[F27-PP] A Very Long Journey

[Raidou 1]

A cold midsummers night dream, where reality and imagination dance upon the night sky becoming intertwined and indistinguishable.
Where prayers can be made real, and logic and reason can become distorted.

The wanderer sat wistful and hopeful beneath a star filled sky. His red robe absent, errands long since complete. No glasses allowing his amber eyes in that kindled and rich shade to be allowed free from shields. It was a long time coming, to provide himself the freedoms of such simple enjoyment. Through his head racked the ripple, as innumerable faces and voices played back unending. Names upon names, smiles and events. Moments shared between an endless sea of people, to which he'd met so many. Time itself had whisked by in a single heartbeat, and with it it had left an impression. It was strange that so many could drift aimlessly through Aincrad, passing by their peers and forgetting all the small details and conversations they held. All the turmoil, the trials and all the compassion and happiness left abandoned by the wayside. "Like an architect... or an archivist." The man muttered to himself, attempting to assign himself a label for how dearly he clung to such things. It was through those moments the man was shaped, through those years he had grown far beyond his own expectations. His life was so drastically different from where it might have ended up without them, and he couldn't help but count even the worst seconds as a small blessing. He was an amalgam of them all, and the roads they had traveled. Every step, penned to memory and turned to experience.

A single star raced from above, like a signal that it all was not stagnant. That even the stars above moved if they so wished. All the heartache, the conflict, the blood was tempered with thoughtfulness and a shared set of circumstance. He saw himself in that audience of voices, and took careful consideration their teachings and lessons learned. A constant state of reflection, of growth and introspection. That is what defined Raidou and in a way so did all mortal men. His adaptability, his malleability and his ability to circumvent his own perceptions. The world was blind and yet it could see, it was deaf and yet it could hear. Some would control their own destiny, fight against the change and find themselves running against their own grain. Broken, and stilled as time continued on without them. Not recognizing themselves once the morning came. It was in that that Raidou had taken solace, and perhaps that was the one skill that the cardinal system had given. The ability to accept things for what they were, and move past them. Was it the game that had given it to him? Or something else?

The stroke of an alarm draws him back from a glance at the moon, a somber meditation ended by the smallest of sounds. The man without his barricade, with his heart still bore upon his sleeve rose from the rim of a fountain still trickling at his back. 8:45 pm, on the nose flashing in a resolute reminder and for a guy that kept a mental ticker it was rare for such a set objective to surprise him. He'd turn and flick a coin into the water, clapping his hands together to give but a single instance of faith from a heart that held fast to logic. What could it hurt to hedge bets against destiny, or to ask for it to sway things in your favor? At worst it did nothing, and at best it would institute a change beyond even his hands could bare.

"I wish that more could see things the way that I do."

Such a simple demand, one not of malice or greed. With it bled an urge for more unity and comradery, for redemption and absolution. An escape and safety, and it carried not only to his loved ones but also to those that were nothing more then a single memory still held fresh in his thoughts. Raidou allows his hands to fall to his sides, staring blankly at the fountain to provide some answer or confirmation it would do as he'd asked. But it provided none. Instead it cried endless streams of tears, that so many often overlooked and passed by without acknowledging. On every floor, it was the one structure that remained eternal. Raidou shoves his hands into his pants pockets, turning his attention to the warp gate expectantly. He had an evening planned, and with it an introduction to a fond friend that had been not afraid to accept him for who he was. To which they shared a passion for the theatre, and a passion he wished to extend to his own loved one.

Raidou | HP: 1360/1360 | EN: 174/174 | DMG: 24 | MIT:92 | ACC:4 | AA  | F-SPIRIT | EVA:3 | BH:75 | VAMP-D: 150 | LD:6

Spoiler

Name: Raidou, The World Arcana
True Tier: 20
Level: 35
Paragon Level: 165
HP: 1360/1360
EN: 174/174

Stats:
Damage: 24
Mitigation: 92
Accuracy: 4
Evasion: 3
Battle Healing: 75
Loot Die: 6
AA
VAMP-D: 150

Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket: 
  - Auric Sunlight - Finality of Faith [T4/Demonic/2HSS] +3 Damage, AA
Armor/Trinket: 
  - Red Wanderer's Resolve - Sympathy [T1/Demonic/Cloth] 2 Evasion, 2 Vampiric Defensive
Shield/Armor/Trinket: 
  - Tactician's Gaze - Ogma [T1/Perfect/Trinket]: +3 Accuracy

Combat Mastery:
  - Combat Mastery: Mitigation R3

Combat Shift:
  - TECH Shift

Familiar Skill:
  - 

Custom Skill:
  - Ill Omen in Red

Skills:
  - Battle Healing R5
  - Charge
  - Cloth Armor R5
  - Energist
  - Extended Mod Limit
  - Fighting Spirit
  - Howl
  - Quick Change
  - Searching R5
  - Straight Sword R5

Extra Skills:
  - Survival
  - Parry
  - Forgotten King's Authority
  - Concentration
  - 
  - 
  - 

Inactive Extra Skills:
Photosynthesize
Brawler
Frozen Hide

Addons:
  - Ferocity
  - Focused Howl
  - Nimble
  - Precision
  - Reveal
  - Stamina

Mods:
  - Athletics
  - Detect
  - Justified Riposte
  - Night Vision
  - Tracking
  - Vengeful Riposte

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:
  - Crippling Composition - Lullaby [Tierless/Rare/Debuff/Instant] Hypnosis 2 | [224055] x1
  - Ebon Star - Vanguard Revenant [T4/Demonic/Straight Sword]: V.O 2, Taunt, Blight 1 x1
  - Flash of Rejuvenation [T1/Perfect/Crystal] Mass Heal [200869-1][200876][200877][200878][200879] x5
  - Random Dungeon Map [231652b] [231657b] [231667b] x3
  - Teleport Crystal x1
  - Vocal Augmentation - Resonation [Tierless/Perfect/Support/Instant] +15% HP [160898][161641][161642][162018][162529] x1

Housing Buffs:
  - Basic Kitchen: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. This can exceed normal Cook enhancement caps. Ex: A perfect T2 MIT food gives 35 MIT instead of 30.
  - Storage Closet: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
  - Living Room: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
  - Attic (Storage): +5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests
  - Basement: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
  - Guest Room: Players can have one «Amenity» in a «Guest Room» and the «Amenity» cannot be recovered. Players are allowed to change which «Amenity» is in the «Guest Room». Multiple instances of the same «Amenity» do not stack. This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.
  - Master Bedroom: -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat
  - Master Bathroom: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down)
  - Extended Workshop: +2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
  - Greenhouse: +2 Gathering EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to gathering attempts.
  - Dining Hall: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed. Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread.
  - Mega Slime Farm: +10% EXP to a thread. Limit one use per month. Must be used on a player's first post in a thread. Cooldown begins counting down when used in a post.

Guild Hall Buffs:
  - Trading Hall: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters and Rank 4 merchants/performers receive +1 crafting/identification attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters and Rank 5 merchants/performers receive +2 crafting/identification attempts per day.
  - Treasury: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

Scents of the Wild Totem:
  - Kumatetsu
Wedding Ring:
  - -
Crafting Profession:

Gathering Profession:

 

[Eruda 0]

Stars lighting the perpetual darkest, holding something in her hands that she carved herself. Mind wonders through the motion of how she got here. Back that she was just some ordinary kid that was shy and stayed mute. It was simply because she felt like she didn't belong, like she was a pawn on a large board. A piece that seemed like it never mattered, was never noticed, never given a chance. Her life felt like a lie filled with more lies. A voice that seemed so little that it mattered to no one, not even to her sister. It was a prison of her own making because she did not feel like she could be strong. Trapped in her own mind, her thought only brought pain. To her the life that was given to her meant nothing to anyone so why should she have felt any different about herself.

Coming into this world is was like a dream. No one knew her therefor she could not be judged. She would speak and could be heard. For the first time in her entire life a guy spoke to her and even saved her. It was most likely why she fell for him as hard and fast as she did. More so that the person was kind to her. From that day forward it was nothing but growth. She found friends, her sister and father. He was the one that gave a family, a life worth living. At one point in to she couldn't bare to be around him but now she can't live without him.

Watching all her friends and family grow from practically nothing to something so strong that they were unrecognizable from whom they once were. Even she was at that point. Went from not being able to speak to anyone in fear that they would judge the book from its cover. Now she has a voice, one that she is proud of. She never thought in any life time that she would fall in love especially in a place like this. Behind the scenes it was cruel, ruthlessness and horror. To her it seemed this way because they didn't have a strong leading to guide them down the right back. One way of thinking without an open mind caused them to kill or be killed. Acting without thinking would get you no where, that was one of the many things that she was taught by her love.

If she was being honest with herself, she really didn't know where she would be without him. Dead in a ditch someone or worse captured and torched by many of the bad people around here. Lonely or crying in the building of the town of beginnings going no where like most did, unsure where they fit in. The Red Wanderer save her life and they only thing she could do to repay him is to give him a life worth live like he did for her. Now the life outside was the one that felt like a dream or rather a nightmare. Being in this fake world for so long, it sometimes was hard to tell what was real. The way that she felt about her friends and family, that is real. The love that she feels, the jitters and the overwhelming want of being around him, that is real. The anger she feels for her mother or the happiness and joy of being around her father and sister. The emotions, no matter what they are are real. That is what keeps her flat footed and sane in a place like this.

Music plays softly in the dead of night as she travels the streets of the town that never sleeps. Glancing up to the stars she would see the two stars that she named after them. Taking a deep breath taking in everything around her, she closes her eyes and smiles.

Quote

To: Raidou
From: Eruda

I wish but for the thing I have;
My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.

Where art thou my love

Opening her HUD she would sent a message. Glancing to her hand, a wooden lightning bolt that was perfectly carved. It had taken weeks to get it this way. It was painted and polished white, it would shine under the moon light skies. She could get this done in time for his birthday, she hoped that he didn't think that she had forgotten.

Eruda | HP: 1100/1100 | EN: 122/122 | DMG: 8 | MIT:184 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | BRN-IM  | FL.AURA: 16 | FL.THORNS: 8/16 | THORNS:72 | BH:61 | REC: 8 | BRN: 56 | LD:4

Spoiler

Eruda, Unbridalled Fury
True Tier: 12
Level: 35
Paragon Level: 85
HP: 1100/1100
EN: 122/122

Stats:
Damage: 8
Mitigation: 184
Battle Healing: 61
Loot Die: 4
Stealth Rating: -5
TAUNT
BRN-IM 
FL.AURA: 16
FL.THORNS: 8/16
REC: 8
BRN: 56

Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket: 
  - Consuming Pyre - Surt T4: (Burn 2, Taunt)
Armor/Trinket: 
  - Reinforced Plate - Lily T4 Demonic: Flame Aura 2, Flameproof, Recovery 1
Shield/Armor/Trinket: 
  - Stalwart Defender T4 Demonic: Thorns 2, Recovery 1, Flame Thorns 1

Combat Mastery:
  - Combat Mastery: Mitigation R3

Combat Shift:
  - AOE Shift

Familiar Skill:
  - 

Custom Skill:
  - Supernatural Fury

Skills:
  - Battle Healing R5
  - Curved Sword R5
  - Fighting Spirit
  - Heavy Armor R5
  - Howl
  - Searching R4

Extra Skills:
  - Block R5
  - Concentration
  - Survival
  - Brawler

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:
  - Focus
  - Iron Skin
  - Stamina

Mods:
  - Night Vision
  - Shield Bash
  - Tracking

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:
  - Rhino's Horn | [253007c] x1
  - Rhino's Horn | [253007d] x1
  - Rhino's Horn | [253007e] x1
  - Rhino's Horn | [253007f] x1
  - Teleport Crystal x1

Housing Buffs:
  - Basic Kitchen: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. This can exceed normal Cook enhancement caps. Ex: A perfect T2 MIT food gives 35 MIT instead of 30.
  - Storage Closet: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
  - Living Room: Increases out of combatHP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
  - Guest Room: Players can have one «Amenity» in a «Guest Room» and the «Amenity» cannot be recovered. Players are allowed to change which «Amenity» is in the «Guest Room». Multiple instances of the same «Amenity» do not stack. This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.
  - Master Bedroom: -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat
  - Mega Slime Farm: +10% EXP to a thread. Limit one use per month. Must be used on a player's first post in a thread. Cooldown begins counting down when used in a post.

Guild Hall Buffs:
  - Trading Hall: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters and Rank 4 merchants/performers receive +1 crafting/identification attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters and Rank 5 merchants/performers receive +2 crafting/identification attempts per day.
  - Treasury: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

Scents of the Wild Totem:

Wedding Ring:

Crafting Profession:
 - Tailoring[exp] R1
Gathering Profession:

 

[Raidou 1]

A message rings through signifying an arrival, and with a tap of his finger the message expands to claim a portion of his view. A quote from Romeo and Juliet, an interesting and somewhat pertinent to the evenings plans. She really had dug through the library and rows of books he held at home, in one of the only populated rooms in contrast to the numerous others that were left bare and untouched. Another stroke of his finger would allow that box to close, choosing instead to seek the girl out. Rounding the center fountain he'd catch the girl in something nice, as requested but not too formal. An evening of simplicity and enjoyment without any strings. To allow the girl to share in his hobbies, however fleeting they may be. Raidou would bridge the gap between them, checking the time again that told him they had more then enough to make this walk paced. "Shall we go?" He pays that as his greeting, extending his arm for her to claim before he'd start to stroll on.

The streets of Ronbaru were well lit, as stones of many glowed softly in standing lanterns dotting the sides of the cobbled road. A city always in darkness always had access to lights that lasted far longer then anything in the real world ever would. Their journey however long it had been up to this point was awfully short this evening. Down the walks on the southern side of the city, he'd set his sights upon a theatre that was already receiving attention in the shape of foot traffic just like them. The very same where he had almost drew blood across its stage, killing Hugh. He would have done it, but he was glad he didn't have to. It was far less messy to have the local laws and enforcers deal with it. Reaching the doorway, he'd look up to confirm a familiar face and smile. Glancing back to his future wife, he'd offer her a portion of his plans "There is someone I'd like you to meet." Traveling up the red carpet covered stairs toward the large oak double doors that created the threshold into the theatre. Stopping in front of a very old looking man, with a longer robe covering his back in a cobalt shine and soft bottom shoes. Quite tall despite his age, his image was one of authority and wisdom. At ends once but a love of the theatre persisted, and the methods were the only point of contention. It was discovered later that the desired outcome the same. In Destin, Raidou saw himself more then he had with any other NPC. A level of tact but resolve that drastically outweighed their physical body, even one digitally constructed.

"This Eruda, is a very dear friend of mine. Destin, An official and councilor of Ronbaru. Any introduction I would give you, would do him a disservice. His work has been invaluable and his guidance has given the guild quite a bit of precise direction. In regards to aiding floor 27 after the aftermath of Wushen." He'd remark using an upturned hand to offer her to step forward and introduce herself to the old man. A hoarse cough as Destin presses a balled up fist near his face, to allow him the ability to speak clearly. "It isn't that big of deal is it? When it comes to trouble you could always find that on your own." A slight jest in dismissal with a minor truth beneath it. The voice was as commanding as it was soft, and he'd smile showing the wrinkles on his face. A small atop a pair of piercing eyes, he'd turn his attentions to Eruda and scan her. "How does a girl like you end up with such a troublemaker?" He chuckles with a thumb pointed toward Raidou who also laughs. "Come now, the plays about to start." Tucking his hands into his sleeves, his arms are crossed across his chest just above his waist as he takes point to help find the threes seats reserved for the evening.

[Eruda 0]

(The bow tie in the hair is red!!)

After no messages were sent back her eyes would start searching the lit up area. He did have a way of just showing up, that tracking skill came in handy in more way than one. It did not take long for her to see her future husband walking toward her through the crowd of people. Face lit up the moment they locked eyes, she would nod at his question and wrap her arm around his. Where they were going she has never been. There was still little that she had experience when it came to the arts. Her twin preferred concerts where she held interest in poetry and plays. That love friction circle, the poetic words that pierced her heart every time she heard them. She loved the thought of a romance scenery in any scenario. She could see a dog licking another dog and her heart would sink at the site. They would stroll through a doorway of a large building. Quiet chatter could be heard from inside the dorm around them. 

"There is someone I'd like you to meet."

The red carpet they walked upon made her feel like a queen, of course it gave that effect. Taking a deep breath as they walked through the large double oak doors. If she was being honest she was a little nervous. Meeting new NPC's that held a shop was different. She would eventually see them again when she made deliveries to them. This person was out of the way and not on the regular route, so him bringing her this far out to meet them, that was a big deal. To her that meant that whomever this was is important to him. 

An older fellow, the way Raidou spoke about him, it was unbelievable. The last person he spoke about like this was Nikki. "It is a pleasure to meet you Destin. Please call me Elda." A hand held out toward the man as he would take it with a shake. A smile holding strong upon her lips. If this man was important to him then she would allow the man to know her by the name she was given. Releasing her hand, chuckling at the comment of Raidou always finding trouble. From the stories that she was told, she knew it to be true. "Simple, he saved my life. Then he just couldn't get rid of me" redness filled her cheeks as she recalls the day brought up. It was like a cat an mouse chase that kept changing directions.

Destin would lead them into the theater, it was littered with people in every row. Taking a seat, the lights dim and the stage lit up like a Christmas tree. This is when it began. Eruda was excited to see what this would bring.

At first is was joyful, the movement across the stage, the poetic nature of every word spoken. The love that was seen between each character, she would hold Raidou's hand without looking at him. Being completely memorized at every scene. She would gasp when the other people around her did. Seeing a spell being placed and switching the love. The father not wanting his daughter to feel for this other man and even forbidden it. Threatened death if the law were to ever be broken. The arranged marriage, it was all so irritating to see such demands. The running away so they could be together. The love triangle between the four characters, it was all just so endearing but at the same time spiteful. When the spell was reversed and everyone was back to normal and continued to love whom they were meant to, her emotions were just all over the place. When the play was over and the lights flickered back on, she could feel tears running down her cheeks. Glancing to Raidou and Destin then back at Rai, "I would run away with the one I loved too if it was forbidden." She had so much to say but the words were all jumbled with emotions that she had to actually think about it.