Discontinued Private Western Brisshal Sword Art on Trial

[Ash Vargold]

Clunk!

Clunk wasn't exactly the noise Ash was hoping for.

The crude striking dummy swayed slightly from the impact. There were numerous small rips in the rough burlap skin wrapping it, but the wooden core was still intact. Ash, on the other hand, looked exhausted. From the way he was panting, he looked like he'd lost a fight with something far stronger.

Was this really the same man who'd stood against Szofrit and lived to tell the tale?

...in this case, the answer was 'sorta'.

Ash let his sword drop to the ground, then sat down on the rough dirt of the forest floor with a sigh. "Fucking sword. Fucking dissonance. Fucking stupid game." He punctuated his complaints by flopping backwards, being careful not to crush his tail in the process.

It was a nice day, even in the more dangerous territory that was Western Brisshal. Ash had done his homework, though. He'd made sure to stay away from any known goblin territory, and wasn't too far from main roads.

Just. You know. Far enough that he wouldn't have to worry about someone stumbling across him in a losing fight with a log. Even Ash had a little pride.

@Zelrius

 

[Zelrius]

This place was always nice. A lot more when you could take a moment to just absorb the crisp air, or look over the crystal blue lakes and ponds that dotted all of Western Brisshal, as opposed to running around sweating your balls off in some Friendly Competition. To the point where, Zelrius had considered taking up fishing before. If for no other reason than to have an excuse to just, sit around Brisshal all day. Which, is what he did normally, but it was usually Goblin or bear hunting. Or the odd Adventurer's Guild quest just to keep rank and have something to do from day to day.

And sometimes it was just a day of what he was doing right now - walking around. Travelling paths beaten and unbeaten, seeing all that the forest had to offer between its two sides. Listen, learn, and enjoy. Only, each step he took, there was the unnatural impact of something against wood. Not methodical like a logger, and not with the intent of stealth like an animal hunting or being hunted. Just a slice through hair, and a huff out. Someone hitting a tree for fun?

Muddied boots carried him ever further toward the sound, until eventually, Zelrius would stumble across its source. That spirit wolf man, who he had met in Camp Hope, and shared a brief word or two with a few times since. A quick inspection mode in the UI reminded the pyromancer of his name (if they had even exchanged introductions before...). One @Ash Vargold . Resting now, with his sword on the ground, and a pretty beaten up dummy.

Did he use a sword before? Yea, right? Maybe? This was the first time he had seen the wolf-man with one. Or, noticed it, rather. The pyromancer inched forward, careful not to scare the shit out of his acquaintance. "You're practicing?" Maybe that was obvious, but he had to break the ice somehow. And was rather surprised to see anyone else in this game actually take the time to train in a way that wasn't just whack monsters. "Looks like you've been going at it for a while. Are you just getting some mastery experience or are you aiming for a certain style...?" Truth was, this was exactly the kind of thing that interested Zelrius, and now he wanted to ask a hundred different questions, tempering it to only three for now. Hoping his presence wasn't an annoyance to the man.

 

[Ash Vargold]

Ash heard Zelrius' footsteps before he arrived, which meant he wasn't too startled when he walked into the clearing. He'd already considered whether it was worth sitting back up, but in the end As was tired, the grass was cool, and he'd already given up on maintaining any sort of dignity anyway.

"Practicing. Yeah, let's go with that." The sky was blue, with little puffy clouds that didn't look like anything in particular. Ash turned his head to look at Zelrius, who looked vaguely familiar. Something about... reindeer? And fire?

...those two things didn't really go together. He smelled familiar though, and that was probably enough for now.

"I'm trying to get the handle of how to do this without auto-assist," he admitted. He sat up and shook some of the grass from his hair, then reached for the sword lying on the ground. It was the same longsword he'd fought Szofrit with. It had obviously seen better days. "Since it seems like everything and its mother fucks with the UI these days."

@Zelrius

 

[Zelrius]

Zelrius gave a dry smile at the response to his question. Seems this particular man wasn't happy about his practicing. Learning something new was always frustrating, Zelrius probably felt that more than anyone. Or, in his head he did. Feeling so useless without others.

The second thing brought up the memories of the weird, bugged out UI that oscillated back and forth, with its red and blue afterimaging, specifically during the fight with Szofrit. God how annoying that shit is, especially when you just want to access your inventory for a potion or another weapon. "Dissonance, yea." Were there other enemies or effects who could interact with the game mechanics in that way? Developers need to look into that. His blue eyes went over to the beaten up dummy before him, and then down Ash's sword. He had helped Emil, way way back in the day with something similar, and did always kind of want to befriend this wolfman...

"I can help, if you want." He offered, reaching to draw the volcanic sword attached to his right hip with his left hand, only wielding one of the two. "Swinging like that at something still is really only good for building the strength to hold the weapon, and getting an idea for reach. But when it's not moving, you don't get much lessons in good footwork, or proper posture."

The swordsman went onto to demonstrate, tilting his shoulders while keeping his blade up, and then leaning to the otherside while exchanging which foot led. "This is the real trick to actually using a sword without the game's assistance. It's pretty good at not leaving you open while you attack, and guiding your hand to effective swings. But, doesn't do a whole lot to build that muscle memory. Of course, the best teacher is also just straight up experience." He'd leave it to the verbal tips for a moment, letting the Spirit-caller decide if he wanted to try it out physically. This was something that Zelrius had made the transition for himself, once upon a time.

@Ash Vargold

 

[Ash Vargold]

"Yup. I'd love to whatever developer thought making the UI subject to in-game effects a piece of my mind. Make them play their own damn game..." Ash finally stood up, brushing bits of soil and grass off his pants and tail. He watched Zelrius go through the motions, noting the things that at least looked familiar.

He adjusted his grip on the longsword before trying to imitate it, casting his mind back to the motions that auto-assist had carried him through numerous times before. "To be honest, 'not building up muscle memory' was most of the reason I kept auto-assist on," he said, shifting anxiously as he tried to find a position that felt right.

It was rough. Nothing had felt quite right since Szofrit, both in and out of game. The once mundane efforts of the auto-assist and pain limiter no longer felt like a shield - not when it could be torn away so easily. He'd let the system do the work for him, and for what?

"Like this, right?" He managed to approximate something like what Zelrius had demonstrated, rough as it was. Ash didn't have much muscle memory to work with, but at least he still had strength enough to hold a steady pose.

@Zelrius

 

[Zelrius]

Zelrius watched as he was mimicked - Certainly, Ash could feel the template that the Auto-Assist would have given him. Or atleast, it seemed so from the pyromancer's perspective. He gave a small laugh, holding that stance. "Yea, that's good. Try to keep your feet spread a little more. So that you can move with the strike, rather than forcing your whole body forward with your arm." He hadn't seen him swing, but was just giving generic advice, letting the dog man either ignore or take it.

The comment about not wanting to build muscle memory struck him as odd. Zelrius didn't quite fully understand what that could even mean. It made too many questions, one that the man didn't figure to ask about. Maybe it would come up later.

That was about all he could say on stance. His blue eyes analyzed, up and down they scanned, naturally. Getting an idea, Zelrius shifted himself into a lower stance, his blade now pointing forward at shoulder level. Meant to be up, agile. They were usually eye level, same height, and about the same reach. All things considered, it would be an even match up, if they were to fight.

Zelrius smiled, getting that idea. "You know, the best teacher is practice. Not all monsters will be your same size, or also have a sword - but it could be worthwhile to practice how you react without autoassist, how quickly you move." Kindof beating around the bush. How do you ask someone for a friendly spar?

"But, if you want, we could do a little play fighting right here? Jab and swing at each other a few times. No magic, no gimmicks." Offering it to the Spirit-calling man more awkwardly and casually than he maybe would have liked.

Duel Challenge Offer
Zelrius
You may accept or decline his offer.
Refer to this sheet here for rules of the system.
Fighting Style: Evasive
Physicality: Sturdy
@Ash Vargold gets first turn in these dueling rounds. Meaning they can pick their stance and action without the d20 contest.
First to 3 Points wins.
Score a point by rolling above your opponent!​

 

[Ash Vargold]

3 / 3

Fighting Style: Cunning | Physicality Average

Ash nodded, adjusting according to Zelrius' advice. And while his face didn't show much of how he was feeling, there was no hiding the wag of his tail as certain things seemed to fall into place. The stance still felt awkward, but he could imagine how this stance would let him initiate an attack, not so different from the initiating motions auto-assist required.

He lowered his sword and twisted an ear Zelrius' way at his offer. "A spar, huh...?" He glanced at Zelrius' blade, then back up to his face. He already knew he was going to be outgunned (outsworded?) in this, but... "You know what, why not? Leaves more wolves for the newbies."

He shifted his position, putting enough space between himself and Zelrius so they both had space to maneuver. Ash took a deep breath, raising his sword with both hands. Stance, position, follow-through. None of his usual tricks or spells.

Here goes nothing.

Ash stepped forward and swung, letting the blade drop towards Zelrius' shoulder.

Rolls

Roll Result
1d20 (20) 1 = 21
Duel! | Offensive

Technique: Thrust

@Zelrius

 

[Zelrius]

2 / 3

Fighting Style: Evasive | Physicality: Sturdy

There was an attempt not to smile too wide when the man agreed to the small back and forth duel. His lips began to peak up, and then curled down in an attempt to resist seeming overly excited for something so simple. He adjusted his stance, taking on something much more defensive, and twisting his body to the side so that he was narrower from the front and back.

"Your best shot." The pyromancer urged his sparring partner. Only to find that it was unneeded. He moved faster than the man had let on that he would. Zerlius's arm twisted and moved the sword so that it presented more of a diagonal slash in an attempt to catch Ash's weapon for a parry. But he moved perfectly, going under it with his thrust rather than a direct slashing strike. He had been hit by swords before, sure. But, there was some secret extra impact to it being so surprisingly sudden.

That one was on him, he gave ground, taking a few steps back now, but positioning again. He was here to help this man learn, not just win this duel. So, first move would go to the wolf-man again. Allowing him to decide if he'd posture offensively or defensively once more.

Rolls

Roll Result
1d20 (8) 3 = 11
Zelrius | Parry
11 < 21 - Ash got a hit!
Ash's turn.

@Ash Vargold

 

[Ash Vargold]

3 / 3

Fighting Style: Cunning | Physicality Average

Ash pulled back after his first successful hit, ears flattened as the brief sound of metal scraping metal overwhelmed him. But he'd hit, and that meant something. For a moment it felt like everything had aligned. But that feeling was already gone, leaving room for doubt to creep in.

"Wouldn't give you any less, he said, trying and failing to grasp that feeling again. He shifted back into stance, eyes darting as he considered his next attack. For a seasoned swordsman, it was obvious that Ash was overthinking his next move. He didn't have instincts to rely on, after all.

He adjusted his grip on the sword and swung again, this time swinging the blade horizontally. Partway through he had to let go with one hand, letting the blade's weight carry it the rest of the way - but it also left Ash's unstable as his height worked against him rather than for him.

Rolls

Roll Result
1d20 (8) 1 = 9
Duel! | Offensive

Technique: Thrust

@Zelrius