JimBee Posted October 18, 2015 Posted October 18, 2015 Hybros watches the combat intently. He murmurs to Hoke, "I wonder why they are moving so slowly. I have never seen combat training that does not mimic real fighting speed." Quote
UsernameMDM Posted October 18, 2015 Posted October 18, 2015 Hoke shrugs. "Could be learning a new technique, one could be a novice, could be under some magical limitations, could be working on forms. Lots of variables." Hoke steps closer to the training duo to make his presence known but hopefully not so much as to interrupt. Quote
Purpearljellyblob Posted October 19, 2015 Posted October 19, 2015 Purpearl and Guffington, meanwhile, head towards the Vault, with Lady Felix walking merrily behind them. Arriving, they find a box-like building, about two stories high. Lady Felix does a quick trip around the building as Purpearl and Guffington stare at it. Upon her return, she's grinning fiercely. "Well, I found our first problem, Purpearl. Won't be quite as easy to break into this vault as it was to break into that museum. It's lacking a door or windows." Turning to Guffington as she walks towards the vault, "If I remember correctly, U'Or did mention something about the artefact here in a room for us to take, sounded too easy. Anyway, what do you make of this building?" Placing her hand on the building's wall, attempting to make out the its make. "Felix, we might have to resort to brute force if there's no other way, like a secret magical door of some sort." Quote
Zepher Posted October 19, 2015 Author Posted October 19, 2015 At the Training Grounds: As Hoke steps up the were-lion catches sight of him, and exhales heavily. The man catches Hoke out of the corner of his eye as well. "Enough for now, Yu Shu," says the man as he lowers his sword. "You have done good work for the day. Remember, patience over all. Do not push your body." "Thank you, master." The man turns to face Hoke and Hybros. "You must be our distinguished guests from the West. Welcome." At the Vault: "I don't know a lot about the Vault, to be honest. Chauncey told us we'd be able to collect the First Breath with little resistance, and it appears that it is indeed ready for us to take it. We need only figure out how to take it. The building style is strange for Xu - it looks for Dastanian to me, or perhaps even the old Moone Elf Kingdom. Xu does not primarily build with stone, mostly wood." Purpearl feels the stones. They are impossible hard and smooth, though they must be ancient. They are built out of both rock and sand. "Brute force would be difficult, I'd wager. Old crap usually has ancient runes or something along those lines making it even harder than it should be, and that stone is thick as Hel already." Quote
JimBee Posted October 20, 2015 Posted October 20, 2015 Hybros tipped his hat while doing a small bow. "We are. I am Hybros and this is Hoke. Which fighting style were you practicing? I once trained under a warrior monk from these parts. I am eager to see how his teaching matches up to his homeland's, heheh." Quote
Purpearljellyblob Posted October 20, 2015 Posted October 20, 2015 At the Vault: "I don't know a lot about the Vault, to be honest. Chauncey told us we'd be able to collect the First Breath with little resistance, and it appears that it is indeed ready for us to take it. We need only figure out how to take it. The building style is strange for Xu - it looks for Dastanian to me, or perhaps even the old Moone Elf Kingdom. Xu does not primarily build with stone, mostly wood." Purpearl feels the stones. They are impossible hard and smooth, though they must be ancient. They are built out of both rock and sand. "Brute force would be difficult, I'd wager. Old crap usually has ancient runes or something along those lines making it even harder than it should be, and that stone is thick as Hel already." "Surely there must be an entrance somewhere, perhaps at the top of it?" Purpearl queries. Quote
UsernameMDM Posted October 20, 2015 Posted October 20, 2015 "And this is Torc," Hoke says as he introduces his dragon,"I too am interested in the fighting style you just displayed." Quote
Zepher Posted October 21, 2015 Author Posted October 21, 2015 OoC: Edited in missing pictures! The Training Grounds Hybros tipped his hat while doing a small bow. "We are. I am Hybros and this is Hoke. Which fighting style were you practicing? I once trained under a warrior monk from these parts. I am eager to see how his teaching matches up to his homeland's, heheh." "Ah, yes. The Chi Monks. Most temples have a Chi Monk. Master Kiga was a powerful boxer in his younger days, but no more. There are, however, a number of Blade Masters in our order as well. Very few, but some. Most times I am not at a temple, but traveling. However, Yu Shu has come home to us to be rehabilitated. She requires both my presence and the hot springs of this mountain. Now, I reside in the temple and the Chi Monks roam. We are good training companions - we were trained together the first time. It is only right I help set her back on her feet." "I've found I forgot a few of our teacher's teachings over in Eubric," grunts Yu Shu. "I'm not a half bad paladin, but as a Blade Master- only Master Jin still holds that title out of the two of us." "You are too kind, Yu Shu. We shall see when you recover fully which of us is the Blade Master." "And this is Torc," Hoke says as he introduces his dragon,"I too am interested in the fighting style you just displayed." "We would not have to practice at half speed, but I would be more than happy to teach you a little bit of my order." Master Jin bows to Torc. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well, old one." "Surely there must be an entrance somewhere, perhaps at the top of it?" Purpearl queries. Felix scales the building swiftly, and returns with a shrug. "Flat up there too." "There must be something we're missing..." "Patience," says Chauncey as he approaches from behind. "I warned you, it may take more time than you are used to." Quote
JimBee Posted October 21, 2015 Posted October 21, 2015 "Yu Shu." Hybros bowed his head. "There is more than one were-lion around here, it seems... eheh. You would not happen to be related to Master Kiga, would you?" Turning to Jin, "I am no novice with my blades, either, heh." Quote
Zepher Posted October 21, 2015 Author Posted October 21, 2015 "No relation. He was an old friend of my mother's, though, and when I was cast out of my tribe I came to visit him along with my brother. He trained me in the way of Chi, and then directed me to a Blade Master. After that my brother and I went to Eubric. Have you ever heard of the Warrior Priests of the Paladin Order?" "Words are nothing. We will cross blades shortly, though I must first assist Master Yu Shu to the Hot Springs." "Please, Jin. I'm not as hopeless as I was when I arrived. I can walk now, at least. You can stay here and play swords with them, if you want." She takes a staggering step, and the heroes can see the sweat dripping down her brow. Quote
UsernameMDM Posted October 21, 2015 Posted October 21, 2015 "We would not have to practice at half speed, but I would be more than happy to teach you a little bit of my order." Master Jin bows to Torc. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well, old one." Torc exhales a thick cloud from her snout in greetings. "Words are nothing. We will cross blades shortly, though I must first assist Master Yu Shu to the Hot Springs." "Please, Jin. I'm not as hopeless as I was when I arrived. I can walk now, at least. You can stay here and play swords with them, if you want." She takes a staggering step, and the heroes can see the sweat dripping down her brow. "I look forward to it. We will wait till your return. Please Yu Shu, it's alright. We have no where to go anytime soon." Quote
Zepher Posted October 21, 2015 Author Posted October 21, 2015 "Very well. Wait here, and I will return briefly." Jin walks Yu Shu down the mountain. Hybros and Hoke kill some time together, thinking over the last few days. If there are any seams in their friendship, surely it can be mended by what both truly values - displays of power. Shortly, Master Jin returns. "Combat training here is easy. Please, gentlemen, strip yourselves to just the cloths on your back. Armor will only inhibit you." As the two heroes shed their extra armor, Jin draws a second sword. "In training, we worry only about your ability to hit a foe. We are not battling to the death. Kindly stop your blade just as it touches skin. As so-" his two blades move in a flash, and tickle both heroes' throats. They can feel the cool steel, but no blood runs. Jin removes the blades. "Darksteel, from Strivvi. A personal favorite." "Now, training works as such. Our primary discipline is focus. You must ensure that every action you take is a motivated one - one that will achieve it's goal. We will move in individual "actions" (rounds). Each time, we shall all act simultaneously. You may choose to take one of three actions each time. Focus, attack, or parry." Sparring with Jin Focusing will add +2 to your focus counter. Your focus counter acts as both your OFFENSIVE POWER, and DEFENSIVE POWER. Attacking will deal damage equal to your current focus minus their current focus to your target. Ex: Hybros has 4 focus, Jin as 2. Hybros attacks: 4-2=2 Damage Jin. Attacking costs -1 focus. Parrying will deflect all damage dealt to you that round. Parrying costs -1 focus. Each combatant has 7 HP. A combatant must exit the battle if their HP reaches 0, or their Focus reaches 0. Jin is duel-striking (he will perform one action against both heroes each round). All focus addition and subtraction is done at the end of each round. "Are you prepared?" OoC: I will plan out five rounds of Jin's moves at a time, so that you do not have to worry about me cheating and re-acting to your choices. I will select different combinations every five rounds, and reserve the right to react to the last five rounds (i.e. adjust strategy depending on your previous actions, but not in reaction to the actions you submit). Quote
UsernameMDM Posted October 21, 2015 Posted October 21, 2015 "I think I got it." As soon as he finished speaking, the orb elongated into a wickedly tipped spear. Hoke will: Focus Focus Parry Attack Parry Quote
JimBee Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 Hybros nodded and drew Zoot's Reaper. "Two against one? I think you underestimate us, heheh..." Focus Focus Focus Focus Focus Quote
Zepher Posted October 22, 2015 Author Posted October 22, 2015 OoC: Sorry, I actually wasn't clear enough - I have his moves planned out five in advanced, but you don't have to do that with Hoke and Hybros - I will run each round individually. This is more so that I don't cheat, but I want to give you guys the opportunity to strategize as the battle progresses... particularly when you see why he doesn't underestimate himself. Round One Training with Jin Jin focuses (+2 focus) Hybros focuses (+2 focus) Hoke focuses (+2 focus) All the combatants prepare to strike. Master Jin Focus: 9 Health: 7 Hybros Focus: 4 Health: 7 Hoke Focus: 4 Health: 7 Quote
UsernameMDM Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 Hoke continues to Focus, trying to see where the Blade Master would strike. Quote
Flipz Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 Arthur follow after Chauncey, Miirym in tow. Quote
Zepher Posted October 22, 2015 Author Posted October 22, 2015 Arthur arrives at the Vault, which Zora, Guffington, and Purpearl stare at with confusion. Round One Training with Jin Jin attacks (-1 focus) (9-4=5 Damage Hoke, 5 Damage Hybros) Hybros focuses (+2 focus) Hoke focuses (+2 focus) Jin spins through the air, and his cool steel comes to rest on his sparring partners a number of times as they continue to keep their calm. Master Jin Focus: 8 Health: 7 Hybros Focus: 6 Health: 2 Hoke Focus: 6 Health: 2 OoC: I believe the mechanics are a little broken, I'm still testing it out a little. I will repair them for future rounds - I don't think it's impossible for you to win, but I do think things are incentivized properly. You'll probably be sparring quite a bit, so I'll fix it in future matches. My proposed changes are as such: Focus (+3 Focus) Parry (-1 Focus) Attack (-2 Focus) Quote
Flipz Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 Arthur takes one look at the pink flowers, smiles serenely, and at Miirym's curious glance picks one. Quote
Purpearljellyblob Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 "Patience," says Chauncey as he approaches from behind. "I warned you, it may take more time than you are used to." "You are behind this, then, Chauncey?" says Purpearl as she points to the box. Quote
JimBee Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 OoC: I believe the mechanics are a little broken, I'm still testing it out a little. I will repair them for future rounds - I don't think it's impossible for you to win, but I do think things are incentivized properly. You'll probably be sparring quite a bit, so I'll fix it in future matches. My proposed changes are as such: Focus (+3 Focus) Parry (-1 Focus) Attack (-2 Focus) OOC: I think the idea of focusing is a bit broken to begin with. I can just out-focus the opponent and become immune to damage, or I guess vice versa since he started with more than we did. There was a similar concept for a Jedi dueling game a few years ago in the Wargames/Mafia subforum, if you're looking for ideas. Hybros stands his ground and focuses again. Quote
Zepher Posted October 23, 2015 Author Posted October 23, 2015 Arthur takes one look at the pink flowers, smiles serenely, and at Miirym's curious glance picks one. Picking the flower, Arthur is not disappointed. It quickly proves itself a flower of Sybil, though less potent than those in the Valley of Peace. In blurring images, he sees far into the past, rushing past decades of were-lions, humans, and even a select few Aois, all meditating outside the Vault. The Vault itself remains timeless. "You are behind this, then, Chauncey?" says Purpearl as she points to the box. "Behind this? Hardly. This Vault far outdates my minuscule life." Round Three Training with Jin Jin attacks (-1 focus) (8-6=2 Damage Hoke, 2 Damage Hybros) Hybros focuses (+2 focus) Hoke focuses (+2 focus) The heroes prove unable to defeat Jin, as he holds a sword to each of their throats. "I would advise you learn how to clear your mind more before you attempt to face me again," he says, sliding both blades back into their homes. OoC: By increasing the cost of attacking I was hoping to counter-act that, so that parrying was a really viable action, so as to really cost the other player focus while you didn't lose as much. We'll test it out that way next time, and adjust as needed. There are ways for you guys to improve your odds. Quote
Flipz Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 Following the vision's lead, Arthur sits down in one of the spots he'd seen the past monks meditate in, crosses his legs, and begins to meditate. He pats a spot nearby for Miirym to join him. She looks curiously at the flowers, then at Arthur, then with a shrug of her wings and a flick of her tail she curls up as best she can, careful to remain as light as possible and not to trample the plant life. The ever-present smoke trailing from her nostrils things to mere wisps as she begins to meditate alongside him. Quote
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