>>30152259
It’s much gloomier down here in the chasm than it was when you arrived, but the mist above you is light enough that you can at least see where you’re going. Trish offers to light a torch, but Mason suggests it be saved until it’s really needed. Some of the fish in the shallow pools glow gently in the low light.

Trish and Shrike walk a little way ahead of you, discussing when they’ll log in next, and how the Lady of Sorrows’ claws might best be made into a bow, and how much it’s going to cost them. You fall into step beside Mason, keeping an eye out for danger. When you glance up at Mason he looks troubled, and you suppose he’s got a lot to think about.

Still, he has a lot on his plate, and you’re probably not going to get a better chance to talk to him.

>Ask him about his class, and for advice on levelling. He’s surely done so much PvP he’d have an opinion on all the classes.
>Ask him his opinion on the brewing conflict, and what he’s going to do next.
>Ask him about Wolf; how did he get such good gear? The game hasn’t been out that long.
>Ask him about himself; you wouldn’t mind being his friend. He seems a bit intense when it comes to in-game politics, but otherwise a decent person.
>Write in.
>Quit Arcadia.

>>30152276
>Ask about his class and advice on leveling. He’s surely done so much PvP he’d have an opinion on all the classes.

If we still have time after that

>Ask him about Wolf; how did he get such good gear? The game hasn’t been out that long.

>>30152276
>Ask him his opinion on the brewing conflict, and what he’s going to do next.
I kind of like not knowing the classes and abilities. Keeping specifics from us can keep down leveling arguments too.

>>30152276
>Ask him about his class, and for advice on levelling. He’s surely done so much PvP he’d have an opinion on all the classes.

>>30152337
"So um, what's your opinion on the classes? Is one better than the others in PvP?"

Your question seems to jolt him out of whatever he was ruminating on and he gives you a brief smile. "That's a complicated question. A lot of abilties are situational; useless sometimes and broken other times. The big problem is, it's impossible to know how many abilities a character has. Some people don't save their exp, and pour it into base stats; or their starting ability. A lot of seers do that. Foresight is very powerful when it's levelled up. Gear makes a big difference too." He shrugs, "I treat everyone like a threat. Even meat."

"What class are you?" you ask curiously.

"Seer," he grins. "Foresight and a good weapon gets me quite a way."

"Speaking of gear, what's the deal with Wolf? I've never seen anyone with so much stuff. The game hasn't been out that long, right?"

"He started playing really early. I don't know when it was released in the US, but he told me when he arrived the place was empty. He went days without seeing another player. With no one to show him what the Pieces of Arcadia are for he put them all into his gear. I don't think he's opened a single pathway. And he played a lot, just looking for Pieces."

"He'll be good to have around."

"Yeah. If he can be around. He's got other responsibilities."

"What are you going to do next? About this guild."

Mason frowns. "I think it's safe to say the city will eventually be a target. When people fight in my city, they know yields will be accepted, but against these guys- well, we know they won't. And I'm wondering how many people I can rely on to fight if it's to the death."

>"You can count on me to help."
>"I don't have the levels or gear to help, I'm sorry."
>"Can't you just retreat? There's no edge to the map, right?"
>Write in.
>Quit Arcadia.

>>30152621
>>"I don't have the levels or gear to help, I'm sorry."

We need to train before committing to anything.

>>30152621
>I'll do what I can to help.

>>30152621
"Have you tried contacting the developers? Has there been any patches since the game has been running?"

>>30152621
>"I don't have the levels or gear to help, I'm sorry."

*Wanders by TG on the way to the fridge, scratching his ass*

*Sees the thread*

*Wanders on past*

*Runs back to the door a moment later* THE HELL! I thought this was dead!

>>30152621
"Why don't we try helping the meat? I mean, sure, we'll have to fight to defend ourselves, but if we can figure out a way to recover their classes, that should end the conflict just as quickly. Right?"

>>30152668
>>30152733
"I don't have the levels or gear to help, I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he said. "It's players like you I'm trying to protect. You get one life as a player in this game, don't just throw it away."

Oh. Well, that was nice of him. You smile to yourself.

"Besides," he continues. "You've already helped. When you stepped in to talk to Flynn, well, I appreciate it. I know I wasn't actually hurting him in real life, but still. It felt like a bad thing to do. If you want to help, just keep your eyes open for information. I'll always have time for you, after what you've done tonight."

Uh, okay. New topic, new topic. Anything other than compliments.

>>30152694
"Have you tried contacting the developers? Has there been any patches since the game has been running?"

He seems surprised by the question. "As far as I know the game hasn't really changed since I started playing. The bits of the map move around, but I've seen them move in real time - it's not like a new patch reloads everything. And the servers are never down. I've always been able to log in."

"I don't think I've heard of anyone trying to contact the company," Trish says. "I suppose there has to be some support on their website."

"The path!" Shrike says. "Nearly out. Just a fuckload of stairs to go."

You leave the base of the chasm behind, and start climbing the stairs. The low gravity makes it easier, but still pretty tedious.

>>30152865
"Why don't we try helping the meat? I mean, sure, we'll have to fight to defend ourselves, but if we can figure out a way to recover their classes, that should end the conflict just as quickly. Right?"

"Hey, if you can figure that out, I'll back you a hundred percent. I've never heard anything other than unsubstantiated rumours that it's even possible."

1/2

Ask him if he had someone examine the mirror shards.

Could be that they don't come from players, but are generated by the game.

Who knows, maybe Amon is an admin or something, and is setting up a player faction.

>>30152897
Mason's mirror chimes.

"Mason." He answers it like a phone. "What, now? Yeah, I'm on my way back. Hold the fort til I get there."

He sighs as he puts it away.

"Looks like someone mustered a raid on the new bridge." He sounds resigned to sorting it out. "Don't they sleep?"

Trish yawns, "Lord knows I do. Can't help you this time, Mason."

"It's fine."

>Offer to help defend the bridge.
>You're tired, it's Sunday, and the bridge isn't that important really.
>"Why not just let it go if you don't want to fight right now?"
>Write in.
>Quit Arcadia

>>30152963
>Offer to help defend the bridge.

"I want a peaceful solution, but I won't stand by and let them ruin my hard work."

Maybe we shouldn't mention to Mason that Lily was trying to destroy the bridge when we first met her.

>>30152963
>>Offer to help defend the bridge.
Guys, EXP. Our bow will be an awesome help too.

>>30152963
>"Why not just let it go if you don't want to fight right now?"

>>30152963
>>Offer to help defend the bridge.
We can help with long range support. I'd rather not get into the thick of it though.

>>30152963
>Offer to help defend it

Maybe players give extra xp

>>30153001
>>30152986
"I'll help! That's my bridge they're busting there. Well, Trish and Shrike's too. But I woke the slaves on both ends."

Shrike laughs, "All right! Oh man, I can't stay but I really want to to now."

Mason just smiles. "I appreciate it, Liandra."

You put on a burst of speed and you run up the rest of the stairs. You don't get tired here, and you arrive back on the surface to see a clear sky littered with stars above you. Your group hurries back to the city.

Trish and Shrike bid you goodnight, look at their right hands, and vanish almost simultaneously.

"I like those two," Mason says. "I'm glad they're getting some better gear. I think they're going to need it."

You make your way through the city at Mason's side. He's focused now, and doesn't talk much. You can hear sounds of battle as you approach the gates on the opposite side.

"Remember," he says. "If anyone cries 'yield' or goes down on one knee, let them go. If you yield, make your way out of the battlefield and lie down. You can rejoin once you're on your feet."

"Do people die accidentally?"

"Yeah, it happens. Be careful."

The bridge is the battlefield. A cluster of people are halfway along, and you can hear weapons clashing. One of the slaves in is the melee as well, and every time it raises a fist, there's a ripple of movement as players dart back out of the way. The other slave is probably dead; you can't see it anywhere.

It's not a large battle, you guess there are no more than twenty players total on the field, and the sides seem to have fairly even numbers. You see someone stagger back along the bridge and flop down on the grass when they get to solid ground.

>Hang back on the bridge and use your bow.
>Wade into melee with Mason.
>Use ability.
>Write in.
>Quit Arcadia.

>>30153267
>>Hang back on the bridge and use your bow.

>>30153267
Hang back. Try to get a higher vantage and lay down AoE stuns amidst the bigger groups of meat.

>>30153267
>Hang back on the bridge and use your bow.
Prioritize those in the front where they can be dispatched easy by someone else, and if possible, take cover from other archers.

>>30152800 (Not dead just slacking off at the beach)

>>30153323
>>30153336
>>30153347
You and Mason hurry onto the bridge, but you pull up when the bulk of the other players are in range of your bow, while Mason hurries on, shield on his arm and sword in hand. You hear a cheer when people notice he's arrived. His mere presence seems to hearten the defending side.

You notch an arrow, and scan the front lines. The attacking party are obviously all players, while the defenders have a few meat among them. No one has noticed your arrival yet.

1d100 DC 70

>Covering fire; prioritize defending those in the front line.
>Aggressive strategy. Pick the meanest looking motherfucker and put an arrow through them.
>Finish them. Find a target that's already taken damage and try and make them yield.
>Use ability.
>Write in.
>Quit Arcadia.

>>30153468
>Aggressive strategy. Pick the meanest looking motherfucker and put an arrow through them.
Playing the vulture doesn't make any sense with our rocking bow. Hitting almost anyone is a near guarantee that they'll at least have a really rough time.

>>30153468
>Covering fire; prioritize defending your front line fighters.

Rolled 1

>>30153468
>Aggressive strategy. Pick the meanest looking motherfucker and put an arrow through them.

Rolled 4

>>30153468
>>Aggressive strategy. Pick the meanest looking motherfucker and put an arrow through them.

Rolled 94

>>30153468
>Covering fire; prioritize defending those in the front line.

>>30153540
well then

>>30153540
I think you just destroyed the bridge with that shot.

>>30153540
>>30153551
double crit. Wow.

>>30153560
>>30153579
Thanks for the running commentary.

>>30153540
we just killed a player

>>30153594
probably not, that would take a crit fail.

>>30153587
Your Welcome

>>30153620
A crit fail would be killing an ally lol.

>>30153551
>>30153540
>>30153509
>>30153559 (Two crit successes...)
>>30153594 (I will not punish you for crit successes.)

There's a woman in a dark dress with long dark hair and a scythe as big as she is, She's taking big chunks out of the slave with every swing, and no one's quite game to get close to her.

Mason makes a flying leap over the melee in front, and slides under the gleaming scythe blade. He's petty fucking fast. You're faster. You draw your arm back smoothly and release the arrow.

It lands in the woman's neck and as she reels in fear the scythe flails widely. Her allies leap out of the way, their lines disrupted. Mason applies his shield to the woman's face, and she falls back onto her knees.

The defenders surge in, pushing the attackers back and pressing the advantage you've won for them.

1d100 DC 70

>Continue this strategy of picking off the tough ones.
>Lay covering fire to defend the forward surge.
>Fire at the woman with the scythe again.
>Use ability.
>Write in.
>Quit Arcadia.

>>30153733
>Lay covering fire to defend the forward surge.
Mason's got it, and I'm sure everyone will appreciate us saving them some blows.

Rolled 67

>>30153733
Snipe threats as they emerge.

Rolled 16

>>30153733
covering fire

Rolled 1

>>30153733
>Lay covering fire to defend the forward surge.

Rolled 62

>>30153733
>>Lay covering fire to defend the forward surge.

Rolled 31

>>30153803
...god DAMN, we are on fire tonight.

Rolled 6

>>30153733
>Lay covering fire to defend the forward surge.

>>30153803
*ahem*
WELL ISN'T THAT CONVINIENT

>>30153803
Let's take this opportunity to claim the title "God of Battle"

>>30153803
We're going to be pretty popular, aren't we? Hope this translates to discounts or something.

Rolled 2

>>30153876
We have tits for that, if you've been paying attention.

>>30153803
>>30153786
>>30153783
>>30153767

You fire arrow after arrow, placing them into the enemy's front lines, ahead of the line of defenders. You're obliged to start walking forward, keeping pace as you start taking back the bridge.

You feel like you're on fire tonight. The woman with the scythe retreats, presumably having yielded, and Mason lets her go and wades back into the rest of the battle. You're not really paying attention to him though; you're focused.

You hear footsteps behind you as someone, probably meat by his armour, runs past to join the battle.

"Nice work!" you hear him call as he dashes past.

The other side have noticed you too. An arrow zings past your ear. The attackers don't seem to have many ranged players with them.

You hear a ripple of a horrible word. Instinctively you look up, and silhouetted against the starts you seen an angel above you. And it starts to fall.

>Dodge back. 1d100 DC 50 (it's big)
>Ascend and hurl yourself off the edge of the bridge.
>Foresight + Dodge 1d100 DC 90
>Write in.
>Quit Arcadia.

Rolled 76

>>30153999
Wait... won't the angel wreck the bridge and potentially kill a large number of people?

Can we shoot it?

Rolled 16

>>30153999
>Ascend and hurl yourself off the edge of the bridge.
Then fuck it, draw halbred and join in the melee!

Rolled 2

>>30153999
>Dodge back. 1d100 DC 50 (it's big)
Let's see if the dice hold up.

Rolled 52

>>30153999
Foresight + Dodge

>>30154024
Shooting a projectile like that with an arrow will do nothing. Think of it like a meteor.

>>30153999
>>Ascend and hurl yourself off the edge of the bridge.

Rolled 9

>>30153999
>Dodge back. 1d100 DC 50 (it's big)

Rolled 87

>>30153999
>Foresight + Dodge 1d100 DC 90

>>30153999
>Dodge back. 1d100 DC 50 (it's big).

>>30154063
Looks like we already succeeded.

>>30154063
Well damn. I think we broke the game, guys.

Rolled 87

>>30154063
Truly we have ascended to a level past ascended combat skills.

We're some kind of SSJ2 warrior here.

Rolled 50

>>30154114
nah, it wasn't a third 1

Rolled 94

>>30154128
It's still a crit.

Rolling to dodge.

File: 1392082964539.jpg-(292 KB, 480x640, 1310862448297.jpg)

292 KB JPG

>>30154079
>>30154066
>>30154063
You hurl yourself back at the last moment. Arching your body into a graceful backflip, your bow still in your hands. It's not even conscious, you just do it as if you were born to it and land neatly on your feet. You could feel the heat of the angel as it approached; the planes of its face and wings glowing white hot.

You brace yourself.

THOOM!

It smashes into the bridge, and right through it, taking out a section about two meters across. You can feel the entire bridge shudder with the impact, and splinters and bits of wood fly everywhere before settling to float in a loose cloud of splinters. The bridge itself stays steady, even with the hole in it.

The glowing ruins of the angel, looking like a cascade of sparks, continue to drift down into the chasm.

The battle is now out of range of your bow, as the defenders continue to gain ground.

>Leap over the hole and continue with your bow.
>Leap over the hole and join the melee with your glaive
>PRAY and mend the bridge a bit.
>Write in.
>Quit Arcadia.

>>30154258
>Leap over the hole and join the melee.

Rolled 83

>>30154258
Mending later. Murder now.

Ascend and fly over.

>>30154258
>Leap over the hole and continue with your bow.
Stick with what's working.

Rolled 16

>>30154258
>Leap over the hole and continue with your bow.

>>30154258
>Leap over the hole and continue with your bow.

>>30154258
>>Leap over the hole and continue with your bow.

So now's not the time to level, I know, but do you guys want to decide how we'll spend our one EXP?
I want to put it in Ascend. Become a flying war god and gain stupid useful vertical mobility for our bow. Enough points and it'll probably be useful for soaring quickly into melee.

I'm the only one who likes melee :(

Rolled 21

>>30154404
Might not be a bad idea, but we could just as easily put some Pieces into our robe to gain the same effect. Why spend XP on a skill with a cooldown when we could have it as a perpetual effect?

>>30154444
Winged armor would be cool. I imagine we'd have to put a few pieces in to make it useful though.

>>30154444
Holy shit, that sounds kind of broken. Then again, Lily had to put a bunch of pieces into her dirt to make it handy. Pieces we COULD put into our weapons. We could make our glaive stretchy or add a charging ability and really play up this snake motif started with the venom bow.

>>30154379
>>30154312
You leap gracefully over the hole, and you don't look down. You notch another arrow and run back into range.

You notice the woman with the scythe has returned, and she holds her weapon above her head in one hand.

"Cease!" she shouts.

"Cease!" Mason echoes, holding his own weapon up. The battle comes to a halt. Even the slave stops swinging, which is probably for the best because there doesn't seem to be much holding it together anymore.

Silence descends briefly.

The woman stares at you over the heads of the other players -she's probably maxed her height sliders as well - an imperious look on her face.

"Who the fuck are you?" she asks.

Before you can answer she points at you, "You know, I don't care. I challenge you, little girl. For this bridge."

"Tox..." Mason says in a warning tone. He scowls and hurries over to your side, sheathing his sword at his hip.

"You don't have to do this," he says to you quietly. "We're winning anyway."

>"Yeah, I'll take you." Accept the challenge.
>Ask Mason what the deal is first.
>"Fuck off. I've got nothing to prove."
>Write in.
>Quit Arcadia.

Rolled 97

>>30154488
Personally I'd go with mobility over raw damage output. Best offense is a good defense.

>>30154515
>"Fuck off. I've got nothing to prove."

Rolled 41

>>30154515
>Ask Mason what the deal is first.
What's her deal?

Rolled 7

>>30154515
"Pffft. Bitch. You want another hole in your neck? We're winning, you're outnumbered. Give up and live to fight another day, or we'll put you all to the sword and scatter you to the winds."

Rolling to intimidate.

>>30154515
>>"Yeah, I'll take you." Accept the challenge.
She won't expect us to have all three class abilities.

Flight armour is stupid, we have an ability to do that. It would take way too many Pieces to achieve.
Next Piece should go towards unlimited ammo for the bow, which should also increase fire rate a little due to not needing to pull new arrows.
After that, we boost the Glaive a bit.

As for EXP, we should see what upgrading Foresight does.

>>30154515
>"Fuck off. I've got nothing to prove."

Rolled 36

>>30154593
Are you an idiot? Skills have time duration limits and cooldown periods.

>>30154565
Your roll is good but your words are retarded.

>>30154565
no

>>30154593
Yeah, but the ability doesn't last too long. Certainly not long enough for long range travel.

>>30154565
Let's not...

>>30154622
whats wrong with walking

Rolled 18

>>30154628
>>30154615
>>30154613
Deal with it, fucksticks.

>>30154515
>"Fuck off. I've got nothing to prove."
NOPE

>>30154578
We don't want people knowing we have all three class abilities.

>>30154593
No. Unlimited ammo isn't useful. Arrows are cheap and we have a fallback in our glaive. We aren't getting infinite ammo.

>>30154607
We don't need to fly like Lily. I'm still in support of upgrading Ascend.

>>30154607
>>30154622
There's no guarantee any armour we make won't have the same restrictions. And we have Ascend NOW, we don't need to waste a half-doze Pieces that could greatly improve our weapons instead.

>>30154643
lol
you've been shot down by 3 different people guy
you deal with it

>>30154656
>Unlimited ammo isn't useful.
Hey QM, how much ammo do we have on us right now?

>>30154663
I'd rather sink pieces into mobility and use exp to improve our martial skills.

>>30154636
It's slow and we can't pass over obstacles.

>>30154643
No, no one wants this but you. Also why? Why would we be this antagonistic?

Rolled 14

>>30154663
Lily's artifact is my counter-argument to that. It flies without restriction, has pretty decent mobility, and doesn't require cooldown.

>>30154673
Or one guy and one samefag. We can end this with a few words, without risking our lives or anyone else's. Besides, if we scare them off, we'll gain a reputation which will make intimidation easier in the future.

>>30154707
But how many Pieces did she dump into it?

Rolled 38

>>30154703
You really don't get intimidation, do you.

>>30154731
Wasn't it around four or six? Something like that. Even in the beginning it had unlimited flight, it was just slow.

>>30154707
No.
First of all, it goes against everything we represent, and everything Mason fights for. Everyone has been respecting the yield rules so far. We say shit like that? Mason is gonna get his entire group to backtrack support, and suddenly we're all alone, surrounded by 2 hostile groups.

>>30154707
>>30154757 (You)

Second of all, intimidation doesn't work like that. People don't get scared after hearing how we scared away someone with words. People get scared after hearing how we thrashed someone in combat. Not that I'm suggesting we fight her, that's just how things work.

>>30154735
No, I don't think you know what intimidation is. More talking is usually less intimidating.

Rolled 86

>>30154731
I'm not saying it's anything we'd get with any kind of speed. I'm just saying that it's probably better in the long run to spend pieces on it in lieu of XP for Ascend. We're leveling up, and if this follows logical progression, XP is going to get harder to come by than pieces. Think of WoW: You get to level ten pretty quick, but it's a grindfest from then on out. I know the QM probably isn't tracking our level progression really stringently, but we need to realize that there will come a time when we won't be gaining XP with any kind of regularity, never mind that there's probably some kind of level cap.

>>30154757
Because we want the meat to run without risking anyone else dying, and if we have to boast to scare them off, so what? Of course it goes against our character to say shit like that because we're an awkward, meek little thing IRL and we don't know how to scare people, so by saying something that stupid (as you put it), we're culling from other games we've played, shows we've seen, etc, and hoping it sticks (which, again, rolled a 7: All in the delivery, not the actual words).

>>30154798
Further, we SHOT HER IN THE FUCKING NECK from a great distance. They may not remember the words, but when that story spreads, that will be the real thing that sticks. Pun intended.

>>30154812
Again: Shot her in the neck. That's got to sting.

>>30154829
Yeah, the story will be what sticks. Trying to intimidate her now and failing will only hurt our future chances.

>>30154697
12 arrows currently. Down from the 30 you bought yesterday.
>>30154829
You were outvoted.
>>30154557
"What does a duel involve?" you ask. "And who is she anyway?"

"That's Toxicity," Mason says. "We're old rivals. And she doesn't like it when she sees uh..." He rubs his forehead with the back of his hand. "To be blunt, new female players joining my side. It's juvenile, but there it is." He looks more embarrassed than anything.

"As for the duel. She's challenged you so you can pick where you fight. It's to yield, of course, but Liandra, as impressed as I am with what you can do, she's probably going to wipe the floor with you. If you decline, well, she'll probably be rude about it, but there's not much she can do."

He looks over at Toxicity, "Because we're certainly not going to let her take you out."

>>30154533
>>30154593
>>30154656

You raise your voice, "Fuck off. I've got nothing to prove." Seriously; Mason doesn't need anyone defending his virtue.

Toxicity glares at you.

"So," Mason calls. "Are we doing this? Or are you done for the night?"

"Yeah, get off our bridge!" someone shouts.

There is a conference among the players of the opposing side.

"Fine," Toxicity says. "We'll be back later, Mason. It's been fun," she smiles at him, but it's not a nice smile.

That's it. Battle over. The attackers collect themselves and just walk away. A couple of them actually use the bridge to walk over to the city.

"That's a bit anticlimactic," you say.

Mason shrugs, "Battles were the rules of yielding are followed usually end like this. One side agrees to go. C'mon, you're owed some exp." He smiles, "And, I suspect, some applause. That was fine shooting."

>"I got lucky, really. That went really well."
>"Thanks. You're pretty good yourself."
>"I really don't want a reputation."
>Write in.
>Quit Arcadia.

>>30154829
Exactly. It would be more intimidating to shoot her in the neck again.

Rolled 17

>>30154890
Eh, fair enough. They're making a mistake, but will of the many I guess.

>>30154890
>>"Thanks. You're pretty good yourself."

>>30154890
>"Thanks, but I think RNG was on my side tonight in a major way."

It's funny because we're in a game, so it's doubly true.

Rolled 50

>>30154890
"You weren't too bad yourself. How long have you been playing again?"

>>30154890
>"I got lucky, really. That went really well."
>"I really don't want a reputation."

>>30154829
>XP is going to get harder to come by than pieces.
That's a fair point I hadn't considered and you've convinced me we shouldn't up Ascend.
I don't agree with you beyond that.

>>30154890
>"I really don't want a reputation."

>>30154890
>"Thanks, but I think RNG was on my side tonight in a major way."

>>30154890
Hey OP, you may want to call for rolls after a decision has been made. Or else people will just flock to the decision with the best roll.

>>30154993
We take best of first three rolls regardless of what they vote for.

Rolled 90

>>30154961
You don't have to, and I respect that. We might disagree, but as long as we can understand one-another's stances, that's fine. For now, you're probably right about focusing on damage output (assuming you're the same guy), but I think in the long run with our bow buffs, we'll be better off focusing on mobility.

>>30155032
I know. I mean if someone rolls a 1 obviously people will flock to the decision with the hardest DC.

Rolled 19

>>30155057
I think crits auto-win. I'm not getting what you're trying to say, here.

>>30154890
>"I really don't want a reputation."

>>30155100
Okay say the the DC for one choice is 50 and the other is 70. In the first three rolls you get a 43. People after that will have no incentive to take the easier DC. You already know what you rolled without picking the choice yet.

I'm suggesting we pick the choice first and the QM asks for rolls after we've picked it.

>>30155057
Hardest DC does not necessarily mean best option, however. I'm loath to split the votes and rolls because it would cut the thread speed (and I'm slow as fuck as it is.)

>>30154829
I don't normally reveal game mechanics, but I think you guys should know, since you use exp to buy everything including health and SP, I won't be using a WoW style exp curve. You're gonna level up fairly regularly all the way through.

>>30154970
>>30154927
"Thanks, but I think RNG was on my side tonight in a major way."

Mason laughs, "Well lucky is nothing to complain about either."

"You know, you weren't too bad yourself. How long have you been playing again?"

"About hm, six months I guess. I play more than I should though." He gives you a rueful look.

The defenders cluster around you and Mason, bright eyed and cheerful after their win. You're asked your name and half a dozen people introduce themselves and you can't possibly keep track of who is who.

"I don't really want a reputation," you mumble.

Mason tries to come to your rescue, "Come on guys, let's fix the bridge before we all fall asleep." He herds them away towards the hole. The slave trundles after them.

"Thank you," it intones, patting players as it goes and showering them with exp. Meat get ignored entirely. When it's your turn, you hear a chime.

You now have 2 exp.

>Level up now.
>It's late. You don't want to stay for the after party. Bid Mason goodnight, get back to solid ground and log out.
>Help fix the bridge.
>Write in.
>Quit Arcadia.

>>30155197
>People after that will have no incentive to take the easier DC
Unless the easier option is also better.
There's more to combat than passive DCs.

Rolled 92

>>30155213
That helps, then. Thanks for the clarification. I still vote we save them for now.

Help fix the bridge.

>>30155213
>>It's late. You don't want to stay for the after party. Bid Mason goodnight, get back to solid ground and log out.

>>30155213
>Help fix the bridge
Lets chat in the afterparty and make some friends

>>30155213
It takes 1 exp to upgrade a skill, right?
>Level up now.
Upgrade HP and Foresight.

>>30155213
>It's late. You don't want to stay for the after party. Bid Mason goodnight, get back to solid ground and log out.
Well since EXP seems just as easy a resource as Pieces, I think we'll need time to decide how to spend them without the thread turning into a shitfest.

>>30155298
That is exactly the opposite of the correct course of action.
If everyone votes RIGHT NOW without discussing it, just picking what they think is best, we get everything done all nice and cleanly.

>>30155213
>It's late. You don't want to stay for the after party. Bid Mason goodnight, get back to solid ground and log out.
We should probably get to bed soon.

Rolled 43

>>30155331
You probably wouldn't get more than a couple concrete answers.

I say we stay for the after-party. If we're throwing in with these people, we might as well make some acquaintances.

Also, can we get our present stats/character sheet?

>>30155377
Updated the pastebin: http://pastebin.com/XLs6emLy I also usually update it fairly soon after every thread. Liandra's character sheet is included.

>>30155331
Maybe, but if we discuss between other posts like we tried to do earlier this thread, we might come closer to consensus instead of everyone saying "I want this combination of stuff!" and samefagging their votes. I felt we came pretty close to deciding by majority before.
Trying to decide right now without base will just hurt more butts then after a proper discussion. Heck, a great time to talk about it is after Arcadian's done for the night. That's just what I think, though.

Rolled 1

>>30155475
Thanks.

>>30155475
Might wanna split the crunch and summary into separate docs at some point.
>>30155507
pls stop wasting crits

>>30155531
What do you mean wasted? I got a critical success in thanking the QM. You think that's a waste, you ingrate?

>>30155475
Mason is still marked as unknown.

Also if we're spending xp now I vote to increase HP. A game where death means you lose almost everything is not a game we want to glass cannon.

>>30155475
What would happen if we smelted the Bloodletter Iron with the Tears of the Lady? Would that create a new material, or just metal-covered gems?

>>30155531
>pls stop wasting crits
Gambler's Fallacy

>>30155596
I didn't see any actual stats, just HP and SP. Are things like ATK and DEF purely dependent on gear?

Anyway, I think upping our HP might not be a bad idea.

>>30155647
NO YOU FOOL
YOU WILL ANGER THE DICEGODS

Rolled 9

>>30155673
>2012+2
>Believing in the Dice Gods

>>30155649
Considering we can use up to four abilities in a row it might be prudent to up our SP.

>>30155647
Leave us our superstitions u fgt

>>30155649
I think they're dependent on gear, and maybe level. ATK is partly determined by our skill with the weapon we're using, but we don't have skill with armor so dunno about DEF.

>>30155722
I think SP is high enough right now.

Rolled 44

>>30155722
Compromise? One in HP, one in SP?

Guys, I had a thought. We're a pretty balanced melee/ranged character, right? Instead of Ascend or a flying item like was discussed before, how about we put Pieces into our boots?

We could develop the speed to quickly engage targets in melee, have the speed to disengage or create more distance to use our bow. Put a Piece into jump boost so we can take advantage of vertical platforms that archers love.
Best of all I think, having a speed boost should let us stun a target with the bow then sprint and deliver a powerful charge with our glaive because we have more momentum behind the strike. A devastating combo attack!

Thoughts?

>>30155747
I don't think we really need SP, we rely on our weapons mostly. Totally in support of HP though. Maybe Pray since we want people to think we're an Avatar.

>>30155747
I'd really rather put both in HP
from char sheet:
HP:10
SP:12
we have enough SP to use all our abilities 3 times each. We really should have more HP than SP.

>>30155264
>>30155298
>>30155359
vs
>>30155285
>>30155238
>>30155377 Rolled 1d2.

>>30155649
ATK improves with weapons skill. DEF is a combination of damage reduction from gear calculated on my end, dodge rolls, and the enemy's skill.
~~

It's late. You do have to go to class tomorrow, and you'd stayed up playing longer than you'd intended.

"I should sleep," you tell Mason.

He nods, "I'll pass on any news I get from Wolf and Lily. Thanks for your help today. I'll see you around."

You smile awkwardly at everyone else and leap over the hole in the bridge. It doesn't look like it's going to take very long to get it fixed anyway. The slave is working on it too, and many hands make light work.

Back on solid ground, you take out your mirror and log out.

It's dark. Of course it is. Emily's turned the light out and she's asleep in bed. You take off your glasses and rub your eyes. That was pretty fun, but you definitely need to sleep.

You get up to brush your teeth and change, trying to be quiet so as not to wake your roommate. You recoil when you enter the bathroom; a bug is sitting on the wall of the shower. When the light comes on it drops to the floor and wiggles down the plughole.

The whole building must be infested, but you're too tired to care. You brush your teeth and go to bed.

The next morning dawns grey and chill. You and Emily blearily eat breakfast in near-silence, and then you pack your bag and head off to class.

When you leave the building you see a cluster of people standing around in the parking lot looking at something. Jess is among them.

>Investigate.
>Off to class.
>Write in.
>Play Arcadia.

>>30155801
Does it say how much each ability costs in terms of SP?

>>30155795
I think that should change. We've been shown how powerful abilities can be. We shouldn't become a pure squishy mage, but I think favoring abilities would be a good idea.

>>30155813
>>Investigate.

Rolled 13

>>30155795
>>30155801
I was in the HP camp too, guys, but I was looking for a good compromise. If HP is the clear winner, I agree: We need to be able to take a couple hits in this game.

As for the boots, I like that idea.

>>30155813
>Investigate.
Eerie.
The real life segments are my favourite part of your quest Arcadian. The world is always uneasy.

Rolled 39

>>30155813
>Investigate.

"So, who died?"

Feel like an ass when it's an actual corpse.

>>30155813
>Investigate.

>>30155882
The best part is that it's probably our fault for being cheating hacker scum!

>>30155813
>Investigate.
oh shit. Weird stuff ahead.

>>30155845
You don't know how much SP abilities cost you, you've simply yet to run out.

>>30155894
>>30155882
>>30155872
You walk over to the group, and you realise you can smell hot tar, just a trace of it in the air, but there aren't any roadworks as far as you can see.

"So, who died?" you ask, coming to a halt beside Jess. She's smoking; although this isn't technically the smoking area no one's going to hassle her for smoking in the car park. She looks about as tired as she always does, but she doesn't look out of it at least.

She regards you with interest and then looks back at the ground.

Someone has scorched the bitumen, melting the top layer. The damage spells out a single word.

SILENCE

"I bet it was the guys," someone says.

"Maybe it's an art project."

"I wonder how they're going to get rid of it?"

"Like they'll bother."

Jess drops her cigarette butt and steps on it. "Interesting, isn't it?"

>"Did you see what happened?"
>Speak quietly. "You think it was that thing we saw?"
>"I have to go to class. Later."
>Write in.
>Play Arcadia.

>>30156040
>>"Did you see what happened?"

>>30156040
>"Did you see what happened?"

Rolled 72

>>30156040
"Hey... you think this might have been that weird burning guy?"

>>30156040
>"Did you see what happened?"
oh shit.

>>30156040
>"Did you see what happened?"

>>30156063
>>30156076
"Did you see what happened?"

"Nope. But whatever it was, it happened between about four and eight this morning. It's cold now, so must have been a while ago." It's really hard to read Jess's expressions. She doesn't look upset exactly, but she seems concerned.

You take a deep breath. C'mon, you both have to be thinking it. "Hey... you think this might have been that weird burning guy?"

"He bends down and fingerpaints with molten tar?" Jess quirks a half-smile. "I kind of like that image." People move on; most don't glance at the word for longer than twenty seconds or so. They have things to do. You get the feeling Jess has been out here a while, however.

"So it wasn't you then?" she asks abruptly.

>"No! Why would you think that?"
>"I don't think so. I'm pretty sure I'd remember." Play it off a little. Cause maybe this is your fault somehow.
>"I don't know. Honestly, things things have just been weird this weekend."
>Write in.
>Play Arcadia.

>>30155795
>>30155801

I agree that at this early stage we should invest in some HP. Staying alive is the first priority.

However, as we are capable of using the abilities of all classes, SP will be very important.

Lily told us that one of the higher-level abilities (I forget which class) resets the cooldown on that class's other abilities. As we have access to every ability from every class, that means we receive three times the benefit, and can effectively spam every ability in the game not once, but twice. SP, then, becomes extremely important to taking full advantage of our "Liberated Soul".

Going forward, I think one of our main goals should be to earn this cooldown-reset ability, which will instantly triple our potential strength.

Also, everyone, it's vital to remember that we are the only person we know capable of using all the ability types. That is an advantage we should play extremely close to our chest. Lily seems trustworthy enough, as do our two meat friends, but we shouldn't use them all willy-nilly around other players. If we PRAY one moment and then ASCEND the next, it's pretty obvious we're rigged as fuck.

That being said, I don't want to play a pure mage, and I think the idea of making ourselves some kick-ass boots is a great plan. First, though, I think that we should make ourselves some magic armor from the Lady of Sorrow's Tears and immediately invest a piece of Arcadia straight into it. That will increase our survival rate much higher than just buying HP will.

I think another major thing to do is to get infinite ammo for our bow. Ammunition costs money, which adds up over time, and it's been repeatedly demonstrated that our quiver is not in hammerspace - it can be cut from our body, the arrows can spill over the ground, etc. We'll be much more effective without having to physically carry around arrows, and it's one less weight burden, which has vaguely been shown to slow us down somewhat.

>>30156183
>>"No! Why would you think that?"

>>30156183

>"I was the one that got a sunburn from this guy, remember? Why would you think it was me?

>>30156183
>"Nope. Unless I did it in my sleep."

>>30156183
>"I don't think so. I'm pretty sure I'd remember." Play it off a little. Cause maybe this is your fault somehow.

>>30156192

Overall, we should build a character to survive and thrive in a variety of situations.

And actually, PRAY and ASCEND are both Avatar abilities, so we could use them together, but I get what you mean.

>>30156192
I agree, but I'd like to invest in something to keep us mobile as well. I liked the flying armor proposed earlier.

>>30156210
>>30156218
>>30156228
"I was the one that got a sunburn from this guy, remember? Why would you think it was me?"

Jess sighs and looks irritated with herself, "I know, I'm sorry. I should know better. I uh." She scrubs at her face with her hands. "I don't want to talk about it. Sorry."

"I'm pretty sure I'd remember if I did this."

"Well, if it is your superheated stalker, at least we know he can write English. Maybe he'll leave a longer message next time."

"You're hoping for more?" you ask.

Jess looks into your eyes. "Aren't you? Isn't this the strangest thing you've ever experienced? Or do you just not care?"

>"I care about not being hurt by whatever this is. It's dangerous, I think."
>"You like this stuff? You think it's fun? What is with you?"
>"I'm sure there's some sort of logical explanation."
>Write in.
>Play Arcadia.

>>30156192
Then we should invest in SP later, when we can take advantage of it. It would be EXP wasted at this point I think.

I agree, though, that armour needs to be our first spending priority. We've coasted along this whole time in starter robes and base HP, and that's pretty terrible. Especially for someone as high profile as we find ourselves now. Meat will want to gank us, and caught off guard we're toast.

I still disagree about infinite ammo when arrows are plentiful, we have a glaive that we're competent with, we have abilities to fall back on then, and those Pieces could go into an ability much more useful like boosting the paralyzing effects or boosting armour value.

>>30156192
We have literally never run out of SP
Let's wait until we exhaust our reserves before deciding to buy more, it's highly possible that right now we already have more than we need.
We definitely have more than we need right now, since we have 4 abilities, effectively 3 since I don't see us needing to spam ASCEND in combat.
Also, remember that HP and SP only cost 1 xp each to upgrade. Higher tier abilities cost as high as 10. If we go unlocking them we'll have plenty of time/xp to raise SP accordingly.

HP for now.

>>30156345
>"I care about not being hurt by whatever this is. It's dangerous, I think."

>>30156345
>>"I care about not being hurt by whatever this is. It's dangerous, I think."

>>30156345
>"I care about not being hurt by whatever this is. It's dangerous."

Not just we think, we know it's dangerous.

>>30156345
>"I care about not being hurt by whatever this is. It's dangerous, I think."
We should invest in a rape whistle. I want something in case this guy shows up and I think pepper spray is flammable, though don't quote me on that.

>>30156358
We should test our abilities some time. Cast one, check how much SP it takes. Repeat and rest when necessary.

Hey QM, can people tell when we use Foresight?
>>30156303
Flight armour is redundant, we already have Ascend and that won't cost us a million Pieces.

>>30156352

From earlier, it will only take a single piece of Arcadia to achieve 'Ghost Arrows', giving us infinite ammo. I think that's worth the investment.

And it doesn't seem that they're extremely uncommon.

>>30156410
It also lasts 30 seconds. Lily's dirt piece cost less than 10 I think.

>>30156392
That's a great idea. Someone had it before but we've always been busy doing stuff with people. We should remember to do it next thread cause this one might end soon.

>>30156410
>>30156440
I'm still advocating speed/jump boots. Help both bow and glaive strategies and is generally useful outside of combat as a plus.

>>30156410

I think "slow-fall" armor, at the least, would be very useful. Never have to worry about falling off a cliff other than the hassle of climbing back up, and we can jump much farther.

Very useful in situations in which we can't use abilities like ASCEND - when we're hiding the fact that we can use all three types, or when we're trying to blend in with meat, who don't have abilities at all.

I'm not saying that's what I want to invest in immediately, but the idea has a lot of merit.

>>30156476

Super-boots is also something I'd vote for.

Before either of these choices, though, I want to use the Piece of Arcadia to somehow boost the armor's defensive properties. We can add the bells and whistles after we're sure it can take a hit.

>>30156410
It's not as obvious as the other abilities, but it does give you a few seconds of almost-perfect fighting ability. It's possible but not easy to spot it.

>>30156382
>>30156379
>>30156369
>>30156362
"I care about not being hurt by whatever this is. It's dangerous, I think."

"Everything's dangerous," Jess says. "Smoking, driving cars, breathing air, eating saturated fats, drinking too much coffee, spending too long in front of a screen." You get the impression she could go on for a lot longer, but she visibly pulls herself up. "There are so many boring, stupid ways to live and die. What's wrong with interesting?"

Okay...

"Well, that's fine for you, but I don't want to die, in a boring or an interesting way."

"You don't have any choice. Everyone dies." She looks down at the scarred ground. "Do you really think it's dangerous? It's just making graffiti."

"If it shakes your hand it would burn it off. Besides, it didn't write 'hello' or something pleasant."

"Hm."

>"Why did you accuse me, but haven't mentioned Emily?"
>Something seems both up and off with Jess. Maybe she needs a friend. "Do you want to hang out sometime, get coffee?"
>"I have to go to class. What a way to start the week."
>Write in.
>Play Arcadia.

>>30156535
>Something seems both up and off with Jess. Maybe she needs a friend. "Do you want to hang out sometime, get coffee?"

>>30156535
>Something seems both up and off with Jess. Maybe she needs a friend. "Do you want to hang out sometime, get coffee?"
Let's get her into Arcadia!

>>30156535
>>Something seems both up and off with Jess. Maybe she needs a friend. "Do you want to hang out sometime, get coffee?"

Let's give Jess the benefit of the doubt. We can save paranoia for the game world. And maybe we can get her addicted to video games instead of cigarettes.

>>30156535
>Something seems both up and off with Jess. Maybe she needs a friend. "Do you want to hang out sometime, get coffee?"
I want to ask the first, but I want Ash to make friends. Even a weird one like her.

>>30156535
Speaking of >>30156575, that reminds me of an inconsequential question I wanted to ask. Does playing Arcadia or any other game with these glasses suppress your uh, perceived physical needs like food anymore then a normal game like WoW or Civilization might? If I phrased that right.

>>30156654

No. We ate in-game food earlier, and while delicious, it did not make us any less hungry. When we got up after a long session, we felt a bit cramped and spent time stretching, so there's no physical benefit, either.

We should probably fix that. Every college has a gym. Keep the body sharp, keep the mind sharp.

Rolled 64

>>30156535
"We should hang out sometime."

>>30156654
Somewhat, I suppose. You'd have to work really hard at it to starve to death or something though.

>>30156582
>>30156575
>>30156561
>>30156554
"Um, look, do you want to hang out sometime, and get coffee?"

Jess looks at you in surprise. "Coffee from where?" she asks. "All the coffee around here is crap."

Uh. "Yeah, that's right. You make the best coffee. Well, how about you make the coffee and I'll bring some snacks?" Come on, surely she likes snacks; everyone likes snacks.

She shoves her hands into the pockets of her jeans and looks away for few moments. "Yeah, okay," she says. "That sounds interesting." She actually smiles, and it makes the circles under her eyes look worse rather than better.

"Okay, good." Christ. You thought you'd not have to go through any more excruciating making friends conversations after first year, at least until you graduated.

"I'll message you," Jess says. "Or something. I've got classes and shit."

Yeah, so do you.

You're actually feeling pretty good as you make your way to class. At least until you recall why you were talking to Jess in the first place.

You're a few minutes early, and the lecture theatre is about half full. Comp Sci classes are easy to spot; everyone is wearing glasses, and most have a secondary device on them as well. There's also only one other girl in the room.

You make your way up to Wing and Martin; you've shared classes with them since first year, you don't find them attractive and you get the feeling it's mutual, and they both like games. Your grades are better though. Wing's chubby and Chinese, and Martin is tall, boney and even paler than you, although he hides it under a lot of freckles.

You sit down beside Martin.

"So, what happened to your face?" he asks.

>Ugh. Not this again. "Fuck off. It's not your business."
>"Obviously I was at the beach."
>Tell them what happened.
>Write in.
>Play Arcadia.

>>30156905
>Ugh. Not this again. "I'd rather not talk about it."

No need to be rude.

>>30156905
this >>30156970

>>30156905
>>Tell them what happened.
Worst that can happen is they don't believe us.

>>30156905
>Tell them what happened.
We don't need to be bitchy or sarcastic. Better they think we're telling a weird story I guess.

>>30156905

>Tell them what happened

>"I got burned by some creepy stalker guy. Shit was wack."

Rolled 44

>>30156905
"Fell asleep in a tanning bed. Gotta look good to attract the boys, you know."

Deadpan snark is the best snark.

>>30156970
>>30156991
I should have specified 'in a friendly manner.' Then again, Ash isn't Australian, so perhaps it's for the best.

>>30157045
>>30157019
>>30157018
You tell them what happened, as concisely as possible. They listen with puzzled frowns.

"Wait, you hit someone with a bat?" Wing looks at you with new respect.

"It caught fire?"

"Yes, pretty much. And when I got in I was burned like this. My roommate is too."

"That's really strange." Martin narrows his eyes, "You're not making a joke, are you?"

"Dude, if this was joke, it would suck. There's no punchline other than my own face."

Wing laughs. "I get it." They appear to decide that if they don't understand it, then it's not important. "So, Ash, how was Arcadia?"

"Oh, yeah. I got it too," Martin says, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "I saw your busy status all Friday night and gave in and bought it on Saturday. It's awesome, isn't it?"

"I'm jealous," Wing says. "But if I start another MMO I'm going to fail this semester."

>Geek out over the graphics.
>Ask Martin where he is in-game and try and figure out if you can meet up.
>Tell them about the meat guild.
>Write in.
>Play Arcadia.

>>30157274
>>Ask Martin where he is in-game and try and figure out if you can meet up.

Rolled 40

>>30157274
"Wing, you should get a copy. The graphics are fantastic! Martin, you should message me in-game and we should meet up. Name is 'Liandra'."

>>30157274
>Geek out over the graphics
I don't want to meet our irl friends in game yet
they'll tell everyone what a nerd we are

>>30157274
>Geek out over the graphics.
Eh, I don't really want this guy finding us. We're a pretty big deal and he might blab about our class if he finds out he'll probably find out

>>30157274

>Geek out over the graphics

Let's just enjoy the game world free of of IRL friends for now. I want to keep doing our own thing. But we'll have to meet up sometime.

Warn him not to die, though, otherwise he'll become meat. And it seems like they really do have the short end of the stick.

>>30157274

Question, Arcadian. I know that meat have no abilities and can't enchant things with Pieces of Arcadia (let alone see the pieces), but do they earn experience? Can they buy HP and add to their weapon skills?

>>30157274
>Geek out over the graphics
THEY GET NO HELP FROM US
WE WENT IN DRY, SO DO THEY
TELL THEM NOTHING

>>30157468
nope, they get nothing and suck forever

>>30157307
"The graphics are amazing, aren't they?"

"I started out in this forest." He turns towards you excitedly. "Holy- I mean, I could smell the earth and moss and things. It was like I was there. I spent ten minutes just looking at leaves. You can feel the wind on your face."

"Have you died yet, Ash?" Wing asks slyly.

"Shut up!" Martin says. At your look he laughs. "I got jumped by this wolf thing."

"And then you screamed," Wing adds. "Scared the life out of me. It was like someone was strangling a cat."

"It wasn't that bad," he mutters.

"The guys from across the hall came over to see if you were okay," Wing says. He's smiling, like it's a joke, but his eyes look a bit worried as well.

"Well, everything's realistic, right?" Martin says. "I just didn't like the look of my own intestines." He finishes the sentence in a low mutter.

Well, so much for finding out what class he is.

"I haven't died yet," you say. "And I really don't plan to."

"It's worth it though," Martin says. "I mean, you just gotta remind yourself that it's a game. I'm on some islands now. You can eat the fruit even."

"Yeah, I've tried fruit."

You don't have time to talk much longer. Your class is starting.

>Ask them if they've seen any bugs around.
>Martin died too early to learn what exactly he'd lost. Tell him?
>Concentrate on class for now.
>Write in.
>Play Arcadia.

Rolled 39

>>30157468
Yeah, they gain XP and can buy HP and up their weapons skills. Lily said that in the second thread, I think.

>>30157670

Well, that's not so bad then.

Rolled 38

>>30157620
"Sorry, Martin, but you're a 'meat' now. You don't have a class, and I don't know if there's a way to get it back. Don't worry, if I can help you somehow I will."

>>30157620
>Ask them if they've seen any bugs around.
It's comp sci, Ash doesn't need to pay attention.

>>30157620
You guys seen any bugs around? There are huge ones in my apartments, it may be a campus thing.

>>30157693
>"Sorry, Martin, but you're a 'meat' now. You don't have a class, and I don't know if there's a way to get it back. Don't worry, if I can help you somehow I will."

Just let him play in peace for a little while.

>>30157620

Ask about the weird bugs.

Rolled 15

>>30157693
This. Let him down easy before he learns the hard way.

>>30157620
>>Concentrate on class for now.

>>30157620
>Ask them if they've seen any bugs around.

>>30157724
>>30157694
>>30157728

"Have you guys seen any big bugs around? They're about this long and black with lots of legs."

"Ergh." Wing pulls a face. "Oh wait, that's what that guy's girlfriend was talking about. Apparently the girls dorms are infested or something."

"Yeah, pretty much. I've squished a couple. So your dorms are okay?"

"As far as I know," Martin says. "But if they're in yours they'll probably end up in ours eventually."

Wing is looking deeply unhappy, "Can't they fumigate? I don't like bugs."

"Someone was going to report it."

"Well, if it's too much you're welcome to hang out at ours," Martin says.

"Your dorm smells of socks on a good day, but thanks. Actually, the bugs don't bother me that much. No one's been bitten as far as I know."

The conversation dies away as the class gets started.

>Pay attention.
>Mess about on the internet.
>Write in.
>Play Arcadia.

Rolled 15

>>30157980
>Mess about on the internet.
Wonder if /v/'s going to be insightful.

Rolled 56

>>30157980
Link Martin to an article on Meat with an "I'm sorry." Better he learns now.

>>30157980

It's our first class. Maybe we'll learn something useful. Pay attention.

Meanwhile, try /v/ again.

>>30158063

I'm currently debating with myself on this point.

Although, if he's meat, it actually makes me more willing to meet up with him in-game and help him out.

Rolled 46

>>30157980
>>30157925
>Pay attention
At least for a little while to see if it's something you should take notes on.

>>30157980
>>Pay attention.

>>30158063
Something like this. If he finds out he'll be pretty pissed he got cheated out of the full experience from bad luck. Any we can stop from joining the guild I guess.

>>30158099
>>30158105
>>30158106
You feel bad for Martin and you turn the matter over in your mind as you open your notes folder. You might have a talk with him later when you have free time. The map is so huge, he could be anywhere in-game, and there's no guarantee you'll ever meet.

Nothing is named, not even the players, and you realise how difficult it would be for meat to reconnect with friends after dying. For a multiplayer game, making and maintaining friendships is not made easy. But on the other hand, it means the successful ones, like Trish and Shrike's are probably as tight as family.

You multitask a little, checking /v/, but unsurprisingly there's not much there on a Monday morning, and no relevant threads.

At the end of the lecture, Wing launches into what is framed as a discussion one student to another but what is mostly a cry for help about one of the assignments. You pack up your things and wander out in a group, giving what help you can verbally.

You wander past another lecture theatre. And stop. Up on the screen is an introductory slide. A welcome to the subject; economics. In the background, are some pleasant pictures of scenery, and among them is a picture of a slave.

It has to be. You'd know that bland, smiling face anywhere. It's situated at rest, only its head sticking up above the ground on what looks like a rocky island. The sea and skies behind are blue.

This is not one of the official screenshots. You know them by heart now. And until now no one's managed to take any others as far as you know.

~~~
Okay guys. That's probably a reasonable place to stop today. Hang around a minute, I'll make a post about the next thread.

>>30158469
osnaposnap

>>30158469
My summer holidays have come to an end. I'm Australian, and I work shifts. I don't know what my schedule is going to be, but to run at a reasonable time for you guys, I start at about 9-10am which means I need a mostly clear day.

I predict I'll only be able to run reliably once or twice a fortnight, and I understand if that's too slow for a quest. I'm very flattered people have turned up after a couple of weeks AWOL on my part.

If that's going to be too slow, I understand. If you're still keen to play, great. Please follow my twitter; it's there that I'll let you know when I can run next. You can find me @QM_Arcadian.

Thank you as always for playing.

>>30158551
Plenty of quests run once a week. Shouldn't be a problem.

Rolled 56

>>30158551
It's a bit slow, but I think I mentioned before that I'll wait for quality.

Focus on your studies. /tg/ will be waiting when you come back.

And thank you for running.

>>30158551
I'm keeeeeeen

>>30158551
Thank you for running Arcadian, it's been a fun ride so far. Do what you need to do, we aren't very picky. Have agood rest of the day(?)

>>30158586
>>30158596
>>30158605
>>30158644

Oh yeah, I'm here for a little while. If you have comments or questions, fire away.

>>30158669
How Australian would you say you are?

>>30158551

This quest is fantastic. I look forward to the next installment. Once a week is more than enough.

See you later!

>>30158551
Once a week is fine, man. Just keep on keeping on.
I'm Aussie too. Goddamn timezones.

>>30158686
>>30158686

>fortnight
That's two weeks.

>>30158669
Is it a reasonable assumption that level 5 skills cost 15 exp?

Also have we done any research into the game? We keep worrying about abilities and classes, but that could be fixed by just googling up a list, right? Unless a online list of class abilities doesn't exist for mysterious reasons~~~~~~~~

>>30158669
Can meat get exp? Can they use items infused with pieces of arcadia?

>>30158721

Well, he did say once or twice a fortnight. Think positive!

>>30158685
On a scale of one to Bob Hawke, probably only a six.

>>30158728
You're close. And yeah, searches turn up nothing; forums get taken down or die or malfunction. Only the official site is reliable.

>>30158752
Meat can't use the items. No one can use another person's fused item (as you'd have discovered if you'd killed Lily the first time you met her and tried to take her stuff.) Meat can level up the HP and weapons skill, but it resets when they die, which is why so many of them aren't that powerful.

>>30158799
Do they reset as the same character model, then? Like, if Shrike or Lily died, would we be able to recognize them?

>>30158799
Do you follow any quests? Do you chat with other QMs? Are other pieces you write similar to this in tone? themes?

>>30158799
Touching on the debate earlier, in your own opinion:

Armor (or an item) that grants Flight: Good idea, or bad?

>>30158799
Don't forget to archive, boss!

>>30158862
Yeah, their character models stay the same.

>>30158870
I dip into and out of quests, depending on how guilty I'm feeling about not running my own. Quane Quest inspired me to start running. I talk to no other QMs although Shadow_Master tweeted me once that was amazing.

I've written a lot of stuff. Dunno how much is similar exactly.

>>30158896
Did you ever get the levitate spell in Morrowind? I think enchanting gear would be like that; floaty and hard to control until you put serious Pieces into it. But you could probably ask Lily for advice.

>>30158986
Thanks. I missed a number and it didn't archive. Should be good now.

>>30159046
>Did you ever get the levitate spell in Morrowind?
I found a dagger of levitation in the swamps. I love that thing.

>>30159046
Fuck, no. I haven't touched Morrowind since I talked to you about it a couple threads back. I hate to admit it, but I started with Oblivion and I think I've been spoiled on Skyrim. Going back to Morrowind, it was just too much of a pain in the ass.

On the topic of magic items, though, what's the limit? We don't exactly seem to have a standard inventory system. If we got enough Pieces, hypothetically, could we have a magic ring on every finger, a tangle of enchanted necklaces, fifty piercings in various visible and non-visible locations that each had an enchanted bauble of some sort, etc? Or is it the standard D&D two rings, one necklace limit?

>>30159104
You'll never know the joys of floating above a city and raining 100m explosions down onto the populace.

>>30159095
>>30159104

I just remember getting caught on every fucking thing trying to navigate Telvanni wizard towers.

You could drape yourself in stuff, but items are limited by what they are, rather than the pieces. You couldn't just have a ring of anything you wanted. You want to go fast, put it on your boots; you want more damage, put it on your weapon, etc. Besides which, you can stack any number of Pieces on a single item, so using lots of different items doesn't gain you much (other than a certain sort of style, I suppose.)

>>30159219
Do you ever get frustrated with us, Arcadian?
Do you recall any choices we made that you didn't expect us to? I always find it weird when my GM says we do that, because everything we do makes sense to me.

Also, what would a ring give us for choices if we put a Piece on it? Like tiny a SP boost? Enhanced punching?

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>>30159219
>you can stack any number of Pieces on a single item

Invisible Flaming Chaotic Telescoping Toxic Levitating Boomerang Glaive of the Lifehunt

Also, it shoots black laser beams.

Who's ready to party?

>>30159300

Adamantium Crystal Diamond Titanium Icy Thorned Levitating Armor of Sorrow and Invincibility

>>30159265
Actually, almost all the unexpected things you've done have made the story better, in my opinion. I didn't expect you to attack Lily, and that could have really knocked things awry if she'd killed you, and the obsession with infinite ammo amuses the hell out of me (yes, it's useful it's just not very exciting. You're so practical.)

Also I expected you to go to bed rather than hang out in the common room, but for having pulled them out of thin air I quite like Melissa and Jess now and I have solid plans for them. Like I said; you guys make it better.

Rings. I dunno. Possibly some sort of shield or reflecting capabilities. Or punching. Ghost hand - reach through walls - I'd come up with something.

>>30159300
Yeaah. I'm thinking you can't go too far beyond the items original purpose. So laser beams are probably out.

Arcadian, as a follower and a lover (and third time poster) of Arcadia quest, I just want to say thank you for delivering this immerse, enjoyable quest. Arcadia as a game is more interesting than any actual MMO I've ever played, and just getting to explore it via the quest thread rivals some of the best times I've had in my entire WoW career.

And I don't know if you're intentionally doing this, but the fact that "Play Arcadia" is an option in literally every real-world post really resonates with my own experiences, especially when I was addicted to a particular MMO for the longest time. While I'm sure it was just to give the players the option to log in whenever, the emphasis and constant reminder gave a sense of a deep and impulsive NEED to get a fix.

As always, I shall await the next thread, be it as an active participant or a leisurely romp through the archives. Stay gold, ponyboy.

>>30159384
Zelda's sword.

Enough said.

>>30159406
Damn, thank you sir.

And yes, that's exactly why that option is always there (among other reasons which are not yet relevant and may never be relevant because such is questing.) I was a WoW addict for three wasted years of my life; I know how it goes.

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>>30159406

>Stay gold, ponyboy.

>that book

>>30159445
One last question because I've never spoken to an Australian. How do you feel about SE Asia? Just in general. Any different from what others around you think?

Thanks for doing a Q&A, they're pretty fun and insightful once and a while. It's too late for me so I'm turning in. See you when you can run again Arcadian, and thanks again for the thread.

>>30159445
Mmhmmm. Started in Vanilla, and just kept going. Thank god I was saved by a League of Legends addiction and eventually burned out on the raid-loot-raid weekly cycle. It helps that I have shitty late night hours and couldn't find groups.

But yes. I can tell a lot went into this quest and I appreciate the detail. It's inspired me to work on one myself.

Hey, if you have some time, would you like to chat in some future evening? I'd love to shoot the shit, maybe fish for some pointers on running something myself.

>>30159528
I feel incredibly embarrassed when I consider the attitude Australia has diplomatically to SE Asia. We could learn so fucking much if we could get over ourselves.

Most of the people I hang out with think similarly. I know better than to discuss politics at work (but apparently not on 4chan.)

>>30159615
I started sometime before BC and quit soon after Wrath. Getting geared back up after the expansion to get back on the raid cycle finally seemed like too much effort. And then I realised I was only logging in to see if I could get laid. So I quit and all my creativity came back like magic.

Sure, I don't mind. This is my first quest; I still feel like I'm on the edge of fucking up every other post, so I dunno how much use it'd be but by all means msg me on twitter or something.

>>30159715
>first quest

I guess some people are just born talented.

>>30159768
Roughly adding up the fiction I've written in the past thirteen years nets me over three-quarters of a million words. Most of them terrible.

>>30159857
Looking at this quest, I'd say it's paid off.

>>30159857
750,000.

Mother of God. That's something like four novels.

>>30159983
Most of my novels are really short, actually. I can't seem to write original fiction longer than 80k for some reason.

>>30160047
Pfft. Better than I can do. I've been wanting to run a Disgaea quest for a few months, but every time it comes to brainstorming or pre-writing, I come up blank.

>>30160070
To be honest, although I pre-wrote a few of the posts in the first quest thread, I hardly prewrite anything other than the opening post now. And I keep most of my brainstorming in my head. It's probably a terrible way of doing things.

>>30160134
Probably, but better a poor system than none at all.