Re: Eternal Dream: Online

by **Masquerade** Sat Dec 22, 2012 4:09 pm

S-Ability Bountiful Optimism activates! [+1 MP Recovered]

MP: 6/30

Masquerade attacks Lynched (4)! 6 Light Dmg! (INT)

We had been at this battle for the course of several minutes now, and I felt this warm light gathering at the periphery of my vision which was already rather light-filled as it stood. But this creeping aura of radiance seemed to be infringing upon the metaphysical realm belying the corporeal existence of this area. My hand clutched my head as images flashed through my mind--images that roused the hope within me and caused it to surge even more wildly. I saw victory for us, and the closer we got to it, the more clear the images became such that they finally culminated in a series for me to view--to let me know that this was going to end in our favor. Nobody was going to die, and that was definitely reassuring. To secure our victory, I'd have to keep fighting. I was glad the hope was so strong in me at the moment, else I'd probably find myself in a pretty foul mood.

"Ugh, I'm so tired for some reason," I grumbled to myself, sending another blast of light energy at the remaining foe. I was quite tired. What fun was a game if you got tired like this? I doubted that I would be able to play for 100 straight hours like this, but then again, I was afraid I'd have no choice because I still had no idea how to fucking log out! The light seemed to shake for me, but I paid it no heed. I needed to find out more about the story behind this game, and fighting normal mobs wasn't going to do that for me. I needed NPCs or something. But where would they be in a land as twisted as this?

Masquerade waits.

by Durn Sat Dec 22, 2012 4:38 pm

Zone 01: The Backwards Wood
Part E - How to Sense Pain

Location: The Backwards Wood - The Hanging Tree - Spiral Trunk

Objectives: Defeat all enemies!

Achievement: --

Music: Desperate Struggle

{ } { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } B
{ } { } { } { } { } C
{ } { } {S} { } {M} D
{ } { } { } { } { } E
{ } { } { } {4} { } F
{ } { } { } {A} { } G
{ } { } { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } I
-1---2---3---4---5-

Silver gains Fury! [Silver]

Silver enters Furious State! [Silver]

Lynched (4) takes 3 damage! [Allindur]

Lynched (4) takes 4 damage! [Masquerade]

Lynched (4) takes 2 damage! [Devouring Plague]

Allindur restores 1 HP! [Devouring Plague]

Allindur gains 1 SO!

Neutral Phase 5!

N/A

Enemy Phase 5!

Lynched (4) attacks Allindur!

Allindur takes 4 damage!

Calculation Phase 5!

Lynched (4) is afflicted by a Devouring Plague! [Allindur]

{ } { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } B
{ } { } { } { } { } C
{ } { } {S} { } {M} D
{ } { } { } { } { } E
{ } { } { } {4} { } F
{ } { } { } {A} { } G
{ } { } { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } I
-1---2---3---4---5-

Silver (Empath) [+2 Basic Attacks - 3][Furious State - 3]
HP: 8 / 15
MP: 9 / 25
ATK: 1
DEF: 2
INT: 6
SPR: 4
MOVE: 2

Masquerade (Seer of Hope)
HP: 6 / 15
MP: 5 / 30
ATK: 0
DEF: 2
INT: 6
SPR: 4
MOVE: 2

Allindur (Shadow Walker)
HP: 6 / 20
MP: 11 / 25
SO: 2 / 10
ATK: 5
DEF: 3
INT: 4
SPR: 2
MOVE: 3

Hanging Man (1) [KO]
HP: 0 / 20
MP: 12 / 20

Hanging Man (2) [Perfect Kill]
HP: 0 / 20
MP: 8 / 20

Lynched (3) [Perfect Kill]
HP: 0 / 25
MP: 16 / 55

Lynched (4) [Float] [Devouring Plague - 1] [Future Hope (-5%)]
HP: 10 / 25
MP: 7 / 55
ATK: 0 --- 0
DEF: 2 --- 2
INT: 6 --- 6
SPR: 2 --- 2
MOVE: 4

Player Phase 6!

by Xenosaga Sat Dec 22, 2012 4:58 pm

I think I'm going to vomit.

Bringing my right hand up to my face, I covered my mouth and swallowed down the acid that rose in my throat. It was. . . disgusting. There was no other word I could think to describe it. Plants and their ooze were one thing. They only looked like they were leaking tree sap to me. But things made of flesh and blood? That was different.

To see the blood that leaked and dripped, the torn skin, the flaps of flesh held together by only a thin line of cells. It was nauseating. I wanted to close my eyes but at the same time, I couldn't do that. I could see white, a bone maybe? Broken and splintered, snapped thanks to a great force that had been acted upon it. The bone marrow was visible but I didn't look closely at it. I couldn't close my eyes but I could choose to see what I wanted.

My breathing grew heavy, audible. I licked my suddenly dry lips, my fingers twitching against my cheek. My knees were weak but I was still standing. As disgusting as this all was, I was also fascinated. I had never seen a person die before. It was. . . enlightening. He was in so much pain, crying and sobbing like that. I hiccuped. I could feel it, the tickle in my chest.

This person was dying. I wanted to laugh. Durn had taken all that pain for nothing. My shoulders shook. God damn it.

"Let's keep moving," I breathed, lowering my hand a little so my voice wouldn't be muffled but enough so the smile couldn't be seen. Really.

Pointless.

by Durn Sat Dec 22, 2012 9:37 pm

Zone 01: The Backwards Wood
Part F - Alive

Location: The Backwards Wood - The Pond of Selfish Desires - Ruinous Path

Objectives: Defeat all enemies!

Achievement: --

Music: Desperate Struggle

{R} {R} { } { } { } A
{R} { } { } {R} { } B
{R} { } { } { } {R} C
{ } { } { } {R} { } D
{ } { } {2} {V} { } E
{R} { } { } { } {R} F
{ } { } { } {3} {R} G
{ } {R} { } { } { } H
{ } {Z} { } {K} { } I
-1---2---3---4---5-

Lost Soul (1) takes 10 damage! [Zeri]

Lost Soul (1) takes 4 damage! [Kuori]

Lost Soul (1) KO!!

Neutral Phase 5!

N/A

Enemy Phase 5!

Lost Soul (2) attacks Vergil!

Vergil takes 1 damage!

Vergil is silenced!

Lost Soul (3) attacks Kuori!

The attack misses!

Calculation Phase 5!

N/A

{R} {R} { } { } { } A
{R} { } { } {R} { } B
{R} { } { } { } {R} C
{ } { } { } {R} { } D
{ } { } {2} {V} { } E
{R} { } { } { } {R} F
{ } { } { } {3} {R} G
{ } {R} { } { } { } H
{ } {Z} { } {K} { } I
-1---2---3---4---5-

Zeri (Novelist)
HP: 9 / 20
MP: 12 / 20
ATK: 1
DEF: 3
Int: 6
Spr: 3
Move: 2

Kuori (Self-Proclaimed Tactician)
HP: 10 / 20
MP: 2 / 30
ATK: 1
DEF: 4
INT: 6
SPR: 3
MOVE: 2

Vergil (Thaumanaut) [Silence - 3]
HP: 8 / 20
MP: 8 / 20
ATK: 4
DEF: 3
INT: 2
SPR: 4
MOVE: 3

Lost Soul (1) [KO]
HP: 0 / 15
MP: 27 / 35

Lost Soul (2) [Intangible]
HP: 15 / 15
MP: 35 / 35
ATK: 0
DEF: 0
INT: 5
SPR: 2
MOVE: 2

Lost Soul (3) [Intangible] [Blind - 1]
HP: 7 / 15
MP: 19 / 35
ATK: 0
DEF: 0
INT: 5
SPR: 2
MOVE: 2

Darys (Maddened Soldier) [KO]
HP: 0 / 30
MP: 20 / 30

Waldracht (Maddened Soldier) [KO]
HP: 0 / 30
MP: 12 / 30

Rock (Scenery)
HP: 10 / 10
DEF: 5
SPR: 5

Player Phase 6!

by Zerifachias Sat Dec 22, 2012 10:00 pm

Two left. One of them was weak enough to kill right now. Kuori stole my kill though, so I considered attacking him. I'd leave him in a pretty bad state, too. Well, no matter. He did help kill that other spirit. Now I can end the other one, and then ~~waste~~ spend time killing the last one. This victory was pretty much in the bag for us now. It'd be extremely unlikely for anything dire to happen now.

Instead of a fireball this time, instead I drew a small knife, only made sure it would be made with ice, not metal. More fun that way, I thought. I grabbed the small knife, noticing again that it felt only a little cool, like the fireball, when I know it should be giving my fingers frostbite. I'll put that thought to the back of my head, it didn't matter to me anyway.

I tossed the dagger, the magic activating to make sure I threw it correctly and it landed in the spirit's chest, coating it in a fine layer of ice before shattering.

Zeri attacks Lost Soul [3]! 12 Int DMG!

by Durn Sat Dec 22, 2012 10:35 pm

Zone 01: The Backwards Wood
Part F - Alive

Location: The Backwards Wood - The Pond of Selfish Desires - Ruinous Path

Objectives: Defeat all enemies!

Achievement: --

Music: Desperate Struggle

{R} {R} { } { } { } A
{R} { } { } {R} { } B
{R} { } { } { } {R} C
{ } { } { } {R} { } D
{ } { } {2} {V} { } E
{R} { } { } { } {R} F
{ } { } { } { } {R} G
{ } {R} { } { } { } H
{ } {Z} { } {K} { } I
-1---2---3---4---5-

Lost Soul (3) takes 10 damage! [Zeri]

Lost Soul (3) KO!!

Neutral Phase 6!

N/A

Enemy Phase 6!

Lost Soul (2) attacks Vergil!

Vergil takes 1 damage!

Calculation Phase 6!

N/A

{R} {R} { } { } { } A
{R} { } { } {R} { } B
{R} { } { } { } {R} C
{ } { } { } {R} { } D
{ } { } {2} {V} { } E
{R} { } { } { } {R} F
{ } { } { } { } {R} G
{ } {R} { } { } { } H
{ } {Z} { } {K} { } I
-1---2---3---4---5-

Zeri (Novelist)
HP: 9 / 20
MP: 12 / 20
ATK: 1
DEF: 3
Int: 6
Spr: 3
Move: 2

Kuori (Self-Proclaimed Tactician)
HP: 10 / 20
MP: 2 / 30
ATK: 1
DEF: 4
INT: 6
SPR: 3
MOVE: 2

Vergil (Thaumanaut) [Silence - 2]
HP: 7 / 20
MP: 8 / 20
ATK: 4
DEF: 3
INT: 2
SPR: 4
MOVE: 3

Lost Soul (1) [KO]
HP: 0 / 15
MP: 27 / 35

Lost Soul (2) [Intangible]
HP: 15 / 15
MP: 35 / 35
ATK: 0
DEF: 0
INT: 5
SPR: 2
MOVE: 2

Lost Soul (3) [KO]
HP: 0 / 15
MP: 19 / 35

Darys (Maddened Soldier) [KO]
HP: 0 / 30
MP: 20 / 30

Waldracht (Maddened Soldier) [KO]
HP: 0 / 30
MP: 12 / 30

Rock (Scenery)
HP: 10 / 10
DEF: 5
SPR: 5

Player Phase 7!

by Durn Sun Dec 23, 2012 10:42 am

Zone 01: The Backwards Wood
Part F - Alive

Location: The Backwards Wood - The Pond of Selfish Desires - Ruinous Path

Objectives: Defeat all enemies!

Achievement: --

Music: Desperate Struggle

{R} {R} { } { } { } A
{R} { } { } {R} { } B
{R} { } { } { } {R} C
{ } { } { } {R} { } D
{ } { } { } {V} { } E
{R} { } { } { } {R} F
{ } { } { } { } {R} G
{ } {R} { } { } { } H
{ } {Z} { } {K} { } I
-1---2---3---4---5-

Lost Soul (2) takes 10 damage! [Zeri]

Lost Soul (2) takes 10 damage! [Zeri]

Lost Soul (2) KO!!

- - - - -

All enemies have been defeated!

Part F: COMPLETE!!

EXPERIENCE:

+3 - Lost Soul x3
+4 - Maddened Soldier x2
+1 - Completed in 10 or less Player Phases
+1 - No Awakening Activated
+1 - No Items Used
+1 - No Player KO
+1 - I forgot to give out "No Player KO" EXP from the last battle
+1 - All According to Plan (Kuori)

TOTAL EXP: 12 (13 - Kuori)

Zeri: 9/10 ---> 21/10
Level UP! (Level 2)
3 Stat Points gained!
1 Skill Point gained!
Next Level: 11/10
Level UP! (Level 3)
3 Stat Points gained!
1 Skill Point gained!
Next Level: 1/10

Kuori: 0/10 ---> 13/10
Level UP! (Level 3)
3 Stat Points gained!
1 Skill Point gained!
Next Level: 3/10

Vergil: 9/10 ---> 21/10
Level UP! (Level 2)
3 Stat Points gained!
1 Skill Point gained!
Next Level: 11/10
Level UP! (Level 3)
3 Stat Points gained!
1 Skill Point gained!
Next Level: 1/10

GLOW FOUND: 190

ITEMS FOUND:

Lost Soul Loot:
- Silk Cloth x2
- Ghostly Essence x1

Maddened Soldier:
- Silk Cloth x2
- Ghostly Essence x2

AFFINITY GAINED: 2

- - - - -

Update your profiles and we will continue very soon~!

by **Silver** Tue Dec 25, 2012 6:40 pm

Silver *Fury (3)* *Furious State (3)*
Hp: 8/15
Mp: 9/25
Atk: 1
Def: 2
Int: 6
Spr: 4
Move: 2 Cells

Silver attacks Lynched (4)! 3 Hits! 6 Int Damage per Hit! 20% Chance of Berserk per Hit!

I saw my opening as the others finished making their attacks. Without even the slightest bit of hesitation I thrust my hand in the creature's direction and watched it spasm violently before falling from the tree, defeated.

Silver *Fury (2)* *Furious State (2)*
Hp: 8/15
Mp: 9/25
Atk: 1
Def: 2
Int: 6
Spr: 4
Move: 2 Cells

by Durn Tue Dec 25, 2012 6:55 pm

Zone 01: The Backwards Wood
Part E - How to Sense Pain

Location: The Backwards Wood - The Hanging Tree - Spiral Trunk

Objectives: Defeat all enemies!

Achievement: --

Music: Desperate Struggle

{ } { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } B
{ } { } { } { } { } C
{ } { } {S} { } {M} D
{ } { } { } { } { } E
{ } { } { } { } { } F
{ } { } { } {A} { } G
{ } { } { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } I
-1---2---3---4---5-

Lynched (4) takes 12 damage! [Silver]

Lynched (4) KO!!

- - - - -

All enemies have been defeated!

Part E: COMPLETE!!

EXPERIENCE:

+2 - Hanged Man PERFECT KILL
+1 - Hanged Man
+3 - Lynched PERFECT KILL
+2 - Lynched
+1 - Completed in 10 or less Player Phases
+1 - No Awakening Activated
+1 - No Items Used
+1 - No Player KO
+1 - I forgot to give out "No Player KO" EXP from the last battle

TOTAL EXP: 13

Silver: 7/10 ---> 20/10
Level UP! (Level 2)
3 Stat Points gained!
1 Skill Point gained!
Next Level: 10/10
Level UP! (Level 3)
3 Stat Points gained!
1 Skill Point gained!
Next Level: 0/10

Masquerade: 7/10 ---> 20/10
Level UP! (Level 2)
3 Stat Points gained!
1 Skill Point gained!
Next Level: 10/10
Level UP! (Level 3)
3 Stat Points gained!
1 Skill Point gained!
Next Level: 0/10

Allindur: 7/10 ---> 20/10
Level UP! (Level 2)
3 Stat Points gained!
1 Skill Point gained!
Next Level: 10/10
Level UP! (Level 3)
3 Stat Points gained!
1 Skill Point gained!
Next Level: 0/10

GLOW FOUND: 140

ITEMS FOUND:

Hanging Man Loot:
- Black Skull x2
- Metal Bone x1

Lynched Loot:
- Black Skull x1
- Shadow Essence x1

AFFINITY GAINED: 2

- - - - -

Update your profiles and we will continue very soon~!

by Durn Tue Dec 25, 2012 8:35 pm

Music: Pain As It Were

Steps back, steps aside -- we were all gradually backing away from our own, inevitable fates that lay within this twisted game we had jailed ourselves within; there was no escape for the three of us, capable of either diving deep into the forest of ravenous plants once more or jumping off a cliff far too high to even mention survival. Every option had been laden with layers of death, with the breath of the Grim Reaper; the purple leaves said so, the white bark (it had all been far too astray from the norm, far too horrendous to be considered beautiful).

We couldn't escape, there was no ladder which descended from the heavens to come and save us. Behind us, a wall of thorny plants began to rise, and to our fronts lay only the daunting silhouette of a floating tree and the descent of ten-thousand feet. A swirling puddle of purple leaves and flower petals, once relaxedly situated at the very edge of the cliff, stuttered into the skies, as if a sort of portal had arisen from beneath the leafy visage of the ground beneath us.

A young woman, dressed in a hoarse gown of lofty, blackened silk which strayed far from signs of fine sewing, emerged from the portal. Her eyes, much too slim and blackened to be considered normal, gazed at us with reddened pupil, and her elongated fingers slithered around the stem of her blackened scythe, which loomed over the top of the hill and down onto our pathetic little bodies. Yet, despite how grim the young woman appeared, there was one strange feature which outdid all of the rest: her body had been stuffed with straw.

"You have overstayed your welcome." The voice groaned unbearably, clearly sickened by our everlasting presence, "Should you not feed the work of Krizantéma willingly, I must forcefully compact you into a suitable fertilizer for her art."

The demonic woman's hiss pierced my eardrums, and before her I lifted myself from my kneecaps, and I brushed the blood from my mouth, and spoke to my friends, "There is no more 'leaving.'" I swept aside my hair as it dangled into my eyes, stained with red and brown and some other muck, "We're so stupid... We can't run from this."

Durn starts at H6.

Zone 01: The Backwards Wood
Part G - That Which Can Speak

Location: The Backwards Wood - The Pale Garden - Beauty's Edge

Objectives: Defeat Charlotte, the Scarecrow Witch!

Achievement: N/A

Music: Servant of Krizantéma [9:17 - 12:30]

{T} {T} {T} {T} {-} {T} {T} {T} {T} A
{T} {T} {T} {-} {C} {-} {T} {T} {T} B
{T} {T} {-} { } { } { } {-} {T} {T} C
{T} {-} { } { } { } { } { } {-} {T} D
{-} { } { } { } { } { } { } { } {-} E
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } F
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } G
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Charlotte (Scarecrow Witch)
HP: 75 / 75
MP: 35 / 35
ATK: 6
DEF: 5
INT: 8
SPR: 6
MOVE: 3

- (Cliff)
[Indestructible] [Impassable]

Tree (Scenery)
HP: 10 / 10
DEF: 2
SPR: 2

Characters may start in rows H-I!

by **Cerani** Tue Dec 25, 2012 8:56 pm

Cerani starts in H - 5.

I turned to face the straw woman, not at all surprised that we weren't going to get off that easy. We weren't that lucky here. I didn't want to cry or scream, or shout. Successfully pushing panic away meant I was blocking a lot of things. So I wasn't calm, I was numb. This whole thing didn't surprise me. I should've known right from the beginning that something was off, when this whole place looked too real, felt real. But there wasn't any reason to piss and moan about it, I thought, reaching for my freshly cleaned sword. Well, as clean as it could be all things considered.

"Welcome? Some welcome wagon you've rolled out alright." I gestured with my free hand at Durn. Or Alex, I guess, as we were probably about to die. "He's right, no more leaving." I paused, trying to ready myself for what looked like was going to be a terrible beating. And Durn was right. We weren't gonna be leaving here by any traditional route. By the looks of things, only way to leave was to kick the bucket. I almost snorted as my brain supplied a quote for me, which I muttered to myself. "The only way out is through."

by Durn Wed Dec 26, 2012 1:46 pm

Music: Upside Down Whispers

It had been a swift, yet nonetheless exhausting battle for the trio in the Hanging Tree (cackling bones, drooping flesh -- combined into one to create the hanging monstrosities which had prevented their descent for such a brief, yet significant period of time). They continued downward, watching their step as the branch which they trailed grew narrower and narrower, eventually becoming nearly impassable as its fragility increased drastically.

The wandering heroes examined their surroundings, in search for an alternate path down, seeing that the tree's outmost branches were no longer a proper method of travel. Alternatively, they discovered a narrow hole in the tree's massive trunk through which they could pass.

As the heroes crawled into the tree's innermost chamber, a whisper echoed words foreign to the tongues of the heroes; the whisper was haunting and unwelcoming, proceeded by the same "hanging man" cackling which corrupted their ears in previous battles. The heroes' determination to descent the tree unfazed, they continued their path down the trunk's spiral staircase, growing gradually more worried as the whispering, occult echoes grew louder and louder.

The staircase came to an abrupt end, opening up into a large, dome shaped room. In the center of the room, a large stage, which protruded from the floor's level by a good four to five feet, rose. Upon the stage, a single rope dangled from the ceiling, from which a man, masked in crimson cloth, hanged. Across his body, tattoos of foreign text scrawled themselves, and through the mask, foreign whispers of hatred and deceit echoed.

The hanging priest ceased his chants, and his mask turned to the direction of Masquerade, Silver, and Allindur. In silence, a pair of hanging corpses descended from the ceiling -- bloodthirsty. Cerani's thoughts echoed, "The only way out is through."

Zone 01: The Backwards Wood
Part H - The Demons Against Us

Location: The Backwards Wood - The Hanging Tree - Cloister of the Hanging Cultist

Objectives: Defeat Jevohas, Savant of the Hanged!

Achievement: N/A

Music: Decree of the Hanged

{ } {W} { } { } { } { } { } {W} { } A
{ } {W} { } { } {J} { } { } {W} { } B
{ } {W} { } { } { } { } { } {W} { } C
{ } { } {W} { } { } { } {W} { } { } D
{ } { } { } {W} { } {W} { } { } { } E
{ } {1} { } { } { } { } { } {2} { } F
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } G
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Jevohas (Savant of the Hanged)
HP: 35 / 35
MP: 95 / 95
ATK: 7
DEF: 1
INT: 3
SPR: 6
MOVE: 4

Hanging Man (1)
HP: 20 / 20
MP: 20 / 20
ATK: 3
DEF: 1
INT: 2
SPR: 1
MOVE: 4

Hanging Man (2)
HP: 20 / 20
MP: 20 / 20
ATK: 3
DEF: 1
INT: 2
SPR: 1
MOVE: 4

Stage Wall (Scenery)
[Indestructible] [Passable by Float]

Characters may start in rows H-I!

by Xenosaga Wed Dec 26, 2012 2:03 pm

"Seriously," I sneered, unable to hold back my contempt for the whole situation. "I'm sick of this." We had been here for what could have been an hour. Two, maybe three. I refused to think it was unfair though because, really, at least we hadn't died yet. I had no intention of losing my life here. I hated dying in games and dying here would only bring about a mental breakdown for me.

"If we've overstayed our welcome," I began with a drawl, pulling out a pair of daggers. "Then you wouldn't mind if we made our exit, would you?" It was a joke, or something close. Anything that would keep things moving.

[Xenosaga] starts at [H-4].

by Allindur, the Lightfoot Wed Dec 26, 2012 4:22 pm

There was always a way out. Such was in life, even more true in games. The three of us kept looking until we found a hole that could carry us away from that tree. Eventually, the descent took us to the stage where we found the leader of those sickly creatures. So there WAS some sense in the twisted hanging undead (or at least I assume they are undead).

I unsheathed my trustworthy sword, now pretty dented and dirty, even with my attempts at continuosly removing the rotten juices from our enemies. I took a guarding position and gave a look at my friends.

-I guess we have a challenge. Let's kick some ass?

Allindur starts at H2.

by Durn Wed Dec 26, 2012 8:46 pm

Zone 01: The Backwards Wood
Part G - That Which Can Speak

Location: The Backwards Wood - The Pale Garden - Beauty's Edge

Objectives: Defeat Charlotte, the Scarecrow Witch!

Achievement: N/A

Music: Servant of Krizantéma [9:17 - 12:30]

{T} {T} {T} {T} {-} {T} {T} {T} {T} A
{T} {T} {T} {-} {C} {-} {T} {T} {T} B
{T} {T} {-} { } { } { } {-} {T} {T} C
{T} {-} { } { } { } { } { } {-} {T} D
{-} { } { } { } { } { } { } { } {-} E
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } F
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } G
{ } { } { } {X} {C} {D} { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Durn (Geomancer)
HP: 30 / 30
MP: 20 / 20
ATK: 5
DEF: 6
INT: 1
SPR: 5
EVADE: 3%
MOVE: 3

Xenosaga (Assailant)
HP: 25 / 25
MP: 25 / 25
ATK: 9
DEF: 5
INT: 0
SPR: 4
EVADE: 5%
MOVE: 4

Cerani (Swordsperson)
HP: 25 / 25
MP: 25 / 25
ATK: 10
DEF: 6
INT: 0
SPR: 3
EVADE: 3%
MOVE: 3

Charlotte (Scarecrow Witch)
HP: 75 / 75
MP: 35 / 35
ATK: 6
DEF: 5
INT: 8
SPR: 6
EVADE: 3%
MOVE: 3

- (Cliff)
[Indestructible] [Impassable]

Tree (Scenery)
HP: 10 / 10
DEF: 2
SPR: 2

Player Phase 1!

by **Cerani** Wed Dec 26, 2012 10:49 pm

Moving forward now wouldn't be wise. I hated enemies that turtled, it made a battle a long waiting game that I often lost the first few times. Give me quick and sudden assaults and reactions any day. Also, fighting a scarecrow? Irony of my life. We were definitely not in Kansas anymore, and that bitch was bound to get my little dog too. I paced forward, placing myself well in front of the others, but hopefully out of range for now. I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to reach her fast enough before she was on me, probably with something that would hurt like hell too. The least I could do was draw her attention so Durn and Xeno could get the drop on her. Alex and Rosa.

I held my sword in front of me, ready to try and block an incoming blow but knowing I was never skilled enough for that, not against something like this. Again, I'm just drawing attention here. "I'll keep her occupied. You guys stay alive, alright?" I stopped and inhaled some air that tasted like earth and dead things, trying to muck up some extra courage, and shouted at the straw woman. "Hey bitch, why not come take on somebody your own size!" You know, never mind that I'm the shortest out of the three of us. Obviously I'm the most imposing. Yep. Eyepatches work like that.

Cerani moves to G-5.

by Xenosaga Thu Dec 27, 2012 9:19 am

I winced. As much as I wanted to tell Cerani not to take all the hits, I didn't. Mostly because what good would it do even if I did? She was still charging into the front lines and there really wasn't anything I could do about it. The best I could do was get rid of the boss (because really, what else could this bitch be?) as soon as possible. Durn was more than likely to send that huge claw thing at Cerani which would lead to him taking damage for her.

[Xenosaga] uses Sneak. Bestows Invisible!
MP: 19/25

I needed something that would hide me from view, like last time. That time I thought I died. I had probably just turned invisible, so no one could see me. I almost snorted. Just give me a carboard box and call me Solid Snake. Considering I was attempting to sneak into enemy lines, it was almost appropriate. The chill came back and I quickly glanced down at myself to make sure it worked. Yep, I was now transparent.

[Xenosaga] moves to [E-4].

I walked forward, cautious to not make any noise. I might have been invisible but that didn't mean I was devoid of scent or noise. I wasn't wearing Harry's Invisibility Cloak, as convenient as that would be. I watched the witch, trying to keep calm. I just needed her to get a bit closer. Just a bit.

by Durn Thu Dec 27, 2012 12:21 pm

Music: N/A

Dauntless, the final trio: Zeri, Kuori, and Vergil, continued their trek throughout the ruinous tower, in hope of finding a quickly accessible exit which could take them out of the crater in which they were trapped. As they ascended the spiral staircase, which was worn and moss-coated with age and ruin, the adventurers found themselves atop the tower, nearly eye-to-eye with ground level (quite a coincidence the tower was the exact hight of the crater, rather fortunate, too).

It might have seemed their adventure had come to a soothing halt, but rather it was quite the opposite. Instead of happily prancing off of the tower and skipping into the depths of The Backwards Wood, fate had a different schedule for the heroes to follow.

Atop the tower, a large beast, coated with an eccentric purple-and-yellow stripe pattern, hunched over the corpse of a maddened soldier, happily feasting on its warm, fresh limbs, simply shoving the armor aside with ease. A young child, perhaps no older than ten years old by appearance of his stature alone, rode atop the strange, eyeless beast. He wore an odd, paper bag which covered his visage from plain sight, and seemed to have a strange sort of affinity with the creature he was piggybacking.

The striped monster raised its large, circular mouth from his food, catching a whiff of the party's scent.

"Stripe, more!" The young child squealed in a frightened voice, pointing a shaking finger at the trio, "More food!"

Zone 01: The Backwards Wood
Part I - Boxface and Stripe

Location: The Backwards Wood - The Pond of Selfish Desires - Ruined Overlook

Objectives: Defeat Boxface!

Achievement: N/A

Music: Child and Monster

{ } { } { } {R} {R} { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } B
{ } { } {R} { } { } {R} { } { } { } C
{ } {R} { } { } {S} { } { } { } { } D
{ } {R} { } { } { } { } { } {R} { } E
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } F
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } G
{ } { } {R} { } { } { } { } {R} {R} H
{ } { } { } { } { } { } {R} {R} {R} I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Boxface (Gerdorc Rider) [Piggyback - Stripe]
HP: 10 / 10
MP: 50 / 50
ATK: 6
DEF: 3
INT: 0
SPR: 3
MOVE: 8

Stripe (Pet Gerdorc)
HP: 125 / 125
MP: 40 / 40
ATK: 7
DEF: 3
INT: 0
SPR: 4
MOVE: 3

Desecrated Ruins (Scenery)
HP: 5 / 5
DEF: 2
SPR: 2

Characters may start in rows H-I!

by **Silver** Thu Dec 27, 2012 1:45 pm

Silver starts at I5!

The second I saw the creepy thing hanging from the ceiling I bristled. "It didn't fall out from the ceiling. It didn't fall from the ceiling. It didn't fall from the ceiling. It's just there and there is nothing to worry about." I muttered feverishly over and over, eyes squeezed tightly shut. When I opened my eyes though, two more of those hanging jackasses fell from the ceiling just so the universe can toy with me more. "Fucking HELL!" I cursed very audibly, hands clenching into tight fists. "I've had it up to here," I threw my arm straight into the air "with everything in this damn place!" My arm fell in front of me and I cracked my knuckles. "So figuring out how to log out and contact customer support after this." I growled darkly, eyes blazing in the direction of the large hanging freakshow.

by Durn Thu Dec 27, 2012 2:41 pm

Durn moves to G6.

Durn casts Static Veil! Shield HP = 6!
MP: 8/20!

As I found myself walking up that grimdark cliffside, with all of those goddamned purple leaves briskly flowing into my face at the most inopportune moments, I distinctly remember murmuring to myself how stupid we all were for spending so much cash on something so determined to murder us. We'd definitely need to talk about our spending decisions if we were to ever make it back alive. However, that conversation was for another day.

I slowly stepped toward the scarecrow witch, side-by-side to Cerani, well, not really, seeing that my side was a good six inches higher than hers (at least). "Yeah, staying alive." I parroted the swordsperson, still uncertain about our ability to fight this maniacal wheatlady.

Honestly, I had already gotten so used to it; you know, I'd gotten used to conjuring all of that rocky stuff so quickly. It almost seemed as if, whenever my worries grew greater, and whenever my anxieties had me feeling discouraged, I would surround myself with a barrier of earthen energy, sewn together by some sort of strange magnetism, I guess. I didn't really need to think about it too much.

It was too real.

Zone 01: The Backwards Wood
Part G - That Which Can Speak

Location: The Backwards Wood - The Pale Garden - Beauty's Edge

Objectives: Defeat Charlotte, the Scarecrow Witch!

Achievement: N/A

Music: Servant of Krizantéma [9:17 - 12:30]

{T} {T} {T} {T} {-} {T} {T} {T} {T} A
{T} {T} {T} {-} {C} {-} {T} {T} {T} B
{T} {T} {-} { } { } { } {-} {T} {T} C
{T} {-} { } { } { } { } { } {-} {T} D
{-} { } { } {X} { } { } { } { } {-} E
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } F
{ } { } { } { } {C} {D} { } { } { } G
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Xenosaga becomes Invisible! [Xenosaga]

Durn is shielded! [Durn]

Neutral Phase 1!

N/A

Enemy Phase 1!

Charlotte moves to C5!

Charlotte casts Polluted Ground! -14MP!

"Come!" The scarecrow woman croaked, "Accept your inevitable demise, one by one! Become servants to the true god of the Backwards Wood!" Her eyes turned to slits, and she waved her scythe in a circular formation, leaving behind trails of dark, blackened energy which whispered around the woman as if she were a sort of energy conduit. Seconds later, after mumbling a chant in foreign tongue, the shadowy wisps exploded, polluting the ground around the witch with a mystical taint; leaves browned; the wind halted.

The land died in her presence.

Calculation Phase 1!

N/A

{T} {T} {T} {T} {-} {T} {T} {T} {T} A
{T} {T} {T} {-} { } {-} {T} {T} {T} B
{T} {T} {-} { } {C} { } {-} {T} {T} C
{T} {-} { } { } { } { } { } {-} {T} D
{-} { } { } {X} { } { } { } { } {-} E
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } F
{ } { } { } { } {C} {D} { } { } { } G
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Durn (Geomancer) [Static Veil - HP: 6 / 6]
HP: 30 / 30
MP: 8 / 20
ATK: 5
DEF: 6
INT: 1
SPR: 5
EVADE: 3%
MOVE: 3

Xenosaga (Assailant) [Invisible - 2]
HP: 25 / 25
MP: 19 / 25
ATK: 9
DEF: 5
INT: 0
SPR: 4
EVADE: 5%
MOVE: 4

Cerani (Swordsperson)
HP: 25 / 25
MP: 25 / 25
ATK: 10
DEF: 6
INT: 0
SPR: 3
EVADE: 3%
MOVE: 3

Charlotte (Scarecrow Witch)
HP: 75 / 75
MP: 21 / 35
ATK: 6
DEF: 5
INT: 8
SPR: 6
EVADE: 3%
MOVE: 3

- (Cliff)
[Indestructible] [Impassable]

Tree (Scenery)
HP: 10 / 10
DEF: 2
SPR: 2

Player Phase 2!

by **Masquerade** Thu Dec 27, 2012 3:01 pm

Masquerade starts at I8.

The dimensions of this place were crazy. Shouldn't the branches be thicker as we descended the tree? No, these were smaller, and before long, there were no paths for us to traverse any longer. I had kept my mouth shut in silence which was pretty normal. I always valued quiet, and there was no such thing as awkward silence for me. I spent moments like these thinking about various things, and right now, I was mainly thinking about how much this game rocked, yet sucked at the same time. If indeed it were truly a game, then it would be a stunning masterpiece. If it were something like The World from the .hack// series, then our real selves would probably wind up going into comas. So many tales had come before where virtual reality games take a turn for the worse. Was this one of those tales come true at long last? If so, then this would make survival all the more important.

We caught sight of a way to move on, and it was through an opening in the tree trunk which was rather unexpected, but then again, how unprofessional would it be for there to be a dead end with no way to continue? There was always a way. That way happened to be down upon a spiral staircase inside the tree. Shudders crept up and down my spine as I listened to the cursed mutterings of what could only be more mobs awaiting us somewhere within. Whoever designed the game must have been obsessed with hangings or something, or maybe that was just the theme of this area. There was no idea of what might have been going through the heads of the developers while they were working on this game. I sighed and tried to remain calm, but my heart raced as we neared the bottom of the staircase and stepped out into the large chamber.

In the center of the chamber awaited what was supposedly our doom--the first boss and it's apparent minions. In twin flashes of light, my needles appeared and I readied myself for battle. Silver wasn't too happy about this, and from his words, he still seemed to think it was a game. And maybe it was. Could the stunning reality of the game be confusing my perception? I seriously hoped that was the case. I just let Silver rage while I prepared myself because even though it was only the first boss, it should still be taken very seriously, even more so if we could truly die from this.

by **Cerani** Thu Dec 27, 2012 3:13 pm

I made a disgusted noise that sounded curiously like 'blaungh', pulling my sword back a bit as if it too would get tainted by whatever magic the woman had cast. "God, Xeno, I hope wherever you are you're not in that mess." I had to remember, these were my ED friends. We knew RPGs. We were bound to be right in the fray. So telling them to stay alive was like telling a squirrel to avoid the road. Basically pointless, or as Cas might describe, a bit like teaching poetry to fish. And by following that logic, the only place Xeno could be was in that polluting field of shadowy darkness. Yes I said that, and yes I know it's redundant. Shutup, I'm about to die.

'Screw it.' Turtle or not, I could only hit her point blank. I only took one more look at the magical death surrounding the witch before marching right into it, just instantly regretting ever even thinking about wasting all the money I had on this goddamn game. I could literally feel the shadows clinging to me, seeping into my very being to take what soul I had left to keep. Or that's what it felt like. My limbs felt noticeably heavy and I was tired, finally. Ha. I felt like I do in the real world. Weak.

I needed her out of commission, down would be best but unable to act for a short time would do. So, I swung my sword. Be proud Toby Turner! Be proud.

Cerani moves to D-5.

Cerani uses Smash [-9 MP] on Charlotte! 13 Atk damage! Charlotte is Stunned!

by Xenosaga Thu Dec 27, 2012 4:37 pm

Holy shit. Talk about a close one.

Needless to say I was damn glad I had been cautious. The decay had stopped literally at my feet. Wearily, I toed that line to see if it would spread. It didn't. Well, good for me, I guess. Looking up at where the witch stood, I could have fallen to my knees and pounded the ground in despair. She had moved, yes, but she was right in the middle of the deathtrap and still out of my range. I really needed to learn how to throw my daggers.

But seeing Cerani walk right up to the witch's face and bash her with her sword, I had to admit that cheered me up quite a bit. It always was fun to watch others be hit on. But this also meant I couldn't just hang around on the sidelines. It was unethical.

[Xenosaga] moves to [D-4].

Oh, son of a banana stick. I haven't felt this bad since I vomited for four hours straight. Taking a deep breath through clenched teeth, I breathed out the same way, releasing a low hissing noise. With daggers in hand, I focused on the witch and pushed myself forward with all the strength I could muster. The rest was a blur, like it always was, but it did what it had to. I was once again plain as day standing right next to Cerani. Looking over at where Durn was, I almost snorted out a laugh. At this rate, we were going to be standing in a line again.

[Xenosaga] uses Swift Attack on [Charlotte]. 10 ATK DMG. 3 hits. High Chance of Critical.
MP: 5/25

by Durn Thu Dec 27, 2012 6:06 pm

Zone 01: The Backwards Wood
Part H - The Demons Against Us

Location: The Backwards Wood - The Hanging Tree - Cloister of the Hanging Cultist

Objectives: Defeat Jevohas, Savant of the Hanged!

Achievement: N/A

Music: Decree of the Hanged

{ } {W} { } { } { } { } { } {W} { } A
{ } {W} { } { } {J} { } { } {W} { } B
{ } {W} { } { } { } { } { } {W} { } C
{ } { } {W} { } { } { } {W} { } { } D
{ } { } { } {W} { } {W} { } { } { } E
{ } {1} { } { } { } { } { } {2} { } F
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } G
{ } {A} { } { } { } { } { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } {S} { } { } {M} { } I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Silver (Empath)
HP: 20 / 20
MP: 30 / 30
ATK: 1
DEF: 3
INT: 8
SPR: 5
EVADE: 2%
MOVE: 2

Masquerade (Seer of Hope)
HP: 20 / 20
MP: 35 / 35
ATK: 0
DEF: 3
INT: 8
SPR: 5
EVADE: 2%
MOVE: 2

Allindur (Shadow Walker)
HP: 25 / 25
MP: 30 / 30
SO: 0 / 10
ATK: 7
DEF: 3
INT: 6
SPR: 2
EVADE: 4%
MOVE: 3

Jevohas (Savant of the Hanged)
HP: 35 / 35
MP: 95 / 95
ATK: 7
DEF: 1
INT: 3
SPR: 6
MOVE: 4

Hanging Man (1)
HP: 20 / 20
MP: 20 / 20
ATK: 3
DEF: 1
INT: 2
SPR: 1
MOVE: 4

Hanging Man (2)
HP: 20 / 20
MP: 20 / 20
ATK: 3
DEF: 1
INT: 2
SPR: 1
MOVE: 4

Stage Wall (Scenery)
[Indestructible] [Passable by Float]

Player Phase 1!

by **Silver** Thu Dec 27, 2012 6:21 pm

Silver
Hp: 20/20
Mp: 30/30
Atk: 1
Def: 3
Int: 8
Spr: 5
Evade: 2%
Move: 2 Cells

Silver moves to H5!

I took a couple steps forward after deciding that since my allies started closer to the guy's lackeys, they could handle them; they were certainly strong enough to deal with them. That, and I didn't care if the main threat had boss status. I had every intention of fucking wrecking that shit. "Too bad I don't have a knife or something," I muttered "I'd cut you so fucking bad." Coming to a defiant stop right in front of the thing's stage, I waited to see just what it would do.

Silver ~~was already~~ is overcome with Fury! +2 Basic Attacks for Three Turns!

Silver's S-Ability, Extrasensory, activates! Silver enters Furious State!

Silver *Fury (3)* *Furious State (3)*
Hp: 20/20
Mp: 22/30
Atk: 1
Def: 3
Int: 8
Spr: 5
Evade: 2%
Move: 2 Cells

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