RyuShura

Shattered Fates - A Dark Fantasy, Boss Battling Epic

And what a way to come back, indeed. Taking all the shits and glory as always. You two never cease to amaze me. Whether that is a good or bad thing... I'm not sure yet. X^D Welp, with that out of the way, we shall await what the other cast members decide to do before we kick this thing into high gear.

I have high expectations now for all the upcoming posts.

...

As a side note: As we are nearing action, this would be a good time to explain a bit more of how action seqences will work and how the stats play a role in them.

More boring GM blabbering

STR has a stable upkeep if the threshold END is also the same level. Basically, average strength characters can do things at an 'average' level (we're talking about humans here) for an extended amount of time based on their END. In this case, it would also be average. By pushing themselves to do more than that, it'd be a staining task and will incur a slight fatigue penalty or consequence, be it actual harm or complications, for the character. For those who are imbalanced in this area, the more END you have than your STR, the more you can push yourself essentially. With the inverse effect if higher tiers STR of strength are used without corresponding END. One-and-done, as it were.

Think of it as a stamina bar in Souls/Bloodborne. Except in story form, of course.

You will find you will be running out of breath quite easily at this point, notably those with the 'sin' weapons, so having teamwork to cover each other in your moments of vulnerability and fatigue is key.

Don't worry about keeping tally or whatever, as this is an intangible method. I'll be constantly monitoring your character's status as they do things throughout the story. During a fight or action scene(s), take your own posts as suggestions or anticipated outcomes and mine as what actually happens. Keeps things suspenseful when you don't know if things are gonna work out or not, I think. Just keep an eye out for certain cues and specific details in my responding posts, especially if you are tagged in one, as they will have determined the effectiveness of your intended actions. When I say something happens, that's what I've determined is most reasonable and that's about final. I must state now that hold no biases in my assessments, nor will I kill any characters outright without proper warning*.

*Unless your name starts with 'Z', and ends with 'ombehs'.

The Silent War ( A end of days Fantasy RP)

I'm down. I like super complicated things. It shows a lot of effort and thought from the project head. I for one like stats, so long as they are kept simple and serve to aid the narrative, but I don't care either way. :^D

Shattered Fates - A Dark Fantasy, Boss Battling Epic

They're still pretty far. This is mainly decision making time unless you wanna just run up in that. I'm mostly doing it this way to allow some people to catch up on posts.

Shattered Fates - A Dark Fantasy, Boss Battling Epic

Why yes, that's correct. It's little ol' @kagethekiller, so there is their character to lug around if you want. Unfortunately, being on leave does not excuse characters from events they are a part of. Don't worry, there might be a way to... 'dispose' of him somewhere along the way to the BOSS thing. :^D

Shattered Fates - A Dark Fantasy, Boss Battling Epic

@Aristo Yes, as far as you peeps can tell. They don't seem to be very careful in how they move, and their scratching shuffle is only coming from that direction. Some of you haven't woken up either, so there's that to account for too.

Edit: Actually, I did a quick counted. It's just one of you.

Shattered Fates - A Dark Fantasy, Boss Battling Epic

...

As the members of the rag-tag party carefully deliberated their actions, unsure of the dangers that await them in this depressing old world, one of them decided to test out the 'tremors' felt earlier in the pools of thick oily water. As the scrap of booklet landed into the shallow end, slapping and making a wet plop, before sinking slowly into place. The sound echoed with surprising density in the chamber, seeming to reverberate in the enclosed space and pulsed outward. For a moment it seemed nothing happened, the ruins continuing to remain silent as the ripples caused by the landing rapidly abated into nothingness. Whatever the unnamed soul thought was hiding the depths seemed only a figment of their hasty imagination, their test seeming to prove this much, and that much alone. A precaution is much better than doing nothing at all, in theory, however it seemed their experiment did not account for all the outlying factors. What resulted was an unforeseen consequence. A low moan in the distant north then broke the silence, disturbed by the stray noise. Something had been woken by the careless action, and the tired shuffling of stone could only mean it was beginning to move. Metals soon scrapped against the floor, or walls, it was difficult to tell at this range. It wasn't just one 'thing' either, but many, indicated by a rising chorus of groaning fragmented sentences in the wicked scuffed melody.

"The sign... I-I see it! We've found it...! Our call must have worked! How long has it been...? No matter... The precious mark... Oh, blessed Goddess, we knew you wouldn't abandon us...!"

Suddenly the lights in the northern passage began to shift. One by one, the collective glow seemed to separate and then push forward, driven by a wave of shadows. Whatever it was, they were slow, but there was no telling how many there were.

With all the cautiousness around the hallways themselves, perhaps this accident might prove an advantage for the defenders who would be meeting their adversaries from the open end. But would the conflict itself cause more of what lay dormant in these ruins to awaken? Who knows how many other ways they could be swarmed from, if they took too long. The other passages seemed to have remained placid, as far as any of them could tell. There was still a chance to avoid all this if they moved now. Whatever the choice, it needed to be quick. There was a clear timer ticking down now, and who knows what happens when it runs astop.

And then there is the problem of those among the party who haven't stirred from their 'dream'...

...

Shattered Fates - A Dark Fantasy, Boss Battling Epic

@eklispe Its okay to be slow, I would just appreciate an update. Even like a few words is enough. I wouldn't toss you aside just because of one week either. In the end, I'm always happy to keep players around if they want to be here. As the GM who dragged you all into this mess, I feel responsible and obliged for trying to make this the best roleplay I can for those who entrusted me their precious time and effort. And part of that is just trying make sure everything moves along smoothly.

So, that being said, thanks for the update. I will keep your busy schedule in mind. :^D

EDIT: Nevermind, problem fixed.

Shattered Fates - A Dark Fantasy, Boss Battling Epic

With so much happening, I feel it is necessary to post an update about the current state of the cast.

There are 2 people who will be out of commission for a few weeks, maybe even more, whom I will have to work around in-narrative how their characters become inactive. Or something of the sort. Probably gonna be forcibly left behind by the main party until I can bring them back in. That leaves us with a total of 6 left. As of now, I will be waiting for @ERode to return before starting the next string of events, though feel free to continue to discuss and search around the place in the IC until then. I do love reading all of the motivations and tiny self-thoughts hidden within the posts. Hopefully their character will make a definite choice by that point, or any of yours for that matter, otherwise I'd have to make one myself... and we don't want that now. :^D

Oh, and @Eklispe this is my obligatory tag for you, checking if you're still here with us as it is nearing the 1 week mark since your last post. I know you're active around the forums, so it's okay if you decide this isn't for you anymore. I'd just like to know, so I can plan things here accordingly.

Afterlife: Dead Sun

@Tominas@Holy Soldier@Scarescrow@Duoya@Tenma Tendo
...

Luxek stood still from shock when a large figure crossed over them in from the darkness, hissing and snarling as its mighty tail whipped through the air and pointed savagely at the incoming lava titan. The masked spirit then made a happy tune, both from not being eaten right then and at the fact that it seemed this creature, no this friend, did not wish to hurt them, but protect them. For some reason they felt a bond, a familiarity. The similarity in their masks helped connect them, but no, Luxek felt something much deeper between the two.

The masked spirit reached out with a meek hand, caressing the bumpy hide, "Thank you, dear friend..."

In that same moment, another unknown spirit rushed out towards the massive thing, the thin spirit letting out a short gasp. It thought how hopeless such an ideal that was, to wage battle against the titanic foe, but at the same, how brave and heroic such a victory must be. They felt a compulsion to follow, to claim such accolades, to continue towards these interesting developments. But the rage of battle tempered has since in their heart after slaying the Horned one, the wicked slaver. All that was left was a sadness and emptiness like none other. The little spirit felt a slight repulsion of the world around as the lava beast rose, towering over as it crept closer to them and the pen of countless helpless spirits. There was definitely a level of power between them and the creature that felt tangible, crushing even. They wanted to rush out and help defend the victims, those once just like them, from becoming prey to yet another savage monstrosity. But going out would mean death and so Luxek stilled her hands with a heavy heart. They would choose turn and run today, become what they hated the most, and in return, Luxek vowed to avenge this sacrifice over and over.

A voice interrupted their sullen thoughts.

"I am."

Luxek immediately turned towards the voice as another approached from the darkness, lifting and shining the green-flamed lantern to see a hollow, solemn-faced man.

The masked spirit chimed again, their vigor renewed. With an excited jump, they urging the great bone-headed beast with them as they moved after the fleeting figure. From the way he moved, it seemed he had some semblance of plan. If not, being together would prove more effective if fighting the lava beast would become unavoidable.

"There, other friends! Others who do not wish to fight. Come, let us escape all this violence..."

The masked one followed along with a hop and skip across the chasm, watching in awe as this 'leader' of theirs moved without hesitation, without deliberation the consequences of his choices, carrying their weight even though it would slow him down. Selflessly, he helped the others worse off than himself. This was a trait Luxek greatly appreciated and respected. They did not care who it was they helped, what they looked like or otherwise, so long as they would avoid anymore bloodshed.

"Hello, nice to meet you, dear friends." Luxek would say to the new faces, speaking in their soft voice, "There is much yet we don't know, but for now, let us agree to get along. I will do my best."

And so they all ran, crossing to a nearby a narrow bridge of stone over a smoking cavern that resembled a ceaseless smoking lake. It didn't seem very safe, but they didn't have much of a choice. Soon enough, there was a black figure at the other end, one who claimed to know the way to safety, shaping into a crimsoned-colored crow and began screeching very, very loudly. Why? Luxek would think, a little annoyed by the shrill screeching. But the answer was quickly given once Luxek caught figures in the light of the lantern, bloody beings scuttling down the walls, and up from below, like a swarm of insects. Their blackened eyes were mad, and their expressions were twisted in grisly hunger. That was enough for the masked spirit to move to action.

It needed to be brave too, like the Captain, if they wanted to be of any use to their friends.

"I will attempt to block one side!" The masked spirit yelled as they stepped out to the eastern side of the bridge, leaning over and blowing into their lantern with an instinctual knowledge.

They bellowed and great phantasmic flames were cast out of the lantern in a long arc, burning a green trail along the stone walls. While they appeared real as any other fire, these were merely an illusion to trick them. With any luck, it would deter the maddened ones even just a short moment. Afterwards, they pointed again before bellowing another arc. "Go, dear friends, follow the sound of the bird! I don't think it will stay long! I will follow after I finish this blockage...!"

...

Shattered Fates - A Dark Fantasy, Boss Battling Epic

I wanted to clear up the 'Falling' or arriving issue right now. You're all there right now. Just some of you are still sleeping, haven't yet woken up from the dream or nightmare. No one knows how you got there, you are just there.

@Aristo Out of the two, the only one that sounds like it would be a 'signature' would be preconception. Learning how to warp oneself certain distances is something not exactly too unique, as anyone with proper knowledge and SPI can do so. Otherwise, Hm... preconception is always a tricky ability to handle. I'll allow this ability at its weakest state of a few seconds, if you so desire, but there has to be a certain 'active' for it, otherwise it would just be a gimmicky passive ability, without any real cost. These are mean to evolve and turn to like trump cards for each character, cool things you can bust out when everything else fails, but would also require some kind of sacrifice.

Like for such an ability, I can see the active being that, for a short time he separates from the perceived time stream for a moment and can perform actions that would otherwise be too impossible given the time frame. I dunno, whatever you can think of.