Riardon

"Not sure exactly," Riardon sighed as he pulled out a small notepad from his coat pocket. "It was towering over the battlefield, easily fifteen meters tall based of his size form a distance. It was humanoid, but also bestial. Whatever it was it has one hell of a baseball pitch. All we can do is hope it doesn't make it this far in." Riardon franticly sketched out the massive titan of a figure to the best of his ability. It was athletic, yet also oddly proportioned. The crude sketch work done by Riardon definitely did not help his case. Riardon passed the pad around the room, allowing every

The rubble settled around Riardon as he struggled free. Sounds of fighting and the hammering of nails within the remnants of the old school house that the trackers called their forward operating base on floor 29 urged Riardon to regroup with whoever was there. Emerging from the fallen debris, Riardon found KnightinGale with a handful of other players bunkering down for a final stand. KnightinGale looked like she had just went through Hell. A couple other players looked worse for wear as well. He'd watched their position fall from whatever that thing was that chunked the boulders. It was like s

This is not going well, Riardon thought to himself as he overlooked the battlefield from the repurposed schoolhouse bell tower turned watchtower that overlooked the massive beach wide battle unfolding around them. We've lost too much ground. Our numbers are thinning rapidly. So many unprepared players are starting to fall off. Riardon was the last remaining commander from the hand selected group. The rest had all left to join the battle or flat out desert upon seeing how far south the battle had turned. The concert was continuing strong, but even they too would soon be forced to consider

"Sirs," A member of the scouting parties spoke up as they rushed into the command center. "The Sword has been passed off." "Good," Riardon replied as he continued to examine the map. "Who are comprising the new group of sword carriers?" "Jevi, Adelyte, Kyra, and Hackman." "Understood. Continue to monitor them. We need to keep an eye on that sword. The sooner it gets back to the labyrinth boss room, the sooner the raid team can put an end to this madness." The scout gave a salute before turning around on their back foot and disappearing into the shadows. Riardon turned his a

Having been fairly new to the Tracker's Alliance, Riardon had vary few adventures under his belt. Almost all of those were under the wing of Wulfrin. That said when the notification to join a mission from the guildmaster, Morningstar himself, Riardon saw the opportunity to expand his horizons a bit. RIARDON: I'll be there. Riardon tended to avoid traveling alone, especially since his lack of a weapon and armor skills meant most monsters were a danger to him. The trade off was worth it though; Riardon had chosen to focus his skills on supportive actions, tending to lead to more effic

"The Tracker's Alliance is losing ground," Riardon commented as the battle raged along the beach front. "KnightinGale is doing her best to hold the line, but without additional forces would be beneficial. She is still rather fresh off Floor One, but despite how quickly she has progressed, even she still needs back up." Riardon pushed a few pieces around the makeshift map between him and the others focusing on coordinating efforts. There weren't many bodies willing to take up the mantle of defending the beach. This is even when considering the open call to anyone able to raise a sword or t

"We'll need more reinforcements here," Riardon spoke pointing to an area of the beachfront of the Black nearest the ongoing battle. "The raiders' flank will be exposed. What doesn't help is that is also where the STY/L concert is being held. The biggest problem is we're running low on able fighters." Rairdon looked over his shoulder to the makeshift infirmary. So many low level players had headed the call to arms, and the few first aid users were struggling to keep up with the increasing demand. Every few seconds, another squad of players would be escorted in with shouts and demands for

These kids were rash as always. That didn't keep Riardon from keeping an ever vigilant eye out the entire trip to the Monkey King's lair. Their travels took them deep into the jungle and Riardon grew exceedingly more cautious the further they went in. His hand rest on the rapier at his side, ready to draw at a moment's notice. The light armor he had donned was limiting his mobility though not to the point of complete immobilization. According to Wulfrin the gear was still only Tier 1, as he didn't have time to craft a fresh set at the moment. Wulfrin had also reassured him that wouldn't be a p

"Thank you for the information," Riardon bowed gently to the guard interjecting before Wulfrin could say anything else outside of standard decorum. "We shall head that way at once." Rairdon shot a death glare to Wulfrin. These people may be NPCs, but that doesn't mean you should talk to them with a lack of respect, a point that Wulfrin never seemed to understand, and that rubbed Riardon the wrong way some times. Riardon took it upon himself to lead the conversation with the other NPC they were pointed to. "Excuse me are you Sewallus?" Riardon asked an elven man currently being bandag

"At least we have decent seats," Riardon joked as he and KnightinGale watched the battle rage on. "It would be a shame to miss such a duel. I've only seen him go all out like this against Terra Firma." "You went through that quest too?" KnightinGale responded tilting her head a bit. "Did you get forced to be a cheerleader as well?" "No my role was basically the same as this one. I was the energy battery as Wulfrin put it." "Can't argue with the results though. The quest sure helps get us up the levels faster." "Agreed. Wulfrin says there are more he plans to escort us throu

Content knowing that his party was going to get him out of the sticky situation he was in, Riardon continued to observe the battle raging in front of him. Wulfrin's small dust devil conjured within the arid environment caused Riardon to instinctually shield his eyes to the best of his ability. When he opened them again, he was surprised to find a bear trap clasped to the boss's left leg. It was screaming in agony as Solaris pulled off from its attack. Wulfrin's blade burned with a fire comprable to the fires around them. Could that art have originated from this floor? It was possible, but unti

Riardon let out a sigh of relief when he saw Wulfrin stroll into the plaza. He had mustered all of his bravado and courage to maintain at least some measure of composure. Though he still remained bound, Riardon was at least able to contribute as his skill required no input from him. He watched the battle unfolding before him, blade clash after blade clash sent burst of air out in all directions. Riardon could feel every impact and each one reminded him how out classed he was in this place. Wulfrin's initial clash was ended with an abrupt blow to the Bandit Boss's center of mass sending him sta

"'Ello littel mousie," A gravely voice echoed from behind Riardon, sending a shiver down his spine. "So it's been you lot snoopin' 'round my camp. Best I make an example of you." "Boss sigh-!" Riardon tried to call out to his party. A heavy fist found its way burried into his stomach knocking what little air was still within his virtual form. When he came to, Riardon was tied to a post in the central plaza of the camp. His head was foggy, but his health hadn't dropped . He considered that a blessing. The Bandit Boss was standing over him holding a now emptied bucket. Only now did Ria

"KnightinGale has broken the barrier and engaged the fourth group," Riardon commented to himself as he continued to move just out of range of the bandits' agro. "Final group spotted near the center. Looks like they are trying to run!" Riardon's vision narrowed as he focused his attention towards the center of the camp. The bandits were scrambling to gather whatever they could recover from his party's rampage. One of them was pounding heavily on the door of a shack at the center. His best guess was that woul be where the boss would emerge. Having failed to get the attention of the boss, th

"That makes eight," Riardon said to himself as Wulfrin and KnightinGale moved to attack the third group of bandits. "That leaves eight more to locate before the boss appears. Assuming the quest information is correct." Riardon leapt from perch to perch. He was still getting used to being far more spry in his virtual form. It was jarring how well he could move within Aincrad. In the real world he hadn't been able to move like this ever, in fact he could hardly imagine being able to. At least the physical toll of age was waved. The numbers within the camp were thinning. It took Riardon a sh

"Another group at your three," Riardon said as he ran overwatch from atop the scaffolding that made up the outer wall of the camp. On Riardon's shoulder was a regal bird with plumage that almost resembled fire. Wulfrin's familiar Solaris was with him acting as a second set of eyes. KnightinGale nodded bellow him as she began to move toward the group he had pointed out. Riardon's job was simple, keep tabs on enemy movements and watch out for the Boss's appearance. That was mainly due to him not being capable of much else. His analytical mind was allowing him to easily track each individual

"Seems simple enough," Riardon stroked his chin as he studied the map. Without thinking, he began to munch down on the provided meats and cheeses. "If my information serves, the camp isn't too terribly far from here, but we still shouldn't laze around too long. If they catch wind of our little raid we might be put into a tough spot." It wasn't like Wulfrin to leave out key details, so Riardon was fairly sure all necessary notes had already been made. He glanced to his left to analyze the unknow companion with them. She seemed to be walking two worlds, one of fantasy and one of reality. We

thank you sir

Terra Firma's health bar was dropping swiftly with each strike from Wulfrin. Riardon's eyes focused on Terra Firma's other front leg where a second bear trap had dug into its flesh. An impressed smirk crept across Riardon's face. Apparently this boss wasn't as smart as it was fast. After letting loose a roar that shook the small basin, Terra Frima slamed its trapped foot down into the sand causing the trap to fall loose. Now freed from its bindings Terra Firma leapt into the air threatening to drag Wulfrin beneath the shifting sands. Once more Wulfrin narrowly dodged the beast's feeble attempt

The raging inferno in front of Riardon did not aid his situation within the scorching hot desert. What was Wulfrin thinking during all of this? Terra Firma didn't seem to be phased in the slightest, if anything the flames only made it angrier. The sand shark's heavy jaws dug into its own flesh as it shattered the solid iron trap its front leg was trapped in before turning its sights on Wulfrin. It lumbered forward, gaining speed with each bound. Once it was a few feet from Wulfrin, it dove beneath the sands only to emerge behind Wulfrin, jaws eager to claim their lunch. Wulfrin appeared unphas

Wulfrin's speed was even faster than the last time Riardon had witnessed the young man in combat. Several heavy hits left the massive sand shark immobilized. Riardon stood arms cross observing the swordsman move. The kid had some moves and Riardon struggled to keep up visually. Was this the same level expected from the frontlines? He wasn't sure, but if it was he knew for a fact that he couldn't likely move in the same way. As Terra Firma shifted its weight back onto its legs, Riardon crept slightly closer to the edge. A burst of greenish blue energy burst out from his body as Riardon watched

"I did," Riardon nodded as Wulfrin continued to go through the plan. "Though I can't say I'm too keen on abusing a system like this." Riardon slowly paced around the table, taking mental notes of Wulfrin's tactics. From what he could tell, his goal was simply to observe. The package that Wulfrin had suggested consisted of one skill taken nine times over, allowing him to act as some sort of energy battery for the DPS player. It wasn't too far off of the playstyle Riardon was expecting to play, although it did kind of hurt to not be able to do more. Regardless, Riardon grabbed a piece of th

"Seems my progress will rely on that fact," Riardon sighed as he continued to search for the elusive materials. "I seem to be struggling to locate even one." It was a slightly depressing reality, but it was the hand he was being dealt. The reassurance that his success didn't really matter much took a large portion of the weight from his shoulders, though it still stung to not be able to complete a promised task. When he told someone he would do a job, he tended to do everything in his power to complete the task even if it meant inconveniencing himself a bit. That way of thinking didn't te

Riardon recognized the familiar foraging ground of Wulfrin. He had been brought here to complete his Appraiser's quest. Guess he wasn't lying about frequenting this place. He thought to himself as he moved to explore the familiar clearing. At least he could confirm first hand that the place was safe, though Wulfrin did have to pull off to take care of a few straggling mobs that had sought to interrupt their little expidition. "I can confirm this place is safe," Riardon said as he began to pick a few random herbs and leaves around the immediate area. "Hopefully we'll have better luck than

"Likewise," Riardon said as Bastion had introduced themselves and began going over their findings. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance." The mission briefing was a bit short for his liking, but Riardon was beginning to understand the course of action before him. The way Wulfrin spoke, he assumed that Wulfrin had done this so many times he likely had the scripts of the NPCs memorized and was just funneling the party toward the NPCs as a requirement. "Well then," Riardon chimed in as Wulfrin finished his last sentence. "I say it's time we pay Zackariah a visit. I'll lead since our esc