Kane

Kane nodded. Grim's strategy was sound, and it mirrored what he had intended to do anyway. Moving forward a bit so his sword swings wouldn't hit his allies, Kane engaged the charging Gillmen, whose frog-like faces scrunched in anger as they thrust their spears at him.

-----------------------------------

Rolled a 9

CRITICAL

-----------------------------------

Kane decapitated both Gillmen with a single swing. He felt like this was too easy, but then he remembered that these were first floor monsters, and it really struck him how much he'd grown in strength.

Kane was passing through the second floor when he noticed the small shop. Knocking on the doorframe, he entered, curious. He hadn't noticed this store before on his travels through this level. "Hello? Anybody there?" He saw the items on display, and realized this must be a forge. He waited for the blacksmith to reply, assuming he was in the back of the shop.

Kane was engaging the Gillmen, when he noticed that the others weren't faring so well. Knocking one down with a heavy kick, he retreated, backing towards Grim, Ichiro, and Trinoko. "Looks like you guys could use a hand! Stay with me, push them back!" Kane swung his immense greatsword in a figure eight, illuminated by the red blaze of his <> Sword Skill. He swung hard at the wolf!

------------------

7+1= 8

HIT

------------------

Kane's blade crashed into the wolf, sweeping it into the air where it dissolved with a keening howl. Looking around, Kane saw that there were still the occasional boar noticing them, as well as a few Gillmen as well. "Cover each other, use those shields! Retreat if your health gets too low, nobody dies today!"

Kane looked around at the Players, all of whom were fighting their various opponents quite handily. Suddenly, he spotted the creatures he was really here to take out: Gillmen. He rushed them, weaving between his allies' blades and trying to cleave through two of them at once with his massive war sword.

-----------

CRITICAL

-----------

The Gillmen shrieked harshly as Kane's blade smote them through, shattering them into crystals. There were a few more coming over the hill, most likely from the lake across the way. He settled into a defensive stance as they spotted him.

The pair made their way through the dungeon, many of its threats still active in the wake of the boss monster's death. They weren't there to waste time on small fry, so they did their best to sneak past as many as possible. Finally, they came upon the boss chamber, door flung wide open. Inside was a colony of scorpions, huge and vicious looking, with sharp metal claws and stingers. Each one would take some effort to take down, but Kane was confident that they'd be fine. "Alright, let's go! I'll begin."

Sprinting forward, Kane put himself right near the edge of the scorpions, activating his <> skill. His blade flashed cerulean blue, and drew an angry red line of pixels across a scorpion's leg. It chattered angrily, turning to engage him. The rest of the scorpions were now aggro'd as well, and they tried surrounding him. Kane trusted his armor to keep him safe from most of their blows, and Smoke clung to his armor in a vapor, obscuring his form and making him harder to hit. "C'mon, beasties! We need those stingers!"

Fukushu was wielding his great-axe with reckless ferocity, swinging it back and forth as he eyed up Kane and Trinoko. He let out a savage cry as he brought the axe down on Kane, hoping to hack through his armor!

----------------------

-1 to Enemy's Attack

Fukushu

+6 to Damage

----------------------

HIT

The brigand's axe connected with Kane's breastplate, striking with a force that would have shattered his ribcage had this been real life. However, Kane had an advantage: His Heavy Armor skill was high enough that the majority of the impact was mitigated. He -ttch-'d verbally as his HP dropped a point, but the look on the killer's face was still one of surprise. He wouldn't be able to just hack away at Kane without consequence. More importantly, Kane knew he'd most likely target Trinoko next time.

Kane: 20/21

Smoke: 17/17 (Takes damage when Trinoko does)

Trinoko: 15/15

Fukushu: 25/25

The brigand spat to one side, Trinoko's knife having missed him. He turned his torso, following him while hefting his axe in both hands. "Yew shouldn'tve done that, newbie. Jus' gonna make me angry."

As Fukushu was speaking, Kane was approaching from behind. "Defense mode, protect Trinoko." he whispered to the Umbra. Smoke noiselessly emerged from Kane's shadow as he drew his sword, and he charged forward to engage the enemy. As Kane attacked, Smoke turned to vapor once more and settled around Trinoko, protecting him like a mantle of fog. (-1 to enemy attack rolls made against Trinoko) "Hey, tall, thin and scraggly!" As the PK'er turned Kane's sword was swinging in an emerald arc, attacking his right arm!

(+1 to Attack, -1 to Enemy's Attack, +5 Damage)

-----------------

MISS

Kane's blade almost reached his opponent, but he reacted too fast. Blocking Kane's strike with the shaft of his axe, Fukushu spun backwards, looking from him to Trinoko with contempt. "Pah, that all you got? You're not gonna live past today, boys!"

Kane: 21/21

Smoke: 17/17 (Takes damage when Trinoko does)

Trinoko: 15/15

Fukushu: 25/25

<>

Kane followed behind Trinoko at a bit of a distance as they continued into the canyon. There were plenty of places for him to hide amongst the crags and boulders, and it worried him slightly that their opponent could be doing the same. His eyes glowed vibrantly as his <> skill enhanced his perception of the world. He hadn't put very many ranks into it, so he couldn't see through incredibly thick objects yet.

Out of nowhere, an axe spun through the air, glowing crimson! It landed at Trinoko's feet, just short of him. Stepping out into the path, a man with long, scruffy looking black hair appeared. He had a sick grin on his face, and he was holding a wicked looking, crescent bladed Two-Handed battle axe. At his wait, three other, smaller hatchets were tucked into a purple sash, clearly for throwing. The man couldn't have been more than in his late twenties, and he wore Japanese style lamellar armor, probably light-class. He probably hadn't seen Kane yet. The tag above his head read: <>.

"Well well, fresh meat. Drop all your gear, weapons and Col, and I might give you a head start when you run back to town."

<

Kane didn't like the idea of sending Trinoko in as bait, but he wasn't such a low level that even someone of his strength could take him out in a single blow. Hesitantly, he nodded. "Alright. My <> skill isn't that great, but if I follow behind you at a distance, we should be able to surprise him. He seems like the type who might want to gloat first before he attacks."

<< OOC: Go ahead and ask a GM what materials you want the metal scorpions to drop when they're dead. Like, <> and <> for weapons and armor? >>

Kane acknowledged the party request. Trinoko was a good companion, and it was high time he had better materials for armaments. "Alrighty then, we're game. We'll be heading into the labyrinth then, to fight scorpions. How many of the critters do you want to harvest for their stingers? Plus, we should talk strategy." As they walked (and floated, in Smoke's case), Kane strategized. "You tell me if you like this plan: Since I'm wearing armor and I can tank multiple hits, you let me block their attacks, and then you nail 'em with your daggers. Their poison can only paralyze me if they get through my armor, and even then it'll only last a small while if I Meditate to nullify the venom. I'll attack when I can, but if they aim at you, I'll do my best to intercept on your behalf."

Kane grinned ruefully as they walked along. "I sure hope not, nobody wants to watch me do boring stuff all day. Although, making a movie about this experience could be a good idea. Assuming I survive, that could be something people need to see." He stretched his arm, where the phantom ache of previous injuries pestered him. "Hmm... I remember when I was a kid, reading stories about Roland, the first Paladin of Charlemagne. He was noble, virtuous, and ultimately gave his life in the name of his king. That's the sort of hero I looked up to when I was young. Granted, I didn't care too much about chivalry or anything like that, I just thought it'd be fun to swing a sword around." He rolled his shoulders as he felt the weight of his greatsword. "It is fun, but there's a responsibility that comes with it. If I'd known that before... Wait."

Kane trailed off as the duo approached the canyons. It hadn't seemed like it, but they'd been walking and talking for a good couple of miles now. Up ahead was where their quarry was supposed to make his camp. "We'd better remain cautious from here on. I've got a rank in X-Ray Vision, might help us find the guy."

Kane grinned widely and laughed heartily at Trinoko's statements on greed. "Haha, there's nothing wrong with wanting to turn a profit as well. After all, to start this guild, I'll need funding, or at least enough equipment and weapons to make sure my guildmates aren't in undue danger." He smiled a genuine smile at Trinoko's words. "Well then, welcome to the team, Trinoko! Though I haven't decided what to call it yet and I need a few more members before the system will let me establish one."

Looking at Trinoko's craftsmanship, Kane could see by the item's stats that it was made to enhance loot drops. "You're right. Most crafters I've encountered seem pretty obsessed with making just weapons and armor. Granted, we'll need those and lots of them, but enhanced accessories will give us the edge over enemies with unique defenses. I've heard stories of a ring that multiplies the speed of its user, and a mask that enhances its wearer's <> skill by tenfold. Your craft is both useful, and artistic." Kane rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "I know it's not in good taste to talk about the real world, but... outside, I was a film student. I'd just finished my internship abroad, filming a movie here in Japan. Not my finest work, but when I get out, I'll keep working at that craft too."

A cloud of dark, clinging fog followed Kane as he walked, changing shape playfully as his shadow-cat familiar tagged along at his heels. The sixth floor was full of Players who needed assistance in gaining materials, as this was still a relatively high floor for all of them, at the moment. Spotting Trinoko, Smoke -whooshed- ahead, the fog clinging to his legs as a -purrrr- could be heard. Kane raised a hand in greeting. "Hey! Were you the one who needs a hand with some scorpions?"

Kane kept one eye on Daeron, and the other on the mob of Frenzy Boar that had appeared over the hilltop, which were now closing in on their little group, grunting and squealing. One had approached the lagging Ichiro, and Kane hurled a throwing dagger end over end, its saffron light ending the boar, shattering it like glass. As Ichiro came unstuck, Kane strolled towards him and Trinoko, scything his blade back and forth to drive back the mob of snorting beasts. "It's fine, your real-world body was probably just taken to the hospital. Happened to me too, a little while after this all started."

They headed towards the edge of town, as Kane listened to Trinoko speak. "I suppose you could say that we're all sell-swords, working to get quests and contracts from the NPCs. But for me, I make my living by providing a sword for those who aren't able to fight. Taking contracts like this, where we work for another human, is much more satisfying to me. Some Players just aren't at a high enough level to defend themselves from predatory killers, or they're looking to get some kind of material or item, but don't want to risk their lives. That's where I come in."

They approached the gate to the outside. Beyond here, their weapons would do lethal damage, and they themselves weren't safe either. Checking his armor one last time, Kane stepped forward, and they started towards the canyons. It'd be a bit of a hike before they got there. "I'm thinking of starting a guild, getting a couple of fighters and crafters together. I want to make it safe for others to get the supplies and protection they need to grow stronger themselves, and survive. Being on the front-lines is all well and good, but the harsh truth of the matter is that by the end of this, most front-liners will probably die." His tone was sad, obviously having thought about this before.

"There needs to be well-equipped, living fighters to replace them, who are able to survive that long in this world. And unless those of us who are able can lend them a helping hand, they might not live that long. It's not just making a living, it's doing some good in the process."

Kane took a swig of his canteen. He didn't really need to drink here, but his mind told him that the taste of water was refreshing. "If we both survive this job, I think I'll get to forming that guild. Trouble is, I don't know many others who'd want to join." He grinned at Trinoko's comment about his store. "So you're an artificer? You make bangles, accessories and the like? That must be useful. I hear a lot of those can be made to boost the wearer's abilities. I'm sure you're an awesome craftsman." A sympathetic -Mrrow- came from within his cloak. "Apparently, so does Smoke, haha."

Kane bowed slightly to Daisuko as the high schooler meandered into the tavern, accepting his word. The pain in his eyes was a familiar one. As for Trinoko, Kane nodded at his words. He himself had a hard time getting useable gear when he'd first begun adventuring, so he understood where Trinoko was coming from. Opening up his inventory, Kane transferred an item bubble over to the other Player:

<> x3

"Here. Those potions will restore 3 HP each, might give you an edge in the battle to come. I'm wearing heavy armor, and my Battle Healing is at a point to where I don't really need 'em." Gesturing to the edge of town, Kane started walking forward, expecting Trinoko to follow. "We've got a bit of a hike ahead of us. So, are you in the blade-for-hire business too now?"

Kane heard a voice behind him, and saw Trinoko exit the tavern. The Player was still dressed in starter's clothing, though it was clear he'd made headway since the last time they'd met. Kane adjusted the strap on his harness, shifting the weight of the sword on his back as he acknowledged him. "Hey, Trinoko, right? You were hunting mobs on the first floor last time I saw you." His familiar emerged from his shadow, vapor forming itself into the shape of a rather large, midnight black cat. Its eyes gleamed gold as it looked at Trinoko inquisitively. "Oh yeah, I picked up a hitchhiker a little while ago. This is Smoke." The cat padded over to Trinoko, rubbing against his leg once before returning to Kane's shadow, melting into the darkness. Kane ran a gauntleted hand through his hair, laughing. "Smoke's an Umbra, a shadow cat. A bit on the shy side."

As he spoke, a Player approached the pair. He appeared to be a high-schooler, Asian, with glasses. It was clear that he wasn't combat-oriented, as his equipment suggested he was a tailor, or craftsman of some kind. The tag above his head read <>, and he was very apparently nervous about talking to them. "Umm, excuse me, are you two the ones who are taking the bounty?" When they nodded, the Player continued. "Oh, um, good. That's good. I'm Daisuko, thank you for taking this job." He bowed agitatedly, quite Japanese in his mannerisms. Clearing his throat, Daisuko continued, bringing up on his menu a screen to show the pair. "As you most likely know, there is a Player Killer in the area who's been hunting weaker Players, stealing their Col and gear. His name is Fukushu. He... he killed my friends..."

Daisuko's voice cracked at this, but he pushed forward. "A-anyway, he's pretty strong. He's at least level nine, maybe higher. I've linked the condition of the bounty quest to accept two conditions: First, if you kill him, the quest system will alert me, and I'll reward you both with all the Col I have. Or, you can use this:" Daisuko produced a blocky, box-like object that glowed like a sapphire. "This is a corridor crystal. It's linked to teleport whoever uses it to the Black Iron Palace on the first floor. That's where a lot of the more dangerous Players are being kept prisoner, so they can't hurt anyone any more. If he surrenders, use that to transport him directly to jail. Once he's there, come back and I'll reward you just the same."

The Player looked down, misty-eyed. "I... I don't care how you do it, I just want him to stop hurting people. Please." Sniffing and pushing up his glasses, Daisuko added a marker to each of their Maps. "I've marked his last known location. He likes to ambush people in this valley, so be ready for him."

Kane looked over at Trinoko, pulling his cloak's scarf portion up over his mouth to ward off the sand. "Hey, are those throwing knives gonna be enough for you, or do you want to up your arsenal before we head out?"

<>

Kane's system alarm woke him up at 0600, just as he'd planned. He knew that somewhere, out in the real world, his true body slept on, hooked up to life support machines. He brushed the thought from his mind as he looked at his face in the mirror. Long, dark blonde hair that he had tied back in life was now hanging loose around his shoulders. The scar he'd received from a bully in high school still marred his face, and his forest green eyes stared back at him through the glass. Splashing water from the sink onto his face, he was grateful that he could recognize the refreshing sensation.

Equipping his armor with a touch of the screen, his familiar, Smoke, was just waking up as well. The shadow cat had curled up in the corner while he slept, still getting used to following its new partner around. Kane grinned as he saw the wispy feline figure stroll over to him, and he equipped his <>. The cat let out a languid "Mrrow", and melted into its vapor form. The intangible creature settled into his shadow, hugging the darkness like a cloak about itself. Kane suspected that the animal drew its power from his shade, and it often rested there, unseen. "Still sleepy, eh? Rest easy Smoke, I'll wake you when I need you." He felt rather than heard the affirmative -purrrr-, and as he belted on his knife belts and greatsword, he knew that today was going to get... interesting.

By the time he made his way downstairs, it was 0700. The tavern was largely empty this early, most residents having either stumbled back to their rooms, or passed out over their drinks from the previous evening. The NPC bartender had changed as well, now a buxom lass with a low cut blouse. She smiled at him as he sat and ordered what could be called "breakfast": Plain bread, and two <>, both of normal quality. Somewhere, Kane mused, there had to be a special chicken that laid delicious golden eggs... or something like that. As the clock ticked by and he finished his meal, he purchased some <> for his familiar, who deigned to purr once more as he made the transaction. Making his way to the outside of the tavern, his system alarm went off, telling him it was 0800. Time to see who else would show.

The arid realm of the fifth floor had a distinctly Old Western feel to it. The whole floor was covered largely by a parched wasteland, with oceans of sand and rocky crags dotting the landscape. Even the name of the area's main settlement was a tribute to the American southwest: <>, the archetypical frontier town. The only difference was that most of the buildings in town were dome shaped, and looked like they'd been made from clay. As Kane strolled its streets, wind from the desert streaked through the center of the settlement, whipping his scarlet cloak to and fro. Today was a day where he could've used a cowboy hat.

Ducking into a tavern on the side of the road, he could see that the place was almost filled to the brim with people. It was later in the afternoon, and everyone who didn't want to be caught outside at night was finding someplace to stay the night. Kane figured that this was as good a place as any. Strolling up to the bar, he took a seat, ordering a <>. Nursing his drink as he sat next to a rowdy group, Kane's eye was caught by a quest poster hanging on the opposite wall. Calling over the NPC bartender, Kane asked him to explain what the quest was. "Oh, there's a bounty that's been placed on the head of a Player Killer out here, been goin' round makin' trouble for people." Kane thought carefully, as this wasn't something he took lightly. Self defense was one thing, but a Player roaming the fifth floor, hunting weaker Players? That was low. The NPC continued, "It looks like the Quest giver wanted to form a posse, get the summabich.If you're up for it, be outside the tavern at 0800 tomorrow morning." Kane nodded, marking <> on the quest marker. His mini-map displayed the tavern entrance as his quest objective with a footnote: 0800. Paying for a room, he made his way up the stairs, and spent the rest of the evening arranging his gear before morning. He wondered who else would accept the quest and be part of the party in the morning...

Kane laughed at the splashing fish, which swam in lazy circles under Emi's hand. He had to remind himself that there were tiny moments like this that made being trapped in Aincrad bearable. Emi looked so peaceful... She reminded Kane of his sister, when they had been younger. Turning to one side and coughing to hide his momentary lack of composure, he turned back towards the two as the light peeking over the hills started growing warmer and brighter by the minute. He nodded at Keith's comment.

"Well, I still feel like I'm living in a prison... A beautiful, wonderful, terrible prison. Still," he bent down to run a hand through the water, drawing it out and watching the beads of liquid run down his fingers, "We're gonna have a lot of awesome stories to tell when we get out."

Kane raised an eyebrow, unamused by Daeron's interruption. His sword was already out, slicing clean through a Frenzy Boar as he turned to face the new arrival. "Is that you, Daeron? C'mon, terrorizing the others isn't nice, especially since your... reputation precedes you." Turning to one side, he neatly flicked the point of his greatsword into the center of a Boar, crystallizing it. Daeron was being polite for once, which was... suspicious. Kane looked around at the others as he whirled his blade handily. "I think your assistance would be overkill, but the thought is appreciated."

The smoke surrounding Kane finally uncurled from him, and he felt the alien presence that had been brushing against his mind withdraw. It re-formed into the now-familiar black cat form, its face the picture of content. It licked its paw daintily as it looked up at Kane expectantly.

Bending down, Kane poured more <> on the ground. As the cat dashed forward to lap it up, Kane smiled. "Enjoy it, you odd smoke cat. You earned it." As it finished, Kane stood to leave. The cat had other plans, nuzzling up by his leg. No matter the size, a cat was a cat. "So, does that make us friends, cat?" The cat looked at him with a questioning expression. To experiment, Kane took a few steps back. When the shadow animal followed him, he smiled, bending down and tentatively petting it on the head. The cat nuzzled him back, enjoying the sensation. Or at least, it appeared so. A.I. is unpredictable. As Kane began walking back towards civilization, the Umbra pronked along behind him, staying in his shadow... of course. "Well, if we're gonna be friends, you'll need a name, odd smoke cat." The Umbra suddenly formed into a shadowy cloud of smoke, floating inside of his crimson cloak. Kane smiled, taking the hint. "Alright buddy, 'Smoke' it is. As he spoke, the tag above the cat's head changed to reflect its new moniker: <>

-----------------------

COMPLETE

Kane's face was stone cold, his disgust and anger at being attacked with this animal nightmare concealed by his mental link with the shadow cat. He felt it pressing up against his mind, urging him to deliver the coup de gras.

To stop now would be a grave error, as this creature was neither truly alive, nor truly dead. He had to finish it. Pushing hard, he continued to drive the immense sword blade through the creature's torso, twisting the blade to deal additional damage.

Its HP continued to fall, dipping from yellow... to red... to finally, empty. With one final, hideous laugh, the beast exploded in a shower of pale crystals. It left behind a chest in its place, looking strangely out of place in the deep jungle.

-----------------

1-4: The chest contains nothing.

5-8: The chest contains two materials.

9-13: The chest contains three materials.

14-17: The chest contains four materials

18-19: The chest contains five materials.

20: The chest contains eight materials.

-------------------

Opening up the chest, Kane discovered a small amount of <

5x <> (Claws/Fangs)

The beast was obviously in pain, but the grin was frozen on its face as it struggled to pull himself forward on the blade and snap at Kane's arm that held the sword!

----------

(Hyena: +2 Damage)

(Kane: +1 to Attack, -5 to Enemy's Attack, +4 Damage, Soak 4 points of Damage.)

MISS

----------

It was pinned down still, not able to strike at him. Kane felt a pang of pity for the demented thing, but the animal instincts of the Umbra overpowered his momentary attack of sympathy.

----------

Kane: 15/19 HP

Umbra: 11/15 HP (When in smoke form, Umbra takes any damage that Kane does.)

Hyena: 15/40 HP

Kane filled his blade with an emerald light, its glow reflecting off of the jungle ferns. The light bounced off of the Hyena's white eyes and gleaming teeth as Kane dashed forward, attempting to impale the monster through the heart!

---------

(Kane: +1 to Attack, -5 to Enemy's Attack, +4 Damage, Soak 4 points of Damage.)

CRITICAL

---------

His blade went straight through the creature, skewering it through the torso! Its giggling turned manic as it gurgled, a crimson, pixellated hole in its chest.

---------

Kane: 15/19 HP

Umbra: 11/15 HP (When in smoke form, Umbra takes any damage that Kane does.)

Hyena: 15/40 HP