Complete Main Story (Red Fever A - Lion Arms) Reckless Apes

[Vina Skysong]

74 / 145

Lion Arms Member - Squire
Red Fever (4) - Fear
(+60 HP from Camp Support)
(-30 HP from Emotion Overload)
(-10 HP from Retaliation damage)
(-31 HP from Team Damage)
Vulnerable
Protected by @Hanno Futaba

Vina was scared.

She was doing her best to remain calm, but the shaking of her fingers caused her to miss up some of the notes of her song, hampering its effectiveness. Every viber of her being wanted to run away, hide somewhere and hope that this nightmare would disappear. Her friends had become terrifying as the Red Fever took hold of them, their faces twisted into grimaces and snarls.

Her flute dropped from her lips as she looked around, taking a step back as her tail was tucked between her legs, tears were forming at the corners of her eyes, and her ears were pressed flat against her skull. With every step the urge to run only grew stronger. She couldn't help anyone. If she stayed here she would die, and that would help nobody.

@Seto Kurama words shook her to the core, but what followed was a burst of raw power so magnificent, that it temporarily overwhelmed her terror. And it reminded her why they were here. They were here to protect each other, and if she ran away others would die. And she couldn't think of anything scarier than that.

She watched @Cleo Looker throwing spear after spear to keep the apes at bay, @Bradwynne standing tall in front of the giant ape to shield his comrades, @Hanno Futaba ignoring his wounds to protect the backlines, @Fina Drago charging into the fray despite the beating her slender frame received, @Asher pushing himself forward, unwilling to give in to either the apes or his own fears.

Tossing her flute into her inventory she paused for a moment, then took a deep breath and began to sing. Her voice was carried by the winds, carrying power and desire even stronger than before. It curled around her friends, returning their life to them even as Vina expended some of her own, pouring both magic and vitality into the song to ensure it would be potent enough to defy the army of apes, and the terror that had tried to turn her into naught but a coward.

❰ Life Lyrics ❱

Rolls

Roll Result
1d6 (5) = 5

Vina Skysong | Red Fever (4) | 550C6 (1-2: Anger, 3: Sadness, 4: Joy, 5: Fear, 6: Disgust)

Power Heal (AoE)
1d100 (80) + 25 + 10 + 15 + 10 + 30 = 57 (Total divided by 3)
+57 HP to 3 targets (@Hanno Futaba, @Asher, @Fina Drago)
Gain the Vulnerable state
Harmonic Magic | Vina Skysong | 550C6A

(Contribution) Boss Fight: 4974/8000
Team Damage: 20/841

Play Sheet Link

 

[Athena]

80 / 110

Red Fever (4) (Anger)
Camp Support (+60) 67->110
Protected (Harlow)
Vulnerable(Reckless)
(-10 HP from Retaliation damage) 110 -> 100
-20 Team Damage 100 -> 80

‘This is Harlow’

The words rang in her ears. What was Harlow...? Was it some kind of war cry, some kind of mantra to help one keep focus in the midst of despair and hopelessness on the battlefield? She felt a stirring inside her soul. She knew the answer. The message had come across loud and clear.

Someone bumped her knee, moving past her to confront their latest foe. What was this feeling? Her stomach was clenching in knots, she could feel the arteries in her neck pulsing, hear the beat in her ears. Athena’s head fell slightly, her golden hair falling over her face like a veil.

‘This is Harlow.’

This was the same feeling as when she saw justice fail. This was righteous anger. That damned ape must have gotten in the way of true justice. The goddess Endra was blessing her with this feeling, letting her know who the sinner was.

‘This is Harlow.’

She repeated the words once more in her head, her mouth vaguely following the motions. It was the most powerful emotion she had ever felt, but with this mantra she could control it. A blade of righteous wrath, guided by a Goddess herself.

The dirt underneath her boots crunched loudly as she methodically stood up. Placing an arm on @Harlow 's shoulder she spoke, her voice stony. It was all she could do to direct her anger at the right source.

"Thank you."

Her ruby lips pursed, wanting to say more, but she needed to move before this feeling overwhelmed her. Pale ivory fingers wrapped around the hilt of her sword. There was a brief moment of hesitation as time seemed to slow around her. In an instant the sound of battle crashed over her once again, and she took off, her boots leaving impressions in the ground. Her sheathed sword swished through the air in front of her with the grace of a crippled elephant.

‘THIS IS JUDGMENT’

Rolls

Reckless Attack
2d100 (24 + 24) + 10 + 10 + 45 = 113
113 damage
Gain the Vulnerable state
Secret Lion's Arms - Novice | Athena| 550C6A

226 damage!

(Contribution) Boss Fight: 5200/8000
Team Damage: 0/841

Play Sheet Link

 

[Alastair Brass]

105 / 115

Red Fever (4) Fear
+60 HP Camp Support
+67 HP to @Siliya
-10 Retal DMG

With @Athena and @Harlow handled, Alastair found himself frozen. The battle further devolved into a horrific show with so many near-casualties. Potions and spells were ferried from the camp at large to patch the worst of them, but their patients in the end still threw themselves into danger. The blood was a lake. The scattered screams and hissed curses were a clue into the fraying minds of his companions. What was wrong with this place? This game? These people? The risks. The very real chance - the mage's skin broken out in a shiver despite the heat, watching so many young souls be torn apart. They were still standing, but sometimes that was worse. They might not be youths out of the game, but the thought stuck and festered.

He tried to ignore the wash of sickness, watching a spirited boy run out to protect the field hospital. Alastair didn't need to hear or see or feel his bones break, he only needed to see with his magical sight as they fixed themselves. When he saw the young girl next, he was finally forced into movement. Alastair's hands both grasped outwards, dragging his fingers through the sight of the rippling mana radiating off of @Bradwynne and coaxed one of the many butterflies its way.

❰ Chrysalis ❱

Frozen in air, the butterfly hung. Its wings bled out color like ink dripped in water. A dye filling the jungle air before it collected, folded itself together like a comforting swaddle. And it burst back outwards into life, brighter and purer than the others so far.

❰ Intervention ❱

Alastair struck out a hand like one might make a grand introduction on a stage, and his darling summon knew its target. The brilliant blue soul burned with the protection and power of another's mending and delivered it to @Siliya. The butterfly alighted between her shoulders, the color bleeding out in a burst until it was a pale figment of what it once was. But so too were her wounds. Pale, healed wounds where before they'd made his heart stop.

Rolls

Heal (Single)
1d20 (2) + 5 + 0 + 10 + 30 + 20 = 67
+67 HP to 1 target
Spirit Magic | Alastair Brass | 550C6A

(Contribution) Boss Fight: 5200/8000
Team Damage: 0/841

Play Sheet Link

 

[Janet Reilly]

160 / 215

Red Fever (4) Sadness
(-10 HP from Retaliation damage)
Protected by @Hanno Futaba / Vulnerable

"Poor little apes!" Janet was weeping, her housewife heart full of poorly-timed compassion. Now beside herself with regret despite the fact she'd been in decapitation mode only seconds ago, she pulled one of the bodies into her lap and stroked its hairy back broodingly. "Th-they were only trying to live, or... something, I don't know!"

Janet reached out to wipe her eyes on something and stopped, realizing that thing was a tentacle and it was coming from a sentient shield she had very much met before.

"Eeeeh!" she said shrilly, dropping it. Then, "You!"

She stared it in the eye. The whole experience was almost enough to shake her out of her irrational Red Fever sadness. "I didn't—" she started, choking back a dramatic sob, but her words were whisked away as something extraordinary happened.

@Majolica.

"WITCH OPS, ASSEMBLE!"​

Words were not enough to describe the awe which washed over Janet at the sight of the former Witch Ops Leader, revealed at last in the light of day. A realization hit her as she and finally connected the grayed-out names in her profile with the truth.

Ivan and Corvella? Ashiore? They're... dead?

Real, non-Red Fever sadness crashed back over her in a great wave as a speechless Janet watched the little witch sing her song of sacrifice, ready to embrace the end for the rest of their sakes.

...It's happening again. Just like Titanius.

"Noooo! Majolica! Get ahold of yourself!"

A ring of vegetation burst in a ripple from Janet's body like the impact from a comet as she collapsed to the ground with a loud clang. Full heads of broccoli flew out of the fronds, rolling towards @Sarina Knights and @Asher.

Healing Item, the tooltip said.

Meanwhile, Janet crawled over to Majolica, eyes red and puffy and one last broccoli cradled to her chest. "Absolutely not," she wept, as if Majolica had already joined their former teammates in the ranks of dead players. "I won't let you! Eat!"

Tearing florets off the broccoli, she attempted to force-feed the Grand Witch her healing power.

Rolls

Power Heal (AoE)
1d100 (87) + 25 + 10 = 41 (Total divided by 3)
+41 HP to @Sarina Knights @Asher @Majolica
Nature Magic | Janet Reilly | 550C6A

(Contribution) Boss Fight: 5200/8000
Team Damage: 0/841

Play Sheet Link

 

[Hyakin Heliodoros]

130 / 130

Red Fever (4) Sadness
-20 Retaliation (from Vuln)
+60HP from Camp support
+88 HP from Emilia’s Heal

He was tired. But it was such glorious feeling. He felt strong. Furious, with an outlet for all the rage he usually bottled inside. Apes fell, their brains splattered, bodies trampled. There was some friendly fire in the grand melee, since it apparently was a thing… That he did not know about.

Then, a great roar echoed.

It made him pause in the mad crushing and stomping and whamming enemies with his shield. Everyone looked at the source. A giant ape. With brain in a jar. And yellow sparks in the brain. And floating rocks.

“Ah fucking hell. Really?” Somehow, the anger drained and he instead now felt sad. Hollow. Like after great outburst, the sadness and hollowness came. What was it even, why had he tried so hard all his life, for it to end like it will end? Why he spent so much energy on adhering to the diet and medical plans, when it all went down the drain…?

Sure Terrashpere was a relief, a momentary relief, because once this al was over, he would be back in his shitty real life, with his body weak from the long log in this week.

It was all useless and meaningless. Even this strength that was filling him, was just false. His strength, his health. All it was an illusion, just like this fight. And illusion needed no fear. Sure he took cover from @Seto Kurama... But then recklessly, just like others he grabbed his sword harder in one hand and the shield in another and charged, with wordless yell.

He was so sad, this wound he caused, was fake. The pain he felt, the shocks that ran down his arm from the zaps, fake. So beautiful, so fake. Everything was fake, everyone was nice to him because of everything being fake.

Even that heat like fever was fake.

It was only after that he realised that a familiar gentle healing agic closed his wounds. It was all so meaningless and yet…

Hyakin looked around and glanced until he found the redhead, giving her a watery smile. After a moment, he went to her side. His shoulders were dropped, his expression so very sad. But he still smiled, a sad, sad smile.

“Thank you Miss @Emilia . Your light felt very warm.”

Rolls

Roll Result
1d6 (3) = 3
Hyakin Heliodoros | Red Fever (4)

Reckless Attack
2d100 (23 + 95) + 10 + 10 = 138
138 damage +30 (Camp support) +10 (tag) = 178
178x2 = 356
Vuln state

Secret Lion’s Arms – Novice | Hyakin Heliodoros | 550C6A

(Contribution) Boss Fight: 5556/8000
Team Damage: 0/841

 

[Ludmilla Orphys]

110 / 130

Red Fever (4 - Emotion: Anger)
Vulnerable
-20 HP from Retaliation damage

Again and again, over and over, Ludmilla swung her slicing rift in a desperate attempt at self-defense. Her strength waning with the strain of maintaining its cutting edge, Ludmilla's movements become sluggish, slowing down enough that the apes surrounding her can sense her fatigue.

They pile on, swinging crude weapons and fists, battering her and even each other in their frenzy. With her field of view completely obstructed by a thrashing mass of apes, Ludmilla could only sob and slash aimlessly as she tries to stumble her way out of the melee.

A barrage of telekinetic projectiles thudded around her, crushing players, Landers and apes alike. Splinters from a wagon crushed under sheer psychic force shunted her onto the ground, where she lay in a trampled mess.

"EVERYONE, TAKE COVER NOW!"

Then, light.

As the deadly radiance cast by @Seto Kurama enveloped the battlefield, Ludmilla saw witchcraft (@Majolica), spear shafts (@Fina Drago), cutting shadows (@Siliya), flying fists (@Asher) and all other manner of carnage befall the horde. The apes were beaten back, the tide was turning upon them even as their leader joined the fray.

Then, something clicked.

Standing upright, swaying slightly to avoid bursts of friendly fire, Ludmilla's suddenly glassy gaze fixed itself upon the mass of rippling muscle and grey matter that belonged to the largest ape she could see.

"I'm...starving."

Licking her lips, she approached the brute casually as it fended off the many attacks that the surviving Lions launched at it. Any ape that tried to approach her would be split apart by the flick of a finger, a pitch-black rift of nothingness opening right through their heads. The hunger had come again.

At ten paces, she stops, judges the distance with an innocent grin, then leaps.

f̸̟͘l̵̻̀e̶͓̓s̸̤͗h̸̪̽
̵͉̐h̷̙͗ư̸̠n̷̻͌ǧ̵̮e̷̫͘r̴͝ͅ

Her nails dig into the warm, blood-matted pelt of the towering ape; she clings on, sinking her teeth into its skin, tearing away fur, spitting and laughing and ripping and chewing. Consumed in the fury of her feeding frenzy, Ludmilla doesn't care that her own nails are ripping off and regrowing, her fingers breaking and bending in ways that should not be, her own body maimed by the intensity of her assault as the terrible gift of her Faerin blood repairs her in the same breath.

̸̨͗ŕ̷̥a̴̯͋g̵̰̍e̶͍̔
̶̡́d̴̜̈́ḛ̶͛v̶̡̛ȍ̴̢u̸̠͋r̵̼̓

Rolls

2d100 (37 + 43) + 10 + 10 = 100
100 damage x 2 (Vulnerable enemy) = 200
Gain the Vulnerable state
Secret Lion's Arms - Novice | Ludmilla Orphys | 550C6A

(Contribution) Boss Fight: 5756/8000
Team Damage: 0/841

Play Sheet Link

 

[Emilia]

50 / 100

Red Fever +4 (Anger)
Damage -30 HP (Red Fever)
Damage -20 HP (Retaliation)
Vulnerable

The severed torso of a primate lay before her, its fur matted with blood and gore spilling from where its lower half had once been attached. It wasn't real, of course. The brainy apes were obviously the product of a morbidly creative developer and the glistening organs at her feet were… well, she had never had the displeasure of seeing a freshly butchered animal before, so she could only assume it to be an artistic rendering in the eyes of the game's creators.

"I feel sick," she muttered to herself with a grimace as bile rose in her throat. The smell of the deceased creature was pungent and she had to get away. She knew that the game had been touted as being "incredibly realistic" but wasn't this a bit too much?

Standing by her side, she noticed that @Hyakin Heliodoros seemed oddly unaffected by the surrounding savagry. His earlier vigor had all but disappeared, replaced by a meekness that strangely struck a nerve with her. "Why are you here? Get back out there and fight!" She hadn't come to his rescue just to be splattered in monkey guts. If he wasn't going to fight, why should she even be there? Emilia's gaze was stern as she held his. "If you didn't want to fight, then you…" In the distance, a small figure caught her eyes, a young girl crouched over a still screaming primate.

Was she eating it?

@Ludmilla Orphys probably wouldn't have noticed the ailing red head emptying her stomach a few yards away. She clung to the knight's arm in an attempt to steady herself as her last meal vacated her body, simultaneously embarrassed and angry that she hadn't been able to keep it together. A couple of tears fell from the sheer discomfort of the experience as she wiped her mouth on her sleeve and stood up straight.

The pairs' vulnerable state must have been obvious to the attacking forces as she spotted two smaller apes making a beeline through the crowd towards them. Gripping her staff and gritting her teeth, she stepped away from the puppy-eyed blonde. "This…" The first monkey approached, fangs bared and ready to bite. With anger written all over her face, Emilia wielded her staff much like she would a bat and swung it in the direction of its face, sending the creature tumbling to the ground. "Game…" Another monkey, another swing. "Sucks!"

Rolls

Reckless Attack
2d100 (36 + 13) + 10 + 10 + 40 = 109
109 damage
Gain the Vulnerable state
Secret Lion's Arms - Novice | Emilia | 550C6A

(Contribution) Boss Fight: 5865/8000
Team Damage: 0/841

 

[Skyswimsky*]

Spoiler: Mood

The Lions and Ape Menace kept going at it.
An eye for an eye. Blow by blow. Little by little, they were bleeding each other out.

For each slash of a weapon - the gnawing, and clawing of a primate to keep it even. For each thrown magic - a coconut bomb or pile of poo. For each heal among the Lion's rows - a banana was shoved down an Apes throat for a likewise effect.

Just how could this be? Their numbers had dwindled. The enemy was nearly defeated! By now, even a child could count the primates that were remaining. Alas...

"Ook Ook Eek!"​

Where the Apes found once strength in numbers, they now had turned their strategy around through the sheer presence of but one monkey. The cream of the crop. A once nameless Ape that was now known as Ook Ook Eek. And while his size may not have been as frightening as that of a certain Magitek Construct, his endurance most certainly was. Despite the countless punches, strikes, stabbing, shadowy magic, bites, and whatnot it received. Ook Ook Eek simply did not relent.

It was now the lions that sought strength in numbers, as Ook Ook Eek was — despite all — still only a singular ape. Two hands, two arms, and a fabulous jaw that could break diamonds. Only so many targets he could truly pay attention to, after all. And while his psychic rock-flinging powers may have extended its range beyond mere primate limits, the Lions did an excellent job to divert his attention to just about everyone!

Only for a brief moment did it seem that an absolute white-haired mad-lad seemed to be about to die, soaking more than he could chew, just to be saved by his diligent allies! Strength in numbers, seemed to be now the Lion's Creed instead. Except, unlike the Reckless Apes, did the Lions know how to move as one singular entity. And even those that decided not to take one for the team were ultimately still out to help others. A beautiful relationship, simply built on trust...

"Ook Ook Eek!!!!" The Boss Ape raged on as his own allies got beaten Back to the Jungle. Seemingly a lot angrier than before, as he was now even throwing around his very own allies with its bare hands as he was pretty didn't seem to move much around. A position Ook Ook Eek would soon come to regret.

As the Ape kept accumulating more and more flesh wounds, that slowly dwindled down its endless health bar, it was one individual that was about to get in a strike powerful enough that was sure to raise the Lions morale even further. An attack with visuals that could have been right out of a comedy sketch! It was only thanks to Ook Ook Apes Ultra Instincts that he managed to move to the side. Yet not enough, as his entire left side and part of his torso were obliterated by the powerful attack from the sky.

"OOOOKKKK!!!!!" The Ape called out in rage, not slowed down in the slightest, as he lifted his still intact arm only to notice... a gnaw chewing on it!? It must have been a miracle that her teeth simply didn't break on his reinforced mass of Plotanium-made muscles.

"Ooook!!!!" He let out again, confused for just a moment after all he lacked the other arm to swat the being away. Instead, he froze. A singular instant that gave the other Lions enough time (if they weren't too busy complaining at that one guy trying to kill his allies) to get more and more hits in the tenfolds!

"Eeeeeekkk!" Still seemingly unfazed, he let out. "Ook Ook Eek!" He followed. Happy? Joyfully? A victory chant, maybe? "Ook Ook!" What was he even saying anymore?! Why would nobody tell?! Various weapons on the ground from fallen enemies and allies alike started to float. If Ook Ook Eek could lift a rock, what stopped him from doing so much more!? Intelligence, maybe?

"Ookkhhhhgrrrrr!" But then, it happened. What seemed to be just about the start Phase 2 in a potential another timeline, stopped. Whatever floaty objects, dropped. "Krrrooeeeghh!" Sounds that no Ape had made before as he was now gurgling blood. From one moment to the next, the accumulated damage seemed to finally strike his nerves. A mental Trip To The Moon and back.

"O-kk!" He now sounded... sad? "E-Ek..." Begging, maybe? As the Lions continued their assault.

...
...
...

"OOOOOOK OOOOOK EEEEEEK!" He suddenly called out, pouring all of his remaining strength into a powerful war cry. One last act of defiance, as Ook Ook Eek moved his still working primate arm to its head, ripping off his own jar!? Including brain?! Bits and pieces of head skin and fur gave the brain-filled jar a solid bottom. The cursed glass jar was apparently more unbreakable than even his body! "OOK OOK EEEK!" A second cry, as he winded up his arm and threw the jar into the jungle.

Only then, and finally, then, it happened, that his muscular body fell to the ground. Lifeless.

No more Ooks.
No more Eeks.
No more Ook Ook Eek.
It was over.
The Lions won.
But at what cost?

Victory.​

Spoiler: Unused Bonus Music