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>>38003684

"Ascheritte, are you alright?" Aelriss asks, waving a hand in front of your face.

"Hm? Oh, yeah." You shake your head. "I was just thinking."

"Right." Donnel chimes in. "Well, good fighting nonetheless, you two. Aelriss was just telling us what she's figured out about the elements. Apparently, there's three whole tiers, with..."

"Hey, I know this." Nel folds his arms. "Fire, water, earth, and wind are Tier 3. Ice, lightning, dark, and light are T-2, and T-1 was... uhm."

"Gravity," Aelriss begins. "Nature, time, and life."

"There could be plenty more, knowing this game." Nel responds. "Anyway, what are we thinking of doing?"

"I'm not sure." Donnel says. "Peace in Averron City seems tenuous, but we're going to have to go back eventually, and I'd really like an opportunity to visit the market and vendors."

"Mhm." Tatsumaki nods.

"What if that's not an option?" Nel asks, standing and circling around the fire to face the entire party.

"Not sure." Aelriss says. The conversation stalls. "But, we can't just sit here forever. Who's got some ideas?"

> "Let's try to get back to Averron. The guilds could use our help."
> "Let's investigate another branch of the ruins. It won't be that dangerous."
> "Aelriss, how do you get elemental equipment?"
> Other

>>38003702
>"Aelriss, how do you get elemental equipment?"
> "Let's try to get back to Averron. The guilds could use our help."
Besides we need heal equipment to deal with bosses and demi bosses.

>>38003702
> "Let's try to get back to Averron. The guilds could use our help."

>>38003702
> "Let's investigate another branch of the ruins. It won't be that dangerous."
> "Aelriss, how do you get elemental equipment?"

More CGs means better gear. Also, are we speccing into 2H or not? That is.very influential as to how we spend this next XP.

>>38003912
We have no weapon spec yet i think. i think Upping Weapon mastery would be best for now, as it buffs all weapons.

>>38003702
Back to averon!

Also, remider that we left the green haired girl alive.

>>38003956
Right, but it was confirmed last thread that, if you intended to use two-handed long term, two-handed mastery would be better than weapon mastery.

Of course, if we decide to not decide that right now, I definitely agree on upgrading Weapon Mastery.

>>38003912
2 handed sounds nice, it would be an unexpected combination with our focus on speed and dodging. I wonder if equipment like large weapons and heavy armor slow us down much

>>38003999
I think sword/axe/mace and shield woulb be better with a tecnoknight build....if we are still going after that

>>38004045
If we wanna go tech knight i'd say mace or one handed sword.

>>38004164
>>38004069
I'd agree on one-handed sword, so let's see what we can make when we get back, I suppose.

>>38003702
> Spend XP on Weapon Mastery.

>>38004239

All cool to me,
Weapon mastery it is.

>>38004338
I kind of want to see how the 2 handed sword we just got works for us before I decide

>>38004398
Well, there's nothing wrong with more damage and accuracy, anon. If we choose to specialize in two-handers, I'm sure we'll have experience by the time we make that decision.

>>38004398
>>38004338
I`m a little worried it will slow us down but it`s better to test it before spending points

Change my vote to not spending right now

Also, van we ask our party how much hp total they have so we have an idea of how much we can handle?

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>>38003702

"I think we should head back to the city." You say. "I have a feeling the guilds could use our help."

"Gross," Nel sighs. "You already want to duke it out with more Nameless?"

"I'm behind it." Donnel says. "The more we kill, the better. Tell me I'm wrong."

"They aren't all bad, Donnel. There are probably people in the city being killed unfairly--"Aelriss begins, but Donnel interrupts.

"You saw what happened when we trusted the last one! I gave you the benefit of the doubt, and we almost got killed for that." He says, rising from his seat on a stone outcropping. "No more of this nonsense. From here on out, we're playing this game the way it was meant to be played."

"How do you know what that is?" Aelriss folds her arms, rising from her own seat, with Tatsumaki caught between her and Donnel's cold stares. The conversation stalls again. Nel nudges you with an elbow, and the two of you decide to take the lead, heading back up towards Averron City. The rest of the party falls in line behind the two of you after another second or two of silence.

You remember the road back up well, Nel carefully inspecting a map on his Unique Identifier as the five of you cross a bridge over the familiar white abyss below. You've seen a branch of the ruins now, which leaves you wondering where that leads, and how much space there really is down there. You feel like this walk is a little shorter than it should be, but you aren't complaining; walking is just tiring enough to feel real.

> [[ Continued ]]

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>>38004862

"Aelriss, how do you get elemental equipment?" You ask over your shoulder, trying to make conversation.

"Artificers can put elemental focuses into your items, is the gist of it." Nel says.

"Foci." Aelriss corrects him. "Sources of elemental power can be harvested naturally or dropped from monsters, depending on your discipline and your particular preference. The best ones come from bosses, but I'm told you have to work for them, completing particular rituals or cutting off wings and tails by dealing direct damage to those particular locations."

"Ah," You recall. "I played a game like that, once."

"But the power and specific workings of particular foci can vary wildly depending on what they're from and what types of equipment you fuse them with." She continues.

"Some artificers apparently found a Dark focus in a branch of the ruins, but apparently you can't even work with upper-tier elements without something called an 'aetheric resonator'." Nel says.

"Ah!" Aelriss's eyes light up. "Did they say where to get one?"

"Nope." He responds, deadpan. "Sounds expensive, though. Or rare."

"Damnit..." Aelriss frowns, looking disappointed.

"You're sure this is the right way, Nel?" You ask, glancing over another bridge.

"Taking a shortcut." He responds. "Should be right through here..."

> [[ Continued ]]

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>>38004879

You emerge from the mouth of one of the upper caves, and the warehouse district gate comes into view. There's what looks like a skirmish underway up ahead, with the ranks of the Averron Guard broken by a group of Nameless. Three guardsmen stand a ways apart from one another, looking for an approach angle on the group of four Nameless they're surrounding.

The Nameless, though, are set on other targets. They're engaged in combat with an absolutely massive, greataxe-wielding man--you think he maxed his avatar's dimensions--wearing red-trimmed armor, marked with a familiar logo. Crimson Guard. They're lashing in and out like the sisters with chromatic hair you fought earlier, taking turns to keep the adjacent guardsmen at bay.

They're chipping away at the Crimson's armor. It seems like they're too fast for him; then, he twirls his axe overhead and levels it in a wide, barreling maneuver that cleaves through a member of the Nameless group, shoulder to waist. He spins, spiked shield ready, and takes a hit to the back that doesn't seem to bother him. Rather than block the next attack, he bashes the next Nameless with his shield, immobilizing him for long enough for the Crimson to essentially fall on him, shield forward, planting the spike through his chest.

He rolls aside to dodge a blow from behind, and the members of the Guard move in to finish off the third kill before helping the Crimson to his feet. The four of them begin to make their way into the city, with you following cautiously a ways behind them. You hear yelling, and think you can see smoke rising from over the city wall.

[[ 1 ]]
> Get in contact with Ayla.
> Get in contact with Smith.
> Head in to help secure the city center.
> Search for suspicious activity in the warehouse district.
> Other.

[[ 2 ]]
Spend a point on Weapon Mastery?
> Yes
> No

>>38004915
Spend a point on Weapon Mastery?
> No

>>38004915
> Search for suspicious activity in the warehouse district.
> Get in contact with Smith/Ayla.

> Yes.

>>38004915
> Get in contact with Ayla.

>>38004915
> Get in contact with Ayla.
> Get in contact with Smith.
> Search for suspicious activity in the warehouse district.
>no

>>38004915
Contact Ayla

No

>>38004915
> Search for suspicious activity in the warehouse district.
> Get in contact with Smith/Ayla.
Like to see our options first.

>>38004915
>>38004963
Adding to that
> Head in to help secure the city center.

>>38004915
>> Head in to help secure the city center.

>>38004915
>Get in contact with Ayla.
> Head in to help secure the city center.

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>>38004915

You give Ayla a call. It's a moment before she answers; the hologram screen is a shot of her with a bruised face and her back pressed to a wall. There's flashes of caster fire and faint explosions that are just a little bit out of phase with the distant explosions you catch from over the city walls.

"Ascheritte?" She asks. "What's going on? I'm a little busy."

"I actually wanted to ask you what was going on." You respond. "We just got back to Averron. Is something wrong?"

"They've got groups camping outside the guild halls. We're trying to do something about it, but Liza's spread her guild too thin." Ayla grits her teeth. "She stormed off towards the warehouse district and I haven't been able to get in contact with her since, which doesn't bode well, considering that's where Freakshow has been the most active recently."

"Do you need anything?" You ask.

"I'd like it if you could be careful. This whole thing got a lot worse than we anticipated. It's bigger than just Freakshow and some Nameless." She responds. "Random people from off the street have gotten killed or pulled into the fighting. People who don't have anything to do with it are just looting everyone and taking swings for the hell of it. Most of 'em don't even know why they're fighting anymore."

There's another explosion, and her eyes widen. She shouts, sprinting out of view before the call ends. You try to call Smith, but he doesn't respond. His workshop is in this district, though; perhaps you could go check?

You glance upward, catching a player and a pair of Nameless moving across external scaffolding on a tall, blocky warehouse building. The three of them carefully open a wooden door and shuffle inside; you think you catch a glimpse of Freakshow bandanas on their upper arms.

> Head for Smith's workshop.
> Search for a ground entrance to that warehouse.
> Climb up to the warehouse scaffolding.
> Head for the guild halls.
> Other.

>>38005486
>> Search for a ground entrance to that warehouse.

>>38005486
>Search for a ground entrance to that warehouse.
Let's go kill some freaks!

Also, can we spend our exp before we get into a fight?

>>38005486
>Head for Smith's workshop.
Than
> Climb up to the warehouse scaffolding.
>>38005539
>>38005524
>beleiving they would let an open entrance on the ground floor, when we saw them use a roof one.
Either that shit is booby trapped, guarded to hell and back, or there is too much fighting there.

>>38005486
>Head for Smith's workshop.
>Other
Have Nel and the others be on the look out for ambushes
>>38005564
Seconded

>>38005486
> Head for Smith's workshop.

This doesn't bode well, friends.

>>38005486
> Climb up to the warehouse scaffolding

>>38005486
>Climb up to the warehouse scaffolding.

>>38005486
>> Head for Smith's workshop.

>>38005486
> Climb up to the warehouse scaffolding.

>>38005564
If we use the two handed weapon in this fight, we can make an informed xp decision when it's over.

>>38005708
Enh, he's just tied up killing mooks is my guess. Can't get to the phone.

>>38005844
Sure, but two handed mastery makes wielding 2h weps easier. So it's not exactly an informed decision.

>>38005873
Informed as in we'll know if we give a damn about 2h weapons. Might cause us to go 2slow4u if there's a speed penalty

>>38005936
>Might cause us to go 2slow4u if there's a speed penalty
Sure, but getting the mastery speeds them up (lighter, more balanced). I don't see a one handed mastery so I assume we're innately capable with them since they're less unwieldy.

Thus getting the 2h mastery puts them closer to being on an even playing field with 1h weapons. Using a 2h wep without the mastery and then saying 'oh, too slow and heavy' is daft because it's not a fair comparison.

>>38006090
But 1hand mastery does the same, plus we'll need a free hand for tech knight stuff if we're still shooting for that route.

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>>38005486

"This way. We'll see if my friend is here." With Nel and the others watching your corners, you lead the party through the narrow district corridors toward where Smith indicated his workshop was. The building's aren't that tall; the architecture is blocky and a bit rusty. Dirty-looking alleyways connect city block to city block, and every other building seems to have a fire escape or a metal scaffold running its circumference.

You get a feel for the warehouse district pretty quickly, but you understand the warnings. It'd be easy to get lost in a place like this. It's the darkest part of the city, and you feel like you're being watched everywhere you go, though you've got a whole party with you.

"Uhm, Ashe?" Nel asks. "Is this the place?"

You arrive at a building in the approximate area, and recognize the arrangement of exterior windows from your call with Smith. The door is wide open, and there's two dead players curled up outside, bodies cut and burnt. Tatsumaki and Aelriss run forward to investigate, but you recognize them, even from here, as the two people who burst in on Smith during your call earlier.

"They're just Nameless." You say. "They attacked Smith when I was talking to him, before we came up."

"Uhm," Donnel says. "They're wearing Disposable Heroes tabards. Does that guild invite Nameless?"

"I didn't think so." Nel says. "Do they have UIs?"

"They've got nothing." Aelriss says. Tatsumaki makes an 'empty-handed' gesture. You look around. It's dark inside the workshop. Smith is nowhere to be seen, and you still can't shake the feeling someone is watching you.

> Head inside.
> Other.

>>38006119
>1hand mastery does the same
Please, point out this 1h mastery to me.

>>38006090
There might be a one handed mastery later on.
Also i found something intresting.
"Titan's Strength"
Is what you probably meant about making Two handed easier to do.
Also dual handed has its own version below.
* Dual Wield Mastery // Passive // Increases the chance to hit with a weapon wielded in the off-hand. Required for "Cross Strike", "Titan's Grip".

>>38006129
Use a torch and head inside. Look around for whoever is watching us

>>38006129
>Other.
Head off to the central square. It's clear Smith has cleared out for now, and rooting through his workshop won't do us any favors. Plus, knowing him, he's more than likely got his workshop rigged with traps to deal with any invaders. He's slightly cruel like that.

>>38006129
>Head inside.
Say smiths name out loud, in case he is setting up a trap.

>>38006129
>Head inside

>>38006164
>There might be a one handed mastery later on.
I can't outright deny that but why wouldn't that be available from the start? I very, very much doubt that a 1h mastery skill gets unlocked later on since there's no obvious masteries that lead into it. The QM might be able to weigh in on this.

>>38006129
> Head inside, with Tatsumaki taking point with you, Aelriss in the middle, and Nel and Donnel at the rear.

>>38006129
Try contacting Smith and search around the immediate area before heading inside.

>>38006164
Two handed mastery makes the weapons lighter and easier to handle, not just titan strength

>>38006264
We get it you're dead set on a two handed weapon. We don't necessarily want that route yet.

>>38006371
You're talking to multiple people.

You're also assuming we'd vote 2h mastery for the next skill and not something else.

>>38006129

"Smith?" You ask, looking inside, before gesturing to Tatsumaki, who joins you at your side.

"I don't think he's here, buddy." Donnel says. "We might want to move further into the city. See where we're needed, before we get picked off in the alleyways."

"We can at least have a look." You flick open a fluorescent torch and begin into the dark warehouse. Tatsumaki's next to you, with Aelriss in the middle and the other two bringing up the rear. As you enter, you see the gleam of your torch-light on something to your left, and hear the familiar sound of retractable blades expanding.

"Ascheritte! On your left!"

> [[ 1d100 ]]

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>38006439
You've dropped your trip btw

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>38006439

Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>38006439

Rolled 94 (1d100)

>>38006439
Told you the sociopath inventor would booby-trap his workshop.

>>38006467
Professional QM operating on a closed course, do not attempt

>>38006482
Bueno

>>38006439
Man this makes me want to upgrade our advanced reflexes.
>>38006500
Can you give us a ballpark of where the dc is with our reflexes, and where it could be once upgraded?

>>38006527
I really want to upgrade dodge and get the retaliate skill

>>38006540
Same

>>38006527
I like keeping DCs a bit nebulous. Weapon skills and passive boosting abilities don't influence DCs; they actually just add stacking positive modifiers to all of your relevant rolls. I've thought about displaying those but I don't want to encounter any future trouble with consistency or potential upset if I ever have to change the mechanics or numbers.

>>38006500
Does attacking with the shield count as "striking with an off hand weapon" for the Dual Wielding ability?

* Dual Wield Mastery // Passive // Increases the chance to hit with a weapon wielded in the off-hand.

>>38006482
Nice roll, anon

Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>38006589
I think it's best to keep the modifiers invisible for the time being at least. Easier to use your discretion on each instance than it is predicting the correct values for such modifiers on the fly in a manner that'd be consistently balanced for the rest of the quest.

>>38006540
I'd vote for retaliate too.
But i want to pick up a shield asap and then get shield mastery

>>38006679
I'd rather focus on dodging and countering instead of spreading our points thin on several different defensive skills

>>38006595
Shields are decidedly not weapons. The game won't stop you from using a shield to murder someone, but you won't reap the benefits of things like Weapon Mastery when battering someone with your shield.

I guess you can trigger Haste with it, if you really care, and want to look really stupid.

>>38006482
> [[ 97 ]]

You duck low, easily avoiding a buzzing spherical drone as it sails overhead. It doesn't look like it's going to stop, and you produce your greatsword immediately as you recover, taking a contracted overhead swing that smashes it into a pile of scrap metal in the middle of the floor.

Eh, he'll probably think someone else did it.

"Mm, warm welcome." Aelriss says, then calls out, voice echoing through the workshop. "Hello?"

"Doesn't seem like anyone's home, except for that Viscerator drone. What kind of maniac sets those to proximity activation, anyway?" Nel says, wandering over to Smith's work table; there's a few small tools and pieces that don't look terribly useful, as well as some small objects that look halfway between floppy disks and luminescent credit cards. "Hey, check it out! Cred-chips. Your friend's loaded if he's just gonna leave this stuff lying around, Ashe."

"He seemed like the opulent type." You respond.

"If it belongs to someone else, we should probably leave it." Aelriss nods.

> Other

>>38006772
Let's get out of here and head to the guild halls

>>38006772
Leave a note, and than go towards the warehouse scaffold.

>>38006772
Uh. I dunno what to do here. It seems like you intended to write more.

Well, my first thought would be to investigate in the direction where the drone came from.

>>38006772
>May as well toss him another call to see if he's able to answer yet
>Failing that should probably go help the guilds kill nameless

>>38006772
Put it down Nel, you'd be looting just like the rest of them.
>Call out for smith
>Leave for town center

>>38006772
> Climb up to the warehouse scaffolding.

>>38006772
>Grab the credchip so that we can return it later. Better than leaving it for a looter to make away with

>>38006772
Leave the money and head for the square.

>>38006868
>I swear, officer. I was only holding onto that $300 for him. I was gonna give it back, honest.

>>38004879
>"Ah," You recall. "I played a game like that, once."
You sneaky bugger. Hyped for MH4U are we?

>>38006772

"Better yet, I'll return them to him." You scoop up the credchips, three in total, and a few thousand credits between them. "Wouldn't want any of the looters getting hold of them."

You contemplate leaving him a note, ruffling about the work desk in search of pen and pad while the other party members look around the dark workshop. Come to think of it, you haven't seen a pen and paper in this game.

You open one of the drawers, finding more tools and metal bits. The drawer on the other side is... full of broken UIs.

You stagger.

"Everything alright, Ashe?" Nel asks.

"Uhm. I'm just trying to see if I can leave him a note, or something to let him know I've been here." You respond.

"Just send a message, then. It's easier."

"Oi!" Donnel shouts from near the window, then ducks down as debris from an explosion outside sails past the open doorway. "Crimson Guard just blew by on the street. Which means it's about to get bad over here."

[[ 1 ]]
> Take the UIs.
> Other.

[[ 2 ]]
> Sneak back to the warehouse that's housing Freakshow members.
> Head for the city center, and see if the Altar is alright.
> Head for the guild halls.
> Head into the street.

>>38007089
>Leave the UIs
> Sneak back to the warehouse that's housing Freakshow members.

>>38007089
Take the UIs and head to the altar to offer them

>>38007089
>Sneak back to the warehouse that's housing Freakshow members.
>Leave the UIs

>>38007089
>> Take the UIs.
> Head for the city center, and see if the Altar is alright.

>>38007089
> Take the UIs.
> Head for the city center, and see if the Altar is alright.

>>38007089
>Leave the UIs
These are his, and he gets to decide what to do with them.
> Sneak back to the warehouse that's housing Freakshow members.

>>38007089
>Leave the UIs
Guys, Smith'll be pissed when he finds we went and took all his trophies. Which he's probably storing for when people figure out how to use them for parts. Not to mention the fact he'd probably rather offer them himself if he's interested in that happening.

> Head into the street.

>>38007089
>>38007142
This, because im a lazy asshole.

>>38007267
I suspect that he hasn't only been killing nameless

>>38007267
Remember the guards accusing him off PKing before he dropped the call? Pretty sure these aren't all from nameless.

>>38007295
All the more reason not to steal his shit, and give it to the altar.

>>38007295
>>38007320
True, but if he had a full on murderboner he'd have killed us when we started out and got ganked.

Unless he wants to see us flourish before killing us or something.

My point being that we should still leave those UIs there and just confront him about this later.

>>38007089
>Leave the UIs.
>Head for the city center, and see if the Altar is alright.
The guild halls are under siege, so that's a no-go.

>>38007320
Nah they were nameless, it said so before.
Also they weren't guard they were the suicide guild.
My guess is that he used to hunt nameless to find out what he could make of broken UI.

>>38007341
We couldn't get a good look at them during the call. I'm pretty sure they were the two disposable heroes we found in his shop. If they were really disposable heroes then they're not nameless

>>38007341
It said you thought they were nameless, Disposable Heroes aren't suicide guild, just big. Also they don't recruit nameless.

>>38007335
We might have been just interesting enough to let live by his standards, after all while we were weak we kicked far more ass than logically possible. Dude clearly has .... issues.

>>38007341
I think you're being too trusting of Smith. He's definitely not a good guy

>>38007376
>Dude clearly has .... issues.
Well, it's a game... Are you saying you'd never partake the joy of PvPing?

>>38007405
Good defined how? Because, to us, he's been good.

>>38007458
I probably wouldn't, when you kill someone in this game it really fucks them over. I wouldn't have any problem killing nameless though

>>38007089

"Alright, then. Follow me, and stay quiet. Let's not have the Nameless catch us out." You say, quietly closing the drawer before turning on a heel and sliding out of the building and back into the alleys adjacent, maintaining the same formation as before.

You stop in the corner of the alley across the street from the large warehouse, catching a pair of Nameless sprinting around toward the ground entrance from the street. There's the sound of a door slamming, and you stick your head out just in time to see a woman with brilliant red hair and a UI dangling around her waist vanish through the upper warehouse entrance.

A shout from inside, followed by a quick burst of caster fire that blasts out one of the upper windows.

> Head for the ground entrance and sneak in.
> Head for the ground entrance and ambush the Nameless.
> Head for the scaffolding entrance.
> Other.

Remember when we were clammering to start the nameless communist revolution?

Blessed DM took our idea and ran with it even after we lost interest in it.

>>38007485
>really fucks them over
That's the best bit.
But yeah, I take your point that in this game it's a major dick move. But going from that to saying he has issues is kinda far stretched.

>>38007496
> Head for the ground entrance and ambush the Nameless.

>>38007376
You forget that disposable heroes makes a lot of nameless, since they just throw themselves at shit.
>>38007385
>It said you thought they were nameless, Disposable Heroes aren't suicide guild, just big. Also they don't recruit nameless.
They make alot of nameless anon, its why their reputation is mixed.
>>38007405
I'm not trusting him, which is why i said he hunted nameless, but i think these guys are just nameless that hate him since he took out their nameless buds.

>>38007496
>Head for the scaffolding entrance.

>>38007497
Only a couple people were, the vast majority had no desire to do something that daft.

>>38007497
Literally only you liked that idea oh my god.

>>38007510
I didn't say he had issues, he just doesn't seem trustworthy

>>38007496
>Head for the scaffolding entrance.
Theres more inside.

>>38007458
In self defense? Yeah otherwise it'd just be a dick move. Plus Smith clearly loves inflicting pain and on nameless(remember the punches and kicks jsut to cause pain plus he seriously liked the shock collar idea?) and likely others. He has multiple screws loose.

>>38007496
> Head for the ground entrance and ambush the Nameless.

>>38007497
It was a dumb idea for us.

>>38007528
You mean a lot of their players die due to rushing around and being unprepared for fights. But they don't recruit nameless, people wearing their stuff were ui players.

>>38007496
>Head for the scaffolding entrance.

>>38007497
You were the only one that wanted it, every one siad it was retarded, and a suicide move.

>>38007580
>Plus Smith clearly loves inflicting pain and on nameless(remember the punches and kicks jsut to cause pain plus he seriously liked the shock collar idea?) and likely others. He has multiple screws loose.
Fair point, I totally forgot about that.

>>38007496
> Head for the ground entrance and ambush the Nameless.
Let's get them before they join whoever is already inside

>>38007580
My guess is that he got fucked over hard by a nameless.
At least he isn't as messed up as Nel, good lord does the kid take the game seriously.

>>38007613
Or he's just a sadist, This game seems to alter people personalities as they play, for example Celestial gems.

>>38007634
True, Nel was like that before even seeing a gem.

>>38007613
>My guess is that he got fucked over hard by a nameless.
One of them stole his CG.

>>38007668
I was sure i put a "but" before Nel.

>>38007496

The five of you sprint across the street to catch the Nameless off-guard, breaking into the alley right as they reach the steel double-doors.

A pair of explosions from inside rattles the building on its foundation, and they stagger. Then, one of them catches the group out of the corner of their eye. It's a pair of men armed with longswords; one looks only a few degrees removed from the default avatar, while the other has deeply-tanned skin, and jet-black hair tied back in a waist-length ponytail.

They begin to draw their weapons, but you and Tatsumaki are already upon them...

> [[ 1d100 ]]

Rolled 12 (1d100)

>>38007748

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>38007668
And he was wondering why. I think how our character looks affects how we think in game. You look Sweet and kind the game pushes you that way, you look like a snake it pushes you that way. This is conjecture of course.

>>38007748
rolling!

Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>38007748

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>38007748

>>38007772
Well here's hoping nameless aren't good fight- Pfff hahahahah can't say it with a straight face.

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>38007748

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>38007748

>>38007905
laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate

>>38007772

> [[ 57 ]]

Your opponent is quick to draw, and his sword comes within inches of you as you slide to the left and bring your greatsword around with a horizontal sweep. He has to hit the floor completely in order to dodge, and he falls supine, attempting a quick roll to the side.

Damn, you're gonna have to change your style up.

One of Nel's thrown knives catches him in the shoulder, and he yelps, staggering in his motion before you bring the greatsword down in another overhead slash that catches him between the ribs.

Tatsumaki speeds by, nailing the other Nameless with a flying Concussive kick that divorces him from his weapon and sends him rolling ten feet down the alleyway. He gets up, looking confused, before running away, quickly disappearing into the network of warehouse alleys.

Your guy's still reaching for his sword, but it's taking a second. You heft your weapon and slam it down again, dust and blood spraying skyward.

> Ascheritte defeated player. [[ Party: Nel, Tatsumaki, Aelriss, Donnel ]]

The five of you are gathered outside the door.

> Breach and clear!
> Open and see what's underway inside.
> Find another way in.

>>38007966
> Open and see what's underway inside.

>>38007966
> Open and see what's underway inside.

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>38007966
>Open and see what's underway inside.

>>38007966
> Breach and clear!

>>38007966
>> Open and see what's underway inside.

>>38007997
Waste of a roll

>>38007966
>Open and see what's underway inside.

>>38007966
>Breach and clear!

File: 24705396.jpg (276 KB, 590x900)

276 KB JPG

>>38007966

"Alright, boys." Nel cracks his knuckles. "Time for a good old-fashioned breach-and-clear."

"Sounds tactical." Aelriss says.

"We should probably just open the door." You sigh, pausing to listen to the sound of gunfire and unintelligible shouting reverberating from inside. "Everyone ready?"

You swing the double-doors open. The warehouse floor is littered with the fragments of destroyed wooden crates, metal scraps, and damaged weapons. There's enormous black scorch marks on the ground where explosives were detonated, and running up the walls toward the upper door, which opens onto an inner scaffold that runs the circumference of the building, terminating in a staircase on the left wall.

And the dead Nameless. All three of the original group, the player included, litter the catwalk, riddled with stab wounds. There's six more about the floor of the room, lying amidst the scattered piles of objects.

There's a duel underway in the middle of the room, between a pair of Identified players. A woman, armed with a luminescent spear, and clad from the neck down in masterwork armor of a brilliant red hue. The other, you've seen before, down in the ruins: loose clothing, long hair, and empty eyes, wielding a long, curved sword with a hilt made of a chitinous-looking material.

> [[ Continued ]]

File: 21894172698.jpg (796 KB, 1236x1020)

796 KB JPG

>>38008649

They're fast, and neither one is conceding an inch. The two of them are weaving abilities into their styles. You see the woman activate Haste, and she's occasionally bearing down on his dodges with an almost imperceptibly fast strike; the other is more fluid in his movements, taking slower and more deliberate sword swings that leave crackling green scars in the air adjacent.

"She's Crimson!" Donnel shouts.

"Mm? ...Reinforcements?" The man somersaults backwards at a moment's notice, disengaging from combat. He holds the Guardian at length with his sword, then begins channeling energy as if he's casting a spell.

"What?" The Guardian looks between your group and him, evidently thrown off. "Who are you?"

She charges, unafraid, moving into range with an upward swing of her spear--that just doesn't seem to connect. Another swing of his sword barely seems to catch her, but sends a wave of crackling energy dancing across her armor, and she stumbles backards, stunned.

What will you do?
> Keep watching.
> Tackle him.
> Try to attack him from length with your sword.
> Other.

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>38008715
>Try to attack him from length with your sword.

>>38008715
> Tackle him.

We zerg now.

>>38008715
> Try to attack him from length with your sword.

>>38008715
>> Tackle him.
Seriously knock it the fuck off you two!

>>38008715
>Try to attack him from length with your sword.
Let's go with a downward swing from Liza's side to his to stop him going after her.

>>38008715
>Tackle him.

Well, this tie is just silly.

>>38008715
> Try to attack him from length with your sword.

>>38008766
>>38008755
>>38008731

>>38008766
>>38008755
>>38008731

> Swing for him directly
> Separate the two of them

>>38008831
>Swing for him directly

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>38008831
>Swing for him directly

>>38008831
>> Separate the two of them
They're both players

>>38008831
>Separate the two of them

>>38008831
>Separate the two of them.

>>38008831
> Separate the two of them

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>38008852
>The other, you've seen before, down in the ruins
Nameless guild leader of the freaks.

>>38008852
And one of them oversaw the nameless attack on us in the dungeon, so, you know.

>>38008877
Better to capture him than for him to resurface elsewhere. Better to oust him as an asshole who wants to use his pawns to help him PK and gather CG's than let him get away.

>>38008890
Fully aware it looked like that.

>>38008902
I'm not saying we kill him, I'm saying there's little point in us pussyfooting around here. He's going toe to toe with Liza so he's clearly a cut above us. Trying to separate them is just going to end with him escaping or us taking damage or whatnot.

We're far better off trying to wound him and step back to let Liza finish capturing as she sees fit than being the factor that lets him escape.

>>38008831
> Swing for him directly

>>38008831
Nice giving the players an example of the skills they were arguring about

>>38008831
> Swing for him directly

>>38009049
Actually never mind this vote.

>>38009081
But... it was the tiebreaker.

>>38009081
Just delete the post

>>38009119
No it was the tie maker.

>>38009139
Oh dang, I can't count apparently.

>>38007532
>>38007591
To be fair, I only read about the revolution on the archive. I wish I was there during the first few threads.

Guys, okay, GUYS.

What if we... no okay, listen, what if we wielded a GREATSWORD in one hand and... a SHIELD in the other?

>>38009486
I thought we were going tech knight not barbarian warlord. If we were doing that our skill progression is all wrong.

Seriously though i'd rather be Ascheritte be good with a variety of weapon so he can switch gear on the fly for best effect. Swiss army tech knight is best knight.

>>38009530
I get the feeling that it's gonna be a long time before we can pick up a secondary class

>>38008715

"That guy was the one in charge of the Nameless who attacked us!" Donnel says. "What do we do?"

"I'm going." You say.

"What?"

The Guardian is beginning to recover. She grits her teeth and roars, twirling her spear in front of her before launching forward at the swordsman.

A beat, as you dive forward, away from your party, and slam your sword into the ground in front of them hard enough to break through the warehouse floor, sending chips of stone and bits of broken wood scattering and bouncing in all directions. The swordsman smiles, and--still holding his sword--raises his hands skyward, in a gesture of surrender.

"Please." He says, calmly. "Not to say I'm not enjoying myself, but let's not get carried away."

"I'm not through with you." She points her spear at him before lowering it to her side and looking at you, turning a bit to keep her weapon between her and the swordsman. "You lot! What is the meaning of this? What are you doing?"

"Protecting you!"

"You're both players, aren't you?" Aelriss steps forward. "Why are you fighting?"

"Ael, please, she literally just killed nine dudes." Nel whispers hoarsely, eyes wide.

"I agree with that girl." The swordsman chuckles, sticking a thumb at Aelriss. "Why are we fighting, Liza? I've watched you cut down so many members of my guild. I see no reason for you to make an attempt on my pride."

"Anaximander, you honorless bastard." Liza hisses. "Your actions are responsible for the deaths of countless players. You've orchestrated kill teams at player spawn locations! You've caused a riot that's destroying Averron as we speak!"

"Liza, you're acting like a child. I have eyes everywhere. I've seen what you've done. You've sent the members of your guild to defend the most remote locations in the city, so that you could come hunt me undeterred." Anaximander laughs, and you recall Ayla's words--about Liza's spreading the Guardians too thin.

File: original_314840_QKR1Gac3r(...).jpg (4.01 MB, 5000x2130)

4.01 MB JPG

>>38009569

"Undetected, not undeterred." Liza says, hefting her spear again and assuming a fighting stance. "It'd have worked, too, were it not for this group's timely intervention."

"Liza." You say. "Why fight him alone?"

"Because!" Anaximander laughs, stretching his back and placing his sword like a yoke over his shoulders. "The Alliance has no way to implicate me or my guilds in any of these events! Even with eye-witnesses, it still falls upon the word-of-mouth of untrustworthy folk. The Alliance were sworn not to act in this matter, instead choosing to maintain peace, a peace which Liza herself has broken!"

Liza's grip on her weapon tightens. She doesn't respond, and Anaximander continues.

"I'm ashamed, Liza. As an Alliance leader, you should set an example for others. Instead, you've chosen to overstep your boundaries. You've defied the principles you've forced the players in this city to obey! You've broken the peace you've established!" He shouts. "And, you've chosen to act as a free agent! A coward! You are no Guardian!"

Welp, that did it; you see her eyebrow twitch, and her spear flares. She settles on her back leg. Looks like she's about to jump for it.

> Write-in

>>38009555
Probably, but being able to switch out weapons for best effect seems more wise than being dedicated to one style considering our progression and party. PKer's can't account for what is everchanging.

>>38009589
Attack Anaximander alongside Liza

>>38009530
No, but see, this way we don't really HAVE to choose over 1h or 2h. Therefore, we don't need to argue and waste time over what we use.

>>38009589
>>38009627
This btw

>>38009589
Slam the sword again. Demand this bullshit go to a player-run trial so we can get this out in the open.

>>38009589
>"Enjoy watching those nameless attack us earlier in dungeons by the way? Thanks for lending a hand against them."
>"Well then there's no issue if an unaffiliated player like myself kills you now, is there?"
>Attack Anaximander

>>38009706
Nah, let's just get it over with.
>>38009589
>>38009627
This.

>>38009627
>>38009678
>>38009720
>>38009730

> [[ 1d100 ]]

Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>38009752

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>38009752

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>38009752

>>38009589
Seriously? Instead of trying to make this game enjoyable for everyone you two are ruining it.

Anaximander if you have any fucking moral fiber you'd be trying to get the nameless their Uis back instead of Pking like a fucking asshole. I mean hell I figured out the first step on my first day after one of your killtemas attacked and flubbed the job badly enough I got their entire haul.

Liza you should have had your people guarding the city and stopping this before it got widespread, instead you spread them out too far make people suffer, to settle your own grudge.

Will both of you two fucktards knock it off!

>>38009752
Way to let write in trickle in QM.

Rolled 92 (1d100)

>>38009752

Rolled 79 (1d100)

>>38009752

Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>38009774
you were a full 10 minutes late, and he already takes long enough to write.

>>38009774
Apologies, my friend. I clearly don't have a grip on the number of people who are reading, and typically try to incorporate as much as I can of whatever I like into posts where I don't offer pre-defined options.

>>38009774
This. Both of them are being fucks, and innocent people are suffering for their actions.

Don't be a fuck.

>>38009774
I don't really think there's time for a monologue. plus i just wanna fuck up the guy who organizes mass player attacks

>>38009859
Supposedly, I'm seriously waiting for the Shaymalan shuffle here.

>>38009774
I vote against this write-in.

Firstly, how do *we* know that Liza has done a bad job of managing the situation when we've barely seen what's going on? Just makes us look like a pretentious dickwad.

Secondly, you're assuming the initial nameless attack on us was orchestrated by the PvP guild. Literally no evidence for that.

Third, accusing someone leading a PvP guild of lacking moral fibre? wat r u doin

Fourth, attempting to diffuse this destined fight is just silly.

>>38009891
We saw this guy in charge of an organized nameless attack against us in the ruins. He's the leader of the guild rumored to PK. It's pretty obvious

>>38009894
In his defense:
>Ayla was the first one to bring up that the CGs were spread thin for some odd reason, and Anaximander confirmed it.
>Liza herself said that a bunch of PK cells are now active in starter zones and are ganking.
>PvP and PK/griefing are two different things.
Yeah, talking them down at this point may be a futile gesture, but it doesn't change that the city is in chaos and that these two aren't helping.

>>38009894
>Firstly, how do *we* know that Liza has done a bad job of managing the situation when we've barely seen what's going on? Just makes us look like a pretentious dickwad.

She admitted to getting her men out of position to hunt this guy.

>Secondly, you're assuming the initial nameless attack on us was orchestrated by the PvP guild. Literally no evidence for that.

It's likely and us saying gets him to pay attention


>Third, accusing someone leading a PvP guild of lacking moral fibre? wat r u doin

If it's to help the nameless he needs to realize he's doing a shit job and fucking everything up. If not he needs to get caught in it.


>Fourth, attempting to diffuse this destined fight is just silly.
2015 and still believing in destiny. Seriously though i'm trying to stop this war before the city goes poof around us and we end up surrounded by new monster spawns.

Regardless it's moot now I missed cut off.


>>38009926
Still something seems off to me so i'm following my guy and my nose. Still won't matter shortly.

>>38009961
>two aren't helping
Well, one of them is actively INITIATING it.
The other is TRYING TO KILL HIM.
I personally reckon Liza ignoring him and focussing on the masses would lead to more harm as it enables him the freedom to continue orchestrating it. With him at the helm the masses he manipulates will be vastly more effective whereas Liza's teams are probably more than capable of leading themselves.

>PvP and PK/griefing are two different things.
Fine, I picked the less precise term. Doesn't change the fact that Freakshow is a PK guild

All that said, even if we're parroting what Ayla said and their discussion implied we still look like an utter knobhead when we try to tell Liza what she should be doing.

>>38010061
Still if she really wanted this down she'd have a team of back up here to ice this guy quick fast and in a hurry. She doesn't this is personal and her grudge is letting this continue.

>>38009589

You'd like to berate them both for acting like babies--but you're not sure you understand the situation fully, and now isn't the time. You'll have another chance. Right now, you want this over.

Liza moves forward, clearing your blade at lightning speed; Anaximander ducks low and moves gracefully, hair twirling, loose robes fluttering.

> [[ 89 ]]

Right into your path. You're not sure he was expecting your attack, but moves to correct himself in the moment it takes you to free your sword from the earth. There's a loud clang, and he's holding the blade back. A pair of armored gauntlets, and he's strong, but you can see the steel against his bare chest, where you've drawn blood.

"Damnit, you!" He pushes back, hitting the ground immediately with another backwards somersault to avoid Liza's next attack. Anaximander is barely back on his feet for an instant before a blast of golden light from Eunoia, flying nearby, cuts a lock of hair from his head. Your party's joining in. They're following you into battle, against who you can only assume is one of the strongest players in the game, and it's working. He can't find the room to swing his sword.

"Six of you?" Anaximander laughs, running towards the opposite wall, using his weapon to keep distance. "Really?"

> [[ Continued ]]

>>38010128

Tatsumaki's up next, and you go in at her side. There's no way you'll be able to land a hit on this guy alone, not wielding this sword the way you are. You mull over tactics for a split-second. You'll have to trick him into your path. Get him when he's rolling and can't move another way, or have an ally back you up. But how can you force someone like this to give up ground?

The cat-eared brawler barely ducks a swing of his sword, and a snap kick knocks her clean out of the way. He goes low, and begins to focus, taking that same spell-casting gesture as before. Nel and Donnel are strafing slowly from his sides, waiting for an opening.

"Alright, then. I've had a good time, but I'd prefer we settle this another day--on even terms." Anaximander says. "If you'll excuse me..."

Nowhere to go. You come in with the overhead swing, and for the first time, he looks surprised, raising his sword to parry and bracing it with one hand.

> [[ 1d100 ]]

>>38010112
Arguably doing so detracts more from keeping the town under control whilst she presumably thought she'd have no trouble defeating this guy.

Consider the massive CG upgrading her guild has done for her CA and that they're going toe to toe. She probably didn't expect to be held back like this.

Incidentally, that would in turn heavily suggest that Anamax has gotten his hands on a damn lot of CGs too one way or another.

Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>38010139

Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>38010139

Rolled 3 (1d100)

>>38010139
I have to say I really like the two handed sword so far

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>38010139

Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>38010139
Here we go

File: ^37099DEA9482AAD0701825C1(...).png (412 KB, 1194x650)

412 KB PNG

>>38010158
Niiiice

>>38010152
BLESS ANON
>>38010158
FUCKING NOPE. WHY.

>>38010158
fuck I hate this crit range

>>38010158
>dat critfail
>killing the 95
I am saddened.

>>38010142
Or he's a lot higher level because he's been grinding a lot more than she can. One team would be a pittance for keeping order, also she had them out of position, which is making them irrelevant right now anyways.

>>38010158
And we crit fail. This shit is why we must be weapon fluid and be good with all weapons equally.

>>38010158
REV UP THOSE FATE POINTS.

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>38010158
Welp this is proof that two handed is a no go.

>>38010158
Why is the crit range so large anyway? Its awful

>>38010195
It's really not
it 3% on a d100 instead of a 5% on a d20

>>38010186
>implying the weapon had anything to do with my shit roll

>>38010186
First of all:
> implying using a different weapon would have produced different results in this scenario, where it is literally a throw of the dice

Second of all:
> implying we don't have fate points

>>38010195
We have a higher chance to crit than to crit fail, actually. 1-3 produces a fail, while 97-100 produces a success.

>>38010186
>One team would be a pittance for keeping order
Well, a party of five is probably a significant portion of her guild since they have a high entry bar. I'm not saying it's a third or anything but I reckon a spare team would make a significant difference.

>And we crit fail. This shit is why we must be weapon fluid and be good with all weapons equally.
I don't follow. Critfailing hurts less if we can use multiple weapons effectively? How does that make sense?

>>38010212
It's not as bad but there's a reason everyone uses d100 with crits only on 1 and 100

>>38010225
>>38010186
I forgot my third point!

Third of all:
> implying we've specialized into any weapon at all.
> implying we don't already have the same level of skill in great swords and sabers.

>>38010158
>tfw if I hadn't commented on the sword it would have been a different roll

BSO, I hope you remember about our fate points.

>>38010314
What fate points are these? I don't recall anything...

>>38010153
So 14 is the roll we go with?

It is Ok. Playing a nameless is fun.

>>38010314
When did we get those? Never saw them come up.

>>38010314
Nevermind, I'm retarded and mixing up my quests.

>>38010352
...did you miss the three?

>>38010375
95 cancels out the 3 right? Crit hit and crit miss?

>>38010390
Upper crit range is 97+, so no, 95 doesn't cancel the 3.

>>38010352
I will be so pissed if we get one-shotted by this guy because of one critfail. On the bright side the leader of CG will think we suck at fighting and we'll have to join the writ keepers instead of CG

>>38010390
Nah its a crit fail.
first 3 on both ends are crits.

>>38010416
Man, you're the worst kind of person. Doomsaying AND being glad about it because you have a specific agenda.

>>38010390
Nope only 97+ negate critfails.

>>38010416
No nameless in guilds anon. They wouldn't take us because they'd be afraid of us backstabbing them.

>>38010416
Should have stayed in the ruins, us coming here did jack shit.

inb4 hidden skill: activate to save us from getting our shit beat in

>>38010401
>>38010420
Oh.

Ok. We can still lead the nameless in the name of peace.

For the power of peace! Cain lives!

>>38010457
If only we were so lucky.
How long have we had that hidden skill btw?

>>38010473
>Implying they'd be let in the city and be anything more than monster fodder after this if they fail.

>>38010457
I honestly just expect us to take too long to swing and we just all watch the guy teleport out or something. He's in no position to do something drastic to us even if we are critfailing.

>>38010457
Hidden skill: job harder when it matters!

-96 to your roll.

>>38010416
I blame the guys who wanted to play paladins.
I'm not an edgy faggot, but the situation happening here was way above our pay grade, hell from the sounds of it the nameless are gonna end up losing in the long run(heavy damage though).
>>38010457
You would think it would be a crit 100 that does it.

>>38010493
Kinda why I was trying to end the fight without us fighting. Either one of them could potentially wipe this entire party, and this guy was winning the fight with his casting.

>>38010484
Since the very first thread.

>>38010493
>You would think it would be a crit 100 that does it
Another quest had a limit break system which was available to use whenever you got a crit, fail or success. The critfail version was like an 'oshit desperation mode' whilst the critsuccess was a 'too good for this burn everything mode'.

I thought it was pretty neat.

>>38010524
Well here's hoping it's not a place holder or glitch then.

>>38010533
P:SSQ?

>>38010139

> [[ 3 ]]

He stays your greatsword, in a scene that likely appears improbable from the outside.

Then, smiles, as a powerful shock runs along your blade and through your body.

> [[ Ascheritte: 17 / 24 HP ]]

It stings a bit, and fills you with a vague sense of dread, and as Nel and Donnel drive their blades toward him, a sense of vertigo. Anaximander completes his channeling, just as steel touches his body.

A pulse of bright green blots out your vision. You're losing contact with him.

You push your sword down further, and there's a sudden turbulence. Is this a Celestial Artifact? "Wait, what are you doing? Get away from me! I can't--"

The two of you manifest in the air, closer to the cave ceiling than to Averron City. You can see the warehouse district far below. You're falling.

"You idiot!" He whirls around, breaking your grip. "You're going to kill us both!"

Energy is building up, but you aren't going to let him channel again. You can't manage the leverage to swing your greatsword in the air, instead releasing it and whirling around to plant a fist in his face with all the force you can muster.


"Ngh!" He plants his free hand on his face, drifting away from you as you fall. Then, his body is cloaked in red, and leaves scarlet afterimages as he closes the distance at high speed, dragging his sword across your chest as he passes by. There's more blood than you're used to, and another stunning shock. "I hope you're happy!"

You're falling, upside down, and you can't move. Red lines are creeping in from the corners of your vision. Averron City is getting larger beneath you. You're about to hit the ground, or the warehouse roof.

> [[ 1d100 ]]

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>38010548

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>38010548

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>38010548

>>38010548
Fuck two handed swords.

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>38010546
>P:SSQ?
Yup.

>>38010566
We limp away then hopefully...? Shame we never got expedited manoeuvres

>>38010566
>>38010548
R.i.p. Ascheritte.

Remember. Named players take less fall damage.

>>38010598
>Fuck two handed swords.
"A durrr durr hurrrrrrr it was the sword that caused this"
Please give over already.

>>38010617
>You can't manage the leverage to swing your greatsword in the air, instead releasing it and whirling around to plant a fist in his face with all the force you can muster.

>>38010599
Here's hoping we make a good landing with our native agility then. Good thing Named players have actual hp bars instead of realistic damage.
Herald running it Friday during work means I keep missing it.

>>38010622
That was because we rolled a fucking 3, you jackass. Jesus christ, you cannot be this dumb.

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>38010600

Nah, we won't die. The Celestial Gem will probably vanish and we'll wake up.

>>38010622
Because we haven't got 2h mastery to put our handling of 2h weps on par with 1h ones.

"We're bad at 2h weps so we shouldn't strive to get better!"

>>38010635
the three was teleporting over the city and falling backwards, that still doesn't stop the sword from being too heavy to use.
>>38010646
Yup, its better to use one handed with a shield.

>>38010663
But why did he want to teleport over the city? Was he trying to ninja onto the roof of the cave the city is in?

>>38010663
Well, you got me to reply seriously, so I'll rate it an 8/10. You really had me fooled there.

>>38010566

> [[ 74 ]]

"You're actually still alive?" You hear Anaximander from somewhere nearby. "Well, not for long!"

The feeling is coming back to your arms and legs. You're scared. You don't know how much HP you have left.

From somewhere below, you hear a faint, unfamiliar whining sound.

> Spend 1 EXP on HP.
> Use Celestial Gem to fully restore HP.
> Yell really loudly while you fall.

>>38010702
>> Spend 1 EXP on HP.
> Yell really loudly while you fall.

>>38010685
Probably wanted to teleport to the roof or something.
Also it seems like he specked into movement since its one of our possible unlocks.
* Sprint // Active // Spend PP to temporarily increase running speed, allowing incredible feats of movement. Required for: "Combat Respiration", "Instantaneous Movement".
* Expedited Maneuvers // Passive // Increases effectiveness of recovering while prone, as well as such feats as grappling and disarming. Required for: "Recovering Strike", "Fading Strike".

>>38010702
The whining sound is Mr. Smith being based and saving us with a drone.

>>38010702
> Spend 1 XP on HP
> Yell really loudly while you fall.

>>38010685
Teleporting us messed up the destination.

>>38010702
> Spend 1 EXP on HP.
Can't spend that gem.
>Scream "Death from above!"
It'll either be really ironic or really cool.

>>38010702
>Spend 1 EXP on HP.
If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough.

>>38010702
> Spend 1 EXP on HP.
So what was that last roll actually for?

>>38010714
Ahhh good eyes.

>>38010702
>Yell really loudly while you fall.

>>38010702
>Use Celestial Gem to fully restore HP.
On this guy? totally worth it.

>>38010714
>Also it seems like he specked into movement since its one of our possible unlocks.
I figured it was a celestial artefact he was using to teleport. Instantaneous movement sounds more like a blink than a teleport.

>>38010702

> Spend 1 EXP on HP
> Yell really loudly while you fall.

>>38010742
I am still holding out for our friends to save us.

>>38010761
could have possible levels, plus is looked like he was using PP.
Also nANMELESS CAN'T USE ARTIFACTS.

>>38010781
But he's not nameless..

>>38010781
We don't know if he's a nameless or not, though.

>>38010781
This guy isn't nameless though

>>38010781
He's a player, though.

>>38010761
>>38010714
It could be maxed out instantaneous movement, but seeing as we were taken along, it was probably an artifact.

He may have used fading strike or such during the fall, though.

>>38010714
So he used Instantaneous movement or the thing instantaneous movement unlocks,and it also looked like he used both recovering strike(during the fight) and fading strike(when we were falling)

>>38010803
>>38010796
>>38010795
>>38010793
I thought the guild leader of freakshow was a nameless?

>>38010835
Forgot to ask, where we found out he wasn't a nameless.

>>38010835
Nope. The rest of the guild is though

>>38010835
who ever said the guild leader had to be nameless?

Usually, the guy manipulating people's frustrations and hatred is actually completely different from them. Because it takes such a person to toy with the motivations of others.

>>38010857
Or not? It's a mix of nameless and UIs, the exact composition has never been specified but it's implied it's not just the leader who's not nameless.

>>38010857
When did we found out he wasn't a nameless?
i'm rereading it, and i can't find it.
>>38010873
Figured a PVP guild that was mostly nameless, would have a nameless leader.

>>38010919
>>38008649
>There's a duel underway in the middle of the room, between a pair of Identified players.

>>38010919
See
>>38008649
>There's a duel underway in the middle of the room, between a pair of Identified players.

>>38010919
How do you think a group like Freakshow gets made?

>People are angry, frustrated, but don't know what to do
>Someone comes up to them, gives them a target to hate, and rallies them together.
>Group is run entirely on hatred and getting "justice", when they're just venting on whatever the leader points them at.

>>38011009
>Literally Brownshirts
Disgusting.jpg

>>38010702

You manage to navigate to your UI menu, and spend your lingering experience point on HP. Your maximum health increases, and you feel a measure of vitality returning to your body as your current health scales up in line with your new maximum. You don't know if it'll be enough to survive the hit.

You start yelling, hoping someone will hear you.

> [[ Contact Request: Crimson Guardian Liza ]]

There's a ping, before you close your UI.

> [[ UI Messenger - Crimson Guardian Liza ]]
> [[ Crimson Guardian Liza ]]: Your friends are telling me it's you I'm looking at through the skylight.
> [[ Crimson Guardian Liza ]]: If you're conscious, I'm going to need you to relax.
> [[ Crimson Guardian Liza ]]: Even if I catch you, you might still die if your health is too low.
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: H;ELp
> [[ Crimson Guardian Liza ]]: Stop yelling.

"Celestial Artifact." An echoic call from below you, closer than you imagined. Her voice is resolute, and carries far; you turn, to see a bloom of red light evolving from the warehouse roof. The sound from below you--it's vaguely reminiscent of a jet engine warming up. "Crimson Wings."

Liza ascends, rushing upward to meet you, aided by the metallic scarlet wings unfolding from her armor just below her shoulders. Each one sits atop a blade of raw, silver light, that gives off visible, withering heat, and leaves an iridescent contrail.
Fuck everything, you are totally getting some of those.

She maneuvers toward you, but you seize, as another shock courses through your body. A residual effect? You tumble, falling past her, and hear a sickening crack as she's forced to grab your ankle. Your vision is caked completely in red.

The game sound grows a little dull. You think you're dead.

A brief pause.

"I've got you."

>>38011163

Liza hefts your broken body into her arms as the two of you descend through the destroyed warehouse skylight. "Good work."

She sets you down in the middle of the warehouse floor, amidst broken boxes, scrap parts, and Nameless kills. It's good to be back on the ground. The rest of the party rushes over to meet you, and you feel Eunoia touch down gently on your forehead.

> [[ Ascheritte: 2 / 35 HP ]]

"Ashe! You made it!" Nel shouts, muffling the rest of his speech by falling face-first into your chest. "I knew you'd make it!"

"I'm surprised." Aelriss smiles, leaning on her staff. "That went better than expected."

"Alright, am I the only one who's lost?" Donnel asks. He and Tatsumaki look utterly confused.

"I think Anaximander's escaped." Liza grits her teeth, the Crimson Wings giving off a series of mechanical noises as they fold back beneath her armor. "I suppose I misplayed. I was... not aware he had that ability. That Celestial Artifact is unaccounted for, and with more and more people exploring the Averron ruins, it would be impossible for him to even get enough Gems to make something like it. He'd have to have access to an entire town's worth..."

"You don't think?" Nel turns toward her, cocking an eyebrow.

She pauses, and her eyes widen. "Oh, fuck's sake, there's absolutely no way."

What will you do?
> Write-in

>>38011195
But if they kill named players, the nameless can't pick up the gem.

So I guess that is why he is supervising each ambush.

>>38011195
>"Ashe! You made it!" Nel shouts, muffling the rest of his speech by falling face-first into your chest. "I knew you'd make it!"
Jesus christ, he definitely has problems, we only knew him for a couple hours.

>>38011195
Thanks Liz.

>>38011230
Is he gay for us or something?

>>38011195
>"So... Anyone got any potions? I only have one on me, didn't manage to get to a market what with... this" *gesticulate wildly*
>"By the way Liza, if you could satisfy my curiosity, what level are you?"

>>38011243
nah he acted the same way three times before.

>>38011258
He always hugs us and shit

>>38011243
Remember all the players he partied with that he grew attached to?

>>38011195
Let me guess he raided your secret Cg vault? or his minions killed gem holders for him and he picked them up since his underlings couldn't. Anyways I need a heal someone I couldn't get more potions with all this going on.

>>38011283
I'm starting to think the kid is mental since from the sounds of it he hasn't played that long in any of the groups.

>>38011300
What if he is a NPC all along? A NPC with the groupee setting turned to max?

>>38011300
I think the game is affecting his thoughts. After all he was questioning why he felt like this several times.

>>38011195
"Theory later. Bleeding now."

>>38011294
>Let me guess he raided your secret Cg vault?
That was my first thought but I reckon it's actually the case that all the players his rebellion has killed have had their CG's collected by the Named members of his guild and then pooled to him.

>>38011341
Yeah the first part was to see if she'd flinch. I think his mooks killing holders and them all getting pooled to him is most likely as well.

>>38011195
I think he's organizing the PKs in order to get crystal gems from the dead players. Working with the Nameless means that there's no competition for the gems since they can't use them

>>38011334
No one else has shown these side affects.
>>38011326
Maybe, lets ask him to log out.

>>38011358
Well CG obsession is common, and that girl was doing things she thought was wrong because she "had" too. We know the game already affect how we think anyways via cgs. Too much of an assumption that depending on our characters shape and features we can get our thoughts altered by them as well? Maybe our secret ability is that we are immune to such shaping.

just speculation no bully.

>>38011375
>immune to such shaping.
Well, we're not immune to the CG allure so I doubt that

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>>38011375
Not a fan of that, i just think the CG make people fight each other, no need to find a hidden meaning really when the only proof is a guy that gets attached way too easilyand than fucks us over because we did something he thinks we slighted him with.

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891 KB PNG

>>38011416
That last bit was supposed to be spoiled.

>>38011416
Is that a live skinned and gutted eel being grilled...?

>>38011470
Yup its delicious murder.
never search what they do with crabs or frogs, or geese/other animals.