Pollux listened to the red-haired man as he gave the group a rundown of the current state of the world. Pollux remembered the news stories from 4 years ago. The news had mentioned that there had been a few deaths thought to be linked to the game, but it wasn't like there was any outward indication it was actually from TerraSphere.
So you mean to say that the deaths surrounding the game were actually caused by the player's deaths within the game? What all do you know about the connection between them, if anything?
The invitation to join them was interesting, but Pollux wasn't actually super interested in the combat aspects of this game other than learning more about the game's magic system.
Given that you are reaching out to us for more members, there must also be other organizations that are looking for members in this new wave of players - or "travelers" as you call us - as well, yes? Do you know any off the top of your head?
There had to be some sort of group dedicated to the study of this world, right?
(When @Aaron expressed skepticism toward his introduction, Levi directed his attention at the armored youth. It was a firm and unabashed look.)
Our mission is to serve the people, whether or not they are Lander or Travelers. For the native people, we maintain the peace, curb the monster population when needed, fight fire, and provide emergency relief when big disasters arise.
As for Travelers, we do what we can to keep the UI-locks out of trouble and provide them a shoulder to cry on when things get tough. It's not like we can fill the role of the MIT or the League, and understandably, it's a boring job for most. But, having a sense of safety and security is a basic right every Astorean should be afforded.
Mimi's cookies may not buy loyalty, but it does warm the soul, does it not? The Pride is a family, and family provides its members with comfort and safety.
(Mimi's eyes grew large and wet when she overheard Levi. You can hear her whimper an 'uuu… commander…' while Chad smiled and nodded.)
(In response to @Darko Ljubicic, Chad put his hands on his hips, a firm expression docking on his face.)
We have a motto here, in that there is no irredeemable lowlife. Some Travelers even use their extra chances at life for the good of others! If you had seen the good people had done for one another at Titanius, it should have been enough to prove that motto, haha!
(When he said that line, he was looking directly at @Pete Simpson, as if casting shade on the man.)
(Levi turned to @Alonso Thorlion to respond to the large Beastfolk.)
I agree with your sentiment, but unlike the other organizations with more funding and resources, we don't have the manpower to save everyone. So, it's an unfortunate fact that we DO have to choose how to best utilize our power.
Many of us do have very different ideas on how to maintain law and order and prevent players from becoming like me, but we don't have the people to perform the task.
There aren't enough resources to fund our staff so we have to make do with what we have.
(Levi laughed loudly when he heard @Harukami asking about the Flying Alligator. However, the laughter came to an abrupt stop as his expression became grim.)
I'm laughing, but my first death was being vored and left to melt inside a Flying Alligator's stomach. You definitely should watch out for them.
(He looked completely and utterly serious enough to paint a hint of trauma on his face.)
(Stared up at the sharp black-haired girl (@Lady N), waiting in anticipation for her response to the taste of the cookie.
(Levi was curt with Lady N. Anyone with any observation skill can see his forced smile as he listened to her ramble on about him being an AI simulation.)
A… haha… that's a funny joke. Unfortunately, 5G doesn't exist in the game.
Well, if there's anything you take away from this conversation, that would be it.
(All the while ignoring Harlow's second comment as he immediately switched to @Tristaria)
No, that's not the case at all. The co-founder, Seigi has died five times, but continues to persist. The MIT thinks that the number of deaths doesn't matter, so long as you have an ally with revive ready.
(And finally, to @Pollux's questions, Levi took initiative in answering them.)
The MIT's finding has proven that when you die a third time in the game, your body in the real world dies as well, but you revive in game without your UI. That and the death count I mentioned earlier is the extent of what we know.
As for the other factions, well. There is the MIT, who handle the research in the game, using their knowledge to crack the mysteries of this world. There is also the Explorers League, who venture into the unknowns and uncover more of the world. There is also the Guild, which is largely a group of money-grubbing mercenaries with too much time and not enough to do.
Cycle 3 Rules
This is a communication-focused megathreads where your character is introduced to the Lion Arms.
When 10 characters have joined the thread, the thread will switch to Private.
There is no set posting order.
Everyone has one post per cycle.
However, each character can address any or all of the three characters here: Levi, Chad, or Mimi or other players, all within the same post.
New or already-established characters are welcome to join the thread.
You are free to socialize and get to know the characters in the thread.
This thread will be updated with or without enough characters roughly every 24 hours.
More groups will be established if the interests are there. Please wait for overflow threads.
Please try to keep your response somewhat brief!
Code:
[speech=https://terrarp.com/db/character/Chad.png]Conversation here (Action formatted like this)[/speech]
[speechright=https://terrarp.com/db/character/Levi_Pendragon.png]Conversation here (Action formatted like this). This version has the avatar on the right side.[/speechright]
Aaron laughed gently at @Harukami 's continued greeting. The girl was as nervous as he felt to be in such a large group, but ironically seeing someone else so unnerved for presumably the same reason calmed his nerves tremendously.
The pleasure is mine as well. It would probably be safest for everyone to travel in groups, just in general. Friends are a valued resource; you should make as many as you can. Especially in worlds like this one.
Aaron listened to Levi's reply stoically. The man handled being challenged well, he could give him that at the very least. And the response was a good one. Aaron finished off his cookie, then placed his hands on his hips.
Well then, I have one last question.
He said as seriously as he could sound.
Where do I sign up? If the alternatives are just researchers, explorers, or money-grabbers, then there's no contest. I'm in this world because I believe I can make a difference here. If that's what your organization is doing, then I want to help.
Chelsea bent back slightly to avoid having a smashed cookie face. Her face now in a deadpan frown. The daughter of one of the greatest minds and this bunch of zeros and ones (Levi) was mocking her? Boo! Chelsea then noticed the faerin l(Mimi) looking up at her as the strange robo girl kept pushing cookies into the Nexon's face.
Urgh... fine.
...G-gimme that.
She nibbled on it... it was okay. Not the greatest... barely acceptable really...
She took another bite and another, then it was gone... it was meh...
Yes... it does taste like a cookie. One that's... not the worst.
Now that that was taken care of. Chelsea folded her arms tightly and marched past the two, towards Levi,
...........
A silence as she hesitated. She almost went and spilled who she was in reality. Yes, it is bad enough that she made the mistake of looking the same, but she did make the name Lady N for a reason. If this game's creators were murderers. Her identity being out would not help matters. Instead, she gave one hard hmph and turned away from him.
.It doesn't matter if you die as long as you are revived? ...Ghost data that is maintained completely by this deathtrap saying it's still alive. Stupid. Seigi is dead., the copy that is on autopilot in this game is not her. Whoever this Levi was is also dead. ...Sigh.
Like before, she didn't raise her voice at all, even though there was an increasing emotion in it near the end. Chelsea looked at the others and unfolded her arms. Then she began to walk past some of them as she headed away from the group.
...I'm sorry. I refuse to believe in magical theories of people living inside of virtual reality without a working brain or heart and still being people. If you all want to listen to this code controlled by the game fine. Bunch of stupids...
Looking down at @Harlow , he perked a brow at the odd mannerism of speaking. This was not a radio call, and despite the Felis's preference for a serious conversation, there was a point where acting too serious was a concern. Still, he was not going to too away an agreement with his concerns. But Alonso knew things were not always so simple. In a world lacking the advancements in communication reality held, concepts such as manpower and funding held more weight. Even more so when transferring both people and product required more time.
Not that reality was always much better regarding similar issues.
Though some levity was being made regarding the Flying Alligator, not even a grin came across his visage. Even Levi knew the severity of even a simple mistake such as that. Finding himself distracted, ears twitched at the declaration of @Lady N 's departure.
... you won't find me stopping you from leaving, and in respect of your opinion nobody else is in the right to do so. However, even if you do not join this group, I hope you one day consider someone else's life even if they come off as a copy as you call it.
Whether or not it was his place to say that, he can take the fallout. Something about what seemed to him as lack of concern for the situation going on pressed at the morality side of his brain. Yelling was not ideal, however, and so he left it at that. Maturity was an odd thing. As much as Alonso claimed to himself he was filled with it, that day his ex-wife crashed her car and died still rung heavy on him. Their argument before that event was riddle with cruel words on his end, and so had to wonder if the stranger's words were just karma arriving to bite him in the ass for being so naive all those years ago.
But he needed to focus on the issues at hand, looking back to Levi.
Do you have a plan for how you are going to get the funding and resources? It sounds like you can only recruit so many new members before your resource shortage runs dry.
Eep! Pete immediately looked away when he noticed the redheaded man was staring straight into his soul. He gulped the remaining crumbs of cookies in his mouth and almost choked on them. Like a complete idiot. Still, he managed to retain some of his composure, though not a lot, mind you, and tried his best to listen in and absorb as much information as he could, wanted. He caught a glimpse of the white-haired elf (@Tristaria) who seemed to be having a tough time with the cookies, but that's just the way they crumbled, so he gave them an awkward thumbs-up. Still like a complete idiot.
The mention of the Flying Alligator, however, piqued his interest.
Flying alligator? What's a flying alligator?
He dared not take it for what it meant, though maybe he should have. He was still somewhat new to the world, barely have had the time or opportunity to face against monsters such as flying alligators or jumping turtles or whatever else this world had in store for his inevitable death. Thank God for respawns. That's a thing in this game, right? Pete could only hope.
The talk about the other factions interested him more, though. Each of them seemed way better than this one, mostly because Pete wasn't having as much of a good time as he thought he would at the moment and it seemed like they were too poor to pay him more than he needed. Not that his services would deserve that much payment, no. Pete could barely throw a punch. Without the Rings of Saturnine, he would be easy prey to the NPC bandits.
So the Guild would have the most money, right?
Rule number one of these games: Always hoard resources.
The black-haired girl ate her cookie. Her response was… absolutely unhelpful.
Thanks, I guess…
Tris stared unblinking at Levi as he explained the most crucial piece of the puzzle that’d been missing from the real world.
Three deaths, hm…? So at most we get two revives, then it’s for keeps?
What a bizarre system; maybe the two free deaths were just to lure people in? And speaking of luring people in…
(Answering @Aaron Marone)
Careful. Heroics are great, but if you stay past two deaths, you are the problem. Have the sense to leave if you reach that point.
(Tristaria turns to Levi.)
This "MIT" sounds more like what I’m looking for, but I appreciate what you’re doing. If I had the time, I might join both.
Tris felt a willful presence storm past her, pushing her shoulder aside to pass. The black-haired girl she’d shoved a cookie to...
(Addressing @Lady N)
I’m glad someone had the sense to say it. You could’ve put it more lightly though. They’re clearly very advanced copies, portraying emotions that will effect the real people here.
Friends were something Harukami valued in general- but she also had a hard time making them. She paled slightly as @Aaron Marone spoke to her about it. Now, she was starting to feel a pang of regret coming into this particular game alone. She swiftly shook her head of those regrets, however. She could do this without her sister!
I'll do my best to make lots of friends! Friends make games more fun anyway... Right?
Her anxiety had somehow not gotten the best of her for a moment. She took her time to breathe deeply and listened to @Levi carefully. Raising her hand, she spat a question rather awkwardly.
I-I um, I-I'm studying neuroscience. D-Do you think my studies could er, well, um, help the research group?
Harukami was afraid, but curious. She was afraid to die, like many people surely were in the world. She was more afraid for her family if she died though, rather than herself. Her interest, however, was growing. This world's connection to the real world had just gotten that much more fascinating... And she couldn't help wanting to help, if she could.
That incident about Titanius, as one of its veterans, actually reminded me about the ineptitude of those in power more than anything.
Darko had finished eating his cookie, and then started to clean his revolver as he then listened to the other people's opinions. The opinions of @Lady N particularly got him piqued so much that he accidentally cleaned the wrong section of his gun. Fortunately no one might have seen this error, so he just continued cleaning as if nothing happened. As he then finished cleaning, he then loaded the gun with its full 16-bullet capacity, put back the gun into its holster, and then sat again with his legs crossed.
I have heard what I needed to hear. Anyway, the words of that woman there have reminded me of the theory of transhumanism, or, if her words turned out to be true, our current reality. Although the explanation of this theory will take hours of explanation and then days of debate, the final solution to her stupid latter pronouncements is actually simple enough.
He then generated a tea set from his inventory, and then, also generating a canteen of water and a small box of prepared tea leaves, he then poured some water in a kettle and then brought it to a boil.
Perhaps it will take a long time to discuss everything, but I am fine with it, I guess.
Harlow was a bit confused. This all still felt like one of the many convoluted tutorial introductions, wherein a collection of NPCs come forward to subtly present mechanics. These characters before him lacked that subtlety. On top of that, some of them seemed to be actual players, fourth wall be damned. Ultimately, if their warnings were true, the risks and implications of death in this place were akin to that of reality, something he expected to cause certain people to immediately log off… But everyone remained.
@Lady Nwould present a different hypothetical to the rather glorified ideals he had spoken. It was an idea he hadn't first thought of. She was right, in many ways, though nothing could be known for certain. If that were true, then this would all be some fruitless endeavor, to be practiced by a bunch of stupids, appropriately named. Was he, or better yet, were the others around him willing to take that risk and potentially paint themselves as fools in a grander scheme? What was the worth in preventing the death of empty, pixelated lives? @Aaron Maroneand @Alonso Thorlionseemed willing to take the Lion's leap and, surprisingly, so did the sharp-witted cynic, @Darko Ljubicic, while others were decided that different paths were right for them.
Again, the immersive atmosphere drew him back in. This was a world of second chances. An opportunity to be the person he had been destined to, to fulfill the responsibilities he had failed. Even if it was a fantasy, it was better than the alternative. Maybe in the real world, he was only worthy of the Adventurer's Guild, gilded with greed and gold, strong and ruthless and dishonorable, but this was his chance. The Lion Arms were an opportunity to strive for betterment and, if he could shave off even the smallest slice of worthiness from it, maybe it would soothe the burning guilt. He was already a fool outside. But he could at least try to be a hero here. With his eyes lingering towards the departing Lady N, he didn't bother hoping this would be the right decision. If it wasn't, it would just be another mistake. Nothing new. He was minded to join.
Thank you for bringing us here. I am weak. And new, but. If willingness is all that is required. I will comply. Over.
How funny that there would be an MIT as well in this world, although Pollux figured it wasn't actually the same meaning as her alma mater: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She had no interest in glory or wealth in this game, other than the wealth of knowledge brought, so MIT was the obvious choice.
Pollux nodded her head in approval upon hearing that there were some in the room that were more scientifically minded.
(to @Harukami)
I think your perspective could be quite useful in researching the effects of this game on our minds, as well as investigating whether that woman's (gesturing to @Lady N) theory that the people who have been "UI-locked" are still themselves or artificial copies.
Pollux had been engrossed in the conversation and had all but forgotten about the cookie given to her by Mimi and it had cooled down significantly. glancing around briefing before she did, Pollux used her chronomancy magic to rewind the cookie back to its ideal state of heat and softness.
(A fire was lit in Levi's eyes as he stood up and clasped @Aaron Marone forearm and gave him a firm shake.)
A Traveler after my own heart. Your verbal agreement is plenty.
Let's make a difference, together.
Mimi watched as @Lady N tasted her cookie and gave her a compliment? Well, she beamed brightly, though deflated as Lady N made her exit.
Levi, who still clasped onto Aaron's arm turned and looked at the black-haired girl with a peeved expression. He did not appreciate having his existence called into question. He decided to take the high road and kept quiet.
When N was in front of the tavern's doorway, where Chad was standing, he quickly put both of his arms up to shuffle past her as Levi looked at the blonde and shook his head. She was a lost cause.
Levi let go of Aaron and turned to @Alonso Thorlion before he propped a hand on his hip, flashing a commanding smile.
We acquire resources through blood, sweat, and tears, showing the government that our service is essential with the players returning en masse.
We're actually in contest with the bookworms and the whistles for funding. The Astorean coffer opens its vault once a month and award the most efficient faction with additional funding.
We may not take public payment, but if donation drives work in real-life, it will work fine in-game.
(Chad, who was standing next to @Pete Simpson nodded.)
If money is what you're looking for, thems are the folks you'll want to chase.
Here's a map to the nearest Adventurers Guildhall if you need it.
You mean to say, two deaths to waste on fun, before you shouldn't log in again.
If you're going to throw away those two lives anyways, you might as well devote them to real goals and aspirations.
If you're looking for the MIT, Chad will direct you to the closet academy. I hope you find your mission there and perhaps what mystery you unfold will change that sentiment.
And to @Harukami's doubtful parlance, Levi flashed his soft smile as he put a hand on her back.
I'm sure the bookne- I mean researchers could use your wealth of knowledge.
(Chad took a seat next to @Darko Ljubicic and intertwined his fingers as he rested his chin on his hand. He stared at the youth with great intensity.)
You can discuss my ears off all you want, but ONLY after we're dead drunk.
Levi turned to @Harlow, extending an acknowledging nod at the Magia.
We are happy to have you in the Pride. Welcome.
Finally, Levi gestured at Chad with his head, getting him to help @Pollux as well.
Final Cycle Rules
It's time for this megathread to end!
There may be more to be said after this, so if you have any thing left to say, do write it out and include your character's exit.
You don't have to make a decision on joining the Lion Arms now and are free to participate in any other Faction Recruitment threads that popup.
Code:
[speech=https://terrarp.com/db/character/Chad.png]Conversation here (Action formatted like this)[/speech]
[speechright=https://terrarp.com/db/character/Levi_Pendragon.png]Conversation here (Action formatted like this). This version has the avatar on the right side.[/speechright]
Aaron clasped Levi's forearm back, gave a hearty, but not overbearing, squeeze and shake back.
Sounds good to me.
With that, was he now part of the Lion Arms? He supposed so. An organization dedicated to making a difference and helping people was right down his alley, and exactly what he was looking to join. Levi had answered his questions satisfactorily, and if worst case scenario the group did turn out to be shady, he could always turn against it then.
At Tristaria's words, he frowned.
I disagree, miss. The problem is people who view this as just a game where they're free to do whatever they wish, viewing this as all 0s and 1s. These people who live here, they feel pain, and they fear death. I've given my life once to help them, and I'm not afraid to do it again. If and when that day comes, then I'll make the decision on whether to keep trying to help them or not. I won't throw my life away pointlessly, but I won't jealously protect something I can freely give at least once more.
Her face certainly didn't, anyway. Then again, she had customized her character somewhat...
I don't intend to waste those lives at all, but I'm glad you let me know what I have to work with. Good luck with the civil service and such.
Tristaria turned to @Aaron Marone and stared unblinking into his eyes as he spoke. No emotion.
AI are trained to express pain and fear, that doesn't mean they feel anything. Just because a movie looks realistic, doesn't mean any of it's actually real. Remember that when you're on the edge.
Shaking her head in disbelief, Tris turned to Chad, her icy gaze fixating on him. They probably weren't the types to get along well, but she only needed a quick point in the right direction.
Let us just say that even if her initial words are true, and her intention is to solve it, but her latter words and action implied that she will be running away from it.
Darko warmed up the teapot as he was speaking this. He was visibly troubled by the woman's words, but he was hiding this amidst his cool demeanor.
Whether she faces it or runs away from it, if what she said is true, their implications will come all the same. Mind uploading is one of the ultimate goals of those who wanted to live forever back in my world, and whether it had succeeded here or not is the ultimate question. But either way, the answer is simple, and is also the answer to the rhetorical questions I had made earlier.
He then poured boiling water into the teapot and then added the right amount of prepared tea leaves in it.
So long as any traveler does not do something grossly immoral in the act, you can trust on me not to let them suffer any death as long as I am around. Whether in this world or our world, whatever their moral inclinations appear to be, even if all those who are here are only just a bunch of code. Because, even if the latter is true, we might have already built a transhumanist society and we should look at the implications of the matter.
With the next piece of information in mind, the man had a clearer idea of how Astorea's factions were functioning. Just as branches of government in the real world from space, to agriculture, and more, it was a fact for government support. Reasonable considering even a ruler only had so much gold to hand out no matter how generous they were. Still, it did not convince the giant of a man to join up right away. If he even did at any point in time.
The most his thoughts provided were a careful study of how the Lions ran their faction. Their knights seemed to be on the rougher side of things, having some difficulty with tact, but Levi seemed to have a much better head on his shoulders. A balance of values, optimism, and faith, but still with a grip on reality. Perhaps a bit more of the former, but this was not enough for him to make a decision off of.
Unless you have other pieces on information to convince me, I have to decline joining the Lion Arms at this point in time. Though I gotta suggest you consider other modes of funding as well if it's a race against other groups to appeal to Astorean government. Showing a sense of initiative in getting yourselves funded, as well as using said funds properly, may grant you a better reputation with Astorea. Just a thought, so don't mind me rambling. But I'll think about finding your group if I change my mind.
With that, he waited for a response if any was given. Otherwise, Alonso will turn and begin walking out.
Pete turned to the impressively armed sheep herder, nodding in turn. His gut was right: The adventurers did have all the money. He didn't expect to be actually given a map to these people's rival group, though. Pete thought was surprising, considering, well, rival groups and all that. Maybe this is why they don't get as much money as the adventurers.
Thanks, man! That's bloody nice of you!
With a smile of his own, Pete grabbed the map given to him and stowed it in his person. He didn't want to linger with the offered item any longer, lest they asked him to pay for it. Gotta be quick to stay ahead of the curve, yeah? Or some shit like that. Looks like this wasn't such a waste of my time after all!
You ever need another hand to help with sh—
He cut himself off after catching a glimpse of the redheaded man. Not wanting to incriminate the chad any further, he decided to go with the first sh- word that came to mind, which was most definitely a bad idea. Quite possibly even the worst. Pete did not have the cleanest of mouths or the holiest of minds. In fact, he had the opposite.
—it stuff, I'm your man!
Pete winced upon realization at what he had just said in full. It was a horrible save, but it was the only one he got. Sometimes, you gotta go with the flow. Or some shit like that. He waited for someone else to leave before scurrying behind them, not wanting to seem offensive to their hosts.
When @Pollux and Levi told her that she could be helpful in the research department of things, Harukami felt herself light up with enthusiasm. Always wanting to learn, to help people, and to understand the way the brain works, it almost felt like Harukami had found her calling through this meeting. Smiling, she turned to both of them.
T-Thank you very much! I will do my best!
She bowed gratefully to the two that had given her encouragement, then turned to the man she'd first interacted with, @Aaron Marone.
T-Thank you as well. For chatting with me, and helping me. I-I will do my best to help people like you do!
With a bright smile, Harukami attempted another curtsy as she had at the beginning. She thanked Mimi again for the cookie, before wandering out of the tavern, wanting to find her way to the place the researchers met. And so, Harukami had left the scene.
It seemed that this meeting was now winding down as many of the people within the tavern made their way out of the tavern. The purple-haired girl pollux had encouraged seemed to have taken it well, so Pollux made her way to her. (@Harukami)
I hope that we get the chance to work with each other in the future. I'm excited to see what discoveries you will make with your research if you decide to also join MIT as well.
It seemed that one of the Lion's Arms members was being tasked with leading those that had expressed interest in MIT to a place they could register. Pollux made sure that she hadn't forgotten any of her belongings (not as much of an issue in this world to be fair, given the ability to dematerialize objects into her inventory) in the tavern and made her way over to the blond man who would be her guide.
When the heated discussions began to die down as the group reached the end their conversations, Levi nodded to Chad who volunteered to take those who were interested in the MIT to their headquarters. He then turned to Mimi and helped her clean up the room in preparation for the next batch together with a few of the knights, who were on standby.
Chad headed toward @Tristaria and @Pollux, completely oblivious and unfazed by the Magia's icy gaze.
Alright, let's get you ladies to the MIT headquarters, they only have a small research station here in Brisshal, but I'm sure those folks can help sort you guys out... unless they're too busy blowing stuff up. In which case, well... let's see what happens. Haha.
Plays of the Thread
Spicer (for adding an interesting spin to the thread) @Lady N Socialite (for tagging players and getting folks involved) Everyone here, great interaction, A+++
And with that our thread has come to an end. Thank you for your participation!
