Thinslayer

S E C O N D C H A N C E S (An Isekai Adventure)

@Dark Cloud I think Zool put it succinctly. To put my own (long-winded) spin on it, limiting your activity would cause everyone to lose more than we gain. Certainly, it would clean up the chat logs a bit and allow other voices a little bit more "volume" when they speak, but controlling that would require crippling a personality trait that leads you to be active frequently, respond frequently, and converse for longer. I like those benefits a lot better than cleaner chat logs. In short, it's more lively that way, and I'd rather work with or around it than limit it. So like Zool said, you're good, buddy. ;)

I do know the feeling, though. When I get the Writing Itch and don't have an outlet for it, I start talking everyone's head off, and then wonder whether I'm annoying everyone with how much I'm talking. You're not alone in having that sort of anxiety.

S E C O N D C H A N C E S (An Isekai Adventure)

@Zool That makes sense. In a way, I think they both have a point - on the one hand, you can't save anybody if you're dead; and sometimes there's an opportunity cost in that you save fewer lives through one choice than you could have saved if you made better choice. On the other hand, the whole point of being a hero is giving reason the middle finger and saying, "Why can't we have both?" I'm gonna save these lives and I'm not gonna sacrifice any opportunity cost, because I'm strong enough to pull it off.

It'll be fun to watch MacKenzie grow. :)

S E C O N D C H A N C E S (An Isekai Adventure)

@Dark Cloud That's not really how I'd describe writing that is able to convey information through the nuances of word choice, sentence structure, and reading flow. I don't think it sucks. Is there anything in particular you're struggling with? I know a few writing tips I can share.

S E C O N D C H A N C E S (An Isekai Adventure)

@Zool Do you suppose MacKenzie is, perhaps, arguing herself as much as she is Yakeru? It sounds like she wants to save the world as much as Yakeru does, but is trying to persuade herself that they can't do that for this city. Or maybe I'm reading too much into it? :P

S E C O N D C H A N C E S (An Isekai Adventure)

@Zool Whoa. You're good at writing action. That was intense.

S E C O N D C H A N C E S (An Isekai Adventure)

@Scarifar
Almost right on cue, they came across a wooden loot chest hidden around a corner. Teleus kicked it open to reveal a pile of copper coins and a bronze sword. "I think it's more accurate to say the money follows you, Afki. I never get this lucky until I join your party. You're like a living lucky charm or something." He distributed the loot among himself, Afki, and their other 10 companions before moving on.

"Still," he murmured, "I wish we could be getting loot from the monsters. Spider eyes and Manticore tails fetch high prices among alchemists these days. It's odd that there's not a single monster in sight here. Did they move out or something? There's no blood anywhere either..."

As they walked, the light from the torch began to scatter, indicating they'd reached the Quartz Road. Teleus and the others had to lower their torches so they could better see the path, because it became a precipitous drop on either side. All around them, the torch light scattered into pink and purple rays off the glowing crystal rocks. Spear-like stalactites hung from the ceiling overhead, and stalagmites sprung from the walls in the abyss below. The place rather resembled a deathtrap disguised as a natural wonder.

Supposedly, the Formic Tribe could be found just off the branching path. They sent a scout to run ahead of them to check and see if their disposition was favorable. He returned later than they anticipated.

"Guys, you have to come see this."

When they stepped past the tribal gates into the city, the entire place was empty. From the largest dwelling to the smallest hole, it was totally, thoroughly empty from top to bottom. The millions of Formics that once lived here...weren't.

The party stood in silence as they drank it all in.

"Well, at least there's no one guarding their loot anymore," Teleus remarked at length. "Want to explore and see what we find, Afki?"

S E C O N D C H A N C E S (An Isekai Adventure)

Possible timeline of party dialogue

Dexter to MacKenzie: "Thank you for not leaving me behind, pretty lady. I mean your uh-your a very nice per-uh..."

MacKenzie to Dexter: "Thank you, Dexter. I'm glad you came with us. We won't let anyone hurt you, okay?"

Dexter to MacKenzie: "Do not co-"

Jared arrives and converses briefly with Dexter.

David to Yakeru: "Yea, Its gonna be ok buddy. Were gonna get out of here."

Yakeru to David: "I'm...fine. Thank you. I...do not know what came over me back there. I'm...sorry."

David to Robert: "I'm assuming those two were the bad guys, I think the giant sword and evil hood made it obvious. I didn't even her move, she was behind Yakeru almost instantly. The Witch....something about her. I couldn't even find the will to draw my weapon on her."

Robert: "Oh that seems like her alright. Every appearance of hers is mysterious, spooky and often accompanied with bloodshed, so it gives that aura. I do believe that's what she wants to be seen as. The first time I was unfamiliar, it was icy dicey. Now it just looks edgy. I believe I owe a formal explanation. I am Robert James Avant. I live down that road, a few cemeteries away, near a village. Local people know me as the man who outsource magic jobs to rocks and planks. But I digress. Now, I know you have been confused, and rightly so. Let's take a walk to my house, and on our trip, I will be taking all your hearty questions till sundown. Then, a man's gotta eat. It's fish night."

Yakeru to Robert: "I am...Yakeru. We were lucky that you woke us up mr. Avant. Hm questions? Oh good. I think we have plenty of questions for you. For example, where are we exactly, how did we get here and above all why did we really get here?"

MacKenzie to Robert: "Who is left to oppose the Witch and her army? What do their chances look like?"

Robert: "How you get to this world of Xadia is beyond me. The mechanics behind world transfer is not something we've fully explored, but I've met some people like you. They can only describe the experience as an unpleasant yank. But for why? Let's just say that you are some of the sharpest individuals that the world needed. I read the contract. The Emperor wants you to be awakened, and I did. Who is the Emperor? He's the so-called ruler of a Human Empire, but not really, because I rejected his rule and lived by myself."

Dexter: "I for one think that bitch needs to be knocked down a few pegs, I'll oppose her and fuck serving an aristocracy. I'll help you mister Robert, I may not look strong but I know how to use my hands and my head."

Jared: "I agree with the little guy. I am at your service."

David: "So, were in a situation where the bad guy pretty much one. I don't know if you noticed, but the bitch has a 7 foot tall woman with sword that could probably cut through a damn horse. So it will be a good idea how much a difference we can make! Ok, lets just try and relax now ok? We all had long evening. But, I may think your a asshole Robert, I rather help you. I don't know who or even what The Witch is, and we might end up dying. I just want to know I'm fighting for what's right is all. So, I'll help you. You can take this till we get you a proper weapon Dex. Alright, looks like we have a team here. After we rest up, we should find out everything we need to know about The Witch. Who and what is she really."

S E C O N D C H A N C E S (An Isekai Adventure)

Oh, @Scarifar! Does that introduction work for you? I have Afki figured for an adventurer of sorts.

S E C O N D C H A N C E S (An Isekai Adventure)

@Zerofighter@Scarifar@Rabidporcupine@TheFox@Zool@Dark Cloud@Conscripts
All right, I gotta fix this. Who's still confused about the chronology?

And yes, we have two alternate means of communication: Discord and Chatzy. The links are in the 0th OOC post.

S E C O N D C H A N C E S (An Isekai Adventure)

@Zool
The party of reincarnations just left the city, and were a short ways away when the gobgirl's bombs went off. If someone in the party decided to head back right now, they'd probably arrive just in time to accompany Chatak to see the Witch.

Most of the Discord/Chatzy stuff is hammering out wrinkles in the plot and lore. Any important plans will, I think, eventually get relayed to the OOC.