[F27 - PP] A Return to Ronbaru

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

She’d spent the last few days… or had it been weeks?...scrounging around Aincrad, looking for better gear, for better drops, for better… well, everything. She felt tired, mostly. But she knew there was still more grinding to be done – that’s how it always went with these games, didn’t it?

‘Just when you think you’re ready… another surprise and you need to restart everything.’ She smiled at the thought, realising that once she had relished that exact play style. Now though… well, she still enjoyed it, but a break once in a while would be nice.

Shifting herself more comfortably on the kitchen counter – ‘Maybe one of these days I should start using the chairs…’ – she pulled up her menu, sliding her finger along, trying to figure out who she hadn’t bothered in some time. She was itching to get back out into the field, even as tired as she was.

‘Koga’s likely not going to want to come… I’ve bothered Astreya a lot lately…’ Her finger hovered over a single name, one that she would’ve jumped to message previously, but lately she’d had some apprehension. Her eyes held on the name for a few minutes, before she forced herself to start the message.

To: NIGHT

From: Nari-Lanreth

Message: Hey, NIGHT. Been a while, hasn’t it? Would you like to hit up a dungeon with me? A game dungeon not a… well, you know that. Anyways. If you’re interested let me know? Or come by my place on Floor 27? Or let me know and come by? Anyways, let me know. Either way.

‘She’s going to think I’m daft.’ The thought went through her mind as she re-read the message before hitting send. Tossing herself face down on the counter, she’ll wait for the ding signifying a response, debating whether she should take a nap or not while she waited.

Nari-Lanreth's Statblock

Spoiler

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 10 | HP: 740/740 | EN: 86/86 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 147 | ACC: 1 | REC: 8 | EVA: 0 | LD: 0 | STH: -5 | THORNS [72 DMG] | FROSTBITE [30 DMG]

Tier 4

 

Laurel Wreath (Earn Col equivalent to 15% of player’s EXP earned in thread).

+1 LD (This bonus only applies to looting, searching for and opening chests).

 

Equiped Items

Síonnách Geímhrídh | [T3 Polearm [One-Handed Assault Spear]; Perfect] Standing at nearly 120 cm in length from tip to tip, this short spear contains a metallic-appearing shaft of shifting dark and light violet, twirling in a mesmerising pattern. The blade - connected by a metal collar of a blackness similar to a void - glints with an ice blue colouring, a shift of light violet visible in the surface at the right angle. Twin wrapped lengths of cord - a combination of ice blue and dark violet - hang from the metal collar, intertwining in a mesmerising pattern when in movement.
Enhancement: Freeze [1 Slot] | Effect: Natural critical attack rolls of 9-10 (1 slot) or natural successful attack rolls of 8-10 (2 slots) remove the enemy’s action on their next turn as a Frost effect. Frozen opponents have their Evasion set to -1. Striking a frozen enemy before the effect ends deal an extra (16 * Tier) unmitigatable damage. [Must hit to activate the status condition.]
Enhancement: Paralyse [1 Slot] | Effect: Natural critical attack rolls of 9-10 (1 slot) or natural successful attack rolls of 8-10 (2 slots) remove the enemy’s action on their next turn. Paralyzed opponents lose any evasion properties.
Enhancement: Frostbite [1 Slot] | Effect: Natural critical attack rolls of 9-10 (1 slot) or natural successful attack rolls of 8-10 (2 slots) deal (10 * Tier) unmitigated Frost damage each enemy turn for 2 turns. In addition, anyone with Frostbite receives a -1 Accuracy debuff until the effect wears off.  Frostbite damage does not stack, but can be refreshed. The highest tier of Frost damage overrides lower tier versions; cannot be overridden by lower-tier versions. [Must hit to activate the status condition.]

Dark Fox's Reckoning [Tier 4; Heavy/Plate Armour] Forged to be shapely, this piece appears thinner than most pieces of heavy armour - leaving what appear to be openings towards the neckline, and the sides of the torso. Smaller shoulders leave limited protection towards the neck, but allow for greater movement. Coloured a dark violet, the edges of the piece outlined in a shifting soft silver, orange and red colour. Upon the chest's centre stands a white fox, slightly cured with fangs barred, black eyes staring out as if at the individual in front of the piece.
Enhancement: Recovery [1 Slot] | Effect: Before your post action, make a separate CD roll. On a natural CD7+, regain (1 per slot * Tier) additional energy. This CD roll may also apply to activating the effects of Vamp-Def.
Enhancement: Heavy Momentum [1 Slot] | Effect: After an unsuccessful attack, gain +(1 per slot * Tier) base damage until your next successful attack, at which point this bonus is removed. Another unsuccessful attack will reactivate this enhancement. Must be using the Heavy Armor Skill for this enhancement to take effect. [For Area of Effect attacks: This effect only activates if you miss all enemies targeted by the attack.]
Enhancement: Taunt [1 Slot] | Effect: +1 Hate generated from Howl, Focused Howl, and successful attacks.

Dark Fox's Retribution [Tier 4; Celtic Shield] Similar to a wall shield, this piece stands nearly 137cm tall, and nearly 76 cm wide - easily covering the form of a shorter individual. Tapered on the sides, the shield seems to bend inwards slightly on its edges, a perfect opening for an outwardly weapon to be levelled through. The top and bottom edges slightly bend inwards, giving the impression of a less than straight appearance. Coloured in a dark violet, with edges of dark forest green, a white fox, slightly cured with fangs barred is emblazoned on its centre, appearing as if ready to strike.
Enhancement: Recovery [1 Slot] | Effect: Before your post action, make a separate CD roll. On a natural CD7+, regain (1 per slot * Tier) additional energy. This CD roll may also apply to activating the effects of Vamp-Def.
Enhancement: Thorns [2 Slots] | Effect: Successful non-critical attacks against you deal (9 * Tier) unmitigated damage to the attacking enemy. Only activates on damage dealing, melee attacks.

Battle-Ready Inventory

Teleport Crystal {3}
Pure Unadulterated Rage (Meals) | Tier 1; Mitigation 3
Starter Healing Potions {5} | Heals 50 HP
Blank Dungeon Map {4} | Tier 4
Immolation Potion {1} | Tier 4; When used, successful non-critical attacks against you deal (10 * Tier) unmitigated damage to the attacking enemy. Must be of the appropriate tier to use. Effect lasts for one thread.
Caribou Stew | Tier 4; Rare Meal | Protein II

Inventory

Monkey Agility {2} | Tier 1; Evasion 1
Super-Duper Anti Snake Sauce (Salve) | Tier 1; Antidote 2
Spyglass {3} | Use to reduce the number of posts required to search for a dungeon, familiar or field bosses by 5 posts. Effect lasts for one thread.
Uncommon Health Potions {5} | Tier 1; Heals 5% of Maximum HP
Uncommon Overhealth Potion {1} | Tier 1; Adds 5% of Maximum HP to users Maximum HP for a thread
Rare Health Potions {1} | Tier 1; Heals 10% of Maximum HP

Combat Skills

Battle Healing
Rank 3
Passive
Effect: While in combat, recover 1% per rank of your maximum HP (rounded down) at the beginning of your turn.

Weapon Skills

Polearm
Rank 5
Passive
Effect: +7 DMG

[Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Stamina
Passive
Effect: Reduces EN of all attacks by 2.

[Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Precision
Passive
Effect: Gain +1 ACC.

[Rank 5 Weapon Addon] <<Weapon Type>> Focus
Passive
Effect: Decreases minor critical threshold by 1. Also reduces DoT thresholds by 1. Players cannot use Focus and Ferocity at the same time for the same Weapon Type.

[Rank 5 Shift] TECH Specialist
Passive
Effect: For TECH Sword Arts, +4 to multipliers, +3 to EN cost. No other Shifts may be taken.

Sword Arts

[x12] ST-I (12 EN) | A single-target sword art.
[x15] ST-II (15 EN) | A powerful single-target sword art. Only available for use when ST-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if ST-II had been used and had missed the previous turn.
[x20] ST-B (20 EN) | A devastating single-target sword art. Can only be used if the sword art used the previous turn is not ST-B and had rolled a natural CD9+. When performing an AoE attack, use only the first roll.
[x11] AOE-I (11 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once.
[x14] AOE-II (14 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A powerful sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. Only available for use when AOE-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if AOE-II had been used and had missed the previous turn.
[x16] TECH-A (16 EN) | STUN | A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy.
[x16] TECH-B (15 EN) | DELAY | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Delay] on the enemy. [Delay] is a status condition that reduces the enemy’s ACC by 1 for one turn.
[x16] TECH-C (15 EN) | COUNTER | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, places [Counter] around the player. [Counter] reduces the final damage taken by its user by 25% (rounded down) for one turn.
[x16] TECH-D (15 EN) | SHATTER | A single-target sword art that applies [Shatter] to an enemy for 3 turns. [Shatter] is a debuff that can stack up to a cap of 3. Each stack of [Shatter] removes -20 MIT from an enemy, down to 0, if it has MIT.
[x12] TECH-F (11 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE STUN | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. All struck targets are stunned for one turn.
[x3] RAW-A (10 EN) | THORNS | A single-target sword art that utilizes the [Thorns] of the individual against the enemy. Other types of enhancements that apply damage upon contact with the individual are also considered in improving the damage of this sword art (eg. Immolation Potion, Flame/Frost Aura, etc). Outgoing damage is considered mitigatable.  Must have a weapon equipped to activate this sword art.

Armour Skills

Heavy Armor
Rank 5
Passive
Effect: MIT + 35. You can only benefit from one armour skill at a time (the respective armour type must be equipped). Your evasion is capped at 1 enhancement slot and you take -1 to Stealth Rating per rank.

[Rank 5 Heavy Armor Addon] Iron Skin
Effect: Gain +15 Mitigation and +15 * Tier HP

Active Extra Skills

Survival
Cost: Complete <<The Traveler>> with Unlock Conditions
Action: Passive
Effect: Increases Healing effects received from all sources by 10%. Grants immunity to all damage dealing environmental attacks/effects.

Parry
Active: Post action
Energy cost: 9 EN
Cooldown: 3 Turns
Effect: Apply the energy cost upon proc, not activation. Reduces the final damage of the next successful attack against you by 50% (rounded down) and negates stun/paralysis effects of that attack. If hit by multiple attacks, only apply parry to the first attack against you. Parry lasts for three turns. Cooldown starts when the player activates the Skill. If the player is hit when using Parry, the cooldown is reset to 3 turns.

[Parry Mod] Vengeful Riposte
Passive
Cooldown: 4 Turns
Effect: A successful Parry also returns 50% (rounded down) of the raw damage that would be dealt to you back to your opponent. The reflected damage can be mitigated by the opponent.

Block [Requires two Extra Skill slots]
Passive
Effect: Requires an equipped shield. User’s evasion cannot be greater than 0 (can still be negative). Grants additional mitigation:
Rank 5: 25 MIT

Inactive Extra Skills 

Combat Mastery

Mitigation
[Expert] -> Rank 3
Passive
Effect: Gain +6*Tier Mitigation per rank. Ranks of this Skill apply to Mitigation enhancement caps.

Estate Buffs

Bedroom
Effect: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat

Storage Closet
Effect: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot

Spoiler

Word Count: 309

 

Edited March 13, 2022 by Nari-Lanreth
Some idiot forgot their stats.

[NIGHT 0]

she contemplated on the message before her, a cup of coffee into the morning and a little too groggy for straightforward answers. she'd barely had wonderful experiences with dungeons -- there was no reason to want to go, particularly, with someone she was convinced wanted to be away from the world.

still, night was asked, despite herself, and her fingers did most of the reckless work before she could consider the proposal thoroughly. they'd changed since she last saw them -- the dungeons, so she was informed -- but by how much, the player wasn't sure. the moment she saw something too creepy or slimy to boot, night resolved to stow away with the tank in tow. night didn't want to think of the consequences, otherwise.

night: tpter
night: ill b thr in a bit
night: 15m

with a lift of her head, she downed what was left of the joe in her cup. then, like a zombie, she turned to rise with a stumble, sorting through her inventory for the most appropriate equipment to suit the regiment.

| NIGHT  | Lv. 115 >> P. 83, Lv. 32  | Status: //  Notes:  * slams the slime farm button.

Spoiler NIGHT | HP: 1104/1104 | EN: 134/134 | DMG: 28 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | LM: 2 | BLI: 32/-20MIT | BLD: 48 | FRB: 40/-1ACC | STC: 40/24 | TXV: 32 | LD: 9 | BH: 60 | Stealth Rating: 6 equipped Jack's Executioner BLIGHT (32, -20MIT), BLEED (48), FROSTBITE (40, -1ACC), STATIC (40, 24 SPLASH) Tracksuit of Unfathomable Fashionability MIT (24), LM II Silver Crescent Necklace ACC II, EVA II battle-ready inventory Orgoth's Legacy ACC, PHASE, HOLY (8) Teleport Crystal (3) | Instant | TELEPORT [ref] Der Flohwalzer (3) | Instant | HYPNOSIS II [ref] Le Gibet (2) | Instant | LULLABY II Imugi's Inspiration (5) | Instant | MASS HP RECOVERY [+30*Tier HP] Imugi's Inspiration (5) | Instant | MASS HP RECOVERY [+30*Tier HP] [T1E3] [ref] Waltz of the Damned (2) | Instant | INCARCERATION skills Spoiler mod count: 5/5 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, untraceable, vanish, surprise attack-t buffs Spoiler statue KUMATETSU | +1 DMG consumables [T3E3] Viperion | TOXIC VENOM | [#154860-1]  Berry Crumb Bars | LOOT DIE III | [#178005-2]  Mousse | PROSPERITY III | [#176320-1]  Breakfast Fry | PROTEIN III* | FILLED Liquor of Light | DMG III  Crème Brûlée | ACCURACY II | (1/30)  Beef Stew | OVERHEALTH III | (1/49) 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]

The messages came in, dinging in succession. She read them quickly – the words condescend in what Nari could only assume was a means of saving time. She rolled over and immediately fell off the counter – forgetting that she hadn’t been laying on her bed at all. “Ow! Shit! Ugh. Fifteen minutes?! I…need a shower…”

Rushing up the stairs to her bathroom, she made sure that her shower wasn’t already in use before quickly running through her cleansing cycle. Twenty minutes later she was out the door and rushing down towards the teleporter, her armour currently stored in favour of the black leggings and violet turtleneck and the small fox on her shoulder.

“I’m late. Shit. So late…she’s gonna…shit…this is your fault.” The last words, directed at the fox on her shoulder, were half-hearted. A small glare from the fox, and Nari was mumbling apologies. “Yeah, I know. Sorry. My fault. But. Sorry. Fine. I’ll get you the good treats when we get home, okay?”

Wandering into the main square, she’ll glance around quickly – spotting the waiting girl off to the side a bit. Rushing over, she’ll give a slight wave and begin speaking before NIGHT even has a chance to respond to her greeting.

“Hey – sorry about the wait, but thank you for waiting. It took longer to shower than I thought. And then I couldn’t find Yuki’s treats. It’s been a morning. How are you?” A quick breath in, and then the words will continue. “It’s good to see you again, by the way. I’ve missed you – even if we didn’t end on the greatest of terms, last time. I know it’s sudden, but, how do you feel about doing some dungeon diving? I haven’t gotten to explore them up here yet, but I hear that you can sometimes find some decent things? And I’ve got some tele-crystals, just in case things get rough and we need to pull out – did you need one?”   

Another pause as Nari clearly waits for a response, realising that she had been letting the words flow out without stop. She blushed a tiny bit as she realised she probably sounded similar to Iris, chattering non-stop. Her smile though – was genuine, she was happy to see NIGHT, even if things hadn’t been the best in recent times between them.

Spoiler

Word Count: 385

 

[NIGHT 0]

she set aside all expectations, save the time they had agreed to meet up at. night kept an interface open, as the minutes went past the time she'd had expected her companion to show at. she composed a query while waiting.

just as she was about to hit send, her attention was stolen by footsteps on the pavement. without missing a beat, the player dismissed the window with a wave. and--

“hey – sorry about the wait, but thank you for waiting."

-- she couldn't get a word in. even when she was the one prompted for an answer. nari was almost grating, night might've admitted in the moment, from the withdrawl to the message to the lack of communication, and now this.

“it’s good to see you again, by the way. i’ve missed you – even if we didn’t end on the greatest of terms, last time."

this.

because that wasn't fair. night wouldn't have known what to say to that, either, anyway.

she kept her hopes silenced, held her breath as she listened. her eyes narrowed as she examined her associate's smile, arms folded. at least somebody was chipper today, even if it wasn't night herself.

"no, i came prepared," she returned, index and thumb sliding against each other, under her elbow. did the time nari have away from everyone she knew keep her sane? or was it just away from night herself? the player stewed behind her facade. "i don't know what's in store for us, but i brought what i could use best. whenever you're ready, lead the way."

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

A quick nod, and then Nari will turn and begin leading the way out of Ronbaru proper, waving at an NPC as they passed – a elegant looking woman in a longer dress, with a consistent scowl on her face. The NPC seemed to pay Nari no mind, but the entire encounter seemed to bring a smile to her face.

Spinning as she walked, she turned to look at NIGHT, the smile still on her face as she wandered backwards towards the gate, her head cocked slightly. “Hey, so uhm…I know it’s been a while since we last talked…how have you been?”

The words are calmer now, the hysteria upon her appearance seeming to have died off a bit. She’ll let her eyes pull towards NIGHT’s face – careful not to stare directly into her eyes, but close enough that her attention will be obvious. The smile still on her face, will spread a little bit as she tries to look welcoming – the success or failure still unsure to Nari herself.

On her shoulders the fox will give a slight chirp and Nari will drift to her left, narrowly avoiding a market cart that had been in her way. She’ll continue watching NIGHT as she walks, waiting for the woman to give a full answer, before turning around again and leading them beyond the gates and into the wildlands that make up the area outside the city itself.

Spoiler

Word Count: 236

 

[NIGHT 0]

"fine, i guess."

what kind of a game was this? first the out-of-place waving -- though night had passed it off as nari getting accommodated to the city she was in. it wasn't so strange for players to do so, she believed, and it wasn't as though she knew the woman enough to gauge her daily routine. but then the grins turned her way, her companion's back turned down the route they were taking --

-- the attention, the staring--

(-- she didn't like any of it. the glow of her cheeks was only offset by the warm lighting gifted by ronbaru's city lamps.)

yuki peeped, and the player watched nari barely miss collision. night watched the cart pass by, still terse, gaze then bouncing back to her conversation partner.

eyes still upon her. what was it that her friend wanted?

"and you?" she deflected. solitude away from others meant activities meant for one's own. and night liked her privacy, though the better rationale was what to bring up -- she didn't know enough about nari to cater to her interests. not yet.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

“I’ve been…keeping busy. Between attending to a few quests – do you know Oji? We recently trained…well, I retrained, but he trained…our familiars. Yuki’s learning to be more protective.” Her left hand rose to scratch the little fox on the head. She’d dropped back beside NIGHT, facing the direction they were facing as they exited the city. The moment they had passed through the gates, she’d brought up her menu, donning her armour, shield and spear. A quick smile tossed towards NIGHT, before she continued her words.

“And…well, I spent some time with Ir-Astreya, in Nemo’s garden. Did some foraging, a bit of sunbathing…oh, and the shop’s been a bit busy – a few customers. Onóra’s been hanging out a lot recently too. Oh! Did I mention I did the waterfall quest? I think that one was…well, it definitely changed me. I don’t know about others who take it, but…”

Her cheery mood will drop for a second, before perking back up. Glancing around, she’ll eye the darkness, looking for any signs of interesting terrain, or otherwise interesting pieces. She’d been out in the wilds around Ronbaru a few times, and every time she always found something different – whether it be a new strand of trees, a shift in the landscape she hadn’t noticed before, or just a general change in the wildlife. She’d always atoned it to Cardinal creating new experiences, but…it interested her nonetheless.

Spoiler

Word Count: 234

 

[NIGHT 0]

so it was just her.

part of her felt relieved to know of it; a suspicion loosened, night torn from its hold. yet she felt a tinge of offense from the tale -- night knew she wasn't the best at getting to know people, but she hadn't expected to be this bad at it, after being alive for so long.

-- and no, she didn't know any of the names dropped by nari.

"Oh! Did I mention I did the waterfall quest? I think that one was…well, it definitely changed me. I don’t know about others who take it, but…”

"..."

calming the soul.

night said nothing, only nodded to that revelation. stayed quiet as her companion's sights drifted across the environment, even as they continued towards their destination. she mulled over being left behind.

perhaps there was little reason to have come, after all.

 

"... how was it?" her terrible initiation at conversation. night's eyes were set to the distance, forcing herself unaware of her companion's actions. "the quest, i mean." it was personal to pry into such a set of scenarios, but it wasn't as though she had much to follow up on.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

“It was…revealing. About who I’ve been, and what I’ve done…and who I should be.” Her voice took on a hushed tone, the smile dropping away. “My Sempai used to teach me that to look into oneself was to find the true enemy. I always thought it meant that we found that which we hated in ourselves. But after the whole waterfall thing, I think it was more about we see the faults in ourselves, and learn how to truly face them…”

A few steps of silence, before she glances over at NIGHT. The girl didn’t talk much – Nari could understand, and even empathise with that. Some people just…preferred silence. “Hey. I’m glad you came. Even if you have to suffer my nattering, it’s nice to have you along.”

She beamed a big smile at the girl, hoping that it would warm the cold shell a little bit. A couple of skips and she found herself circling the other player – the fact that NIGHT could likely swat her back to Ronbaru either forgotten, or ignored. A slight laugh as she kept circling the girl, trying to bring a bit of lightness to the otherwise dark and bleak atmosphere.

“Say, you’ve been around the front lines a while, right? Which means you’ve likely done a dungeon or two before…what are they like? I’ve gotten some basic information from my contacts – but most of them are secondary or tertiary perspectives…which means I can trust it about as well as Cardinal itself. It’s always better to know what to expect from those who’ve actually experienced it.” She’ll come to pace beside NIGHT as she speaks, falling in alongside the girl, the smile still on her face but a bit more subdued.

Spoiler

Word Count: 287

 

[NIGHT 0]

a philosophical take on calming the soul. that much made sense, as much as night hated reflecting on the insecurities it'd shown her in the past. her jaw was locked even as she remembered that day's final moments, shifting her sights as a distraction from her contemplation.

night thought about speaking about it, the more nari looked to her. and stowed it away, only at the compliment, pushing the woman's image out of her vision. she hummed, appreciative, and slunk into her tracksuit all the same.

the skipping was different, though. (not that night didn't like it.) she glanced watching her friend as nari danced around her.

"...what's gotten into you...?"

night's query was quiet, but not unwelcoming. though she tried to keep her cool, amusement still shone in her eyes slightly widened, betrayed by the colours of the floor's crystals reflected. colours stolen away once she was questioned, again, but the emotion squashed was necessary.

"your guess is as good as mine." the player shrugged. "they used to have various conditions. some didn't allow for use of teleport crystals once you crossed a certain threshold. and i'm assuming the system updates didn't leave those alone. we'll be facing stronger enemies, maybe."

and night had to pause, to wonder if that item restriction was imposed still after the changes.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

“What’s gotten into me? I’ve…found purpose. In life, I guess.” Her head tilted backwards as she stared up into the ever dark sky, contemplating the changes in herself. She’d been…different, since she attended the waterfall. Even Onóra had commented on it. Shrugging it off and smiling at NIGHT, she’ll add, “I guess it’s just…for once, in a very long time, I have something to look forward to. It…makes a huge difference.”

Walking in silence again for a few moments, she’ll ponder the little bit of information that NIGHT had given. She didn’t enjoy the thought of not being able to teleport out – but, it was a risk she knew would eventually occur. Something that one day, she’d encounter – and if today was that day…

“Don’t worry. If you’re scared…I’ll protect you.” The words came out with a sombre tone, and she was quick to throw a broad smile after it to try and soften the tone. “You can hide behind me and my shield while we skip around anything that tries to defy us, right?”

Cocking her head, and putting on a more serious tone, she’ll quickly add to her statement. “I’m sure there’s dangers in there that we’ll have to face…but so long as we work together, we can make our way back home. Someone very wise recently told me that…”

Spoiler

Word Count: 222

 

[NIGHT 0]

something to look forward to?

the last she could remember... nari's outlook on the future was bleak. to live for others. to discard one's life away for the many. life was more complicated than a trolley problem, and hence it was a query worth posing. "... what is it, if you don't mind me asking?"

when she looked to the woman, night too was distracted by the faltering in nari's demeanor. and she considered if her words had struck fear into her friend, as they fact once did for her.

“Don’t worry. If you’re scared…I’ll protect you.”

"---..."

as though time stopped for her. the ambience faded away from her ears, and her voice all but died in her throat. night gulped, fought to stay present, storing all the bluster that rose from within beneath her tongue.

responsibility pushed forward as well. the scowl she wore reformed, just as the player reached to grab nari's wrist -- firm, but not tight. a beating in her own chest, ignored.

"not if your name's going to be on my head," night protested, still sobering. "and-- not that i'm doing it for you, but i came prepared for a reason. and i don't care how strongly you believe in what you do -- i'm not letting you fall on my behalf, on my watch."

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The sudden grasp on her wrist, the tone of the other girl, the scowl and look in her eyes. Everything caused Nari to pause, to wonder…She cocked her head again, trying to get a new angle on the situation, trying to understand what had shifted – what had changed. She couldn’t quite figure out the sudden emotion, the aggression coming from the other.

“Name…on your head? What’s that about?” She stared at the other girl for a moment, trying to figure out just what she was saying. “NIGHT…I don’t planning on falling. I can’t just give up anymore. I have…people waiting for me. To return. I…”

Suddenly realisation popped into her head – conversations from before, from a time when she had cared nothing for herself, only for the Path. She felt herself flush slightly as she turned away from the girl. She hadn’t considered her changes, how it would be perceived – especially by someone she hadn’t seen in some time.

“I’m not going to let myself become nothing more than a memory. Not willingly. I’m…not who I was, once.” She looked back into the eyes of the other, a strength in her gaze. “I can’t protect those I care for if I’m no longer here. My place…my place may lie at the front lines, but it’s beside those who want the same thing as I do, who need me to be there with them. And it’s for those who can’t be there themselves, who rely on us – those of us willing to face the dangers at the front – to continue to do so.”

She pulled her hand out of NIGHT’s grasp, working it out gently before placing her right hand up against NIGHT’s cheek. A smile on her own face, she stared into the girl’s eyes. “I have a reason to return, every day. So my purpose now, is to do so. No matter what.”

She’ll hold the other’s gaze for a moment, trying to convey the changes in herself – the ideology that she now held on to. Trying to make the other understand that her recklessness, the concept of martyrism – was gone, left to the past.

“I can’t do that alone though…which means I need others, others who care too, to help me. So…will you?”

Spoiler

Word Count: 375

 

[NIGHT 0]

the promise; she had given nari her word, that night wasn't going to let her fall--

-- and in the same breath, she'd forgotten to promise the same to nari for herself.

so the palm on her skin, the strength in her friend's stalwart self, that unfaltering grin. the light in those eyes. a short gasp drawn, night almost choosing to lean into nari's hand.

a terrible addiction. she chided herself, internally. beyond them, the world was spinning.

“I have a reason to return, every day. So my purpose now, is to do so. No matter what.”

if there was hope shown through the windows to her soul, it was subconscious. and if night had known any of it was visible, she knew she'd never want it seen past this moment.

(and given more time, she would've drawn the connections. seen the signs. faults and chidings tucked away for a different time, a different place.)

night blinked her surprise away, and widened eyes that returned to their slimmer, narrowed form. "--seriously, you..."

but the player was speechless. giddy, she collided with fingers, and her face was warm against nari's cool touch. like the echo of a dream; and she was fine to be left that way, beyond protest.

"you finally got it," she whispered, chastising. her tone was sharp, underlying genuine tenderness. "finally. finally. what ever took you so long...?" 

“I can’t do that alone though…which means I need others, others who care too, to help me. So…will you?”

"..."

had the circumstances been different, night might've protested. and despite all of that -- they still had a journey to go on, the player knew that much. not that she'd forgotten or anything, or found herself distracted. no, definitely not.

"... --of course."

the lift of her head away from nari's hold was slow. her eyes were half-lidded, as though waking from a slumber. careful.

another blink, and she was ready. though not without consequence, because there were stars in her vision where there weren't before. colours in a blur. night wiped away her tears present with the sleeve of her jacket. "i gave you my word, after all."

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari let her hand fall away from NIGHT’s face, the smile still shimmering, if dulled slightly at the reminder. She nodded slowly, her eyes still locked on NIGHT’s own. “Yeah…yeah you did…”

Her eyes lingered on the other girl for a few seconds, before she turned her attention back to their surroundings. Her gaze roamed over the area – realising suddenly just how far they had come from Ronbaru. As much as she didn’t want to break the moment, she knew that they still had some grinding to do – but perhaps later they could pick up where she had left off. She felt there was still more to say, or at least more that she wanted to say.

“For now, let’s just find us some goodies in a dungeon – maybe even some unique finds, special to just us. Wouldn’t that be nice? A little memento to remember…” Another quick smile before she skipped around the other player in circles again, her energy coming back in full force. “Oh oh oh! Maybe we can find something we can bring back as gifts! Something no one else has seen before? Wouldn’t that be awesome?”

Three more quick skips and she was in front of the other girl again, spinning on the toes of her feet as she let her joy out. Nothing was perfect, but Nari was learning to enjoy the moment – and this moment, for better or for worse, was going better than she had expected. ‘And that’s all that matters, is the moment. We can’t control the future – but we can live for now.’

Spoiler

Word Count: 263

 

[NIGHT 0]

(remember? ... what was there to remember?)

night tucked a lock of hair back behind her ear, quiet. even as nari's gaze had left her, it still felt like she was being watched, the memory of her sights on the player fresh in night's mind. and she watched her friend spin around, almost like a hyper active child.

well, at least nari was happier. and the least night could manage was a small smile, her joy infectious as the woman followed steps with a turn of her head. "already on the gear hunt yourself? it almost feels like yesterday that you were trying to clear the first few lessons back on floor one."

her head shifted slightly to an angle. "well, if you're interested, i could always take you grinding. not that it's difficult or anything, but it could get sort of dull on your own. i could use the company. less experience, and more of the item rewards, however."

with another slight movement, she motioned her chin forward, glancing to her companion. "shall we?"

ID205692 | ld20 | dungeon search. t4 dungeon found. (oh okay nat20 sure)

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

“Yeah let’s just…take caution. Especially if neither of us is entirely sure what lays within.” She’ll pause as she suddenly pulls up her inventory, retrieving one of the blank map data pieces she’d purchased, setting it up to trace their route as they went – knowing that it would be useful later. “I knew buying these would be worth the col…”

With the map set up and running, she’ll pull her spear out from where it was tucked into her left shoulder, giving it a confident twirl before glancing around the darker area. She could see movement in the distance, as something clinging to the shadows seemed to awaken. Pulling her shield up slightly, she’ll whisper back towards NIGHT.

“We’re not alone in here…heh, always kind of wanted to say that.” A quick couple of giggles before she gets herself under control. “There’s something up ahead – I’m going to draw it in.”

Taking a few steps forward, she’ll come face to face with a large, flowing body of water – formed into the shape of something humanoid, and barely visible against the darker atmosphere of the tunnel they had entered. Tilting her head back and upwards to take in the full shape of the thing that stood taller than her, Nari’s voice will be full of wonder, and humour.

“NIGHT…they’re giant armour washing things…Do you think that we can just drink them?” Smiling to herself at her horrible joke, she’ll pull back her spear, deciding that she’d make this relatively easy on them. “Let’s try a group stun, shall we?”

[T4 Dungeon Map #205692]

Spoiler

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 10 | HP: 740/740 | EN: 86/86 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 147 | ACC: 1 | REC: 8 | EVA: 0 | LD: 0 | STH: -5 | THORNS [72 DMG] | FROSTBITE [30 DMG]
NIGHT | HP: 1104/1104 | EN: 134/134 | DMG: 28 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | LM: 2 | BLI: 32/-20MIT | BLD: 48 | FRB: 40/-1ACC | STC: 40/24 | TXV: 32 | LD: 9 | BH: 60 | Stealth Rating: 6

Water Elemental 1 | HP: 400/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 
Water Elemental 2 | HP: 400/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 
Water Elemental 3 | HP: 400/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 
Water Elemental 4 | HP: 400/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 

Combat Start

Round One
ID205697  | BD: 1 + 1 = 2 | <<Tech-F vs. Water Elemental 1>>
| The strike misses! Critical Miss!
ID205698 | BD: 8 + 1 = 9 | <<Tech-F vs. Water Elemental 2>>
| The strike hits! Minor Critical hit! [+1 DMG]
| (8 + 1) x 12 = 108 - 60 = 48 DMG
| Apply Frostbite to Water Elemental 2 [30 DMG + -1 ACC; 2 turns] 
ID205699  | BD: 3 + 1 = 4 | <<Tech-F vs. Water Elemental 3>>
| The strike misses!
ID205700  | BD: 1 + 1 = 2 | <<Tech-F vs. Water Elemental 4>>
| The strike misses! Critical Miss!

[0,2,0,0] Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 10 | HP: 740/740 | EN: 72/86 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 147 | ACC: 1 | REC: 8 | EVA: 0 | LD: 0 | STH: -5 | THORNS [72 DMG] | FROSTBITE [30 DMG]
[0,0,0,0] NIGHT | HP: 1104/1104 | EN: 134/134 | DMG: 28 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | LM: 2 | BLI: 32/-20MIT | BLD: 48 | FRB: 40/-1ACC | STC: 40/24 | TXV: 32 | LD: 9 | BH: 60 | Stealth Rating: 6

Water Elemental 1 | HP: 400/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 
Water Elemental 2 | HP: 352/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 - 1 = 0 | EVA: 2 
Water Elemental 3 | HP: 400/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 
Water Elemental 4 | HP: 400/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 

Spoiler

Word Count: 258

 

Edited March 13, 2022 by Nari-Lanreth
Dice roll results/Dungeon Map.

[NIGHT 0]

regular tank and dps tactics. for a moment, night almost felt as though she was back a year earlier, braving the unknown with the pink paladin. the blade in her hand morphed into one of light from halloween steel once she'd summoned it, and she skittered after nari, sights on her back.

how times had changed.

the first wave of threats were no figures she happened to be familiar with. enemies on this floor had been modelled after the elements, and they took on strange forms as cardinal chose to generate them as art. how light reflected upon the water construct's surfaces and bounced along the dungeon terrain; night was certain that too was a feat in itself.

"like a washing machine?" she commented at nari's observation. "if that's what you'd do after being thrown in one, i'd refrain in the future." then, the player sealed her mouth shut.

a sword art that missed multiple opponents, but night was present to pick up the slack. and orgoth's light came piercing through one of them as her art battered into the forms of her enemies, almost devouring the single elemental it sundered. she dove after the one marked by her companion, dividing it into two -- like moses, but with an act less impressive. a torrent washed over her as she closed in on the enemy's positions, and suddenly night felt she needed a change of clothes.

the air was cold, and now, so was she.

Spoiler

> FREE ACTION: QUICK-CHANGE | Jack's Executioner -> Orgoth's Legacy

Updating Stat Block.
NIGHT | HP: 1104/1104 | EN: 134/134 | DMG: 28 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | LM: 2 | HLY: 8 | PHASE | TXV: 32 | LD: 9 | BH: 60 | [QC: 1/3]

> POST ACTION: AoE-I

ID205701 | bd3 +6 = 9 | -> Water Elemental #1
ID205702 | bd4 +6 = 10 | -> Water Elemental #2
ID205703 | bd9 | -> Water Elemental #3
ID205704 | bd5 +6 = 11 | -> Water Elemental #4

-15  -(2*4) +2 = -21 EN.
28 * 15 = 420DMG
420 - 60 = 360 DMG

(28+1+8) * 15 = 555 DMG
555 - (60/2) = 525 DMG

---

ID205705 | md1 | Water Elemental #1 -> NIGHT
ID205706 | md9 | Water Elemental #4 -> NIGHT

1104 - (180 + 1) = 923HP

---

Water Elemental 1 | HP: 40/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 
Water Elemental 2 | HP: -8/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 - 1 = 0 | EVA: 2 
Water Elemental 3 | HP: -125/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 
Water Elemental 4 | HP: 40/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 

[0,0] Nari-Lanreth | HP: 740/740 | EN: 68/86 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 147 | ACC: 1 | REC: 8 | EVA: 0 | LD: 0 | STH: -5 | THORNS [72 DMG] | FROSTBITE [30 DMG]
[1,1] NIGHT | HP: 923/1104 | EN: 113/134 | DMG: 28 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | LM: 2 | HLY: 8 | PHASE | TXV: 32 | LD: 9 | BH: 60 | [QC: 1/3]

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari felt herself grinning as the other player countered her joke, the humour clearly not lost on NIGHT as Nari had thought it might be. She watched as the other player brushed past, obliterating the first two creatures with a show of flash, and leaving the two remaining with heavily depleted health bars. Nari twirled her spear, determined to at least do something useful this fight.

Bringing the weapon in a rounded spin, she twisted herself in a circle, letting the weapon pick up her momentum and hopefully add to the strike – with any luck, at least. She watched as both creatures leapt backwards, her weapon connecting with neither as she tried to draw their attention away from NIGHT’s form.

Growling to herself, she tried to move into a more advantageous position, bringing her shield up and focusing on any sort of opening that would help – knowing full well that NIGHT was likely to finish them off before she would be truly useful in this fight.

Spoiler

[0,0] Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 10 | HP: 740/740 | EN: 76/86 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 147 | ACC: 1 | REC: 8 | EVA: 0 | LD: 0 | STH: -5 | THORNS [72 DMG] | FROSTBITE [30 DMG]
[1,1] NIGHT | HP: 923/1104 | EN: 113/134 | DMG: 28 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | LM: 2 | HLY: 8 | PHASE | TXV: 32 | LD: 9 | BH: 60 | [QC: 1/3]

Water Elemental 1 | HP: 40/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2
Water Elemental 4 | HP: 40/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2  

Round Two
ID205707 | BD: 1 + 1 = 2 | <<Tech-F vs. Water Elemental 1>>
| The strike misses! Critical miss! [-1 EN]
ID205708 | BD: 1 + 1 = 2 | <<Tech-F vs. Water Elemental 1>>
| The strike misses! Critical miss! [-1 EN]

[0,0] Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 10 | HP: 740/740 | EN: 74/86 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 147 | ACC: 1 | REC: 8 | EVA: 0 | LD: 0 | STH: -5 | THORNS [72 DMG] | FROSTBITE [30 DMG]
[1,1] NIGHT | HP: 923/1104 | EN: 113/134 | DMG: 28 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | LM: 2 | HLY: 8 | PHASE | TXV: 32 | LD: 9 | BH: 60 | [QC: 1/3]

Water Elemental 1 | HP: 40/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2
Water Elemental 4 | HP: 40/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2  

Spoiler

Word Count: 166

 

Edited March 13, 2022 by Nari-Lanreth
Dice roll results

[NIGHT 0]

if night was agitated, she blamed the hair plastered against her face, clothes fully soaked. and hence it was little wonder that her strikes afterwards were to pierce the elementals through and through -- what additional flooding of water against her form was more a nuisance of force rather than a show of strength from cardinal's objects. she lowered her weapon only once she was certain they were gone.

and the player only groaned, pushing back her hair as she turned to nari.

"fun," she spat, irritated, before looking through her inventory in hopes for something more comfortable to change into. and though she had an additional set prepared, a simple set of shirt and shorts were barely enough as adventuring wear. whatever the case, night merely wanted to wring her tracksuit dry.

so light enveloped her form, if only to replace the fit the elementals had ruined. "one of the joys of cloth armor." a joke made in sarcasm. "i just hope the next set isn't them again."

Spoiler

> POST ACTION: AoE-I

ID205709 | bd3 +6-2 = 7 | -> Water Elemental #1
ID205710 | bd2 +6-2 = 6 | -> Water Elemental #4

+60 HP
-15  -(2*2) +2+4 = -13 EN
28 * 15 = 420DMG
420 - 60 = 360 DMG

---

Water Elemental 1 | HP: -320/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 
Water Elemental 4 | HP: -320/400 | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 

Nari-Lanreth | HP: 740/740 | EN: 68/86 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 147 | ACC: 1 | REC: 8 | EVA: 0 | LD: 0 | STH: -5 | THORNS [72 DMG] | FROSTBITE [30 DMG]
NIGHT | HP: 983/1104 | EN: 100/134 | DMG: 28 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | LM: 2 | HLY: 8 | PHASE | TXV: 32 | LD: 9 | BH: 60 | [QC: 2/3]