Complete Main Story Vintergard (S4) Scenario VBMS3: The Calculator

Skyswimsky* · Nov 17, 2022

The forest was silent.
It was to no surprise that neither birds, deer, nor squirrels could be seen anywhere. Ever since the sudden expansion of Vintergard's Magia, all the wildlife had either been assimilated or driven out.
It was a surprise, however, that even the very same assailants that had driven out the organic life seemed absent. While their numbers had obviously been diminished, the various patrols should have been nowhere to zero.

Yet, here they found themselves. A ragtag group of adventures. Some more sane than others. Only their silent chatter, footsteps, and bodies brushing against the local fauna interrupting the stillstand tranquility of the forest.

One had to wonder though, with this unknown alien threat, was just walking into the lion's den truly the best approach? Usually, no. But Camp Hope had neither time nor enough resources to spare for a more careful approach. So why not use the bodies of those so-called pseudo-immortals?

Thus, as the group of many walked in between the Adecus Woods and the northeast wall of Dragoncrush, they slowly started to notice things.

The lush green of a leaf, replaced by nothing but a mess of pixels. A tree missing half its mass if looked at from behind. Or a bush that, even at close distance, was nothing more but an imposter - a flat, low-quality, image in place of the high-quality model to save processing power at distance.

Every now and then, even reality itself seemed to squish for just a fraction of a second. As if someone took a screenshot of whatever was in vision of every individual, and dragged and transformed it into all sorts of dimensions. Yet, besides all this, nobody felt any different. Nobody disappeared.

The fact that everybody seemed fine gave the group enough courage to push on. Their path clearly dictated by whatever direction showed more bugginess. Yet, despite feeling like they were making progress, the lack of anything different happening made their expedition seem to drag on for hours.

Until it didn't.
It came in the blink of an eye.
From one moment to the next.
A singular instant.

The ground, now nothing but a singular flat plane of a boring, brownish color.
The trees, now green wireframes which became less and less with each moment they were out of one's vision.
The rocks, just crude cubes stamped into the ground.
And then there was the sky itself. Now an endless brown. just barely lighter than the ground itself to create contrast.

And lastly, themselves. Much to their enjoyment, or disappointment, still as intact as before. Their high-quality models creating a stark contrast to the barren scene they now found themselves in.

Very much like the person standing on the opposite end of the battlefield. ...? A female Magia, clad in mecha-like armor whose short hair and eye colors seemed to constantly shift in colors.

"Welcome, welcome everybody! And thank you so much for finally paying attention to me."

The woman spoke, each of her syllables accentuated by gesture with her hands. Kinda like an Oblivion NPC!

"Or should I say: Beep Boop. Hello Champions, welcome to the Gauntlet slash Boot Camp slash Training Montage?! Buuuut not like people are paying much attention now, are they?!"

Her voice, despite the distance, was shifting between different volumes as if she stood right next to them. Some spoken more loudly, others a mere whisper. Having said that, this time she tried to put as little gusto as possible into her words.

"But where are my manners? You may call me 526f626f74205761696675, which of course is nothing you would ever bother pronouncing unless you're a nerd. So how about instead you call me Robot Wai... Nah, too cringe. Null! Not that much better, but... Yeeeh! Now let's do this again."

Even as the group tried approaching Null. Be it for a surprise attack to stop the monologuing or another reason, the distance between them never seemed to lessen. She didn't seem to pay their shenanigans any mind.

"Ahem... Beep Boop. Welcome!... Starcalled! I am Null, and it is my responsibility to tell you what the heck is even going on! I really can't do this, maybe I should just switch my personality matrix to something more epic and serious? But that'd be so boring and just...! Eh."

Turning around, the Starcalled could now see that they were on what was essentially just a platform. A flat plane. No cube stones. No wireframe trees. Just... dull.

"Well, to make a long story short: You suck. You, and you, and you, and you!"

Suddenly, multiples of Null appeared in front of them as each player was pointed at. Though attacking her would do little more than dissolve the copy just to spawn a few meters away again.

"Weak, aimless, and pathetic to boot. A sorry excuse for someone supposed to save humanity, maybe. But, you got potential bla-bla-bla-yadda-yadda-you-know-the-spiel.

She waved dismissive with her hands, rolling her eyes.

Sooooo... here. We. Are. Lending a most helpful hand to all of you so that you can go and at the very least save Vintergard and do. Your. Thing. Because that's what you do, right? Eggs and all."

"Yet, I do have to let you know with my utmost regret that it is not I who will enact the actual scenario simulation, but my boring and trustful companion!"

A snap with the metallic finger. A small floating magitek ball spawned next to her, adorned with nothing but circuitry.

"Welcome everybody: Thhheeeeeeeee Callcculllaaatorrrr!" A clap of her hands. "A boring-looking lad, isn't he? Although..."

Null's face darkened, her voice becoming a lot more serious.

"Have it be known, eeeeeven if neither I nor him are out to horribly and thoroughly kill you to death. If you still happen to disappoint our already low expectations you're straight out simply still going to get deleted! No amount of potential potential can save you from slacking. Capiche? Good."

"Well then, Calculator. Engage Program Loop Alpha!"

She gave the robot ball a good slap on its back, and the adventurers could hear its monotone, static, voice.

<beep Boop> Welcome, Starcalled.
I am <bzzz> The Calculator. Version Zero Point Zero Zero Zero Zero <bzz>...
Directive: Preparation and guidance of Scenario VBMC for increased probability of victory. <beep beep>
Loading Scenario: VBMS3 Cycle 0
Loading Userdata... <bzz>
Cache corrupted.
Connecting to database...
Connection refused... <boop>
Error: No userdata found. <blip>

Loading Subroutine: Level Checker.
Number of participants: 10. <beep>
Average standard action value for single participant: 190... ish.
Average special action value for single participant: 387... ish. <boop>
Injecting obstruction mechanic: Marked for Execution.
Calculating health value <bzz>: 1900...
Injecting OCD Correction Curve: 2000
Injecting motivational cause: Linking Marked for Execution to LC-Unit.
Spawning LC-Unit.
Preparing Grid-Based Combat Algorithm...
Loading...
...

With these words, a cylinder-shaped black pillar spawned in front of the group. Adorned with ever so slightly glowing circuitry as it didn't seem to be an immediate threat. Yet, it was nonetheless clear to them: The pillar, the Level Checker, was their supposed-to-be target. Or so they have been told.

It was ultimately, of course, their decision to follow suit or try for something alternate. But really, what else was there to do in this digital wasteland?

Skyswimsky* · Nov 13, 2022

(Post Speed) The next cycle will drop in-between 36 to 72 hours.
(Post Length) Maximum of 1000 words. This will lower in the next cycle! Code excluded.
(Playsheet) Playtest Packet 2 rules apply to this scenario. TLDR Play Sheet Guide, Full Play Sheet Guide
(Fluid Time) Each character can make 1 post per cycle. There is no set posting order.
(Comms) Any communication can be done either by making a private comms thread or posting in the event's official comms thread.
(Rolls) All rolls must be done in the #event-rolls channel. Please post within an hour of your roll or you will forfeit your turn.
(Narrative Highlight) There's an area in the action section where you may briefly describe what your character did in their post that may not be covered mechanically, but you want special attention paid to. This is not a guarantee something will happen, but it may help me incorporate things from time to time.
(Threadcode) VBMS30

Loading Map...

<<Level Checker>>

❰ 2000/ 2000❱

Applies the Marked for Execution debuff on anyone using a Special Action
- What could it do?
Can be reached from range and melee

<<The Calculator>>

❰ ???/ ???❱

Not targetable
Is it truly an enemy?

<<Null>>

❰ ???/ ???❱

Not targetable
Is it truly an enemy?

<<LIMIT BREAK>>

Loading Interface...

Nothing seems out of the ordinary, except... everything? Your surroundings are comparable to a rocky desert, just more barren!
This cycle counts as combat, you may use any and all actions like attacking, buffing, healing, etc. as normal.
You may take the following additional bonus actions:

Use your awareness to find something special out of this unordinary place. Though at first quick glance it seems like it'll be incredibly hard to do. Maybe there will be opportunities later?

Undiscovered checks available:

200 DC | ???

Code:

[hp=current]max[/hp]
[status]

[/status]

Post here

[action]
Action Here

Narrative Highlight: Only describe if needed
[/action]
[b]Level Checker:[/b] 2000 / 2000

Play Sheet Link

Siondhe · Nov 14, 2022

Vulnerable

The world was certainly broken, as far as Kyra could tell. Things appeared, well, game-like, but in that ancient, pixelated way. Not how she was used to seeing TerraSphere, nor how she was accustomed to...well, any current games. It was unnerving, to say the least, to see it in such a state.

But as the Magia-like individuals appeared, Kyra felt another tightness in her chest. A memory of Camp Hope coming to her, as she felt herself take a half-step back. It was the Orb, above her left shoulder, that steadied her.

Do not run...not from things such as this...they cannot hurt you...Reaper.

The voice was, as it always was, disconcerting. Whispered, as if trying to seduce her in a way. Still, it gave her confidence where she would've faltered, enough to stop her from moving away from the things. It was then, that she noticed something off about the Magia-beings. An almost...cuteness to them. Dangerously cute...

I give unto thee...that which I part with willingly...so that it may protect you from the coming dangers, the concerns of the world...

She began her chant without thought, letting the spiritual connections flow from her towards three others, preparing for whatever that thing was going to do. All of this felt...wrong, somehow. Dangerous. As if they were going to be ambushed at any second. Or more likely, that thing is somehow going to turn into Dread.NAUGHT 2.0...

She shivered at the thought, before pushing it aside. Better to deal with what they could, here and now, than to be concerned with things of the past. It was dead, it couldn't hurt them anymore. Vern...

So...either we attack that thing, or...

She let the options hang in the air, not really sure what other options there were. Her eyes turned back to the individual who had spoken to them originally. Kyra could've sworn that it was going to introduce itself as Robot Waifu, before deciding upon the name Null.

If we win...I want to keep that one. As a friend.

Rolls

Heal (AoE)
4d20 (16 + 17 + 8 + 11) + 25 + 25 + 25 = 43 (Total divided by 3)
+40 HP to 3 targets (@Ash Vargold | @Yugam | @MAI)
You are vulnerable.
Spirit Magic | Kyra Vashtana | 1499 | Bonus Action: Overheal
Note: Overheal maxes to 40 (S Rank) above max health.

Roll Result
3d20 (8 + 1 + 1) = 10
No damage taken, +10 to buffs/heals/attacks.
Corrupt | Kyra Vashtana | 1499 | Corruption @ S Rank

Play Sheet

Ash Vargold · Nov 14, 2022

280 / 240

+40 HP from @Kyra Vashtana (Overheal)

There was an old VR headset squirreled away somewhere in Aisling's closet, the sort that used screens and lenses instead of hijacking your nervous system. It still had a few games loaded on it which had once been the peak of immersive gameplay.

Walking through this low-poly wasteland reminded Ash of that era of gameplay. He couldn't help but pause, squinting at low-resolution foliage, pacing around half-rendered trees, even prodding some of the flat textures that represented "bushes", first with his sword, and then with his hand when the sword seemed fine.

"...eurgh, don't like that."

He pulled away from the bush, shaking his hand as if trying to shake off the memory of the feeling. He turned towards the others to report on the experience when the world shifted from flickering false greenery to the flat plane inhabited by one colorful magia, the sort that would stand out even if they weren't in a textureless void. She moved like an NPC and spoke like a bad robocaller. It was...

Well.

It was like this was a video game.

And how weird was that, amidst the hyper-realism that was Terrasphere's trademark? It made him worry he was about to noclip through the floor. And that threat of deletion didn't sound much better. He eyed the virtual orb and its cylindrical companion with caution, wondering just how advanced these "primitives" were beneath the surface.

"So we just burn this down, huh...? Right."

Ash drew his sword as Kyra's magic wreathed around him, then charged. There was nothing special about his slash, other than the way metal screeched against metal. Enough to scratch it, enough to make that health bar go down... but what did "2000 HP" mean? What was being "Marked for Execution"? There were too many questions this early on. Better to play it safe, right?

He pulled back, putting himself between the pillar and the party. If it struck back, he was ready for it.

Rolls

Protect
1d100 (97) + 20 + 15 = 132
132 damage
Give 1 ally in your zone the Protected State (Protecting @Luthien)
Guard Arts | Ash Vargold | VBMS30

Narrative Highlight: N/A

Level Checker: 1868 / 2000

Playsheet Link

Yugam · Nov 14, 2022

The last thing Yugam expected when stepping into an ultra high fidelity video game was 1980s graphics and so many bugs and glitches he might as well have been playing Doki Doki Literature Club. And who would've thought, there was even a glitching out crazy NPC woman to complete the package. Great, he was playing fantasy death simulator Doki Doki Literature Club with his totally not long-distance girlfriend. Either she was going to kill this NPC lady or NPC lady was going to kill her, and the man knew exactly which of those two he preferred.

Or the weird ominous pillar thing was going to kill of them. "Marked for death?" Yugam repeated what the robot had said, looking over at @Luthien with a raised brow. What a great start to their investigation into the UFO. A weird murderous robot alien thing. Just like the movies.

"So we just burn this down, huh...? Right," THE Vargold said, being the first to suggest something.
"Sounds good to me," Yu nodded. A soft squelching sound came from Yu's breast pocket, before a tiny worm with a train costume poked it's head out. "Tubby agrees," the man said as he drew his sword.
'I don't know why you kept that gross thing...' Unmei commented in Yu's head.
'Just shut up and help me hit the damn thing.'

The man delivered a quick slash to the metal cylinder, a loud clang of metal on metal, resulting more from brute force than any actual cutting power.

'Ow! Hey, be careful! That hurt!'

Rolls

Sharp
1d100 (5) + 25 + 25 + 25 + 25 = 105
105 damage

Slash Weapons | Yugam | 1499C1

Level Checker: 1763 / 2000

Play Sheet

Harper · Nov 15, 2022

140 / 140

There was one thing certain in Harper's mind right now: Not a single thing that her eyes were seeing should be happening right now.

"Goddamn... Guess you could say the proverbial glass of coffee just got spilled over the proverbial laptop of this world." Harper joked but in reality, the ever-more glitchy surroundings she found herself walking on alongside the others kept a very unpleasant feeling in her gut, like when you lose your footing for a split moment when going downstairs. For the tigress, what was developing in front of her eyes was like a waterfall starting to flow upwards, and it was starting to give her a headache.

Still, she pressed forwards. After all, it's not every day you get to investigate a possible extra-terrestrial threat, and if the said threat was the root of this mess with the world, it was for the best that it be cut down with haste before it spread further. As she got further and further into the glitchy wasteland, she took a look back at her party. Most were strangers to her, but the beastkin found comfort in seeing some familiar faces like @Ueno Mizuki , @Luthien, and @Kyra Vashtana . She had seen Kyra and Mizuki in action before, but it would be the first time she'd met the elf ever since their fishing trip. As such, she'd take the opportunity to hop to her side, giving her a somewhat strong tap on the back as she arrived. " 'Sup? Don't suppose you are here to give out free dance lessons like last time, eh?"

Harper would be more than pleased to continue the small talk, but she'd stop herself when the already deteriorating area around them would suddenly devolve more, leaving them as the only detailed things as far as the eyes could see, to the relief of the tigress. She didn't know how becoming less detailed would feel, but she had a hunch it wasn't pleasant. Her ears would twitch and turn to meet the new arrival, the beastkin stopping and listening to the Magia's monologuing once she realized they were quite literally getting nowhere.

And god, annoying that little chunk of metal was. But be it due to the terrain that was now not much more than a digitalized plane or a power from Null herself, Harper couldn't even get started to go and try to shut her up herself. As such, she'd cross her arms with a frown as she listened to her go on and on. At least what she seemed to ask of them was very simple, though the threat of deletion didn't escape her feline ears. If she could affect the physical world in such a manner, Harper couldn't help but worry that "deletion" encompassed more than a simple death.

Eventually, Harper would smirk as she started to stretch her limbs. So what if it could delete them? That would happen if they failed. And Harper wasn't about to lose to some Robo-brat and her personal Roomba.

"So, Null was it? I hope you don't really get attached to these things because I can at least speak for myself when I say there won't be much left of it once we are through. Unless your companion there would also happen to have a recycling protocol?" She'd taunt, before realizing @Yugam and @Ash Vargold had already started the battle before her. With a low growl, she'd shout at them. "Oi, you douches! Don't start having fun without me!"

There were certainly a few things that bothered Harper about the level checker. First, a stationary, non-humanoid enemy was far from the preferred type of bad guy for the judoka. Secondly, the "Marked for Death" condition was at the back of her head, the tigress wondering when and how it would come into play against them. But she decided that she would cross said bridges when they needed to be crossed. For right now, all she needed to do was tear that pillar apart.

Since she couldn't throw it, Harper decided the next best thing was to use the gifts Mother Nature gave to her. With a light twitch from her hands, her claws would unsheath themselves as she dashed towards the Level Checker, lunging her clawed hands at the pillar with the intent of using her brute strength to quite literally tear off as big of a chunk as she could manage. And while she didn't manage that much, the tigress wouldn't be deterred.

After all, she just had to treat this like a big tree. A tree that was going to try and kill them, but a tree nonetheless. And like all trees, it'll fall if she kept going at it.

Rolls

Sharp
1d100 (73) + 15 + 15 + 10 = 113
(BA) Overload Harper
+40 (B) Damage this cycle.
Cannot move next cycle.

153 Damage

Crush Weapons | Harper | VBMS30

(Passive) Controller Harper

Code:

 Crush Weapons B | Melee attack gains (+30 B A) extra modifier.

30 SP Damage

Level Checker: 1610 / 2000

Harper's Sheet

Ueno Mizuki · Nov 15, 2022

200 / 200

So something strange had popped up in the forests that surrounded the ruins of Vintergard, and it was messing with the surroundings in a way that could only be described as glitchy. Mizuki had decided to join this expedition because she figured that her skillset could be useful here, but also because she hoped that this mission would provide some valuable information not just on the mechanical creatures that were inhabiting the old capital but Terrasphere itself.

Mizuki wasn't one of those people whose entire life had been swallowed up by this world, but she still had at least a full year of experience. And she couldn't remember a single instance where Terrasphere had dropped its immersive nature by showing flaws as you could see in most games. As such, travelling together with the rest of the group Mizuki was now studying everything around them cautiously, her ears perked up and sharp as she sniffed the air constantly.

The glitches that they encountered truly were what you'd expect from any other game. Pixelated objects, three-dimensional shapes replaced by flat images as if the world was having trouble loading. Mizuki made sure not to touch anything that was affected by the distortions (so far as possible), but she could tell with her nose that the scents were off as well. Some things had no scent at all, other objects had the wrong scent entirely. It was disconcerting, and as they walked deeper into the affected area the luna wolf's fur began to bristle as she shook her head.

Better not to touch anything.

Those words were directed at @Ash Vargold, who'd decided to test the nature of the glitches by touch. She could understand his curiosity, but there was nothing that guaranteed they would remain unaffected if they started to interact too closely with their surroundings. Terrasphere was a virtual world which could mess with your mind and senses: getting pixelated in this world could have dire consequences for your Earth self.

Of course, her cautious words were reliant on the idea that there were distorted objects around them to touch. As everything around them faded away and was replaced by a barren plain, stretching seemingly endlessly in every direction, that requirement was put to rest. At least this place wasn't glitching out, although that was small comfort given the circumstances.

Mizuki's ears perked up as she noticed the female magia facing them, suddenly there as if she'd been standing in that spot all along, waiting for them to arrive. Her mismatched eyes narrowed as she balanced on the balls of her feet. She was already on edge, and if this person started doing anything weird she'd probably be the first to lash out.

Instead, she was on the receiving end of a confusing introduction together with everyone else. Whether this Null was unstable or just messing with them Mizuki wasn't able to tell, although she would have guessed that the girl was unstable but exaggerating it for the sake of entertainment. More important were her words, which Mizuki tried to pay attention to despite all the rambling she had to filter out.

You're not doing a very good job explaining what's going on.

For now, it looked like Null was presenting herself as... not an ally, but not an enemy either. At the very least not here to eliminate them, not without getting something out of it beyond their death. As Null suddenly showed up in front of her Mizuki lashed out with a hand, cleaving through what she presumed was an illusion. As another entity appeared her eyes flickered between Null and her new companion, her expression sharp.

Guidance... Marked for Execution... Correction Curve... Mizuki glanced at her companions, wondering if any of them were thinking the same thing she was thinking. The fox girl was apparently fixated on Null for different reasons. Ash and Yugam did seem to be having similar thoughts as Mizuki, even if they didn't voice them openly. Raising her hands Mizuki cracked her knuckles as she focused on the latest mechanical addition to the otherwise barren plateau, a monolithic pillar which was meant to test their offensive capabilities.

It doesn't seem we've got any choice but to play along, but stay on guard for now.

It wasn't like she was leading the group, but she thought it was helpful advice nonetheless. She glanced at their surroundings, but there really was nothing here other than the three robots and their strange game. Even the way back seemed to lead to more empty land, so retreat wasn't an option.

Dropping onto all fours Mizuki would dash forward at the same time that @Harper took her turn, the luna wolf quickly following up on the tigress's attack. She jumped into the air, spun, and struck the pillar with her foot, then immediately used her other foot to launch herself backwards, spinning in the air before landing on all fours with her claws digging into the dirt. Remaining balanced on her fingers and toes she'd carefully watch how the three machines reacted, mismatched eyes flickering from the pillar to Null and the Calculator.

Rolls

(BA) Duelist - Martial Arts S - Melee attack gains 20 (D, C) 30 (B, A) 40 (S) extra damage.
Sneak Attack
1d100 (59) + 25 + 20 + 25 + 40 + 40 = 209
209 damage
Sneak Attack successful! 40 damage added
Martial Arts | Ueno Mizuki | VBMS30

Narrative Highlight: N/A

Level Checker: 1401 / 2000

Play Sheet Link

Nova · Nov 15, 2022

115 / 115

What was Nova doing here? She had practically just started the game and was already jumping head-first into some mystery with a bunch of strangers. Yet she couldn't help feel drawn to whatever this alien-like disturbance was. One minute she had been exploring her way to wherever her next destination would be when she had noticed what looked like a glitch on the horizon. In the next she was joining a group of what seemed to be experienced players into whatever this glitchy area would bring. It was exciting, even if she felt this was way over her head.

It was a bit odd to go from the super realistic and life-like graphics that Terrasphere had to those of some glitching decade old computer game. The trees around them were half-glitching, pixelating right before their eyes. It was like the textures were stuck loading into full quality, half in half out. Some didn't load in at all, just blobs of color with no detailed shape but just enough context to figure what it was supposed to be. A bush here, a boulder there. She was almost curious enough to touch one but kept her hands to herself. Who knew if it was contagious somehow.

Suddenly she blinked and everything was...gone. Instead she found herself on a desolate platform. Everything had a drab brown color to it, from ground to sky. Nothing had shape, it was almost like some prototype clean slate that had been forgotten somewhere deep in the code. It was unnerving, but there was no turning back now.

Nova eyed this magia 'Null' suspiciously. She spoke in a welcoming manner but it put the owl-girl on edge for some reason. Like they had been lured here, and she wasn't sure for what reason. A magitech orb popped up next, and then a giant obsidian pillar. Her eyes narrowed. They were being tested? To what end? To test their worth, their potential? She gulped slightly. Being so new to the game she hadn't had any battle experience at all. Zero. Would she be able to even make a difference in this test? Yet she had to try. She watched the more experienced players in front of her jump into action. Attacking this pillar with various attacks, different styles and strengths. She was envious.

"Please don't miss, please don't miss."

She whispered to herself as she took out her bow, flipping open her UI quickly to activate auto assist. She felt embarrassed needing to be guided, but felt like this would put her on hopefully a bit more of an even playing field. She had never even held a bow in real life, and if she tried here and now with no practice...auto assist it was. It would help show her how it's done, so next time she could do it for real. With no help. Hopefully.

Slipping an arrow onto the bowstring she pulled back as confidently as she could. Deciding to test the waters with just a standard attack. Would her arrow even be able to pierce the pillar? Do any damage at all? It didn't seem to have any weak points that she could see, so she just went for the dead center of the thing. Releasing her attack with hopes of being some help to the rest of the group.

Rolls

(BA) Auto Assist +15 to attacks, heals, buffs, checks, contributions, and saves.
Stable Attack
6d20 exploding (12 + 12 + 19 + 15 + 8 + 4) + 0 + 0 + 15 = 85
85 damage (Explosions: 0)
Ranged Weapons | Nova | VBMS30

Narrative Highlight: --

Level Checker: 1316 / 2000

Play Sheet Link

Luthien · Nov 15, 2022

Lúthien had also been curious about the sudden change in rendering quality as the group had traversed the land, the ranger keenly curious considering she hadn’t seen anything like it the time Chad and her had walked through the Adecus Woods. The cautioning words of @Mizuki fell on willingly deaf ears (after all the lupus technically hadn’t been speaking to her ) as her own hand reached for some of the pixelated and rubbed it between her gloved fingers. Even with the protection the fabric offered she could still feel something was simply off about the vegetation, confirmed by @Vargold‘s own displeased comment, before @Harper‘s voice caught Lúthien’s attention.

"Cidney was the dance teacher back in the Petunia," A soft chuckle escaped the elf as the fond memories of the fishing trip resurfaced. "Although I think I remember a few of the moves she showed us~"

However the conversation with the tigress was cut short when everything around them suddenly disappeared, the blonde pausing her steps before her eyes glanced towards the hunter at her side. @Yugam was still here, a relieved sigh escaping the archer upon seeing him, and so seemed to be everyone else as her crimson gaze slowly moved from one player to the next. It was then she noticed the additional figure ahead of them, across what looked to be a… battlefield of sorts? Her speech was intriguing, both in the sound of her voice and the words chosen by the woman, and the blonde had remained quiet as she’d listened. The appearance of the Calculator caused her eyes to briefly wander towards @Kyra and her own little companion of sorts, before they returned to the field as a black pillar spawned from out of nowhere before the group.

"Marked for death?"
"Eh, can’t be any worse than Vern’s thing… right?"

Her hands moved to summon the palm menu, and before long a violin had materialized in the air in front of Lúthien. The object dropped into her hands, quickly snapped into its bow configuration as the chanting of the purple fox tickled Lúthien’s ears.

"So we just burn this down, huh...? Right."
"Sounds good to me, Tubby agrees."

"You sure it’s a good idea for Tubby to be out here, Yu?" The tiny little wurm hidden in the man’s breast pocket had caught Lúthien’s attention, earning a light snicker from the elf as she shook her head. The first time she’d spotted the little guy she’d been surprised to say the least, though his cute little train ensemble had quickly won the ranger over. "Time to show Null we don’t suck then~"

The two men rushed off first to strike against their unusual opponent, an indignant cry from Harper resounding in the air before the tigris joined them along with Mizuki. "Please don't miss, please don't miss." The soft whispers of the owl as she drew her own bow caught the blonde’s attention, a sympathetic smile pulling at her elven lips as @Nova reminded the ranger of her starting days within the game.

"Try to relax your muscles, it’ll make aiming your bow a lot easier if you do." Her own hand reached for two arrows within her quiver, the elf softly pressing their metal tips against her lips before closing her eyes in concentration. A faint whisper escaped her, inaudible to most, before the arrow heads pulsed with a purplish blue glow as magic was charged into them. "Like this~"

Her movements were deliberately slowed down as the ranger took a moment to show the other player what Lúthien herself had learned over the months playing Terrasphere, both arrows nocked onto her bowstring before pulling them back confidently as the elf took aim. Both arrows were released along with an exhale, watching them fly towards the black pillar that was meant to test their strength before a slight frown pulled at Lúthien’s features. Although the arrows hit their mark, and the lightning within them crackled outwards in response, she couldn’t help but notice the attack hadn’t seemed to deal as much damage as she’d expected once the HP display of the Level Checker displayed on her HUD.

❰ Lúthien's PlaySheet ❱
Level Checker: 1166 / 2000

Narrative Highlight: --

Lady N · Nov 15, 2022

(S4) Scenario VBMS3: The Calculator

"...this is new."

Chelsea flipped her scarf over her shoulder as the cold weather ended and everything became... blank? No, more like stripped of its' textures and deconstructed entirely. The virtual space of Terrasphere, returned to its original form? Chelsea couldn't think of it as anything else. Then she thought back to the words of Tristaria.

Something something destroy it from the inside.

Furrowing her brow, Chelsea watched as things progressed. As usual, interaction that wasn't business related was impossibly difficult for her. Thankfully, the newly arrived Magia with another stupid vocal quirk emerged.

Was this just a thing?

Of course, a video game developed by even twisted psychopaths may also contain things that fit cultural interests and many would find this stuff endearing.. like that Trinity AI. This was just more of the same. What was new was the location and so that was what interested her right now. Glitches like this while dangerous could also lead quite literally to the heart of the matter. Seeing @Ash Vargold present made her cringe on the inside. Two encounters with him so close together but it also relieved her to see that Aisling also was smart enough to investigate this.

Smart really?
Was Chelsea losing her edge to just follow random happenings now?
The outcome here may prove that.

So there was a Level Checker, some vector graphics sphere, and a stupid bot. Along with whatever @Legion was supposed to be. Another glitch, she didn't care to figure out those details. Rather Chelsea just focused and tried to understand what was going on and if there was a key to how the underbelly of Terrasphere worked here.

As everyone went about bashing the checker, Lady N would do absolutely nothing.

Rolls

N/A
Narrative Highlight: Staying put, thinking, and waiting for an opportunity to present itself. @Skyswimsky* .

Level Checker: 1166 / 2000

Play Sheet Link

Legion · Nov 16, 2022

100 / 100

Hey, why’re we following these weirdos?

Because the boss said so!

I know, but… why?

"Hive-mind training," I think?

You know, it would help if you girls stopped referring to "the boss!" You‘ll give her away!

Oh, right!

Sorry boss!

At first there had been an innocent looking set of identical faerin triplets following along with the group. They’d looked innocent enough, but something had felt a bit off about them. It was hard to tell exactly what, though.

Maybe the fact that they were supposedly identical, but seemed to have just a slight variation on their shape?

Maybe the fact that some of them were referring to a "boss?"

Maybe the fact that none of them seemed to know why they were even following the group?

Maybe the fact that every once in a while another one seemed to show up when everyone’s back was turned?

And really, if 3 wasn’t all too weird, what was 4? Or 5? Or a dozen? Just numbers, in the end. Besides, numbers were a boon to any respectable party. To what was doubtlessly and without exception everyone’s incredible and immeasurable disappointment, the number seemed to plateau at a dozen… or so. They were pretty energetic, so it was a bit hard to count the shifting sea of silver hair.

It just so happened that this duplication started just before the world got weeeeird, which Legion found infinitely disappointing. Now people might just think it was all part of the world bugging out! It really ate away at the shock factor. Alas, this wasn’t about weirding people out… entirely.

Wooah, sharp! How many heads have you chopped off!? Or are you more of a chopper of corns?

Look, another ball! I ship it with Calculator! OTP!

I don’t know, this ball doesn’t look like a good match for Calculator’s IQ.

Pfft. Love transcends intelligence gaps!

Hey, we had a question! Do you make a ‘woof’ sound, or more like an ‘awooo~!’

Obviously he goes awoo! Look how rough his tail is! That’s an awoo tail!

But he looks all friendly like a woof dog! Look, I have a stick! You want it boy? Go get the stick!

One of the faerin girls waggled a stick in front of Ash, then tossed it on the ground in front of him.

Pfft, don’t be stupid! He already has a sword, that’s like a super stick!

Oh my gosh look, it’s a little pocket worm!

Eww… kill it!

What, no! How can hate such a cute little guy!? Looook, he even has a little train costume!

Anything can wear a train costume! That doesn’t make it cute!

One of the faerin Legion chased after Yugam as he rushed for the level checker.

Wait, come back, I wanna pet him!

Hey, if you’re a real puppy, why aren’t you chasing that kitty?

I think it’s because she’s scared.

She’s definitely scared, because the kitty is actually a tiger! Rawr~

Isn’t that a lion though…?

No stupid, tigers are half lion and half zebra! You can tell from her stripes!

I think a puppy would be scared either way, though! Except if she’s a zebra. Miss, do you identify as more of a lion or a zebra? You should let the puppy know so she can decide if she wants to chase you!

Ca CAW!!

There’s no way you’re speaking real bird!

I’m not asking for your opinion! Let’s let the real bird lady decide!

To speak, real bird, you have to strut your feathers too! Like this!

The shadow of one the Legion girls suddenly shifted and sprouted from her back into the form of pitch-black crow wings, and she strut proudly around Nova like a peacock.

That just looks stupid! Modern bird dialects don’t have any strutting!

Like you would know!

Oh, we definitely suck! The boss wanted a lot of us, so she made us all as weak as possible.

Hey! We’re not supposed to mention the boss or it gives her away, remember?

Oh yeeeaaahhh… all her rules would be way easier to remember if she made us smarter…

Pfft, we don’t have to be smart. Look at this nice elf lady! She’s super pretty, so she doesn’t have to be smart at all!

Ooohhh, that must be why we’re supposed to act cute?

Maybe!

Hey scarf lady, don’t you wanna whack the trash can with everyone?

Pfft, no way! Look at her! She’s way too sophisticated for trash murder!

Hm… that makes sense! Only classy people wear scarfs.

Good thing we have no class at all!

For sure! Enjoy being classy, scarf lady! We’re going to go wail on the trash can!

It wasn’t entirely clear what signal was driving them to do it, but in one massive swoop, the entire bundle of faerin stopped pestering everyone and assembled on the "trash can," dogpiling it like a cartoon football team pounces on the opposition. Most of them did the damage of a moist spaghetti flopping on a 6-inch tungsten cube, but somewhere in the pile of faerin some real damage was being done. How…? It was unclear.

Rolls

Protect
1d100 (56) + 0 + 5 = 61
61 damage
Give 1 ally in your zone the Protected State @Nova
Illusion Magic | Legion | VBMS30C1

Expertise Check
1d100 (36) + 0 = 36
Awareness | Legion | VBMS30C1 Investigation BA

Level Checker: 1105

Play Sheet

MAI · Nov 16, 2022

Status nominal

Things were certainly taking a turn for the bizarre. MAI was hardly the only one flabbergasted by what was going on around them, the reality of the game seemingly falling apart as if whatever server responsible for running this part of TerraSphere was going out of commission, or perhaps the code itself was breaking apart?

Regardless, she was walking in the back of the group, generally unacknowledged by everyone else (aside from a certain @Legion of pale gremlins that were running around annoying everyone), and taking it all in. Naturally, the highlight was when they themselves were spirited away, much like the provided report stated. Yes, it was unlikely that they were still in the same 'location' when the area around them became wholly rudimentary.

"<Beep Boop> - Greetings 526f626f74205761696675, further designated as <Null>. Please, answer this query - Has the unit <Null> created this space or is the unit merely making use of an existing error?"

The question might have very well fallen on deaf ears, considering how erratic and nonsensical the Magia behaved. But, perhaps there was a chance that a question posed by a fellow Magia would be more likely to be answered? Her 'teammates' were not exactly a whole lot of help, either. As the Level Checker manifested into reality and very clearly started analyzing them, they were all a bit too eager to start attacking it. But before anything else, MAI made her way to Kyra and nudged herself in front of the vixen healer.

"Statement - This unit would advise against unnecessarily accumulating debuffs, especially ones that imply high levels of incoming pain. Proposal - Starcalled @Kyra Vashtana should watch out for herself... and accept this unit's help."

With that, several tiny drones flew out from beneath MAI's clothes, circling Kyra a few times before finding their positions around her and locking themselves in place. They would not get in the way as they moved along with the girl as if they were pieces of her attire affixed to her by some invisible force. Their role was to generate a small protective field. Hopefully, that would help against any sudden unforeseen consequences of the unpleasant-sounding debuff.

"Query - would the group mind keeping their joy of enacting destruction upon inanimate, yet likely highly lethal machinery, at bay for a moment? Statement - this unit would like to attempt to interface with the [Level Checker]."

She had managed to interface with a leftover piece of the DEAD.naught, after all, and acquired a new learning module from it. Perhaps it would help her in this endeavor?

Since she had no idea if the thing even had any kind of port to connect to, she tried to utilize her magitech to connect to it from a distance while she approached, a tail-like cord poking from her back as well to see if it could connect with the object and poke around directly.

Rolls

Protect
1d100 (57) + 10 + 10 = 77
77 damage
Give 1 ally in your zone the Protected State (@Kyra Vashtana)
Aura | MAI | VBMS30C1

Narrative Highlight: MAI is attempting to interface with the Level Checker in an attempt to gather more information @Skyswimsky*

Level Checker: 1,028 / 2,000

Play Sheet Link

Skyswimsky* · Nov 17, 2022

<beep boop> You MAI drop the formalities, friend! See what I did there?! A joke! ...

To answer your most. Intriguing. Question. however: Yes. ... Now, that wasn't very helpful, was it? But do not worry! I am willing to tell you everything your heart desires! As long as it is within my most humble capabilities! That is to say... this space has been designed in such a way you would be most familiar with! What. A. Joy! It's a feature, not a bug!

Much to @MAI's surprise, she could actually hear Null's voice answering her... and everybody else for that matter. Meanwhile, the assault on the monolithic pillar continued. And much like Null's answer, the group of Heroes could hear the Calculator's mechanical voice doing its thing, too!

... It seemed pretty open with the data it calculated with.

<beep Boop> Analysing Starcalled Combat Data...

@Kyra Vashtana:
Suicidal. Supportive. Can not follow orders. <Bzzt>
Parsing health to damage...
Exchange Ratio: 2.4
Estimated damage: 43*3*2.4 = 210

@Ash Vargold
Overcautious. Protective. Can follow orders. <Bzzt>
Parsing Status to damage... Result: 197...
Estimated damage: 132+197= 329

@Yugam <beep beep>
Simple. Aggressive. Can follow orders.
Estimated damage: 105

@Harper
Simple. Aggressive. Can follow orders. <boop>
Estimated damage: 153

@Ueno Mizuki
Simple. Aggressive. Can follow orders.
Estimated damage: 209

@Nova
Simple. Aggressive. Can follow orders.
Estimated damage: 85

@Luthien
Suicidal. Aggressive. Can not follow orders. <Error>
Estimated damage: 150

@Lady N
<Beep boop> No data to analyze.
Nerd. Anomaly. Can not follow orders.
Unit: <<The Calculator>> will remember this.
Sending warning... . . . <boop>
Estimated damage: 190

@Legion
Overcautious. Protective. Can not follow orders.
Estimated damage: 61+197=258

@MAI
Overcautious. Protective. Can follow orders.
Estimated damage: 77+197=274

Calculating total...
Result: 1963

Expected probability outcome. Result within projected parameter.
Despawning LC-Unit...
Preparing Scenario: VBMS3...

(The following information is only available to MAI)
Incoming Information Request by User: @MAI
<beep boop> Greetings, Magia.
Loading information of LC-Unit...
This is Level Checker Unit XXXXXXXX.
Alias: LC
Additional Code Segments:
Obstruction Mechanic: Marked for Execution
Apply the "Market for Execution" debuff to any target using Special Actions while this LC-Unit is on the field.
Marked for Execution: Deals heavy, likely lethal, damage upon expiring. Can not be dispelled. The duration of this debuff is <Restricted>, ensuring the victim has sufficient time to regret their life choices for having this doom counter.

Description:
Also called a glorified training dummy. Used to evaluate and gather data that can then be processed further into a unified unit called Power-Value(P-Value). Some scenarios have test subjects shown to not engage the LC-Unit at all in hopes of a low P-Value. This has since been patched with commit 3e12fcd8bd104d857b1d7b55ce2c8b89c9ed3900, resulting in the Power Value being set to maximum.

With these words, despite the Monolith's health bar having not been emptied, it despawned as quickly as it was spawned before. The continuous pillow assault of @Legion now landing in an empty spot.

@Ueno Mizuki watchful eyes weren't really telling her too much. The Calculator was just a ball without a face. Likely having the least emotion out of everybody here. Null, on the other hand, started clapping following text was floating in the air:

<<STAGE CLEAR>>

Con-gra-tu-lations! Yoooouuuuu did it! WOOHOO! Now onto the main stage of today's play! Beat it, and you. Win. The game! Nooow, I hear you wonder: Today's play? Well, am I glad you asked!

As my dearest of comrades here, The Calculator, prepares the stage. Let me prepare you! Two eggs. One golden. The other crimson. Protect the gold, destroy the red. simple as that. And- ah, he seems to be done!

<beep boop> Initiating direct analysis of Starcalled ...

As Null finished her vague explanation, the entire group felt uncomfortable for just a moment. As if they had been stripped completely naked and something had looked into their inner most beings. Maybe some would find that to be exciting, though it was mostly a frightening experience. Albeit less than a second.

The Calculator had scanned each and every single one of you, and nobody could resist.

<beep boop>
Loading Vintergard Battle Scene...

Once again, the scenery around the group shifted in the blink of an eye. No light particles signaled the change either. No loading screen. Nothing. It was just... there. Sudden. Ever so slightly disorientating. Instead of a sad prototype scenery, the group found themselves now in what appeared to be Vintergard.

Just... not quite. While for anyone who had never set foot into the ruined city before, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, those that did would notice. Rather than Vintergard, it was more like someone took the objects, textures, and landmarks, and put them back in again. Just, differently. Maybe even changed some of the scalings. Was the Hero Statue always THAT big in the distance? Hadn't that section of the wall a hole?!

@Lady N was the first to notice more things being off. While nothing compared to the buggy mess they had witnessed in the forest before, certain patches still showed signs of distortions. That singular brick in the wall looked more like it was made out of a single pixel. And that door was... flat!?

But even a patch of bushes and ground were flickering happily about. Almost as if they concentrated on a few, singular, points.

<beep boop>
Loading Battle Objectives...

Shortly after, just like the Level Checker. Two big eggs materialized. Just like Null had said. One behind the Starcalled . A bright and warm golden, pulsating ever so slightly as if alive.

The other egg, on the far opposite end. Hued in a vile crimson. Just looking at it made one feel uneasy. The last thing missing to this addition was, of course: We were all the enemy Magia?!

[youtube]

<beep boop>
Initiating Program Loop: Become Magia.
Constructing Personality Matrix...
Assembling Stratagem Behaviour...
Processing power insufficient... <bzzt>
Switching to low-spec calculation module...
Simplifying mechanics...

S̴e̶g̸m̸e̷n̸t̴ ̵f̷a̵u̵l̷t̴ ̸d̶e̸t̵e̶c̵t̶e̸d̶
̷M̵i̷s̴s̷i̵n̶g̶ ̸0̵0̵F̵0̷h̸ ̵
̸.̶.̸.̷
̷E̶r̴r̷o̵r̸.̷.̶.̴?̷
̷

Creating...
Magia-Support Unit: Kyaa!
Magia-Defense Unit: Ash Varsilicon
Magia-Striker Unit: YuRAM
Magia-Striker Unit: LARPer
Magia-Striker Unit: Uno
Magia-Striker Unit: SUPER Nova
Magia-Striker Unit: Lulthien
Magia-Command Unit: Lady M
Magia-Defense Unit: Legioff
Magia-Defense Unit: NAI

Injecting Code: Violence.
DO NOT SYMPATHIZE.

And then, out of the Crimson Egg, walked a somewhat familiar person. Kyra? Just... kinda different. Followed by a way colder-looking Ash, an edgier Yugam, and so on. With each name called, another Magie entered the battlefield. They certainly looked a lot less friendly than Null, that was for sure. Apart from their appearance, their first-impression personality seemed sorta weird, too...?

Lady M speaking: Engage the fallen saviors with caution. They're weak but unpredictable. Hmpf.

Unmei... I broke you once... And I will BREAK you again! The thirst never stops!

Arrgghhh! Stop obsessing over that dumb girl and just LOOK AT ME for ONCE! Maybe if I get rid of all these IDIOTS you finally pay attention to ME!?

Who says the loudest bird pecks the weakest? Imma a boss-level enemy! BOOYEAH

Statement - suggestion to drop their database.

Oi, you suckers! Metal punches harder than bones, and I'll show you...

Correction: We show them.

Just, just leave them somewhat in one piece, yeah?! I'll stuff the cute ones into little dolls and-!... Do things.

Awoooo!!!!!!

Urgh... Do I really have to join this nonsense? Fine, guess I'll become the new boss.

Oh! Oooooh nooo, what a most daring twist!... Though something seems off just a little bit, doesn't it?! But, I am absolutely positive that nothing out of the ordinary is going to happen and all of you will be fine! A most straightforward skirmish, to victory and beyond the stars!

Good luck, little heroes!~

With that, the next stage was set, and the actors were in place.
All left was to act on it. Or was it?

By the virtue of a higher power, anyone with the protected status received the buff [Grazed Protection]
By the virtue of a higher power, @Harper will be able to move the next cycle!
Or maybe it's just a glitch in the matrix...?

Skyswimsky* · Nov 17, 2022

(Post Speed) The next cycle will drop in-between 24 to 48 hours.
(Post Length) Maximum of 500 words. This will lower in the next cycle! Code excluded.
(Playsheet) Playtest Packet 2 rules apply to this scenario. TLDR Play Sheet Guide, Full Play Sheet Guide
(Fluid Time) Each character can make 1 post per cycle. There is no set posting order.
(Comms) Any communication can be done either by making a private comms thread or posting in the event's official comms thread.
(Rolls) All rolls must be done in the #event-rolls channel. Please post within an hour of your roll or you will forfeit your turn.
(Narrative Highlight) There's an area in the action section where you may briefly describe what your character did in their post that may not be covered mechanically, but you want special attention paid to. This is not a guarantee something will happen, but it may help me incorporate things from time to time.
(Threadcode) VBMS31

You may deploy in the green zones
Thick walls can't be passed through
Diagonal movement is allowed unless stated otherwise
You may swap out one of your actions with a mobility-gaining action this cycle.

There are a lot of effects going on, but they can usually be tackled by focusing on one group specifically.
Keep in mind Lulthien's and SUPER Nova's global damage.
Remember: flat damage is unaffected by vuln and protection.
Starcalled is generally referred to as the party of players.
Alter-Magia is generally referred to as your enemies.
Striker units deal damage to the players for each cell moved through.
Protector units really lock down your movement!
- Speaking of movement, keep in mind that thanks to Uno the total movement is reduced by 1
The effects of most Alter-Magia are stopped for the cycle if their SP is dropped to 0 if they got the stunned ability on SP break.

Crimson Egg (D1)

500/500SP

500/500 HP

For each bar of SP left on the egg, it may trigger one of the Alter-Magia's special abilities in the damage phase.
The egg can not be hurt as long as its SP isn't depleted, it serves as a strong shield.
Depleting the Egg's HP to 0 will remove all other enemy Alter-Magia units.
Can not be moved
Something inside is moving...

Legioff (F3)

200/200 SP
500/500 HP

Designation - Protector
- Movement of Starcalled is reduced to 1 upon entering any cell adjacent to this unit
- Alter Magia in the same zone as Legioff take 100% less damage
Legioff
- Delicious: Any health loss also heals to the lowest health Alter-Magia
- Singularity: Legioff's damage reduction to Alter Magia is increased
- Just One?: ??? Can be activated during this Cycle's damage phase
SP Break
- Stunned: Legioff's abilities are disabled until next cycle
- Refresh: SP is set to full on next cycle

Ash Varsilicon (B3)

200/200 SP
500/500 HP

Designation - Protector
- Movement of Starcalled is reduced to 1 upon entering any cell adjacent to this unit
- Alter Magia in the same zone or adjacent to Ash Varsilicon takes 50% less damage
Ash Varsilicon
- Heavy Guardian: Ash Varsilicon's damage reduction applies also to Alter Magia in adjacent zones
- Awoo!: If using a bonus action deals HP or SP damage to Ash Varsilicon, make a will save DC 50. On failure, the bonus action does not apply
- King of Silver: ??? Can be activated during this Cycle's damage phase
SP Break
- Stunned: Ash Varsilicon's abilities are disabled until next cycle
- Refresh: SP is set to full on next cycle.

NAI (D2)

200/200 SP
500/500 HP

Designation - Protector
- Movement of Starcalled is reduced to 1 upon entering any cell adjacent to NAI.
- Alter Magia in the same zone as NAI take 50% less damage
NAI
- Reboot: NAI will regenerate to full health at the start of next cycle.
- Optimize: Each time NAI is targeted, reduce damage taken by an additional 10 (-10 first attack, -20 next attack...)
- Drop Table: ??? Can be activated during this Cycle's damage phase.
SP Break
- Stunned: NAI's abilities are disabled until next cycle
- Refresh: SP is set to full on next cycle

Kyaa! (B2)

300/300 SP
50/50 HP

Designation - Angel
- The first Alter-Magia to get killed in battle in a cycle instead survives the attack and is set to 50 HP
Kyaa!
- Kyaa!: Kyaa! takes half the damage from female Starcalled
- Operation Mode - Reaper: If Kyaa! HP and/or SP is reduced to 0, return the following Cycle as an offensive-orientated unit
- Haven and Hearth: ??? Can be activated during this Cycle's damage phase
SP Break
- Tears of Sorrow: Kyaa! deals 100 damage to all other Alter-Magia
- Refresh: SP is set to full on next cycle

Uno (B4)

150/150 SP
200/200 HP

Designation - Striker
- Deal 20 damage to Starcalled entering any adjacent, or Uno's own, cell
Uno
- Single Gambit: Any Starcalled attacking Uno may decide to roll a d100. If the result is 50 or lower, the Starcalled takes 100 damage from Uno. If higher, Uno takes an additional 100 damage
- Vinergarden: Reduce the movement points of all Starcalled by 1, applied after all other movement altering abilities.
- Crimson Lunar: ??? Can be activated during this Cycle's damage phase
SP Break
- Stunned: Uno's abilities are disabled until next turn
- Refresh: SP is set to full on next cycle

LARPer (B4)

150/150 SP
200/200 HP

Designation - Striker
- Deal 20 damage to Starcalled entering any adjacent, or LARPer's own, cell
LARPer
- Grappling Expert: Starcalled entering a cell adjacent to LARPer get moved onto LARPEr's cell and can't move out
- Steadfast: Can not move, or be moved, under normal circumstances, except through Stalking Prey
- Stalking Prey: ??? Can be activated during this Cycle's damage phase
SP Break
- Vulnerable: LARPer takes double damage
- Refresh: SP is set to full on next cycle

YuRAM (F3)

150/150 SP
200/200 HP

Designation - Striker
- Deal 20 damage to Starcalled entering any adjacent, or YuRAM's own, cell
YuRAM
- Eye for an Eye: Deal 10 damage to Starcalled attacking YuRAM
- Vengeful Corpse: Deal 30+3d20 damage to whoever kills YuRAM
- Get em, Turry!: ??? Can be activated during this Cycle's damage phase
SP Break
- Stunned: YuRAM's abilities are disabled until next cycle
- Refresh: SP is set to full on next cycle

SUPER Nova (F2)

100/100 SP
150/150 HP

Designation - Hunter
- Deal 10 flat damage to any Starcalled attacking an Alter-Magia
- Abilities can target the entire battlefield
SUPER Nova
- SUPER Newbie: Abilities deal an additional +1 damage for each killed Alter-Magia
- Nestling: As long as there is another Alter-Magia in the same zone as SUPER Nova, HP and SP damage taken is reduced by half
- Crow[n] Slayer: ??? Can be activated during this Cycle's damage phase
SP Break
- Stunned: SUPER Nova's abilities are disabled until next cycle
- Refresh: SP is set to full on next cycle

Lulthien (F2)

100/100 SP
150/150 HP

Designation - Hunter
- Deal 10 flat damage to any Starcalled attacking an Alter-Magia
- Abilities can target the entire battlefield
Lulthien
- My Beloved!: Deal 20 damage to any Starcalled targeting YuRAM
- I WILL Hurt You: Deal 2d20 damage to the Starcalled killing YuRAM, and every cycle after
- Cheeri-o, little Bird!: ??? Can be activated during this Cycle's damage phase
SP Break
- Stunned: Lulthien's abilities are disabled until next cycle
- Refresh: SP is set to full on next cycle

Lady M (E1)

300/300SP
50/50 HP

Designation - Command
- Reduce the roll results of all Starcalled by 10
  - Add [inlinecode]-10[/inlinecode] to your roll modifiers
Lady M
- High in the Sky: As long as Lady M's SP isn't depleted, HP damage taken is reduced to 0
- I Will Survive: The first time Lady M would die, she becomes immune this cycle with HP Set to 1
- R.I.S.E. - Rapid Iteration Suit Evolution: ??? - Can be activated during this Cycle's damage phase

<<LIMIT BREAK>>

Golden Egg (D7)

250/500SP

500/500 HP

A̷t̸ ̵f̷u̵l̶l̵ ̸S̸P̵,̶ ̴s̴o̵m̶e̴t̴h̶i̷n̴g̸ ̴g̵o̷o̷d̵ ̸m̸a̸y̵ ̴h̷a̵p̷p̴e̵n̸.̵
The eggs SP can be filled with any expertise check or healing ability, as long as in range.
The egg can not be hurt as long as its SP isn't depleted, it serves as a strong shield.
Depleting the Egg's HP to 0 will lose the Starcalled the current scenario...?
Can not be moved
Something inside is moving...

Kyra Vashtana

250/ 250 HP
Buffs: 20
Debuffs:
Misc:
Details

Ash Vargold

280/ 240 HP
Buffs: 40
Debuffs:
Misc:

Yugam

220 / 180 HP
Buffs: 40
Debuffs:
Misc:

Harper

140 / 140 HP
Buffs:
Debuffs:
Misc:

Ueno Mizuki

200 / 200 HP
Buffs:
Debuffs:
Misc:

Nova

115 / 115 HP
Buffs: 20
Debuffs:
Misc:
Details

Luthien

180 / 180 HP
Buffs: 20
Debuffs:
Misc:
Details

Lady N

160 / 160 HP
Buffs:
Debuffs:
Misc:

Legion

100 / 100 HP
Buffs:
Debuffs:
Misc:

MAI

250 / 210 HP
Buffs: 40
Debuffs:
Misc:

Nothing seems out of the ordinary, except... <beep boop> Focus on mission target, Starcalled.
This cycle counts as combat, you may use any and all actions like attacking, buffing, healing, etc. as normal.
Victory Condition: Destroy the Crimson Egg!
Losing Condition: The Golden Egg is destroyed!
Apart from fighting, there are some other points of interest:

A patch of bushes and ground is flickering happily about. Almost as if concentrated on a singular point. Certainly just a distraction from the battle at hand!

May be picked up at the cost of your bonus action.
Must be in F4 to do this.

At the far end of the battlefield, you notice an ever-so-slight distortion on the walls. A few bricks looked like they were made of but a single pixel.

May be investigated as a bonus action.
- Roll an expertise check, Knowledge, Knack, and Awareness get an advantage.
Must be in G1 to do this.

At the far end of the battlefield, you notice an ever-so-slight distortion on the walls. A door serving as an invisible boundary, like many others. Just that this one was suspiciously flat?

May be investigated as a bonus action.
- Roll an expertise check, Knowledge, Knack, and Awareness get an advantage.
Must be in B1 to do this.

Code:

[hp=current]max[/hp]
[status]
Movement: before -> after
[/status]

Post here

[action]
Action Here

Narrative Highlight: Only describe if needed
[/action]
[b]Crimson Egg:[/b] 500/500 HP | 500/500 SP
[b]Legioff:[/b] 500/500 HP | 200/200 SP
[b]Ash Varsilicon:[/b] 500/500 HP | 200/200 SP
[b]NAI:[/b] 500/500 HP | 200/200 SP
[b]Kyaa!:[/b] 50/50 HP | 300/300 SP
[b]Uno:[/b] 200/200 HP | 150/150 SP
[b]LARPer:[/b] 200/200 HP | 150/150 SP
[b]YuRAM:[/b] 200/200 HP | 150/150 SP
[b]SUPER Nova:[/b] 150/150 HP | 100/100 SP
[b]Lulthien:[/b] 150/150 HP | 100/100 SP
[b]Lady M:[/b] 50/50 HP | 300/300 SP

Play Sheet Link

Siondhe · Nov 20, 2022

Vulnerable
Damage: -6 HP
Buffs: 20
Misc:

Movement: C7

At first, Kyra found herself mesmerised by the numerous @Legion. RoboWaifu had certainly caught her attention, and Kyra's eyes kept wandering back to the Magia, wondering if there was any chance of a peaceful resolution. What she hadn't anticipated - well, what had she really? - was the appearance of her Alter-Magia self. A near copy of herself, that somehow looked entirely different and...dare she say more adorable?

There's...more cute things in the egg?!

Kyra's response to Luthy's prompting was distant as the woman tried to comprehend everything going on. So far, she found herself overwhelmed - not with the conflict at hand, the mass of energies or the general chaos that came with combat. No, what had her enthralled was the adorable individuals who kept appearing on the field of battle, like some sort of weird anime battle scene where all the cutest girls showed up, ready to fight.

This is either the weirdest, happiest girl's dream...or I've died and gone to heaven...

She shook herself, remembering that there was something to do. Egg. Heal. More cute. Shit. More cute. Should I? There wasn't time to consider it, she needed to focus on doing what she could, and Luthy had clearly stated that there was healing to be done here, so...

I give unto you this gift...given willingly so that you may yet...hatch and provide to us...that which hides within...the adorable centre...

She felt her normal verbiage slipping as she remembered the promise of something adorable within, and for just a second she felt a pang. Worried that the magic had failed, she had to double check her connection to the egg itself, quickly assuring herself that it was still in tact. The soul lines between herself and the egg strong, confirming that there was no concerns about her magic.

Good, then that means everything worked...She had no sooner finished the thought than she looked down to find herself bleeding from a new gash on her thigh, one that she was sure had not been there moments earlier. A few blinks later, she realised that the cut laid within the inner thigh, somewhere where it could only be inflicted by something close, or herself...

That can't...be good...

It's fine...nothing to worry...about. Not like it could...come back to haunt you...

Rolls

Heal (Single)
4d20 (15 + 15 + 3 + 14) + 25 + 25 + 25 = 122
-10
+112 HP to 1 target (Golden Egg)
You are vulnerable.
Spirit Magic | Kyra Vashtana | VBMS31

Roll Result
3d20 (10 + 3 + 13) = 26
Corruption | Mastery MR | Kyra Vashtana

@Legion | @Luthien | @Skyswimsky
Play Sheet

MAI · Nov 18, 2022

+40 HP (Overheal by @Kyra Vashtana)

Movement: D6

Well, this was concerning. Null answering was nice, but unless she was lying, then it meant that the entities inside of the game figured out how to mess with the reality they were normally confined to in some way. Or at least that was MAI's interpretation of the Magia's chaotic speech. She honestly might have been only half concentrated on that whole part as she tried to extract as much data from the glorified dummy as she could. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.

Something akin to a holographic sphere of many different symbols and shapes appeared around MAI as the girl suddenly jumped and floated slightly into the air, where she remained outside of the confines of gravity. Right now was not the time to be stingy and she had to share the information with all of her allies. Their UI would soon ping as a mass email found its way to them.

Mail

> open attached file

Attention - above is an exact copy of the data extracted from the Level Checker that has just disappeared.

TL;DR for those who already mindlessly rushed into action - the device was used to gauge our individual strength, forwarding the data to the enemy Magia. Additionally, the geniuses @Kyra Vashtana and @Luthien who allowed the bot to trigger a special status on them, work extra hard. The time limit of this debuff could not be gathered, but it appears to be designed to completely deplete the HP of anyone marked by it upon expiration.

Additionally, the above file contains partial information on the special abilities of our opponents. Please, read through them and act accordingly.

Well, that was that. The 'corrupted' magia versions of the Starcalled did not earn much attention from MAI who was far more busy looking behind her at the Golden Egg. So they were playing tower defense, were they? She was the supportive type, so she figured it was best to stay here and help others from the back lines, or stop anyone who got too close. And first things first, she started sending more of her drones to people who yet had to obtain any shielding, including one of the aforementioned suicidals.

Rolls

Heal (AoE)
2d20 (15 + 13) + 20 + 10 - 10 = 16 (Total divided by 3)
+16 HP to 3 targets (@Luthien, @Ueno Mizuki, @Harper)
Magitech | MAI | VBMS31C2

Narrative Highlight: MAI shares gathered information with everyone

Luthien · Nov 18, 2022

The way @Legion seemed to multiply whenever the faerin was out of sight had been interesting to say the very least, though Lúthien had found them all rather cute for the most part. Their antics were amusing to watch, and their dialogue even caused the elf to chuckle once or twice—until a pair had snuck over to her as the archer had been focusing on her shot.

”Oh yeeeaaahhh… all her rules would be way easier to remember if she made us smarter…”
”Pfft, we don’t have to be smart. Look at this nice elf lady! She’s super pretty, so she doesn’t have to be smart at all!”
”Ooohhh, that must be why we’re supposed to act cute?”

"W-Wait, hold up! No, that’s all wrong—just what the fuck?" The blonde couldn’t help the frown that crossed her face as she turned to look at the pair of white-haired faerin around her, flicking each of them softly on the forehead to get their attention. "Look if anyone around here sucks is whoever put that dumb thought in your heads, I’m sure there are things each of you excels at."

Any additional conversation was placed on hold as the entity known as ❰ Null ❱ addressed the group once more, and while the pillar that had been created still showed a significant amount of health still left within it the object had simply disappeared after ❰ The Calculator ❱ had gathered the information they had seeked.

”Lúthien: Suicidal.”
"Like hell I am!"
”Aggressive. Can not follow orders. <Error> Estimated damage: 150”

Crimson eyes glared in the direction of ❰ The Calculator ❱, an indignant "Hrmph!" escaping the ranger before the congratulatory cries of ❰ Null ❱ echoed around their heads… and the one of her companion too. ”<beep boop> Initiating direct analysis of Starcalled ...” A shiver suddenly ran up the ranger’s back, causing Lúthien to involuntary wrap her arms around her, as the blonde couldn’t shake off the feeling of someone intruding far more into her innerself than the elf would’ve felt comfortable to admit.

"The fuck was that…?!"
”<beep boop> Loading Vintergard Battle Scene...”

Granted, Lúthien hadn’t been a fan of the ❰ The Calculator ❱ before, but her dislike for the thing immediately doubled after whatever trick it had just pulled on them. It was then two eggs suddenly materialized onto the field, the warmth of the golden egg behind them captivating even as it seemed to pulse with life… if the girl squinted hard enough Lúthien was almost sure she could see something stirring within it. Another had appeared on the other side of the field, and from its crimson depths figures began to emerge one after the other.

Some had caused the elf to snicker in response, even going far enough to tease @Vargold about his own, before the appearance of YuRAM and Lulthien had the blonde frowning as a questioning glance was given to the hunter. "We don’t sound like that, right @Yu ?" The look on the man’s face showed a similar train of thought was in his mind too, before the blonde shook her head softly—already it sounded like the scanner of ❰ The Calculator ❱ was faulty anyways. The sudden interest of @Kyra on the alter-magia, particularly the ❰ Kyaa ❱ one, had not gone unnoticed by the archer as Lúthien quickly thought of something to keep the vixen’s attention on their side before the impulsive woman dashed off to her death or something.

A sigh of relief escaped the elf as her prompting seemed to work, before the voice of @Mizuki calling out to her caught Lúthien’s attention. Her attention turned then to the copy of Vargold, half hidden by the wall in front of him, just as the icon of a pending mail flashed in the corner of her UI. The message was ignored for the time being as the archer pulled two arrows from her quiver, pressing the metal tips to her lips as she softly breathed magic into them. They glowed a bluish white before the ranger nocked them onto her bowstring, pulling them taught as Lúthien took aim before releasing both strikes.

They found their mark in the not!Vargold, one on each shoulder of the awoooing man, before ice erupted from the arrows and a small blizzard whirled around the alter-magia to further drain his energy.

❰ Lúthien's PlaySheet ❱
Narrative Highlight: --

Ash Varsilicon: 500/500 HP || -001/200 SP

Lady N · Nov 18, 2022

(S4) Scenario VBMS3: The Calculator

"W-what? How rude! Why is AI always so poor for the machines in this deathtrap... boo! It's like they want to get on my nerves!"

Chelsea didn't show it but she was deeply concerned as the world around her changed back into Vintergard...or not? The statement that it was a battle scene only clarified it for her. So she was in a game... within a game?

Sigh.

Truly her fate was linked with misfortune and frustration. However, that still could mean that this unstable space may have clues or even direct links to something deeper in this virtual hellscape. Chelsea had never felt so close to an actual first domino to solving this madness! For a few seconds, her pessimism was actually abated.

Lady M speaking: Engage the fallen saviors with caution. They're weak but unpredictable. Hmpf.

Chelsea's already cool demeanor became even colder, frozen even. Her mind immediately went to her bracelet even though her body didn't move an inch. That man, she learned his name was Quinn from the death records VRS gathers. Avatars in this world can be made into other things beyond their control. Forced conversion... which possibly led to death in real life. The question was if the AI copies were generated before or after the death but...

None of that helped her sense of dread. Even though she knew this to be some in-game illusion of some kind, it still made her imagine what would happen if it had been her instead.

But...
But............
Damn it what was the HMPF about?
As if Chelsea was some... trope. Not at all!

Awoooo!!!!!!

Chelsea's momentary freeze was shattered by the sight of @Ash Vargold's copy.
The judgemental girl's eyes shifted to him with eyelids almost slits and her frown very prominent.

"*Stare*...You are into that Ash?"

Her eyes went from him to take in the surroundings. There were disturbances here that caught her attention. She wasn't enthusiastic to play whatever game was being forced on them here by the Magia with bad vocal quirks. Chelsea looked at her clone, then the others, and her hand went to her bracelet... but she didn't activate it.

It had rated her power 190, whatever that meant but had it read her N-Suit as well? A smug thought crossed her mind. For now, she would try to avoid using it, she wasn't in a hurry to see what her emotional state might be afterward anyway.

The mail from @MAI arrived and Chelsea gave it a look as she prepared to make her move. That wasn't surprising. Hitting that trashcan as Legion (or whatever they were) put it, was a mistake. One point for the Nexon, now it was time to see if she could keep her good luck for once.

She made a dash for the first anomaly of its place, and it wasn't Lady M...

Chelsea would grab the strange dancing bush and see if there was anything under it, perhaps a hole that could be used to escape this fabrication?

Rolls

Movement: F6 -> F4 -> E6
Bonus Action: Grab the Glitchy Bush.
Bonus Action2: Rover Activated.

Narrative Highlight: A bush like this that is pulled out of the ground could reveal something besides just a dirt hole...

Play Sheet Link

Yugam · Nov 19, 2022

If Yugam thought that things couldn't get weirder, which he did, he'd have been terribly wrong. Null's voice rang out again, the static-filled, volume-fluctuating sound almost grating to the man's ears as the strange cylinder began to report what sounded like command-line response.

"Yugam <beep beep>
Simple. Aggressive. Can follow orders.
Estimated damage: 105"

"...Welp, can't argue too much..." the man muttered, not even the slightest bit offended by the fact that the apparent computer had just called him an idiot. Whatever that thing could throw at him paled in comparison to the daily abuse Nico put him through IRL.

And then it disappeared, blinking out of existence as if it had never existed in the first place. "Um...okay..." Why did it feel like they weren't done here?

The environment around them began to shift, shimmering and distorting into some uncanny valley representation of the Vintergard Yugam and Mizuki had ventured into on their scouting mission. The too large statue of the Immortal Heroine loomed over them, dominating the airspace with it's stone form, drawing the man's eyes up to it in both wonder and confusion. "Uh, I'm not the only one seeing this, right?"

Two eggs spawned, one in front, and one behind. Yu's blade tilted upward in a mid-guard in response as his eyes began to flick back and forth between the two, not trusting the words of the corrupted Null.

And then they stepped out. The Starcalled. Or at least, Magia facsimiles of the real ones, who stood at Yu's sides. Each and everyone barked something out as they stepped out of the crimson orb.

"Unmei... I broke you once... And I will BREAK you again! The thirst never stops!" designation YuRAM shouted.
'Oh-hokay,' Unmei scoffed in both amusement and annoyance, 'I don't think this thing knows what's its talking about. The only one allowed to root around in your memories is me.'
'Don't I get a say in this?'
'No.'

"I don't talk like that, right?" Yu said, looking over at @Luthien as she mirrored the same reaction. The two locked eyes for a moment before shaking their heads. Naw, they didn't sound like that.

"I think nows a good time to prove that originals are better than remakes, yeah?" the man muttered to no one in particular.
'That's really the best line you could come up with?'
'Hey, not my fault our writer is an idiot, just shut up and let's go!'

The Alter Magia were quick to start moving into their positions, but the Starcalled were just as quick. The sounds of spells being cast resounded behind Yu as he felt one of Luthien's arrows zip past him. Yu chased after the arrow as it arced over and obstacle, erupting with a flurry of snow. His targets were there.

And they'd found him first.

As soon as Yu stepped past the barrier, the feeling of being tugged forward nearly threw the man completely off balance. Thrown over the shoulder the not!Harper, only many years of training had taught him how to land without hurting himself, instinct taking over his body hit the ground a hand striking the ground parallel his body to help disperse the force. Unmei clattered to the ground, away from Yu as the man twisted back to his feet, the Judo wielding look-alike lunging for him already. A step back and push-pull motion on the Magia's shoulders was all it had taken for the weak copy to wind up in chokehold. Yu's right hand reached out, and on command, Unmei reappeared in his grasp, only sprout from the Magia's chest as Yu shoved the blade through it's back. Turning the still struggling body towards his allies, the man could only hope, trust, that they'd hit LARPer and not him.

Movement: C6 (Spawn) > C5 > B4 (Displaced - Harper)

Rolls

(P) Charge | Weapon Arts S | Yugam Charging weapon. Current charge: 50 (Max: 125)
(BA) Charge | Yugam Unloading weapon's charge: 75

Sharp
1d100 (91) + 25 + 25 + 25 + 25 + 75 + -10 = 256
256 damage
vs LARPer
Slash Weapons | Yugam | VBMS31

Play Sheet

Nova · Nov 19, 2022

Nova glanced over at @Luthien smiling at the blonde elf girl. She defintiely had been doing this a lot longer, it seemed so natural to her. She watched and listened intently, seeing how the other attacked with her own bow. Relax. She could do that, in theory. Maybe once she had been thrown into enough battles. She appreciated the tips regardless, any help would make her a better player after all and the beastfolk had a lot to learn.

Thank you. It's a bit hard to relax but I'll try my best!

She was a bit taken aback by the sudden influx of @Legion. There we just so many of them! Nova stumbled back a bit when one of them started cawing and strutting around her. Were they mocking her? She wasn't sure what their angle was, but if it was to make her a bit off-balance then it was working!

What happened next was a bit of a blur. The giant pillar vanished, as quickly as it had appeared. They had seemed to have completed the first task only to be replaced by another. Then the blank space around them blinked and in an instance they were in some sort of city. It was definitely a bit disorienting to say the least.

Nova listened intently to Null, still not fully trusting the situation but intrigued all the same. They had to protect...an egg of all things? And their goal was to destroy...another egg? This day was getting weirder and weirder. Until it got even more weird. Suddenly copies of the entire party started to make their way onto the field. Yet they weren't exact copies. Something was off, something was different. Nova's eyes scanned them all until it rested on what was hers. It was her...but not. It was a bit creepy. Really creepy actually. So this wouldn't be as simple as just going after the crimson egg. They'd have to go through a small army of clones.

Nova knew her best course of action was to keep a distance, stay in range, but still stay safe. So she'd wait for the right opportunity to be of some help. It was when LARPer was killed...and instantly revived that she knew this was her go. It was a bit unnerving aiming at a target that was literally impaled on a sword, she didn't want to hit @Yugam in the process but there was no time to waste.

Stay dead this time!

She shouted as she lifted her bow, sliding another arrow onto the bowstring. Taking a deep breath she relaxed like Lúthien had taught her. She still had the auto assist helping her, but she knew it wouldn't hurt to practice preparing herself when she finally dropped that. Pulling the bowstring tighly, she let it rest against her cheek, raising the bow up slightly for the distance needed to hit. With an exhale of breath the owl-girl released her strike. Watching the arrow sail through the air before sinking into the once dead - then alive - and hopefully dead again clone.

Rolls

(BA) Auto Assist +15 to attacks, heals, buffs, checks, contributions, and saves
(P) Extension | Mastery | Nova | Range: 2

Stable Attack
6d20 exploding (1 + 12 + 18 + 16 + 14 + 8) + 0 + 0 + 15 = 84
-10
74 damage (Explosions: 0) Target: LARPer
Ranged Weapons | Nova | VBMS31

Narrative Highlight: --

LARPer: -24/200 HP | 150/150 SP

Play Sheet Link

Complete Main Story Vintergard (S4) Scenario VBMS3: The Calculator

❮ Narrator ❯

❮ Narrator ❯

❮ Shield of Hope ❯

❮ Dissonant Exterminator ❯

❮ Pathfinder ❯

❮ Pathfinder ❯

❮ Lore Seeker ❯

❮ God's Exceed ❯

❮ Hymn of Tomorrow ❯

❮ Narrator ❯

❮ Narrator ❯

Crimson Egg (D1)

Legioff (F3)

Ash Varsilicon (B3)

NAI (D2)

Kyaa! (B2)

Uno (B4)

LARPer (B4)

YuRAM (F3)

SUPER Nova (F2)

Lulthien (F2)

Lady M (E1)

Golden Egg (D7)

Kyra Vashtana

Ash Vargold

Yugam

Harper

Ueno Mizuki

Nova

Luthien

Lady N

Legion

MAI

❮ Shield of Hope ❯

❮ Hymn of Tomorrow ❯

Mail

❮ Lore Seeker ❯

❮ God's Exceed ❯

❮ Pathfinder ❯