[OP-F24] Valentines Tournament Arc Round 1 - Opening Ceremonies and Observer Thread

[Baldur 0]

Spoiler

OOC Notes:

This thread will be for people "Arriving" and for discussions of the round 1 of the event. Once round 1 closses, we'll open up new threads for both observers and participants. This is to try and keep some measure of sanity when it comes to closing threads. Anything that is interrupted "mid conversation" can just continue on in the updated thread.

This is a non-combat thread, with the intention of allowing people to socialize and comment on the ongoing fighting. Feel free to copy the fighting threads into your post for what you are remarking on, but try to put that into a spoiler tag if you are copying the whole post, rather than a couple lines. FULL COPYING OF ANOTHER POSTERS CONTENT WILL NOT COUNT TOWARDS YOUR WORD COUNT.

Rules for the tournament will be in the fighting thread. Please sign up in the Player Request forum just so I can try to keep participants clear in my mind. You can be a participant and an observer both, but try to keep some idea of the flow of time. (So leave this thread when your fight starts, but after your fight finishes, you can rejoin this thread until other round 1 fights are complete).

This event will take place over 2 days IC. It starts on Valentines day, and ends the second day "White Day" which is the Japanese companion day.

Please try to contain the hilarity/train wreck to this thread, as there will be a lot going on in the combat thread with multiple, independent combats going on at the same time.

There is no post order, do not feel required to "wait" for other people to post, but at the same time, pace yourself so that you do not post an entire page between you and one other partner before anyone else can get a word in.

I will periodically post as Baldur declaring judgement on the matches in this thread to provide a form of "pacing" to it. Otherwise, feel free to ignore it if you're just having fun vibing off in the corner. Baldur's entire island is open to participants, but the Guild Hall is locked, as are private rooms in the house. Otherwise, have fun!

Sign up Thread:

Spoiler

https://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/21224-aincrad-valentines-tournament-of-thirst/

Baldur Stats:

Spoiler

Baldur | HP: 900/900 | EN: 124/124 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 5 | BH: 45 | AA | BRN: 56 | | KEEN: 1 | REC: 4
Level 32 | Paragon 57 | Tier 4

Ambiance Music:

Spoiler

 

Location Deets:
 

Spoiler

Baldur's Island is here on the 24th floor:

You get there by boat. There is a young NPC player who will ferry people on the boat through a portal up to the island.

See this post for more information: https://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/5819-«baldur»/?do=findComment&comment=599766

 

Baldur woke early the morning of the Tournament. People would show up in a chaotic mess he was certain, so he made sure everything was ready the night before. He had helped @Cordelia, his student and Uchi Deshi who had almost become like family to him, a younger sister or a daughter, prepare the food. They had made enough ramen for all of the hungry participants and any observers who wished to watch the fighting as well. All the while, Cordelia had cackled about pairing people up during the Valentines day tournament, and who would make the most awkward match ups. Baldur had been a bit lost at the thought to begin with, to him it was a martial arts tournament to build camaraderie and excellence, but to his chagrin, it seemed to become more of a way to awkwardly ask someone out for their first date. The romantic dinner had been more of a last ditch attempt on Baldur's part to provide something meaningful. He was not particularly wealthy, but he had hoped the beauty of the island some pleasant memories would be a worthwhile reward.

The peace Baldur found as he got ready in the dim morning light, coming in sideways between the two levels of the tower was almost spiritual. He had a beautiful home in Japan to be sure, but there was a magical nature to his new home that was impossible in the other world. Here, he had tamed an entire floating island. Or a teardrop island. Whatever it was called. It defied gravity and was impossible in any setting other than a video game.

But after days of preparation, they were finally ready. The food stores were prepped, the dojo floors had been polished until they gleamed gold in the sunlight. He had racks of bogu and wooden swords for the competitors to use. He had custom equipment made so that the competitors couldn't deal damage to one another and would keep everything safe. The bokken were classified as training weapons, and when used would not hurt anyone, nor would it change their cursor color status.

@Snow seemed to be the first one awake, bringing the gaijin samurai some tea. He was surprised to see her almost reading his mind, but gave her a warm smile and a nod. Neither of them spoke, lest it shatter the perfect silence of the dawn.

"Oji-saaaaaaan" came Cordelia's call to him, her hair a mess as she finally appeared to be dragged out of bed. Bird chirped and flew off of the rocks and branches around him and he set his cup of tea down.

"And sleeping beauty arises." His smile was wry. "Are you ready for the day?"

---

Takumi yawned and tried to cover it with a hand over his mouth as he stood at the end of the dock, his brown hair a mess on his head and a small chokkibune boat under his feet as he waited at the dock for the first people to come. It wouldn't be his first time paddling someone back and forth from the docks to the portal up to the island, and it probably would not be his last. Still, once everyone was settled, he would be able to watch some of the best of what Aincrad had to offer at the dojo, and Cordelia-san had made lots of her famous ramen. It was much better than when Baldur-shisho or @Calrex-san tried their hand at cooking.

As the first person approached, Takumi would wave his hand enthusiastically and say "Welcome! Are you headed to the Valentines Day tournament? I am Takumi, and I'll take you to the island." There were seats for more than one person on the boat, but it was a relatively short trip by boat, unlike swimming, so he could drop someone off and be back before he was likely to be missed.

"Baldur-shisho extends his warmest welcome to you, and hope you enjoy the days' events. If you are competing, please head to the dojo and get your equipment from him, otherwise, please help yourself to food and drink while the tournament is made ready. The dojo is in the middle of one of the islands ponds, so please be seated on the outside walkway, but not inside the walls of the dojo. All the shoji panels have been opened up to let light in and the spectacle out."

Takumi would then paddle his guest to the island.

---

Once on the island and through the gates of Baldur's home, a bridge would take them into the estate. Only one building was more than a story tall in truth, but each set of rooms occupied their own little island in the lake, which was really more of a network of ponds, or a wetlands. Bridges linked the disparate islands with one another, but the largest structures were the temple of Jacob's Ladder, and the Dojo building, which dominated the main pond.

Baldur could be seen there, along with racks of weapons and a few others helping him get the dojo set up for the competition. Meanwhile, Cordelia and others helped direct people to one of the many rooms which had the shoji panels thrown wide to allow sitting areas with a few of the match. All around the outside of the dojo walls was a walkway with cushions for people to sit on as well. The living room of the main house was also thrown wide open, filled with tables of food and tea, allowing the scents to be carried on the wind.

[Astreya 0]

The sounds of singing, or more appropriately, humming, came from the throat of the young woman as she walked down the very interesting and admittedly beautiful sight that was the 24th Floor.  The entirety of it seemed to be handled almost entirely around the oceans and that gave it an overall rather romantic light that she very much appreciated.  While the young woman wasn't one to often sit and enjoy such things like the ocean breeze (she would much rather be actively playing volleyball on the beach or at the very least swimming) there a sense of calm that exuded from the way things were here that led her to just stand on the edge of the town she was in, looking out over the water.

She had to take a boat out toward another part of the Floor toward the Teardrop Islands, which is where the tournament was going to be held... but for the moment she just stood on the shoreline, staring out over the ocean.  There were ninety-nine other floors than this one, and while they weren't enormous in scope, they were still large enough that it made her feel...small.

The song began to steadily fade from her throat and the empty, faked smile she normally wore faded into nothingness as she stared outward.  The blue of her eyes matched the dark ocean as she stood with her arms folded behind her.  She wasn't lost, necessarily, but she felt aimless.  When she was the cheer captain, she had a distinct goal she was going for.  She was the leader of the group, she could direct how things went, alongside their Coach.  In volleyball, she was the setter- she would set the entire pace of the game  around her allies.

Here... she didn't have that.

She had herself to rely on, and she was close to reaching a point where she would feel 'comfortable' on the front lines, but there was little she could really do at that point until that opened.  She'd listen to the orders of others, work her way up... but that was all she had.  There wasn't a defined target she was reaching toward.  They didn't even know if the game had a hundred floors or a thousand, or if they'd be able to wake up after they'd reached the zenith.

It was already getting harder to remember life before all of this, no matter how steadfastly she clung to how things used to be.

An ocean breeze picked up, lifting and teasing her hair for a moment before it settled back down onto her shoulders.  She wasn't even certain why she was planning on going to this whole tournament anyway.  She didn't have a valentine, she wasn't exceptionally skilled when it came to this game.  And yet she only felt normal when surrounded with people.  Even NPCs did the trick.  But here, on her own and alone, she felt... empty.

She shook her head, reaching her hands up to slap either side of her face, a faint red tinge showing there as she drew in a breath and put on a smile.  No one liked someone who was so dour.  She had to cheer everyone up, to put more happiness out there into this world.  The despair would eat you alive if you let it- she had to force herself to be happy, to bring that happiness to others.  Even if it was fake, it would carry them.

---

"Omigosh, woooow!" the girl called as she set a hand across her eyes as the boy, Takumi, as he began to paddle her out toward the island that was owned by this 'Baldur' figure.  "This is like, so totally cool!" she exclaimed, standing up in the boat (despite being asked not to) as she looked at the oncoming island that was approaching.  "This game has so many, like, totally cool things," she spoke, mostly affirming with herself as she looked on, her eyes sparkling in her excitement.  

Once they had arrived at the shore, the young man had instructed her on where the Dojo would be found, and Astreya nodded, excited as she all-but pranced her way up toward the ponds that had been referred to.  She didn't have any housing or anything of her own, but that was fine- she didn't really need anything that fancy anyway.  For the moment, she was just happy to be a part of something with so many other people.  "Good luck~!" she called down to Takumi as he began to paddle back toward the opposite shore, and she turned, shifting as she began to head toward the dojo.

"Wow..." she spoke again, a bit more subdued now that she was surrounded by the architecture here.  Her father was a military fellow and she they'd moved around a bit when she was younger, and had spent some time out in Japan.  It always struck her on how beautiful and yet natural most of their homes looked, and she couldn't hep but to stare a little in wonder as she stepped around, curious to see what she could just... find, out on this island.  As she moved, the dojo itself was rather obvious in its locale, and she hesitated only for a brief second before beginning to move forward toward it.

Things looked and smelled wonderful, though as she approached the dojo, she was a bit surprised to see that the one who seemed to hold the commanding presence wasn't Japanese.  She was a little interested that, but all the same, she didn't want to be rude as she came in, removing her armor and gear and putting them into her inventory.  Approaching, she gave a small bow to Baldur, exchanging small pleasantries as she got her equipment, before moving over to where indicated to wait for the fights to officially start... but she couldn't help herself but to grab a few snacks and a small cup of tea, happily sipping on it as she just took in the atmosphere.


Astreya's Outfit!

Astreya Statblock-

Spoiler

 

Stats:
-Level 26
-HP: 565
-- 520(Base) + 45 (Iron Skin)
-NRG: 70

-Base Damage: 1
-- 1(Base) 
-Mitigation: 15
-- 0(Base) + 15 (Iron Skin)
-Regeneration: 4% (Currently 22)
-- 0(Base) + 4% (Battle Healing II)
-Accuracy: 0
-- 0(Base)
-Thorns: 0
-- 0(Base)
-EN Recovery: 0
-Taunt: 1
--0(Base) + 1 (Fighting Spirit)
===
Gear:
N/A

 

 

[Jomei 0]

Despite it being a topic of conversation multiple times these past few months, Jomei still had yet to visit Baldur's home. It seemed rather grand, from what he and Macradon had mentioned. It was in the cards to drop by at some point, but this tournament just gave him a better reason to. Even the event itself was exciting enough, a Valentine's Day tournament? Such a weird combination, but really takes the romance aspect out of it. The most intimate thing they'd partake in was meeting with a single opponent in combat.. unless he won, of course. A dinner date with someone of his choice.. Was he even ready to date someone again so soon? Who would he even take if he had won? Unless he asked... That thought was nonsense, she only saw him as a friend. With a shake of his head, he cleared that reoccurring thought from his mind and continued to push forward towards Baldur's home

Since the samurai's home was atop one of the floating, teardrop islands, it was clear to see when still a distance away. The Irishman hardly realized his mouth hung agape as he looked on the landmark from a distance. It was quite a large plot of land, rather lush with trees of varying colors. The elegant, curved roof design of Japanese origin stood out amongst the rest of the floor.. which was very on par for Baldur. Wearing a smirk on his face, the ginger stepped up to the dock where a boat slowly came to rest at the dock. With a simple greeting from the boat's pilot, and the two were on their way. At first glance, Jomei was curious how a boat would be making it up to an island in the sky... when suddenly, a flash of white light.. and they were even with the island. Turning a shoulder, it was then he noticed the small, floating portal that the boat had traveled through to bring them thus far. 

With a bow of his head in thanks to the boat driver, Jomei set off on a slow stroll towards the dojo. Seeing the island from a distance and actually being here were worlds apart. The serene atmosphere really created a bubble around the Japanese styled plot of land that just made it seem like its own pocket dimension cut off from everything outside of it. As he neared the dojo, where he could spot his friend readying the equipment and supplies for the spectacle ahead, Jomei slowed his step even more, treading carefully. It almost felt like he walked on sacred ground, and he did not want to disturb anything. "Baldur" he said with a chuckle as he approached, "I'm speechless.. this place is incredible!"  He came without his equipment on, only a black shirt, grey pants, and his signature green cloak. After retrieving the necessary equipment to participate, he looked back to the man, "Is there anything else I can do to help set up? Looks like you have plenty of hands around but in case you need anything." Stepping away from the dojo, Jomei would find a more secluded corner to quickly switch into the more appropriate gear, save for the sword. He tugged on the wide pants that almost made it seem he wore a skirt unless his legs were spread, before walking back out. The smell of herbals teas and other aromas drew him towards where the food was set up, where he recognized a familiar face. "Astreya, hey." he noticed her garb, "I take it you're participating as well?" 

@Astreya

Jomei's Outfit:

Spoiler

(Without Armor and mask)

Spoiler

Level: 31 | Paragon: 50 | Tier: 4 | HP: 820| EN: 120 

Jomei: 820/820 HP | 120/120 EN | DMG 23 | MIT 44| EVA 3 | ACC 4 | BH 41 | HLY BLS 16 | BLD 48 | FLN 8 | AA | LD 1 | F.Sprt.

Equipment
Nihilim's Wrath  : Abs Acc | Bleed | Fallen
Vestige of St.Patrick: Holy B| Mit | EVA | EVA
Alatreon's Will: ACC | ACC | ACC

Rending Familiar: Adere

Skills
Saber R5 | TECH Spec.
Combat Mastery DMG R3
Cloth Armor R5
Charge
B Healing R5
Energist
Fighting Spirit
MA R2
Extra:
Concentration
Survival (x)
Meditation (x)
Parry
Forgotten Kind's Authority
Photosynthesize (x)
Brawler (x)
Hiding R.3

Mods
Athletics (x)

Addons
Stamina (x)
Ferocity (x)
Precision (x)
Nimble (x)

Housing Buffs: 
Bedroom: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat    
Bathroom: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 20% (rounded down)    
Dining Room: Turn 2 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Lesser Feast.
Living Room: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.

 

[tricolor_mina 0]

"Well this sounds kind of fun..." Violet mused, tilting her head to the side with a smile. She might not be in it to win whatever the deal was, but it did sound very much interesting. The boss raid had left quite a bit of excitement for everyone involved, and had left everyone antsy for more combat. An itching, potent kind of bloodlust... or perhaps a different kind of lust, it seemed. Judging by what was written on that note, it was a tournament meant to decide dates for those that signed up for it. Needless to say, a large crowd had already managed to amass itself, and she could have sworn that she'd seen a number of frontliners signing up for this little show... Even the likes of Calrex and Macradon seemed to be getting involved, which was both surprising and amusing at the exact same time. She recognized Koga putting his name down as well, causing a faint smile to quirk her lips. "Lots of powerful people here... Aaah... this should be loads and loads of fun! Even newbies can have fun in this~" Violet put her name down, skipping away from the place where the sign up had been placed, back towards the center of town.

It seemed a change of clothes were definitely in order.

Violet stepped off of the platform, a groan escaping her throat. It took way longer than it should have to actually find something that she would wear to a fighting tourney. All of her fancier Yukata were far too restricting for her to wear here, and she'd been at a loss for a while. But then she'd gone out on the town, searching for a vendor that sold clothing. She picked out the materials that the seamstress was meant to use, and had left the younger girl to work on it, coming back much later to a pleasant surprise. The fabric of the Yukata was soft and supple, yet quite durable. The colors were rather simple, but the design itself was absolutely mesmerizing to her. The real surprise, however, was the purple and gold parasol that had been included with the Yukata. The style was more Chinese than it was Japanese, but she wasn't going to complain. It was still beautiful and that was all that mattered to her.

After having greeted Takumi-kun — And thanking him profusely for his work, as he was quite literally the only reason people could even get to Baldur-San's house — Violet was ferried over the water that surrounded Baldur's home. She stepped out, a smile on her face. She could already see two people who had shown up, ready for the battle to start. Her grin widened slightly as she saw the wall lined with standard wooden training bokken. It felt like she was back in a dojo, and here to learn about everything all over again. She glanced up at Baldur, her red eyes gleaming with delight. "Oji-san!" she called out, her smile bursting into a full on grin. "You've outdone yourself this time! This is gonna be so much fun!" 

... especially since she'd slipped her own Fiancee's name in the box as well.

Violet made her way over to one of the walls that guided the outer area, before leaning against it, and closing her eyes. the parasol had been neatly tucked back into her inventory, considering how rude it was to have one out when you were indoors, even if the doors were wide open. Now she was just playing the waiting game.

Outfit

Spoiler

Statblock

Spoiler

Tricolor_Mina | HP: 720/720 | EN: 106/106 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 78 | ACC: 4 | BLGT: 32 | BRN: 56 | FRSTB: 40 | V.D.: 72

Level 32, (Paragon 11)

Equipment

 Armor - Queen's Gambit (T4 Demonic Light Armor(2 slots MIT, 2 slots Vampiric Def.))

 Accessory -  Mask of rose (Perfect T2 Jewelry (3 slots Acc))

 Weapon - Jack's Burned Lament (T4 Demonic weapon(Blight/Burn/Frostbite/Cursed)

---

 

<<Normal Inventory>>

Guilty Thorn (Perfect T1 Rapier (2 Bleed, 1 Keen))
Jack's Burning Lament (Perfect cursed weapon (1 Burn,1 Blight))
Righteous Executioner (Perfect T1 Rapier(1 Bleed, 1 Para, 1 DMG))

[Koga 0]

k o g a the elder wolf Spoiler notes: none   Koga, Lvl 32 / 31 | HP: 800/800 | EN: 114/114 | DMG: 23 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 30 | ACC: 5 | LD: 6 | BRN: 56 | BLT: 32/20 | FALN: 8 | B.HEALING: 44/88 equipped battle-ready inventory Vanity Clothing T4 Demonic Katana <<Tsuki no Hikari>> [ CRSED // BRN I // BLT I // FALN I ] T4 Perfect Light Armor <<Shadow Chance Coat>> [ EVA II // REGN I ] T1 Perfect Trinket <<Kashira Cable - Wolf>> [ ACC III ] Vanity White Gi Vanity Black Obi skills Spoiler | UTILITY Searching III | +1 LD per rank. +1 to Stealth Detection per rank. | 14 SP Night Vision | Ignores any penalties from low light or darkness. Negates the bonus Stealth Rating from low light or darkness. | 3 SP | COMBAT Combat Shift: Single Target | For the following Sword Arts, +3 to multipliers and +2 to EN cost; ST-I, ST-II, ST-B. No other Shifts may be taken. | 10 SP Mastery: Damage III | Gain 1 * Tier Damage per rank | 13 SP Battle Healing V | Recover 5% (rounded down) of your maximum HP at the start of your turn | 30 SP Emergency Recovery | When non-fatal damage would leave you with 25% or less of your maximum HP, recover 10% of your maximum HP after the attack resolves. Effect cannot occur more than once per thread.  When activated if the player has lower than 10 energy remaining, simply reduce the player's energy to 0. | 6 SP EN Cost: 10 Energist | Increase Base Energy by 5 * Tier | 8 SP Charge | Perform a single attack/Sword Art with +5 base damage. Charge attacks have a -1 Accuracy debuff and cannot be affected by any auto-hit effects. | 10 SP Cooldown: 3 Posts | WEAPON Katana V | +7 DMG when equipped with a Katana | 30 SP Stamina | Reduces the energy of all Katana attacks by 2 EN | 4 SP Precision | Gain +1 ACC. | 2 SP Ferocity | +2 DMG when using Katana Sword Arts | 4 SP | ARMOR Light Armor V | +30 MIT when equipped with Light Armor, -2 Stealth | 30 SP Meticulous | +1 DMG when equipped with Light Armor | 4 SP Resolve | +1 ACC and +10 * Tier HP when equipped with Light Armor | 6 SP | EXTRAS Familiar Master: Rending | You and your familiar attack in tandem, applying Rend [7*tier unmitigatable damage] to the target that lasts for two turns. | 10 SP Cooldown: 5 Posts Survival | Increases Healing effects received from all sources by 10%. Grants immunity to all damage dealing environmental attacks/effects. | 0 SP buffs Spoiler | PARAGON REWARDS Lv. 5 | Gain additional col equivalent to 10% of EXP earned in that thread. Lv. 10 | +3% EXP Gain. | BUFFS <<Well Rested>> | -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat. <<Squeaky Clean>> | The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down). <<Item Stash>> | +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot <<Relaxed>> | Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts. <<Multipurpose>> | Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll.

When Koga woke to the morning sun mercilessly battering his eyes that morning, he couldn't possibly have been more excited. Today was the day after all! The tournament! He'd been the literal first person to sign up, so he didn't quite know who else would be showing up, but given that Baldur held some manner of recognition, he expected it'd be no small amount of competitors and spectators. And there was a good chance that many of those who would be competing today would be quite skilled. That only made it all the more exhilarating though.

The calm with which Koga went about his morning routine sharply contrasted the excitement he felt, aside from the quick, or rather quicker, tapping of his foot as he ate his morning meal with coffee. As soon as he was done, he made sure he had his usual equipment, although he doubted he'd have any need of it today, and the gi he'd bought when he finished beating up that one boulder. Double checking his gear once more, the man went out, almost forgetting to lock his door behind him.

---

Arriving at the designated location, he greeted the boatman with a smile and his usual two fingered salute. "Hey, nice to meet you. Yeah, I'm here for the tournament," he said to the brunette before stepping onto the boat. The Wolf sat himself down as Takumi began to gently ferry him to his destination.

The calm of the water had an infectious quality to it, and Koga found himself staring out at the glistening ripples, his heart beat slowing. He hadn't even realized that it had increased to begin with. But when the man set his sights on Baldur's place, it immediately shot up again. "Damn," he said in awe. "Oji's sure got a nice place." The red hue of the leaves added splashes of color to the otherwise grey and brown buildings of the island, each with their own charm. And to call it a small abode would be a lie. The place looked massive compared to Koga's small two story townhome.

When Koga stepped off the boat, he took a breath of the remarkably clean air before heading towards the building indicated to be the dojo to find out who and when he'd fight what would hopefully be the first of many rounds. A few paces along, and the man spotted a familiar head of pink hair. "Oh, Mina. Wassup," he greeted her, giving the woman a small wave as he approached before stopping in front of here. "Here to watch or compete today?"

@tricolor_mina

Koga's Outfit:

Spoiler

 

Edited February 4, 2022 by Koga

[NIGHT 0]

A matchmaking event. There was absolutely zero reason for NIGHT to have shown up in the first place. And, in addition, it would've been too funny either way, to have shown up with an escort.

So why, exactly, did she find herself here?

The woman couldn't say.

(Though, she did know, in her heart of hearts, why she did show, fragile and curious and open. Of course, NIGHT just wasn't going to say it.)

Little did the player know that her friend had also shown, once Takumi had returned from depositing a player at the island of respite. A nod was all she gave to the boatman, and she let herself be dragged across the water in relative quiet.

The trip felt much, much different than the others she'd taken beforehand. The silence was... palpable.

Gross.

With quick steps, she skittered off the vessel once they'd docked on land. The scenery was beautiful -- of course it was, hadn't she shown up to it on another day some other time? Though she couldn't remember which route she'd taken to Baldur's, on that day. Almost retracing the steps of her comrade, she snaked her way towards the dojo, accounting for the falling leaves that were yet to be swept up by some janitor or another, and came to a stop once she'd spotted familiar figures in her periphery.

Well, it'd be just as funny to play as someone else's shadow for a bit. Soundless, she crept up behind Koga, locking her footsteps to where the light spilled stretches of his image to the ground.

| NIGHT  | Lv. 105 >> P. 73, Lv. 32  | Status: talk about finding a match, right?  Notes:  //

Spoiler NIGHT | HP: 920/920 | EN: 130/130 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 44 | LM: 2 | HLY: 8 | PHASE | LD: 5 | BH: 38 | Stealth Rating: 6 equipped Orgoth's Legacy ACC, PHASE, HOLY (8) Tracksuit of Unfathomable Fashionability MIT (24), LM II Silver Crescent Necklace ACC II, EVA II battle-ready inventory // skills Spoiler mod count: 4/5 2HSS | RANK 5/5 focus, stamina, precision shift: aoe CLOTH ARMOR | RANK 5/5 athletics, nimble COMBAT MASTERY: DMG | RANK 3/3 SEARCHING | RANK 4+1/5 BATTLE HEALING | RANK 5/5 EXTENDED MOD LIMIT ENERGIST FAMILIAR: PROFESSION QUICK CHANGE extra SURVIVAL CONCENTRATION HIDING blindside, vanish, surprise attack-t buffs Spoiler statue BIALAS | +TAUNT MOTHRA | +1 EN Recovery TANOS | +25 MIT MORETSUNA | +50 HP OROCHI | +1 LD KUMATETSU | +1 DMG consumables - - - - - - paragon Lv. 5 | Gain additional col equivalent to 15% of EXP earned in that thread. Lv. 10 | +1 LD to looting. sword arts Spoiler en cost matches multiplier unless stated otherwise. shift underlined. ST | x12 -> x15 | x20 AOE | x15 -> x18 TECH-A | x12 | STUN | 13EN TECH-B | x12 | DELAY TECH-D | x12 | SHATTER TECH-G | x12 | BURN misc. Spoiler housing Dimensional Backpack, Item Stash | +2 Battle-Ready Inventory Slots. Well Rested | -1 EN for the first three expenditures of each combat.  Relaxed | +(5 * Tier) HP per out-of-combat post. Full energy restoration occurs after two turns out of combat. Squeaky Clean | -25% DoT damage taken from the first DoT applied to this player in a thread. Skylight: Searching | +1 Expertise to declared utility skill. Cooldown of 30 days to reassign. Multipurpose | +1 LD/Prosperity/Stealth/Detection to one post per thread. Can be applied after a roll. Filling | +1 T1 slot to a food consumed by this player in a thread. Can exceed Cook enhancement caps. Col Deposit | +5% col from loot-minimum mobs, +10% col from treasure chests. gathering Greenhouse | +2 G.EXP, +1 CD&LD to gathering attempts. Familiar: Profession | +2 G.EXP Demeter's Cornucopia | +1 CD to gathering attempts.

 

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari heard the slight hum of the teleporter in her ears dissapate, signalling to her that the shift between floors had finally come to an end. No matter how often she used this system, she still had yet to get used to the blinding light that met her eyes as her form was transferred. 

Opening her eyes, she was greeted with a beautiful oceanside view. Her breath escaped between her lips as she felt them part. Lost in the view, it took Nari a moment before realising she needed to vacate the pad, lest someone else appear on top of her. Slow moving, she walked down through the settlement to the water's edge, eventually catching sight of some others taking a boat out to the teardrop Islands. 

Nari knew that there was only so much time - things like these tournaments likely didn't wait around for every single individual to show - yet she couldn't break her eyes away from the view. It reminded her of places she had once visited - so similar, yet still so breathtakingly different. Her eyes watched as the low waves lapped against the edges of the many islands, softly noting their presence in the centre of so much blue. 

Realising that she had spent far too long here, Nari forced her feet to carry her to the boat that had been slowly transporting those who arrived to a single teardrop island out in the distance. Nari waited for the boat to return, smiling shyly at the NPC’s greeting before softly hopping into the boat’s seats. The boat quickly pushed off, the NPC clearly not waiting for others – much to Nari’s relief. It rocked slightly against the water as they crossed the expanse of blue.

It didn’t take long to arrive on the island, and Nari stepped off with slightly shaky legs – not due to the boat ride itself, but the sudden realisation that others would be here, others that she might be forced to talk with.

Shuddering slightly, she forced her feet into movement, finding a path that led up to a small collection of buildings – one, the panels opened to provide a view into the dojo itself – seemed to meet the description of the NPC.

Nari saw a collection of individuals standing around a weapons rack, some chatting together, some standing and simply waiting. Without really taking in the faces of the individuals, she headed over to one who seemed to be handing out directions to others.

Closing her eyes for a brief moment, Nari took a deep breath, bracing herself, she stepped up to the man dressed as a samurai. He’s smile seemed far too cheery to Nari, and Nari felt her heart begin to beat faster as she opened her mouth.

“Hi. Hello. Hi. I’m Nari. Uhm… I’m here for… a tournament?” She forced a smile upon her face, the split in her face feeling extremely forced – and likely appearing more like a grimace than an actual smile. “Do I just… like, take a sword?”

She’ll point to the wooden weapons on the rack, looking around wildly as she tried to figure out what needed to be done here. She began to feel the dread rising as she realised she was likely making a fool of herself, but no obvious directions appeared before her eyes.

 Nari's Outfit:

Spoiler

Spoiler

 

Nari-Lanreth| Lv. 3 | HP: 60/60 | EN: 24/24 | DMG: 5 | ACC: 1 | MIT: 14 |

One Handed Short Sword, Plate Armour, Lanreth's Defender

 

Edited February 4, 2022 by Nari-Lanreth

[Astreya 0]

Astreya was mostly watching the other people arriving, lingering about, talking to one another... and she became aware slightly that there were still so many people that she didn't know.  Not that it was necessarily a bad thing- she could always go and talk to them and it would be someone new that she hadn't yet talked to.  That was exciting in a way that she didn't often get to experience- it wasn't like she very often had the chance to talk with people.  Most of the folks that she already knew were either her level or below, and so it was hard to keep the conversations going when most of them were content to just sort of... sit and wait for things to resolve.  

She couldn't do that- she needed to be doing something, so once all of her frustrations and sorrows had passed, she had quickly hopped up on the chance to start getting stronger, to get up toward the front lines to help.  She knew a handful of people that were up at that level now, but it seemed like she was getting more and more used to being up with these sorts of individuals.  She couldn't help but to find it interesting how many different walks of life were all at this level.

But as she was relaxing, just sort of waiting for things to continue, she couldn't help but to watch the others as they arrived, getting their gear.  She made it a game to see how many people she knew out of those who were arriving, and had gotten that count up higher than she had expected.  What she didn't expect, was for one of them to come over to talk with her.

She blinked as she heard her name and looked over toward the fellow, remembering him from the Christmas Party.  "Hey!  Jomei!" she called cheerily, beaming a smile at him as she turned to greet him.  "Yeah!  I'm getting, like, close to maybe being ready to jump up on the next, like, boss raids and junk?  So I thought maybe I could figure out if I was ready or not by, like, totally going up against some of the people who're fighting up there now, y'know?" she spoke, the smile spreading into a grin as she nodded toward him.

"But it's good to see you!  Any new jams lately?" she asked with a small smile.  "I'm, like, trying to figure out this music thing but it's so hard.  I think I've made one thing that wasn't, like, total garbage," she spoke, laughing despite herself.

@Jomei

[Jomei 0]

Jomei smiled at the girl's greeting. It seemed one of her reasons for wanting to participate in this tournament was to try her luck against some of the other frontliners. Help give her an idea of whether or not she would be ready soon. With a chuckle, the ginger responded, "Well, hopefully you'll have plenty of opportunities to try your luck today. But I wouldn't rush yourself to the frontlines until you're sure you're ready. It doesn't really have its perks, but I guess knowing you were one of the ones to beat that boss and unlock the next floor is nice for bragging rights." 

Taking a small teapot that Baldur had set out along side the food, he poured the contents into a small cup, offering some to Astreya if she wanted any. As he poured, his eyes looked to a wall scroll on display. A typical tournament style bracket with names listed all within the first round. First, he looked for the girl's name, "Uhh looks like you're up against Freyd first. So you'll get your chance against a frontliner sooner than later." he laughed. His gaze then continued up the scroll until he found his own name, paired with someone who was completely unfamiliar to him. "Nari-Lanreth?" his head slightly cocked to the side as he repeated the name. "Don't think I've ever heard of them before, but looks like they're my opponent." 

@Astreya

[Alkor 0]

While large group functions tended to fall outside of Alkor's itinerary, tournaments were the singular exception.

He considered his options immediately; because of his disappearing act on the ninth floor, there were still those who were unaware that he was alive. He'd avoided making himself too well known since waking up, but the chance to see where he stood against the frontliners who had come all the way to the twenty seventh was too good of an opportunity to pass on. That is, if there were any of them among those who gathered for what had been advertised as a "Valentine's Day" competition. There were lingering doubts in his mind attached to those specific words, but he knew the name Baldur well enough. He had heard Mari say it at some point, and Lessa too. The so-called 'Gaijin Samurai" was an established veteran. 

Leaving alone the pretext that came with his chosen moniker, Alkor had to assume that the man had some pull with his reputation. He approached the ferryboat where a man named Takumi introduced himself, and Alkor gave him the once over. With a hand outstretched, he offered col to the retainer rather than words. "Baldur-shisho welcomes all today, you need not pay me for my service," he intoned. And indeed, the Japanese culture considered tipping an affront, a subtle statement about the quality of the work and employer. Alkor steadily withdrew his offer of coin and simply gave a quarter bow, a sign of respect and dignity for the man's gracious services.

Given his choice of clothing and the golden hue of his hair, Alkor looked more like a deviant than the respectful, ordinary countryman he may once have resembled. Still, this was Aincrad, not Japan. Stranger things happened everywhere, every day.

"Just a few moments, I will bear you to the island."

The man neither waited for a response, nor did Alkor give one. Within seconds they were bound for Baldur's estate grounds, where the other entrants and the organizer himself no doubt waited. When he stepped off the chokkibune, the swordsman laced the thumb of one hand idly through his belt and surveyed the area. There was NIGHT, and Koga... and more people who he did not know. Perhaps he had met them, or perhaps not; if he had, it had likely been several years since he saw them or heard from them. The sight of Baldur came with immediate recognition, however. He was everything his reputation foretold: a foreigner clad in the trappings of a Samurai. Aincrad truly was a world where the future and past collided.

He gave a respectful bow to the man as he passed, as was the custom whenever one crossed paths with the patron of an event.

And then, he disappeared into the crowd to await his match.

 

Spoiler

Stats

Level 32 // Paragon 28

780/780 HP  112/112 EN

23 Base Damage 30 Mitigation

5 Accuracy 3 Evasion 

32 Blight Damage (20 Mitigation loss for duration) 

48 Bleed Damage

Paralyze

 42 Battle Healing 

Survival (10% increase to healing effects applied)

 

Equipment:

Witchfang : Tier 4 Demonic One Handed Straight Sword // CURSED / BLIGHT / BLEED / PARALYZE

"Forged from the fang of a Black Dragon, this blade promises ruin to those who are struck by it. The blade's edge is fashioned of Obsidian andinvested with a myriad of afflictions."

Cloak of the Wanderer : Tierless Perfect Light Armor // EVASION / EVASION / EVASION

 "Tattered from the wear of many battles, this cloak was once worn by a warrior who faced the trials of the Castle and through the flames found the strength to walk again."

Eye of Osiris : Tierless Perfect Accessory // ACCURACY / ACCURACY / ACCURACY

 "A pin fashioned in the style of Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, depicting the eye of the god Osiris."

Spoiler

Alkor's outfit

 

[Calrex 0]

While all of the people were gathering in the main section of the estate in preparation for the tournament to being, off at the end of one of the far branches a faint yawn could be heard. Calrex opened his eyes and gave his arms a stretch, "Well, that was a much longer nap than I had planned for. Let's see...probably about time to head to the dojo."

While he was currently clothed in his normal combat attire, it only required a few swipes on his menu to shift into the training gear he had grown accustomed to. Grabbing the two-toned white and blue cloak he affixed it over both shoulders, glancing down at the attire for a brief moment, a sweatdrop rolling down the side of his head, "...I...really should see about getting this updated..."

With a small sigh he slide open the door of the room set aside for him and Teayre, closing it behind him before heading up the wooden hallway which connected the branch to the central section of the estate, hands calmly hung to his sides. It wasn't long before he could hear the voices of the participants and spectators alike already gathered, most likely helping themselves to the refreshments prepared beforehand, assisting where need be, and socializing. In some ways, it brought the Ultramarine Knight a bit of relief to still be able to witness these more laidback moments. A small smirk crossed his face before he turned a corner, the many people who had arrived entering into his vision. Weaving his way through, the bluenette gave a tap on @Baldur's shoulder.

"Anything else needs assistance getting set up?"

Stats:

Spoiler

Base Stats

Calrex | HP: 900/900 | EN: 124/124 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 4 | BH: 49 | KEEN: 1 | L.M.: 1 | TAUNT

Levels:

Level: 31

Paragon: 66

Equipped Gear:

Grand Blade IV (T4): +1 Keen / +2 Accuracy

Grand Chariot Revamp (T4): +1 Light Momentum / +48 Mitigation

Rebellion of Sapphire (T1 Demonic): +3 Evasion | +1 Taunt

Familiar:

Roc: Grappling Familiar

Battle Ready:

x5 Mass Healing Crystal - Heal 10% HP for self + party

x1 Crimson Citrine Spiderlily (T4): +2 Bleed / +1 Paralyze

x1 Basic Teleportation Crystal (T1): Upon use, teleport to the nearest town next turn

x5 Safeguard Potion (T1): First Attack Negated

(Dimensional Backpack) -

(Dimensional Pouch) - 

Skills & Mods:

Straight Sword [Rank 5]: Stamina Addon / Ferocity Addon / Precision Addon / Resolve Addon / TECH Specialist

Light Armor [Rank 5]: Meticulous Mod

Charge

Energist

Battle Healing [Rank 5]: Emergency Recovery Mod

Parry: Vengeful Riposte Mod

Extended Weight Limit

Quick Change

Survival

Disguise

Meditation

Combat Mastery (Damage) [Rank 3]

Attire:

Spoiler

 

[Oji 0]

A tournament. An actual tournament, with combat, winners and prizes galore. There was never something like this where Oji grew up, but he was very excited to see what would happen. As he appeared on the 24th floor and looked around to see what was going on, he was a bit shocked at how beautiful it was. Pearly-white sand, trees that sprouted everywhere and seemed to reach for the skies, and the ocean water was a calming crystal blue that filled him with a sense of ease. He was shocked that he hadn't heard more about this floor from his few friends. This would have been a much nicer place to put a home. But, part of him was happy with where his house was now. But he was curious to see how the backer of this tournament lived.

Oji arrived at a dock, which was where the address of the flyer was sent, and he was a bit confused. He looked around and saw no house, only a young man on a boat. He walked over to the boat, and waved at the lad driving it. "Hello! I was uh, I was told there was a tournament being held somewhere close?" He asked aloud, and the young man only nodded, and pointed to the boat. Oji, a bit confused. "I-I'm sorry do you want me to get in, the boat?" he asked, a bit nervous. The young man once again, nodded and pointed to a seat in front of him. Oji was not a a big fan of boats. He had flown in an airship with a bunch of crazy people once, and ever since then he's been a tad nervous about ships. He warily hopped into the boat slowly, one foot at a time, and as soon as he sat down the young man paddled away from the dock. Oji gripped the sides of his seat hard as he felt it rock. He was so not ready to drown today.

But, the young man seemed to know what he was doing, and he soon lead him towards aa large torii gate. He was shocked to see something like this in the middle of nowhere. They went towards it and he felt the same effect that he did whenever he teleported, and they arrived at a grand house, of the design of many houses from his hometown, but on a far grander scale. His eyes widened and his jaw drooped as he watched in awe as they came closer. This was an architects grand design, as this was made to seemingly perfect proportions. They soon arrived at a dock at the foot of the house, and he stepped off the boat and tipped his hat to the young man, who waved back and headed back towards the torii gate, and disappeared from sight. He must have been the ferryman for all the competitors and the audience. He hoped he was getting paid well.

As he walked towards the home, he saw a lot of things that filled him with a sense of homecoming that he didn't realize he missed. So much of this reminded him of his hometown and he loved every second of it. He wanted to explore every inch of the palace, but he knew that would not be the correct thing to do. As Oji entered the home, his breath was taken away from the sheer size of the home. The inside of it was huge and had such intricate detailing that only a master could do. He felt it was right to switch off his shoes and put on a pair of his slippers, which he only wore in his own home so they were clean. He saw a few players he recognized, and a few he didn't. However, he saw that there was a gentlemen who seemed to own the establishment as he was giving orders to those who were here.

Oji quietly came over and bowed in respect to the gentlemen. "Hi, I pray I've found the right gentlemen. My name is Oji, and I'm thankful you welcomed me into your home." He spoke, then lifted his head to see another gentlemen in a white cape and dark blue clothing. He must have been a frontliner or a competitor. Either way, he heard him ask for help, and Oji perked up. "Oh, I could possibly help as well, just tell me what's needed to be done!"

Stats:

Spoiler

Oji, The Uncle of Aincrad
Level: 10
Paragon Level: 0
HP: 200/200
EN: 38/38

Stats:
Damage: 1
Evasion: 3
Loot Dice: 3

Equipped Gear:
Weapon:
Armor:
Misc: Jigen kōtai [3 EVA]

Custom Skill:


Skills:
Searching R3

Active Mods:

Inactive Mods:

Addons:

Active Extra Skills:

Inactive Extra Skills:

Battle Ready Inventory:

Housing Buffs:
Hard Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Skylight (Searching): +1 Rank to the Searching skill.
Angler: +1 material gained when fishing
Advanced Training: +10% Exp to a thread. Limit one use per month [0/1]
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild:

Wedding Ring:

Attire:

Spoiler

 

Edited February 4, 2022 by Oji

[Griswold 0]

Finding a flier while making the rounds through the town of beginning's, on a grocery trip. Most of the time the man reached only for common rations, of breads that he could stock up on at a penny a pound. But namely it was inferred that the host would be providing a rather outstretched meal, entertainment and the like. It had been some time since the big ass german man had been to a boxing match, and although this wasn't quite the same thing it could be just similar enough to remind him of home.

It wasn't a far stretch of the imagination, and yet it was elegant in its design. "An Island?" Griswold remarked as he scanned the paper, good lord people had a lot of money to spend. His only method of reference was a real world island, that had to be quite the dollar sign. The warp gate and a decision, the guy barks out a location: "Floor 24: Scalabis" with the warning came lights and the gate charges rapidly, a bend of light and a jerk offers sunshine and the taste of tropical on the nose.

"Now where?" scanning the sheet of paper, helplessly lost in this new cove and using the paper as a form of map. It takes him the better part of an hour, but he eventually finds Takumi. "Excuse me, can..." The old man remarks with the intention to ask for directions and is cut off. "Making your way to the tournament?" A pause, a scratch at the back of his head. Guess this wasn't the first time he was asked this today, I imagine. "Yeah, I uh."

"Climb in, I'll take you."

A twist of his head in confusion, having stumbled his way to the finish line. "You sure?" Stepping into the boat sees in sink from the weight a fair few inches. Vulcan whines, wood boat on lake of water bad for fire familiar. "Just hang out here, I'll be back in an hour or two." And with that they were off, listing through the waters with a set goal in mind. The first thought was an old movie the smith had watched. Straight out of Mortal Kombat. All that was missing was nightfall and a few lit torches.

The architecture was obviously foreign, and as to what Griswold was a bit beside himself. Asian, but unsure which. "Are you here to watch or participate?" Takumi asks as he wades a bit more forcefully, Griswold's fat ass being a bit extra added girth. "Oh uh, watching. Little old to be swinging at children." The guy wasn't in his prime anymore, and knew that he'd probably get his ass handed to him by these whippersnappers. It proved to be a good show, however, matched with pleasantries and free food? Although likely it would be equally foreign cuisine, and silently, Griswold hoped it wasn't weird or raw or something else funky.

Sliding upon another dock, and Griswold steps out making the boat shift abruptly. Takumi wiggles a bit before it stabilizes, and he hops out, almost finding himself into the lake. "Phew, head through those doors." gesturing with an outstretched finger. Griswold taps him in the small of his back with an open palm "Good on you boy, here." Offering the lad a small figurine crab, one of aluminum casting. Pretty well-made and as good as any payment. Up to a paper screen door and clutching it with the tiniest pinch, he felt like he was going to break it otherwise. Gingerly, he slides it open slowly, being bombarded by sunlight hitting a polished hardwood floor.

"I, uh, Hi." he chokes out to a room filled with strangers, not recognizing a single one of them. What am I even doing?

Spoiler

Griswold, The Forgemaster
Level: 32
Paragon Level: 35
HP: 840/840
EN: 96/96

Stats:
Damage: 21
Mitigation: 147
Accuracy: 2
Battle Healing: 8
AA
FL. THRN: 16
TAUNT
THRNS: 72

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Fist of Gaia - Incline [T4/Demonic/Warhammer] Taunt, Accuracy 2, AA
Armor: Forgemaster's Rattlecage - Juggernaut [T4/Perfect/Heavy Armor] (Mitigation 3 [+72 Mitigation])
Misc: Titanic Wall - Foundation [T4/Demonic/Shield] Thorns 2 (72), Flame Thorns 2

Custom Skill:


Skills:
Hammer R5
Heavy Armor R5
Howl
Charge
Battle Healing R1
Fighting Spirit

Active Mods:
Steadfast
Shield Bash
Impetus
Elusive
Rally

Inactive Mods:

Addons:
Iron Skin
Rampart
Stamina
Focus

Active Extra Skills:
Leadership R2
Block R5

Inactive Extra Skills:

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystal x1

Housing Buffs:
Well Rested: -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat
Squeaky Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down)
Hard Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Item Stash: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
Delicious: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed.
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Advanced Training: +10% Exp to a thread. Limit one use per month [0/1]
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
Decor []: This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.

Guild Hall Buffs:
Lucrative: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters receive +1 crafting attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters receive +2 crafting attempts per day.
Col Deposit: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

 

Edited February 4, 2022 by Griswold

[Yona 0]

Yona made her way to the 24th floor, where the tournament she'd heard of and signed up for was going to be held.

Figures that she'd end up finding that the location was an island in the middle of the floor's damn sea. At least there was someone on a boat. "Hello there, are you coming for the tournament?" The person asked. "Yep." Yona answered. "May I ask whether you two are participating or spectating?" The person continued. "Participating. I'm a contender in this tourney." Yona answered. Then her eyes widened slightly as the confusion struck her. "Wait, what do you mean, 'you two'-?" 

Yona would be tapped on the shoulder, and she would turn around to see Astralin. "Oh hey, Astralin! you doing well? I didn't know you were coming too!" She greeted. "And I didn't know you'd be fighting as well!" Astralin responded. Both players would get onto the boat, and the person would begin to transport the two players over to the isle.

Yona looked over to where the tourney was going to take place. It was mentioned to be a sort of...dojo, was it? Whatever the case, Yona took out and looked at her current weapon, a wakizashi. Astralin's weapon skill was Martial Arts. Yona put away her weapon and would speak again. "It's kind of funny, really, 'cause...you know,regarding our skills, the setting of the tournament, it's actually quite fitting, a real coincidence, to be honest. I mean, with me having studied the art of wielding curved blades, and with you being a Martial Artist-"

"Magic User." Astralin interrupted.

"...Whatever, but the point is, our weapon skill choices kinda fit in the setting. Only thing that doesn't match is our apparel." Yona finished.

It wasn't long before the boat reached the isle. "Baldur-shisho extends his warmest welcome to you, and hope you enjoy the days' events. If you are competing, please head to the dojo and get your equipment from him, otherwise, please help yourself to food and drink while the tournament is made ready. The dojo is in the middle of one of the islands ponds, so please be seated on the outside walkway, but not inside the walls of the dojo. All the shoji panels have been opened up to let light in and the spectacle out." The person who paddled the boat explained. The two players would climb out of the boat and onto the isle. "Thanks for taking us here!" Astralin thanked. "I'll be sure to do my best in the tournament!" The boat paddler nodded. "You're very welcome. ...Ah, I shouldn't pry, though I was curious as to whom you young ladies would have chosen to have been your date if you won. Farewell, and good luck to you!" He said before making his way back.

Yona had a concerned expression on her face. "Date? What's this about a date?" Yona asked. Maybe that flyer she ended up taking right before making her way here had some answers... She pulled out the flyer, and this time she read all the details, including.... "Oh..." Yona realized. "Oh, fuck..."

It was conquer or be conquered.

This was no game... This, was war!

 

Stats and Equipment:

Spoiler

Level: 6

 

 

HP: 120

Energy: 30

Base Damage: 10(CS R1[7], Sharpened Wakizashi[2])

Mitigation: 6(Moonshard Veil)

Accuracy: 0

Evasion: 2(MoonShard Veil)

Loot Die: 3(Thuban's Eye)

 

 

Additional conditions:

[None Yet]

 

 

Equipment:

[T1]Sharpened Wakizashi(Curved Sword, 2 DMG)

[T1]Moonshard Veil(Cloth Armor, 1 MIT, 2 EVA)

[T1]Thuban's eye(Trinket, 3 LD)

 

 

Consumables:

Teleport Crystal x1

 

 

Skills:

Curved Sword Rank 5

 

 

Extra Skills:

[None]

 

 

Mods:

[None]

 

Addons:

[None]

 

[Nisahime 0]

Aimless, and yet unwavered. Traveling but without a destination. Seeking, but without knowledge as to what. A small slip of paper adorning a board, an inquiry into strength. Curiosity and intrigue, removed and revealed. "I hadn't had much luck as of late." The woman remarks to no one in particular. Slinking off and finding her way upward, passage sought and found without an issue. Bright and gleaming, a burning ball coining a sunrise. It was early, and those fit had already been provided passage.

Takumi looks to her, and hesitates for a moment. "Fighter?" The woman lifts her hand and snaps her fingers, catching sight of the structure in the distance. Attire shifts in a blinding flash of silver. "Observer, if you don't mind." The maiden steps into the boy's vessel, leaning down and allowing her hair to pour into the lake. Staring back at her, a reflection with black hair. "I am looking for something in particular, perhaps your host will have it or perhaps not. After all, it is in short supply." Eyes fixate on the farrier, making him uncomfortable with sapphire blue eyes before they move from him, allowing him a sigh. "What are you trying to find?" The boy asks, interested in the vague response. "Me? I am not entirely sure myself." Morrighan quips, drinking in the stars beneath an illuminated blue sky.

"I'll know it when I see it, what is your name?" Folding her head atop rested arms, face dangling off the side. "T-Takumi." something about her felt as though she was tugging on his heart strings, was this love? Or something else entirely. "Perhaps you have what I seek, Takumi?" a gulp as he swallows hard. "I kid you, relax my dear. I don't bite...often." A tinge of the blonde finding solace in her, worming its way to the top every so often. Stirring her finger in the surface, feeling the warmth of the waves and catching sounds that continue to pour through her ears.

Eventually, the boat grinds to a halt. "W-we're here. The e-entrance is up that way." The turn of phrase fired out of a gun, it was so fast. "Keep up the good work, Takumi, I'll be watching." Sliding off the vessel and leaving Takumi to sort his shit out. Walking up as if she owned the place, into the upper rafters and finding a place to call her own. Quiet and yet a stare that could cut through concrete. The Observeration had begun, and what pray tell would she see? Only Fate would know.

Spoiler

Morrighan
Level: 32
Paragon Level: 6
HP: 660/660
EN: 84/84

Stats:
Damage: 1

Equipped Gear:
Weapon:
Armor:
Misc:

Custom Skill:
~Error~

Active Extra Skills:
Concentration

Housing Buffs:
Advanced Training: +10% Exp to a thread. Limit one use per month [1/1]

 

[Cordelia 0]

Cordelia had honestly started to feel more like a caterer than Baldur's beloved pupil with all of this cooking, but she'd much rather tough out the pain than let him and Calrex prepare food for all these people alone. Kitchens may not be combustible in Aincrad but she was certain that those two would find a way. She wouldn't even trust those two with a toaster. If toasters existed here anyway. They'd probably find a way to get a toaster, too. 

Fortunately, cooking was easier done than said nowadays, so it wasn't a huuuge deal, and it left Cordelia tons of time to be able to focus on more pressing matters... if pressing matters included helping lead people into the estate. It wasn't the most fulfilling task, but she found herself enjoying seeing both new and old faces of Aincrad's playerbase. She was able to pick out a few faces passing by that she knew right off the bat like NIGHT, Jomei, and Alkor, but that was all she could get before she got occupied again. "Man," she muttered, clicking her tongue as she watched even more unfamiliar faces pile up, "I really need to get out." Cordelia used to pride herself on knowing almost everyone, but now she could barely recognize more than a handful of people. Maybe this event was her second chance at having a social life. Yes, yes, she won't let this opportunity slip by so easily!

Mustering up a smile despite feeling like a fish caught out of water, she gestured across one of the many bridges and towards a large, central building. "For this unfamiliar with the estate, please make your way towards the dojo where the tournament is happening and enjoy the complimentary food and drinks!" 

Right. Tournament. A Valentine's Day Tournament, Cordelia mused. It was a strange mash of words, indeed. She had no idea what rock hit Baldur's head when he was planning this, but she wasn't against it at all. There was nothing more entertaining than watching people duke it out for a free date. 

Dem sTatS:

Spoiler

[ LVL: 31 PGN: 28 | HP: 760 | EN: 110/110 | 23 DMG | 30 MIT | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 41 Vamp(DEF) | 16 HLY | ABS. ACC ]

 

[Astralin 0]

Yona's reaction was unexpected, but Astralin was also confused. "Ah....Yona, can I see that real quick...?" She asked worriedly. Yona handed the flyer over, and...

Astralin's eyes widened. "A...date...for...the victor of the tournament...um...and it's...the victor's choice...?" Astralin realized. "Yona...what are we going to do?" She asked. Yona's expression changed from one of utter shock, into one of utter defiance. "The answer's clear as Day. We avoid loss! We need to fight like our sanity depends on it!" Astralin blinked several times in succession, before her eyes darted their gaze in multiple directions, made uncomfortable by Yona's stare, despite the expression not being strange whatsoever. "I uh, don't know if I'd go that far, but..."

Yona sighed. "I get that this may sound like an exaggeration, but we're in really deep water here. there is great thirst among the general public, even in MMOs. I'm telling you strongly, 'cause... 'cause you may be more at risk than I am!" She claimed. Astralin almost understood, but was still a bit confused. "At risk? what do you mean?" She asked. Yona took a deep breath. "Just...Have you even looked at yourself? You're like a starry dream! An adorable blonde with sparkling blue eyes, wearing your heart on your sleeve like it's no big deal, I don't even need to mention your measurements-"

"O-okay, I get it!" Astralin said as she crossed her arms over her chest and turned all but her face away, flustered. "Wait, are you...envious?" She asked, her current, reddened expression unfaltering. "No." Yona lied. "Just...let's just get ready so we can win. I'm not in the mood to get conquered." Astralin's expression changed to one of confusion. "Um, care to elaborate? 'Conquered?' What's this about?" She asked.

Yona stood firm, her back turned as she stared off into the distance. "Conquer or be conquered, dominate or be dominated...this is no game, it's war!" She declared. "And if you still don't understand...oh, forget it, we've wasted enough time figuring out what we've gone and thrown ourselves into. Let's go, hopefully we'll both make it to the final round, 'cause i'm sure we can trust each other, unlike anyone else likely to show up to an event with such a prize." She trailed off.

"Well, we should get ourselves the proper attire and gear for this tourney, as the boatman said. Let's go see Baldur!" Astralin decided.

Thus did the two players begin making their way to the event's organizer.

On the way, Astralin was feeling more nervous than anything. She needed to lighten the mood so that the two didn't enter the tournament's combat with their knees knocking. "So...anything about this environment that intrigues you?" Astralin asked. "I haven't been here, so of course I'd know nothing...ah, but I can only hope there's a beautiful night sky... the many stars glittering and populating the great expanse beyond the world, just...wow...ahhhh, but enough of that, it's not like a night on this floor can compare to one on Floor 22, anyway! ...The Japanese architecture of the Estate looks nice, though..." She rambled.

 

 

Stats and Equipment:

Spoiler

Level: 30

Paragon Level: 0

 

Battle Stats:

HP: 600

Energy: 78

Base Damage: 20(MA Rank 5[7], CM: DMG[9], MA Ferocity[2], Athletics[1])

Mitigation: 0

Accuracy: 3(Amulet of Aknossoth, Zero Degree Chill)

Evasion: 2(Alkarina's Resolve)

Loot Die: 0

 

Additional conditions:

[None Yet]

 

Equipment:

[T3] Glowing Embers(Burn)

[T3] Zero Degree Chill(Freeze, Accuracy)[Equipped]

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

[T3]Amulet of Aknossoth(2 ACC, 1 REC)[Equipped]

 

Consumables:

(3) Starter Healing Potions (Heals 50 HP)

Teleport Crystal x1

 

 

Skills:

Martial Arts Rank 5(30 SP)

Combat Mastery: Damage(13 SP)

Cloth Armor Rank 5(30 SP)

Quick Change(8 SP)

 

Extra Skills:

First Aid Rank 5(30 SP)

 

 

Mods:

Athletics(4 SP)

Energize(5 SP)

Barrier(6 SP)

 

Addons:

Martial Arts Ferocity(6 SP)

Martial Arts Stamina(4 SP)

Nimble(6 SP)

Field Medic(6 SP)

 

[Bismuth 0]

Bismuth hadn't spent a lot of time this high up in Aincrad, he had gone all the way up to the twenty-sixth floor, but anything over the seventeenth he really hadn't gone very far outside of the main villages. The reason Bismuth found himself here today was for a little tournament that was being held here on this floor, it evidently had a prize of a dinner for two at a fancy restaurant. He didn't know who he would take, but the prize was still good. The normal confidence and bravado that accompanied Bismuth was gone when he was alone, where normally there would be a happy smiling face, there was really only a sad one. In the lighting on this floor, he almost seemed hollow, and ready to break with the wind. Bismuth was only joining this contest to hopefully get over some of the fear that always froze him when he got into real combat. Bismuth wasn't all that scared of dying honestly, he had nothing for him out of this game, but that was a story he didn't want to think on. Finding his bravado again Bismuth made his way to the boat that was said to take him to the dojo ran by Baldur, the host of the tournament. 

Bismuth smiled as the teardrop island came into view, the aesthetic reminded him of home. It was all Japanese, and if his real name Jousho had anything to say, so was he. Bismuth was glad to see that at least something in this game has inspiration from Japan. Bismuth stepped off of the boat thanking the boy who paddled him there. Looking ahead, Bismuth could see a lot of people he had never met, and only a few that he had. Making his way towards one of those familiar faces Bismuth found Astreya. "I see you are taking place in this tournament too." Bismuth hoped he wasn't interrupting anything as he smiled at Astreya before turning to her companion giving him a look up and down before continuing with an even more broad smile "My name is Bismuth, and who might you be?" Bismuth held his handout for an introduction

@Astreya @Jomei

[Hirru 0]

Hirru groaned as he was awakened by the sudden commotion from above.  Slowly creaking out of bed, the hunter looked around his little room that he now called home.  It was essentially the basement of the dojo, where some of the equipment was kept, but that didn't bother him much.  As long as he had his privacy, he would be fine.  Though today was a special day for Baldur and the rest of the dojo.  It would be in due practice to help out where it was needed, and it would definitely be needed.

After getting dressed in the robes that Baldur wanted him to wear, the hunter felt heavily odd.  He really didn't know how to wear it, but thankfully the system did a lot of that for him.  He was rather thankful for that part of the game, as he didn't understand a lot of Baldur's ways sometimes.

"Well, can't say I wasn't warned."

Hirru said while heading up the stairs, opening the sliding door so that he could join those on the main floor.

"Wow, we got a huge turn out!  Who do we have?"

He wondered before heading over to Baldur and Calrex whom seemed to be busy working out details.

"Hey guys!  Need some help around the dojo?"

Hirru stats

Spoiler

Hirru | HP: 900/900 | EN: 102/102 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 122 | BH: 46 | HLY BLS: 36 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | THRNS: 36 | 5(+1) LD

Hirru Lvl 32 (PL 51)

900 HP (+200 PL)
102 Energy (+20 PL)
1 Base Damage
5% Battle Healing
8 Recovery
122 Mitigation
32 Thorns
4% Holy Blessing
20% Life Mend
5 Loot Die (+1 Paragon / +3 Favor(w/equip) / +3 Dungeon)

Equipment

Paladin's Oath ..................... // +4% Holy Blessing / +20% Life Mending
Light's Embrace .................... // +8 Recovery / 32 Thorns
Bulwark ............................ // +72 Mitigation
Blades Cloak ....................... // Vanity 
Dimensional Backpack ............... // +1 B.R.I Slot

Battle Ready Inventory

<Teleportation Crystal> x5 ......... // Teleport to a town / out of a dungeon [Uses 2 posts: 1 for use, next to teleport]
<Favor of the Golden Dragon> ....... // +3 Loot Die
<Betrayal of the Fallen Knight> .... // +12 Damage
<Mass HP Recovery Crystal> x5 ...... // +10% AOE Heal
<Empty>
<Empty>

Skills

Heavy Armor ........................ // Rank 5: +35 MIT
Battle Healing ..................... // Rank 5: +5% HP each turn
Search ............................. // Rank 5: +5 Loot Die / +5 Stealth Detection

Extra Skills (Max 4)

First Aid .......................... // Rank 5: +20% ST-H / -15 EN
Leadership ......................... // Rank 5: Command the Front w/ Buffs

Skill Mods / Addons (Max 5 Mods)

Iron Skin (Add on) ................. // +15 Mit / +60 HP
Field Medic (Add on) ............... // +25% AOE-H / -15 EN / 3 turn Cooldown
Hyperactive (Add on) ............... // +3 EN Regen for 3 turns / -5 EN / 3 turn Cooldown
Reveal (Add on)..................... // +2 to Dungeon, Labyrinth searches / Post 10 searches / 3 turn Labyrinth Cooldown

Barrier ............................ // -15% Dmg shield AOE / -15 EN / 2 turn Cooldown
Energize ........................... // +8 EN ST / -10 EN
Steadfast .......................... // +1 ACC AOE, -1 ACC self / -6 EN / 3 turn Cooldown
Press The Attack ................... // +(Target Tier) Dmg, -(Cumulative)Dmg / -10 En / 5 turn Cooldown
Detect ............................. // +1 to Labyrinth searches | +2 Stealth Detect

Housing Buffs

Rested ............................. // -1 EN for 2 uses
Relaxed ............................ // OOC HP regen 5*tier Rec EN after 2 turns
Filling ............................ // Increase food by +1 T1 slot
Multipurpose ....................... // +1 LD, Stealth, Dection, or Prosperity to 1 post
Practiced Angler ................... // +2 EXP & +1 LD & CD to attempts

 

Edited February 5, 2022 by Hirru

[Astreya 0]

"What?  Bragging rights?" the girl asked, looking back at the other, a confused (and actually somewhat horrified) expression on her face.  "I just wanna, like, help everyone get out of here," the girl spoke with a small frown.  She didn't really have any reasons for wanting to get through to the hundredth floor... aside from getting out of here.  Well even then, it wasn't for her, it was for everyone else, right?  "Everyone's trying their best to get outta here, right?  Like... that's why I wanna help.  The more people we have on the Front Lines, the sooner, like, we can get outta here, y'know?" she spoke, giving him a small smile, the frown evaporating as quickly as it had arrived.

Astreya had a cup that was about half full and at the offer for more Tea, she offered her cup, giving a smile in thanks as he refilled her cup back up.  "Yeah, I saw," the girl spoke with a small sigh. "Freyd's such a weird guy," she spoke, shaking her head.  She had worked with Freyd quite a few times.  He had helped her to get started once she had made the real, definite decision to get to the front lines.  He'd walked her through a few quests and gotten her started on the path to get to the top.  She looked up to him, admittedly.

"But I'm not gonna back down.  I've seen how strong he is first-hand, but like, I'm gonna give it my all!" she cheered.

As Jomei continued, she blinked, tilting her head slightly.  "Oh!  That's Nari.  She doesn't do so well around people, and like, she's pretty low-level.  So try not beat her up too badly, y'know?" she offered, about to mention further when she saw Bismuth approaching, and the dark-haired girl smiled, waving at the other.  "Heyyyy!  Yeah!  I'm gonna see if I can beat up Freyd!" she spoke, making a slight teasing flex with both arms.  

"Oh!  Introductions.  Bismuth, this is Jomei.  Jomei, this is Bismuth!" she spoke, the girl spoke, beaming a smile at them.  She was a socialite, and it showed.

@Jomei @Bismuth