[SP-F2] A Fated Encounter

[Astralin 0]

The Settlement of Urbus...what a nice place it was. Astralin had heard that the toughest monsters on the second floor were of her current level, so she now believed she had little to worry about, save for the rare chance of encountering a not-so-friendly player. She would continue to walk around the settlement...and realize that some of the players wandering the settlement were headed somewhere in it. She decided to follow them. "Excuse me, is something going on around here?" She asked one of the players she chose to follow. "We found some notices around town that some players wanted to speak to anyone available, so we decided to see what's up." The player kindly answered. With that, Astralin became curious, and decided to continue following. The players would walk throughout the cobblestone roads of the settlement until they would reach an area where a small crowd of players seemed to be gathering. Including Astralin and the two she was following, there were about twenty five players waiting around for something to happen...

 

 

Stats and Equipment:

Spoiler

Level: 10

Max HP: 200

Max EN: 20

Base DMG: 5(Martial Arts Rank 2[+4])

 

Equipment:

[T1]Gloves of the Astral Storm(1 Bleed, 1 Paralyze)[Equipped]

[T1]Sticky Ricky(3 DMG)

[T1]Alkarina's Resolve(2 EVA, 1 REC)[Equipped]

[T1]Amulet of Aknossoth(2 ACC, 1 REC)[Equipped]

 

 

Skills:

First Aid Rank 1

Martial Arts Rank 2

 

[Astralin 0]

When Astralin was able to get a good look at the situation, the ones who might have placed the notices appeared on the scene, walking in a formation. One of them stood out to Astralin. She was a red haired young woman, wearing red robes(probably some vanity clothing), on the chest area of said robes was a dragon insignia, black in color.

Spoiler

 

She would look to the gathered players, as the ones walking alongside her placed two banners. A guild symbol, maybe? On the banners would indeed be what seemed to be a Guild Logo.

Spoiler

 

"I'm sure you are wondering why I wished to speak with some of you." The red haired woman began. "I am Adrisse, here to speak on behalf of the newly formed Knights of Avalon."

It made sense that the Guild was newly formed, Astralin had never heard of them before...but what did this Adrisse come here to talk about?

"We all know this game has brought pain and loss to us, and has even gotten us to question our sanity at times...but think for a moment, we are still here, alive and well, are we not?" Adrisse asked. "She's right, most of us are still alive...but where is she going with this?" Astralin thought. "After all that we've been through, there is something to gain, there always is, whenever some form of conflict or strife is involved, similar to how in these games, we gain strength or power as we gain experience and level up...well, do any of you believe you have learned anything, be it about yourself, what life would be like if it were of the ones we so craved to participate in? Perhaps you may now know what the life of a warrior is, despite the lack of pain..." Adrisse explained.

[Astralin 0]

The players who had gathered were definitely thinking about this, especially since some of them might have been thinking out loud...

"I'm not that experienced...how much could I have learned, other than of myself, and how dangerous this world really is...?"

"What could she mean by this...? We couldn't possibly gain anything from experiencing this game...could we?"

"It's like an entirely new life, we got our deepest wishes...but at a great cost..."

Adrisse seemed to have her ears open for the players' responses. "That's just it, actually, we can gain something from our experiences! Some of us have indeed learned much. We have learned the horrors of war, the strife of an adventurer's life, we have learned the extents are for a world formed by technology thus far, some of us, so I've heard, had even found love!" She said to the one who Astralin had been following to this speech. 

"But how will that last if we get out of this game?" The player asked.

"Oh, it will last, in some way." Adrisse assured. "If you found love, it will indefinitely last within your heart. You will surely see them again if you were to both make it out of the game, all that is needed is to introduce yourselves to one another personally, giving each other your true identities... Some of us may think twice about dreaming of living in a world of adventure, having experienced it ourselves. These are all but examples. Do any of you know where I am going with this?" She explained, then asked the crowd of players.

"She's making only base points so far...what is she trying to tell us, though?" Astralin thought.

[Astralin 0]

The players seemed to be taking Adrisse's words into thought or consideration.

"What could we possibly learn that isn't war or strife?"

"What could she mean?"

"We might not be able to have these skills and abilities physically, but we can still learn a lot from this game, are you suggesting that we learn about it?"

Adrisse responded to the latest question. "That's exactly what I mean! We must learn from this game and its experiences as we rise up! They say 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger', so if we cannot improve ourselves physically, there are still several other ways we can improve! Some of us can glean much from this game, others can become better strategists, there are those who may develop to become cunning, intuitive, and so much more! My point is, we can't simply dwell on survival alone, nor can we stand around, fearful. We must rise up! Proceed through this world, never without caution, but not without courage or determination either!" 

Astralin chose this moment to speak. "I appreciate this little pep-talk you seem to be giving, but may I ask why you are spurring people into action, and what for? I know I made the choice to step outside the safe zone, quite a few of us here probably have, and we may only be starting to learn things from this game! Have you thought about whether or not someone rising up the way you claim will draw players towards curiosities that might bring more harm than good?" She said as she raised her hand.

[Astralin 0]

There was some silence for a short moment as all the players present were looking at Astralin. Adrisse didn't seem to be expecting a question like this. "There's no reason to be concerned. As people, we all make our choices. I'm simply trying to raise everyone's morale on the situation, letting them know they all have something to gain from it." She remarked. "Seriously, it gets difficult, knowing that many players are still far too afraid to leave the safe zones, or aim for the higher levels, staying here among the lowest, hoping to steer clear of anything that appears to be threatening. While I don't judge them for this, I can't stand around knowing they could be benefiting from all of this."

Astralin crossed her arms. "I'm not one to judge, I'm simply asking questions, bringing more things on the situation to this matter. If we get too confident, we'll think we can take on anything in the floors above, and I've heard rumors of some players having to flee from desperate situations, some of them lacking teleport crystals, having witnessed terrible things. We can have hope of learning something, yes, but we must also be aware of the dangerous denizens that dwell among the floors, not to mention that hostile players don't need to worry about which floor they're on..." She explained.

[Astralin 0]

Adrisse seemed to be pondering something, and the other players looked either to Astralin, or to Adrisse.

After half a minute of silence, Adrisse spoke again. "That's a somewhat realistic, yet dangerously balanced point of view, from what I'm getting. Tell me, what's your name?" She asked. "My name is Astralin." Astralin would answer. Adrisse looked her up and down. "You're an interesting one, I'll give you that, Astralin...are you, by any chance, a seeker of sorts? Forgive me for guessing based on your appearance, you don't exactly look like the usual players I find around here, unless that's clothing you're wearing for whenever you're out of combat." Adrisse remarked. "Says the one wearing robes." Astralin remarked with a smirk. "Vanity gear that goes over my actual gear. There's nothing wrong with that, now is there?" Adrisse asked. Astralin decided to answer Adrisse's original question. "Fair enough. I'm not sure what you mean by seeker, but I'm definitely going with a style outside the norm."

[Astralin 0]

Adrisse seemed to be thinking. "Interesting..." She noted in a tone barely audible to Astralin. "Well, I've given my thoughts, and you've revealed your own...that's more than I anticipated today... Everyone, please take these thoughts into consideration. Thank you for giving your attention." She stated to the players who were present. The players with her removed the banners and left with her, in formation once again as they left the area.

"Do you think she was trying to help us?" One player asked.

"I'm not one for any sort of suspicion, but was she trying to rally us up while seeking potential recruits for their new guild? It is something fledgeling Guilds often do..." Another questioned.

"I don't know... Astralin's words, Adrisse's speech, what do we make of them?" A third player wondered aloud.

 

Meanwhile, one player who had been watching this unfold was definitely curious on the matter... "So...this is the result... I wonder what the players will do with it." She muttered to herself.

Edited July 19, 2020 by Astralin

[Astralin 0]

Astralin would decide to leave the settlement and see what the floor had to offer. She had actually heard of a variety of different places in the floor, like a monster-free area of the floor, known as the...High Fields of Crossing? whatever the case, Astralin would be walking near one of the floor's forests, and from the trees came two flocks of crows, both of which would pass by Astralin, but in close enough proximity to startle her. "AAAAGH!!" Astralin would brace herself for impact, but nothing came, not even a tingle, despite that she could hear all of those wings flapping as if some of the birds were right beside her. Once the coast was clear, she would continue onward, despite the scare.

 

Meanwhile, somewhere also near the forests, a player who witnessed the speech in Urbus was heading for a set destination in the Second Floor. "I still have so much to learn, so much to see...surely, I will achieve my grand dream..." The player's thoughts would be interrupted by the sound of wings flapping. She would look to her right to see a flock of doves passing right by her. "AACK!!" She reacted as if impact was imminent, but the doves seemed to miss a crash course to her by about an inch or two. She took a deep breath, then continued on her original path, as if undeterred.

[Astralin 0]

Astralin continued along her path, and she eventually saw someone heading in a direction towards her. Both players stopped in their tracks. "Hello." Astralin greeted with a smile. The other player had a half smile form on her face. "Greetings..." She said before returning to silence. Neither player moved, just some glances to one another... Awkward.

"Um...Hi, my name is Astralin." Astralin introduced, as to break the awkward silence. "Ah, so you were there during the speech...I was a spectator there myself. Anyway, it's nice to meet you, Astralin. I go by Felana." The player introduced. "You and Adrisse really got the people to start thinking about their choices, they even started debating with each other whether the better method for the inexperienced player was more courage than caution, or more caution than courage. Depending on the person, such methods could go either way..." She remarked.

"Really? That's good to hear, knowing both sides, able to make their decisions more clearly, it should totally work out in the end...right?" Astralin guessed.

 

Felana:

Spoiler

 

[Astralin 0]

Felana looked Asralin up and down. "So, you said you were going with a style outside the norm, correct? Is it alright if I ask what it is?" She Asked. Astralin smiled, happy to answer. "Well, right now, I am capable of healing minor wounds and striking with my innate power! I intend to become an alchemist, and see how close I can get to what this game flat-out refused to offer me: Magic." She explained. Felana seemed intrigued, and looked to Astralin's hands, seeing the handwraps that were equipped. "You seek magic...and have the Martial Arts skill? So do I!" Felana exclaimed excitedly as she held up her hands, revealing her own handwraps. "Now that's a coincidence I never expected, I thought I was the only one, based on how many blade users there were..." She noted. Astralin had a pleasant form of surprise on her face. "Oh my gosh, really?? I thought I was the only one, too!" She exclaimed. From what Astralin could tell, Felana did sort of look the part, seeing that she, too, seemed to be wearing what was basically soft, hardly noticeable dyed leather on an adventurer's dress. The apparel, of course, was in black, the vest portion of it having rather mysterious designs made from what may have been a metallic color of copper. Felana also seemed to have an amulet of her own, a bronze amulet with an onyx in the center.

[Astralin 0]

Felana smiled. "Nice to know we aren't alone in this struggle...I'll admit, that damn boulder was really hard to put up with, it took me so long to destroy it, but at least the task wasn't impossible." She noted. "Ugh, I know what you mean...it would have taken nearly forever if it wasn't for Vigilon, a player who was willing to help out...he even showed me the way and escorted me there and back again!" Astralin remarked. "You had help...I see. I...wasn't so lucky. It took me three hours. Now, imagine that: Three. Hours. All spent on punching a rock until it breaks. if that isn't annoying, I don't know what is...yet." Felana admitted. She then seemed to ponder something for a moment. "You know, we actually don't know the current extents of our power...would you be willing to test that? I know I am. How about a Half-loss duel, see what each other are capable of." She asked, sending Astralin a duel request.

-Felana has Challenged Astralin to a Duel!

[Astralin 0]

Astralin hesitated at first, but since she was the challenged party, she had the right to select the duel conditions, and Felana claimed she wanted to test herself and Astralin through a half-loss duel...so Astralin decided there wasn't really that much to be worried about. She pressed accept, and set the conditions to half-loss. The timer would begin counting down, as the preparation round began. "There will be only a fair fight using our own power, and the enhancements of our equipment, and all equipment with the damage enhancement is forbidden from this duel. Agreed?" Felana asked. Astralin nodded. "Agreed." This would be Astralin's first battle against another player. She never thought she'd end up in a PvP situation like this...but here she was, about to face another player in battle, albeit in a manner similar to a spar. Her heart was pounding anxiously, was this because of the Near-Death situation She saw Dazia experience at the end of her battle with Krysta?

-Astralin has accepted the duel, and set victory conditions to half-loss.

 

ID# 160150 LD: 17

ID# 160151 LD: 20

Felana has won the initiative roll, and will be going first

 

Felana's Stats and Equipment:

Spoiler

Level: 10

Max HP: 200

Max EN: 20

Base DMG: 5(Martial Arts Rank 2[+4])

 

Equipment:

[T1]Blood Typhoon(Accuracy, Bleed, Paralyze)[Equipped]

[T1]Chalaak's Wind(3 EVA)[Equipped]

[T1]Black Moon Amulet(1 ACC, 2 REC)[Equipped]

 

 

Skills:

First Aid Rank 1

Martial Arts Rank 2

 

Edited July 19, 2020 by Astralin

[Astralin 0]

Right, it was now or never, and this didn't look like a situation for never. The timer finished, and  <<Fight!>> appeared between the players, signaling the start of the duel. Felana would make her move, she was practically ready the moment this duel started. "Ahrra Eltas..." She said as she charged her sword art. Her eyes would glow, due to a vanity effect her amulet had, but this glow was different. Felana's eyes glowed with what seemed like a searing glare. She would attack with the Sword Art known as Delayed Sword, and she would strike pretty hard, too. Astralin was knocked a few feet, but when she tried to get up, she realized that she couldn't move. Paralysis. Felana seemed pleased with herself. "How's that for a first impression?" She asked. So...this is what it felt like. It felt...like being helpless. "Ah, more than I expected, I'll admit." Astralin responded.

(Felana)ID# 160152 BD: 10(Critical!! +2 Base DMG, inflicted Paralysis and Bleed)

Delayed Sword: 7x4=28

(Astralin)ID#

[Paralysis refrains Astralin from taking Action]

Bleed Damage: Astralin takes 12 damage

 

Astralin: HP 160/200, EN 20/20, 5 DMG | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD (40/100 HP Depleted), Bleed: 1 Turn, 12 DMG

                  Opponent:

Felana: HP 200/200, EN 16/20, 5 DMG | 2 ACC | 3 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD (0/100 HP Depleted)

Edited July 19, 2020 by Astralin

[Astralin 0]

Astralin felt the effects of paralysis fade, this was her chance! Felana was ready to strike again. "Back up again, are you? Well then, prepare yourself...Ahrra Eltas..." Felana said, before charging up her sword art. She kept it charged, and thus was clearly waiting for Astralin to make a move. Astralin jerked to her left, then dodged to the right. This trick worked, Felana was fooled into sending her attack in the wrong direction. Astralin would swiftly retaliate for the damage dealt to her previously. "Ethea Daldes!" Astralin called out, quickly charging her sword art and striking Felana just as she turned around. The attack would Paralyze her, and inflict bleed as well. "Whew...my first battle against another player, this is a real eye-opener for me!" Astralin noted. "So how's that for a counter-first impression, Felana?" She asked, genuinely curious as to how this played out so far. Oh, how the turntables...

(Felana)ID# 160718 BD: 2+2=4(Miss)

(Astralin)ID# 160719 BD: 9(Critical, +1 Base DMG, inflicted Paralysis and Bleed)

Delayed Sword: 6x4=24

Bleed Damage: Astralin takes 12 damage

 

Astralin: HP 148/200, EN 16/20, 5 DMG | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD (52/100 HP Depleted) 

                  Opponent:

Felana: HP 176/200, EN 16/20, 5 DMG | 2 ACC | 3 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD (24/100 HP Depleted) Bleed: 2 Turns, 12 DMG, {Paralyzed}

Edited August 5, 2020 by Astralin

[Astralin 0]

Felana laughed, a genuine smile on her face. "You're both clever and a challenge. I like that." She remarked.  Astralin accepted the compliment with a smile.  "Thanks, it's good to know I'm getting the hang of things around here." She responded. She would then begin to charge up her sword art, despite the fact that Felana was smirking now that the effects of paralysis faded, and she could move again. "Ethea Daldes!" Astralin called out as she activated it, but Felana quickly got up and rolled to the left, dodging Astralin's attack. "I appreciate your thanks, and I respect if you were simply meaning to be polite...but you could have clearly attacked again while I was still paralyzed, now I can move again and you lost your chance." Felana stated. "So in this particular case...catch me if you can." Felana noted with a wink, probably because with her high evasion, she would indeed be a difficult target to hit.

 

[Paralysis refrains Felana from taking action]

Bleed Damage: Felana takes 12 Damage

(Astralin)ID# 163241 BD: 2+2-3=1(miss)

Astralin: HP 148/200, EN 15/20, 5 DMG | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD (52/100 HP Depleted) 

                  Opponent:

Felana: HP 164/200, EN 17/20, 5 DMG | 2 ACC | 3 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD (36/100 HP Depleted) Bleed: 1 Turn, 12 DMG

Edited October 7, 2020 by Astralin

[Astralin 0]

Astralin understood what Felana meant. She was quicker than Astralin, so she would definitely be a difficult target to hit. "Ahrra Eltas..." Felana spoke, charging up her sword art. Astralin dodged last minute, but it was kind of in a good way...though the exact opposite could be said for Felana, as she tripped over Astralin's foot as she tried to divert the direction of her attack. Astralin stumbled a bit, but she managed to remain on her feet. Astralin took this opportunity to attempt another attack. "Ethea Daldes!" She called out as she charged her sword art, her eyes glowing. She rushed in to attack, but Felana was just as swift to avoid the attack as last time, despite the earlier stumble. "Wow, you really are quick...this is gonna be fun!" Astralin remarked, getting caught up in the moment, knowing she couldn't possibly die in this fight. Well, it was just highly unlikely, really.

 

(Felana)ID# 163246 BD: 1(Critical Fail)

(Astralin)ID# 163247 BD: 2+2-3=1(miss)

 

Bleed Damage: Felana takes 12 Damage

ID# 163241 BD: 2+2-3=1(miss)

Astralin: HP 148/200, EN 14/20, 5 DMG | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD (52/100 HP Depleted) 

                  Opponent:

Felana: HP 152/200, EN 16/20, 5 DMG | 2 ACC | 3 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD (48/100 HP Depleted)

Edited October 8, 2020 by Astralin

[Astralin 0]

Both Felana and Astralin seemed to be very pleased with the fact that this friendly spar seemed fun, and not at all bad in any way, shape, or form. Felana had a mild laugh. "I can't tell if you're swift, clever, or just lucky to have avoided these attacks so far...nonetheless..." Felana was unable to notice the return of the flock of doves, but Astralin was. One veered away from the flock, headed for a spiral towards Felana. "Look out!" Astralin called out. Felana ignored Astralin's warning. "Ahrra Eltas..." Felana said, charging her sword art. She rushed towards Astralin, but the dove that veered away from its flock crashed into her face. "AAAACCCK!" Felana stumbled and fell, and the dove also fell to the ground. The dove got up, shook itself off, then flew off. Felana got up, and, judging by the look on her face, she was regretting not listening to Astralin. After a bit of awkward silence, Astralin was ready to attack again. "Ethea Daldes!" She called out. Of course, Felana was ready for that, and she dodged with ease.

(Felana)ID# 163248 BD: 1(Critical Fail)

(Astralin)ID# 163249 BD: 5+2-3=4(Miss)

Astralin: HP 148/200, EN 13/20, 5 DMG | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD (52/100 HP Depleted) 

                  Opponent:

Felana: HP 152/200, EN 15/20, 5 DMG | 2 ACC | 3 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD (48/100 HP Depleted)

Edited October 9, 2020 by Astralin

[Astralin 0]

"Seriously, the later you start your attack, the more likely I'll be able to dodge it." Felana remarked. 

No no, she's got a point.

This time, both combatants wouldn't notice what was arriving. The flock of crows had returned....or, rather, one of the flocks, to be exact. One of them veered off from the rest of its flock, not knowing of the ongoing combat between Astralin and Felana.

Felana was ready to attempt another attack. "Ahrra Eltas..." She said once again as she charged up her sword art. She would move in to strike again, but Astralin would dodge the attack. Astralin then took this chance to attack. "Ethea Daldes!" She called out as she activated her sword art, her eyes glowing.

And that's when the rogue crow showed up.

Astralin's attack missed Felana, but the crow, getting caught in the crossfire, was hit by the end of the missed attack, and was knocked several feet away. "Birdie, no!" Astralin called out.

 

(Felana)ID# 169959 BD: 4+2-2=4(miss)

(Astralin)ID# 169960 BD: 1(Critical Fail)

 

Astralin: HP 148/200, EN 12/20, 5 DMG | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD (52/100 HP Depleted) 

                  Opponent:

Felana: HP 152/200, EN 14/20, 5 DMG | 2 ACC | 3 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD (48/100 HP Depleted)

Edited October 9, 2020 by Astralin

[Astralin 0]

Felana looked over to the crow, Astralin looked to the crow, with both of her hands over her mouth. The crow shook itself off, looked to Astralin, then to Felana, then to Astralin again. It screeched at Astralin and flew off. Felana watched it fly off, and she shook her head. "I can't blame either of you, but that bird should have paid more attention in its flight...same goes for the one that crashed into my face." She remarked. "Now...where were we...ah, yes. Ahrra Eltas..." Felana said as she charged up her sword art again. She managed to strike Astralin this time, dealing a fair amount of damage. "Go on, show me the power you have again!" Felana called out to Astralin. Well, let's just say she wouldn't need to say that twice. "Ethea Daldes!" Astralin said as she charged up her sword art, and managed to strike Felana with a powerful blow that paralyzed her, and inflicted bleed, too.

 

(Felana)ID# 169961 BD: 8+2-2=8(hit), CD: 9(Recovered an additional 2 EN)

(Astralin)ID# 169962 BD: 9(Critical, +1 Base DMG, Inflicted Paralysis and Bleed), CD: 12(Recovered an additional 2 EN)

Delayed Sword: 5x4=20 Damage

Delayed Sword: 6x4=24 Damage

 

Astralin: HP 128/200, EN 11/20, 5 DMG | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD (72/100 HP Depleted) 

                  Opponent:

Felana: HP 128/200, EN 13/20, 5 DMG | 2 ACC | 3 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD (72/100 HP Depleted) Bleed: 2 Turns, 12 DMG, {Paralyzed}

Edited October 9, 2020 by Astralin

[Astralin 0]

"How's that?" Astralin asked. Felana laughed. "It's almost like we are equals, but let's see if that theory holds truth. Besides, it could be anyone's battle at this rate." She remarked. Astralin smiled. She hoped this would lead to at least some form of friendship, which would most likely be packed with spars like these. But where would this potential friendship lead, exactly? Would they be close allies, common friends, friendly rivals, maybe? The two definitely seemed to have the qualifications to be rivals of some sort, with them both striving for the closest they could reach for magic...But Astralin was getting too lost in thought at this rate, and she needed to keep her focus on this battle. "Ethea Daldes!" She called out, charging her sword art as she prepared to attack again, her eyes glowing due to her amulet's vanity effect. Felana's paralysis ended, and she managed to dodge the attack.

 

[Paralysis refrains Felana from taking Action]

(Astralin)ID# 169992 BD: 2+2-3=1(miss)

 

Bleed Damage: Felana takes 12 Damage

Astralin: HP 128/200, EN 10/20, 5 DMG | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD (72/100 HP Depleted) 

                  Opponent:

Felana: HP 116/200, EN 13/20, 5 DMG | 2 ACC | 3 EVA | 2 REC | PAR | T1 BLD (84/100 HP Depleted) Bleed: 1 Turn, 12 DMG

Edited October 9, 2020 by Astralin