In 2022, a Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) called Sword Art Online (SAO) is released. With the NerveGear, a helmet that stimulates the user's five senses via their brain, players can experience and control their in-game characters with their minds. On November 6, 10,000 players log into the SAO's mainframe cyberspace for the first time and discover that they are unable to log-out. They quickly discover from Akihiko Kayaba, the creator of SAO and NerveGear, they must reach the 100th floor of the game's castle and defeat the final boss if they wish to be free. Those who suffer in-game destruction or remove the NerveGear out-of-game will result in their real-life deaths.
While the main focus of the game is dominated entirely by the front line players, this adventure focuses on those who do not bask in the spotlight. They are shadows to the world but heroes in their own special ways.
We are trapped here, that is without question, but we overcome our fears and rise above it. Every step forward, every monster slain, every player helped, and every item crafted, is spit in the eyes of Akihiko Kayaba. Earn your right to stand in the survivors circle as you quest alongside your fellow players and dive into the treacherous dungeons along your way up. Progression is not limited solely to the front lines!
------------------
In this RP, we clearly take the focus off the glamour of being saviors of the Front Line (though you can if you want to be. Just no interactions with the 'main characters')
There are large open areas to explore just like in the game, though I have not mapped out any of them. We are keeping very loosely to the set names of SAO towns since few of them were established or talked about on every single floor.
------------------------------
Leveling up: Levels are normalized. With 100 floors, the top players could likely reach an astounding 200+ levels as none were ever really established. For the sake of this RP I say that your level should be quite low considering how it must stretch out. (Maybe two levels a FLOOR, if we're lucky.)
The first two floors are rich in levels, allowing players to get up to level 20 before leaving the very first stage. Establishing skills and builds is crucial in that time so be prepared.
Every consecutive floor you beat after that can give you anywhere from 1 - 3 levels. Entirely up to you (Do not go crazy here.)
------------------------------
Items: This is pretty straight forward but lets establish it anyways.
PURPLE - Legendary item - This need not be a weapon or armor. Rings, necklaces, trinkets, armor flair, anything you can think of could be a purple quality item that gives stat bonuses or even bonus effects to attacks.
BLUE - Rare item - Rare items are not as hard to find as a legendary purple. These are unique items entirely, thus the difference. Rare items often give one-time uses ranging from a dramatic boost in damage for a short time, to reviving a dead player entirely!
Green - Set Item - Many items in the game are designed to be similar in appearance. But Green texted items are part of a set, an exclusive item series that grant bonuses depending on how many pieces. In some cases it is likely that a player with a strong level 20 set could be as strong as a player with equipment up to level 40. The odds of getting a set without trading for one are very slim, however.
Gold - Gold item - This is the 'advanced' version of a regular white item. Uncommon to find but not rare at all, these items are the backbone of any worthy player. Gold items always have higher base stats and a bonus to a random property on the item.
White - Basic item - Every trash mob you fight can drop a white, which can have a meager +skill attached but never anything substantial or likely beneficial to a player. Often these items are used as vendor trash for easy gold. All players start with white equipment.
------------------------------
Combat - Smash and bash for extra cash
Piercing / Blunt: Bonus damage to armored units
Find weakness: Bonus damage against unarmored units
Enhanced aim: Accuracy bonus to bows
Precision: Weapons have higher critical chance
Cleave: Weapons strike additional targets behind original target
Unguarded: Bonus damage to 1-h weapons if not using a shield or offhand
Flame touched: Sword art skill uses fire damage
Sword art skill has passive cleave for duration
Thunder touched: Sword art skill uses Thunder damage
Sword art skill has a chance to cause [Paralysis]
Frost touched: Sword art skill uses Ice damage
Sword art skill slows attack speed / movement speed by 20%
Suppression: Sword art skill has a chance to cause [Paralysis]
Blade mastery: Bladed weapons deal more damage
Blunt mastery: Blunt weapons deal more damage
Vampirism: Sword art skills have lifesteal
Cold blooded: Party members gain increased damage
Efficient: Sword skills cost less SP
Veteran: Damage+ / critical+ / attack speed+ (Available at lvl 35)
Defensive - Take a hit and laugh it off
Iron fortress: Increased armor / reduced damage (25%)
(Only for tower shields)
Shield wall: Reduced damage from all attacks (15%)
(Usable with any shield)
Unbreakable: Reduced damage from piercing / blunt attacks
Thorns: Minor damage returned to attacker
Juggernaut: Increased health regeneration
Inspiring presence: Party members gain increased defense
Veteran (Defensive): Armor+ / movement speed+ / Damage reduction+ (Available at lvl 35)
Merchant - Money makin' here we come
Bargain: NPC vendor pays 10% more / sells 10% cheaper
Haggler: NPC vendor pays 15% more / sells 15% cheaper
Master Trader: NPC vendor pays 20% more / sells 20% cheaper
Legend: NPC Vendor pays 25% more / sells 25% cheaper
Gathering - (The bread and butter of crafters!)
Scavenger: More materials from Nodes
Lucky find: Chance to find rare material from mobs
Experienced: Double material from nodes
------------------------------
Character Sheet
Username:
Age:
Level: (up to level 26)
Gender:
Physical Appearance: (I want a description of the character. Not your armor. That is for later.)
Primary Weapon: This is your go-to item
Secondary Weapon: Disadvantage with your main weapon? Have a backup!
Skills: Up to 6 combat OR defensive skills. More as you level up
Equipment / Add all +bonuses to your items in the specific slot.
Ex: +Speed bonus / +Attack speed bonus
Head slot -
Shoulders -
Chest -
Hands -
Leggings -
Boots -
Ring(s) - (You may have up to two)
Necklace - (Only one)
Trinket - (Non-combat trinkets only)
------------------------------
Rules
- GM words are law.
- Law can be overruled, but not without good reason
- No killing players
- One-hitting monsters is a no-no
------------------------------
Locations: THIS WILL BE ADDED AS WE GO!
Floor 1 - Bulls Run (Town) / Town of Beginnings (Main town)
Dungeons - Crystal Cavern / Forgotten Jungle
Basic Monsters type - Beast / Insect / Elemental
Bosses: Goretusk (boar) / Diamondback (Giant turtle) / Slipstream (Giant Snake) / Garthun (Obsidian Bear)
Floor 2 - unknown
Floor 3 - Unknown
Floor 4 - Unknown
Floor 5 - Unknown
Floor 6 - Unknown
Floor 7 - Unknown
(As I said, these will be filled in later, along with a list of monsters you can find. INCLUDING BOSSES)
While the main focus of the game is dominated entirely by the front line players, this adventure focuses on those who do not bask in the spotlight. They are shadows to the world but heroes in their own special ways.
We are trapped here, that is without question, but we overcome our fears and rise above it. Every step forward, every monster slain, every player helped, and every item crafted, is spit in the eyes of Akihiko Kayaba. Earn your right to stand in the survivors circle as you quest alongside your fellow players and dive into the treacherous dungeons along your way up. Progression is not limited solely to the front lines!
------------------
In this RP, we clearly take the focus off the glamour of being saviors of the Front Line (though you can if you want to be. Just no interactions with the 'main characters')
There are large open areas to explore just like in the game, though I have not mapped out any of them. We are keeping very loosely to the set names of SAO towns since few of them were established or talked about on every single floor.
------------------------------
Leveling up: Levels are normalized. With 100 floors, the top players could likely reach an astounding 200+ levels as none were ever really established. For the sake of this RP I say that your level should be quite low considering how it must stretch out. (Maybe two levels a FLOOR, if we're lucky.)
The first two floors are rich in levels, allowing players to get up to level 20 before leaving the very first stage. Establishing skills and builds is crucial in that time so be prepared.
Every consecutive floor you beat after that can give you anywhere from 1 - 3 levels. Entirely up to you (Do not go crazy here.)
------------------------------
Items: This is pretty straight forward but lets establish it anyways.
PURPLE - Legendary item - This need not be a weapon or armor. Rings, necklaces, trinkets, armor flair, anything you can think of could be a purple quality item that gives stat bonuses or even bonus effects to attacks.
BLUE - Rare item - Rare items are not as hard to find as a legendary purple. These are unique items entirely, thus the difference. Rare items often give one-time uses ranging from a dramatic boost in damage for a short time, to reviving a dead player entirely!
Green - Set Item - Many items in the game are designed to be similar in appearance. But Green texted items are part of a set, an exclusive item series that grant bonuses depending on how many pieces. In some cases it is likely that a player with a strong level 20 set could be as strong as a player with equipment up to level 40. The odds of getting a set without trading for one are very slim, however.
Gold - Gold item - This is the 'advanced' version of a regular white item. Uncommon to find but not rare at all, these items are the backbone of any worthy player. Gold items always have higher base stats and a bonus to a random property on the item.
White - Basic item - Every trash mob you fight can drop a white, which can have a meager +skill attached but never anything substantial or likely beneficial to a player. Often these items are used as vendor trash for easy gold. All players start with white equipment.
------------------------------
Combat - Smash and bash for extra cash
Piercing / Blunt: Bonus damage to armored units
Find weakness: Bonus damage against unarmored units
Enhanced aim: Accuracy bonus to bows
Precision: Weapons have higher critical chance
Cleave: Weapons strike additional targets behind original target
Unguarded: Bonus damage to 1-h weapons if not using a shield or offhand
Flame touched: Sword art skill uses fire damage
Sword art skill has passive cleave for duration
Thunder touched: Sword art skill uses Thunder damage
Sword art skill has a chance to cause [Paralysis]
Frost touched: Sword art skill uses Ice damage
Sword art skill slows attack speed / movement speed by 20%
Suppression: Sword art skill has a chance to cause [Paralysis]
Blade mastery: Bladed weapons deal more damage
Blunt mastery: Blunt weapons deal more damage
Vampirism: Sword art skills have lifesteal
Cold blooded: Party members gain increased damage
Efficient: Sword skills cost less SP
Veteran: Damage+ / critical+ / attack speed+ (Available at lvl 35)
Defensive - Take a hit and laugh it off
Iron fortress: Increased armor / reduced damage (25%)
(Only for tower shields)
Shield wall: Reduced damage from all attacks (15%)
(Usable with any shield)
Unbreakable: Reduced damage from piercing / blunt attacks
Thorns: Minor damage returned to attacker
Juggernaut: Increased health regeneration
Inspiring presence: Party members gain increased defense
Veteran (Defensive): Armor+ / movement speed+ / Damage reduction+ (Available at lvl 35)
Merchant - Money makin' here we come
Bargain: NPC vendor pays 10% more / sells 10% cheaper
Haggler: NPC vendor pays 15% more / sells 15% cheaper
Master Trader: NPC vendor pays 20% more / sells 20% cheaper
Legend: NPC Vendor pays 25% more / sells 25% cheaper
Gathering - (The bread and butter of crafters!)
Scavenger: More materials from Nodes
Lucky find: Chance to find rare material from mobs
Experienced: Double material from nodes
------------------------------
Character Sheet
Username:
Age:
Level: (up to level 26)
Gender:
Physical Appearance: (I want a description of the character. Not your armor. That is for later.)
Primary Weapon: This is your go-to item
Secondary Weapon: Disadvantage with your main weapon? Have a backup!
Skills: Up to 6 combat OR defensive skills. More as you level up
Equipment / Add all +bonuses to your items in the specific slot.
Ex: +Speed bonus / +Attack speed bonus
Head slot -
Shoulders -
Chest -
Hands -
Leggings -
Boots -
Ring(s) - (You may have up to two)
Necklace - (Only one)
Trinket - (Non-combat trinkets only)
------------------------------
Rules
- GM words are law.
- Law can be overruled, but not without good reason
- No killing players
- One-hitting monsters is a no-no
------------------------------
Locations: THIS WILL BE ADDED AS WE GO!
Floor 1 - Bulls Run (Town) / Town of Beginnings (Main town)
Dungeons - Crystal Cavern / Forgotten Jungle
Basic Monsters type - Beast / Insect / Elemental
Bosses: Goretusk (boar) / Diamondback (Giant turtle) / Slipstream (Giant Snake) / Garthun (Obsidian Bear)
Floor 2 - unknown
Floor 3 - Unknown
Floor 4 - Unknown
Floor 5 - Unknown
Floor 6 - Unknown
Floor 7 - Unknown
(As I said, these will be filled in later, along with a list of monsters you can find. INCLUDING BOSSES)
