LupusIntus

SAO: Living in Aincrad

You may want to consider just putting putting a specific date on the timeskip and let everyone conform to what you (the Gm's) choose. "We're timeskipping to the next morning on [date/time] so wrap up whatever conversation you're in!" Sorta deal...

SAO: Living in Aincrad

Geist

Geist slid his dagger back into the leather sheath on his waste and closed the victory screen floating before him, the fingers of his other hand flicking a few loose strands of hair out of his dark eyes as they looked the newcomer up and down. His gaze was calculating and cold, much like someone would give when inspecting a new tool or weapon as if to assess its usefulness. It was a quick moment, one that would only be noticed by the exceptionally observant, and when it passed his face resumed a neutral expression as he shrugged his shoulders at Linc's question. "We figured getting to Horunka was better than sticking around the city, twiddling our thumbs."

The sun had almost completely sank beneath the horizon and Geist knew they wouldn't make it to the city before nightfall was completely upon them. Furthermore they still had to pass beneath the trees of a rather thick forest and after the run in with the wolves he was wary of what sort of creatures they might find in the darkness beneath the canopy. "I agree with him, you should come with us." He said, matter-o-factly as he gestured to Dar. "There may be more wolves between us and the town... or worse."

Geist didn't wait for a response, not wanting to waste more time getting caught in some worthless conversation while their daylight slipped away, and started walking on down the path. He stopped a short distance away and turned back to the two other men. "Oh... and you can call me 'Geist'. Are you coming, Dar?

@Grayscythe@_Middle_

SAO: Living in Aincrad

Cool, then we're in agreement about that!

I still don't think we need to rush through the first boss. :)

And I wasn't saying, or trying to imply, that you were asking for a chain of epic boss fights, nor for your character to be the 'best' or whatever; so sorry if that's how it came across.

SAO: Living in Aincrad

I don't exactly know where you're getting the info that no rare events would be available on floor 1? Sure, none were described in the book/anime but that doesn't mean game developers wouldn't put easter eggs/special events into the first massive level of such an MMO (with the largest geographical landmass of the entire game)?

The early stages would most likely see people in 2 camps, either despairing in the starter town or actively searching to clear content and discover the location of the boss room. This exploration would require gear which would require the completion of quests which would require a certain element of teamwork among small groups of players with similar goals.

I am not asking for 'grinding', nor for time to sit and write post after post of my character killing boars, but I personally didn't join this RP because I wanted a chain of epic boss fights all tied in a row (there are many of those RPs elsewhere on the site).

As you said, not shooting you down or looking for a fight just defending my own view of the issue. :)

EDIT: To clarify, I'm totally fine with a two week time-skip that would give players an opportunity to gain some levels/skills/character-interactions, just don't necessarily think we need to be going straight into the L1 boss fight.

SAO: Living in Aincrad

My 2 cents on the timeskip, even though no one asked for it. :)

I agree that a timeskip would be convenient soon as more players end up 'going to sleep' at the end of night one, however I would strongly request we don't immediately jump to the boss battle/pre-boss planning. For one, if we're following a loose timeline of the show it took over a month to discover the boss room on floor one and I personally think a month is a bit too long of a skip. Secondly, I like the idea of this RP being more focused on actual every-day life in Aincrad rather than the progression through the game, as the show portrayed, and would certainly welcome more time to level up, develop characters, discover 'secrets' and the like. Would be fun if the GMs, or even other members of the RP, started a sort of 'quest board' that our characters could use as an excuse to team-up with each other (when they wouldn't otherwise meet).

Perhaps if we were looking for a way to get everyone together in 'the same room', as it were, there could be some other type of large event/rare group quest that would draw the players together. I also liked the idea of someone starting a guild that willing characters could join to provide more opportunities to act within our already-forming groups and the wider 20-something of us that are part of the RP.

The guild thing could start a ways down the line though, I'm in no rush (neither is Geist).

Jus' ma thoughts!

SAO: Living in Aincrad

@_Middle_, are you waiting for me to post again? (I was waiting for you but I could write Geist being his usual dismissive self) :)

SAO: Living in Aincrad

@Animus, I think you're totally safe to move on. My personal rule is 3 days; if I don't get a reply in that time I feel no reason not to ignore the last post and/or post onward as if the interaction never happened.

I'm sure @Grayscythe, @_Middle_, and I would welcome another person though you'd have to make it to Harunka for a chance at meeting up.

SAO: Living in Aincrad

I think it's safe to let Gray post. We're not really in a rush, atm and it sounded like he'll be around for a post sometime today. :)

@_Middle_@Grayscythe

Edit: @The One, atm people are spread out into a number of different groups. Some have made it to different towns outside the starter zone while others are still in the city of beginnings. In general, everyones intro appears to have started pre-loggin into the announcement by Kayaba Akihiko that they're trapped in the game but you could likely cover the first evening to catch up.

SAO: Living in Aincrad

Just a warning in advance that I'm going to have to do some traveling in the new few days, so Friday and Saturday I may only be able to post at night.

However the good news is that I won't be working so late so much next week so I will be in a better position to post more.

@Grayscythe

Should be alright if we get to the town before you're off. Figured Geist might break away for a while there anyway then have them meet up again later for a particularly difficult quest or something. :)

@_Middle_@Grayscythe

SAO: Living in Aincrad

Geist

Geist didn't give his charging wolf another chance to bite at him as the blade of his dagger began to glow. Feeling the system take over he allowed his arm to shoot forward just before the beast leapt, the blade piercing straight through the hide of its neck and causing it to whine in pain. It didn't go down from one attack much to Geist's dismay, the red bar floating near it shrinking down to red, but there was a faint shattering sound that accompanied the attack. Without waiting for the enemy to recover, he slashed again without the systems help and saw his attack do far more damage than expected, draining the remainder of the lifebar and blowing the beast into a shower of pixels. He was starting to get the hang of it, little by little. Now all he had to do was train these movements into muscle memory...

He saw Dar finish another wolf with a powerful overhead swing of his weapon and couldn't help but be impressed by the greatsword's effectiveness. Geist also got to see one of its drawbacks as the slower speed of the heavy weapon didn't allow Dar to block the attack from the second beast; he winced as its maw bit down on the other man's shoulder. The direwolf bounded away for another charge just as Dar fell back beside Geist. The other man noticed something, there was a figure fighting another set of wolves not fifty feet away, and Dar seemed inclined to go help.

"Geist! Over there! C'mon!"

@Grayscythe

'Worry about your own self!' He wanted to shout but once again the speed of the wolves came as a surprise as Geist was barely able to react to another lunge attack. Luckily he was not the target and Dar was better prepared, bringing his sword up before him so that the wolf's maw struck the flat of his blade. It bounced back with a whine, landing on wobbly legs as if dazed, and Geist clearly saw the use of a <<Parry>> skill. Though Dar asked for his assistance, Geist ignored the man and focused instead on the enemy still before him. He knew he couldn't use his system attack again, he'd learned of the cooling period while fighting boars, but he'd felt a system hum from his last attack. Holding his dagger before him, he tilted the blade until he noticed the faint glow begin to form. With a growl he charged forward, determined not to let the creature recover, and slashed down diagonally drawing a long line of red across its side. He continued the motion and used the momentum to bring his blade around in a sideways figure '8' pattern that slashed the wolf a second time. It burst apart and a proud smirk spread on Geist's lips until he remembered Dar was still fighting. With a sigh, he rushed towards them to join the fray.

It didn't take long for the three of them to finish off the rest of the mangy beasts, though Geist was noticeably panting by the end. He'd taken a few hits but was glad to see his yellow health-bar slowly replenishing and Dar's health seemed to be alright as well, though a bit lower from the initial attack he'd taken. "See...?" He said with more than a hint of sarcasm. "Not too much trouble..."

@_Middle_@Grayscythe