Private Eastern Brisshal Learning the Ropes

Kat Otsu · Jul 7, 2022

Kat ran after Kaede after her comments about agreeing to show Kat the ropes. She was a little annoyed by the comments about Ryou, seeing as she wasn't here to defend herself, and didn't generally seem the jealous type anyway. But it's not like Kat was doing this to find romance, she just wanted to learn how to play the game more effectively. Most of what Kaede had said seemed interesting, but Kat ignored the comment about interesting date spots, preferring to find those with Ryou herself. But what really interested Kat was the comment about UI-Locking.

"Wait, stop there. What is UI-Locking? I'm not great at VRMMO speak, but I have had it explained to me that the UI is the things that I see, like HP and stuff. Does that mean you can't see that? And if so, how in the world do you play the game?

A million other thoughts swirled around in her head. Such as, how did she log out if she couldn't access the UI? Maybe she just meant that the UI never changed but she could still access it. Like, see it. How did she access her inventory? Everything in the game seemed pretty easy to manipulate without the inventory or UI, so Kat supposed it would be fine. Maybe it was a self-imposed challenge. Ryou had talked to Kat about something called the Iron Man challenge in other games, where players locked themselves out of things to make the game harder. Perhaps that's what UI-Locking was?

She tried her best to keep pace with Kaede because of her short legs and waited with bated breath for an answer to the sudden mystery plaguing her mind.

@Kaede Hoshi

Darkness · Jul 10, 2022

Kaede would slow down when she noticed Kat was intent to follow, thinking over how to explain things and eventually just opted to go with her normal response as she turned around to show this was not some joke or thing to take lightly. her demeaner went from relaxed to composed and serious as she looked Kat dead in the eyes as she spoke.

"UI-locked in this case is something that happens to players who have died three times in game. Such a thing causes you to die in real life and be stuck in the game. Any setting you had like auto assist, or pain dampening and turned off. You can't log out as far as we know and death a fourth time without resurrections is the true end."

Kaede spoke in slow calm words to convey the message as clearly as possible before turning back to keep walking at a pace to match Kat's. She was keeping her face hidden as she pulled her hood up to hide the fact bringing it up was painful each time. She had no warning like she gave so many people, all she knew was one day she died helping people thinking it was fine and woke up in a field without anything in her inventory and unable to escape the game to go to her classes.

It was a week or two later someone she knew that also played said she had died in real life and sent Kaede into her spiral, and then when the other players vanished she fully slipped and did things she was not proud of. Forcing her mind to focus on other things as she moved the hood back down with a half hearted smile and focused on the now not the then.

"So what would you like to learn about, Combat, magic, resource gathering, other topic I can't think of at the moment ha ha?~"

Musing her words as she walked until they had been in a small clearing with the center a black scarred area Kaede knew as her training spot in the past. She always ended up here when she was not thinking where she wanted to go or when training someone. One day she would try to fix the mess she made here but for now it was simply to help teach Kat about the game.

@Kat Otsu

Kat Otsu · Jul 10, 2022

Kat followed along, listening intently to the explanation that she was given about what UI-Locking was. Kat listened, but she was having trouble actually believing what she was being told. A game that could kill the person outside of it, just for dying inside of it? Seemed too far-fetched to be true. Kat continued to be skeptical, but it was clear that something was bothering Kaede in what she was telling Kat. Perhaps it was true? But that would mean, that Kaede was dead in the real world. That Kaede really couldn't go home. That she could feel pain and only interact with the world as if she lived in it.

Suddenly, Kat remembered the broken blade. She remembered how it remained on the ground, broken, long after any other game would have despawned the object. TerraSphere was not like any other game Kat had ever played. You really could live in this world without the UI. You'd live just like the NPCs did, but with the knowledge that there is another world outside of this one that you could never return to. This would be your world, your home.

Kat's blood ran cold. She didn't want to believe Kaede. If she did, that meant Ryou would have been right all along, this was dangerous. Kat felt her kimono where the black stain remained, the two holes showing her skin. Kat had almost died once. One out of three, and all it would take was two more. And Kat had just played it off like it was nothing, not knowing.

Kat had lost herself in thought as they walked into the clearing, and had been snapped out of it by Kaede asking a follow-up question about what Kat wanted to learn. It was clear that if Kaede was trapped in this world, some trauma had to accompany that. Kat didn't want to pry any further into the matter. Kaede had been very succinct and honest, and Kat appreciated that.

As Kat thought about what she thought would help her the most, survival was the most important thing on her mind given what she had just been told. But how best to survive when Kat had taken no real defensive or support skills? She was planning on relying on Ryou, but what of when she was alone, without her?

"Well, I have no reason to believe that you would lie to me, not yet at least. So given what you've told me, it seems like survival is the best thing to focus on. But all I have are damage skills. How do you think it best to survive in this world, given that?"

@Kaede Hoshi

Darkness · Jul 11, 2022

Kaede would think the request over some. She herself had a well rounded albeit volatile mix of magic to cover most every base she needed. That said though she knew a few things that could help the newbie with only offence things. Shifting back a few steps as she waved around the area before speaking up.

"If this was a combat area, and you only had offence then the best ideas is to be resourceful and or tactical. Getting hit would not be ideal since you can't recover likely as fast as you would get hurt SO..."

Kaede would jump backwards using her magic to push her some extra distance. Landing on her feet though with a slight stumble as she would resume speaking.

"if you have ranged attacks or magic using them to keep targets out of close range is the best, Sure you might run into another ranged caster but in those cases if you can get them in close combat they likely aren't strong in it. if that makes sense...? Better to learn what you fighting before acting, then keeping your wits and mind on alert for changes."

Kaede would pull the dagger from her boot and twirl it slowly in her hand. She was not good with close combat, but exceled at ranged magic and taking hits since she could heal and had fairly decent light armor. Thinking back when she was still a new player she mixed her mastery setup to cover all but support and grew into it later. Mulling the idea some more before speaking again.

"Overall try to play to your strength or exploit an enemy weakness or if you can both. The other option is forming a party with a tank or support. Not a game you can 'win' alone. Even if you are jack of all trades you can't excel at any one thing. Sorry describing is my bad suit ha ha."

Scratching the back of her head as she kept her focus on Kat wondering if anything she was saying made much sense. her only idea was a sparring match to give her actually practice but the fear she would not hold back and cause serious harm was looming in her mind. Either way she would need to find a way to properly train and or teach the girl to hold up her side of things.

Rolls

Dash action

@Kat Otsu

Kat Otsu · Jul 12, 2022

As Kaede spoke, Kat tried her best to listen attentively. But it was like when Kat was back in school. It was so hard for her to pay attention to what the woman was saying because all it was, was an explanation. Kat was a doer and learned by doing, but she didn't want to be rude to the hostess who had been more than kind enough to show Kat the ropes as it was.

She nodded along during most of what Kaede said, watching her as she moved around the training ground, and at the end, a couple of points managed to stick with Kat. Focus on having other people and not being alone. That was point one, and with Ryou, Kat would have that covered. Also, Kaede, if she was willing to help with things other than training. Kaede seemed like she would have plenty of tricks up her sleeve, and might be willing to help Kat with actual quests and stuff. Wouldn't hurt to ask later.

In the meantime, Kat had an idea. She had no real ranged combat to speak of, and would definitely be at the disadvantage in a ranged battle. But that was one of the reasons she had picked Dynamics, as a gap closer. Smiling, Kat said,

"So if I were to get in close with that mage girl that was attacking me earlier, my best bet is closing the gap. I assume that would work like this!"

And without another word, Kat was a blur, running at Dynamism speed to close the gap with Kaede until she stopped only inches in front of her, having to skid into the gravel beneath her feet or else she would have crashed headlong into the other woman. Huffing a little, she looked up at her teacher, a big childish grin on her face.

"How about that?!"

@Kaede Hoshi

Darkness · Jul 13, 2022

185 / 185

❰ 140 / 150 ❱

Kaede would watch, when the girl started to speak about the best idea Kaede would for a brief moment adjust her left hand at her side a flicker of a clock showing before she canceled the spell and let the girl approach. She was not here to be mean and a harsh teacher, not yet anyways as she knew how much it sucked to get tossed right to the deep end. That said she would smile and reach the same hand out to pat the kid's head with a smile.

"Exactly like that, but you forget she also had a decent close combat option with that claw of hers. That said in this case rushing me is the best call because I have nothing to really use close combat without time to cast my magic."

Kaede would move her left hand to show the clock again and how it took time before things started to slow down around them, rather the two moved faster then what was around them causing the effect. The effect would linger near the two, the icon showing a small clock on the girl's UI and for Kaede the clock on the back of her left hand was how she tracked it for herself. Using it Kaede would move to the other side and wave for Kat to follow before speaking.

"This time come at me with an attack, you won't learn much without real practice... and if you don't like fighting me and are ok with a bit of a wait I can animate something to be your sparring partner. So long as you don't go ratting me out to landers since it's considered taboo magic to use nowadays.~"

Kaede would speak, ending her little offer with a finger over her lips and making the 'shh' sound after. If Kat was against targeting the veteran Kaede would reach her hands out towards the ground as a black puddle of ooze would begin forming, the magic took a bit more time and energy since she was not using a existing dead body and had to form it from pure magic. The good note for that though was she had the freedom to make it as she needed for this case.

She would focus mostly on it's durability, not bothering with increasing it's combat power or defense so it would be the perfect target dummy that still gave the new player a bit of a challenge. Then came making it a bit less, difficult to see not as anything other then a danger while not scaring them. Though on the other hand if Kat decided to attack Kaede would make light cut on her arm before forming a blood shield to guard against incoming attacks.

Rolls

Haste
1d4 (4) = 4
+4 movement between up to 3 targets (Kaede, Kat, Totetsu)

PSL (Play Sheet Link)

@Kat Otsu

Kat Otsu · Jul 26, 2022

115 / 115

Kat watched and listened as Kaede explained everything. She understood the concept of magic in this world, though Kat herself had originally taken no skills in magic, she had slotted in some Illusion Magic of her own. She had no clue how to use it though, and how to even begin to ask how to use it. But she had played around a lot with her Shadow Arts, and she felt like she had a pretty good grasp of things.

When Kaede would offer the training dummy, Kat would shake her head, denying it. Kat didn't need a silly dummy to hit, she wanted to learn from real combat. How else was she going to get comfortable with the mechanics of the game? Hitting a target that stood still taught her nothing at all.

Kat definitely felt faster, and she figured that was because of the magic that Kaede had cast on her. So in response, Kat thought to use the speed to her advantage. She cast a Shadow Arts ability that caused her to teleport behind Kaede, attempting to get the sneak attack off on her, but Kaede was ready for it, managing to get up a blood magic shield that knocked Kat off balance and caused her to go tumbling into the dirt.

Kat groaned and sat up, spitting out some grass she got in her mouth after crashing into the dirt from her failed sneak attack attempt. She wasn't sure what she had done wrong, but it was definitely clear she needed more practice.

"That didn't go great."

Kat admitted, before sighing. She hoped that Kaede didn't think her too much of a foolish kid or something for that terrible showing.

@Kaede Hoshi

Rolls

Sneak Attack
1d100 (44) + 10 + 10 + 20 = 84
84 damage
Sneak Attack unsuccessful! You have disadvantage on your next save roll
Shadow Arts | Kat Otsu

Play Sheet

Darkness · Jul 26, 2022

185 / 185

❰ 40 / 150 ❱

Critical Success

100

Kaede did not exactly expect, rather think when she allowed her old reflexes to kick in. The moment the girl had moved behind her with intent to harm the veteran took it as serious attack and used all she had to defend against it. The blackish blood shield denying any harm as Kaede blinked a few times recalling she was not in any serious danger or she hoped as much from someone she was offering to train. That said though as she lowered the shield she would give Kat a small smile before speaking.

"Trying to sneak attack a veteran is rather bold ha-ha. Sorry my body just went auto combat mode I guess, or rather instinct defense. I still think it may be smarter if you fought that one however..."

Kaede would point behind Kat at the finished 'training dummy' that turned out to be more then just a simple thing. The undead knight stood at the ready, holding only a tower shield in one hand with small spikes of bones sticking out. It was built to endure plenty of hits and dish out some in return, and Kaede was also happy how cute it came out but that was beside the point. as she stepped back to give the girl space for the upcoming fight.

10 retaliation damage

❰ 1100 / 1100 ❱

Adjusting her outfit some while giving the mental order to combat Kat, but not to severely harm or kill the kid as she sat down mostly drained from the effort it took to bring out something to this level. She did it more to protect Kat, as Kaede had already shown her body reacted or took things serious and that was dangerous for such a power gap. This way however, Kaede could control the foe, and give Kat some decent training of real beginner level combat.

Rolls

Normal block
1d100 (100) + 25 + 15 = 280 (Crit!)
280 vs 84 = no damage

PSL (Play Sheet Link)
OOC: Never did a defense but glad dice said I was safe for sure ha ha. Don't know if you want to do the 'makeshift' PvP system but this way for now works since you can use special attacks and such and also fits akin to auto monster. Kaede will heal if you get low so go ham against the undead knight.~ Or challenge her again and next post I'll give a rough TLDR of the PvP system most people use.
@Kat Otsu

Kat Otsu · Jul 31, 2022

105 / 115

-10 From Retaliation

Undead "Training Buddy"

❰ 941 / 1100 ❱

Kat couldn't help but huff a bit as she picked herself from the dirt. Not only had Kat looked like a fool in her attack, but she also felt a bit mocked, considering Kaede then summoned a training enemy for her to fight anyway, despite initially denying that as an option. She sighed and brushed the dirt from her clothes as she watched the undead creature raise, ready to fight.

It was spooky, sure, but didn't look all that bad if Kat was being honest. She gritted her teeth to prevent a retort she might otherwise regret towards the veteran woman training her. Kat was no child, and really bore no ill will towards Kaede. She was honestly being very helpful, and was probably doing this for Kat's safety. But she still couldn't help feeling insulted, even if Kat knew that wasn't the intention.

"Well, once I beat this thing up, hopefully you'll take me a bit more seriously. I may be a beginner, but this isn't my first video game!"

And in a flash, faster than the naked eye would be able to see, Kat was behind the undead creature, her hidden blade sliding between the armor plates of the undead knight, slicing away at the rotten skin beneath. Kat stumbled away as the creature shuffled around in response and managed to catch her on the arm with the blade it swung. Honestly though, Kat was surprised in herself. She knew she was capable, but she hadn't expected to just go off like that. She wiped away the black blood from the wound before it could seep into her kimono and cause even more staining on the fabric.

Kat smiled, she knew what she could do now. Now it was just a matter of taking this thing down before it could beat her. And then, Kaede would see.

@Kaede Hoshi

Rolls

Sneak Attack
1d100 (89) + 10 + 10 + 20 + 30 = 159
159 damage
Sneak Attack successful! 30 damage added
Shadow Arts | Kat Otsu

Play Sheet

Darkness · Jul 31, 2022

Undead Training buddy
60 retaliation damage -3 cycles-

❰ 941 / 1100 ❱

185 / 185

Kaede would listen to the girl's complaint about not fighting her directly, she felt bad if she did and least this way she could teach the newbie not to bark at every threat and expect to not get bitten or torn to shreds. hand raising as the undead would nod and move to sheath the sword and focused entirely on the shield as the spikes grew larger while Kaede boosted the combat power for a little while to prove a point she was trying to make.

"I never said it was your first video game, but taking something I summon lightly is a mistake little Kat.~"

Kaede did not think just how strong she had actually buffed the knight until she saw the spikes and caught on how dangerous it was going to be for the newbie unless she had defense and Kaede already knew that was not the case. Scratching the back of her head some as she got ready to start heal spamming to try and keep the newbie from getting knocked out or worse if she was not super alert at the time of the attacks. Her inner voices laughing at the mistake she had made.

"If you do manage to beat it before it knocks you down for the fight I'd more then easy say you could take me down in a spar. That training partner is built to act as one of my two tanks when I fight, without her or Knight I'm a sitting duck for attacks so have fun trying to get past it."

Rolls

Buff (Single)
1d100 (85) + 25 + 15 + 25 = 50 (Total divided by 3)
+50 buff to 1 target for 3 posts
Animancy | Kaede Hoshi | 635C5 | Training buddy.~

PSL (Play Sheet Link)
@Kat Otsu