File: 1367100531434.jpg-(37 KB, 449x758, Katsura.jpg)

37 KB JPG

"Mania-nee!" The guy protests while MANIA pushes him down further, her AIDA still not activating.

"Chen asked. He told." She replies her expression impassive.

"Yeah, don't listen to those Moon Tree fucks Mania-Nee!" You hear the bullies companions shout from by Durandal who remains laying down covering his head despite being seemingly forgotten about.

Evidently the hatered of moon tree is greater than any feelings of companionship within Kestral.

"You have finally escaped the circle of violence which chained you to Kestral, would you really wish to throw it away, Miss Mania? Think of the arena, and the cheers you got for fightign fairly! Surely you must understand what I am getting at, you know happness does not have to come at the expense of others!" He shouts causing her to tilt her head.

"Not really." Is all she replies while placing her heel on the kneeling man's shoulder.

Wat do?
[]Talk to moon tree member, who are they anyway?
[]Tell MANIA to back off, it isn't worth it
[]Ask for Durandal's opinion
[]Other, please specify
(2/2)

File: 1367100897485.png-(104 KB, 319x180, Roots_01.png)

104 KB PNG

And as it was asked for last thread, here is everyone's current descriptions, at least the main cast

Agent anon/Chen: Lvl 37 Macabre dancer AIDA/Snark- an effeminate young macabre dancer with long purple hair tied into a braid. As opposed to most characters regularly wears lots of clothing, tending to favor Japanese robes.

Haruko Takani/Durga: lvl 24 edge punisher A member of the cat-girl beast tribe which looks mostly human save cat ears atop their head, Durga is a tall, muscular woman wearing a sarashi chest wrap over her small bust and torn loose pants. Her body is covered in scars and with a particularly nasty one over her right eye, causing it to be milky and blind. Slightly deep voice for a woman with a rough way of speaking.

???/Shimabuku:Level 30 Tribal Grappler A Muscular and tanned young man wearing pants and tribal paints. He has dark red hair and seems to be constantly in motion, shadow boxing if he has an idle moment. He goes around barefoot and keeps his hands wrapped like a boxer might. Has a deep voice and constantly talks about "The Path of a Man" or "What it means to be a Man!" Speaks roughly, but wears his emotions on his sleeve. Has some sort of rivalry with Luna. Has a few small scars on his arms and chest but none on his back.

Ryoko Sato/Lotus: Lvl 41 Blade brandier Tarvos: Young woman about chen's height she is dressed in black pants with a black form fitting black long sleeve shirt which does not cover her midriff. She keeps her sword hanging from a long chain attached to a sheath looped around a thick leather belt. She has long black hair, and there are some dark circles under her eyes. Otherwise her skin is quite pale, creating a strong contrast to her outfit. Leader of the all female arena ranker's guild 'Nightmare Garden'. Her wave tattoo is a snake with a sword going through it in the middle of her back, partially covered by her shirt.
(1/2)

File: 1367101032151.jpg-(97 KB, 750x600, altimitatariredqo3.jpg)

97 KB JPG

???/Durandal: lvl 34 harvest cleric A short, fat, dog like beastman Durandal wears a blue vest and brown shorts. He wears the eye of Horus, gold with an amethyst pupil, around his neck. He has light green fur and green eyes. Has a strong stutter from a past medical incident which occurred in the world which requires him to go to speech therapy and visit a hospital sometimes.

???/Raum/Innis: Lvl 48 twin blade Wrapped in bandages and belts Raum seems to want to be a stereotypical mummy. he does not display much emotion due to his mind being ripped apart by AIDA. Has long hair which goes down to the floor and walks around hunched over. Has yellow eyes which glow green when summoning Innis.

???/Luna Blackthorne: Level 30 flick reaper A girl dressed like a goth loli, Luna seems to be obsessed with Aesthetics. She wears elbow length silk gloves and a dress covered in black lace just a shade lighter than the dress itself. She keeps her black hair tied up loosely behind her head in a Victorian style. She had absurdly pale skin and black eyes. Speaks in a highly refined tone with a soft, high pitched voice.

???/Mania: Level 38 Tribal Grappler AIDA Grimalkin A tall human woman whose heels only make her seem taller. she wears a high-cut black leotard and thigh high boots with a heel which lace on the side. She also wears shoulder length gloves with the index, middle, and thump finger cut out. She keeps her nails sharpened to a fine point. She had long cyan hair which goes just past her butt with some bangs and light red eyes. When she chooses to talk her voice is silky and very soothing.
(2/3)

>>24495921
>[x]Other, Comfort Durandal
Then
[x]Talk to moon tree member, who are they anyway?

???/Vividor Level ??? ??? A tall, muscular man who looks like an Italian Fabio. Seems to have modded his character to constantly have wind blowing him and his shirts off. Has a thick unexplainable accent.

???/Hamelin: A tall man dressed in red and gold. He has long hair which he keeps tied in a ponytail under a pointed hat. He has green eyes and an arrogant smile. He wears a pair of knee high leather boots.

AIDA/Snark-A thin young man in a grey hooded sweatshirt. He has dark blue eyes and wears a pair of loose legged jeans. Sounds naturally sarcastic. Aida form is a bunch of strings in the shape of an angel.
(3/3)

[x] Other, Comfort Durandal

>>24496026
>>24496063
>>24496097
Thanks for the descriptions, I was wondering what class Lotus was.

As for what to do, I'd say that this dude standing in front of us is considerably more obnoxious than that kestral punk, likely to be a better fight as well.
From the way he seems similar yet different than an AIDA host, he could be an Epitaph user.

>>24496226
Or in other words, say that while I might not necessarily agree with what this guy has to say, the person at her feet is a waist of her talents.

>>24496239
And by waist, I of course mean waste.

You ignore the scene unfolding in front of you and walk over to Durandal. The PKs give you a fairly wide berth as soon as you walk up to them, evidently not wanting to end up like their leader. You place a hand on his shoulder and roll him over to look at you and you see there are tears coming out of his character's eyes and you can only assume his real eyes too. "Ch-ch-cheeeeeeeeeen!" He sobs grabbing onto you.

You pat his head and give him your most comforting smile. "It's okay Durandal, it's okay." You tell him causing him to shake his head.

"N-n-n-no I was-wasn't br-brave at all! S-s-s-sorry." he tells you.

"You were plenty brave, you told them no, didn't you? Sometimes that is all you can ever do, but so long as you defy bad guys long enough, good will always win." You tell him an you hear someone blowing their nose through his mic.

"R-r-right Ah... how did... M-m-miss Mani-Mania is s-s-trong." he mutters while looking over at the group.

You turn to look and see the two followers of the Moon Tree member have joined in with yelling at MANIA and she has, somehow, managed to make the bully leader get down on all fours and use him like a chair.

"There is a right thing to do and a wrong thing to do! Can't you even tell the difference?!" The Moon Tree girl shouts causing Mania to tilt her head in confusion.

"My feet are tired. I needed a chair. He likes it, either way, so it's fine, isn't it?" She asks crossing her legs and resting her chin in her hand.

"Th-that's still wrong! He is not just saying anything because he is afraid! If you just say 'please stop' I am sure she will understand!" The young moon tree boy backs the girl up while talking to the bully.

(1/2)

"P-please..." He starts while looking down.

"Say you like it then thank me." MANIA commands.

"Yes! I like it very much! Thank you for letting me be a chair!" He snaps immediately

What the hell did she do at Kestral anyway?

You decide you should probably walk up and do something about this. "Ah, we have not yet gotten your name." You tell the Moon Tree leader causing him to shake his head and smile.

"Of course, how impossibly rude of me. I am the Captain of Moon Tree's unit 3. I am called Katsura it is a pleasure to meet you, Demon Emperor Chen." he smiles to you causing you to nod your head in return.

The two moon tree members are still trying to get MANIA to stop, evidently she is being purposely defiant.

Wat do?
[]Tell her to knock it off
[]Well, if he likes it then...
[]Other, please specify
(2/2)

>>24496441
[x]Tell her to knock it off

We'll make her be a chair if that crazy cult Moon Tree comes after us. We should also shake Katsura's hand and subtly infect him to see whats going on with him

>>24496441
[x]Tell her to knock it off

She can taunt flunkies in her own time, she's making us look bad right now.

[X] Ask the guys from Moon Tree to knock it off. "Those that seek to devour the weak shall in turn be devoured by the strong. They have chosen their own end when they became PKs, and they can ask for help only if they admit they are weak."

>>24496441
Tell the Moon Tree dudes that while you can certainly see being against PKing, trying to stop bullying seems like a losing battle.

>>24496707
Actually this is a good point as well.

Considering the Kestral and Moon Tree seems like they oppose each other so diametrically that they'd be the standard evil/good factions in like Fable or whatever, stepping in to assist doesn't really seem to make sense, seeing as Mania appears to have decided against traditional violence and into more 'being a jerk'.

>>24496840
It's a bit more personal than that, I think. We're not going to keep tabs on her 100% of the time to make sure she's not misbehaving, that's not in our job description. But if she keeps making scenes like this then it sort of becomes a pain in the ass, don't you think?

>>24496891
True.
Though I was kind of under the impression that she's going to be stalking us forever, also due to infecting her I'm pretty sure that means she's our responsibility under vampire law?

You glance at the Moon Tree members and then the 'chair' before sighing. "Mania, could you knock it off? You can taunt flunkies in your own time." You tell her making her glance at you.

"If I say no?" She asks already getting up.

"Then I will make you into one." You tell her as she dusts off her bottom.

"Oh?" she adds, but seems unconvinced.

The group of bullies walk over and pick up their companion before walking away with him, glaring back at the moon tree guild as they go. You turn and look at the moon tree group, the girl still staring at MANIA and glaring while MANIA seems to be examining her. You look at the Captain. "while I can see being against PKing, stopping bullying seems to be a losing battle besides those that seek to devour the weak shall in turn be devoured by the strong. They have chosen their own end when they became PKs, and they can ask for help only if they admit they are weak." You explain making the man shake his head.

"Do you truly believe that? Just because someone has chosen a path in life which we do not agree with, does that mean we should abandon them? An ideal that should only be implemented during a few times for a few people is not an ideal at all, but hypocrisy." he explains making the girl nod her head energetically while glaring up at MANIA.

"That's right! Doing anything that might hurt another person's feelings is wrong, no matter the circumstances! If you just try and understand each other then-" She starts but you seem MANIA sigh.

"A world where such ideals are reality would be a world without life. Even plants compete in an ecosystem you know. Birds will peck out another eyes if they are hungry." She replies while brushing the girl's hair away from her face. "You are a bit lovely, arn't you?" She comments idly.
(1/2)

"That's why, um... That's why Moon Tree is called that because... because when there is a tree on the moon there is, um..." She starts getting flustered as MANIA runs her index finger along her cheek to her jaw line making her unable to talk.

"Airi, that's enough." The an behind her calls causing the girl to jump and go even redder in the face as she turns and runs back to Katsura's side. "Perhaps our ideals do not match up, Chen, but I hope there comes a day in which we can see eye to eye." He offer his hand which you take.

In a rush you feel Snark try to flow out and then hit a wall of some kind, causing him to be sent in. You try and ask what it was he hit, but he is silent.

You release his hand and he walks away, his followers nipping at his heels, but the girl glancing back towards MANIA every couple of steps.

Durandal walks back up to you and MANIA, seemingly doing better. "Th-thank you Mania. You-you're s-s-strong." He offers to which she just nods, watching the girl go while subtly licking her lips.

"I-I-I have home-w-work s-s-so I-I-I have to go." He tells the two of you before leaving.

SHIMABUKU IS NOW ONLINE

OFFLINE: DURANDAL
ONLINE: SHIMABUKU, DURGA, VIVIDOR

Wat do?
[]Dungeon!
[]Questan
[]Talk to MANIA
[]Invite(Who?)
[]Other, please specify
2/2
(Tried to combine as much as I could)

>>24497213
[x]Invite(Shimabuku and Vividor)
Lets invite the two manliest of men to our side then send Mania away, not before we tell her not to use the AIDA. Then lets talk to Snark about what just happened

>>24497213
[x]Talk to MANIA

Your interactions with Airi reminded me of something I've been meaning to ask you.
You said that you view most men as mere toys for you to break, and I wasn't sure if you were using the term as synonymous with humanity in general, or specifically the male gender.
Say my appearance was NOT deceiving, would you treat me any differently?

>>24497213
Man, Luna signed off already? Really need to strengthen that social link.

Lets try to meet up with Shimabuku and tell him the good news that Mania doesn't view him as an object.

You send an invite to Shimabuku and then turn to Mania. "Your interactions with Airi reminded me of something I've been meaning to ask you. You said that you view most men as mere toys for you to break, and I wasn't sure if you were using the term as synonymous with humanity in general, or specifically the male gender. Say my appearance was NOT deceiving, would you treat me any differently?"

She frowns slightly at this. "Do you really see me as so shallow? I am interested in Chen because of the fact you are Chen, not some hormonal based chemical change due to appearance."

She seems slightly unhappy with your question. You do not have a chance to fix her mood before Shimabuku slaps you on the back. "Yo! Chen! Finally managed to fly into Tokyo and the Hotel has some pretty sweet wifi, so it looks like I lucked out!" He laughs before turning to MANIA. "Oh, hey crazy S lady, sup?" he asks.

"Hello Wan-chan." She replies causing him to think.

"Wan-chan, like a dog? You think I am a dog too? Maybe what Luna says about class is true, but I don't want to hear it from you Ms. High leg cut!" He points at her making her tilt her head.

"I mean you have that sort of... stupid happiness about you." She explains making Shimabuku seem deep in thought.

"I see... yeah I get it. When you think of dogs you think of Loyalty, and when you think of Loyalty you think of manliness, and when you think of Manliness, you think of Shimabuku." He laughs clearly becoming happy with the idea.

"See?" MANIA asks you.

"Y-yeah..." You mutter.

"Yer alright for a crazy lady. Here!" He offers and she glances up. "I get the feeling we can get along! Let's be friends!" He grins causing her to look back at you.

"See?" She repeats to which you just nod.

"Ah, hey. So remember how you explained all that weird stuff to me last time? Could you maybe go into more detail? Maybe see if you can infect me with it?" He asks

(1/2)

Wat do wat say?
[]Infect
[]Don't infect
[]Explain further about AIDA, comas, epitaphs, and what you learned from Lotus
[]Don't explain about AIDA, he knows enough
[]Tell him you are a japanese james bond
[]Go to a dungeon
[]Do a quest
[]Other, please specify
(2/2)

>>24497768
[x]Explain further about AIDA, comas, epitaphs, and what you learned from Lotus
[x]Infect

Lets have Snark fill him on what ever we miss along with asking about what happened with the Moon Tree member.

>>24497750
Explain everything we know about the AIDA, comas, what we learned from Lotus, and especially what happened to Raum. Also ask MANIA how she felt the first time she was infected.

If Shimabuku's still interested after all that, then give it a whirl.

>>24497750
Well seeing as MANIA evidently has feelings, it'd be a good idea to apologize for hurting them.

Also after getting the AIDA stuff out of the way, lets give the old quest board a try.

>>24497875
Seconding this. We don't put anyone at risk this way unless we absolutely have to, or they fully understand what it entails.

[x]Explain further about AIDA, comas, epitaphs, and what you learned from Lotus
[x]Infect

>>24497750
[other] Ask them if they, or anyone they know played the original version of the World.

It seems like a lot of what's happening now is related to something similar that happened within the game seven years ago, but we're not sure what exactly that something was.

"Well, I am not against it." You tell him.

"Basically CC Corp experimented with AI research, pretty illegal and high level stuff, but even more so when you consider they were using the game to experiment and examine people. AIDA were, simply put, a side effect of the experimentation which seems to eat emotions or attempt to replicate them. In the case of Raum, the infected effected his Epitaph." You explain making him raise his hand.

"Chen-sensei! What is an epitaph?" He asks making you shake your head.

"Another sort of similar power to AIDA. They may be powers CC Corp put into random players for experimentation reasons, I am not certain. Lotus didn't know either when we went to meet, but if Raum is any indication, then AIDA and Epitaphs do not mix too well. The AIDA in him latched onto his epitaph and ate away at his emotions till there was almost nothing left. Lotus's sister was data drained, some ability which epitaphs and AIDA can do, which sent her into a coma. Lotus suspects that the AI research they did related to translating brain signals into data and back again, and the evidence seems to support it." You explain making him nod.

"Ah, Mania here was infected too, yeah? Why did she act so different than you do?" He asks making you shake your head.

"I don't know. Different personality types? Inability to cope? Also, I reinfected her. She seems like a pretty strong ally, and has experience." You explain.

"Ah, hey Mania, what was it like?" He asks making her tilt her head at him.

"Your emotions are amplified exponentially and there comes with it a desire to use the power. This time around it is more... subdued but still there." She explains making him nod his head.
(1/2)

File: 1367108940949.jpg-(105 KB, 595x842, Aida1_161.jpg)

105 KB JPG

"OK, let's do it! We can be like, a super crime fighting team. Those Super Sentai things, yeah? We need to decide colors." He tells you while seeming deep in thought

"Okay so hold out your hand." You tell him to which he does. You grab a hold of his wrist and you feel pieces of snark go inside him.

SHIMABUKU IS NOW INFECTED

"Wan-chan, shake." MANIA comments making him frown.

"Is... is it done? We good? I don't feel any different." He mutters flexing his arms

"Give it a while. I am just talented at using it." MAINA advises

"Fine, so now what?"

Wat say wat do?
[]Ask them if they know anyone who played seven years ago
[]Go questan
[]Ask something else
[]Apologize to Mania
[]Other, please specify
2/2
(Had no seconding so I will just add them up here if that is okay)

>>24498171
>Ask them if they know anyone who played seven years ago
(should be short)

>Apologize to Mania
Not sure whether or not to do it in front of Shimabuku or not

>go questan
Been a while, could be a fun challenge

>other
Jokingly tell Shimabuku that he's pretty much a digital vampire now.

[X] Ask them if they know anyone who played seven years ago
[X] Go questan

>>24498244
seconded

>>24498244
Pretty much all of this, although I feel it might be better to save the apology for the end of the night? Dunno, what do you guys think?

>>24498292
We could send her a private message, but I'm not sure if that'd be tacky or not?

DURGA NOW OFFLINE

"Well, congratz. You are now a digital vampire, should probably avoid telling that to Luna, otherwise we will have to infect the whole guild." You joke.

"That would suck." He replies, walking towards the quest area as you gesture towards it.

"Say, do either of you know anyone who played seven years ago? I think this is all tied into this." You tell them causing them both to shake their heads.

"Nah, seven years ago I wasn't into games." Shimabuku replies.

"Seven years ago I was otherwise occupied." MANIA explains as she follows behind you.

You make a mental note to apologize to her when you get a chance and approach the quest window.

"WELCOME TO THE QUEST SHOP! We have some exciting new events today, so please take a look!

[]Kill the 'Sin-breaker'(Level 40) Text of wisdom
[]Help me find my cat!(Level 38) Text of power
[]Locate the pirate treasure (Level 40) Text of Madness(?)

You are about to ask your comrades what they think when your phone starts ringing. You take off your M2d and look over where Haruko was and see she left you a note that she was going to the gym, and asks that you don't go into a coma while she is gone.

Wat do?
[]Answer, she never calls unless it is important
[]Ignore it, you can call her back if it matters
[]Which quest?
[]Ask companions which quest?
[]Other, please specify

>>24498471
Let Shimabuku and MANIA work it out, answer Haruko.

>>24498471
[x]Answer,

then

[x]Ask companions which quest

>>24498471
Forgot about caller ID. It says it is your sister

>>24498525
Oh what?
...well might as well answer anyway, make sure she wasn't taken hostage or something.

>>24498471
[X]Locate the pirate treasure (Level 40) Text of Madness(?)
[X]Answer, she never calls unless it is important

Always go with madness. Always.

>>24498471
>[]Answer, she never calls unless it is important

our little sister needs us!

>>24498471
[x]Answer, she never calls unless it is important
[x]Locate the pirate treasure (Level 40) Text of Madness(?)
That probably isn't a normal text

"You two decide okay? I've got to take a call." You tell them

You decide you may as well answer the phone and see what's up. You put it against your ear and before you can even say anything you sister screams in delight.

"Yongchoobin-nim is doing a concert in Japan! It just went on the wire!" She shouts making you momentarily lean away from the phone.

"That...that's great" You tell her before adding. "So why call me?"

"I told you I would show you his greatness! I am trying to get tickets, but because it is a surprise tour I need some help buying it. Oh! you have a pretty good job, despite being a stupid brother. See if you can get us back stage passes too, okay?" You pause.

"Is that anyway to ask your beloved older brother for a favor?" You ask checking up on the two of them.

"Last time Chen and I went for a treasure we got killed by a giant spider! We go for the sin-breaker!" Shimabuku shouts heatedly.

"The Pirate treasure seems more delightful, and it has a mystery reward." MANIA replies coolly.

"The mystery rewards are always weird outfits damn it!" He points out making her shake her head.

"So? They have value if you know how to trade well. Are you afraid?" She asks making him stomp his feet.

"Damn it! I'm not afraid but this Sin thing probably has a rare drop of its own!" They seem to have made their decision.

Wat say wat do?
[]Tell your sister you will go with her
[]Tell her you will try for backstage passes
[]Go for Pirate treasure
[]Go for 'Sin-Breaker'
[]Not go with sister
[]Other, please specify

>>24498569
>>24498600
Well seeing as we're tossing around AIDA infections like they're going out of style, why not go on a quest for a big book of crazy.
Wouldn't be the worst decision we've made today.

>>24498664
Might be a good idea to get out of the house and strengthen some arcana.
Tell her we'll go with her and try for backstage passes.

Also tell Shimabuku we're sorry but we'd prefer the pirate treasure. Text of Madness sounds intriguing, and as far as weird outfits go, we're collecting them.

>>24498664
>[]Tell your sister you will go with her
>[]Tell her you will try for backstage passes

our little sister is so cute. its gonna be weird though.

also

tell them to flip a coin or something. either way we are gonna get a weird outfit out of this.

>>24498713
Yeah a coin sounds good.

...But honestly I kind of want to know how the fuck a 'find my cat' mission could be ranked level 38?

>>24498664
[X]Tell her you will try for backstage passes
[X]Go for Pirate treasure

I've got a hunch about this Yangching dude.

>>24498745

yeah this.

Rolled 2

She rarely asks for anything, and if she is willing to go this far then you may as well try and help. "Yeah, fine I know a guy who knows a guy I should be able to arrange something." You tell her and you can hear the joy in her voice.

"Seriously Anon? Seriously! You are not kidding right? Right? Oh my god! Back stage? Back stage! Seriously?! What am I going to wear, Oh god I have to get my hair done! I haven't dressed up in forever! Oh god! Thank you Anon! Thank you!" She shouts before laughing and hanging up. That girl.

You send a text to one of your academy buddies asking if he can hook you up before slipping the M2D back on.

"If you are a man you have to go for killing the big boss!" He shouts pointing at MANIA

"I already told you I am a woman, your outdated concepts of manliness do not appeal to me. Besides, if you are a man why not just act to please the lady in your company? Isn't that the noble thing to do?" She asks not budging an inch.

"Grrr, as a woman you shouldn't be butting into a man's problems!" She counters looking away.

"Men's problems must be quite something then, if they can't even handle me." She replies smoothly.

You look at the two of them and frown.

"You... you two are still going on about it? I should point out no matter what I will probably get some strange outfit out of the deal so it is not that much of a problem but... how about a coin toss?" You offer pulling out a coin.

"As if I would be satisfied with that. Come on Chen, can't you feel your manly blood boiling?!" He asks posing dramatically

"I don't really care, but the text of madness sounds interesting." She shrugs before nodding for you to toss the coin anyway.

1 Shimabuku
2 MANIA

>>24498905

ahh I wanted to rescue a cat...a mission that requires you to be at least lvl 38 to rescue said cat.

"Looks like we are going with the Pirate treasure" You tell the quest shop keeper making Shimabuku sulk for a second before he straightens his back out and beats his chest.

"Alright! I will find the treasure before either of you two!" He smiles clearly getting over it.

After a few seconds a small pirate walks over to the two of you. "Hello! Arrrr, many years ago I was a pirate! However a storm took me ship from me and all me crew! Arrrrg, if you can find it you are welcome to the treasure inside, as well as this here book, the only thing I could save arrrrrg. Please, I just need it found, I can't even sleep! Aaaaaaaarg." He sighs before waddling off and giving you the area words to find it.

"Well, looks like we have our mission. shall we?" You ask the two of them, getting a nod in return.

The three of you warp to:

Delta Chaotic Seagulls Stress Medication

The three of you warp to the field and the first thing you notice is MANIA seems to be wearing a white Bikini top, Bikini bottoms, and a small white skirt which hardly covers her bottoms. She does not have her gloves or boots on and you note she keeps all her finger nails long, despite keeping half of them covered. You glance at Shimabuku and see he is in some sort of cargo shorts and his tribal paint is no longer on. Granted as his character model is almost always naked anyway it is no big deal. You look down and see you are in a pair of shorts and an overly large T-shirt, the game clearly unsure what to do with you. You can hear the gentle lapping of the waves and the birds crying out over the waters. You are standing on a beach, with several small islands connected together through narrow bridges.
(1/2)

"Well, this is new." You say calmly while checking your inventory and noticing all your weapons and armor are greyed out. You check your items and see you have shovels, buckets, and a... beach ball?

"Hey, check your gear, get anything new?" You ask the two of them.

"Ah, yeah." Shimabuku takes a second to respond, evidently occupied with staring at MANIA's long toned legs, digs around and pulls out some sunblock while MANIA pulls out an inflatable dolphin.

You look over in the beach area and see that there are other players wandering about, some relaxing by the waters and others playing games or swimming.

MANIA seems troubled before activating her AIDA, small black dots filtering across her eyes for a moment, and taking a deep breath. "The sun feels quite nice."

Wat do?
[]Talk to the other players you see
[]Trust no one, look for treasure
[]Use snark a little and enjoy the day, may as well enjoy your vampire powers
[]Other, please specify
(2/2)

>>24499171
Might as well ask Snark to give it a try, if we're going to go through a mandatory beach level, we should enjoy it.

>>24499171
[X]Trust no one, look for treasure

To be a man means hard labor. Dig that beach boy.

>>24499171
Let's experiment a bit with what Snark can let us feel, maybe we can use it to help us look for the treasure. Also let's make sure we have our beachball ready to K.O. any wild encounters.

>>24499171
>[x]Use snark a little and enjoy the day, may as well enjoy your vampire powers

Maybe the treasure isn't something that you dig, but some powerful discovery about one's self.

>>24499171
>other
"So... has anyone else just given up on trying to understand how this game rates difficulties for quests?"

"Hey Snark, can you make it do I can feel this?" You ask.

After a few moments of nothing you see some black filter across your vision and you can smell the salt in the wind and the warm sand under your toes. You think back to the last time you were on a beach, during golden week of your freshman year of university, and remember the fun you had. "Yeah, it does feel nice... so has anyone else given up on trying to understand how this game rates difficulties for quests?" You ask causing Shimabuku to shake his head.

"There is something, there is always something. Hey, how do you guys do that? Come on, I am stuck indoors today! Let me at least have fun here! Come on, come on!" He pouts making MANIA shake her head.

"Don't think, feel." She replies before walking over to the ocean and letting the waves take her up to the ankles.

"Don't just brush me off with some good words from Mr. Lee!" He shouts pointing at her.

You ready your beach ball and note that it has taken your weapon slot, and your fans are unusable. You think it might have been lucky you chose tribal grapplers for this mission.

"Snark, can you help him out a bit?" You ask as he manifests in front of you wearing shorts, yet keeping his hooded sweatshirt.

"Sure, sure, just watch out for jellyfish, they are sort of assholes." He tells you before swiping his hand through Shimabuku's head and making his eyes filter to pure black for a moment before blinking.
(1/2)

As he vanishes you hear Shimabuku. "W-whoa! I did it! Wow! You weren't lying! The sand! The sun! This is manliness!" he shouts before going grey and then jumping and going back to normal. "I can actually take my headset off too! Wow! This is cool! Hey Chen! Let's go surfing! Ah! Or a sandcastle! Oooh! Or a watermelon! You have to split a melon! Or maybe we can go flirting! Ah! Since we are in a game Chen might have a chance here!" He shouts jumping up and down and running towards the water.

You do not want to admit it, but MANIA might have been right about his personality.

Wat do?
[]Avoid people and go for treasure.
[]Play around a bit, you never get a chance like this
[]Go hit on girls
[]You see a crab, take it down!
[]Other, please specify

Also if looking for treasure roll 1d100 I will take best of first three
(2/2)

Rolled 66

>>24499612
[x] ENGAGE IN CRAB BATTLE

and I guess go looking for treasure after

Rolled 83

>>24499612
Might as well find the treasure.
Like I don't think this level is only accessible to people doing this specific quest?

Rolled 16

>>24499612
>[x]Other, please specify

Talk to MANIA a bit while we're searching for treasure. Apologize for the careless remark about what she would think if Chen was a woman instead of a very girly man.

>>24499612
[X]You see a crab, take it down!

Assert your dominance over the wildlife.

>>24499751
The only reason I asked was because it seems like she acts a lot more dismissive around men (excluding us and Shimabuku).
Like I've never seen her act like she did around Airi before.
...Maybe she and Mania have a history?

You look at the crab, and you can feel it eying you, challenging you, defying you to test it. This is a trial given to you by God, you are certain the crab is saying if you could understand crab, will you break mother nature or be broken by it? You dash over to the crab, the soft sand causing you to turn your obliques more than usual when you run and the unfamiliar body of 'Chen' being less suited to pure physical confrontations than you are. You plant your feet into the ground a few inches from the crab and give a roar of defiance at any force of nature that might be listening. You are Chen, and be they acts of god or forces of nature far beyond, you stand in defiance. You give a strong kick to the midsection of the crab, it's tiny crustacean pincers being unable to keep up with the truly staggering force of a perfectly executed kick, the fury of Poseidon's indignation nothing before your mastery over nature. As your foot raises the crab, you can see the hate in its eyes, its carapace creaking under the strain of your mighty blow and its claws in a futile fight against its fate, moving to try and take it's revenge.

But you shall have none of it, you think as the crab flies off into the distance a small splash being the only thing noting its passing, and you are certain the universe lets out a sight at your show of total subjugation of nature. For you are Chen and that was what you were born to do. You stand heroically on the sea side, staring at the waves you have shown your manhood too as Shimabuku walks up to you. "Was... was that entirely necessary?" He asks making you nod.

"You are a man, you must understand." You tell him as you turn to search for the treasure.
(1/2)

>>24499999
Or maybe MANIA has an internal tsun detector? Who knows.

>>24500036
THAT WAS ENTIRELY NECESSARY.

>>24500036
...For a government agent, we are a ridiculous person.

As you walk you turn to MANIA. "Ah, hey about what I said before. Sorry, I do not think you are shallow I was just wondering is all. You tend to act dismissive towards most men, excluding us and shimabuku so I was just wondering if you have a history with her is all." You explain.

"No particular history. It looked like she was holding back while looking at me, and seemed weak to something she was not used to, forcing herself to hate me more than normal to cover up her own feelings... were you perhaps jealous then?" She asks to which you are unsure how to answer

After several minutes of searching, doing your damnedest to avoid other players, you find a wooden plank and the remains of a flag. The three of you dig and after a few feet of the soft sand you find a chest. And about a dozen skeletons, all facing like they were running away from the chest.

Wat do?
[]Kick it open
[]Build a sand castle
[]Hit on girls
[]Go swimming
[]Find another crab
[]Other, please specify
2/2
Either way, 2d100s please, best for first three.

Rolled 34, 39 = 73

>>24500062

turn off the AIDA's and open it

>>24500062
[X]Build a sand fortress around the chest and then
[X]Kick it open

Once that chest is open shit is going to start popping off.

Rolled 81, 34 = 115

>>24500097
Forgot to roll.

Rolled 52, 64 = 116

>>24500062
Have MANIA place her inflatable dolphin in front of the chest, as a decoy, and then we stand behind the chest and open it from there?

>>24500061
Well we need to get into a spirit of madness if we want to win.

>>24500234
When/if we tell our party members our true occupation, I think we should first ask them what they think our job is.
Could be entertaining.

You debate between building a sand fortress around the chest or using the dolphin as a decoy. You turn to MANIA. "Hey, would you use your dolphin as a decoy so we can open the chest and run away?" You ask making her shake her head.

"My dolphin." She replies making you sigh.

You gesture to Shimabuku and build a fair sized sand fort around the chest before kicking it open. You wait for a few moments before you see the skeletons rise up around you, each of them wearing a pirate bandana and holding cutlasses! They tricked you! Cheeky pirates.

A few of the pirates swing towards you and you deactivate your AIDA and take the hit. You jump back bleeding and start focusing on healing while MANIA and Shimabuku go to town. MANIA does not even bother deactivating her AIDA, you note, and jut starts kicking the skeletons to death, her moves sharp and exact while Shimabuku quickly gets caught up in her pace and becomes a whirlwind of fists and throws.

When one of the pirates sees an open shot at Shimabuku it tries to stab him in the side, but finds its skull being quickly taken off by MANIA, When MANIA gets swarmed Shimabuku is quick to throw one of the skeletons into the group, knocking them off balance for her. It seems their single fight in the arena was enough for them to get used to each others pace and style.

After the last of the skeleton's falls you are left with a treasure. You open the box.

FIND:
Wave gauntlets ****
Black Forest Guard *****
Half a key
NOTE
You read the note: 'Yar, the captain stabbed us in the back. Marooned us on this here island. Little do he know we took his treasure from him and split it into two halves. One on this island, and the further in. Let's see him open up the rest of his booty without the key. Yar har har, we be pirates"

(1/2)

You look further in the islands and see the other players seem to be more concentrated there.

Wat do? Wat say?
[]We are betrayed, we can probably get the text if we tell the captain he lied to us
[]Go for the other treasure too!
[]Avoid players
[]Talk to other players
[]Other, please specify

You feel the warmth of the sand between your toes as Snark returns.
(2/2)

>>24500485
[X]Go for the other treasure too!

I'm not sure how Tactical Espionage Action will work on the beach, but Chen is going to damn well try.

>>24500485
Go for the other treasure too!

>>24500485
>[x]Go for the other treasure too!

For great lucre!

>>24500485
>options that aren't find the treasure

You may be thinking too highly of us, OP.

>>24500475
>Yar har har, we be pirates
I love this game.

But yeah going for the other treasure sounds good.

Question: Do the skeletons have hats, and can we loot hats?

>>24500688
Apparently they do have pirate bandannas and cutlasses.

Not sure if we're able to loot them though?

It does not even require thought. You run along the edge of the beach, the sand feeling nice and warm between your toes as you make your way around the other players. It is not easy, but you manage to make your way to the other side without running into anyone. You peek over a small sand dune and see several over players charging a zombie looking monster standing on a treasure chest. The trio charges him head on, but with a quick slash of the creature's cutlass they fade to grey, dead. It is powerful alright, that's for sure. You see other player standing around the island outside fot he creatures threat zone chatting to each other.

"Fuck, that thing is way too tough. Should we call in our guild? But I would rather not do that for anything less than a raid boss." One of the characters mumble.

"With no weapons we sort of suck, huh? Only thing we got are our fists, and these outfits are horrible!" A woman next to him shouts, using her hands to cover up her swimsuit which looks to just be a piece of string.

"I-it's not so bad." One of the guys next to her comments causing a squat beast woman in a one piece next to him to smack him. "In front of me? Really?' She asks making him frown.

You see the island has about 5 groups not counting you, the one with the woman wearing string, the group mixed with hers with the guy getting scolded by a beast woman, another across the way consisting of a trio of women with one you think you recognize, another group apart from them with a tall figure in it and a single person standing off to the side watching the other groups.

"How should we do this Chen?" Shimabuku asks, leaning back to get a better look at the string girl.

[]Charge, Two tribal grapplers and a healer are enough
[]Ask one of the groups to help
[]Everybody charge
[]Other, please specify

((As I thought the group would hate more outfits I changed it at the last second, but since asked.))

GET Pirate Bandana(x6)*****

Roll 1d100 for combat as well, best if three

Rolled 66

>>24500855
[X]Charge, Two tribal grapplers and a healer are enough
Here comes my one

Rolled 90

>>24500855
CHARGE

>>24500855
of three, OF three. AIDA probably happened

>>24500911
Nah, man that was a simple mistake to make what with I being right next to O.

Rolled 94

>>24500855
Do I even need to roll anymore?

Rolled 57

>>24500855
[X]Charge, Two tribal grapplers and a healer are enough

As we run by the string swimsuit lady yell out " I think it looks good."

COMBAT DC:90 vs 94

"I think it looks good on you" You tell the woman as you walk past her and get on a sand dune at the edge of the creatures range

"Charge!" You instruct the two of them as you stand on the sand dune and point dramatically at the zombie.

The two of them rush forward and you notice Shimabuku manages to quell his AIDA before you let yours down, but MANIA does not. The two of them start hammering away at the zombie while you focus on buffing the two of them, their paper thin defense being more than compensated for by their speed and power. The two of them circle the zombie like sharks circling meat before charging in and attacking quickly, their strikes razor sharp. MANIA takes a blow and flies back towards you and you run towards her in order to provide healing. You are about to panic, as her AIDA was still on, but the slasher smile on her face makes you hold back anything you were going to say. She is having fun, best to not get in the way of that.

The creature refuses to go down however, and moves like a movie missing a few frames of film, vanishing and reappearing in order to slash and then moving slowly again. Shimabuku takes a nasty slash to the side before kicking the creature's knees, eliciting a sickening crack from its legs as it falls over, leaving him open for MANIA to perform a heel strike and take off it's head. As it's body fades away you hear the creature for the first time, gifting you its final words and its reasons for staying in this world. "Yar har har, I'm a pirate"

Or not.

The crowd is silent for a few moments before you hear some one say something. "That's... the Demon Palace Emperor Chen and the demon palace final contestant Mania. They took that thing down so easily!"

"I guess demon palace rankers are made of sterner stuff, huh?"

"Seriously? Those two are really pretty."

Shimabuku seems a bit sad. "Hey! I was a ranker too you know! A semi-finalist!" He shouts making mania pat his shoulder.
(1/2)

"There, there. Here, I will call you pretty too, okay?" She consoles him making him frown.

"It loses all meaning when you say it. And call me handsome." He replies before going over to the treasure.

GET PIRATE EYE PATCH! (x1) *****

You open the chest and inside you find

HALF OF KEY
Ship manifest(Raises INT)
Crimson Sash ***** Light armor
150k
Demon Greaves ***** Tribal grappler weapons
POSEIDON RUNE(Quest)

Wat do now?
[]Back to town, you need your madness
[]Play at beach
[]Hit on girls with Shimabuku
[]Other(Please specify)
2/2

>>24501361
[X]Hit on girls with Shimabuku

No reason we can't use Madness to pickup chicks.

>>24501413
>Hitting on girls in front of MANIA

I dunno man, that seems dangerous. I'm voting to organize an impromptu BEACH PARTY~ for everyone around, maybe that way we can get away with some shenanigans without her eyeing us the whole time.

Rolled 94

>>24501361

Hit on totally not Fabio aka Vividor by sending him messages and asking for pictures of the dance off while playing in the sand as Mania pokes fun at Shimabuku trying to hit on girls.
Also every now and then laugh like a pirate.

>>24501361
>[x]Play at beach
>[x] Encourage Shimabuku to hit on girls
>[x] Wonder why tribal grapplers would use a pair of pants for weapons.

>>24501576
This is the only correct action to carry out. Lets invite Vividor to the area though

>>24501576
While wearing the eye patch right?

>>24501754
of course

>>24501361
So wait does the quest giving pirate want the key, or just the Poseidon Rune?

>>24501845
I'm guessing there's another part to the quest once we join the two halves together.

>>24501845
He just wanted the treasure found, or so he claimed. The rune is to another quest, but you do not know which yet

>>24501361
Ask MANIA and Shimabuku if they're okay with us calling dibs on the eye patch, while they can work out the armor and greaves?

>>24501871
I'm going to guess we need a ZEUS RUNE and HADES RUNE as well.

This is fun.

>>24501465
>>24501413
Wait, lets challenge MANIA and Shimabuku to a flirting contest.

>>24502076
That sounds like an idea that will end badly. Let's do it.

You know there is only one course of action you can take which would befit you. You put on the eye patch and a bandanna and send a message to Vividor.

To: Vividor

"Hello there you glorious image of the ideal of raw human sexuality, could you send us pictures of the dance off?" You ask before inflating the beach ball and tossing it at the groups of people.

"Beach party!" You shout eliciting a cry of joy in response from the group.

You start building a sand castle when you get a reply from Vividor

"Oof course you can be having an image of me dancing. Behold." Attached are several images of him striking posses in front of another man, this one skinny and with styled and dyed looking hair. Each picture there is progressively less clothing until finally it is just a picture of two nearly naked men staring soulfully into each others eyes.

You quickly type up a reply asking him to the area.

"YAR HAR HAR!" You laugh into the air as Shimabuku goes up to the girl wearing the string from before.

"Hey, so what kind of music you into?" He asks as she covers herself and eying Shimabuku suspiciously.

"Not any really, I guess..." She replies.

"Oh yeah? I'm into classic rock myself, this new age pop stuff is no fun. Wanna play with me for a bit?" He asks causing her to shake her head.

"Yeah, I have to go get some things from my team leader." She says before running off the her team mate from before.

"Damn it, guess I was too pushy, huh?" He sighs watching her go.

(1/2)

"Would you like my help?" Mania offers as she starts blowing up the dolphin.

"Bah, what does a woman know about this sort of thing?" He frowns making her tilt her head.

"Should I demonstrate?" She asks taking his sun block and walking over towards the girl, bumping into her as she isn't looking.

"Oh! I am so sorry, did I run into you?' The string girl asks bending over as Mania falls over.

"No, it's fine, I wasn't watching either. Here." She holds out her hand which MANIA takes and even after standing doesn't let go.

"I hope it isn't too forward, but would you like to come play with us? " She asks intertwining her fingers with the girls causing her to blush

"Ah, that is. My swimsuit is..." She starts but MANIA gives her a soft smile you didn't know she could make.

"It looks so lovely on you I feel enchanted. Do you not trust me?" She asks making the girl shake her head.

"No but the guy, he, uh, well... he looked and..." She mumbles while MANIA touches her chin and makes her look into her eyes.

"Anyone who wouldn't look at you only doesn't because they are afraid of being blinded by your radiance. Please." She tells her and the girl quietly nods her head.

After leading the girl over to Shimabuku she whispers something into his ear and gestures causing him to nod.

They play in the beach for a bit before MANIA excuses herself and sits next to you. She watches them for a few moments before Shimabuku asks her something and takes her hand.

You are surprised but she doesn't shake him off and blushes and laughs after a bit.

You are about to ask when you hear someone come up on the shore by, emerging from the water like he was born from the sea.

You turn and see Vividor standing in a speedo, shaking his large mane of hair, his tanned chest glistening in the afternoon light.

"Hallo, Chen. You are making castle, yes? I be joining now, Yes?" He asks before reclining next to you and starting to work on a tower.

(2/3)

Wat do?
[]Join the beach ball game
[]Ask Mania what she whispered to Shimabuku
[]Steal the girl from Shimabuku
[]Ask Vividor something
[]Other, please specify
(3/3)

>>24502203
>[]Ask Mania what she whispered to Shimabuku

nah thats boring lets

[]Ask Mania about Vividor, oh and that Korean pop star our sister is on about, she might have heard of him or something.

>>24502203
[X]Join the beach ball game

Time to reenact the famous scene from Top Gun.

>>24502185
Might as well show Vividor the POSEIDON RUNE, see if he might recognize what it was for.

>>24502278
Also might as well bring up any leads with him now that he's here.

Like ask if he knows anyone who played the first World, and also if he's heard of that guild the temptress lady belongs to?

>>24502380

As silly as it might sound I think Vividor is the company president and has lost the power to stop WESKER-erm I mean the science department from mucking about for fear of his life and their ability to just destroy the evidence so hes playing the game hoping to meet a group of young people to save "the World"

"So, Mania. This is Vividor, he is absurdly good looking, that is his thing." You explain as you put the finishing touches on the castle

"Yees, I am, how you say, vary vary goo' looking." He tells her while standing and doing a few hip thrusts.

"Oh? Is that so?" She asks calmly, but he is not deterred.

"DO you see my abs. Look'et them. They are... so goo'." He explains flexing.

"Is that so?" She states again as he goes through a series of poses.

"Hey, Mania, have you heard of Yongchoobin? He is some K-pop star." You ask making her shake her head.

"No, I am not overly fond of music, K-pop in particular. Why do you ask?" She tilts her head at you.

"No reason, my sister is just on about him and I wanted to know if you heard of him." You tell her to which she nods.

"Hey, Vividor, have you seen this before?" You ask handing him the rune.

He looks at it before placing it in front of his groin and performing some hip thrusts on it. "No, I not be seeing it." He tells you before handing you it back.

"Worth a shot. Have you ever heard of the guild Hypocrisy Lilly then? Or do you know anyone who played the first version of the world?" You ask to which he nods.

"I be playing first world. Mooch time ago, when I not so goo' looking. I be a man who not yet a man. I know nothing of ze flowers hypocrisy." He tells you in response.

You consider going to the beach volleyball game but you now have a lead.

Shimabuku seems to be doing well with the girl.

Now what?
[]Talk to Mania
[]Talk to Vividor
[]Screw it, you want to go 'hanging with the boys'
[]Other, please specify

>>24502467
[X]Talk to Vividor

While playing an incredibly Fabulous game of beach volley ball.

>>24502496
About what?

>>24502467
Talk to Vividor a bit more.
Mention that you heard a bunch of strange things happened seven years ago, and wanted to know if he witnessed any of it.

>>24502519

oh you know, war stuf---erm boys,no ehh job job. Oh yeah the coma cases from 7 years ago.

>>24502519
Experience with the previous version of the world. Specifically anything relating to the comas, and errors occurring within the game.

File: 1367126549404.gif-(2.11 MB, 320x221, 1342930816135.gif)

2.11 MB GIF

>>24502519
We must have a contest of fabulousness with him, volley ball, so we can see the sweat glistening off his skin, watermelon smashing, so his powerful arms could be coated in the sticky, delicious juices of the melon.

Also, swimming contests - to see who's sleek, beautiful frame is better favored by Poseidon's great watery beard, who will win? The sexuality confusing Chen? Then fearboner inducing MANIA? The pinnacle of honorable manliness, Shimabuku? Or the peaks of stylish manliness, Vividor?
Good thing Durandal isn't here to shield his virgin eyes.

>>24502677
The videos will circulate around the net faster than he can repress.

"Come Vividor, let us discuss our business over a totally heterosexual game of beach volleyball." You tell him as you join into the game.

"Yees, we be talking while our manly bodies become coated with sweat." he tells you standing next to you.

"You... can tell I am a guy?' You ask surprised.

"Oof course, I be feeling such, how you say, pumpkin seeds?" He asks tossing the ball your way.

"I am pretty sure that isn't the word you want. Anyway, what can you tell me about the world from seven years ago. There were those Coma victims, right? Plus there were weird errors, yeah?" You ask while tossing the ball away.

"Oh yes, much rumor of coma victims from data bugs. They hear sound then vanish, never looging out of game, yes? By end, Lia Fail, ze omega server, she was, how you say, replaced with other? It by end, then everything shut down. I hear some people, zey be doing something secret with system, some thing be made by CC Corp?" He replies.

"What do you mean the system was being replaced? What happened?" You ask as you pump into his manly pectorals during a particularly close save.

"Se sky, she crack. Weird monsters, BBS say something to do with epitaph of twilight? I no know what." he explains as the wind blows his hair freely.

Wat do wat say?
[]Tell me more about...
[]Check on MANIA
[]Check on Shimabuku
[]Other, please specify

>>24502749
[X]Tell me more about...
-[X] this epitaph of twilight

The chair man mentioned this, so it bears investigation.

>>24502749
>[]Check on MANIA
be sure to pose while covered in sweat looking in her direction while the sunset illuminates us from behind.

also ask about te epitaph of twilight.

>>24502749
[x]Check on MANIA
[x]Check on Shimabuku

Make sure they aren't trying to oggle our Vividor, and that MANIA isn't giving a FOR SHAME, CHEN condescending look. She probably always is, anyway, then.
[x]Tell me more about...
The epitaph of twilight, the weird monsters, and the effect they had around him when he saw the sky crack, like if he felt anything strange.

>>24502787
I don't think he did, but he did quote parts of it (not that we'd know)
Might as well tell him about when we visited Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground we found some kind of glitch or whatever, an upside-down chair saying stuff that made no sense like "Aura", "Morganna Mode Gone", "Emma", "cursed wave".
Really unsettling stuff.

>>24502912
Now that I reread it your right. Then let's question him on if he knows anything about Aura.

You nod your head to this and make a mental note of it. "Can you tell me about this epitaph of twilight?" You ask making him shake his head.

"I not be knowing it. Some say it be what world based on yes? Ze Game based oon poem by wooman which become lost to world because of bad publication, or really bad poem." He tells you as you wipe the manly sweat from your forehead and pose dramatically while staring in MANIA's direction.

She give you a glance and then resumes the conversation she was having with the trio of women you saw earlier. You feel a little let down by not seducing her but you press on.

"YAR HAR HAR!" You laugh, your pirateness oozing out Say, when I went to hidden forbidden holy ground I saw an upside down chair man and he said some things about Aura, Cursed Wave, Morganna Mode Gone, and a bunch of really unsettling stuff. Ever hear about Aura" You ask making him nod.

"Oof course. She be goddess of world in myth, yes? There was statue of girl in holy ground, it supposed to be Aura, or something like zat. I, how you say, no care for zat stuff." He explains, suddenly his body being soaked as he stares into the setting sun.

You see Shimabuku walk by MANIA and give her a thumbs up.

You have time for one more set of actions while you are here.
[]Ask Vividor...
[]Ask Shimabuku...
[]Ask MANIA...
[]Do something(what?)

>>24503058
Whoops, guess we need to reacquaint ourselves with the metagame, maybe CC Corp is shameless enough to have leaked details of what actually happened seven years ago into the in-game story.

>>24503058
[X]Ask Shimabuku...
-[X] How did things go with your lady friend?

Can't really think of anything else to do at the beach other than join the keys.

>>24503058
Can't really think of much else to do but thank Vividor for his help and for showing up so promptly.

>>24503139
Oh yeah, that.

Does the eye patch equipment actually block one of our eyes through the headset?

Because if so we could do the old pirate trick where we extinguish a light source and flip up the eye patch, thus gaining an advantage over the night-blind opponents due to having one eye be adjusted to the darkness.

...It seems pretty clear that by this point, technology has advanced to the point where the programmers have accounted for pretty much EVERYTHING, so that might actually work.

"I see, thanks for showing up so promptly, you have been a huge help to me." You tell him causing him to nod as a single falcon perches on his upraised arm.

"No be troubled, yes? Have mooch fun." He explains as you go over to Shimabuku

"How did it go with your lady friend?" You ask making him smile.

"Ain't it obvious Chen? Could Shimabuku, the paragon of manliness lose a woman?" He asks.

As MANIA walks over you join the two halves of the keys. Suddenly the pirate who gave you the quest climbs out of the sand.

"Yar! I knew you could be doin it! Now gimme that there key and I'll give ye the book!" He tells you, carrying a book and a large chest behind him.

"Wait, you lied to us. I say you give us the book and the chest." Shimabuku tells him making him shake his head and pull out a flint lock pistol.

"Just be thankful I be willin ta give you this much! Yarrr! I can be takin the key from ye if I want!" He protests making you frown.

You are about to protest again when MANIA kicks the pistol out of his hands and then kicks him over. He tries to crawl away but she puts her foot on the small of his back and holds him down. "Should I hurt you?" She asks making the pirate panic.

"W-wait, yarrr, I'll give you them both, so let me go! Yaaaarrrrr!" He shouts making her nod.

As the pirate scurries off she takes the key and opens the chest.

GET
BOOK OF MADNESS(x3)
DEVIL FIST(Weapon grappler)*****
MIDNIGHT FAN( Weapon Dancer) *****
80K EACH
FROG HEAD (Helmet) *****

You are warped back to town

GET ITEM:
Swimwear (x3)

You are wearing your normal gear

"That was... fun? I have to go buy some stuff, so hold on for a bit." Shimabuku tells the two of you before giving another thumbs up to MANIA

Wat do wat say?
[]Ask what MANIA taught shimabuku
[]Go exploran(1d100)
[]Ask something else
[]Go to the quest shop
[]Other, please specify

Rolled 21

>>24503373
[X]Go exploran(1d100)

Maybe we could talk to Mania while walking around.

>>24503403
About what?

>>24503421
[]Ask what MANIA taught shimabuku

>>24503421
Small talk really, or asking about herself. Anything is fine.

>>24503373
>[x]Ask what MANIA taught shimabuku

I must admit, seeing a side of her that isn't fearboner-inducing is rather refreshing.

>>24503373
Hm, with the Frog Head and Pumpkin Helm, which seem good but none of us seem to really want, maybe we could ask her to show how the whole item auction thing works?

I forget if we ever bothered to learn before.

>>24503373
Idly ask if it was her or Shimabuku who decided on the demonic greaves vs sash.
Because with the devil fist, it seems like there's a matching set of equipment.

"So what did you teach him?" You ask making her tilt her head at you.

"A riddle. He is likely very attractive in the real world and was used to relying on that to try and seduce girls. I gave him some help." She explains.

"What sort of riddle?" You ask.

"Let me see your hand." She tells you to which you comply.

She takes your hand and holds it palm up. "Here is a river." She tells you tracing a finger along the middle. "There is a rabbit here, and a rabbit here." She indicated two points across from the other. "Now, this rabbit wants to go to the other rabbit, how does it do it?" She asks making you raise your brow.

"It swims across." You reply to which she shakes her head.

"River is far too fast and far too wide." She replies.

"Okay, it goes around." You continue.

"No, the river is too long." She continues making you frown.

"It... it gets a boat and paddles across" You try again making her shake her head once more.

"Rabbits can't paddle boats." She tells you

"Fine then, how does it get across?" You ask making her smile at you.

"I don't know either, I just wanted an excuse to hold your hand." She tells you making you suddenly aware of how close she is.

You pull your hand back and find yourself blushing. "Ah, that... that's right! The auction, how does it work, can you show me?" You ask causing her to nod and indicated for you to follow.

The two of you find yourself in a large building by the town square. She points to a teller.

"Here you put your items in the market and say if you want to trade it for cash or items, and then set a fixed sell time. When time runs out the highest money bid wins, or you select the item trade you want for it." She tells you.

You have 196700 Gp

Will you search for items to buy or will you put items in the market?
[]Buy
[]Sell(What?)

>>24503684
She took the demon and devil, Shima took the sash

>>24503698
Sell Pumpkin Helm, if Shimabuku didn't take the Frog Helm, then try selling that one as well.

As for buy, eh I'm cool with the equipment we have now, but maybe we could look for some fancy sandals/shoes?

>>24503787

We could look for accessories with modification slots in them, as well as any modification slot items for accessories. Those are always useful, and might provide a cosmetic/mechanical boost for us (or our friends if we're feeling generous).

There's accessory mods that decrease the cost of one school of magic (Arts/Status Magic/Offensive Magic/Curative Magic) by 10%, but raise all other costs by 5 SP. Alternatively, there are others that boost XP gained or money gained from defeating enemy players/monsters.

The really expensive ones will probably be the one that offers a passive haste effect, doubles the effectiveness of consumables, or decreases the cooldown time of all skills or spells.

At our level, though, we'd only be able to use accessories with only 1 mod slot.

Why don't we drop this for now, and pick it up later as the quest seems to have run its course? Sorry for the bit of a late start.

At the end of the last thread I talked about wanting to do an email chain type event, so how about we try it out now?

Pick two people to send mail cards to. You can send 2 cards per person.

People:
Shimabuku***
Luna Blackthorne **
Vividor **
MANIA ***
Durandal **
Durga *****
Lotus ***

*s indicate a sort of vague approxomation of affection level out of 15 or so

Card to send
[]Favorite food?
[]What's your type?
[]How are you?
[]Fight me!
[]What are your dreams?
[]What is your favorite saying?
[]Nice to meet you!

You can select any of the two and send it to any of the two, easy right? Then I will open up the next thread with the reply from the person and you can continue the chain at the end and send two more to two more as well!

More greeting cards will be unlocked as I think of them and you progress, and will allow you to learn more about their personal life.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html

Archived, please don't forget to vote! Also I will read over what is sugested, so please do not forget to post ideas. I will be around watching Defiance so ask questions and I will try to answer them

>>24504142
Lets go with...
[X]What are your dreams, Shimabuku?

[X]Favorite food, Durga?

>>24504142
>[x]What is your favorite saying?

To: Luna Blackthorne

She hasn't been in the group for a while. Let it not be said that Chen/Anon neglects any of his friends!

Next one:

>[x] Favorite food?

To Durandal.

>>24504197
I was not very clear, so you can go with two per player, even ones you have used before

>>24504142
>Five stars with Haruko
Well, she is our partner after all. Though if the max is fifteen, that actually seems kind of low.

Ask Luna how she is, since we haven't seen her in a while.

Ask MANIA what her dreams are? Beyond crushing us beneath her feet?

>>24504217
IE: Ask Mania dreams and food

Ask Luna Dreams and ssaying

>>24504142
I want to mail everyone
>Shima has equal attraction to MANIA
Not sure if I should be worried.

What is your favorite saying, Luna?
What's your type, Durga?

>>24504240

Oh. In that case, modifying
>>24504214

To:

Send Luna "How are you?" and "What is your favorite saying?"

Send Durandal "How are you?" and "Favorite food?"

>>24504274
This sounds good

>>24504460
Yeah I can get behind that.

Damn it, I missed this shit again!

Fuck. OP, when is the next quest?