Frank

Ry was intrigued by the items he had just been rewarded with, but not being able to identify the armor was going to be a problem. Still, it's probably something I can handle when I'm back in town, he thought to himself. As he looked out over the plains, he was taken in with the beauty of Aincrad. The game itself was absolutely gorgeous, a true masterpiece of creation. The hills rolled off in the distance and you could see the grass just moving under the light breeze. Watching his health tick back up slowly, Ry knew he didn't want to rush anything right now. It would be too easy to run out and find another fight, but what he needed right now was to think about his next moves. Moving towards the water, he stared out at it's slightly rippling waters and enjoyed the strange sense of calm that was befalling him.

• Ry Lv 1 HP 11 / 20 EN 0/2 (+10 HP Out of Combat Healing)

• ID# 100992 results:
•  Battle: 6 (HIT, 1 Base DMG)
•  MOB: 4 (MISS!)
• Ry Lv 1 HP 1 / 20 EN 0/2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 0 / 10 DMG 3

Driven by a desire to finish this beast, Ry charges forward, swinging his battle-axe in a brazen uppercut-motion. The tip strikes the ground, creating sparks, but the swing continues through, ripping into the boar, and finally, finally ending this near-death battle. Sitting back on his haunches and letting out a deep sigh, Ry was just glad to be on the winning end of it. This game is going to be A LOT harder then I first imagined.

Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of a menu-prompt proclaiming the words 'Congratulations! Battle Rewards!'. Clicking through the menu, Ryu examined the contents and added them to his inventory with a few button presses.

Loot Die Roll.

• ID# 100993 results:
•  Craft: 11
•  Loot: 12 (+1 LD Searching = 13)

Reward

• <<Unidentified T1 Rare Armor>>
• 2 Crafting Materials

• ID# 100991 results:
•  Battle: 8 (HIT, 1 Base DMG)
•  MOB: 1 (MISS!)
• Ry Lv 1 HP 1 / 20 EN 0/2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 1 / 10 DMG 3

The blackness was approaching. The final eternity begged Ry to succumb, to submit, to give in. It wasn't just the darkness, it was the solitude. The freeing moment when it would all be over. He could feel the longing in his own soul, the longing to not worry about this mortal realm anymore. Flashing through his mind he could see his life, everything in an instant, suddenly, sharp intake of breath, the voice inside his soul screaming inside his head, Continue On...Continue On...Continue On!

Rising, Ry used his axe as a brace, and then lifted it fully over his head as he charged on in frenzy towards the boar. Pure battle-rage filled his vision, pure instinct led his motions, striking downward with fury he felt his blade drive deep into the boar, which set it howling and unable to attack back. It's health dripped down, Ry smiled to himself as his burning eyes left him looking like a demon; he knew what the beast was now seeing in its head, and he knew that it didn't have the strength of will he did, Ry knew that this battle was going to be his. Violently, he screamed out his preperation for his next attack.

• ID# 100988 results:
•  Battle: 1 (MISS)
•  MOB: 9 (HIT, 3 Base DMG + 1 CRIT)
• Ry Lv 1 HP 1 / 20 EN 0/2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 2 / 10 DMG 3

Ry was growing tired of this battle. Impatient and looking for a finish, he charged his enemy, he was going to hit his opponent, and it was going to be devastating. As the two neared, Ry suddenly tripped. On a rock, over grass, it was hard to say. But what happened next was bad. The beast didn't waste any time in capitalizing on Ry's fall and pounced on him, ripping and tearing at him, bringing Ry to the very edge of his health-points. To the very edge of the final abyss.

• ID# 100985 results:
•  Battle: 4 (MISS!)
•  MOB: 7 - 2 EVA = 5 (MISS!)
• Ry Lv 1 HP 5 / 20 EN 0/2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 2 / 10 DMG 3

Stepping towards the wild animal, Ry knew that he couldn't let his battle-rage consume him completely. He wasn't strong enough for that here, in this world which felt so alien to him. He had never played games, and this was so much more then a game. Instead, he knew, he would have to be careful. Stepping up, he made his attack, it was close, but the beast narrowly avoided his strike. However in turn, Ry was able to roll out of the way of the beasts return strike. He had to admit, he was thankful he went with the light-armor, allowing him more mobility, as he probably couldn't have done that in heavy armor.

• ID# 100984 results:
•  Battle: 8 (Hit, 1 Base DMG)
•  MOB: 4 (MISS)
• Ry Lv 1 HP 5 / 20 EN 0/2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 2 / 10 DMG 3

Taking a deep breath, Ry again lifted his battle-axe. Heavy, it was starting to feel very heavy...or maybe that was just death coming for him. He had never been one to shy away from a fight though, and always liked to play his odds. Rather then heal, he attacked the beast, once again looking for that killer blow. This time as he struck the beast he was slightly disappointed as it was only another basic attack, it was only another blow to which the creature might come back and kill him at a later time, shaking his head and banishing these thoughts from his mind, Ry tried to let the battle rage consume him. He could give in to negative thinking, or he could finish whittling away at this beast, and claim his first kill in SAO.

•  ID# 100983 results:
•  Battle: 6 (HIT, 1 Base DMG)
•  MOB: 9 (HIT, 3 Base DMG + 1 CRIT DMG)
• Ry Lv 1 HP 5 / 20 EN 0/2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 3 / 10 DMG 3

Moving forward, driving himself to continue, Ry raised his axe and brought it towards his shoulder. Charging, the weapon dipped slightly and then he swung it back, to his right. Raising it up, he timed it perfectly and hit the beast on its back; violently the beast snorted and with a great ferocity it attacked with renewed vigor. It took its pound of flesh from Ry and stepped off to prepare to take another pound. Ry calmly looked up at his health, knowing he now had a decision to make; did he heal and use one of the precious healing crystals he had? Did he take a chance and hope that the beast wasn't going to land a hit, or atleast not another critical on him? With no time to think, he had to make a decision.

• ID# 100981 results:
•  Battle: 4
•  MOB: 4
• Ry Lv 1 HP 9 / 20 EN 0/2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 4 / 10 DMG 3

After the last exchange, both again approached rather cautiously. Stepping, swinging, missing, is what Ry did, unfortunately. The Boar, while ever dangerous, was just as unsuccessful, as it seemingly hadn't come out of its dizzying daze and it attacked nothing but air. A lucky break on a poor swing for Ry, but sometimes you take that lucky break when it comes.

• ID# 100980 results:
•  Battle: 4 (MISS)
•  MOB: 1 (MISS)
• Ry Lv 1 HP 9 / 20 EN 0/2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 4 / 10 DMG 3

Stepping forward and pushing into his attack, Ry over-commited and was unable to compensate for the quick dodge the boar pulled off. Thankfully, Ry wasn't so committed that he wasn't able to shift his axe in his hands, covering and stopping the attack of the vicious creature. The creature wobbled off, clearly it had hit its head in its attack and was now feeling rather dazed.

• ID# 100979 results:
•  Battle: 8 (HIT, 1 Base DMG)
•  MOB: 6 - 2 EVA = 4 (MISS!)
• Ry Lv 1 HP 9 / 20 EN 0/2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 4 / 10 DMG 3

Ry and the boar had been patiently circling each other, each becoming more and more cautious as the battle dragged on and their HP lowered. The boar, with its wild animal brain, was the first to break this pause. It rushed forward and leapt towards Ry, but Ry had been more then ready and side-stepped it as it neared. Not one to wait, he simultaneously swung his mighty battle-axe, and once again found his target with its bladed end. Bit by bit, he was wearing down the Boar.

•  ID# 100978 results:
•  Battle: 7 (HIT, 1 Base DMG)
•  MOB: 1 (MISS!)
• Ry Lv 1 HP 9 / 20 EN 0/2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 5 / 10 DMG 3

Determined to stay in this fight, Ry couldn't help but think to himself, 'Damn, I really didn't want to use one of these healing crystals already.' Stepping forward he wanted to continue his push to hurt the creature quickly, and end this fight soon, before it could regain a second-wind. One step, a second step, he forced himself to keep moving until he came closer to the beast and struck out, again his attack found the beasts thick hide, still the hit was good, and its HP trickled down.

• ID# 100977 results:
•  Battle: 7 (HIT, 1 Base DMG)
•  MOB: 10 (CRIT, 3 DMG + 2 CRIT = 5 DMG)
• Ry Lv 1 HP 9 / 20 EN 0/2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 6 / 10 DMG 3

Charging again, this time the creature launched its own skill, which caught Ry completely off-guard. He hadn't been expecting the mosters to have skills, though it did make sense. He had been ready to render a strong blow across the creatures side, but as the creatures speed increased rapidly, he mistimed it, still he was able to sink his axe blade into the creatures thick carcass, but the boar was the real winner of this clash. It had darted into Ry at a very high rate of speed and had aimed its tusk perfectly for Ry's stomach, leaving a very painful wound. If this hadn't been a game, it would have probably been a life-ending blow. Taking note of his HP guage, thinking he may have but one or two blows left before he was forced to heal, Ry staggered his way back to his feet.

• ID# 100976 results:
•  Battle: 5 (Miss)
•  MOB: 3 (Miss)
• Ry Lv 1 HP 14 / 20 EN 0/2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 7 / 10 DMG 3

Finally freeing his foot from the mud, Ry advanced himself away from the river-bank, towards sturdier ground. Squaring back up with the creature, he thought it best to be more careful in his attack this time. The boar moved towards him, and Ry waited, this time swinging his axe in carefully-timed counter-attack. Unfortunately he just missed! but the boar was afraid of the sharp edge, and chose to abandon its own attack. Not such a bad draw for Rey, not such a bad draw at all.

• ID# 100975 results:
•  Battle: 1 (CRIT MISS!)
•  MOB: 6 - 2 EVA = 4 (MISS!)
• Ry Lv 1 HP 14 / 20 EN 0/2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 7 / 10 DMG 3

Charging towards his enemy, bloodlust becoming stronger, Ry suddenly felt his feet sink into the ground, up too his knees. He had forgotten about the muddy waters! Trying with great difficulty to pull his leg up Ry braced himself as the beast had come back, still angry, still snarling, and still ferocious. As the beast neared Ry, Ry stuck out his axe and used it to deflect the monster's tusks, and sent it running off past him. It wouldn't be long until the boar was back however, Ry knew he had to get himself unstuck!

OOC: (While doing some reading, if basic attack misses consume 2 energy then I've realized I screwed up my energy before the last sword art. I've fixed the boars health here and should have it right from here on out.)

•  ID# 100974 results:
•  Battle: 6 (HIT, 1 Base DMG)
•  MOB: 3 - 2 EVA = 1 (MISS)
• Ry Lv 1 HP 14 / 20 EN 0/2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 7 / 10 DMG 3

Now that he felt the damage his axe could do, Ry wanted more. While the boar itself was reeling from the impact and was only just beginning to turn itself round towards Ry, Ry decided to take the initiative and leapt toward his beastly foe. Before the creature could realize he was coming, Ry descended on his enemy with a heavy strike of his axe, sending the boar whimpering.

• ID# 100973 results:
•  Battle: 9 (1 DMG Base +1 DMG CRIT = 2 * 2 Sword Art Whirlwind = 4 DMG)
•  MOB: 8 - 2 EVA = 6 (HIT, 3 DMG)
• Ry Lv 1 HP 14 / 20 EN 0/2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 6 / 10 DMG 3

His hand dropping to his side momentarily, Ry could feel the battle frenzy coming on. The pain mixed with the fear of dying, it does things to a man. Some men cower in fear, some men decide they are going to try this thing called a Sword Art, and see how it goes. Charging towards the oncoming boar, Ry felt the Sword Skill begin to activate. It was called Whirlwind and he could already feel the pull of the circular motion the attack would need. Suddenly, as he began turning, the creature darted low and razed him across his side again, but determined to see the Art through to its end, Ry gritted his teeth and continued the circular spin. Success! After spinning 180 degrees, Ry felt his two-handed battle axe rip into the creatures side as it was about to dart away, but for this creature there was no escape. It was a solid hit, and the game flashed the words Critical on top of the impact. The creatures health bar dropped down to not-quite-half. Ry was feeling good, now that he had made contact with his axe.

• ID# 100912 results:
•  Battle: 4
•  MOB: 8 - 2 EV = 6 (HIT, 3 DMG)
• Ry Lv 1 HP 17 / 20 EN 2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 10 / 10 DMG 3

Ry geared himself up for another headlong attack. Darting towards the beast, he raised his axe above his head. Ready to respond in kind, the beast began a head-down rush towards Ry snorting ferociously in the process. The creatures rippling muscles displayed its strength with each powerful step it took. As they neared each other, Ry drove his axe in a downward fashion, but it was the boar who was the faster of the two. Feeling the pain of the creatures sharp claws, Ry staggered. This was the first damage he received in the game, and it was just as he would have expected-painful.

• Round 1
• ID# 100911 results:
• Battle: 1
• MOB: 3
• Ry Lv 1 HP 20 / 20 EN 2
• Boar1 Lv 1 HP 10 / 10 DMG 3

As Ry charged towards the Boar, the Boar charged back. Instead of ripping his battle-axe into the creatures broad-side, Ry felt his foot sink into the muddy stream-bank. As it did, Ry went tumbling, luckily for him, the boar was already charging past and missed Ry completely. A lucky break, Ry thought to himself. Raising his axe, he prepared to make another attack at the beast.

Well, that was a little disappointing. Ry searched the entire area but failed to find any materials hidden in the shrubby grasses. Perhaps he would have move luck if he tried somewhere else. Still, there would be time for that. For now Ry simply wanted to keep exploring. Moving forward to a nearby stream, Ry made sure to keep his eyes on the horizon, lest any monsters creep up on him. Once he was at the stream he looked down into his own reflection, perfectly mirrored in the water. Strange how real this world feels, he thought to himself. Next to his reflection, a watery image of a boar appeared. JFC! Ry nearly jumped out of his skin and turned to face the snarling, very real, boar. The boar sneered and grunted, but held its ground. Ry, readied his two-handed battle axe and attacked.

The user guide had been helpful, it gave Ry an understanding that weapons were crafted from materials, and materials were gained from hunting beasts or collecting resources. So to obtain a bigger weapon, all you had to do was find enough resources and have it 'crafted', created. He didn't know about combat, but Ry knew that the thing to do would be to start off simple, searching for materials. Taking a look over the terrain, he could see that it was mostly grass-land, with odd shrubs sticking out here and there. Intrigued, he decided to look a little closer...

 ID# 100910 results:

 Loot: 8 + 1 LD (Search) = 9 Fail.

Ry had spent the past few hours moving around town, learning how to use the menu system, and reviewing the game fundamentals. Game... Was it still a game if lives were on the line? Of course Ry had wanted to march straight out of town like some of the others and begin trying to beat this game, but let's face it, when you've never been a gamer, it's best to know your limits. He couldn't play around with his own life, and he suspected that this game wasn't going to be as easy as everyone thought. If it was, they would have never been trapped here to begin with. Taking one last look over his equipment and stats, Ry stared ahead at the giant stone gate which separated the town from the outside world. Stepping through it, he headed into the great unknown.

Ry was seated in a corner on the second-story, sipping on a coffee. Looking out over the ball-room, he was slightly drawn-in by the game's ability to construct such vivid locations. The weather outside had been nice earlier, sunny and warm on the skin; but now that night had set in, the weather was cooling to a comfortable evening. The stars outside had been glittering, but you always had a beautiful night sky to look at here in Aincrad, well at-least here on the First Floor. It took Ry back to memories of camping, being with his family under a night sky, roasting marshmallows, making s'mores, even playing a little bit of guitar while sitting under that same type of star-lit sky.

Being pulled from his thoughts he could hear the sound of voices below him, and though he couldn't quite make out the entire conversation, it certainly sounded like they were discussing who would sing this evening. Oh great, Karaoke, Ry thought to himself, unsure whether he should smile or groan. Trapped in a death game and they are discussing who is going to break-out into a song. Can't blame them for trying to break the tension I guess, and maybe a little soft-music with my drink will set the temperature of the room.

From his viewpoint, Ry could see a man enter and take a seat at a table. The man in his red suit was quite over-dressed, even for a party. Ry watched as he placed his cane next too him and took a seat at a table with four empty chairs. Must be meeting up with someone, he quietly thought to himself. Intrigued, Ry continued to observe the man and the rest of the party, while casually sipping on his coffee.

Username: Frank
Real name: Frank Castle
Age: 36
Gender: Male
Height: 5'10"

Appearance

Tall, well-built, brown hair, brown eyes, strong jawline; these are the physical attributes of Frank Castle which stand out at first glance.

About: History/Personality

Frank is a man who would look through you, rather then at you. Growing up in a middle-class home in America, Frank had the standard upbringing- he played on little league teams, went all-state in baseball as a shortstop, played competitive soccer for his high school teams, and even played basketball for a number of years. Growing up in a solid community, he learned the importance of the American Dream and small-town values. Moving on from high school sports, he became a North Carolina Tar-Heel where his work-ethic led him to start all four years and hold the position of Team Captain for his last two. Graduating Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Finance, Frank was no shrub about his classwork either.

After graduation, Frank commissioned in the Marines where he spent four years as an infantry Captain. After a particularly difficult tour overseas, Frank began to look to putting his violent past behind him, coming home to small-town USA. It was here he took up a military research position working for the federal government. One day his manager came in, and asked Frank to submit a report on 'The Incoming VRMMORPG Popularity Explosion, and It's Possible Tactical Scenario Training Usages'. Frank took one look at his Colonial and laughed saying, 'What do I know about the games these nerds play?' "I understand that, Frank", his boss would tell him. "Just do some research to help, this ground-breaking and getting your name on this report will do wonders for your military career. You have more combat experience than this department combined, you're the one we want in there."

That's how Frank Castle found himself sitting at home one day, putting on a virtual reality headset. Before firing the game up, he fired off a quick email to his Commanding Officer, "Checking out this new game, details attached."

Once he discovered the implications of this death-game, Frank didn't know if it was all part of the game or not. In fact, he was just about to dismiss the entire thing, but it was the worry and concern of those around him which alerted him to the fact that this might just be the real thing. The game certainly felt real. Frank silently looked at the faces of those around him, seeing that they were just kids. With a heavy sigh he knew that even if this was just a game, he couldn't take the chance that it wasn't. Maybe it was the old team-spirit, or the espirit de corps, but Frank knew that he was one of the few trapped with real-life combat experience, and he was going to draw on that experience, that battle-hardiness, to help beat this game. He had thought he was done with war, but Frank always knew, could always feel one more war in him. This would be Franks final war, this game called Sword Art Online.

Virtues

Honor - You walk out of the world defined by the memories of those who knew you. Honor is something hard to describe, Frank is certainly no saint, but he is someone who conducts himself with honor, and because of that, tends to receive it in turn. This attribute makes Frank someone to be seen as a reliable person in his dealing with others, or at the very least, straight-forward and filled with integrity in his dealing with others.

Wisdom - Level-headed and calm, Frank is someone who will speak with both tact and authority on what's needed and what should be done. He's educated, experienced, and has served in leadership positions before; drawing on all of this, you can count on Frank to come out and say what must be said, even if the answer isn't what you want to hear.

Dedication - Acutely aware that death is eternal, Frank is a highly dedicated to his task of clearing this game, to the point of seeming obsessed. When he isn't actively clearing mobs, he's the type to be finding a way to work on his skills so that he can then go and clear even stronger mobs. His work ethic is par-none and while he doesn't love his work, he is his work.

Flaws
Violent - Frank is at times almost too extreme in his cause for clearing the game. Unable to hold back, his displays on the battlefield aren't going to make you want to sidle up to him and ask him for a drink post-raid. It stems from a kernel of violence he has always held in his soul, left-over from the war, something which is there and will always be there. Frank isn't reactive violent, he is predatory violent. He doesn't get angry, he doesn't become aggressive or stand-offish, he will just seek to hunt his prey in the most efficient manner possible. This creates a coldness to Frank, something which is alienating towards others.

Morally Ambiguous - Frank is an honorable man, but he is not an ethical man. He will operate outside the bounds of society if he feels it is the best way to move towards his objective. His personal beliefs are not to harm innocents and to protect the innocent, but don't confuse him for a super-hero. For a tough decision the keyword is morally permissible, meaning the lowest bar one can choose while still remaining within their own personal morals. Would killing someone who is plotting to kill others be OK? Would killing someone who is raising a guild to kill others, or raising a guild to take total control of the weapons / materials markets be OK? For most these answers would always be no, for Frank, they are just more decisions to be made.

Antisocial - Frank doesn't understand this generation, and he doesn't understand the people around him. It doesn't just make it hard to socialize, it makes it hard to escape his problems and to relate with others. He has never really played games in his life, and doesn't understand everything about the game or terminology that gamers tend to use. He is at times, on the outside looking in.

Profession

N/A

Skills/Inventory

Skills - 0 SP Unused 

Inventory

Roleplays
3 SP - Quest The First Lesson is Free
3 SP - Quest The Second Lesson is Also Free
3 SP - Quest The Third Lesson is Also Free
Christmas Extravaganza


Relationships

N/A



Story Thus Far

N/A

Is there a community consensus on two-handed vs 1-handed weapons and light armor vs heavy armor? (Number crunching)

This site really needs another Beginners Guide geared towards the character creation process, right now the posts are just massive info-dumps.