Lorelai listened to the visiting Imperial spy in dutiful silence, giving him the courtesy as a comrade in arms to say his piece in full before rendering judgement. A surge of anger masked behind the narrowing of her eyes arose at the sight of Axon's badge of office. Ironically, if Axon had arrived not ten minutes earlier Lorelai would have clapped him on the back and welcomed the man heartily, but in the light of recent plots that bore relation to his superior there could be no freely given trust here.
"Lady Eleanor has asked not to be disturbed in an official capacity, but on account of your credentials and the urgency of your business I'll make an exception. However you will not be afforded a private meeting with her, as my orders are to remain at her side until told otherwise by Lady Eleanor or the Imperator herself. Lady Eleanor is also among trusted company that will likely not be departing from her side in this matter." Lorelai turned and opened the chateau's main entrance once more and gesturing for Axon to follow as she returned to the dining hall with company in toe.
She had found it worth noting that he had arrived unarmed, but a self professed spy who would openly reveal himself was either capable enough to work without concealment or was hiding the metaphorical dagger in plain sight. Regardless of his intentions, Lorelai knew she had to bring him to Eleanor from the affiliation he bore Yggdrasil alone. It wasn't proof by any means that Axon was involved in Eleanor's capture, or even that he was aware of this to begin with, but he was worth hearing out.
And if he is indeed duplicitous and a coconspirator in her violation, then he will find himself in the company of four Imperials who will offer no mercy. Letting visions of the grim fate that will befall all traitors to the Imperator fuel her, the Abyssal Knight pushed the dining hall door open and ushered Axon inside before slamming it closed in his wake. "Forgive me for disturbing your meal, but I took the liberty of presuming that an envoy from Yggdrasil would be of interest to you, Lady Eleanor. Perhaps offering some insight into matters that concern the present company."
The Abyssal Knight sat in wide eyed amazement at being privy to so many astonishing and intimate secrets of Eleanor's. She was well aware this was directed towards Fei, being Eleanor's progeny and heir, and that Lorelai was only the help here. Invisible and unnoticed, hearing everything yet never speaking what rings through the hallowed halls they serve. This was fine for the Abyssal Knight, better to be present and invisible then never there at all.
While she would keep everything heard in the strictest of confidence, and Imperator only knew that she was beyond reproach in preserving Imperial interests, it didn't mean that Lorelai wouldn't be acting in the interest of Lady Eleanor and thus the Imperium at large. Lady Eleanor had expressed an interest in reconnecting with her sibling, and while Fai and Jessi may come across her on their travels, Lorelai would use her Imperial connections and scour any reports for a thief bearing a resemblance to Eleanor as well as the name 'Sol'.
A knocking at the door drew the attention of Lady Eleanor who promptly asked her handmaiden to dismiss them so she could continue her convalescence. A small smile formed on her face at being called 'dear' so casually. "Of course, Lady Eleanor. I will ensure the garrison does not disturb your leave. By your leave, milady."
Lorelai stood and bowed deeply to her idol before doing similar for Fai and Jessi, then taking her leave to address the knock at the chateau door. Two maids flanked the doorway, swords at their hips on Lorelai's insistence. Lax security was not something she would tolerate, even if she had to train the entire staff into a fighting force worthy of the Imperial Army. That they shared her respect for Lady Eleanor only made training the Crimson Militia all the more fulfilling.
Nodding in satisfaction at their poise and dedication, Lorelai continued onwards and opened the entranceway to find the other Imperial Agent. Luckily for the both of them she couldn't have heard his initial proclamation of allegiance or Lorelai may have been testy. "If you are from the garrison I must report that Lady Eleanor is on leave and will not be acting in an official capacity at this time. Otherwise please state your business and I will attempt to accommodate you to the best of my ability."
World of Wasted Dreams. If it were from anyone else under any other circumstance, I wouldn't be believing it, but the truth is right here before my every sense. Actual supernatural phenomenon revealing itself only to bite us all in the ass like some gorefest horror movie. Well King might have said this is the price for looking into the unknown, though the ichor and darkness makes me think of another horror author...
Katashi's darkening ruminations weren't without merit as he found Shizune staring off towards the door, everything falling into a dead silence. Before the motley group was an eerie figure that bore the appearance of orchestra violinist who suffered a nasty injury on the way to the evening's performance. Bile accumulated in Katashi's throat as his mind went through the mental gymnastics to connect the shredded arm to the bow string held in the other. As impossible as it sounded, the student knew that in such an alien local as they were that he could hold nothing he knew as an absolute certainty here. Even the basic necessities common in all living things weren't applicable in the World of Wasted Dreams, which would have spoken to the scale with which they were all imperiled if not for more pressing matters drawing their attention.
The creature acted in a mockery of human expression, drawing the bow along torn skin and muscle to produce that enchanting perversion of one of man's greatest forms of expression, it's music a grim dirge to foreshadow the fate that seemed to await those trapped in this dimension. Finding this further punctuated by the lashing of intestines around the other awakened boys' throats, lifting them from the floor and attempting to strangle the life from them while a deluge of blade-wielding dolls issued forth from the creature's chest.
Damn it I need to do something, any-
Spurred on by the frightened pleas of Anri, the savage will to survive in Alex, and flagrant disregard for school regulations on carrying concealed weapons at school in Jack, Katashi choose his course of action.
Grabbing the fallen chair he had been occupying before their dimensional transition by the backrest, Katashi dashed the few steps between him and Shizune who was still standing over the last student who had yet to awaken. With a surge of adrenalin emboldening him Katashi swung the chair horizontally, smashing away the closest dolls as far away as he could and preferably out the door. A wooden leg, seemingly loosened during the quake, flew off with the impact and sailed across the room, skidding along the floor before coincidentally coming to a rest near Yuriya.
"Shizune, how do we deal with this thing?!" Katashi barked out, voice terse as he stole himself to face more of the approaching dolls. Planting himself firmly before the occultist and the sleeping student with weapon raised for another sweeping blow, he endeavored to give the one person who had any experience and knowledge of this place and its inhabitants some breathing room. "If you've been here before you must have dealt with this or something like it. I'll try and keep these bastards back but you have to get us out of here before someone dies!"
Yukino set aside the cookies and brushed the crumbs from her dress. There were a few moments she felt compelled to look away in embarrassment at the antics of the Hero Brigade's senior members. The arrival of Yuna was dramatic enough, given she dragged in the cold, the incubator, and deadened whatever tension was building up by immediately being glomped by Akame. It was a rather fitting contrast to the Order's senior member's who entered solemnly or silently.
Honestly with the differences in temperament, Yukino would almost consider going to the Order, Erica seemed more her speed rather than the exuberant and affectionate Akame, but the differences in belief were too great for that. Beyond that, it wasn't like all the Hero Brigade was saccharine and it couldn't be said that all the Order was detached and reserved, Yukino looking at Ryuko and Yoshino in particular as exceptions to the rules.
Then the Contractor spoke the reason for their gathering in that succinct manner that could only be called typical of it. "Contractor, while we may all share a duty to hunt the Primordials, it seems that the two sides function best as...separate groups." Yukino's voice was soft, form seeming to shrink on itself amidst all the other magical girls of Miso city. "Not to say I wouldn't cooperate, most of the Hero Brigade would...It's that we all have done well as is. Is there really to be so many Primordials to require this?"
Yukino choose to focus her gaze on the Contractor, finding it easier to look at their benefactor then the others. Truthfully she wouldn't be against cooperation, but that would bring both sides into greater proximity and increase the chances for conflict amongst their members. While she wasn't an educated person, even Yukino could tell that people divided by an ideology could seldom come together for anything but bloodshed.
It's a commonly held belief that succeeding in DGO is like getting the Golden Ticket to the chocolate factory, guaranteeing success, good fortune, and ease in life. That being able to slay draconic Dissolutions and swing a sword or sling a spell in fantastical conflicts among bickering guilds will translate into something of value after one turns 18 and is thrust into the real world. Yet success in Deep Ground Online can't ensure that every person can live the life of luxury.
Kanbaru was born and raised by parents who were remarkably adept in DGO, addicted even. If asked they could have handled a fifty player raid with only ten, but when it came to managing their finances or keeping a home they were hopeless. From a young age, their daughter had the burden of making up for their deficiencies. Her mother could cook and clean, and her father held a nine to five job, but Kanbaru had to be the one to budget for food, painstakingly explain that credit cards didn't let you buy things without cost, and overall manage the family debts.
While it once may have been an excessive burden placed upon her shoulders, Kanbaru came to value the control she had over her life. She bore a disdain for the waxy eyed nostalgia that her family and many others bore for DGO, but played the game regardless when she came of age. While there was little real world value in fighting monsters, Kanbaru couldn't deny there was an appeal in playing the in-game markets to her advantage. She's since moved out of her home and into a room at Purple Crown Academy to get a decent education while securing her own autonomy.
Personality:
Enterprising and with a keen eye always open for new opportunity, Kanbaru is enamored with the pursuit of economic prosperity and stability. She is a remarkably agreeable person even in the company of people she dislikes, more concerned with maintaining bridges then the catharsis of expressing disgust. Capable of turning a blind eye to some distasteful acts if it benefits her in the long run, but acknowledges that ethical behavior can have value as well.
In terms of DGO, Broker of Fortune prefers to make her way through trading goods and services or working the farms of her guild's land. Doesn't have the interest in PvP that seems to consume others beyond seeing it as an opportunity to sell her services at a mint.
"You need someone to keep you alive, and I'm in need of more mats. Let's make a deal, shall we?"
Avatar Class: Rogue | Artificer
Avatar Title: Broker of Fortune
Avatar Level: 3
Avatar Guild: The Ivory Masks of the White King
Avatar Abilities:
Achieved
Lvl 1- Infusion: Broker of Fortune can apply the attributes of an item to a weapon she's in contact with, at the cost of that item. For example, applying a healing potion to a gun would make the bullet's restore health rather than do damage. Applying a bomb to a mace will make the next blow cause an explosion equivalent to the bomb's natural detonation force directed outwards from the mace. Passive Ability
Lvl 2- Disassembly: An attack via Broker's equipped weapon that does no direct damage to the target beyond stunning for 3 seconds. Upon hitting armor or weaponry they will be broken down into mats and left in a brown paper wrapped parcel on the ground. Anyone can claim this package and the loot, but assembly will be required. Does not work on structures like walls, siege weaponry, or vehicles. Active Ability | Cooldown: Five Minutes
Lvl 3- Overhaul: Broker of Fortune performs maintenance on nearby friendly weapons and weapon emplacements, receiving a 10% Damage increase for each of Broker of Fortune's current levels. IE, Lvl 1 = 10%. Lvl 3 = 30%. Lvl 9 = 50%. Active Skill | Duration: Five Minutes | Cooldown: 30 seconds
Unachieved
Lvl 6- \\ INSUFFICIENT LEVEL REACHED \\ Requisition: Broker of Fortune throws out an anchor-like hook on a line of wire. If used on an unaware enemy the anchor will steal whatever it catches on and reel it back to Broker. When the enemy is aware, Broker will either pull the target the back to her or be pulled to them. Functions like a grappling hook if used on the environment and pulls her along. Active Skill | Cooldown: 1 Minutes
Lvl 9- \\ INSUFFICIENT LEVEL REACHED \\ Terraform: Similar to infusion, but applied to the environment extending in a 100ft radius of Broker of Fortune. For example, Terraforming with a blade makes every surface have a cutting edge to it. A slime would cause everything to sink into a gelatinous earth. A Virgin's Soul causes the environment to be haunted by violent spirits consumed by regret. (Treat as Case-by-Case basis for GM review) Active Skill | Duration: 30 Minutes | Cooldown: 24 Hours
Avatar Feats:
Achieved
Lvl 3- Armor Piercing: Ranged attacks ignore 10% of defense.
Unachieved
Lvl 4- Combat Armor: Reduce melee damage taken by 20%.
Lvl 5- Sleight of Hand: Reload time for ranged weapons are halved. In addition, you may switch weapons instantaneously.
Lvl 6- Cripple: You attack your opponent in such a way that you broke something. Different targets will cause different effects: Legs will slow them down, arms will weaken their attacks, body will weaken their defense, and heads will lower their accuracy. You can only break a body part once until they are fully healed.
Lvl 7- Swift Slayer: Ground movement speed increased by 50%.
Lvl 8- Adaptive Ability / Soaring Slayer: Jump height and acrobatic ability in general is doubled.
Lvl 9- Master of Arms: Allows you to use any equipment regardless of class restrictions.
Weapon:
A single shot, high caliber handgun used primarily in conjunction with Infusion, but is a potent weapon in it's own right.
Other: While a member of the White Guild, is willing to work with anyone if properly motivated.
"You need someone to keep you alive, and I'm in need of more mats. Let's make a deal, shall we?"
Avatar Class: Healer | Surgeon
Avatar Title: Broker of Fortune
Avatar Level: 3
Avatar Guild: The Ivory Masks of the White King
Avatar Abilities:
Achieved
Lvl 1- Over Heal: A target of Over Heal will be restored 10% of their health via an infusion of nanites. Additionally, a hard-light barrier of durability equal to the health restored is generated over the target for 15 seconds or until the barrier is depleted. Active Ability | Duration: 15 seconds | Cooldown: 20 seconds
Lvl 2- Infusion: Broker of Fortune can apply the attributes of an item to a weapon she's in contact with, at the cost of that item. For example, applying a healing potion to a gun would make the bullet's restore health rather than do damage. Applying a bomb to a mace will make the next blow cause an explosion equivalent to the bomb's natural detonation force directed outwards from the mace. Passive Ability
Lvl 3- Life Anchors: Deploys a field around Broken of Fortune where up to 5 enemies that enter within 20 meters, regardless of obstruction, will instantly be connected to Broker of Fortune via a visible but intangible link. Each anchor transfers 15% of damage Broker of Fortune would normally suffer to the anchored target. The link can only be severed by leaving and remaining out of the effective range or for Bastion of Fortitude to die. If an anchored enemy dies, the anchor will shift to any other target in range up to 5 active anchors. Active Ability | Duration: 1 Minute | Cooldown: 4 Minutes
Unachieved
Lvl 6- \\ INSUFFICIENT LEVEL REACHED \\
Lvl 9- \\ INSUFFICIENT LEVEL REACHED \\
Avatar Feats:
Achieved
Lvl 3- Resurrection: Magic skill that lets you revive a dead ally after a five-second casting time. Has a ten-minute cooldown.
Unachieved
Lvl 4- Heal Pulse: Area-of-effect skill that heals all allies within a twenty-foot radius. One-second cast time, thirty-second cooldown.
Lvl 5- Equalize: The health of two targets decrease/increase based on the average amount of health they have.
Lvl 6- Regeneration: A passive skill that allows you to heal 5% of your health every minute during battle, and 20% of your health every minute outside of battle. Requires no mana.
Lvl 7- Barrier: A magic skill that at the cost of half the healer's current health, they can create a protective aura around someone for five minutes that halves all types of damage. Cool down of ten minutes.
Lvl 8- Savior: A magic skill that allows a healer to bless themselves or another player with a Savior, who will give the player 10% health regeneration per minute. Upon the player's death the Savior instantly resurrected the player blessed with the Savior to their maximum health, but the Savior is dismissed. One hour cool down.
Lvl 9- Deus es Machina: You become a mechanical juggernaut, automatically increasing your power and damage resistance by 20%. All cooldowns are cut in half (Before cooldown reductions apply).
Weapon:
A single shot, high caliber handgun used primarily in conjunction with Infusion, but is a potent weapon in it's own right.
Other: While a member of the White Guild, is willing to work with anyone if properly motivated.
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