Re: Eternal Dream: Online

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

by Allindur, the Lightfoot Thu Dec 27, 2012 6:35 pm

Allindur moves to F3.

Allindur attacks Hanging Man(1)! 7 Dmg(Atk)!

Coalescent Shadows hungers for despair.

I darted to the side of the closest Hanging Man and spun, slashing it horizontally. It's disgusting blood-ooze-thingy spilled on me, what was more than a little disgusting.

I could see Silver focusing his eyes on the one that seemed like their boss. Looking back, that thing was wearing robes...which usually means he is suposed to be resistant to magic.

-Err...Silver...don't you think you should maybe focus on the ones you can actually damage? The red guy looks like more of my job.

by **Masquerade** Thu Dec 27, 2012 7:24 pm

Masquerade attacks Hanging Man (2)! 8 Dmg! (INT)

The others still weren't fazed by what was going on around us, and that perturbed me. It almost made me wish that I had encounter other players who exhibited common sense, but once again doubts took hold of me, and the light that I saw weakened. What was the truth? The lack of sight into this hidden truth blinded me. Since that was the case, it was up to me and me alone to keep faith. As such, I hoped for the best--that this really was just an oddly real simulation. It was just a game. I blinked a couple of times and the tinge of light surrounding everything brightened back to what it was usually, and I let out a sigh of relief. How tiring it was to keep this ability in check. I wondered what would happen if I just stopped maintaining it, but even that simple notion make my body shudder in fear.

I didn't want to find out.

Shrugging off that unsettling thought, I raised my needles and took aim at the hanging man nearest to me, ignoring the one in the distance for the moment. A blast of light shot out of my needles, hopefully striking the disgusting hanged corpse dead-on. I wasn't quite familiar with the energy system of this game, but I had determined that I had a decent reservoir of it, and my blinding light skill thing didn't cost too much, whereas the ray of light cost a bit more. At least, that speculation came from how tired I felt when using both attacks. I would need to perform more analysis, surely. It was things like this that helped keep my hopes high that this really was just a game.

Masquerade waits.

by Durn Thu Dec 27, 2012 7:55 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} {A} { } { } { } { } {2} { } F
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } G
{ } { } { } { } {S} { } { } { } { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } {M} { } I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Silver enters Furious State! [Silver]

Silver gains 2 Basic Attacks! [Silver]

Hanging Man (1) takes 6 damage! [Allindur]

Allindur gains 1 SO!

Hanging Man (2) takes 7 damage! [Masquerade]

Neutral Phase 1!

N/A

Enemy Phase 1!

Hanging Man (1) uses Crunching Embrace on Allindur! -8MP!

Allindur takes 3 damage!

Allindur evades Immobilize!

Hanging Man (2) moves to H8!

Hanging Man (2) uses Drop on Masquerade! -12MP!

Masquerade takes 5 damage!

The masked man, turned topsy-turvey by the maddened world in which he resided, appeared to turn his head toward Silver, "You are nothing but an ignorant fool. We have harvested our minds to extreme perfection; we, the Akasztás, have gained an affinity with the shadows." His four limbs pointed toward the abyssal skies of the Hanging Tree, "We are the living lexicons of this world. You are nothing. You are expendable and you must be eliminated so that we may work toward the eternal betterment of the Backwards Wood."

The hanging cultist's frontmost left hand crackled and fell, and with it, a rotting corpse fell from the ceiling and collided with the stage. A second hand; a second falling corpse, and another crunching spine. A third hand commanded another corpse; a fourth, another. Before long, the party could no longer see the hanging cultist, as he had surrounded himself within a barricade of the undead.

"I am untouchable!"

Jevohas casts Wall of Burdened Corpses! -8MP!

Corpses fall in cells adjacent to Jevohas!

Calculation Phase 1!

N/A

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

Silver (Empath) [+2 Basic Attacks - 3] [Furious State - 3]
HP: 20 / 20
MP: 22 / 30
ATK: 1
DEF: 3
INT: 8
SPR: 5
EVADE: 2%
MOVE: 2

Masquerade (Seer of Hope)
HP: 15 / 20
MP: 35 / 35
ATK: 0
DEF: 3
INT: 8
SPR: 5
EVADE: 2%
MOVE: 2

Allindur (Shadow Walker)
HP: 22 / 25
MP: 30 / 30
SO: 1 / 10
ATK: 7
DEF: 3
INT: 6
SPR: 2
EVADE: 4%
MOVE: 3

Corpse (1)
HP: 3 / 3
DEF: 1
SPR: 1

Corpse (2)
HP: 3 / 3
DEF: 1
SPR: 1

Corpse (3)
HP: 3 / 3
DEF: 1
SPR: 1

Corpse (4)
HP: 3 / 3
DEF: 1
SPR: 1

Jevohas (Savant of the Hanged)
HP: 35 / 35
MP: 87 / 95
ATK: 7
DEF: 1
INT: 3
SPR: 6
MOVE: 4

Hanging Man (1)
HP: 14 / 20
MP: 12 / 20
ATK: 3
DEF: 1
INT: 2
SPR: 1
MOVE: 4

Hanging Man (2)
HP: 13 / 20
MP: 8 / 20
ATK: 3
DEF: 1
INT: 2
SPR: 1
MOVE: 4

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

Player Phase 2!

by **Silver** Thu Dec 27, 2012 8:56 pm

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

"Err...Silver...don't you think you should maybe focus on the ones you can actually damage? The red guy looks like more of my job."

My gaze snapped over to Allindur, rage still flowing in large amounts through my system. "Yeah? Well if you want to hit him get over..." my head snapped over in the direction of the boss, and my voice died down all together. Bodies fell from the ceiling and I cursed violently, backing over towards my ally who had, for the most part, received a tongue lashing. "Uh... yeah. You can take him." I stated, taking off into a full run away from the hanged freak.

Silver moves to H3!

My rage wasn't gone though. The fear had shadowed it, sure, but it was still there. In order to emphasize Allindur's need to get over to the main threat, I thrust my hand in the direction of the enemy he had targeted. It shuddered violently, hopefully falling to the ground defeated.

Silver attacks Hanging Man (1)! 2 Hits! 8 Int Damage per Hit! 20% Chance of Berserk per Hit!

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

by Allindur, the Lightfoot Thu Dec 27, 2012 9:17 pm

I looked at my enemy, ready to lash at him again, but Silver was ready to take care of him. I turned to the red guy, but he shield himself with a wall of...dead bodies...tell me about using a meat shield. I turned to the other Hanging Man...and he was too far away. What else was there for me to do? Just chill, I guess.

I moved to face the Hanging Hierophant, as I had just nicknamed him...her...it. I could Shadow Jump to it. Sure, it could simply recast the wall, since I wound not be able to take the spot so quickly, but doing that would keep it from going to offense. And if it did get offensive, it would open itself to quite some punishment.

Yep, only viable route. I let myself sink into my shadow, took the black route and jumped right in front of the wall, tearing open a rift for myself.

-Heeeere's Johnny!

Allindur moves to F5.

Allindur uses Shadow Jump on Corpse(4)! 8 Dmg(Atk)!

Coalescent Shadows still hungers.

by Kurio Fri Dec 28, 2012 2:14 pm

Kuori starts at cell I-5

Just when I thought we were about to get out of this area we had to encounter another battle. Of course, nothing could have been that easy, for us to just leave like that. And since the little midget on top of the beast somehow already spotted us avoiding conflict and trying to sneak on by wasn't going to work. Well, unless someone's got some mass invisibility powers or something. Actually, that doesn't sound all that bad, maybe I should see if-

"No Kuori, I can't do anything of the sort, yet." Beatrice stopped my train of thought. He had read my mind, oh wait, he could hear everything that went on in my mind anyway.

"Well then, at least you can peck its eyes out, I think..." I spoke, though on second thought maybe not. Did that monster even have eyes? Didn't seem like it but if Beatrice can peck out the eyes of ghosts then maybe he can do the same to this thing too.

by **Masquerade** Fri Dec 28, 2012 5:22 pm

Masquerade moves to I6.

We were ignorant. We were expendable. I shuffled away from the disgusting hanged gentleman that had been so kind as to drop me into the ground. My muscles yelled out in protest, but I managed to get away just fine, a newly received burst of adrenaline driving me away from the stench of the living corpse. Normally I would have been pissed off, but we truly were ignorant. It wasn't like we even had half a clue between the three of us about what this game was about or any of the mechanics in it. The fact that we had managed to get this far given the circumstances was nothing short of pure miraculous. Through instinct and maybe chance, we were able to decipher our most basic of abilities and fought back. This was nice. Now, here was the first boss who had the ability to communicate with us, and all it could offer in terms of information at the moment was that it was better than them and that was just about it.

"Ugh, stupid bullshit," I uttered, rolling my eyes as I sent forth another blast of light at the hanging corpse that I had fled from. Just because I ran didn't mean I was done with this particular fight. The others needed me, however, for the 'one who was oh-so-better than them' was barricading itself behind a wall of definitely dead corpses. It seemed a bit redundant to say that, but here were some undead ones trying to kill them all, and whether they would really die or not still came into question. There was only one way to find out and I wasn't about to let that happen. I had to have hope. It's what I did.

Masquerade attacks Hanging Man (2)! 8 Dmg! (INT)

by Durn Fri Dec 28, 2012 6:05 pm

Durn moves to D6.

Durn casts Jewel Paw on Cerani! -8MP!

There was a sinking doubt crawling at the back of my mind. I knew something was wrong. I knew it was a bad idea to step into that hellish ground the witch had risen. The instant Cerani and Xeno lay their fingers on the witch, reactionary thorns and vines lashed from the decayed leaves and slashed at their limbs. Luckily, I had yet to enter the range of the attack when the response was triggered, but I needed to protect them. My defensive capabilities were far stronger than theirs; whereas they excelled in offensive tactics.

As such, I proceeded to conjure that same wall of crystalline, amethyst energy which wrapped itself around Cerani, who seemed to be taking the brunt of the damage. "Now's not the time to be stubborn. We need you to last as long as possible! Let me protect you!" I knew she wouldn't like it, but it was for the best. I could handle the damage. I had grown accustomed to it.

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

Charlotte takes 4 damage! [Cerani]

Charlotte evades Stun! [Cerani]

Cerani takes 1 damage! [Thorn Cascade]

CRITICAL HIT!! Charlotte takes 10 damage! [Xenosaga]

Cerani takes 3 damage! [Thorn Cascade]

Xenosaga takes 3 damage! [Thorn Cascade]

Charlotte takes 5 damage! [Xenosaga]

Cerani takes 1 damage! [Thorn Cascade]

Xenosaga takes 1 damage! [Thorn Cascade]

CRITICAL HIT!! Charlotte takes 10 damage! [Xenosaga]

Cerani takes 3 damage! [Thorn Cascade]

Xenosaga takes 3 damage! [Thorn Cascade]

Durn is covering Cerani! [Durn]

Cerani is covered by Durn! [Cerani]

Neutral Phase 2!

N/A

Enemy Phase 2!

Charlotte casts Shadow Edge! -12 MP!

Charlotte waits.

Calculation Phase 2!

Durn becomes Weak!

Cerani becomes Weak!

Xenosaga becomes Weak!

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

Durn (Geomancer) [Static Veil - HP: 6 / 6][Covering - 2][Weak (1) - 2]
HP: 26 / 26
MP: 0 / 20
ATK: 5
DEF: 6
INT: 1
SPR: 5
EVADE: 3%
MOVE: 3

Xenosaga (Assailant) [Weak (1) - 2]
HP: 18 / 21
MP: 19 / 25
ATK: 9
DEF: 5
INT: 0
SPR: 4
EVADE: 15%
MOVE: 4

Cerani (Swordsperson) [Covered - 2][Weak (1) - 2]
HP: 17 / 21
MP: 16 / 25
ATK: 10
DEF: 6
INT: 0
SPR: 3
EVADE: 3%
MOVE: 3

Charlotte (Scarecrow Witch) [Shadow Edge x6]
HP: 46 / 75
MP: 9 / 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 3!

by Zerifachias Fri Dec 28, 2012 6:59 pm

Zeri starts at I-1.

I almost hated myself for getting involved in a game like this. Why did I buy this thing? Oh yeah. My friends bugged me and bugged me about it until I finally gave into the peer pressure, as I am prone to doing after being bugged for so long. Well, with what we're facing here now, I'm beginning to have second thoughts.

I quickly revert to my first thoughts. It's a game. I've been having fun. So I'll continue playing it. Maybe we'll get to a save spot or something soon. I could use a break.

by Durn Fri Dec 28, 2012 7:20 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} { } { } {2} { } { } {W} { } A
{ } {W} { } {1} {J} {3} { } {W} { } B
{ } {W} { } { } { } { } { } {W} { } C
{ } { } {W} { } {A} { } {W} { } { } D
{ } { } { } {W} { } {W} { } { } { } E
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } F
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } G
{ } { } {S} { } { } { } { } {2} { } H
{ } { } { } { } { } {M} { } { } { } I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Hanging Man (2) takes 7 damage! [Masquerade]

Hanging Man (1) takes 14 damage! [Silver]

Hanging Man (1) Perfect Kill!!

Corpse 4 is destroyed! [Allindur]

Neutral Phase 2!

N/A

Enemy Phase 2!

Hanging Man (2) moves to I7!

Hanging Man (2) uses Crunching Embrace on Masquerade! -8MP!

Masquerade takes 3 damage!

Masquerade is immobilized!

"Back!" The cultist screeched as the wall of corpses fell before him, slopping onto the ground in a disarrayed fashion of bone and flash, "Get away! You cannot touch me! I am an untouchable of the Akasztás! You will be cursed! CURSED!" Despite his pleas, the cultist seemed to be gradually looming closer and closer to Allindur as he screamed, his ragged red clothing dangling from his person frantically, and his limbs flailing about helplessly.

"CURSED!" He screamed once more, lunging at Allindur with the intent to kill, swiftly removing a large machete from the back pocket of his lower body's robe; he then proceeded to sink the dagger deep into the right side of Allindur's waist.

Jevohas moves to C5.

Jevohas attacks Allindur!

Allindur takes 4 damage!

Calculation Phase 2!

N/A

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

Silver (Empath) [+2 Basic Attacks - 2] [Furious State - 2]
HP: 20 / 20
MP: 22 / 30
ATK: 1
DEF: 3
INT: 8
SPR: 5
EVADE: 2%
MOVE: 2

Masquerade (Seer of Hope) [Immobilize - 3]
HP: 12 / 20
MP: 35 / 35
ATK: 0
DEF: 3
INT: 8
SPR: 5
EVADE: 2%
MOVE: 2

Allindur (Shadow Walker)
HP: 18 / 25
MP: 30 / 30
SO: 1 / 10
ATK: 7
DEF: 3
INT: 6
SPR: 2
EVADE: 4%
MOVE: 3

Corpse (1)
HP: 3 / 3
DEF: 1
SPR: 1

Corpse (2)
HP: 3 / 3
DEF: 1
SPR: 1

Corpse (3)
HP: 3 / 3
DEF: 1
SPR: 1

Jevohas (Savant of the Hanged)
HP: 35 / 35
MP: 87 / 95
ATK: 7
DEF: 1
INT: 3
SPR: 6
MOVE: 4

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

Hanging Man (2)
HP: 6 / 20
MP: 0 / 20
ATK: 3
DEF: 1
INT: 2
SPR: 1
MOVE: 4

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

Player Phase 3!

by Vergil Fri Dec 28, 2012 7:25 pm

Vergil starts at H-2

I stood by and watched as the purple creature devoured the remains of the maddened soldier. "I was wrong," I groaned to myself. "Those soldiers weren't players after all... no. Instead, they were living piñatas stuffed with raspberry jam... AND THAT DEFORMED YOSHI ISN'T SHARING, THAT BITCH!" Back where I'm from, not sharing raspberry jam was a capital crime punishable by death. Okay, maybe that's a complete lie, but it should be the case. I wasn't hesitant this time to fight; I knew what had to be done.

"You sick freaks," I addressed the beast and his rider. "You creatures may send your holiday ghosts to beat me up, and have your mutant mantis try to eat me, but if you have the nerve to eat all that raspberry jam in front of me then you've crossed the fucking line. No more talk. You gotta go."

by Allindur, the Lightfoot Fri Dec 28, 2012 7:27 pm

Allindur uses Shadow Jump on Jevohas! 8 Dmg(Atk)!

Allindur warps to Cell B5!

MP: 13/25

Allindur waits.

In the end it was much better than I had thought. The Hanging Hierophant did not summon back the corpses, but his attack was not all that terrible either. I merely smiled as he hacked me with his blade. It hurt, but it's not like I'd never been cut before, and compared to the beam from the previous monster, it was a piece of cake.

Quite literally, it was delightful as cake. I licked my lips and sunk into the shadows. A slip second later I was running my sword through the back of the monster that seemed to be the boss.

-Oops...touched you...

by Durn Fri Dec 28, 2012 7:38 pm

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
{ } {V} {R} { } { } { } { } {R} {R} H
{Z} { } { } { } {K} { } {R} {R} {R} I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Zeri (Novelist)
HP: 30 / 30
MP: 20 / 20
ATK: 1
DEF: 4
INT: 8
SPR: 4
EVADE: 1%
MOVE: 2

Kuori (Self-Proclaimed Tactician)
HP: 25 / 25
MP: 35 / 35
ATK: 1
DEF: 4
INT: 7
SPR: 3
EVADE: 2%
MOVE: 2

Vergil (Thaumanaut)
HP: 25 / 25
MP: 25 / 25
ATK: 5
DEF: 3
INT: 4
SPR: 5
EVADE: 3%
MOVE: 3

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

Player Phase 1!

by Vergil Sat Dec 29, 2012 9:35 pm

Vergil moves to F-1

Despite my instantaneous hatred for my enemy, I knew I wouldn't be able to fight Barney the Dinosaur alone. Remembering the events of the battle against the mantis, I decided to see if I could bring out that eerie spirit that aided me earlier. I reached into my jacket and retrieved the dreamcatcher, holding it over my shadow as I had done before. "Alright," I called to the broken trinket. "If you're still there, I could really use some assistance right now." My request was not left unanswered, as the familiar voice responded back.

"As the Thaumanaut calls upon the forces of the primordial emptiness, so shall it be that the Simulacrum will serve. Offer tribute so the contract may be bound once again." An excruciating pain rushed through my body as I nearly collapsed to the ground, and at the same time a black, misty entity began to take form with a distinguishable deer skull for its face and four piercing red eyes. I had almost forgotten how bad summoning this spirit hurt like hell. It sprouted two arms and reached into its own mouth to draw out its weapon. For some reason, the creature itself gave me a more unsettling feeling than any monster we've fought so far.

Vergil uses Simulacrum Pact on F-2!

Vergil takes 13 damage!

17/25 MP

by **Cerani** Sat Dec 29, 2012 11:08 pm

I whimpered as thorns ripped through my body, wanting to crumble to my knees but somehow holding myself together. Damn this weakness. I felt like that shouldn't have been as painful as it was. Maybe that's what the magic death field did to us. I growled at Durn, ignoring the blood welling up on my bare arms, the familiar sting was already fading. "No!" I tried to push him away but he was pretty damn solid right now. I didn't need him to help. He needed to stay alive, both of them. I smashed the pommel of my sword down on the witch, then turned and slashed, careful not to hit Xeno.

Returning to a guarding stance, I tried to push Durn away again, get him away from the frontline. "You need to stay alive! Because . . ." I didn't really have a reason. Maybe I just wanted at least one of us to live through this, have a chance to get out. Xeno wouldn't leave, I know. Or maybe she would? I don't know. "Just get out!" I gave him one final shove towards the outer edges of the field of shadows and tried to focus.

Cerani uses Hit and Slash [-10 MP] on Charlotte! 12 Atk damage, 2 hits! High chance of Critical on second hit!

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