E|\|7er Th3 W0rl|) &hr0*gH t|-|3 Yamiyo 5e|2\/%R.

Moderator: Nighthand

Locked
User avatar
Takua
Ikkitousen
Posts: 115
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 12:19 am
Class: Wavemaster
Location: Walking the line of madness

Re: The Journey’s Next Step: Yamiyo In Chaos

Post by Takua » Thu Feb 05, 2015 7:09 am

Now was the perfect time to do what he'd been planning on. Especially as another two crystals fell in short order, shattering pieces of armor without freeing the last two of their compatriots. That was...problematic, to say the least. He'd hoped that Nall might have been freed. But it was not to be. Instead, he turned toward Talal as soon as he felt the control on his slacken, giving him his turn.

And with a slight manipulation of abilities he was only beginning to comprehend, took part of his own senses and gave it to her.

To her hearing, to be exact.

The boost was hopefully enough to give her an exact pinpoint on one of the smaller crystals next time. And if not, maybe it would help her speed up her next attack? His own senses all took their hits, degrading as the sound of battle and smell of the room faded slightly. Vesica, on the other hand, needed no such subtle move, and simply dashed in to attack the Willowman with claws and fangs. Fuck magic, hit the guy in the face.
Takua - Lvl 57 Wavemaster
Image
Image
Image
Wishlist: Levels, Stun Rod, Hag's Wand, Wand of Truth, Ex-Level, Ex-Spheres, and Myth: Demiurge, FL Fukuoka

User avatar
Nighthand
Master of Games
Posts: 1265
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2003 9:23 pm
Class: Bladesmage
Location: ...Tracking...please wait...

Re: The Journey’s Next Step: Yamiyo In Chaos

Post by Nighthand » Thu Feb 05, 2015 7:00 pm

I'll allow it. Takua's gambit works to enhance Talal's senses, though whether she is able to make use of it properly is another question indeed.

Vesica, of course, has no issues with applying claws to faces.

Next up: Baron and Higure

PARTY STATUS

Nighthand: HP 100%, Vinebound
Nall: HP 100%: Vinebound
Sheena: HP 80%, Ap Do, Vital Target
Demorian: HP 100%
Canti and Shadow: HP 100%, Ap Do
Talal: HP 100%, Ap Do
Takua and Vesica: HP 100%, Ap Do
Sekai: HP 100%
Maoh: HP 100%
Baron and Higure: HP 100%, Ap Do

User avatar
Locke
Ikkitousen
Posts: 111
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:21 pm
Class: Twin Blade

Re: The Journey’s Next Step: Yamiyo In Chaos

Post by Locke » Mon Feb 09, 2015 5:55 am

Chaos exploded around as crystals shattered, leaving yet another larger one falling to pieces. This had Baron frowning; obviously their targets were the smaller ones, in order to bolster their numbers and add the strength of the more powerful Freedom Fighters to their arsenal, yet the group seemed content to aim for area-of-effect abilities. Observation had shown that such skills were reduced in effectiveness, generally drawn to one target; with the Willowman clones, AoEs only took out the initial targets, while here with the crystals a similar effect was visible. It seemed that it would be best to focus on direct hits, conserving SP or items used for larger-scale attacks if possible.

Still, direct attacks were easy enough, and since Baron's SP was still regenerating from his death, he decided to opt for a different approach. Before he did, however, the Twin Blade sent out a Flashmail to the others, reminding them of the obvious in case they were too distracted by the battle.
To: Freedom Fighters
From: Baron
Subject: Reminder

I'm sure I don't need to tell you all this, but please remember that the Willowman has lost two more pieces of armor. Originally, the gauntlets spawned that elemental wolf. My guess is that the armor will either summon a creature, or else unlock one of the Willowman's attacks. Keep an eye out for such things. If my RPG reflexes are still sharp—and they are—the Willowman might have access to a root attack (feet) or something to do with his hair (tentacles? Idk, I remember trees with tentacle-like vines that ensnare people from some game). Either way, please be careful about attacks from unusual angles; even if we can't do anything to avoid them because of this turn-based system, just be ready to go on the defensive to recover if we need to.
Flashmail sent, Baron reached into his pouch and pulled out a scroll wrapped with a yellow ribbon. Thoughts passed between him and Higure, and the wolf soon pulled out an identical scroll that Baron had armed him with earlier. Both scrolls were unrolled in unison, the runes on them glowing bright and crackling with energy as the spells were activated simultaneously. Both Ion Strikes shone with an elemental light as two MeRai Don spells struck from the sky; bolt after bolt of lightning crashed down on the area, but all of them would be drawn to or near the Willowman; after all, he was the target. If it struck or damaged the remaining pieces of their foe's discarded armor, it would be nice, but Baron's plan was simply to do a large chunk of damage all at once to the Willowman, and two level two Rai spells were not something to sneeze at.
Character Information
Baron | Level 47 Twin Blade [100/1000 EXP] | 891 HP / 265 SP
Weapon: Fishskin
Armor: Emperor's Crown/Bone Armor/Thunder Gloves/Ninja Anklet
Accessories/Books: Ethereal Angel Wings, Silver Grunty
Skills: Thunder Coil, Gale of Swords
Spells: Merrows, GiRai Don, BiVak Rom, GiGan Zot, Rai Don, Ani Don, Duk Lei
GP: 750 (As of 8/2/15)
Wishlist: Nny Scales, Lucky Shoes, Saint Cross, Greave Sticker, Pet EX-Levels/Spheres(!)

User avatar
Nighthand
Master of Games
Posts: 1265
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2003 9:23 pm
Class: Bladesmage
Location: ...Tracking...please wait...

Re: The Journey’s Next Step: Yamiyo In Chaos

Post by Nighthand » Mon Feb 09, 2015 6:15 pm

Nothing other than the Willowman seemed to attract the lightning, so for the moment it seemed as though Baron's worries of another aggressive topiary were minimized.

Next up: Maoh

PARTY STATUS

Nighthand: HP 100%, Vinebound
Nall: HP 100%: Vinebound
Sheena: HP 80%, Ap Do, Vital Target
Demorian: HP 100%
Canti and Shadow: HP 100%, Ap Do
Talal: HP 100%, Ap Do
Takua and Vesica: HP 100%, Ap Do
Sekai: HP 100%
Maoh: HP 100%
Baron and Higure: HP 100%, Ap Do

User avatar
Bane
Elevated Player
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2012 4:26 pm
Class: Fist Fighter
Location: Australia

Re: The Journey’s Next Step: Yamiyo In Chaos

Post by Bane » Thu Feb 12, 2015 1:01 am

With the continued assault on the Willowman, and the Flashmail from Baron, Maoh used his turn to pile on the damage. As the vine around his ankle released, he bounded over to the Willowman and took a swipe at his face as forcefully as he could to get his claws to come out and ple on the damage. The sad thing is that he was out of SP, and maybe had another turn or so before he could fuel another skill like Vakz Rage. He'd set enough aside for a La Repth just in case, but the others seemed to be on top of healing.

Effectively what he was unintentionally doing was ignoring Baron's warning of incoming attacks and being defensive. If the Willowman was dead, then there was no need to play a defense. With no HP bar, or any sort of indication on the progress they've made thus far however, they could only assume they were making good headway at putting the guy down.
Maoh l Lvl. %h l EXP: ????/1000 l HP: ???/??? l SP: ???/???
GP: 31,541

User avatar
Nighthand
Master of Games
Posts: 1265
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2003 9:23 pm
Class: Bladesmage
Location: ...Tracking...please wait...

Re: The Journey’s Next Step: Yamiyo In Chaos

Post by Nighthand » Thu Feb 12, 2015 1:20 am

Damage damage damage! Always a good thing in a boss fight.

Next up: Talal

PARTY STATUS

Nighthand: HP 100%, Vinebound
Nall: HP 100%: Vinebound
Sheena: HP 80%, Ap Do, Vital Target
Demorian: HP 100%
Canti and Shadow: HP 100%, Ap Do
Talal: HP 100%, Ap Do
Takua and Vesica: HP 100%, Ap Do
Sekai: HP 100%
Maoh: HP 100%
Baron and Higure: HP 100%, Ap Do

User avatar
Talal
Ikkitousen
Posts: 123
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:50 am
Class: Twinblade

Re: The Journey’s Next Step: Yamiyo In Chaos

Post by Talal » Mon Feb 16, 2015 5:54 am

Never once did she stop building her next attack. Albeit a little slower at first until her strength was rebuilt. As her mind balanced the options, her ears stayed focused on the humming of the two crystals that were left. She felt an odd sensation wash over and her ears began to ring. A brief feeling of presence and her head turned towards Takua, her head tilting to the side staring at him as he finished his turn.

Baron's flashmail bring a sigh to her lips. Yes, she was one of those that he spoke of but wasn't her uncanny ability to not only hear the crystals but be able to attack them when no one else could in their invisible state something to be considered? She thought about that for a moment but then thought how Baron really had no clue what she was capable of now. He'd been separated from the group in the maze. The consideration of responding to his flashmail was given but that explanation could wait until another time and Talal wasn't still entirely sure how to give such an explanation.

When she felt the vines loosen, the young woman took her first real steps since this whole turn based play started and walked up to the Willowman. Her head rolled side to side, up and down and sideways as each step brought her closer to the humming. It in turn becoming louder and.....more clear? She began to think she should have moved closer even sooner than this turn and maybe her shots wouldn't have been such a crap shoot. Having gathered what she could, she was a little low on physical strength. Not enough time had passed since her last release of sound so she pulled a single blade from her wrap, twirling it in her hand. It pulled the waves into the blade swirling around it. A marvelous spectacle really....too bad no one could see it.

Finally the blade came up and she pushed it forward over the Willowman's shoulder into what would look like thin air to every else. The blade acting like a conduit of sorts, the tip aiming at what she felt was the location of one of the remaining crystals. The last bit of sound releasing from it, the vibration from its travels resonating into the surrounding area even as the vines pulled the Twin Blade back into her assigned waiting position in the room.
Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Walk beside me that we may be as one.
***************************************
Talal
Image
Level 39 (0/1000 EXP) Twin Blade

Weapons/Armor: Mukuro (Swirling Dark, Dark Dance), Ice Hunter Cap (Repth), Wristbands (Juk Rom), Fishing Gloves (Rue Kruz), Wyrm Hide (Gan Don), Snow Panther (Ap Vorv)

Wish List: Scrolls, Tarot Cards, and Armor higher than level 30.

User avatar
Nighthand
Master of Games
Posts: 1265
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2003 9:23 pm
Class: Bladesmage
Location: ...Tracking...please wait...

Re: The Journey’s Next Step: Yamiyo In Chaos

Post by Nighthand » Mon Feb 16, 2015 6:29 am

Talal's hearing was good enough to track the crystals in more or less their precise orbits, and with Takua's addition, she had no trouble pinpointing them in their tracks. Normally intangible when not revealed, her sonic attacks were capable of affecting them even when invisible.

Unfortunately, even with her close range and the added precision, she simply hadn't gathered enough sonic energy to shatter the crystal she touched. It chimed, rang loud enough for the rest of the group to hear for a moment, but it didn't crack or shatter. The blade served to focus the sound, but itself was unable to affect the crystal.

Next up: Canti and Shadow

PARTY STATUS

Nighthand: HP 100%, Vinebound
Nall: HP 100%: Vinebound
Sheena: HP 80%, Ap Do, Vital Target
Demorian: HP 100%
Canti and Shadow: HP 100%, Ap Do
Talal: HP 100%, Ap Do
Takua and Vesica: HP 100%, Ap Do
Sekai: HP 100%
Maoh: HP 100%
Baron and Higure: HP 100%, Ap Do

Lord Canti
Exalted Player
Posts: 300
Joined: Sat May 13, 2006 3:58 pm
Location: In da' plains of hell, natch.

Re: The Journey’s Next Step: Yamiyo In Chaos

Post by Lord Canti » Thu Feb 19, 2015 4:38 am

(Canti didn't really need the flashmail to remind of things. He knew that this wily bastard was cunning and resourceful. The direct servant of an Elite would be. The strangest part of this line-up of actions was how Talal managed to chime one of the crystals. Dammit, if only there was some way that HE could follow-up, since Talal's move didn't make it. Sadly, Canti was a bit low on ideas at the moment. So, in effort to keep things in good standing, he cast Rig Saem on Sheena and had Shadow eat the Willowman's face off. We live in dangerous times, after all.)
I'll have a doozy of a sig later, I swear. It'll reflect ".hack//CODE" an' everything.

Hey look! A profile! It's got items and stats and things! Cool! If it isn't fully up to date, it will be, so don't worry 'bout it.

User avatar
Nighthand
Master of Games
Posts: 1265
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2003 9:23 pm
Class: Bladesmage
Location: ...Tracking...please wait...

Re: The Journey’s Next Step: Yamiyo In Chaos

Post by Nighthand » Thu Feb 19, 2015 5:05 am

Buffs and damage; who needs anything more?

Next up: The Willowman.

Granted his turn at last, the Willowman eyed the party while he decided what to do. Sheena was the biggest threat to his health, but Talal had been doing a lot of work taking out the crystals. Either one would be a choice kill, but even if he killed them, the rest of the party would just resurrect them before he got the chance to act again.

Instead, the Willowman raised his one remaining arm to his face. A wooden mouth opened and wooden teeth bit down on a wooden fingertip. With a crack, the tip of one finger snapped off. Taking that piece, he knelt and pushed it into the ground.

Almost instantly, a sapling sprouted from the wooden seed. It grew in time-lapse, rising to match the height of the Willowman. A single large flower opened, wilted, and closed to form a pod in the span of seconds. Short seconds later, that pod had swollen and ripened into a succulent fruit. The Willowman plucked the fruit even as the tiny tree stiffened and died, crumbling away.

The Willowman ate the fruit, and a surge of energy swept through him. The lingering debuffs on him melted away, and in their place, buffs took hold. Ap Do, several stat and element buffs, all layered down on top. He wasn't healed, no crystals returned, but if his speed wasn't taken care of quickly, he would be much more of a threat.

Next up: Nall

Nall was forced to watch the Willowman buff himself, with nothing he could do. At this late stage, it seemed as though he would be sitting out the entire fight.

Next up: Sheena

Sheena was torn. She could try to remove the debuffs placed on the Willowman, but playing with such frivolous things was never her strong suit. She specialized in damage. At the same time, both her speed buff and the auto-crit buff Canti had bestowed upon her were about to wear off. She had one more turbocharged attack before she was back to her normal obscene strength. She decided, quite rationally, to do what she did best.

Backing off to the other side of the room, Sheena gave herself plenty of space for a running start, and run she did. Using her momentum, she slammed a fist into the locked-in-place Willowman. Another great snap of wood filled the room, more cracks latticing the Willowman, though they seemed only skin deep. There seemed to be a limit to structural damage, to prevent her from literally disarming their opponent. Unfortunate.

Next up: Demorian

Demorian was more inclined than his superpowered partner to deal with the buffs on their opponent, but he had few options to do so. The best he could do had already been done once this battle; use a Tower card from the special Yamiyo Arcana. The tarot card, designed to cast every Dek spell at once, was unleashed.

Unfortunately, it failed to wipe away the speed buff on the boss. It did, however, counter a couple of his other buffs, and add a couple new debuffs to the list. A marginal success.

Next up: Maoh

PARTY STATUS

Nighthand: HP 100%, Vinebound
Nall: HP 100%: Vinebound
Sheena: HP 80%, Rig Saem
Demorian: HP 100%
Canti and Shadow: HP 100%, Ap Do
Talal: HP 100%, Ap Do
Takua and Vesica: HP 100%, Ap Do
Sekai: HP 100%
Maoh: HP 100%
Baron and Higure: HP 100%, Ap Do

Willowman: HP Unknown, Ap Do, Ap Vorv, Ap Corma, Ap Ganz, Ap Vakz, Dek Torv, Dek Corv, Dek Torma, Dek Raio, Dek Anid

User avatar
Bane
Elevated Player
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2012 4:26 pm
Class: Fist Fighter
Location: Australia

Re: The Journey’s Next Step: Yamiyo In Chaos

Post by Bane » Tue Feb 24, 2015 1:53 am

Sure enough, Maoh's turn to act came around again. Vine loosening from his ankle he made a go for the Willowman with his claws. Unlike last time however, he did have enough SP to use a skill although it'd then leave him dry afterwards. However, as far as bang-for-buck goes, Vakz Rage seemed to be worth every SP as an investment towards ending this battle faster. As he got close, claws became entangled with Vakz energy and he let loose another series of swipes across the Willowman's cracked bark, stacking onto the damage done by Sheena. The skill subsided and the blazing trails died down, leaving Maoh to return to his place by whim of the vines that controlled their turns.
Maoh l Lvl. %h l EXP: ????/1000 l HP: ???/??? l SP: ???/???
GP: 31,541

User avatar
Nighthand
Master of Games
Posts: 1265
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2003 9:23 pm
Class: Bladesmage
Location: ...Tracking...please wait...

Re: The Journey’s Next Step: Yamiyo In Chaos

Post by Nighthand » Tue Feb 24, 2015 5:30 am

Lacking in ways to deal with status buffs, or perhaps just overcome with a cat's instincts when presented with a scratching post, Maoh made use of the stationary boss for another round of claw sharpening.

Next up: Sekai

PARTY STATUS

Nighthand: HP 100%, Vinebound
Nall: HP 100%: Vinebound
Sheena: HP 80%, Rig Saem
Demorian: HP 100%
Canti and Shadow: HP 100%, Ap Do
Talal: HP 100%, Ap Do
Takua and Vesica: HP 100%, Ap Do
Sekai: HP 100%
Maoh: HP 100%
Baron and Higure: HP 100%, Ap Do

Willowman: HP Unknown, Ap Do, Ap Vorv, Ap Corma, Ap Ganz, Ap Vakz, Dek Torv, Dek Corv, Dek Torma, Dek Raio, Dek Anid

User avatar
Sekai
Ikkitousen
Posts: 123
Joined: Tue Apr 10, 2007 11:04 pm
Class: Archer
Location: Liminality

Re: The Journey’s Next Step: Yamiyo In Chaos

Post by Sekai » Tue Feb 24, 2015 5:52 am

Now what?

A frown crossed the young Archer's expression alongside the furrow of her brow. She could attack, of course and deal more damage to the Willowman in hopes that it'd send him into recovery faster, and thus give them another chance to break another of the crystals... but at the same time, the quicker they attacked him, the more likely retaliation would come right before he'd go into recovery mode again.

That, and they really needed to focus on finding a balance between support, defense, and attacking. The heavy hitters were slower than the rest of them... so should they have the faster of the group focus on attacking while the slower of them boosted and provided healing and support?

Should it be the opposite, since the quickest of them could act more often and thus be the ones healing and offering cover fire or using items to boost the rest of them?

Going about it all... randomized wasn't working, and they needed to fix that. Soon.

But would they listen?
Flashmail!
To: Freedom Fighters
From: Sekai
Subject: New Strategy?

Message: This... call it paranoia, perhaps, but something about our current way of doing things isn't sitting well with me. It feels too unstructured, unorganized, and I would like to suggest a couple of changes? Maybe see how a round or two of each works out for us and then switch it up.

The first thing I would like to try is having those of you who are much quicker-- and thus get to act more frequently-- focus on support and defense; that means using recovery spells and items if you have them, as well as any, um, status affecting ones on the party and, if not of any use to the party, against the enemy as well.

Those who are more... heavy hitting and can move, when your turns arrive, I want you to give it everything you've got damage wise, if possible.

If this goes well for a couple rounds, and I hope it will, it'll help us take him down into recovery mode faster, and thus free more of us.

If not, well... next round we can focus on the faster of us attacking and the slower of us offering support. Not as much damage will be done all at once, but it's worth a shot.

We've been working pretty separately and individually... I think we need to show Xenobia-san that we are capable of functioning together.

~ Sekai
Satisfied, Sekai glanced from Sheena to Demorian and back again. The Blademaster was still quicker than the Willowman... so far, but Sheena was going to need a little more if she was going to hit hard and fast the way she had been.

A scroll was removed, rune leaping off the page to settle with golden sparks along the happy go lucky Fist Fighter's body. "Ap Do!"

The vines tightened, leaves tickling her ankles.

She kind of wanted to poke them back and see if they were ticklish in return.
Image

Name: Sekai
Level: 54
EXP: 0000/1000
Class: Archer
Clan: Army of Darkness
HP: 835
SP: 347

Currently Equipped:

Einherjar: Kira, December, Zorya

Head: Bat Earrings (Ola Repth 40, Rip Maen 40)
Body: Saint Cross (Rue Zot 10, RaJuk Zot 30)
Arm: Protect Ring (Ap Vorma 15, MeJuk Kruz 20)
Leg: Ninja Anklet (BiVak Rom 20, GiGan Zot 30)
Add-Ons: Forestlore, Wood Magic (permanently raised Wood Offense/Defense by +3 total)

Wishlist: Levels, Summon: Wood, Archer Weapons, Light Armor

User avatar
Nighthand
Master of Games
Posts: 1265
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2003 9:23 pm
Class: Bladesmage
Location: ...Tracking...please wait...

Re: The Journey’s Next Step: Yamiyo In Chaos

Post by Nighthand » Tue Feb 24, 2015 5:59 am

Sekai's attempt to bring more strategy and teamwork into the enforced turn-based system may have come a little late, with six of the initial eight crystals destroyed, but every bit helped. Especially with a boss buffed to be all the more dangerous. Her buff on their heavy artillery, meanwhile, could do nothing but good.

Next up: Takua and Vesica

PARTY STATUS

Nighthand: HP 100%, Vinebound
Nall: HP 100%: Vinebound
Sheena: HP 80%, Rig Saem, Ap Do
Demorian: HP 100%
Canti and Shadow: HP 100%, Ap Do
Talal: HP 100%, Ap Do
Takua and Vesica: HP 100%, Ap Do
Sekai: HP 100%
Maoh: HP 100%
Baron and Higure: HP 100%, Ap Do

User avatar
Takua
Ikkitousen
Posts: 115
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 12:19 am
Class: Wavemaster
Location: Walking the line of madness

Re: The Journey’s Next Step: Yamiyo In Chaos

Post by Takua » Tue Feb 24, 2015 7:19 am

It was unfortunate, really, that Wavemasters didn't have much in the way of debuffs. When Takua saw the wave of buffs go up, he hoped for a moment that it was in fact just an illusion, or some kind of hallucination. Unfortunately, it didn't appear to be. Most of his powerful elements were smashed at a blow, and the Dek Raio wasn't something he could take advantage of with a fourth level spell- which, all in all, would do more damage than a third, at least if it wasn't going into its buffed element.

He did, however, agree with Sekai's premise. The buffs needed to go, and they needed to become more organized. For him, of course, that meant magical artillery. He had noticed, while waiting for his turn, that one element the Willowman was not buffed against was, in fact, one of his favorites. He even had a few status books that bumped up his stats in that area. So it was with a certain glee that he took out the Cygnus Rod.

And cast PhaRue Rom.

The massive, quadruple tornado descended with an icy vengeance. Vesica, of course, was more than happy to scamper into the same spell, protected from its fury, and deal with the Willowman in much the same way that Maoh had.
Takua - Lvl 57 Wavemaster
Image
Image
Image
Wishlist: Levels, Stun Rod, Hag's Wand, Wand of Truth, Ex-Level, Ex-Spheres, and Myth: Demiurge, FL Fukuoka

Locked