TheWendil

High Ground Online

Psych Gudanko’s drone zipped and hovered away from the line of fire, making sure to get only the best angles and most dynamic of shots. After all, the focus was purely on the other players who competed, but her commentary was welcome too. That logic dictated she didn’t shut up for a single moment. Her drone spewed out her voice loud and clear with the riveting commentary. Judging by all the messages she was getting for the livestream, it was appreciated.

“And there goes another one down!” she said when the sniper near Black Cat got himself clonked in the head. “But wait, there’s the Blue Deputy going in for a stunning maneuver and-oh no, the boss doesn’t give a shit at all! Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a real lady killer out here!” True to her word, the boss sent forth another wave of drones before a great digital light from the sky beamed down to engulf both the boss and Saffron Star. “Woah, woaahaah!”

Gudanko’s drone swiveled further away from the light show, the power of the beam nearly drawing it into the direct conflict. “Our valiant players have survived another round, but for how long? And how much violence will they spread on the pavement, ahah!” The drone was still trained on the frontlines before suddenly turning around and flying over towards a certain duo.

“It looks like even in these pestilent times, love blooms on the battlefield. How cutsey, how sweet, how…uncalled for. But the people love that lovey shit so keep on going!” Evidently, her drone was pointed at Black Cat and Pestilent Emerald, the Yellow Deputy. “The votes are in and we’ve already got a runner-up for best ship in the game! The crowd wants a cheer and a kiss!”

Whether or not there were actual requests for one or Gudanko just wanted spicy footage was hard to tell, but it was probably the latter. Her drone was focused only by the whims of its driver and as soon as something juicier propped up, it hurled itself in that direction. This time it was trained on Graphite Daze, the player drawing all aggro from the boss on her.

“And in a bold declaration only to be expected by the Scarlet Scourgers, Graphite Daze makes a badass statement! All three colored Deputies are on the field, but can they survive? Ahaha!” Gudanko’s voice screeched, camera drone right in Graphite Daze’s face.

---

The Spirit War Chronicles

Are we allowed to only play as Spirits, @Undying Curiosity.

I Might As Well Make One of These

Pepper Rockwell

Name
Pepper Rockwell

Birthday
10/31/2000

Age
19

School
Mountain View High School Graduate

Neighborhood
The Suburbs

Occupation
Green Bay Cinema

Personality
Pepper is a notorious slob when it comes to most things in life, especially her job. If something is due or needed, one can bet she’ll have it done at least two days after the fact. It’s almost as if she does it on purpose sometimes, though she swears she doesn’t. If anything, Pepper is just naturally lethargic and thus, not too caring for many people’s problems. To some, she’s seen as a mellow source of laxness and someone to confide to because of that.

But that’s neither here nor there as far as she’s concerned. There’s very few topics Pepper is actually passionate about but one of them is plainly evident in Green Bay Cinema despite her lack of a work ethic. For better or worse, she’ll gladly proclaim the theater to be the best in town-probably the only one too-and isn’t above shutting down other’s opinions on the matter. Because of that, she’s gained a local nickname for herself: Green Bay Hound.

It’s probably why the theater keeps her hired despite her behavior.

Short Bio
With how laid-back she is now, it’s hard to remember there was once a time Pepper was a vicious delinquent. Her early life was basic enough, nothing too special. It was only during her high school years that she began to act out. Whether it be from teenage rebellion or some other purpose, she was notorious in unsightly behavior, specially with a focus in sneaking into movie theaters. Naturally, the Green Bay Cinema was her constant hunting ground.

It began with small-time acts; stealing some candy here, taking a few extra drinks there. Her actions gradually became worse and worse. Pepper would often pay for a single ticket-sometimes not at all-and spend the rest of the day hopping between screen rooms to view a whole day’s worth of films. There were very few times she was caught but of those that she was, the punishments and warnings grew severe, enough to just hover over actual legal action.

When questioned why she kept coming back to the theater, she responded simply that she liked the place and the films they showed. As childish as an answer that was, Green Bay Cinema took the opportunity to offer her a job instead of pursuing serious legality consequences. Initially wary of the proposal, the deal quickly settled through and before she knew it, Pepper had been working at the Green Bay Cinema for the rest of her high school career.

Nowadays she still works there, having graduated from Mountain View High School. Why bother with attending university when she had an assured and stable enough job already? Thus, she now works full-time at the Green Bay Cinema doing odd jobs and whatever else the staff need her for. Granted, she’s not the perfect employee but her enthusiasm and support of the theater are enough to keep her among the staff. Plus, it’s free marketing through her.

RPs Featured In: Emerald City, Deepest Abyss

Tower of Fable

---

Meanwhile, the two separated members of the Black Pentacle were well off and on their way northwards. Despite the mountain ranges that loomed in the distance, only harsh weather and arid atmospheres would meet the two and their plus one. Little to their knowledge, they were heading to the further regions from the Imperium’s territory and into the outer rims where crime and villainy were yet untouched by imperial might: Exilia.

Lucky for them, they hadn’t quite entered the badlands territory meant for exiles and other criminals. There was still much greenery to get past from the outskirts of Rivenwood but both girls would notice the ground underfoot become course and dry with occasional patches of sand. That wasn’t even mentioning the fate of their plus one, who, in their time of traveling, eventually woke up. He was a great many miles away from his initial landing spot by now and whether that was good news for him or not remained to be seen.

Unluckily for the female duo, they were being watched. Neither of them could guess the apprehensive tensions between the Imperium and the common folk they ruled over; how could they, when Rivenwood’s inhabitants were docile and meek? Even so, there were many among the shattered world who felt no satisfaction to the way things were run and as such, rebellion often followed. One of this very nature spied Kanbaru and Rose from below a great tree up high.

“Oh hey, that looks like Chen,” the woman said to herself, blade hoisted up and resting against her shoulder. When the two were just beneath her perched spot, she jumped down to land before them in dramatic flair. “Sup. Hey, you two aren’t imperials, are you? Kind of looks like you are when you’re lugging around a half-conscious rebel, y’know?” said Solanne, the Crimson Hound with a suspicious smirk.

---

Tower of Fable

---

To say the White Masks drew attention in the tavern was an understatement. A good number of the individuals gathered gave a glance or two but that was to be expected when newbies were abound, especially those as young as this lot. Much like Maria, they all wore similar clothes with etches of red stained on their dark garbs. It could be inferred they too were hunters much the same as Maria, though what their prey was, only she would answer.

All the same, not one dared to encroach at their able, let alone approach when Maria was sitting front and center. Instead, they went back to their food and drink or for some, their weapons. Assuming Maria’s request would be granted by the White Masks, they would have little time to waste. No doubt the huntress prepared for a hasty start towards their goal, an establishment located well off and away from the rundown town and into the darker half of the world.

Rumor spoke of a chateau in the far countryside that housed the more than unnatural horrors of this world and where blood flowed freely like ebbed rivers. Of course, Maria was free to choose if she’d let the White Masks know that bit about the danger. Her ride was waiting for them outside whenever they chose to begin their task. It was a chariot that reeked of rotten wood and stood still just at the tavern’s entrance.

A withered, hooded form sat at the very top, reins held in both hands to control the tempered creature pulling the transport. It resembled a horse more than anything else, though both sides seemed nearly identical to each other. It was difficult to say what was…off about the creature, but it was as if someone had taken two sides of a horse and stitched them together, at least in the face. Body-wise, the creature had both pairs of hooves, eight legs in total sprouted from its larger than life frame.

Much like its master, the “horse” waited patiently for Maria to emerge. Whether she would come out with prey or allies was up to her to decide. Anyone who came too close to the wagon that wasn’t permitted were harshly hissed at by grating teeth, the two halves of the “horse” whinnying loudly and putting up a fit. Therefor, not many tried to get too comfortable with the chariot waiting around, going out of their way to walk around the rider and the beast.

---

Tower of Fable

@floodtalon

Accepted as far as I can see.

High Ground Online

@Gardevoiran

I see no problems so she's fine by me.

High Ground Online

_{"The first blood is the thinnest."
[ ♫ ]}

The world rocked to and fro, shaken by the gathered players who so dedicated their lives to the skill of their craft. It was late evening, almost completely nighttime for the residents of Neo Miso. But to the devoted players of High Ground Online, the darkness under the cover of night meant little when there lay Dungeons to conquer and Bosses to decimate.

One such fight was occurring around the outskirts of the main city’s central hub, just past the schools and in one of Neo Miso’s most prevalent parks; Bunkuko District. Despite being as massive and illustrious of a city as it was, word traveled disturbingly fast in Neo Miso’s streets. And so, when rumor came of an elusive demon-like Unival appearing as a Raid Boss in the Bunkuko District, it was only natural that HGO players would flock on over.

Needless to say, the Boss was no pushover, giving the lucky and brave few who dared to challenge him more than they bargained for. Indeed, the park’s roads lit with an almost neon-like fire as digital debris and heralded destruction signified the Boss’ attacks. For the players of HGO, it could almost be acquainted to the end of days; or at least, the end of a good Raid. Sooner or later, all would fall before the blade. It was only a matter of time.

Until that happened however, those gathered would fight on and persist. Fate had brought together faces from the different Factions of the Colored Guild. Though as one might have expected, there was no sign of the Faction Leaders. It was probably for the best; the arrival of such high-ranked players would have no doubt discouraged the lower-levels to even show up. All the better for the eager Boss to heighten his attacks.

“Holy shit, it’s not looking good for our valiant raiders, folks! The Raid Boss just pulled out another Desperation Move and isn’t going down without a scratch!” The manic voice echoed from a small drone that hovered and zipped around the battlefield. Everyone knew the voice behind it, let alone the face displayed via a hologram. Psych Gudanko was well-known for covering live footage of player adventures and even now, a good majority of the game’s audience were tuning into her report as the Raid Boss was battled.

The drone skimmed and hovered, avoiding whatever attacks the Raid Boss threw at the mismatched party. All the same, it captured only the best angles and the most revealing of shots as its operator nearly slobbered over all the good footage she was capturing. And given the viewership number was rising by the moment, Psych Gudanko was ready to pass out in bliss. “Oh dear, oh dear, oh ho, whatever will our brave players do?!? Eheheeh~!” she panted against her mic, voice booming with the moving images livestreamed to the entire HGO world.

High Ground Online

_{"The world changes, but never learns."
[ ♫ ]}

Seventy years. Seventy years, give or take, was all it took for the world to move on as all things should. The long shadow cast by Deep Ground Online has finally faded into obscurity, a blotched mark on the history of humanity. With it came greater understanding and humility and seventy years later, the world advanced. Technology flourishes in abundance now that the World Government has since disbanded in decades. The world returns once again to a familiar system, one that placates independence without the reliance of virtual reality.

All the same, the leisure of games is still universal, and the youth are as restless as always. In commemoration of a long line of success, a spiritual successor to the once infamous game has been released and marketed. Its name is High Ground Online; HGO. While some may find it in poor taste, the recollections of what is now known as the Deep Ground Incident has long since faded into unconscious memory. The world promises to be better, as it should.

And so, the mantle falls onto a new generation. HGO promises to utilize virtual simulation technology in a massive ARG that promises realism and depth unlike anything ever seen before. Some things never change though; while the game is just barely racing to release worldwide, it has already been almost a year since its integration into Japan. Within the confines of Neo Miso, those who’ve become enamored in the game praise it of its intricate gameplay and high-stakes action.

Even so, there are sins to be atoned. The world cannot run away from its past crimes so easily. As a new chapter dawns upon those few of the digital world, the lines between reality and simulation become lost and blurred beyond perception. What will you do when the time comes to separate the two? The possibilities are limitless, and the future of gaming awaits. At what cost, who can say for sure.

Welcome to High Ground Online.

Event Log

• First Blood

Tower of Fable

---

“Mystery Lady?” The cloaked woman looked around to see who Rose was talking to. As she did so, she noticed a blue-haired girl walking up to them and offering a hand to the downed adventurer. So that must have been a companion then. All the same, it took the “Mysterious Lady” a long while before she looked down on herself. Realization kicked in and she nearly facepalmed were it not for the hood. “Oh, I see. Ah, that would confuse people now wouldn’t it? Then allow me….”

With a theatric arm sweep, the woman cast aside her dark coat to the far winds. The clothing dissipated with a soft green hue as the figure beneath was finally revealed. Most of the villagers didn’t bother to look as usual. Magic and whatnot were commonplace in this shattered world and Rivenwood was a gathering hole for weirdos anyway. All the same, some of them did gaze in awe at the woman’s more…magical assets.

“….to introduce myself! There’s no need to fret dears. I should be the one apologizing for my grouchy tone earlier when clearly you two are simple adventurers on a grand quest,” the woman cheered. Seeing Rose and Kanbaru together, she locked eyes with the bluenette for a moment. There was a stench unbeknownst to Kanbaru clinging to her form, a scent of trouble that the woman was too familiar with. But she paid little heed in acknowledging it.

“The name’s Bella, dears. And your names would be…?” Bella leaned in expectedly, not going to be satisfied until a proper introduction was given. And once it was, she continued with, “Such brave ladies you are. Your outfits tell me you’re ready to explore the worlds, no?” Worlds? That was an interesting way to put it. What was even more interesting was how Bella looked at Rose now with a small smirk. “You need to be prepared when traveling. Is that why you stole my card~?”

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