Ariel - The Crowned Lion 0 Posted January 27, 2022 #161 Share Posted January 27, 2022 (edited) As she saw Raidou, with his hand on his weapon ready to slay the king, she too walked behind him ready to assist him as she shared the same feeling. Unfortunately, he didn't get a chance to act and decided to spare? in the same time guilt tripping the others. She let out a long sigh as she slightly shook her head. Her blade, even though worn out throughout this boss fight and still yearning for more action, syncing once more with its owner's desires. Was now taking a momentary rest in its saya. She drew closer to Raidou, his was one of the few opinions she bothered mulling over, alongside Baldur and Cal's. It was at this precise moment that she missed her hiding skill, her gut feeling told her to finish the boss like they always did and start scouting the next floor. However now the king... gained a couple of bodyguards, one in particular she knew she had no chance to get past before getting herself taken cared of by the rest. "You people are making me start to regret coming back... can't even follow a simple plan." she muttered as she reached Raidou's side, now looking down on the still living floor boss. "And you want us to vote for you now?" she addressed the king mockingly. "Since floor 11 I and a few here..." a small pause, to survey the surroundings and eye the players around her before resuming: "Followed the same simple formula: kill the floor boss, go to the next floor and prepare to kill the 'new' boss. Rinse and repeat!" she opened her hands magnanimously as she was now slowly pacing in circles against the convict and his blue themed guard. Locking her eyes with @Calrex as she next spoke with great familiarity. "Worked fine for us until now, wouldn't you agree, Cal-kun?" her attention then shifting to @Baldur and his disciples, as she raised a skeptical eyebrow: "Sōke-dono?" She then turned around to face the rest: "We made this choice before even stepping in this room. Never have we even planned for the possibility of sparing a floor boss during the meeting before a raid. For 25 floors, a quarter of this flying castle's length and many years, we've done the same thing and it worked. There shouldn't be any doubt in what we must do now! Because that is what this 'Cardinal-controlled NON-PLAYER CHARACTER' ('slow paced sentence') is doing right now, making us doubt our next course of action. We cannot afford to improvise like this when we know we have a sure-way of reaching the next floor." she took a moment to breath in as she got a little heated up during her rant. "This NPC is the same code as Orgoth which helped us in the previous floor, same code as Shadow who we fought against with the minotaur. Orgoth survived because we managed to 'defeat' Shadow fast enough in the last phase of the fight. But let me remind you all that we previously decided, during the meeting, to kill Orgoth too if he couldn't be rid of his controlled state and continued to be against us." One scornful glance at the king as she continued: "This.. king... attacked us and continued to do so despite trying to reason with it, probably ready to wipe us all up to the last player. Our morality and what we feel or assume will happen shouldn't be in the way of finishing off this floor boss and getting to the next floor, as discussed in the meting before the fight. If u 'feel' differently (here she made a mocking tone and facial expression), don't participate in the next boss fight if the conclusion of the beforehand meeting isn't to your liking. If I knew we were going to start experimenting with different options, I wouldn't have been here." she voted then crossed her arms and stood next to the Firm Anima guild members. "You all need to get your act together. I won't accept sparing him based on hunches, feelings or the nonsense he's been spouting throughout the fight and just now. Unlike Orgoth, he didn't do anything to deserve our trust or clemency, quite the opposite in fact. There's too much at stake." her words would probably fall on deaf ears but she could not bear to just go with the flow. Even if she were to be the odd one out in the end, she would still keep vigilant and act as soon as the opportunity would present itself, in any form. That would b the only reason why she hasn't used her crystal yet. ≪KILL≫ Edited January 27, 2022 by Ariel - The Crowned Lion Link to post Share on other sites
Shield 0 Posted January 27, 2022 #162 Share Posted January 27, 2022 (edited) "If you're not satisfied with how the front line conducts itself and cannot make peace with it, the reasonable option is not to expect large groups of them to depart at your whim, it is for you to take your leave. The front line is constantly in flux, and if you're not prepared to deal with that," Shield said calmly, summoning a blue crystal into his hand and tossing it at Ariel's feet, "nobody is forcing you to stay." His dark eyes were stern, but they were composed and still despite his sharp gesture. "I have tried drawing lines in the sand in the past, and the results were bad for the front lines. They were values I believed in too, but in the end, me trying to force the front lines to be what I thought it should be did far more harm than good. We have our strength from relying on each other, not trying to send others packing." He glanced for a brief moment over at Baldur, who he was sure would remember the idealistic squabbling that had divided the lines so drastically only a few floors ago. "Learn from my mistakes. Be flexible. Well designed video games have multiple paths forward. Aincrad isn't a choose-your-own-adventure book. This choice isn't going to lead to glorious victory on one hand and shattering defeat on the other. This game is many things, including cruel, but it is not unfair. It doesn't offer you death on a silver platter, even if death is always at your elbow." With a steady breath, he continued, his eyes held on Ariel. She and Shield had been divided many times in the past. At one point, he had even considered her an enemy. Now, he was at least sure they were on the same side, if not idealistically opposed in very glaring ways. "Yes, we have followed the same formula for the last 25 floors. Almost. We have spared an NPC in the past, during the fight with the dark elf council. And do you know what happened to us as a result? Nothing." He cracked that word like a whip. "We escaped unharmed, we advanced to the next floor, and with one fewer enemy to kill. It *also* worked. And what did we gain?" Rising to his feet, he squared his shoulder with the self-crowned lioness. "We learned something about how this game works and thinks. And we can't say that about every fight. There is a reason that people say that knowledge is power. The more we understand about our enemy and how he operates, the more ammunition we have at our disposal when we step into the boss chamber seventy floors from now." He remained where he was, standing sentry beside Calrex. "We act together. We will see where the vote falls. You don't have the authority to tell anyone to leave. We don't recognize your crown, lioness. So if you're not interested in fighting alongside us..." At Ariel's feet, he nudged the teleportation crystal an inch closer. "...then don't." Edited January 27, 2022 by Shield Link to post Share on other sites
Morgenstern 1 Posted January 27, 2022 #163 Share Posted January 27, 2022 Having given his outburst, Jon felt a lot better. After the last couple of weeks unsure of what was happening all bottled up inside, it just felt nice to get the words off of his chest. Maybe Mina didn't understand, but Raidou would know how he seen him. It didn't appear like the man had any intention of changing his view either. Oscar spoke his piece, and Jonathan would at least have to see the reason behind his words. His opinion was unchanged but he understood the frontlines was not the place to be having this. The only problem was: if the frontlines wasn't where he had it... what stopped Raidou and his guild from hacking down him, Mina, and the Arbiters? It seemed that the frontliners had now come to their conclusion and Jonathan would sit soundly with it. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have lashed out... not here. Sometimes I forget my own place. Even if we ended up deciding to kill him, I would have respected it albeit it maybe slightly upset." Turning back to Gabrandr, he would ask him one more question. "What do you have to say now?" Link to post Share on other sites
Zandra 0 Posted January 27, 2022 #164 Share Posted January 27, 2022 (edited) The fight had come to an halt. Or rather, the combat fight, the fight where they used their experience, their skills, their gear, and now once again, it have turned into a blah blah. Zandra didnt made any attempt whatsoever to try to interrupt the discussion, or get her opinion known to the rest. She hadnt really been active enough lately to be worthy to have anyone listen to her, right? The final boss was down to the red. THE RED! And they wanted to SPARE him? Was they stupid or something? Lessa almost died to that, thing. And it sounded on Lessa like she wanted to spare him as well. She was standing, leaning towards one of the canons, with her crimson eyes walking up towards the ceiling. She let out a deep sigh. Well, maybe they all was idiots, but she stilled loved them and would hate losing anyone of them. Well, almost anyone. While the other members of this combat was talking sparing or killing, sparing or killing, her eyes kept darting back and forth between spots on the wall. She refused to get taken by surprise. She also mumbled a few words to herself, giving a faint yellow shine on her, Lessa, Ariel, Oscar and Night. This would at least protect them a little if any surprises would appear. She looked down for second and said to herself. ''At least I have this thou.'' Edited January 27, 2022 by Zandra Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Gabrandr 0 Posted January 27, 2022 Author Popular Post #165 Share Posted January 27, 2022 ( @Raidou ) His eyes closed, a familiar voice would be the first to speak to him. It was the voice of the one that had been willing to promise the well-being of his people and to raze the Grand Imperator. It was to no surprise that the man had no intention to allow him to live. He himself had been the first to draw his blade, he was the enemy, the antagonist of this battle. Gabrandr made no return in response, no words were required. An understanding had passed between them as his judgement itself was being passed. ( @Eruda) The next to speak was a voice not as well known to him. Opening his eyes, they would meet the green-eyed blonde. Ah, he knew her. Like he had been, a fire blazed within her. They were not the same granted from the Fates, but something different. Perhaps hers burned entirely within? She carried the same mindset as the first. It was his actions that had brought them to this. ( @Freya @Simmone ) The voice of another blonde, the one that had taken the cape of his regalia if he could recall correctly. Taking a different approach to the same outcome, she questioned the viability of his words. The blame was on him for lashing out so quickly after they had began messing with his own Scathers. His actions were inexcusable, he would make no defense for them. There just didn't seem a way for the two sides to understand one another. Another voice, this one curt and cunning. His eyes fell on her as she approached, her words voicing her own opinion. He had met people like her before. Everything came down simply to a value. The only thing that mattered was how much worth you could bring to the table. He simply didn't have any worth left to bring the table. "Activated what exactly?" That was what she had asked wasn't it? "The Scather... Or at least the original one. It was given to Ladonia for one purpose: to put down Galtea... or me for that matter. It is what brought down the Galtean Empire in the first place." His voice lacked the same purpose that it had before. The fire within him had burned out, his voice losing its meaning was only to be expected. ( @Morgenstern ) "Why do you stop fighting? Is it because you won't? Or is it because you can't?" The voice would suddenly ask him. Surprised at the question, he would stare for a moment at the questioner. Another blonde, this one adorning mostly white. If he remembered right, it had been him that made the last strike against the Makeshift Scather. "There isn't a reason for me too. I could continue to fight but... why? What would it bring me? I would feel no better to strike you down and it would only bring further pain and suffering." He watched as the younger man would turn and become the first to speak in his defense. Why though? They had been enemies on the battlefield, so why would he stay his hand now? ( @Koga ) Another would speak, also voicing in defense of Gabrandr's own life. "The threat's been eliminated, there's no reason to put another man to death." It was humoring... to think that one would show mercy in a place like this. There was no room for it in war... and yet, perhaps this wasn't. They weren't warring, only defending their own sides. It reminded him, that one woman... she had been looking for a door earlier. Could it...? ( @Freyd ) “You speak to us of Fate, and denying its designs?" This sudden voice was obviously outraged. However, he knew this voice just as he had the first. This voice had been contesting his from the very beginning. This time, the man took a different approach. Instead of calling his words a lie, it was instead: his existence. A low chuckle forced out of him at that moment. Galtea, nonexistent? Perhaps the man was off his rocker a bit. "To you, Galtea may be fake. But to me... it is everything. It is the realest thing to me. Tell me of where you hail from? I've never seen anyone quite like you people before. Haven't even heard word of you in the past two years of gathering intel on Ladonia and what destroyed my Kingdom. You all simply... appeared. Should you tell me of your home, I'm sure i'd have a similar reaction." ( @Hirru ) The angry words were followed by a much different tune. A Green? Haired man would approach, the words breaking the silence caused by the dark-haired man's words. "Everyone says you should die for your sins, I can't say that they're wrong or right. It's not for me to say. Not anymore." His eyes would watch with a slightly confused expression as the man continued. He had spared another like him? A Galtean? The only information granted to him was that it was a child and pawn. A pawn to whom? The man brought out a crystal from his pocket. A small blue one. He had yet to see such an item but... he felt a strange connection to it. There was something similar between him and the object. However, the man's words would bring his attention back from the crystal. The Scather, he wanted information on it. On how to destroy it? Why would he contribute to the effort of stopping him from doing the same? It seemed the man was willing to offer mercy in exchange for the information. Gabrandr didn't care for the mercy however. He would be willing to give the information if it would simply help the Galtean Refugees. He didn't get the chance to voice this before another stepped forward and made the most chaotic decision possible. ( @NIGHT ) Suddenly, a short-haired woman would stand before him. Pivoting to face her peers, she would brandish her weapon in his defense. A horrified look would appear on his face. "Why... Why are you doing this?" Those were her allies were they not? What would drive her to face them to protect him? "I just had to protest on the dislike ratio for this fight." ( @Raidou ) What kind of answer was that? Her actions made little sense to him, but attention would quickly be pulled away from her. The man in Red from before spoke against those that stood in Gabrandr's defense. It seemed the man was worried that he would still strike against them. A reasonable perspective. However, it would seem his perspective on the Scathers in general. The man still seemed confused on the difference between the Scathers he had just been faced with and the one that remained poised at the ready in the Ladonian castle. It made sense: the man had not yet witnessed the original. He had only managed to see the cheap replicas he had fashioned in hope of destroying the first. "How many were you willing to kill, to liberate your people. How many unseen faces were you willing to erase just to remove Razwell. That is your mistake, because this wasn't the way." Unwilling to lie, he would speak the terrible truth. "I would have destroyed the entirety of the Palace. I would have brought it crumbling down and seen the royal line of Ladonia fall with it." The power required to destroy a weapon crafted from Aetherian metal was far too great. He was unsure if the Scather would have actually be destroyed by his planned attack. At least, the man who intended to use it would have been taken out. Suddenly, chaos would take hold of the scene. Words began to shout rampantly, and Gabrandr could only watch on. It seemed that while they fought together, these people were formed an unnwavering force. However, it seemed they were all pushed forward with entirely different motives. These motives now continued to clash in front of him. If they had been brought here by Fate's design, this ending was fitting. Fate could only persuade them along, never taking true control of anything. ( @Freyd ) It was there that he was handed the choice. Tell them what he knew and do the noble thing and finish himself off. An offer he was unopposed to. Should these people save the Galtean's, he would be more than willing to fall on his own sword had they wished it. Nodding his head, his eyes would turn to the floor. "The Scather is..." ( @Macradon ) A sudden shouting would interrupt the NPC, silencing him once more. It seemed that the white-haired knight who wielded devastating attacks from before was not happy with the outcome of their fight. Perhaps he was one that simply relished the battle? He would be far better off testing his strength against the guards of Ladonia would he not? More chattering took stage as many others began making their own decisions. The direction changed from a heated debate to more of an agreeance. It seemed that they would begin reuniting. In a few short minutes of bickering, the situation would become much less threatening. Drawn weapons were put at ease. Why Gabrandr cared about whether they fought or not was unknown to even him. ( @Shiina ) Another girl would directly approach him. If he recalled, she was the foolish one that attempted to ride his Makeshift Scather... the one that had gone off. Before, he had thrown her to safety although she had been the one to put herself in such peril. It was unknown as to why the Scather had gone off without his ignition either.... Something about her though, he couldn't take his eyes off as she approached. The young girl's dark hair suddenly spun into a blinding white-gold. Brows furrowing, he hadn't the slightest clue what was happening. Until she would simply speak, her hair brushing his shoulder as she spoke into his ear. As she first spoke, his eyes would widen with terror. He would watch as she simply spoke and in only a moment he would understand what this girl was. The soft melody played in his ear would change the scenery before him. While he could still hear her speak, familiar faces would reach his eyes. The smiling face of his wife, and the playful laugh of his son as he approached. He could feel himself reaching out to them, but his hands would reach nothing. The two of them were completely out of his reach. ( @Simmone ) The girl's voice would stop and he would close his eyes. Making a silent decision, he would hear the voice of yet one more speaking directly to him. It was in the form of question. It seemed that she had deemed he still had some worth of use to her after all. "Perhaps, but under what pray tell would you part with them? Your life? Ours?" Reminded of what he was supposed to be doing, the dying fire inside of Gabrandr had once again set aflame. Was it a second wind? Or a final gasp? Only time would tell for now. ( @Gabrandr ) Taking a stand from his crouched position, he would look on to the people in front of him. Although some may oppose to his life, if there was any chance left to take a stand in defense of Galtea he would have to take it. "I am well aware that there is many of you that would more than willingly strike me down, but if you would allow me to give my final piece I would appreciate it greatly." Gabrandr's eyes fell on the woman who asked him what he would be willing to trade his information. "Should any of you be willing to help save the remnants of Galtea, I would be more than willing to part with any information I may have regarding... well, anything." Pointing directly above him, he would begin to address the bigger questions. "The Scather that Ladonia has access to is sealed somewhere within the Royal Palace. It was gifted and powered by the Lords of Fate alone with a simple goal in mind: to destroy me." Lowering his hand, the King's gaze would begin to move between the people in front of him. "For the past two years that Galtea has held refuge here, I have been gathering information and making plans. About a year ago, I learned of the existence of the Scather. I got to catch glimpse of the creation, but only because they were moving it to a more secure location. I know not of where in the Palace it is being kept. All I know is that it was being kept ready for when they ensure of my death. Their plan was to use it against me, or against the remnant people of Galtea to wipe them off of the board after my death was assured. It was then that I decided I needed to do my best to make sure the moment couldn't arrive where they could fire it." Opening his palms up to himself, he would gaze into them. "A Scather, whether Makeshift or the original, is powered entirely using the Lords energy. That means: to my knowledge, only I or the Lords of Fate themselves can power one. Of course, I can't power the original Scather back to full like a Lord could, but I could give it enough energy to destroy something. The difference between my and the original Scather's are not just power, its function. Razwell's Scather can be fired by anybody, as long as it has charge. It can also search for energy itself to activate. Mine can only fired by somebody who wields the power of fate." Thinking he had given enough background information, he would continue more with the matter at hand. "Should we waste time, Razwell most likely intends to fire it on the Galtean Refugee zone. What incited him to make such action, I'm unaware of. It is odd that he would suddenly activate the weapon and have it start hunting for ammunition." Turning to @Freyd, he would offer the man some words. "I will take you up on your offer, but I would change the agreement slightly. I will use the rest of my life and energy to help and protect Galtea. With all of your assistance, I believe we can do away with destroying the whole palace as well. I'll die, but I'd like to give my death some meaning." Stepping forward away from the entrance to the boss room, he would head to the opposite wall. "You all came here for a purpose. While I don't know what that purpose is entirely, I think I may know what you came for." Raising his weapon to point at the wall, an Armament would appear in the air and strike forward. Stone and rubble blasted out of the way, an opening was made. "I found this when creating this opening down here in the last year. Unknowing of where it went, I sealed it off. Something tells me this is what you came for. If you don't wish to assist me, feel free to continue on with your own journey." Walking to the center of the group, he would hold out his hand. A warm blue light would gather around him. Suddenly, one of his armaments would appear just before each player in the room. "I know each of you are strong, but allow my aid. Keeping these by your sides will help to protect you." Stepping back towards the entrance, he would glance at the players again. "For those that would help me with Galtea or simply wish to validate my words: come. Our next battle takes place on the surface." 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Cardinal 0 Posted January 29, 2022 #166 Share Posted January 29, 2022 REWARDS Event Part 2 will take place soon. EXP Spoiler Player Tier Raw EXP Mega Slime Adjusted EXP Post Count Base Col Reward Laurel Wreath Total Col Shield 10 68950 1.1 75845 8 20000 11377 31377 Baldur 9 62055 1.1 68261 8 20000 10240 30240 Calrex 10 68950 1 68950 7 20000 10343 30343 Crozeph 7 48265 1.1 53092 6 20000 7964 27964 Koga 6 41370 1.1 45507 9 20000 6827 26827 Hirru 8 55160 1 55160 9 20000 8274 28274 Raidou 11 75845 1.1 83430 8 20000 12515 32515 Eruda 7 48265 1 48265 8 20000 7240 27240 Freyd 12 82740 1 82740 8 20000 12411 32411 Freya 7 48265 1.1 53092 6 20000 7964 27964 Mina 4 27580 1 27580 6 20000 0 20000 Shiina 6 41370 1.1 45507 7 20000 6827 26827 Oscar 8 55160 1.1 60676 5 20000 9102 29102 Lessa 8 55160 1.1 60676 5 20000 9102 29102 Ariel 9 62055 1 62055 6 20000 9309 29309 Night 10 68950 1 68950 6 20000 10343 30343 Zandra 10 68950 1.1 75845 6 20000 11377 31377 Morg 8 55160 1 55160 8 20000 8274 28274 Hidden 8 55160 1.1 60676 7 20000 9102 29102 Sam 7 48265 1.1 53092 6 20000 7964 27964 Mac 10 68950 1 68950 7 20000 10343 30343 Simmone 6 41370 1.1 45507 7 20000 6827 26827 Staff Reward 8.22 11508 1 11508 9 (Avg player tier) (Not applied) Spoiler Total Word Count (Players): 41,358 Total Word Count (Boss): 8,383 Player Word Count: Party 1 Shield Baldur Calrex Crozeph Koga Hirru 1983 1689 2326 1490 1771 4065 Party 2 Raidou Eruda Freyd Freya Mina Shiina 2349 1270 4085 1266 1752 1391 Party 3 Oscar Lessa Ariel Night Zandra 2008 1391 1138 1982 1331 Party 4 Morg Hidden Sam Mac Simmone 2177 1437 1116 1900 1441 All Players receive: x1 Fate's Armament(Vanity) : An unfinished weapon granted by Gabrandr. For now, it spins slowly around the player in the shape of the weapon they use most. It's almost as if it is waiting to be used at the right moment. x20,000 additional Col x20 Materials. Link to post Share on other sites
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