Ithradine

Self-Replicating Factory (Ithradine's Testing Grounds)

Muv-Luv

WIP

---

---

A few years into the 1960s Humanity had undergone incredible leaps in technology. A permanent outpost had been established on the Moon, called Plato-1, in the year 1950 marking a significant step in mankind's quest for the stars. Then in 1958, a probe sent by the United States arrived at Mars and made a discovery that would change the course of human history forever. The probe sent back images of alien beings and structures before losing contact. All further attempts to send probes to Mars were met with failure. This did not deter the world's greatest minds from devising plans to allow them to communicate with this alien life. These same alien lifeforms invaded the moon in 1967 and began to attack facilities all across the surface, killing and devouring all in their path. They were thus named Beings of Extraterrestrial origin which is Adversary of human race or BETA for short. Humanity's fight for survival had just begun.

The BETA landed on Earth in 1973 after the recall of all forces on the Moon. From here on, they began a gruesome, and brutal harvest of all life and resources located on the planet. All attempts to communicate with the BETA were met with absolute failure. Years pass with the majority of Europe and Asia being taken over leaving the world wondering if nothing will turn the battle in their favor. Hundreds of Millions of lives lost, entire countries destroyed, and land stripped of all resources. Society stands on the brink of collapse as unrest spreads among the civilian and refugee populations due to food shortages and terrible living conditions.

The beginning of the year 2000, however, marked a change in the war. Leaders from the United Nations, Soviet Union, Japan, and the United states met in secret and devised a daring plan named Alternative VI that targeted the original BETA hive in Kashgar. The operation, later known as Operation Shattered Steel, would result in the first major victory for Humanity with the elimination of the hive and its Superior. This victory came at a cost of many TSF pilots and ground forces though there was no time to slow down. Study of this battle gave birth to the military theory 'Hybrid Arms', in which the different doctrines and TSFs present across the world would be used in tandem with each other.

It is now 2004 and Humanity is slowly making progress against the BETA. Europe is still under BETA control but there have been other victories across the world since 2000. A series of daring operations immediately after Operation Shattered Steel in the East resulted in the subjugation of Cheorwon, Sadogashime, and Evensk hives. An after action-report done from the forces that subjugated the Cheorwon hive, the last one to be destroyed, detailed an unknown strain of BETA within the central chamber of the hive that appeared to be in a larval state. Attempted elimination of the strain resulted in the loss of 75% of all military personnel that made contact. All information regrading this encounter was immediately classified leaving only the survivors and the top brass aware of what happened.

The nations of the world have agreed to take the strategy of Hyrbid Arms with its next step, the creation of a squadron using personnel and TSFs from different ideologies. You have been selected to join the 212th Tactical Armored Battalion--"The Grim Crows"--as one of four of these mixed squadrons. It is up to you, rookie or veteran, to show the world that victory is possible through a combined effort.

Below you fill find information and links that will expand your understanding of the Muv-Luv world.

The history of the world diverges from real world history as early as 1867. Besides the alien menace that has taken a large portion large portion of the world as we know it there is plenty else different. For starters jet plane development has come to a grinding halt with the appearance of the Laser Class BETA, who fire with such percision that they can strike down a fighter jet from some 30km away. In response to this, the forces of the world began to develop a weapon from an exo-skeleton walker that was first deployed on the moon during the First Lunar War against the BETA and proved to be one of the few things capable of standing toe-to-toe against them. This development eventually gave way to the Tactical Surface Fighter, or TSF as it is commonly referred to, which is what your characters will be piloting.

The Soviet Union and her Warsaw PACT satellites are alive and kicking, although without countries for the most part. Most, if not all, of the PACT forces were absorbed into the UN Military Force but are still a force to be reckoned with. Communists and Capitalists still despise each other, and despite facing a mutual enemy both forces still play a deadly game of espionage and spying behind the expansive curtain of the war against the BETA. Media is highly controlled, with only active serving military members and those who have seen the BETA first hand even knowing what they look like. The Internet as we know it does not exist. The KGB, US Intelligence offices, and other nations' secret services still exist, and are a very real presence everywhere one goes with the power to be judge, jury, and executioner. Much of the surviving people not fighting against the BETA live in terrible conditions in refugee camps and survive off of algae-based food.

1. All guilds rules apply to this RP. No exceptions.
2. Suggestions are welcome but any decision I make is final.
3. Over-powered characters will not be accepted.
4. If you must leave the RP, please notify me beforehand. Real Life happens. I will understand.
4.a If you have not posted or contacted me in a month, your character will be K.I.A next mission.
4.b On that note, Characters may be put in 'Suspension' if you wish to stay in the RP but must be absent
for longer than month as long as you message me.
5. One character is recommended but two characters are fine. If you wish to establish a permanent and
reoccurring NPC, please PM your idea and create a CS sheet for them if they are approved.
6. Pilot characters are restricted to 16 to 30 years of age. NPCs may be older or younger depending on
circumstances.
7. DO NOT post your CS sheet in the Char until it has been approved by me.
7.a All CS must be in a hider when put in the Char tab
7.b Feel free to edit the format of the CS but all information must be there.
8. During a mission, everyone will post after mine and wait for everyone to post before posting again.
8.a Off mission, everyone is free to post in any order. Off mission periods will last around an actual
week unless everyone agrees to move on. I will be moving time up periodically during that week.
9. A post is expected at least once a week to give people time to write but also move things along.
10. Enjoy your time in the world of Muv-Luv!

Character Sheet

You may edit the CS to look how you want it, but keep the general flow of information and don't remove anything that is already here. You may, of course, add to it as you feel is necessary. There is a maximum of two characters that each player may have. This may change in the future.

The Directory below contains information that will help you to complete this CS, from what sort of TSF your character will be able to use to things such as a link to the official Timeline so that you can add important events to your history.

Appearance: *Military based appearance, or flight suit, that is a TSF flight suit, or fatigues are pref'd.

Name: / Age: (16-30, any older must be cleared through a GM.)

Height: / Weight: / Gender:

Nationality:

Branch of Service:

Rank: (2ndLt-1stLt, unless approved otherwise in ooc)

Experience: Recruit(no limit), Veteran(one per player starting), Elite (on prior permission only)

TSF: (Can change over time)

TSF Loadout: (Can change over time)

TSF Role:

Personality:

History:

Extra:

*Of note, no national Air Force exist with TSFs.
They mostly fly bombers and transports or have been intergrated into the National Army.

All characters may move up in experience, details to be discussed after the first mission.

Directory

TSFs

Tactical Surface Fighters, or TSFs, are large bipedal walkers that were based off of the Feedback Protectors and walkers used on the Lunar surface to combat the BETA and are a direct result of the appearance of the Laser-Class BETA units that made all forms of humanities air power obsolete and obtained complete air dominance upon their first appearance in battle.

The TSF is capable of movement on land, in the air, and depending on the TSF, underwater. A TSF is capable of reaching high speed flight in the air, can be seen "gliding" mere feet off the ground, and are able to navigate confined spaces due to their humanoid form and ability to walk. The TSFs are also capable of inhuman feats, with their joints being able to bend in directions that humans never could, allowing them to fire weapons behind their backs, grab weapons from the racks on their upper-backs, and sidestep attacks with the click of a button.

Japanese TSFs

Most Japanese TSFs focus on high speed, maneuverability, and close-combat tactics. The Japanese TSF's also have a respectable gunnery armament, they however are lacking in defenses. Japanese TSF tactics set the the example for the UN Squadron Operations, though some national TSFs perform specialist roles better, the Japanese TSFs are well rounded machines.

Type 94 Shiranui - Japanese Elite Pilots Only

Type 97 Fubuki - Japanese Veteran Pilots Only

F-15J Kagerou - Japanese Pilots Only

US TSFs

The United States, being largely untouched by the war, lacks the experience the others have in combating the BETA invasion. Preferring massive amounts of firepower, US TSFs tend to lack more advanced close battle systems, supplemental armor or halberds, and are instead best left to gunnery or support roles.

F-15E Strike Eagle - US, UN, and allied Western Powers (EU), Veteran Pilots will have the upgraded ACTV model

F-16C Fighting Falcon - US, UN, and EU Pilots

F-18E/F Super Hornet - US Marine Corps and US Navy Veteran Pilots

The Following are TSAs, or Tactical Surface Attackers. They have slow maneuverability, are heavy, and lack in certain aspects that TSFs have, but they make up for it in large amounts of firepower and defensive capabilities.

A-10C - US Army, EU, and UN

A-6 Intruder - Amphibious, used by practically all Nations, no Experience requirement.

Soviet and PACT TSFs

Similar to Japanese and European TSFs, Soviet TSFs have a distinct close-combat-oriented design for combat conditions in a BETA Hive. With high-speed deployment and usage of melee capabilities via arming their TSFs with built-in melee armaments and well-placed reactive armor plates, as well as high-mobility capabilities to multiply their effectiveness in the crowded conditions of a BETA-dominated battlefield.

Su-37M2 - Elite Soviet Pilots

Su-27SM - All Soviet Pilots, on loan to some PACT Pilots

MiG-35 - Elite PACT Pilots

MiG-29M2 - All PACT pilots use the 29M2

European TSFs

European TSFs focus on two fighting methods; one is suppression of enemy forces with heavy firepower in areas unreachable by conventional indirect fire, and the other is high mobility for a highly-adaptable force. With the two methods becoming one as European TSF technology continues to mature, modern European TSFs are highly mobile fighters with the capability to direct heavy firepower wherever they go.

Rafale - French Veteran Pilots Only

EF-2000 Typhoon - EU Veteran Pilots Only

JAS-39 Gripen - Veteran Swedish Pilots and Elite UN Pilots only, Limited Use TSF

Mirage 2000 - UN, French, and EU Forces, no Experience Requirement

F-5E Tornado ADV - UN, EU, and Canadian Pilots, no Experience Requirement

Squadron and TSF Role Information

Based on theories of the UN and Japanese forces, these combat rules are standard but by no means universal to all national military formations,

NOTE: "No US" only means that US TSFs are not suited for the position, a US Pilot can fill a Storm Vanguard Slot, but they will do it in an unfamiliar TSF from another Nation and with little to no training in the Role, same goes for other exempted Nations below.

Storm Vanguard (No US)
Strike Vanguard (No US)
Gun Sweeper (No Sov)*
Gun Interceptor (No US)
Rush Guard *
Impact Guard (No US)
Blast Guard (No Sov besides Mig-31)*

TSF Roles

Storm Vanguard

Generally fighting in front of the squadron, the role of the Vanguards is to keep the enemy out of range of the others, and the "Storm" load focuses on capability to engaging the enemy at both short and medium range, with a shield for additional protection. The role of the first Storm Vanguard in the squadron is generally coveted, as it implies being one of the most trusted and able.

General Loadout:

• 1x 36mm/120mm Assault Cannon (4x36mm and 2x120mm Magazines)
• 1x Supplemental Armor
• 2x Melee Halberd
• 2x Close Combat Dagger

Strike Vanguard

A variation on the "Storm" load, the "Strike" load is more offense-oriented, opting for additional guns instead of a shield. Regardless, the role is the same; to keep the BETA at arm's reach. Strike Vanguards generally operate behind the Storm Vanguards, providing extra firepower and close range support as necessary.

General Loadout:

• 2x 36mm/120mm Assault Cannon (4x36mm and 2x120mm Magazines)
• 2x Melee Halberd
• 2x Close Combat Dagger

Gun Sweeper

Acting near the front lines, and engaging the enemy with large volumes of weapons fire, the Gun Sweeper's role is the rapid extermination of enemy forces while they are engaged with the Vanguards, raking them with massive, sweeping arcs of fire. Most Gun Sweepers prefer a loadout of only guns, all blazing in unison to engage and destroy the enemy in a massive volley. Should a unit be in danger of being isolated from the others, the massive firepower of the Gun Sweeper is brought to bear to prevent that.

General Loadout:

• 4x 36mm/120mm Assault Cannon (8x36mm and 2x120mm Magazines)
• 2x Close Combat Dagger

Gun Interceptor

Providing additional firepower, the role of the Gun Interceptor is to watch the flanks and manage the killzone of the squadron, acting from the forward flanks and providing additional cover as necessary. They also screen the rear support group from enemies, and help coordinate the efforts of the rear and forward teams. As such, squadron leaders are always fixed as Gun Interceptors, and flight leaders among the non-Vanguards are typically found in this role as well.

General Loadout:

• 1x 36mm/120mm Assault Cannon (4x36mm and 2x120mm Magazines)
• 1x Supplemental Armor
• 1x Melee Halberd
• 2x Close Combat Dagger

Rush Guard

Focused on long and mid-range fire support, Rush Guards assist the Gun Sweepers in engaging the enemy, and are tasked with supporting the Gun Sweepers with rapidly thinning the BETA groups which are being engaged by the main forces.

General Loadout:

• 1x 36mm Support Assault Cannon (12x36mm Magazine)
• 2x 36mm/120mm Assault Cannon (4x36mm and 2x120mm Magazines)
• 2x Close Combat Dagger

Impact Guard

Asked to maintain long-range supporting fire, unlike Rush Guards, who are capable of both long and mid-range fire support, an Impact Guard's job is to focus on suppressing or destroying particularly dangerous enemies, or groups of enemies, from long range. Impact Guards are typically picked for their skills in long-range shooting, as well as their ability to make snap judgments in rapidly changing environments.

General Loadout:

• 1x 36mm Support Assault Cannon (12x36mm Magazine)
• 1x Melee Halberd
• 2x Close Combat Dagger

Blast Guard

The Blast Guard's role is to herd enemy forces and assist in crowd control, allowing the rest of the squadron to manage their jobs. As such, units assigned to the Blast Guard role are often provided with missile containers to bombard enemy formations. In hives, they also handle direct bombardment of enemy forces.

General Loadout:

• 1x 36mm/120mm Assault Cannon (2x36mm and 2x120mm Magazines)
• 1x Supplemental Armor
• 2x Missile Containers (variable missile count)
• 2x Close Combat Dagger

Weaponry and Equipment

The loadouts listed in each role are simply the "general loadout." Different weapons may be switched and equipment may be added or removed but there are some ground rules do exist within the Muv-Luv universe, such as:

American TSFs do not mount or use heavy melee weapons such as the melee halberds due to the US combat doctrine and subsequent design of US TSFs to meet this doctrine. US TSFs as well do not mount the Mk.57 squad gun, while Japanese and EU TSFs do.

Supplemental armor can be mounted by all TSFs, but, some TSFs are unable to mount and utilize shields. These being the Russian and US TSFs.

Russian TSFs do not mount any missile systems or heavy automatic weapons such as the Mk.57 squad gun. The only exception to this being the MiG-31.

Follow this link for all Loadout Options.

BETA

The Beings of Extra Terrestrial origin which is Adversary of human race, more commonly known by the acronym BETA.

The BETA vary greatly in size, with the smallest identified strain (Soldier-class) being around 3 meters tall, and the largest identified strains (Fort-class) at over 60 meters tall. They cannot fly, and the Laser and Heavy Laser-class BETA shoot down anything that does, rendering aircraft useless and making any aerial military operations much more difficult.

Their very existence is shrouded in mystery. All that mankind knows of them during Unlimited and at the start of Alternative is that they are (obviously) hostile, are carbon-based lifeforms (this was discovered when specimens were examined in Alternative 2), and do not consider humans to be living beings. The BETA Harvest humans and most other resources on land, lack air or naval assets, and their strength in combat lies in their numbers, overwhelming any opposition.

Details and information on the BETA is heavily controlled and restricted and the human race has been reduced to 1.5 billion beings, with most of Eurasia being overran, only now has humanity been in a position to counter-attack.

Important Information of Note:

BETA Types and Size Comparison

Population Percentage of Type of BETA

BETA Hives

Other Links of Importance:
Although not required to read these, it will help with general knowledge and you can always familiarize yourself with their contents over time. Much of it, however can be explained as it crops up IC.

Combat Doctrine and Tactics

Timeline - Will be very useful for figuring out background information for your characters history for major events.

Ranks

✧ Talrae S2 ✧

Health: 3900/4100
Mana: 1880/2900

stats

Health: 36 + 5(4100/4100)
Mana: 24 +5 (2900/2900)
Strength: 33 + 45
Agility: 25 + 45
Intelligence: 5 + 30
Stamina 0 + 35

Passives

❂ Battle Focus (1/Swordsman) - User's every 10th normal attack critically hits automatically. Passive.
❂ Swordsmanship (5/Swordsman) - User gains increased damage for their normal attacks. Passive.
❂ Greater Swordsmanship (10/Swordsman) - User gains 3% increased damage for their normal attacks. Stacks with Swordsmanship. Passive.
❂ Hilt Bash (5/Swordsman) - Whenever an opponent misses a melee attack against user, user automatically deals low concussive damage back.
Does not stack with any other damage modifier. Passive.

Actions

❂ Lunge (1/Swordsman) - User lunges out with their blade, piercing a single target for moderate piercing damage. 50MP.
❂ Wide Swing (1/Swordsman) - User swings their weapon in a wide arc, hitting up to 3 targets for low bladed damage. 100MP.
❂ Flurry (5/Swordsman) - User slashes with their sword in a flurry of motions, dealing moderate bladed damage. 100MP.
❂ Strike Down (5/Swordsman) - User raises their sword then strikes down cleanly, dealing high bladed damage against a single target.
150MP.
❂ Arc Slash (10/Swordsman) - User slashes out with their weapon, causing an energy strike to travel in a linear line. Deals medium bladed
damage to all units caught. 300MP.
❂ Parry (10/Swordsman) - User parries a bladed melee attack, nullifying it. 150MP.
❂ Disarm (10/Swordsman) - User with their superior skill utilizes a quick, skillful motion to disarm their foe. Target drops the item
with 40% chance. 200MP.

❂ Sidestep (1/Universal) - User steps aside. +5% chance of evasion. 20MP.
❂ Meditate (5/Universal) - User focuses for few a minutes, recovering either 200HP or 200MP. 0MP.
❂ Boost Self (5/Universal) - User gains +5 Strength, Agility and Intelligence for a while. Can only be used
once a day. 200MP.
❂ Greater Accelerate (10/Universal) - User's movement speed greatly increases for a bit. 300MP.
❂ Knee Strike (10/Universal) - User grabs the target and knees them, dealing high damage to single target.
200MP.

Items

❂ Forgotten Katana (250 Renn) - Equipped
❂ Oliam's Longsword (360 Renn) - Equipped
❂ Leather Armor (100 Renn) - Equipped
❂ Small Knife (20 Renn)
❂ Cutthroat's Gloves (100 Renn) - Equipped
❂ Sturdy Clothes (25 Renn) - Equipped
❂ Power Threads (220 Renn) - Equipped
❂ Ring of Protection (100 Renn) - Equipped
❂ Spell Resist Cloak (80 Renn) - Equipped
❂ Helm of Resistance (150 Renn) - Equipped
❂ Red Potion x 5 (300 Renn)
❂ Greater Red Potion x 1 (100 Renn)
❂ Blue Potion x 4 (220 Renn)
❂ Potion of Resilience (80 Renn)
❂ Potion of Might (100 Renn)
❂ Ancient Mage's Talisman (450 Renn)
❂ Whip (25 Renn)

Skills

❂ Sword-wielding: 40 + 5
❂ Sword(Dual)-Wielding: 30
❂ Acrobactics: 20
❂ Tracking: 5
❂ Searching: 5

Current Buffs/Debuffs

Power Treads: +5 to strength
Ring of Protection: Minor damage reduction
Spell Resist Cloak: Increased Magic resistance
Cutthroat's Gloves: +5 Agility
Oliam's Longsword: +5 to all attributes, +5 to sword wielding skill
Helm of Resistance: Increased damage reduction against ranged physical damage
"Champion of the Lesser": User gains +30 STR, AGI, INT and STM but takes additional damage from all sources if any friendlies with lower level than User are nearby.
Potion of Might: Damage + 30
Potion of Resistance: Damage Taken - 20
Yellow Potion: +10 Agility
River's Strengthen: +5 Strength

---

Nothing. There was nothing in this endlessly dark room save for its one inhabitant...its one prisoner. Chains attached to metal clamps were attached to her arms, restricting her movement not that she had any desire to rise. Nothing ever changed inside this sunless room of hers, and that was how she preferred it. She just remained sitting on her knees with her eyes blankly staring into the abyss. This room used to be much different. There was warmth, joy, and even excitement that gave color to the now gray concrete walls and the cold, stone floor. It was fine. Here she didn't have to do anything. She didn't have to open to heart break and suffering. The demon that possessed her was more tangible in that regard. The self-created demon Akumi took all the pain away but it also took everything that made Ryu her own person.

The world that lay beyond this dark, cold room frightened her beyond measure. She even forgot what it felt like to live in that world free of Akumi's influence and her unshakable confidence. Now that she was inside of a world where death was a very likely possibility, she found no reason to do anything. This was a place where Akumi could thrive and provide the kind of help that Ryu would never be able to. She used to have some kind of say in Akumi's actions but ever since coming here, her fragile hold has been slipping away. But what did it matter? Akumi was the only part of her that was special anymore. Everything else had faded away with time. Ryu was nothing more than a bland, soulless being whereas Akumi was brimming with spirit and color. It was okay. She didn't mind staying here where nothing would hurt her. A safe comfort until the slipped into the void for one last, final time.

---

Kira was exactly where she wanted to be. A seemingly endless horde of enemies for her to utterly crush and show to the other players just who they should be worshiping in this battle. She weaved through enemies like a graceful dancer and attacked with the viciousness of a lioness. If only she could bathe in the blood of the foes defeated and relish in their defeat. Kira had to ignore these momentary desires to focus on the slaughter at hand and pull these pathetic excuses for life into the cold, welcoming embrace of the void. Despite being drawn by blood-lust, she held her ground around her minions. It would be extremely tedious to find another member of her demon council that would be as loyal as the ones she fought beside now. Suddenly the battlefield changed with the sky filling with the crude, but effective last effort of the goblin shaman. How disappointing that such an attack would cost him his life as it would not stop the great Akumi from hunting each one of their miserable hides.

The advantage was hers with her high agility and acrobatics skill and maneuvering around the orbs were a breeze. However, this cowardly attack would not go unpunished. That thought passed by quickly as one of the orbs detonated nearby though luckily Kira had been outside of its explosion radius and was simply hit by the shock-wave, knocking her off her feet. Her fist tightened to the point her nails were about to draw blood as she stood back up. It was an insult. A direct attack on her position as the great demon of Last Genesis. Every goblin in this forsaken city of theirs would be put to the sword, HER sword. Death would come and it would be absolute. Nothing will be tolerated to remain in her presence.

"All those opposing me will fall to my dark covenant of souls. Pray to the hands of fate but you shall find yourself groveling at my feet. Nothing shall comfort you in your final demise as I bring the embrace of the abyss to you and your families. Prepare for the end, for you shall be begging for its arrival."

Kira proclaimed as she stood on top of the edge of one of the craters.

The Sanctuary

---

Late Afternoon of Day 1

---

(continued from discord)
@Lyla
Vey turned her attention to Cisna while Asri was speaking and while her eyes were now focused on Cisna, her ears were all Asri's. They had been training for a few hours now and Cisna was surely on the verge of collasping from exertion, yet the seemingly feeble Anserian was pushing through any exhaustion. Vey knew the basics of her pupil's story however there was something else there she wasn't aware of. Behind all of that shyness and awkwardness was a drive that nearly resembled her own. It was the reason why Vey even was here training her in the first place instead of training on her own like usual. The Amali turned her head back to Asri as she finished with what she was saying and moved onto expressing a kind of thanks. They seemed to share a similar philosophy on the subject.

There was likely few who could match Vey's skills with a bow and she could very well be called a master of her craft. However, she knew very well she would never accomplish her goals if she stopped trying to improve and reached what lies beyond mastery. She could tell that Asri held a large amount of wisdom herself but her instincts were telling her something else was at play as well. Vey's hands found their way onto her own hips and she gave a smirk towards Asri, fully aware of the change in her facial features.

"You haven't seen anything yet." She turned her head backwards to Cisna again "Cisna!" She yelled out "Y-yes?" The suddeness of Vey's voice caused her to jump "You can stop. Leave and take a shower, alright?" Vey's voice was less harsh than before "I w-will. Th-thank y-you!" Joy was clearly expressed in her tone "Now get going before I change my mind." Vey responded strictly, causing Cisna to make her way towards the door quickly "Ah! O-okay! Oh, n-n-nice to meet you Asri!"

Cisna waved towards the half-Draeni as she darted out the door, leaving Asri and Vey as the only ones in the room. Outside in the hallway, she fell back against the cool, stone wall and took a deep breath. Training with Vey was particularly rough today. However, she had to get stronger so she could make it out there on her own. Suddenly a sharp, painful throbbing erupted in her head and she dropped to her knees. Her knuckles rushed to the sides of her temples and began rubbing them furiously trying to relieve even a small portion of the pain. Her mouth let out small cries as it only intensified to the point tears began to form in her eyes. As soon as it started, it seemed to end and she was with her chest heaving back and forth as she hunched over. Her arms and legs trembled yet she stood back up. These headaches of hers were constantly getting worse giving more reason for her to get stronger. No matter what, she had to ask him. She had to ask him 'why'. The trembling continued as she made her way back to her room.

"I'm afraid we'll have to hold any sparring for tomorrow. That girl can be surprisingly fierce." She continued after Cisna left.

With a turn on the toe of her boot, she turned around and walked more towards the center of the arena. Outside of this place she hardly met anyone that was truly interesting yet at the Sanctuary they came in waves. Asri, however, was different. Vey's instincts pulled her to the half-Draeni stirring a curiosity that would be difficult to satiate. After a few steps, she spun in place and looked back at Asri with a coy look in her eyes. Asri expressed clear interest in her yet her attention kept drifting towards Cisna, as if her presence somehow was making her uncomfortable.

"So Asri, I usually don't pry into others affairs but do you mind telling me what brought you here?" She asked with a half-playful tone.

Self-Replicating Factory (Ithradine's Testing Grounds)

---

---

The Sanctuary

It was a relief to R when Stephanie appeared to take his words to heart and smiled beautifully. There was hardly anything more precious than a honest smile from someone who has suffered greatly. To find the strength to deal with such suffering was one thing, but to become heal and move past it was something even more difficult. R sincerely believed that Stephanie was capable of healing now that she was here. Her attitude spoke enough of the strength of her character to be so vulnerable and kind after what she must have been through. However, if she chooses to return to the normal world than she must prepare herself for future tragedy.

R was genuinely pleased that his name was well received and decided to remain silent in response to Mirithal's offer and choose to simply nod in return. The first days of this Sanctuary he turned any notion of thanks from people but he changed his mind when he observed that giving thanks made them more comfortable. He could not really speak on Mirithal's offer to bring the green here. It was a far more complex issue than he could elaborate at the moment.

Tania's reaction the spell couldn't have been any better and it seemed the teleportation had caught her off guard. He grinned underneath the ask as Tania introduced herself as an entertainer. It was was interesting cover story, one that he wouldn't mind playing along with now that she had been taught a small lesson.

"I'm sure you will." He said cheerfully. With his free hand, he snapped his fingers and the spell dissipated in an instant "I can assure that Tania is an expert at her craft. You will be hard pressed to find one with her skills." He addressed to the rest in a honest tone.

R hadn't exactly lied with what he said. though it perhaps was a tad deceptive. That was for them to figure out however. Now that he addressed that issue and had received all of their names, it was time to show the rest of the castle to them. Each of the Sentinels that had been present had since left as it was not like R particularly needed their help or protection. The entirety of the Sanctuary bent and conformed to his will so there was no one better than himself to give a tour.

"Now, if you would all kindly follow me I will show you around the Sanctuary."

---

The first stop was the large mess hall located just off the central chamber. Inside there were six long, heavy wooden tables with red table cloths with a golden trim running down their length. Each was decorated with centerpieces filled with exotic flowers. The tables were set with a fine assortment of silverware and porcelain plates, each with a unique design. Across from where they entered were five long windows that faced towards out to the main entrance, though they had not been visible from the outside. The left side of the mess hall was a large fire place complete with a few chairs for lounging and a small coffee table in front. The opposite end there was a kitchen that could be seen through an opening in the wall that acted like a window. R stated that the kitchen is free to use though most of the meals provided by the Sanctuary would not be made there. There were others inside the mess hall and that included a Wolf Amali by the name of Volfango, a half-elf named Voltaire, and a Draeni called Arton Yule. Volfango and Arton offered a warm introduction while Voltaire barely gave a nod in regards to the new guests. R voiced that there was three set meals throughout the day but they could come at any time for food. After bidding farewell to the three that were in the room, he took them to their next destination.

Traveling a bit farther into the Sanctuary, R led them into the what was the library of the Sanctuary. A network of staircases provided access to the five levels of the room. Its size seemed only a tad smaller than the central chamber and every walls was lined with bookcases. Multiple desks and fireplaces were located all throughout the library marking it as both a place of study and relaxation. R mentioned that one of the duties of the Sentinels was to collect information from the outside world and this library contained information from even before any of the current kingdoms existed. Everything from the most mundane of subjects to the very cutting edge of science and magical theory was located here. As a demonstration, R took a book from a shelf and held it under his hand that set ablaze. The book did not show even the smallest scorch when he took it away and placed it back on its shelf. He explained that a powerful enchantment was placed on each book that came into this library that made each of them near-indestructible, as knowledge is far more powerful than any weapon could ever be. R introduced them to Dragon Avatar, Cezzin, that was essentially the primary curator of this library and the individual that allowed the residents to take books from the library. He expressed great joy upon seeing Vilkas and even further so at the revelation he was a student of Dromon. Cezzin bid Vilkas come to speak with him after the tour so that he may hear from him about the current state of the dragon's homeland.

The next area that R showcased was a long hallway that he called the 'Hall of Worlds'. He revealed that each one of the doors led to the place marked above the door. Rather than explain it further, he opened the first door they came upon that read 'ocean'. The moment he opened it the unmistakable taste of salt entered the air along with a cool breeze. Through the doorframe, they could see waves crashing against a long stretch of sand with a brilliant sun high in the sky. Besides a few palm trees, there was no other life visible. After everyone had gotten a look, he closed the door and stated that there were many more just like this. R also said that there were four rooms that were reserved for training, one shooting range and three combat arenas. Each of the rooms he stated were able to be configure to any environment they so choose as long as they asked a Sentinel, or himself, to change it. R went to open the room that was marked 'shooting range' but the moment he so much as creaked it open a loud thud was heard hitting the door. He laughed lightly and explained that the room was currently occupied.

R took them to an area that resembled one of the academies in Altamea or Armintium. He announced that it was here that the Sentinels of the Sanctuary held classes on a wide range of subjects from cooking to casting high-level magic. It was here that he expressed to Vilkas and Asri that what they sought to learn could only be taught from him however. R also mentioned that some of the other residents took on the role of instructor as well. A warning was given that if any of them decided to take any of the combat courses from the Sentinels that they would be pushed to their very limits.

After the classrooms he took them to the workshop and laboratories where they could conduct experiments and craft anything they could think of. The walls were covered in half-finished projects and tools. All different kind of flasks were spread out on several tables, though it looked they had gone unused today. Above them in the center of the room the roof curved into a glass dome where light poured in from above. The center of the room was left bare except for a raised circular stone that had a complex and unreadable carving dug across the top of the stone. R stated that the circle was for containing any volatile creations. Any material within reason would be provided and there was a guarantee that they would always have what they need. The equipment here would be considered expensive and top of the line by any expert.

Along the way to their next destination, R decided to clear a few things up. The first was that the Sentinels were artificial constructs and what appeared to be armor was actually their body. The next was they were free to leave at any time. After he stated that there was not a strict set of rules that they needed to follow, except that any serious, unwanted physical or mental harm would be severely punished. His tone was quite serious even and though his mask hide his features it was clear this was not a joke.

---

At last, he took them to the final location of their tour. There were a series of doors in a row down a hallway, much like the Hall of Worlds. R asked that everyone remain where they were and proceeded to go down the hallway. Each door had a diamond-shaped metal plate on the front. He stopped at the first one and pressed his right pointer finger against the plate and slowly carved the name "Asri" into the center of the plate like he was playing with wet clay while he spoke a phrase in a unknown language.

"Uhrs rurzsiusiy e'ase ufuuhrs se'a zairsse'ar re'ahuhsr." His voice was but a whisper but every syllable spoken sent an subtle wave of power from the master. Each word flowed seamlessly into the next making it near impossible to separate them.

A white pulse of energy burst from the center of the metal plate and spread like a wave across the surface and disappearing as it reached the edges. R proceeded to perform this ritual to several more doors down the hall, though each time with another one of their names. Everyone present felt a slight headache after the last ritual was completed, the affliction had grown everytime he spoke those strange words. He walked back to them when he had finished hopeful that they would enjoy their own, personal slice of the Sanctuary.

"I apologize for any feelings of discomfort you may be feeling but I assure you that what you are about to see is quite worth it. I ask that you all stand in front of the door with your name on it, and place your palm on the metal plate." He turned to Mirithal "I would suppose a branch or vine would be sufficient." His voice kind before returning to the rest "Afterwards, please open your doors. From here on, you are free to use any of the Sanctuary's facilities. I will in the library if you have need of me." With one arm tucking behind him and the other held across his waist, he gave a brie bow "I do hope you enjoy your time here." He expressed happily before walking down the hall.

@ShwiggityShwah@Rune_Alchemist@Landaus Five-One@Lyla@HokumPocus@GrizzTheMauler

The Sanctuary

deleted

The Sanctuary

R listened intently as the group began to offer their names to him, placing them in the great expanse that was his memory. The first to give their name was the champion identified as Asri and that was all she had to say at the time. He preferred it that way since there was a conversation that they needed to have. After her was the human girl called Stephanie Viola Delia-Mira, a traumatized individual if he had ever seen one. Here she would not have to worry about watching her back. Next was the Anubis who announced himself as Ar'oa with the steel composure characteristic of his race. If R did not have hundreds of years to practice he doubt he read him like he could.

"Asri it shall be then. It suits you." He gave a nod in return.

"Do not cry for the past young Stephanie and instead smile for the future you have." R was firm but kind, a understanding and sympathy extending through his words.

"I will indeed. One I hope to speak often." If his mask was not present, he would have offered a smile.

As the rest continued, he noticed a particularly mischievous aand familiar energy source above them. It didn't surprise him that Tania was present for their new arrivals as he doubt she could miss a chance to mess with someone who was not aware she prowled the halls. However, it seemed she once again tried to pull one of her infamous pranks on him. No matter how many times he countered him she remained determined to make him one of her many victims. That kind of drive in the face of the impossible was something he could admire. R effortlessly deflected the spell and its effect without moving a single muscle and sent a spell of his own in return. It was a subtle spell that was near-undetectable. Slowly but surely her vision would begin to rotate degree by degree with the end goal being her vision completely flipped upside down like a carnival mirror. By the time introductions were finished, if he timed this properly, the disorientation should be having a strong effect on her. The vertigo alone would be enough to cause Tania to be quite nauseous he imagined.

Moving on, R was faced with the first Veidish he had ever seen in the Sanctuary and he was undeniably excited to see the results of her work. His fascination, which was hidden by the mask, was enormous as he watched it move and speak. It seemed to be wary of him which only peaked his curiosity more as this was his first time meeting one as aged as Nidghogan in person. Like a molting insect, the tree being appeared to shed its large shell for a far slimmer form that seemed capable of producing proper speech patterns. Pride swelled deep within him at the sight like a happy grandfather. However, something R was doing seemed to bother the creature greatly. Carefully he thought, bringing his arms from behind his back and gripping the bottom of his mask with his right hand. An epiphany dawned on him and suddenly the white color he gave off was briefly replaced by an vivid, sharp green for a brief second before succumbing to the white once more. A token of his good intentions.

"Do not fret. You not seem to be a being deserving of a red name." R paused for a moment as his mind was filled with possibilities. "From henceforth, You hold the name of Mirithal(Mere-eh-thaw). A name holds a special kind of power and I hope that this one serves you well."

The last person to introduce was no less interesting than the previous especially with the greetings he brought and with it the eyes on the mask returned to their original shape. R knew that Dromon would never break the accords so he could only help but wonder what the young Dragon had been taught. As long as Dromon lives, the island where the Dragons live is the safest place next to the Sanctuary. Asri and Vilkas. Two omens of times to come. R also observed that once again he could hear the young human speak without so much as moving her lips. What a troublesome thing. Speaking of which...the spell he placed on Tania should be starting to really affect her right about now.

"That is good to hear. It has been some time since we have last spoken." His calm voice hiding a devilish intent.

"Now that I have your names, we can begin a tour of the Sanctuary starting with the mess hall. But before we begin, I would like you all to meet one of the Sanctuary's finest residents." A slight sarcasm in his voice.

R held out the palm of his left and began to trace a pattern on it with his right while uttering words that were unable to be heard. Immediately, a bright light engulfed Tania alerting any who were looking that way to her hiding spot before the same light appeared in R's left palm. The intense light faded away to reveal Tania in his hand, her vision having been shifted by a whole 90 degrees at this point likely rendering any attempts at proper flying impossible. Every time Tania tried something like this he always had a new trick to try on her. This one was an old favorite of his, as it was harmless and the results were always rewarding

"Why don't you say 'hello'?" A smirk curled at his lips under the mask as he looked down at the Aetheri, before turning his attention back to the rest "She has been rather eager to meet you all."

@Landaus Five-One@GrizzTheMauler@ShwiggityShwah@Rune_Alchemist@HokumPocus@Lyla

~ Valkyria Chronicles - Changing of the Guard ~

---

_{Train to Amone - Trial by Fire}

---

Daniel's nodded "Thanks." He said simply, his eyes searched the seating of the cabin and sat across from Diana with a good bit of space separating him from Kalisa "Hey." Sentences beyond a few words seemed out of his reach now. He was honestly quite surprised she was allowing him in the first place with so little resistance. To say he was uncomfortable sitting in that cabin was an understatement. That didn't change the fact that there was no slipping away from situations like this. With his promotion came the understanding that he would have to deal with female squad mates. There was no physical pain he couldn't endure but mental pain...that was an entirely different beast. Which is why he tried put himself in the least amount of danger.

He couldn't meet Diana's eyes but he could see the way she was reacting to him. There seemed to be something that she wanted to say to him. That he was an utter ass? That he hurt her feelings? He sat back against the seat, his eyes meeting hers for the first with a look of surprise that quickly shifted back into his usual look of cold indifference "It's not something I really wanted." He replied coldly. Once he said it, he bit his tongue inside his closed mouth before continuing "...but thank you." Kalisa also expressed her congratulations, to which he let out a short chuckle looking down at the floor between his boots "That I did. I'm good with a rifle, but I am better fighting up close." He avoided mentioned his first thought of how similar yet different fighting in the trenches was to fighting in back-street alleys.

Everything was going better than he had hoped and Kalisa's words had gotten him to relax just a little. However, the question that Diana had every right to ask forced him to tighten up again. For a brief moment his eyes burned intensely at Diana with a ember of that anger, before he took a deep breath. Daniel closed his eyes and crossed his arms "Because some of us weren't born with a golden spoon." His tone was pensive but he did not go further as a silence filled the air. There was something about the fact she was so care-free that pissed him off.

His eyes centered on the rifle on question and was grateful for the distraction. Barely Passed? The idea that a soldier like her even existed was all incomprehensible yet at the same time it...was somewhat sad. He didn't expect to feel that. Daniel without a word reached out and took the rifle from her hands and examined it closely. Dirt and grime covered the mechanical parts which could cause a jam later on the field, an event that could end her life "Alright, pay attention." He said strongly with a heavy sigh "I will show you how to properly clean your rifle. It could cost you your life." A jammed weapon was much harder to clean when you were being shot at. He took the cleaning process nice and slow, explaining to Diana all of the steps and proper procedures. The entire time his anxiety towards woman seemed to fade away. It wasn't until they stopped that he finished, giving here back the rifle looking a little beat-up but almost good as new "There. Now you know." His voice still was expressing much emotion, but it had noticeably lightened up.

@SMS@Landaus Five-One

DanMachi RP: Secrets of the Dungeon

Voltaire stared into the large space of the room, the hair on the back of his neck began to stand up. Did he want that treasure? Absolutely. However, he also was not stupid. Why did they leave it behind? It may be a trap but a party of experienced adventures should have been able to deal with it easily enough. They didn't leave it for them since they met them afterwards, but perhaps they left it for the weaker adventurers. But why? The hand on his dagger tightened to the point his knuckles turned white. Despite all the warnings, if they managed to retrieve its contents then they would be bringing glory to Amaterasu-sama not to mention giving them something good.

He nodded at the single sound Koph made "Yeah. Too good to be true right?" A faint grin on his lips as he glanced over at her, then back at the expanse before them. There was no telling what would happen when they went for that chest. It could be the end of their adventure before it began though what was adventure without a little risk? Ever since he stepped inside this dungeon, he's felt more alive than he ever has. The temptation began to override his more rational way of thinking. They could always run if the situation got out of control, right? "I think we should try. We work together like we've been and it'll be a piece of cake." He semi-joked. Admittedly, he felt the need to prove himself. Seeing those other adventurers...it made him realize he was nothing but a pup to them. Voltaire wanted to change that. He wanted fame. He wanted fortune. He wanted adventure. Though if Koph strongly refused, he wouldn't go after the chest.

~ Valkyria Chronicles - Changing of the Guard ~

---

_{Train to Amone - Lone Wolf Leader}

---

An endless grey stretched out infinitely in all directions. A perpetual void of color. A world of nothingness save for single, cowering child. Confused. Scared. Where was the color? The warmth of red? The chill of blue? He could could see nothing but the forsaken grey. No matter how hard the child tried, he could not create a single color on the grey canvas around him. He dreamed and hope for a day when the color would find him. Eventually, he grew accustomed to the grey and his confusion and fear vanished along with his dreams and hope. The child wandered the endless grey aimlessly. He began to doubt that any of the fabled colors truly existed. That was until one day in the distance he saw it. Every color he ever imagined and more shining like a beacon. At first, he hesitated. The grey had become comfortable. Familiar. Why should he discard it now? However, he could not tear his gaze from this beacon of colors. He ran for it. The closer he got, the more engrossed he became in the colors. Every step brought him nearer and with it a renewable of the lost hope in him. He couldn't let it slip away, not when he had been waiting for so long. When he finally got close enough, he reached out and took the color into his hands shaped like a orb. Every color he could imagine was contained within. Without warning, the orb and all its precious color began to melt. The liquid seeping through the gaps in his fingers onto the grey floor underneath him. Frantically, he dropped to his knees and began to desperately scoop the liquid color off the ground. Every time he got some in his hands, it would again slip through his fingers. Each time there was less and less. All the color faded into the endless grey. The child pounded his fists against the ground. Dug his fingers into the grey until they were raw. Realizing he could not get the color back, he laid against the grey floor curled up over where the color had disappeared. Broken. Confusion and Fear once more made its way into his heart, but this time accompanied by sorrow and anger. A pain he had never felt before crippled him so there he stayed. Laying motionless on an endless sea of grey nothing with eyes' half open, becoming indecipherable from it.

---

Daniel was a lance corporal. No matter how many times it passed through his mind he still failed to fully comprehend. He never wanted such a position. He was half-tempted to throw the position back at Middleton's prick face if he didn't believe it would get him shot. How in the hell was he supposed to make sure he survived this mess when he had to look after others now? The position would force him to think from a entirely new perspective. His well-being was always placed several times higher than those around him. It had kept him alive so far. Now he had basically no choice but to look after a bunch of sentimental fools who froze up or cried every time something horrible happened, with a few rare exceptions. Daniel was a lone wolf. People skills were not his strong point and he didn't have any intention on improving them. People will always hurt you. One way or another. Now they would be looking towards him for leadership as well. He felt a brief coldness on his right shoulder as he entered the train. This weather was nearly as awful as the rest of the day.

He stood in front of one of the windows in the carriage just after the one in which Diana, Kalisa, and Jean had been talking. His eyes gazed at the scenery around the train station, still struggling with the reality of his promotion. What others might have considered a gift, he considered to be nothing more than a curse. Daniel would absolutely kill for just a single cigarette or a shot of gin. It didn't matter which, just something to take his mind off everything. He wanted to say that he would be just fine on his own. That he could take on anything this war threw at him, but that wasn't true. Looking out at the countless men and women in federation uniforms, he knew that this war was more than any one man could handle. It wasn't a back-ally fight or a bar brawl. This was a systematic killing of other human beings using terrible weapons.

The train had began to pull away from the station leaving one battle behind and heading straight for another. Daniel had enough time to think about where to start regarding his promotion. Daniel still held his own preservation above all others, but that didn't mean he didn't care about the lives of others. Their lives were now partially in his hands and he was determined to get as many through this war. He would be the biggest bastard in the world as long as it got them through this. Kindness doesn't win a fight. Innocence doesn't get you through tough times. Naivety will only get you killed. Humanity doesn't matter if you are dead. These were lessons he planned on instilling in each of his troops now under his command.

He heard the door to his cabin open and none other than the newly appointed Jean came through it. Daniel could only imagine the kind of reaction Jean had to his promotion. As of right now, he was sure they didn't care very much for each other. Daniel had seen what happens when two people in charge start up a feud. People get hurt or they die. He didn't want to see that happen. Daniel wasn't sure they could ever become friends, but at the very least they could have an understanding. That was his reasoning as he approached and stopped Jean as the corporal moved down the carriage "We need to have a talk, just you and me. Find me later when you have time alone." His tone was serious, but non-threatening. Daniel waited for Jean's response, before walking in the direction Jean came from. It was a hunch, but where Jean was that air-head of a girl must be as well.

Daniel came to the cabin where both Kalisa and Diana where, his heart was pounding strongly in his chest the entire time he walked. Every muscle in his body urged him to walk the other direction or pass them entirely. He forced himself to think of Elizabeth and the words she gave him on the battlefield. They gave him just enough strength to convince him to follow through with his foolish choice. Before he was able to enter their cabin, Jean came this way yet again and threw his scarf into the cabin with a wide grin on his face. Daniel watched him walk further away before making his move. While Jean did whatever he was doing, there was one other person to make amends with. He had no intentions of apologizing, but he could at least clear the air. Honestly, this entire idea was making him a tad sick. Nevertheless, he had to persevere.

It took every ounce of his control to stop from running away as he appeared in the doorframe, his eyes not meeting any of theirs instead hanging just above their heads "Can I...take a seat?" The last few words he strained to say. Half of him hoped that Diana would resent him and refuse his request and he could just continue on his way. This took more of his courage than charging up the hill. It felt as though a revolver was pressed against his chest with the trigger nearly depressed. As long as they didn't do any of that...girly crap to him he might just make it.

@Landaus Five-One@LetMeDoStuff@SMS