Private Pormont A Celebration of Life

[Herrscher]

And there she was, standing in the middle of the dirt road between two wheat fields that stretch as far as the eyes can see. Unmoving. Silent. All that can be heard in the background is the wheat rustling in the wind. As peaceful as the scenery was, Haru's attention was dead set on a sight just a meter away from her.

* * *

Many hours have passed since Haru manifested into Terrasphere's virtual reality for the first time. Within that timeframe, she has met colorful personalities which consists of the world's interactable NPCs and other players that chose to dive into this fantastic yet controversial game. It is apparent to interact with whoever's around. Something that Haru felt was difficult. She was never the type of person that can easily converse with others. Despite playing a completely different looking character in the game, she behaves no differently than her real life counterpart. Staying true to her personality.

For now—while still having access to the VR game—Haru tasks herself to walk around and explore as much of this world as possible. Maybe even uncovering its secrets on the way. It was for certain that this was going to be a long process but by being a part of this hyper realistic fantasy world, it was impossible for Haru to get bored. Even if she does not plan on actively participating in the more exciting activities like going on raids and fighting monsters, covering as much land step by step was already an adventure of its own.

At some point in Haru's journey, she finds herself walking on a path in Pormont after exiting Eastern Brisshal—the place where she spawned. Here, she is able to witness Falderen's beautiful, fertile plains. There were no buildings in site other than farms and ranches. This feeling of being away from the public gave Haru warmth. To live a farmer's lifestyle felt ideal. However, she is pursuing other things. Haru immersed herself with her surroundings, basking in all of its glory. But later on, she stumbles upon a sad scene.

As she was walking down the road, she noticed something resting on the ground up ahead. It was small and dark. It had looked like a black dot was painted in the middle of the road. When Haru moves closer to investigate, she discovers this Black Labrador pup laid on the ground. Unmoving. Silent. It did not take long for Haru to comprehend that this creature had passed on.

It was still so young...

Haru moves closer to the puppy and gets down on her knees. Trying to figure out what might've been the source of its unfortunate death.

@Senziente

 

[Senziente]

A new shooting star arrived in the realm of Terrasphere. A rather eager and excited soul at that. Eliza had created a character that's rather odd looking while still managing to have the strange charm on her appearance. Name: Senziente Sovrana. An equally odd name with a specific meaning for a specific purpose. Something she's not gonna tell anyone. Anyhow. This is her now — Senziente Sovrana. Perhaps Senzi for short. Or perhaps not. She'll judge the circumstances when she cross that bridge.

As soon as she arrived in the realm, she rushed through the tutorial. It's not to grasp for someone as brilliant as her. Right after that's finished, she went to wander off in a random direction she liked. She doesn't want to follow anything, and instead wanted to try and break the rules for once. She walked in one direction, then after walking far enough, she picked another direction to walk to. Continuing this pattern, she managed to arrive in Pormont, feeling quite thirsty now. She find a road as roads tend to lead to civilization and followed for a bit.

"Who dares traverse in front of me?!""

A voice shouted behind the girl who is staring at something on the road. A loud voice that sounded like they're picking a fight, but also trying to poke fun.

"So whom have I met at this very moment?"

@Herrscher

 

[Herrscher]

Senziente's voice boomed in the background, spooking Haru. She quickly got up and squeaked, immediately looking around to find the source that interrupted her grieving.

"Eep!"

The first thing that came to her mind the moment she heard someone speak was that she is about to encounter her first ever enemy in game and that she will participate in a fight for her life. Before Haru entered Terrasphere, she made it her goal to avoid any violent confrontation for her body and mind simply cannot handle such a thing. Even more so in a game that is very authentic. Unfortunately the ability to run away and hide from problems is impossible. At some point, she had to face the things she feared. Just like in real life.

Turning around, Haru's eyes is met with that of another player's. A heavy sigh of relief exiting her system.

Not a monster...

Feeling a bit more composed that the terrible things she had thought of in her mind wasn't present, she proceeds to speak to Senziente.

"Hi there... I'm Haru. N-Nice to meet you."

Expressing a sheepish smile, Haru lets out a shaky chuckle as she rubs her left arm in a shy manner. It's clear to the eyes of Senziente that Haru was nervous. Not looking at all confident in comparison to her.

Learning that the source of the voice was from Senziente, a player, Haru's attention slowly shifts back to the puppy on the dirt road. Revisiting the sight of the creature made her feel sad and distracted once again. Completely forgetting about Senziente's presence which she can notice.

@Senziente

 

[Senziente]

She smirked as she observed the reaction of the girl. She looked like someone who would crumble on the slightest of touch. She seemed like someone fun to poke more and more. Maybe she'll fight back. Or maybe she would cower down. Thinking about it made her smirk even wider. Either option would be fine with her, but she prefer someone who could fight back. Someone who just cowers when picked on is just pathethic.

Such a delicate soul.. Or let's see if there's more..

"So Haru, is it? What are you doing kneeling in the middle of the road here? Looking for ants? Mites? What are you-"

What is she doing..? Is she actually crazy? Mentally challenged? Does she have a quest for me?

She was talking to her, but the girl slowly turns back around and resumes whatever she was doing before. It's like she just forgot that the Sovrana is here. The Sovereign, as she like to call it. Even if she was anyone else, someone shouldn't be turning away in the middle of conversation. Perhaps this girl is deeply troubled. Mentally, she would guess. Is it even worth toying around at this point?

"Hey! Are you listening? Are you even real?"

She got a bit impatient as she started to approach her from the back.

@Herrscher

 

[Herrscher]

Herrscher of Shadows

From the tone of Senziente's voice, Haru determines that she was getting upset. With caution, she turns around to face the approaching character. Looking at her crimson red eyes and feeling all the more worried. With a gulp, she addresses Senziente's questions.

"Sorry, sorry! I'm listening, yes. I was just distracted by what's behind me... A-And to answer your last question, yes. I am very much real. S-See?"

She was not exactly sure on how to really prove herself so she proceeds to pinch her own skin. Wincing from the pain. At the same time now—only now—she realized that whatever pain she has inflicted upon herself here, she can feel it like in real life. This had built some concern to the Japanese player. If she were to be physically harmed by something or someone, things can go really bad. No wonder Terrasphere was banned by all the governments in the world. Its hyper realistic element reaches the point where the game doesn't even feel like a game. So if someone were to die in-game then the possibility of someone dying in real life would be...

Not wanting to further dive into such a scary topic in her head, Haru continues to speak to the woman in front of her. That way, she is distracted.

"Hey uhm... You never said your name. Could you tell me yours? Y-You're a good person, right? You're not here to hurt me are you?"

Haru was sweating. She wasn't exactly sure on what to do here. She was never good at talking to people and after discovering one reason why this game was banned made her feel even more scared. Her heart raising from the tension she feels. Senziente's observation about this girl is accurate. She is a delicate person and so anything she says could make the eye-patch wearing character break.

@Senziente

 

[Senziente]

⎝⧹╲⎝⧹◇⧸⎠╱⧸⎠

What is this?

An eyebrow was raised as the girl went to pinch herself. Looks like she's real after all. An AI-driven NPC can't do that normally. There are limitations on what artificial intelligence can do. One of the things it doesn't do is being unpredictable. Randomness. She asked the girl whether she was listening or not and whether she was real or not. Pinching yourself is to see if you're dreaming. She should be pinching Senziente if she want to prove she's real. Is she really panicking that much?

"You are beyond weird. I like you. My name is Senziente Sovrana. You can call me Senzi. I have no intentions to hurt you but I have no intentions of being soft either."

She want to play more with like a cat playing with its food. Though she doesn't intend to eat this food, but cultivate it and make it fight back. That's more fun and interactive. If she wanted to outright bully and torture the weak that can't fight back she would have gone to a cemetery. Those dead corpses can't fight back. That's no fun though. She wanted something alive, someone living. That way it's not just her talking to herself.

@Herrscher[/speech]

 

[Herrscher]

Herrscher of Shadows

Weird. Beyond weird. Being called something like that is not alien to her. In fact, it had happened frequently in the past. The people in her university are much nicer but elementary to high school was a different story. Right now, Senziente was making Haru feel less confident about herself. She did not know how to respond.

"..."

Seeing that Haru may or may not get anywhere with the woman in front of her, she would turn around and slowly pick up the dead puppy. Bringing it to her arms and letting it rest there. She holds its corpse as if she were holding a baby. Now that she is this much closer to the deceased creature, her feeling of sadness increases.

Not wanting to appear so vulnerable in front of Senziente, she looks back at her and sighs.

"C-Can I help you?"

Senziente could hear eye-patch wearing player gulp. She would also eventually see the puppy in her arms. It was a strange sight to say the least. Haru was also feeling the same way. She starts to think about all the bad things Senziente could be saying in her head. She hopes she does not have to hear those words come out verbally.

@Senziente

 

[Senziente]

She sighed upon seeing her reaction. She judged her whole behaviour. It's pathetic. It's just pathetic. For one, this girl seems to have very short attention span. She kept moving away while Senzi was talking to her. Turning away to face something else which someone is talking, whether she is mentally disturbed or that particular thing must be really interesting.

Secondly, her submissive and weak nature. Assertive, confident, strong, charismatic. Those are the words that would desribe the girl. Albeit those are the antonyms for the actual words that she used to describe Haru. She sighed again as she approached her closer, somewhat defeated.

"The more I talk to you, the more I feel pity for you. You are very easy to pick on and somewhat unresponsive when talked to. It's very... concerning."

For such a character to feel concern towards the girl, she must have done something off putting, which evidently she did. She was hoping she had found food to play with, but this one is not even worth eating. Continuing her act would only leave a bitter taste in her mouth. She's here to have fun, not to feel.. guilty. Why is she being so concerned about this newly met girl?

"This getting all too relatable. I hate it.

...

Are you okay?"

She saw the puppy from far away, but didn't really know what it was until she was already close.

 

[Herrscher]

Herrscher of Shadows

Now that the lifeless puppy is being carried in her arms, Herrscher is able to face the player speaking to her. It was warm, soft, and unmoving. Though she was not able to comfort it in its last moments—which was spent alone most likely—she keeps herself close to it to provide the puppy the care it needed. It deserved.

When looking towards Senziente, she could barely form a smile. Whenever she makes the attempt, her lips shake before dropping to a slight frown. It is clear she is not exactly in the best mood. Though despite this, she still makes the effort to interact with her.

"I'm... I'm fine. Sorry, I should've been paying attention to you. You must think I was being rude. I-I hope I can figure out a way to gain your forgiveness."

And there she goes again. Herrscher displayed her submissive and weak nature. It comes to show that she was also just not good with people. She does not have the same charisma and maybe intelligence as Senziente. However, what is clear is that she has a big heart that is open for others.

@Senziente

 

[Senziente]

...

She kneeled down to get to the girl's level, sighing as she does so. She looked carefully at the puppy, who looked very dead and unmoving. Then she looked at the face of the girl who is barely holding on. The look on Senzi's face showed concern. Something you wouldn't expect on the first time anyone would meet her. Perhaps she came off as a bully or being pushy.

But she's above picking on the defenseless weaklings. It's a theme she would like to forget altogether. It's too reminiscent of her real life as Eliza. And this girl, at this very moment, is very defenseless and vulnerable. Even if it's just a game, even if it's all virtual, it's a place where people like her wanted some time to escape the reality of the world.

"Rude..? No, no.. *I* am rude. *You* are weird. You are being very pathetic.

...

Are you okay with that? Is it alright to be begging without prompt? Is alright to show your weakness in front of someone? NO! That's a sad display of human. You should stand up for yourself! You must stand up for yourself!

Look at what you're holding. That's something properly weak. It makes sense for it to be weak. But you-! You have to stand up! Because you can! And because of the weak ones like that puppy!

They.. They can't protect themselves.. They need protection from others.. Someone who is able. You."

Again, it's not something she would usually do. But it came out. Perhaps some bottled up emotions. Perhaps some disturbed past. It's something that has clearly affected her and forced her to break out of her 'Senziente Sovrana' character. Perhaps she is projecting onto the girl. Her expression showed pity and sadness just briefly as she was giving the eyepatch girl her speech.

@Herrscher

 

[Herrscher]

Herrscher of Shadows

The conversation takes a turn as Senziente started to behave differently. This catches Herrscher off guard but she appreciates the things she said. Everything she was just told is true. By being so vulnerable and weak, she will not be able to fulfill her goals. Both the ones in-game and in real life.

"Hah... I really needed to hear that. Thank you. My journey has yet to begin but I have also been thinking the same. It's... It's scary if I'm being honest. I doubt I can do it all alone too. B-But I'll find a way! I will stand up for myself!"

Herrscher states with confidence this time. And just as she does that, she looks at the puppy in her arms before moving to the side of the road. Gently resting in the field. She then mutters a few words and its shadow disappears. Senziente can see the puppy's shadow move to Herrscher's. A very strange sight though fortunately enough, Herrscher was ready to explain her action.

"You know... I always want to help those in need. I feel like this is my opportunity to do so. To make a difference and to be different. I logged into Terrasphere to escape and change for the better. Are you doing the same perhaps? If not... you're still inspiring."

The eye-patch wearing player expresses a bright smile. Then coming out of Herrscher's own shadow was the very puppy that had died. It just has this shadowy look to it but he seems more or less like the real thing. He looks up to Senziente and snuggles up to her feet. Barking happily! As this happens, Herrscher takes this moment to properly bury the puppy's corpse. Letting it rest.

@Senziente

 

[Senziente]

⎝⧹╲⎝⧹◇⧸⎠╱⧸⎠

She turned away after she gave that speech. Perhaps to hide her face, because it looked she's doing it well. She seemed to be rubbing her face while turning away. Then she faced you again. It seems her 'normal' self has returned.

"Oh, is that so? You're going to change just like that? It's going to be that easy? Let's test it then-! ..?"

Once again, the eyepatch girl walked away as the Sovrana is speaking. She only sighed as she followed her to the side of the road. She's kind of used to it by now. And sort of understand. She just watches her with her acts of magic. Making a shadow disappear, then absorbing it. It's not hard to understand, for a genius like her. If it's the real world, she would have kidnapped her and hold her hostage for her knowledge. But it's a virtual world. Anything goes. Though it is interesting to see someone who got very upset and disturbed from a puppy's death to have a power over death. Ironic.

"You want to help people in need? Not surprised. If that's your cup of tea then go and pursue it. Ooh what a noble goal you have. (mocking)

...

Me..? That's.. none of your business.."

She went silent for a bit. She don't want to think about the real world right now. Then she was distracted by the sight of the shadow puppy coming out of the eyepatch girl. It went to her foot and nuzzled against it.

"..."

@Herrscher

 

[Herrscher]

Herrscher of Shadows

Herrscher was a little worried about what the crimson-eyed woman said. To be put to some sort of test so soon is rather concerning. Sure, she is up for the challenge but its mystery made her anxious. Just how will this test look like? She will get her answer at some point. Maybe. Again, not exactly knowing that his test might be, she is walking in clueless. Perhaps what they are doing right now is the test or a part of it.

"T-Test it? What do you plan on doing? Nothing so extreme I hope..."

Seeing her reap the shadow of the puppy and burying was quite ironic. Though it looks like Herrscher isn't the type to really think twice about her actions. What's done is done. Now that the puppy's shadow roams the earth like a living creature, it is pretty much living a second life. The opportunity given to him by none other than the inexperienced Shadowmancer.

The shadow puppy coils around Senziente's feet, its big blue eyes locked onto her red pupils. He pants— letting out another bark of pure happiness. He seems to really like Senziente. The sight of the puppy being very relaxed and playful around the more confident woman made Herrscher smile and laugh.

"He seems to like you a lot. Hmm... I should give him a name... He is my first shadow companion after all... Tut tut tut... Oh, I know! Prizrak! This little guy will be named Prizrak. Welcome to Terrasphere, my good friend."

Prizrak. The puppy moves a little in order to jump with joy. Hopping around cheering. Herrscher would get back down and rub the puppy's head. Shortly looking back at the other player.

"Do you want to pet Prizrak?"

@Senziente

 

[Senziente]

⎝⧹╲⎝⧹◇⧸⎠╱⧸⎠

She was staring at the puppy that's snuggling on her feet. If it's real world, she would have crouched down and petted the puppy without needing to be asked. But this is a virtual world. She's a researcher in computer science. Anything you see virtually is just some lines of codes behind them. She has worked so much in this field. She's very used to this fact. She can't really muster any compassion for these moving lines of code. These players however, while they're still lines of code virtualizing in this realm, they have a soul, and that's what she's after.

She crouched down anyway to try to pet it. Maybe her lost compassion will return if she experienced it. She rubbed the belly which the puppy seemed to be very willing. Prizrak. That's not a cute name at all. She chuckled to herself. Deep down, she's kind of sold on the idea of having a pet in virtual world of code lines. What a hypocrite she is for talking down onto something then wanting it anyway. That's what she's laughing at. Pathetic.

"Hm~ This puppy of yours.. You must like it very much. How's this for a test-"

A massive floating sword, bigger than the owner, manifested behind her as she picked up the puppy into her embrace and taking a few steps back to make space. She then leaned onto the massive floating sword like its a flexible pole and petted Prizrak.

"I want to see how strong your conviction is on protecting the weak. I'm going to take this puppy, Prizrak, for my own. I would love something to torture someone on my free time~ What will you do about it~?"

@Herrscher

 

[Herrscher]

Herrscher of Shadows

She smiles at Senziente's display of compassion towards the shadow puppy. The puppy expressing this bright and innocent smile as he received attention. But eventually the puppy was lifted by the other player, making the Shadowmancer blink in confusion. She is later revealed the intentions of Senziente, making her slowly rise up.

"Ah-"

Herrscher watches her companion get taken away so easily by Senziente. She looked helpless with her arms reaching out for the pup. This was the test. Herrscher fixes her posture and holds a more confident stance. With a gulp, she speaks up.

"L-Let him go!"

It seems like there was a bit of role-play from Herrscher's end. It was... pretty weird. Even she knows it as she was dying inside. In the end, she manages to push through. She had to get Prizrak back!

Senziente can See Herrscher's shadow increase in size. Eventually getting this abnormal shape that no longer matched her body. It appears as this circle of which Herrscher has full control of. Its intensity rising as it now behaves like wild flames. The shadows dancing around Herrscher's space.

"Are you sure we should be doing this? What if we get hurt?"

Herrscher asks. She wasn't ready to hurt someone. Especially since this scenario isn't the real thing.

@Senziente

 

[Senziente]

⎝⧹╲⎝⧹◇⧸⎠╱⧸⎠

Heat is rising!

Spoiler: Theme

3 / 3

A sinister and malicious smile appeared on pale face. Her crimson eyes looked down upon the eyepatch girl with equally menacing gaze as her face. Her leaning back on her sword like a hammock, not being in a stance whatsoever as she 'shows' her weakness. Her whole expression and body language right now is looking down on you. Mocking you. Belittling you. Ridiculing you. Depreciating you. Nothing but bad feelings exudes from her. Soon after, deep red daggers appeared in the air, hovering around and pointing towards none other than Prizrak, Haru's precious puppy.

"Are you sure you want to show concern right now~? Upon your oppressor~? Upon your enemy~? (takes one dagger and threatens to slice Prizrak) When I'm literally this close~?"

She played around with the daggers as she waited for the eyepatch girl's action. She was shown to be weak and very submissive the first minutes they have ever met. She's still is. But before, she won't even fight back and instead opted for begging before anything even happened. After talking some sense into her, seems like got some hope to change. The Sovrana wanted to test that right now. Is her will strong enough to back herself up? Now that's she's pushing her to the edge, will she finally act?

"Oh don't worry about me~ Worry about yourself~ Moreover, this puppy~ Besides, I have my pain limiter on~ Now fight me."

She raised her hand that's holding the dagger, and moved to thrust it down as if to stab the puppy.

OOC/Combat Guidelines

• We both have 3 Life Points (LP) for the sake of combat.
• All actions are legal. ALL OF THEM.
• All rolls must be made in the #rolls channel.
• On a successful attack, deduct 1 LP.
• On a critical attack, deduct 2 LP.
• The first person to reduce their opponent to 0 LP is the winner of the match.
• Replies have a max word count of 450 words excluding BBcodes. This is to make sure it doesn't drag on.

Spoiler: Post Template

[hp=3]3[/hp]

Post here

[action]
Bot result here
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Play Sheet Link

@Herrscher

 

[Herrscher]

The Shadow Reaper

3 / 3

The Fight Has Begun!

With floating daggers threatening to end the shadow puppy, Herrscher panics. She can't have Prizrak get hurt. Though this is some kind of test, it felt real. Too real. It seems like there are no limits to Senziente so it would be a waste of time to just beg. In the end, Herrscher decided it was best to act now and ask questions later. So with a deep breath, Herrscher focuses on the task at hand. To save Prizrak from his doom!

"Sorry about this."

Herrscher shuts her eyes to concentrate on channeling the darkness within her own shadow. She bends down a bit, lifting her arms as if she was carrying something heavy. Casting her spell, this large ball of shadow is forming and solidifying from the looks of it. Soon this pulsing ball of shadows is tossed right towards Senziente, Herrscher grunting as she feels her mana being drained and throwing this ball.

Rolls

Heavy Attack
1d100 (5) + 10 + 10 + 20 = 45
45 damage
You cannot move this cycle
Mastery | Herrscher | 806C1

Play Sheet Link

@Senziente

 

[Senziente]

⎝⧹╲⎝⧹◇⧸⎠╱⧸⎠

3 / 3

A test of conviction!
(Vulnerable!)

The panicking girl begins her attacks! It looked like she summoned a mass of shadows and hurling it towards Senziente, and inevitably, the puppy. Did she think this through? But that doesn't matter. What matters is her spirit. It's there. A bit misguided perhaps, but it's there. Nonetheless, the mass of shadows was hurled at the threat holding a hostage. It hits her. And...!

She disappeared! As if you just hit an illusion, the moving image dissipates as the mass of shadows hit it.

"That's more like it! Sometimes the only way forward is to fight! Now fight like lives depends on it! Because if there's any time to go all out, it's now!"

A voice spoke from seemingly nowhere. That's when Senziente appeared. Walking out from thin air in front of you. Prizrak is not seen anywhere on her. Perhaps hidden by her. Then her giant sword appeared behind her. She started to circle you as she talked. Then more and more Senzientes appeared circling you in unison. You can judge it may be some kind of illusion from your previous attack. One of these are real. You try to touch but your hand simply passed through. Then she stopped and grabbed the hilt of her giant sword.

"Alright. Enough warming up. En garde!"

One of them swung at the eyepatch girl. Then another, then another. A bursts of attack is sent towards Haru. How will she manage?

Rolls

Burst Attack
10d20 exploding (11 + 8 + 19 + 12 + 18 + 1 + 6 + 12 + 17 + 17) + 0 = 121
121 damage (Explosions: 0)
Gain the Vulnerable state
Slash Weapons | Senziente | 806

Play Sheet
@Herrscher