<<Breaking The Unbreakable>> [SP-F2] The Dapper Art of Fisticuffs (Complete!)

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31324
• BD: 5 (Failure) -2 EP

Emerath wasn't quite getting as good on his kicks as he had intended. This time, he tried a running forward kick, but instead of what he wanted, both feet left the ground and Emerath wasn't entirely ready for what happened next. His knees crunched against the rock and Emerath found himself suddenly flat on his butt on the ground. He gave a cry of pain as he landed hard and fell almost immediately to his side, clutching his rump. He groaned and looked up at the rock. Not even another dent from the horrible drop kick. Emerath laid on the ground to give himself some time to recover, before slowly standing up and readying himself once more.

Results:

• Rock: 15/50
• Emerath: Suffering from a sudden achy rump.
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31325
• BD: 8 (Success) -1 EP

Emerath was determined to make a kick work, and it seemed like it was finally paying off. Emerath stood and practiced some simple kicks for a moment rather than trying to do something spectacular. When it seemed like he was actually doing something right he tried a bit of a more extravagant move. Some worked, and some didn't, but none were as disastrous as what he had initially been experiencing. And he had even managed to earn himself a few more dents in the rock, marking further progress.

Results:

• Rock: 15/50 -> 14/50
• Emerath: Sometimes simple is best.
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31327
• BD: 8 (Success) -1 EP

The progress wasn't exactly glamorous but it was something. Forward momentum was maintained as Emerath tried out his punches some more. They were hitting their mark and doing the what he wanted, and that was where it counted. He kept pushing himself and pushing himself and one thing he kept himself focused on was the basics. It didn't matter that the progress was slow, as long as there was progress made. But even as fresh as he had been, the tedious task of training against this rock was beginning to wear on him mentally and physically. He hoped that he could end it sooner rather than later.

Results:

• Rock: 14/50 -> 13/50
• Emerath: Sticking to the basics.
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31329
• BD: 3 (Failure) -2 EP

Emerath was starting to think it might just be time for a break. Not even sticking to the basics was giving all the desired results. When Emerath would throw a punch, his arm would just ache and he wouldn't hit as hard as he would've liked. When Emerath would throw a kick, it just ended up with him flopping his foot against the rock with no real lasting results. Emerath took some deep breaths and took a step away from the rock. He turned away and looked to the hermit's house, and he found himself wondering just how much of Emerath's training the old man had been paying attention to. Emerath supposed it didn't matter. The old man probably just wanted results.

Results:

• Rock: 13/50
• Emerath: When the basics don't even work, try try again.
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31333
• BD: 5 (Failure) -2 EP

Emerath was starting to get greedy. He had gotten to a point where he was so close that he could almost taste victory, and he was trying to force it to go faster. Unfortunately, that wasn't how these types of things worked. Only continued rigorous practice and what felt like endless amounts of grinding would actually make this possible. Emerath continued to train his punches, and his kicks, and didn't really go for any damaging strikes. It was only a matter of time before he unlocked whatever true potential he had lying within himself to fully split this rock. He just needed to keep going. He was almost there.

Results:

• Rock: 13/50
• Emerath: Pushing himself to not force success.
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31335
• BD: 6 (Success) -1 EP

After refocusing himself, Emerath seemed back on track to success for the moment. He was throwing his regular punches and kicks, and leaving dents where he could in the rock. But it was just so frustrating as he continued to strike. For the life of him he couldn't widen that gap, let alone split the rock entirely. He had made his strikes in the same location, hopeful that one would finally be it. Would finally end it. But the rock persisted with just the dents and the long thin crack that taunted Emerath. That crack made his goal seem reachable, but then just went on teasing him.

Results:

• Rock: 13/50 -> 12/50
• Emerath: Refocusing.
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31336
• BD: 1 (Critical Failure) -2 EP

Refocusing wasn't enough it seemed. Perhaps Emerath was just letting his frustration get to him at the lack of true progress. Regardless of what it was, Emerath was certain at this point that he just needed to take a break and walk away.

Emerath turned away from the rock and sat down on the ground cross legged. He had seen people meditate before, and he had never tried it himself. Perhaps it was something that would work for Emerath? Martial artists in real life were always meditating. It seemed to work for them, and Emerath could use any advantage he could get at this point.

Results:

• Rock: 12/50
• Emerath: Meditating.
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31337
• BD: 1 (Critical Failure) -2 EP

Emerath did everything he could to calm his mind. But all he wanted to do was get up and beat the rock into whatever counted as a bloody pulp for a rock. He tried to keep his mind on the meditation. He tried to keep his mind clear, but it didn't do much. Finally, Emerath jumped to his feet and decided to try the running kick that he had attempted earlier, mostly out of frustration. He threw himself at the rock, and the result was mostly the same. Both feet flying into the rock with no real damage, an achy rump, and wasted time.

Emerath crawled back to his meditation spot, in pain. He crossed his legs once more and attempted to meditate again. Perhaps the achy rump would make it easier to calm his mind.

Results:

• Rock: 12/50
• Emerath: Meditating (still).
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31338
• BD: 8 (Success) -1 EP

The meditation seemed to be working well for one thing. Emerath was certainly starting to feel relaxed. Almost sleepy. It wasn't long before Emerath found himself actually starting to fall asleep again. He snapped himself awake and forced himself to stand. Well, meditation may have worked a bit too well, he thought to himself as he turned to face the rock once more. He was feeling a bit sluggish from almost falling asleep, but he managed to get himself back to the rock, back into a combat stance, and began to make damaging strikes on the rock once more.

Results:

• Rock: 12/50 -> 11/50
• Emerath: Trying not to meditate to sleep.
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31340
• BD: 7 (Success) -1 EP

Emerath had seriously been pushing himself to make sure he could succeed. He was bound and determined to end this, no matter if he even started hurting himself to do so. He had been at this for so long that he was certain that it was the afternoon. And he had woken up at dusk. Strike after strike he just kept hammering away at the rock. Strike after strike nothing more than dents remained in the stone. Finally, Emerath focused his determination into his fist, and launched it forward into the rock, crying out, a bit out of desperation.

The fist slammed into the rock, and Emerath was shrouded in a cloud of dust once more. For a moment, he thought he had finally done it. That it was finally over. He looked at the rock, and while it wasn't as good as he could've hoped for, he saw that the crack in the rock had widened a bit. This gave Emerath hope. He was almost there.

Results:

• Rock: 11/50 -> 10/50
• Emerath: Excited that he finally made the crack bigger.
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31345
• BD: 4 (Failure) -2 EP

With a renewed vigor, Emerath began pushing his body to the absolute limit. He needed to finish this. He was so close it hurt. But then it literally started to hurt. Emerath's fists were being driven into the rock so furiously, past the point of actually being useful strikes rather than just constant strikes. No dents, no point. Just pure desperation. Emerath gave a frustrated grunt. Perhaps I shouldn't push myself that hard. I need to stay calm. I can do this if I just stay focused. Emerath just found that difficult, and continued to throw himself into the rock with little results.

Results:

• Rock: 10/50
• Emerath: Too excited for his own good.
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31346
• BD: 9 (Critical Success) +1 DMG -1 EP

Emerath was telling himself to stop throwing himself at the rock, but that wasn't entirely a good idea. When he had stopped throwing himself at the rock, he produced the same results as when he had been. Emerath just felt that he needed to apply himself as hard as he could at this point. If it was a quest, it was entirely possible that it got harder over time. So Emerath tried his best to keep up with it. He slammed his fists repeatedly into the rock, and while at first this achieved little results, Emerath finally started to see a difference. Splinters began to fly and dust filled the air as Emerath continued to hammer the rock.

Results:

• Rock: 10/50 -> 8/50
• Emerath: Persistence is now key.
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31347
• BD: 8 (Success) -1 EP

Dust was beginning to get into Emerath's eyes, and his fists were starting to feel the feedback of constant force being applied to them. But he would not stop. He must succeed. He must persist. He was close. The crack had widened, and he he could taste victory. Although, to be fair, that could have just been rock dust getting into his mouth. It was hard to be entirely sure when you were surrounded by rock dust and hammering your fists repeatedly into an immovable object in hopes that you could just, y'know, just snap it in half. He was beginning to come to the realization that whoever made this quest must have been mad. Then again, if it was the same guy who had trapped them in the game, that made entirely too much sense.

Results:

• Rock: 8/50 -> 7/50
• Emerath: Focusing is hard when your hands are being driven repeatedly into an immobile object.
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31349
• BD: 10 (Critical Success) +2 DMG -1 EP

Emerath was on the home stretch now, his fists pummeling the rock with little remorse at this point. It had been such a long journey. Yeah, that was one word for it. A journey. A mental and physical journey of rebuilding himself and finding a strength that he never would've thought he had. Emerath wanted this journey to end. He felt like a miner, digging with his fists rather than a pickaxe. Perhaps that's what he should've been, a miner. He wondered idly as he pounded the rock if when he finished he'd be able to find any crafting materials that he could use for alchemy. He was certain that this stone, as tough as it was, would be better used for something like blacksmithing. But hey, when a man is at the end of his wits, he can hope.

Results:

• Rock: 7/50 -> 4/50
• Emerath: More punches, more pummeling. More results.
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31350
• BD: 10 (Critical Success) +2 DMG -1 EP

Emerath could feel the power in his arms. He could feel it running through him with each strike. Even if it was fake video game power, it felt damn good. Harder and harder he struck, not letting up, pushing his body to the most severe limits. He could feel his hands throbbing. His breath came heavy and hard with each strike. He was certain that if this wasn't a video game his knuckles would be so incredibly bloody and probably scraped down to the bone at this point. But none of that mattered. He could feel the rock beginning to give way. Shifting beneath his strikes.

Results:

• Rock: 4/50 -> 1/50
• Emerath: It's almost over...
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31352
• BD: 3 (Failure) -2 EP

Emerath's body couldn't take it anymore. He had gone in for another strike, but suddenly his legs gave out from under him and his last punch fell short of actually doing any sort of damage. He crumpled to his knees in front of the rock, his body essentially telling him that he had done enough. Emerath looked up, heaving with every breath from the heavy strikes he had been performing. The crack was there. It was ready to split with just one more solid strike. He had driven into the rock with all his might. Emerath stared at it. His arms felt like noodles and his legs weren't much better. I need to stand up and finish this... I'm so close.

Results:

• Rock: 1/50
• Emerath: So close...
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31354
• BD: 4 (Failure) -2 EP

Emerath stared at the rock. He was almost willing it with his mind to just, crack. To just finish itself. He had felt it shift. He had felt the rock give way beneath his latest strike. Perhaps staring at it would be enough. But of course, that wasn't how this worked. Emerath would need to stand up again and finish this. He would need to draw up the last remaining dregs of his willpower and finish this rock. But no matter how deep he went into his reserves, he was spent. Emerath had come so far, and just fallen short. Sure, he could probably rest, sleep, or do whatever to recuperate himself and finish it later. But why go through all that when it was right there. It was so close. He just needed to stand up and throw one last punch...

Results:

• Rock: 1/50
• Emerath: Just needs one more...
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31355
• BD: 2 (Critical Failure) -2 EP

Emerath tried desperately to stand up. He slowly pushed his legs to make him rise from the ground. They screamed in agony with the effort, and Emerath almost gave a scream of his own from the soreness and the pain. He managed to make his way shakily to his feet. He stood there, his legs wobbling uncontrollably. If he could just lunge forward. If he could just tap the rock with a knuckle, it would end this. He just needed to will his body forward. He pushed his body forward, as he willed it, but rather than lunge forward at the rock to tap it, he fell flat on his chest, dust flying up around his body as it hit the ground. It's no use. I'm completely spent...

Results:

• Rock: 1/50
• Emerath: Can't even stand up.
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Emerath vs. Massive Rock

• ID: 31358
• BD: 9 (Critical Success) +1 DMG -1 EP

Emerath ran through his mind, cursing himself for a failure. This was not how it was supposed to go. He was supposed to succeed. Failure was not an option. Failure is not an option... he told himself, as he pushed himself up on his arms. He made his way to his hands and knees. Failure. Is not. An. Option. He willed himself to his feet. He refused to let himself fall this time. He would do this. He had to do this.

Emerath took a combat stance. As unsteady as it was, he managed to calm himself and still his body. He readied his fist. One more blow and it's over. Emerath focused all the remaining strength that he had left into his fist. Emerath closed his eyes. He could feel the power emanating from the strike he was about to deliver. He knew it was time.

As if activating a sword art, Emerath's fist began to glow, and in one fluid, beautiful motion, that glowing fist was sent forward. Time seemed to slow down as he came closer and closer to connection, before finally, the fist connected to the rock. There was a huge, reverberating sound that rang through the mountainside as contact was made, and Emerath could feel the power of the strike flowing not just through his body, but through the rock as well. But then, nothing happened.

For a moment, Emerath was afraid he had, in fact, failed. A brief panic ran through his mind, when there was a huge shudder. And suddenly, the rock split violently into two halves. The halves were jagged and rough, but the crack was there, clean through. Emerath's fist hovered between them. Emerath blinked. He almost couldn't believe it. Did I... did I do that? he asked himself, unsure of the answer for an instant. And then suddenly his legs gave way, and the world went black around him.

Results:

• Rock: 1/50 -> 0/50
• Emerath: Finally did it.
  • +1 EP Regen
  • EP: 0/4 -> 1/4 -> 0/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath

[Emerath 0]

Some time later, Emerath was awoken by someone spitting on his face. He opened his eyes to see the old man NPC hovering over him. Emerath sat up on his elbows, not entirely sure what was going on. "Did you... just spit on my face?" Emerath asked the old man as he felt the wetness on his face. The old man gave a laugh, "I sure did! Here, have a towel to clean it up." The old man thrust a towel at Emerath, and Emerath grabbed it, wiping at his face. When he felt his face again, he could feel that the paint was gone. "Saliva removes it?" Emerath asked, already knowing the answer. It was still confirmed by a nod from the old man, and Emerath gave a bit of a shudder. "That's utterly disgusting."

The old man gave a shrug, and then began to waddle back towards his house. "Good job on the rock," he said, as he waddled off. Emerath was confused. "Wait, is that it?" he called after the old man, "Am I a martial artist now?" The old man gave a heaving laugh as he stood by the side of his house. He laughed so hard that he had to put a hand on the house to support himself from doubling over. "No, the rock was the easy part." Emerath was stunned.

The old man pointed to his house, "This house is also a dojo. Now get yourself off the ground, and get into my dojo. I shall now begin formally training you in martial arts."

Additional Notes:

• +1 EP Regen
• 0/4 -> 1/4

Edited September 13, 2015 by Emerath