT +36 BLEED + 24 TXCVM
Warg Wolf 2: ID#154172 BD: 6 (Hit) ~ 15*9= 135/2= 68 DMG + 36 BRN + 36 BLGT +36 BLEED + 24 TXCVM 
Warg Wolf 3: ID#154173 BD: 5 (Hit) ~ 15*9= 135/2= 68 DMG + 36 BRN + 36 BLGT +36 BLEED + 24 TXCVM
Warg Wolf 4: ID#154173 BD: 10 (Crit+2) ~ 17*9= 153/2= 77 DMG + 36 BRN + 36 BLGT +36 BLEED + 24 TXCVM

Warg Wolf #1 | HP: 168/500 (-68-132) | DMG: 175 | MIT: 20 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 | STUNNED | BURNING (36) [1/2] | BLIGHTED (36) [1/2] | BLEEDING (36) [1/2] | POISONED (24) [1/3] | PARALYZED
Warg Wolf #2 | HP: 0/500 (-68-132) | DMG: 175 | MIT: 20 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 | BURNING (36) [1/2] | BLIGHTED (72) [1/2] | BLEEDING (36) [1/2] | POISONED (24) [1/3] | PARALYZED
Warg Wolf #3 | HP: 168/500 (-68-132) | DMG: 175 | MIT: 20 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 | STUNNED | BURNING (36) [1/2] | BLIGHTED (36) [1/2] | BLEEDING (36) [1/2] | POISONED (24) [1/3] | PARALYZED
Warg Wolf #4 | HP: 159/500 (-77-132) | DMG: 175 | MIT: 20 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 | STUNNED | BURNING (36) [1/2] | BLIGHTED (36) [1/2] | BLEEDING (36) [1/2] | POISONED (24) [1/3] |

[2, 3, 2, 2] NIGHT | HP: 1155/1155 | EN: 98/110 (-12) | DMG: 19 | MIT: 99 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 5 | LD: 3 | BRN: 36 | BLGT: 72 | BLD: 36 | TXCVM: 24 | PARALYZE: 9-10 | TAUNT
[1, 1, 1, 2] Pinball | HP: 1280/1280 | EN: 113/128 (-15) | DMG: 15 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 64 | BRN: 36 | BLGT: 36 | BLD: 36 | TXCVM: 24

Ahead, cloaked in darkness, he saw the wolves. Sniffing the ground and growling quietly to themselves, Pinball was lucky they hadn't caught his scent yet. He ducked behind a tree, tugging and adjusting his jacket. For a moment he watched them, trying to decide for himself whether they looked as threatening as people had often said. In the end though, he couldn't decide. Crouching low to the soft earth beneath him, Pinball quietly whispered a single command to his foggy companion. 

In an instant, the black cat's form expanded into a cloud, consuming his avatar entirely. Like a dying flame, the shadow dwindled until there was nothing left behind; Pinball had all but vanished, and the wargs were none the wiser. Stealthed and slowly approaching, Pinball would silently draw his blade, planning his attack in a way that'd ensure a quick and efficient application of Hellfire's copious amounts of DoT. 

                                                                                                                                        
Action Taken: [Stealthing - Out of Combat] 
Stealth: ID#154166 LD: 18+7= 25 Stealth Rating 

Pinball: 1280/1280 HP | 128/128 EN | 15 DMG | 5 ACC | 6 EVA | 64 BH | 36 BRN | 36 BLT | 36 BLD | 24 TV  
NIGHT: ??

Warg Wolf 1: 500/500 HP | 175 DMG | 20 MIT | 2 ACC | 1 EVA 
Warg Wolf 2: 500/500 HP | 175 DMG | 20 MIT | 2 ACC | 1 EVA 
Warg Wolf 3: 500/500 HP | 175 DMG | 20 MIT | 2 ACC | 1 EVA 
Warg Wolf 4: 500/500 HP | 175 DMG | 20 MIT | 2 ACC | 1 EVA 
    Abilities:
<< Sonic Fangs >> : Many Rapid Bites inflicted on the Player with the most hate. Deals 225 DMG on CD:10+
<< Protect the Alpha! >> : Warg Wolves place themselves in a position to protect their leader. <<BloodBane>> [if present] may not be targeted or hit while at least 1 <<Warg Wolf>> still lives.  

Bane of Blood was another one of those quests that'd gotten revamped some time into their stay in Aincrad. Like Avalanche and Absolute Zero, or The Gatekeeper of Fire and... whatever the first one was called. They were supposed to be difficult - and for the most part, it was true. They gave him a hard time, even though he'd reached the level where most threats could be considered a non-issue. 

Still, Pinball was rusty. He spent most of his time wandering the floors and wallowing in self-pity, not out on the frontlines clearing bosses and quests like he used to. Whether or not that'd had an effect on his combat ability, he wasn't sure. But he knew his stead in limbo would have given the people who hated him enough time to catch up to him, and he still hadn't fulfilled his promise. 

So it was about time he did something again. Choking down the last few of Neo's horrible dips and applying a Toxic Venom to Jack's Hellfire, Pinball wore Zomekko around his neck like a shadowy scarf as he made his way to the last seen location of the bloodthirsty wargs. 

Consuming: 
Viperion: T3 Toxic Venom 
Snack - Spinach-Artichoke Dip: +2 EVA {Filling} -> +3 EVA 
Snack - Hummus Dip: +2 ACC 

Player Stats: (after buffs) 

House Buffs: 

Thanks. 

Accepting the trade 

Was this... real? 

Not even moments after he'd entered stealth, Pinball was suddenly questioning his own sanity. The darkness faded around him, leaving Pinball revealed in a swarm of players that - honestly - couldn't care less about him. And who would? The three monsters, with their chiseled forms and godly auras, drew a lot more attention to themselves than the lanky, dark-haired Player Killer. Er, for better or worse. One look was all it took to decide that Pinball had been right in his assessment - this had to be some kind of cruel joke. 

Even ignoring the fact that it felt like they weren't making a dent in the creatures' defenses, what was up with this damage system-? Were they even taking damage? Pinball wasn't sure. Their maximum health was dropped by half, before immediately becoming the new maximum. What was the point of that? What happened when they hit 1 HP? Were the three mobs going to unleash a giant AoE and wipe all of them out in one gnarly blow? The thought made him sweat. But even more than that, he was dumbstruck. 

And everyone was taking the fight a lot more seriously than he was. Maybe it was time for him to stop being skeptical and help out. There was always the chance everyone would kick the bucket if they didn't wprk together. First things first, though; he had to wade through the sea of players to even get to the front. 

Action: [None] [+1 EN] 

@NIGHT: HP: 300/300 150/150 | EN: 76/102 | DMG: 25 | MIT: 81 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 4 | BRN: 36 | BLIGHT: 72 | BLD: 36 | TXC VNM: 24 | PRLZ: 1 | LD: 6 | Stealth Detection: 3
Pinball: HP: 320/320 160/160 | EN: 124/128 | DMG: 15 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 | BRN: 36 | BLIGHT: 36 | BLD: 36 | TXC VNM: 27 | BH: 64
@Mari: HP: 392/392 196/196 | EN: 108/140 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 88 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | BRN: 24 | BLD: 48 | THNS: 45 | BH: 72 | Burn DoT: -50%
@Oscar: HP: 342/342 171/171 | EN: 106/120 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 106 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 2 | FLN: 12 | BRN: 36 (8-10) | VAMP DEF: 68 | REC: 6 | BH: 68 | PRLZ IMMUNITY
Macradon: HP: 497/497 249/249 | EN: 173/189 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 107 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 1 | PSN: 24 | REC: 6 | FRT: 36(21) | FRZ: 6 | VAMP OFF: 189 | BH: 99 | SAFEGUARD
@Bahr: HP: 313/313 157/157 | EN: 111/122 | DMG: 11 | MIT: 106 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | HM: 6 | LM: 1 | BH: 62 | DoT Resist: 25%+5% (1st proc)
@Lessa: HP: 262/262 131/131 | EN: 87/100 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 116 | ACC: 3 | THNS: 54 | HM: 3 | DoT Resist: 20% (1st proc)
@Ariel - The Crowned Lion: HP: 373/373 187/187 | EN: 135/146 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 64 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 1 | KEEN: 1 | FLN: 4 | REC: 1 | BH: 44 | HB: 48 | LD: 5
@Cordelia: HP: 285/285 143/143 | EN: 100/112 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | PARA VNM [DF]: 1 | HLY: 12 | ABS. ACC | PHASE

Supplies were always scarce when your entire life was spent aimlessly wandering. 

Day in and day out, things were pretty much always the same for him. He walked. And walked. Sometimes he'd stop to sleep, or eat, or fight -- on very rare occassions he'd take on a quest -- but more often than not, he didn't spend much time lingering in one place. He kept himself fed on edible plants and animals from the various wilds of Aincrad, and when he couldn't find either he'd settle for tasteless and often stale rations bought from vendors. The cheapest and most bland of which were found on none other than inside the Town of Beginnings. 

It wasn't often he donned his hooded cloak and discretely rushed to the merchants. He normally took his time climbing and exploring each of the twenty-something unlocked floors before making his way back down. Rarely was it that he ran into anyone - even rarer still that people took it upon themselves to hunt him down. But fate was a funny thing, and it had a way of curbing your expectations. 

He hadn't made it very far. The voice rang through the plains, and his expression darkened while his heart sank. Adjusting the sword on his waist, Pinball would turn around, walking back the way he had came. He had the feeling that this meeting was going to be a special one. Pinball would emerge from the tree line just moments later, his heart dropping in his chest when he took note of the person accompanying Oscar. He froze in place, planting his boots firmly in the dirt beneath him.

Pinball was silent, but his gaze warily rested itself on the angry looking pair. 

Almost as if out of reflex, the sound of Arabelle's voice behind him caused his heart to sink. There was something about the way the girl held herself that rubbed him the wrong way. And it wasn't just the habitual extortion. It was something much deeper than that -- something he couldn't quite place his finger on. But there was no point dwelling on the thought. 

"Oh." The eloquent response fell flat as he accepted the Incarceration, his eyes locked onto the crystal. They were hard to get a hold of -- that much was true. And they were very useful for the way he fought. He almost relied on them, but more often than not had to make do without. But why was she giving them to him-? Pinball was hesitant, skeptical, but would ultimately deposit the debuffs in his inventory. "Thank you." 

Before she left, though, she offered a casual comment about how his luck was going to run out, sooner than later; to which Pinball quickly snapped, "I know." Then, softer, "I don't expect it to." But she was already walking away, as casually as she'd approached him. It was kind of annoying, and he didn't know why, but he couldn't help the nervous pang in his chest as he watched her go. No matter which way the  fight went, he hoped she'd make it out okay. 

And as the sky darkened and mobs fled for dear life, a sense of dread overcame him. Thundering booms rocked the clearing, and every player with a weapon in hand visibly tensed up. Pinball's expression darkened... 

...and then immediately fell slack. 

Cruel joke it is, then? There was no way in hell these things were the real deal - and just from the ability they used, that reduced his health by half and immediately repaired the damage (whether it was a glitch or intentional, he couldn't tell), Pinball wasn't entirely sure if he even wanted to be there anymore. But on the off chance that these things proved dangerous, he would have to be around to help. Ducking low into the crowds as dedicated players charged into the fight, Pinball would disappear  in the blink of an eye, leaving nothing but the slightest, evanescent shadowy flame in his wake. 

Action: [VANISH] [-5 EN] {Well Rested} 
Vanish: ID#152788 LD: 20+7= 27 
Stealth Rating: 27 

@NIGHT: [2, 2, 1] NIGHT | HP: 600/600 | EN: 88/102 | DMG: 25 | MIT: 81 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 4 | BRN: 36 | BLIGHT: 72 | BLD: 36 | TXC VNM: 24 | PRLZ: 1 | LD: 6 | Stealth Detection: 3
Pinball: HP: 640/640 | EN: 123/128 | DMG: 15 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 | BRN: 36 | BLIGHT: 36 | BLD: 36 | TXC VNM: 24 | BH: 64 {Vanish: 0/3}
@Mari: [0, 0, 1] HP: 1565/1565 783/783 | EN: 124/140 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 88 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 5 | BRN: 24 | BLD: 48 | THNS: 45 | BH: 72 | Burn DoT: -50%
@Oscar: HP: 1365/1365 683/683 | EN: 120/120 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 106 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 2 | FLN: 12 | BRN: 36 (8-10) | VAMP DEF: 68 | REC: 6 | BH: 68 | PRLZ IMMUNITY
@Macradon: HP: 1985/1985 993/993 | EN: 189 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 107 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 1 | PSN: 24 | REC: 6 | FRT: 36(21)???? | FRZ: 6???? | VAMP OFF: 189 | BH: 99 | SAFEGUARD
@Bahr: HP: 1250/1250 625/625 | EN: 122/122 | DMG: 20 | MIT: 106 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | HM: 6 | LM: 1 | BH: 62 | DoT Resist: 25%+5% (1st proc)
@Lessa: HP: 1045/1045 523/523 | EN: 50/50 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 116 | ACC: 3 | THNS: 54 | HM: 3 | DoT Resist: 20% (1st proc)
@Ariel - The Crowned Lion: HP: 1490/1490 745/745 | EN: 146/146 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 64 | ACC: 7 | EVA: 1 | KEEN: 1 | FLN: 4 | REC: 1 | BH: 44 | HB: 48 | LD: 5
Cordelia: [0, 0, 0] HP: 1140/1140 570/570 | EN: 111/112 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | PARA VNM [DF]: 1 | HLY: 12 | ABS. ACC | PHASE -1

It was the smell of ramen drifting lazily through the trees that drew him from his daydreams. How long had it been since he'd had a proper meal? His stomach rumbled at the thought of it. Plain and tasteless rations were only so satisfying -- and the idea of a hot bowl of noodles ushered intense longing to the forefront of his mind. The thoughts he experienced, then, were nothing short of worrying. 

But was it really so below him to jump someone for their noodles, considering the things he'd done-? It's not like he'd ever have to see them again, if he did. The way he traveled would practically ensure that much. And he had a panic button in the form of Stealth if they proved to be too much for him to handle. What could go wrong? 

He shook the notion away for the moment (or did he?) and instead resolved to follow the scent. Maybe they were trying to get the same set of quests done that he was? Pinball's sense of smell wasn't extroardinary, by any means, but luckily he didn't have to walk far. A single woman walked along the path with the bowl in hand. Half-eaten? No matter. The PKer touched the hilt of his sword, preparing to burst from the bushes the moment she passed where he was hiding...

...and decided against it. Instead, he stood to his full height and emerged casually from the treeline, his gaze downcast. He felt a spike in his throat as the words came to mind. What was he doing?

"Have you seen it? The bear thing?" 

Player Stats: 

House Buffs: 

There was no way something like this was legit. 

As he slid the poison across the edges of his blade, he ran the possibilities through his head another time. But there was no way it could be true. It was too sudden, too out of nowhere - a cruel joke, he thought, at best, or some sort of twisted death trap at worst. But what did that mean for them, on the off chance that the event was real? The frontliners were bound to swing by just by the cryptic and unusual nature of the event, and if they cleared it (again, if it was real), that meant they'd have carved a way out of the game for them and anyone in attendance. And what would happen to the ones left behind? There was no way he or any of the other remaining players would be able to clear the floors on their own. Not with the way the boss fights have been going recently. Knowing this, what else could you do but show up?

Cruel joke, or death trap? 

By the time he arrived, players of all varieties had already accumulated around the front of the Town of Beginnings. Pinball hung back, his head down, another faceless man in the crowd of nobodies. He didn't want to draw attention to himself if he could help it. And he'd actively avoid doing so until he was absolutely sure what the event was all about. He felt that longing to stay hidden go recognized by Cardinal, and noticed the beginnings of a mechanical attempt at stealth - but ultimately, he paid it no mind.

All he really wanted to do now was keep an eye out for the key players. 

Consumed: 
 [x1] Viperion: {+27} Toxic Venom 

Player Stats: 

House Buffs: 

He didn't like resupplying. Especially not when it meant lingering around in the lower floors, where people were more wary of an orange cursor -- but sometimes it was convenient. On his way to join the gradually swelling crowd of people at the Town of Beginnings' gates, Pinball gingerly slid a Toxic Venom vial between his fingers. For a moment he'd consider leaving a grateful note as well, but would ultimately decide against it. 

Taking: 
[x1] Viperion: [151836-2] (T3)

ty night uwuwu

"Of course," was his immediate reply. And they remained in front of the festive stall together. 

With an amused quirk to his lips, Pinball watched as Mishiro declared the reindeer wearing a scarf as 'the best one.' To be completely honest, he was more interested in the chubby cat wearing a santa hat, but he wasn't going to be indulging in festivities any more than he had today. Mishiro pulled open her menu to pay for a round, and out of habit Pinball averted his eyes -- it was rude to look in other people's purses. The transaction was complete in an instant, though, and now the small girl held a crimson ring confidently in one hand. She pulled her arm back for the moment of truth, threw it forward, and the ring soared through the air. 

And soared. And soared. And soared, until it bounced haplessly off of one of the plushes' fuzzy faces. As it fell to the ground, it turned to dust before them, and once more the buy-in prompt appeared before them. Pinball raised an eyebrow and glanced down at his companion, just as an embarrassed huff escaped her lips. He almost offered to give it a try himself. "One more?" 

Instead, he stepped back. Pinball nodded, the slight smile returning as she geared up for the second go. "Alright. You got this." 

And although the young woman was back as quickly as she had left, Pinball wasn't so sure that he'd rather her be next to him at all. Still, the debuff songs would take hold of the giant hellhound and usher waves of relief over him. The crystals' eerie songs were mechanically debilitating to both monsters and players alike, and it brought him a certain level of comfort to know that he'd be fighting a debuffed boss. Even more still that said boss had finally lost one of its three heads. Paying no mind to the gushing flames that spouted from the unclosed wound of the partially decapitated beast, Pinball threw himself forward one more time. 

Spam the hard hitting Sword Art and profit. All he could hope for was that the dog didn't get a lucky shot of its own in. Again. 

Were they really lucky shots if you kept getting hit by them? There came a certain point... 

He rolled around the heavy slam of a fiery paw, and sidestepped a vicious snap at his torso. Bursts of purple light and dark, curling shadow exploded against the second of what would have been three heads. Again, again, again, Pinball felt the faintest pull towards the second head, his body forcefully locking itself onto a specific target. He didn't want to waste the time testing it, but he had a feeling that the rumors saying AoEs were uneffective against the boss were true. It didn't matter. What did matter was getting rid of the thing before it could take another chunk out of his precious HP. 

Action Taken: Sword Art - [Dimension Stampede] [-14 EN/+1 EN] // [+62 BH] 
Cerberus Head 2: ID#152359 BD: 3+5= 8 (Hit!) MD: 6-6= No ~ 23*15= 345-75= 270 DMG // 30 THORNS 
Cerberus Head 3: ID#152366 MD: 8-5= 3 (Miss!)

[H: 0] Arabelle: 445/560 HP | 41/56 EN | 14 DMG | 46 MIT | 3 Probiotics | 5 ACC | 2 EVA | Fallen | 2 Recovery | Regen
[H: 3] Pinball: 1031/1240 HP | 87/124 EN | 23 DMG | 5 ACC | 6 EVA | 62 BH | 8-10/36 FRZ | Phase | 3 Probiotics 

«Cerberus, Inferno's Rage»
Head 2: 230/500 HP | 175 DMG | 75 MIT | 1 ACC | 30 Thorns
Head 3: 500/500 HP | 175 DMG | 75 MIT | 3 ACC | 2 EVA | 30 Thorns

Abilities:

• << Bringing Hell >> : "Cerberus, Inferno's Rage" gains 1 attack for each head alive.
• << One at a Time >> : Players can only target one Head at a time before hitting another. AoE's do not work on this boss.
• << Burning Bite >> : On successful attacks, the player is inflicted with "Burn" dealing 36 unmitigatable damage for 2 turns.
• << Infernal Punishment >> : On a critical attacks, this boss gains additional damage and will phase through 50% of the target's mitigation on all attacks this turn. [9 = 25 | 10 = 75]
•  << Bloodless >> : This boss is immune to all status effects.

 APPROVED 

For some reason, Pinball never would have guessed Shield was fast enough to grab him by the back of his collar. Evidently, though, he should have, because that's what happened - yanked back, Pinball's expression was one of bewilderment, his eyes not quite seeing the tank responsible for cutting off his escape. The words hit too close to home. It felt like Shield was trying to pull and rip him apart at the seams. And it did. 

His face quickly warping from one of confusement to a look of anger, Pinball would shrug and push him off just as Shield had decided to let him go. He wanted to say something. Such a blatant denial of everything he'd said surely warranted a rebuttal, didn't it? But nothing came to mind. And maybe that was how it was supposed to be. 

With a flippant and aggressive shake of his head, Pinball waved the man off before storming into the city, careful to keep the guards in his peripheral, not too keen on the idea of having to walk all the way up to the next floor. At least, as long as he could avoid it. 

SUMMARY

Pinball Receives: 4 SP, 550 Col, Icefyre's Diamond
Yuki Receives: 4 SP, 550 Col, Icefyre's Diamond

It didn't matter. 

Pinball sheathed his Hellfire and walked past her, even as she hurled insults and accusations at his back as he made his exit. He heard every biting word, every justification and judgement as if it were his own again, and he was curled up beneath the roots of that twisted tree, cursing himself. But it didn't matter. She could villainize him all she wanted, because she was probaby right. There was no changing his mind on this. And if someone wanted to go about trying, anyway, brute force was definitely not the way to do it. 

Even still. The cursor were his sins given physical form. People who took Redemption to try and cover that up were the worst of the worst. There was no erasing the things that you'd done, even if you were convinced that you could. You still did it. And you'd still be able to do it, just as easily, if you so much as changed your mind. And you had to live with that. You had to accept that as who you were. 

Because everyone who had their names carved under another's on that monument - every single one of them, without exception - were uniquely irredeemable. 

Quest experience? Truth be told, he didn't care. But he'd stick around for it before he disappeared. "Sure." 

On the walk back to the underdark, Pinball would be quiet. The drow would move nimbly through the ruins, though there must have been something in her programming that kept her close to them. If they stopped, she would, too, but otherwise they'd move at a brisk pace. Silently. His hands in his pockets and his sword returned to its scabbard, Pinball's face was downcast and as gloomy as always. There were other things on his mind, now. Like whether or not coming here had been a waste of time. Why had he even thought meeting up with Shield would have been a good idea, again? 

But as the underground city opened up in front of them, Pinball would finally lift his chin. He'd get the experience as long as he was within a certain radius, he knew. He started to get antsy as Fonsa led them to what he could only assume would be where her husband was staying. But Pinball wouldn't be sticking around to find out. Not really. 

"See ya, Shield," he'd murmur, before darting off into cover, away from the guards he noticed meandering towards them in the distance. 

18 minutes ago, Shay said:

Name: Soothe
Your Profession: Performer
Your Rank: 1
ID: 149703
Roll: 10 LD: 19 < Masterpiece!
Item Type: Support Song
Tier: 1
Quality: Uncommon
Enhancements: Instant HP Recovery 1
Description: A short piano song play by Shay herself.
Post Link: [Here]

Name: Anthem
Your Profession: Performer
Your Rank: 2
ID: 149705
Roll: 11 LD: 7
Item Type: Support Song
Tier: 1
Quality: Rare
Enhancements: Favor 2
Description: A short piano song play by Shay herself. When played near monsters, they always seem to drop better gear than normal.
Post Link: [Here]

Approved. 

2 hours ago, Zajcica said:

Name: Mochi Supreme
Your Profession: Cook
Your Rank: 8
ID: 149691
Roll: CD: 11+1; LD: 6
Item Type: Snack
Tier: 2
Quality: Perfect 
Enhancements: LD 3
Description: A ton of Japanese rice cakes ground from paste filled with a variety of yummy fillings.
Post Link: [Here]

Name: Udon Bowl with Veggies
Your Profession: Cook
Your Rank: 8
ID: 149695
Roll: CD: 12+1; LD: 6
Item Type: Snack
Tier: 2
Quality: Perfect 
Enhancements: ACC 3
Description: Japanese noodles with mixed vegetables and sometimes some shreds of meat.
Post Link: [Here]

Name: Mochi
Your Profession: Cook
Your Rank: 8
ID: 149700
Roll: CD: 10+1; LD: 2
Item Type: Snack
Tier: 2
Quality: Rare
Enhancements: LD 2
Description: A box of Japanese rice cakes ground from paste filled with a variety of yummy fillings.
Post Link: [Here]

Name: Mochi
Your Profession: Cook
Your Rank: 8
ID: 149698
Roll: CD: 10+1; LD: 2
Item Type: Snack
Tier: 2
Quality: Rare 
Enhancements: LD 2
Description: A box of Japanese rice cakes ground from paste filled with a variety of yummy fillings.
Post Link: [Here]

Name: Udon Bowl with Veggies
Your Profession: Cook
Your Rank: 8
ID: 149693;-1;-2
Roll: CD: 8+1; LD: 16
Item Type: Snack
Tier: 2
Quality: Rare
Enhancements: ACC 2
Description: Japanese noodles with mixed vegetables and sometimes some shreds of meat.
Post Link: [Here]

Name: Udon Bowl with Veggies
Your Profession: Cook
Your Rank: 8
ID: 149696;-1;-2
Roll: CD: 8+1; LD: 19
Item Type: Snack
Tier: 2
Quality: Rare
Enhancements: ACC 2
Description: Japanese noodles with mixed vegetables and sometimes some shreds of meat.
Post Link: [Here]

Name: Hanami Dango with Green Tea
Your Profession: Cook
Your Rank: 8
ID:  149694
Roll: CD: 9+1: LD: 3
Item Type: Snack
Tier: 2
Quality: Rare
Enhancements: Prosperity 2
Description: Hanami Dango sticks served with warm green tea.
Post Link: [Here]

Approved. 

Hidden? Mari? Names he couldn't attach a face, but a reputation to. And they weren't good. Killers, the both of them. He'd interacted with Hidden in that one boss fight. She'd torn into Hirru without warning, stoking Pinball's latent anger, and he'd stunned her in that rage. He remembered Aereth had gotten angry with him. Another killer people were okay with. Mari, on the other hand, he'd never met before. But he'd seen the names on the monument, with her being the cause of death. 

Pinball's form flickered into existence, and he stepped out of his shadowy invisibility with a much more pronounced look of annoyance. "You're being stupid." 

He adjusted his grip on Jack's Hellfire. The idea of putting her down so he could be done with this whole interaction was looking more and more favorable with each passing moment. He moved closer. If she wanted to hit him, she could most certainly try again. But he wasn't trying to dodge anymore. Not in earnest. 

"I don't want to hear anymore of it. They're not redeemable. Not like you think. They've killed before. They can easily do it again, and there's nothing that can change that. They did it because they liked it, or they knew they could. An epiphany isn't going to change that reality, no matter how buddy-buddy people get with them. They stole those people's lives, and that's not something you can fix or restore once it's gone." Pinball stopped dead in his tracks. He wanted to scare her. His words fell heavy into the snow, dripping with a venom. "Matter of fact -- I can prove it to you, if you'd like." 

But he whirled around, angrily shaking his head. Anyone with an orange cursor was uniquely irredeemable. That was the truth of it, wasn't it? "Get out of here. Leave me alone. Go back to your murderer friends you insist aren't what they really are. And if I were you, I'd start praying you don't end up being their next little 'mistake'." 

More unjustified sympathy, pouring from her mouth and drowning him in promises and assurances that wouldn't turn out to be true. That couldn't be. He'd had the same argument with himself time and time again. But in the end, he'd just been trying to justify the things he'd done. But that was in the past. He'd been in denial. And now, with Yuki, it was almost like he was back to square one, and his rampant thoughts were given human form. 

"Past mistakes," he murmured, swiftly sidestepping the lance swung in his direction. It was all but confirmed that she was supposed to be a Tank. With the clunky armor and the unwieldy way she used her lance, the truth was as clear as day. This was someone who took hits,  not dished them out. "What do you know about past mistakes?" 

Pinball walked a few steps around and to the side of her. "Zomekko." 

Shadow poured from the jar on his waist, this time not to coil itself around his weapon, but to envelop his form in a wreath of black flames. It ate away at the mesh of his avatar, and his figure blurred, distorted, flickering in and out of stealth. He would all but vanish, but his Stealth Rating was abysmal due to the tiny bit of effort he'd put into it. Anyone with a good eye would be able to find him. But there was really only one way to drive his point home, wasn't there? If what she wanted was a fight, than Pinball would accentuate the disparity between them. 

Because Pinball wasn't made to swiftly take out mobs with huge bursts of damage like a traditional DPS would. He was built to be slippery and evasive, wittling away at an opponent's HP over time. His voice carried away by the wind, Pinball would sulk just a few feet away from the girl. 

"I really hope I'm the first Player Killer you pursued like this." 

Action Taken: [Vanish] [-5 EN] {Well Rested} 
Vanish: ID#149488 LD: 5+7= 12 Stealth Rating

Pinball: 1260/1260 HP | 121/126 EN | 15 DMG | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 63 BH | 9-10/36 BRN | 9-10/36 BLD | 9-10/36 BLT {Vanish: 0/3}

The rapidly approaching crunch of footfalls in the snow gave Pinball the oppurtunity to whirl out of the way of the attack. Easily sliding to the side as the lance stabbed at the air he'd just been standing in a moment before, his sword was drawn in an instant. Shadows leapt from the jar he wore tied to his waist, crawling up his torso and enveloping his weapon in a dark, swirling black aura. He watched as she stumbled over a rock and scrambling to get up, gliding across the snow with a darkened expression. The look in her eyes made it clear she wanted to fight him. Why? 

His form flickered, digital errors on his person. He'd activated Disguise, and launched himself forward towards her. She'd be seeing double, and then he'd be on her, as he froze in place with Jack's Hellfire planted delicately across the side of her throat. But he didn't move after that. 

She hadn't done anything that warranted being killed. He knew he could do it. It'd be so easy -- a Sneak Attack, and a Quick Changed Dimension Stampede would be enough to do it, he figured. Pinball grit his teeth. But her only crime was being annoying. And that wasn't really a crime at all, was it? He wasn't going to make that mistake again.

Sighing, he righted himself and sheathed his weapon... only to deliver a swift, sweeping kick across the back of her legs, hopefully dropping her to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Hit or miss, he'd casually slide over to the base of a nearby tree, leaning his back against it and folding his arms. 

"You're really stubborn, you know that-?"