Ryonara

Deep Ground Online (Hiatus)

SMITTEN KITTEN

On one hand, Smitten Kitten was glad this was a game. On the other hand, the little girl could feel the sheer malice coming from Corpse Collector when she turned the corner. Something about these Augmented Reality games really made everything more personal. Ever sound, every touch, every sight, it all feels real up until you log out. Even then there were times were Hibiki once dreamed she really was Smitten Kitten, and had no idea what this "reality" was. DGO was some people's life, and it certainly did a good job pretending to be. So when Corpse Collector arrived spewing death and threats Kitten was truly afraid. Even though she had planned for this, just seeing that mad woman charging right at her made Kitten weak in the knees and want to cry. But there was no time for tears. Now it was time for action.

"Devil Cat Ghost!"

Seconds before CC would have ran her over Smitten kitten turned ghostly and vanished. Instead of the satisfying sound of her body getting mangled underneath Corpse Collector's wheels, she would get a face-full of brickwall. And that wasn't even the worse of it: assuming that the full speed crash alone didn't kill Corpse Collector, Smitten Kitten materialized a safe distance away and detonated the explosives. Three high powered bombs went off right were Corpse Collector was. The explosions damaged the area greatly and caused all sorts of debris to go flying as deadly shrapnel, forcing Kitten to take cover behind another building. But even with that Kitten knew it may take more to deal with Corpse Collector: she was a hacker and no doubt had some way of surviving all of this. But with or without hacks, Smitten Kitten had one more trick up her sleeve: close-quarters combat.

Corpse Collector was far too reliant on her cheats and guns to win in a fight so if Kitten could keep her pinned than she could at least prevent Corpse Collector for taking another shot. This was never an option for Kitten before because she didn't know how to fight but after playing with Rampaging Tiger, Kitten learned a few tricks. So while the smoke was still thick Kitten dashed through looking for Corpse Collector. Once Kitten finds her, she'd knock away whatever weapons are near by and try pin her arms to the ground. She'd dig one of her knees right in the middle of Corpse Collector's upper arm, and use her other foot to step on Corpse Collector's other arm. With a claw at her throat, Smitten Kitten would be in a good position to finish off Corpse Collector. But first, Kitten had some questions to ask.

D&D 5e - Hoard of the Dragon Queen

All things considered, this was a slight step up. There was no way Parum was going to take on a dragon, but defeating one man? Slightly more believable. Granted anyone who could somehow curry the alliance of an adult dragon was not one to be trifled with. But killing one man was a simpler task than killing a dragon. That being said, they knew very little beyond that this man may be leading the group here. He was well guarded, and it was highly likely that the rank-and-file minions would know nothing of importance about him. They'd have to go after someone higher in the chain of command as the Mayor suggested, perhaps a strike leader of some sort.

But this wasn't what the mayor wanted to talk about. Apparently a priest had to barricade himself inside his temple during the attack with other refugees. Parum was about to ask what the relevance was until the mayor paused and looked at Kyra. "Of course." Parum wasn't exactly excited about running through these ruined buildings, but at the same time she knew that there wasn't any other option. They would be very fortunate if the these raiders would give them the courtesy of rest, but Parum was intelligent to know that may not be an option. At any moment they may strike again, so they must strike out first.

But Parum was out of spells. She had used what little magic she was capable of on the forces that attacked the sallyport and on the dragon itself. All she had left was cantrips. While some like Brannor or Orchid could make due simply slashing their way through the opposition, Parum had only her spells, her rapier, and perhaps one more instance of inspiration left within her. She'd have to use it carefully. But all the more reason they needed to do something now. If Parum was certain they could last the night she would have demanded that everyone rest, but she simply couldn't be certain. So stepping forward Parum spoke towards the group. "We should leave soon then. With any luck maybe we could recover our energy at the temple... Or at least find supplies while we're out."

Parum honestly doubted that the chapel had held out for this long, but if Kyra was suppose to be a low level initiate, then perhaps this Falconmoon is a higher level cleric. If nothing else, surely the temple would have something the group could use to help them fight off the bandits. Parum hated to think so callously as to raid a temple, but this was no time for idealistic heroics. Yes they needed to act now, but no sense in hoping for the least expected. So walking with the others to Escobert, Parum spoke their intentions. "They mayor says you know a secure way out of the fortress. We'll need to know more about it so we can go and check on the temple of Chauntea for survivors."

The Chronicles of Dosei: Sands of Blood, A Dungeons and Dragons Roleplay. (Reboot)(Full)

Parum

"For this kind of pay, I'm more worried about enemies in high places. If the guild is paying top coin for us to retrieve this treasure, who knows what others would pay to get it out of our hands. Places like Sapphire aren't known for being all peace and harmony. Regular business can be rather cutthroat, but once you throw in magic and influential forces like the guild, there's always more subterfuge at work than meets the eye. And that's not including Vivian's... Friends." Parum has seen conspiracies like this before, and engaged in a few herself. What appears to be a simple job turns out to be a key piece to a larger wheel in motion. That's why Parum cared little about the guild's reward to reap the benefits of the chalice herself: who knows what sort of powers were actually involved in all of this, and the halfling had no interest in being their pawn.

It was a risky game of course. If she makes the wrong turn then she'd end up with a big target on her back. BUt that's why she was here to make friends after all. Vivian mentioned being visited by someone, which did put Parum on edge. She didn't hear anything amiss. No doubt Vivian's guest was a magic user just like her, which made things all the more complicated. Parum was used to dealing with thieves, burglars, and assassins of the mundane sort, but mages threw a wrench into things. Conventional means to stop others wouldn't work on them, and no doubt if Vivian's guest could make a silent entry so could her enemies. "Viv, you're horrible at keeping a low profile. Barely a day out of the city and with us and you've already been found." Sighing, Parum took a puff from her pipe. She needed something to calm her nerves and figure out how to survive tonight without some drow assassin slicing her throat.

"Hmm... It may be in our best interest if we share rooms together. Watch each other's backs, keep watch tonight. We already know someone is after Viv, so I think she's the one we need to worry most about."

The Chronicles of Dosei: Sands of Blood, A Dungeons and Dragons Roleplay. (Reboot)(Full)

Sorry for the silence. I'll try to post sometime tomorrow.

D&D 5e - Hoard of the Dragon Queen

I think making a run for the Chapel would be best. IC Parum would want to stay in the relative safety of the fortress, but she slowly she does realize staying there will only make them sitting ducks. If they could somehow reach any survivors outside the fortress and remain relatively hidden, they could possibly use the situation to their advantage the next time the invaders attack. They'd be so focused on beseiging the fortress that they could lead a fighting force to hit them from behind, or at the very least strike them when they least expect it.

Sneaking to the place would be the hard part, but being a light-foot halfling, Parum is pretty good at staying out of sight. I certainly know that she can use her Minor Illusion to turn into something inconspicuous, such as a barrel. If everyone else wasn't such bigguns she could try to do the same for everyone, but alas.

Heroes of Beacon - the Next Chapter

That sounds fine with me @Crimmy.

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

Meirin Kurenai

Some time passed and now the baron of Sanguine had arrived, giving a big speech about his child and thanking everyone for coming. Meirin didn't really give much thought about vampires giving birth; she was vaguely aware of their existence thanks to living in Djarkel but she's never met one until she's been at the college. She was never aware that they couldn't give birth to their own children, but she at least understood that for such a highly esteemed baron, a son would be important regardless. Of course right after his introduction everyone went back to business, but also made sure to visit the baron and congratulate him for the child. Obviously the College students would be doing the same.

Ssarak managed to get to the baron first and spoke. He gave his compliments about the college and mentioned Lucilia, which were safe things to say. Meirin was never one for politics, but Djarkel was her home and she had some ideas about how it ran. While many would say that Djarkel is selfish and their barons were self-centered, personal strength was highly valued, as strong individuals can make strong organizations. Leaving Ssarak up there alone, even if he was best suited for all this talking, would look badly on them because it would imply that the rest weren't skilled at diplomacy. So Meirin soon joined Ssarak at his side, bowing at the Baron before introducing herself.

"The college continues to challenge us everyday. Every victory feels like a true accomplishment, and the college always finds a way to reveal more potential within ourselves. They have their enemies and they face problems as well, but they are steadfast and find solutions. Though I'm glad to be back in my home country, even if I cannot stay. I hope one day what I learn at the college would give me the skills I need to make Djarkel prosperous." Meirin's words almost felt bitter in her mouth as she was no Djarkel patriot, but like Ssarak these words were safe to say, as they weren't lies either. She did intend to use the knowledge she learns at the college so that one day, she may return to the monastery and bring her teachings to them as well. She didn't care about the rest of Djarkel.

Myrn Vaan’Atisha

This man felt hollow and fabricated. Myrn wasn't sure herself how she managed to stick through it for so long. He seemed so... Narrow minded. A few of Myrn's fellow students are whisked away and he just gives them a tour of the city? Showing them all the "glories" their new crazed emperor has made? He doesn't even try to hide the travesties they've committed. When they reached the arena Myrn wasn't exactly eager. Admittedly she's been involved in some blood sport before, but despite what most people think were slaves, criminals on trial, or even desperate. Many of them were skilled warriors with loose morals. Myrn was once one of them. But after seeing everything in Yarosmere, Myrn just couldn't feel very impressed at seeing this "Immortal One" fight for the amusement of the blood thirsty citizens.

"Panem et Circenses..." Myrn whispered to herself. It was an old saying she learned from one of her teachers: how people would willingly sacrifice their humanity and decency for the sake of meeting simple things like food and entertainment. As long as the new government catered to the base desire of the masses, it's population would overlook these travesties. Indeed, whatever rebel cell was active in Yarosmere would be fighting and uphill battle. They certainly need help, and Myrn was trying to devise a way to do that. This talk of the palace piqued her interest.

"The royal palace? Does the prophet stay there, or does he have his own building?"

Heroes of Beacon - the Next Chapter

I should find something for Yue to do.

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

It's been a while. I'll try to get a post for Myrn an Meirin when I get back home.

The War of the Three

Hibiki & Shizuka

Shizuka made it up to Hohenheim's room at last, shortly after Bonesword. She knew that at this point the angels had won: she saw their battleground before and couldn’t imagine what they faced. However Shizuka was certain that Hibiki did, and sure enough her sister was standing by Hohenheim's side, stoic and graceful. ”Shizuka.” The blue-haired maid stood as still as stone. She could tell in Hibiki’s voice that she was disappointed and Shizuka knew why. Stuttering Shizuka tried to speak but she was cut off by Hibiki, her words as sharp as a blade.

”You’re too soft Shizuka. That humility will kill you one day. The whole reason I stayed up here was so I could see what you could do. But instead you wasted precious time trying to free the others so they could save you.” These words hurt Shizuka deeply. She would have never had made it this far if she didn’t work alongside Hibiki. As if reading her mind, Hibiki spoke again. ”You’ve grown too dependant on others, or being someone’s support. Did you not lift the restrictions so I wouldn’t have to worry about you? So you’d be an independant warrior?”

Shizuka wanted to get a word in and interrupted Hibiki. ”You don’t think I could have seriously taken on both the angels and demons alone, do you? We’ve always worked in teams sis, a-and I was just falling back to my training-” ”Excuses. I did not give you my equipment so you could face them head on. This mission doesn’t require us to take on any of our enemies, just reaching Hohenheim. You could have activated the cloak the moment you got into the room and flew right into an elevator. Even on the next level you weren’t required to fight any of Hohenheim’s monsters, and you could have just used the drones to repair any damage to their tanks if they were about to break free. Even the last guardian wasn’t an enemy you needed to fight, just avoid. Never once did you have to rely on anyone or fight anyone. You made that choice. And you choose poorly.”

The spirit was nearly heart-broken. Why was her sister being so cruel? What did Hohenheim do to Hibiki? An anger welled up inside her as Shizuka glared at Hohenheim, but Hibiki intercepted her gaze as she walked up to Shizuka and made her look into Hibiki’s eyes. ”You have no one to blame but yourself Shizuka. When we get back home we will need extensive training.” Leaning closer to her sister Hibiki whispered into her ear. ”You’re too sweet, sis. One day I won’t be able to keep up with you. You need to be stronger. Stronger than me.”

Frozen, Shizuka wasn’t sure how to react to Hibiki’s words. They were harsh, but she was giving Shizuka much needed critiquing. Shizuka didn’t want to be the harden person Hibiki was suggesting however. She was fighting to save lives, not to throw more away. But looking at her sister Shizuka knew that being able to ignore the humanity in others and see them only as either an enemy or an asset was exactly what Hibiki wanted Shizuka to be able to do. Normally she never had to do that before because she had Hibiki made those sort of hard decisions for her. Funny how easily Shizuka could accept these things when Hibiki was the one doing it. But Shizuka still needed time to process all of this and come to a decision. Taking her silence as acceptance Hibiki stood by her sister’s side and bowed towards Hohenheim.

”Thank you for being a gracious host, Master Hohenheim. With your permission I wish to return to the Machina of Men and continue to serve them.” Of course Hibiki was going to do that regardless if Hohenheim allowed her or not, but it was a courtesy for Hibiki to ask anyways. The fact that she hasn’t been tortured or overtly harassed by the alchemist was something Hibiki was grateful for.

As the two waited for Hohenheim’s reply Shizuka blurted out. ”Ho-Hohen, I mean, Master Hohenheim.” Shizuka retracted the helmet around her head to reveal her face, which was exactly like Hibiki’s but with blue hair. She dared not to look directly at the alchemist knowing that she was overstepping her lines trying to ask Hohenheim something. Like Bonesword, Shizuka wasn’t the first to arrive and frankly only made it as far as she did thanks to everyone else helping her. But taking Hibiki’s words to heart, Shizuka wanted to get stronger. By any means nessisary.

”I know it is… Presumptuous for me to ask you of this… But I want to become stronger. I failed to meet your challenge because of my own weakness, but if you could somehow unlock my strength, I will be indebted to you.” Shizuka stood up straight but looked directly ahead, not quite staring at Hohenheim but having her within eyesight. Hibiki stood next to her sister, the both of them still as stone. They both feared for the same thing: that Shizuka was asking for something she doesn’t deserve, and paying for it with something she can’t afford. If there was one thing that both the sisters knew, it was that making deals with any higher power, be it angels, demons, or machines, can and will end badly. And Hohenheim was a wild card of her own class.

@KoL