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HP: 275
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STR: 0
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DEX: 3(+5)
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CON: 0(+35)
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ginseng IS
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Post by DIZ on Nov 6, 2016 23:32:06 GMT -6
[attr="class","pricklebear1"] 100/100 HP | STR 0 | DEX 0 | CON 0 |
Diz sat down on a bench and leaned back against it while trying to catch his breath. His body was still suffering from the real world effects it seeemed. There wasn't much that he could do about it but grow accustomed but it was putting a damper on his stamina. Rubbing the back of his head, he grumbled softly and wondered how many stitches they left in his head in the real world. His hair would grow over it more than likely but it would feel odd to run his fingers there and feel something other than skin. But it wasn't the first time and he hoped that it would be the last. Stars twinkled in the sky and his breaths came out even now. What a mess.He felt as though he touched every corner of the First Floor but there was more to see and more to explore. When would he get enough, he couldn't tell himself because not even he knew. The moon is pretty here.Diz couldn't remember the last time that he sat under the moon this peacefully. People ambling about on the streets while heading home or to their own adventures. The world at peace.
@open [newclass=.pricklebear1]background-color:#fff;height:auto;width:400px;margin: 0 auto;box-shadow: 1px 1px 2px 1px #c0c0c0;border: 10px solid #f9f9f9;google font="Open Sans";font-size:11px;padding:24px;text-align:justify;[/newclass]
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LV 3
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HP: 375
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STR: 0 (+44)
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DEX: 5 (+12)
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n/a IS
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Post by Ruler on Nov 7, 2016 7:54:50 GMT -6
Broadly speaking, there were two types of subjects. The things you talked about, and things you didn't talk about. When he was younger, Ruler had once quizzed his family about his cousin's strange and wobbly legs. He understood later that it was a latter category subject. There were other things Ruler didn't think he should talk about. 'The announcement' felt like a taboo subject, weighing heavy on everyone's hearts. He assumed it weighed heavy on everyone's minds. It weighed heavy on his, at least, and if everyone else was a thinking person like him, it'd weigh heavy on theirs. He didn't feel very confident about the game. Ruler'd seen some people immediately scamper off, as though it were a race. Others huddled in the Town of Beginnings. Again others had taken steady and measured steps to prepare themselves. Ruler didn't belong to any of those. He had first sat down, taken in the news and tried to wake himself up. When it became obvious it wasn't a dream, he'd decided to slowly get accustomed to the game, and figure out a way to deal with it. At the very least, if the game was a 'death game' now, he wanted to experience life a little. The boy fell onto the bench beside Diz with a heavy thud, giving his cousin a sideward glance. He still wasn't sure how to approach Diz, or what subjects to broach, but it would feel wrong to hide from him. After all, he owed his cousin much. "What're ya thinking about, uncle?" From what he understood, Diz had been one of those players who'd rushed out immediately to explore floor one, heedless of danger and thoroughly uncautious about... that. "... I dunno if I can get used to this," Ruler mumbled, more to himself than anyone.
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HP: 275
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STR: 0
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DEX: 3(+5)
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CON: 0(+35)
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ginseng IS
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Post by DIZ on Nov 7, 2016 8:00:12 GMT -6
[attr="class","pricklebear1"] 100/100 HP | STR 0 | DEX 0 | CON 0 |
These were the moments that he should have offered courage. Words of improvement, happiness, devotion but Diz couldnt' seem to summon any of them. Simple words belonged to those who could not express themselves through action. With the idea of death looming, it was alright for Souta to fear, even healthy at that. Diz lived his entire life walking with Death at his side and the deity didn't seem to be leaving anytime soon. Nonetheless, the samurai sat up to clasp a hand against his younger cousin's shoulder and offer him a smile. " Then don't." The death game was evident but it didn't have to rule them. It didn't have to be them. They had a choice. An obligation. A way out. " Enjoy this place. There are a lot of perks to it even if the stakes are raised." We're together for one. No one can hurt you here, I won't let them.Diz squeezed his shoulder and withdrew his hand. " What is one thing that you wanted to do the most upon entering the game?" Ruler[newclass=.pricklebear1]background-color:#fff;height:auto;width:400px;margin: 0 auto;box-shadow: 1px 1px 2px 1px #c0c0c0;border: 10px solid #f9f9f9;google font="Open Sans";font-size:11px;padding:24px;text-align:justify;[/newclass]
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LV 3
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HP: 375
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STR: 0 (+44)
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DEX: 5 (+12)
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Post by Ruler on Nov 7, 2016 8:56:19 GMT -6
Ruler spared his cousin a sideways glance, and smiled as best as he could. One nice thing about the game, at least, was that expressions seemed exaggerated. It wasn't difficult at all to smile. "Don't think I can just 'enjoy' it," he admitted truthfully. The follow-up died in his throat: 'obviously you can'. It was a subject you didn't broach. That last question was harder. Ruler had been asking himself precisely that. Trying to figure out why he had been lured in. What had exactly motivated him? He'd told himself he was just avoiding schoolwork at first. It was probably true. At the same time, he wanted it to be more than that. Maybe it was fourteen-year-old Lord of Darkness Ii Souta speaking there, but he desperately wanted there to be deeper meaning to that poor decision. If only because then, he could claim he'd achieve at least something. "To avoid doing homework," Ruler said sheepishly after a while. With a wry smile, he continued, "Right now, I'd really love t'do my homework." He was going to say, 'I'd kill for it', but decided not to mention it. Though he hadn't seen any evidence yet that a death was permanent, he wasn't of a mind to try it out. Something about the subject also felt taboo. Ruler felt that the moment they'd discuss dying for real in a public area, the floodgates might open. It was true for him, at least. The longer he could push the lingering despair from the announcement to the back of his head, the longer he could keep on smiling. "Aaaah... I wonder..." He bit his lip. "Nah. I wonder what the second floor's like."
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HP: 275
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STR: 0
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DEX: 3(+5)
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CON: 0(+35)
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ginseng IS
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Post by DIZ on Nov 7, 2016 9:06:04 GMT -6
[attr="class","pricklebear1"] 100/100 HP | STR 0 | DEX 0 | CON 0 |
Diz wondered if Souta always seemed this fragile. He wanted to say something. Comfort him but the words wouldn't come and he assumed that the timing wasn't right. Regardless of the matter, he leaned back against the bench and stared up at the sky with a hum. He wasn't sure what it would be like. The second floor and the ones above it that they'd have to trek and fight the horrors awaiting them. Quietly, he wished that he could have been a beta tester but dully remembered that he wasn't even conscious at the time or that lucky. Diz crossed his arms behind his head and hummed. " Personally, I think this is a lot better than homework." A smile settled on his face. " The second floor may look the same as this one. Smaller but the same." He was somewhat excited. Wanting to see something new. Do something new. Be with new people, though the last wasn't a top priority. " But hey, bask in the moment." The corners of his lips turned downwards. " Souta. What is on your mind right now?" Ruler[newclass=.pricklebear1]background-color:#fff;height:auto;width:400px;margin: 0 auto;box-shadow: 1px 1px 2px 1px #c0c0c0;border: 10px solid #f9f9f9;google font="Open Sans";font-size:11px;padding:24px;text-align:justify;[/newclass]
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LV 3
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HP: 375
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DEX: 5 (+12)
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Post by Ruler on Nov 7, 2016 9:36:22 GMT -6
He smiled sheepishly. Probably, the last thing anyone'd expect a high school student with his test scores to say would be, 'I wish I could do homework,' and doing something fun like playing a game'd make more sense. But games had to be fun, and it was hardly fun knowing a mistake could cost you immensely. He'd heard somewhere that the higher floors were smaller, which meant that the higher up they went, the less they could explore. Ruler wondered briefly how many players would even come far enough to eventually compare the sizes between the 99th floor and this one. Six miles from one side to the other. Would the 99th floor be merely a fraction of that? Ruler stared at his boots and considered the next question. There were a few things on his mind, but... "Nah, just thinking what to do," he said finally. "A hundred floors. That's a long arse haul. Shouldn't I plan out a build or something?" The kite shield profiency he'd picked up when he started was almost mocking, demanding he take the path of a knight. But in SAO, where no classes existed, he could only take the looks of one. If at all possible, Ruler wanted to look a little cooler than that. If at all possible, he also wanted to be more than just a shield. Dancing with a blade, that had been his fourteen-year-old-self's fantasy. "Maybe I'll just stick to crafting," he mumbled, "and let someone else do the fightin'..." He turned his head to Diz. "What're your plans, uncle?"
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HP: 275
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STR: 0
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DEX: 3(+5)
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CON: 0(+35)
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ginseng IS
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Post by DIZ on Nov 7, 2016 9:49:19 GMT -6
[attr="class","pricklebear1"] 100/100 HP | STR 0 | DEX 0 | CON 0 |
Well, at least one of them was thinking realistically. There were moments where Diz wasn't sure if he could get up in the morning. His mind was hazy and he was going in and out of sleep but forcing himself to rise nonetheless. He reasoned with himself that as long as his brain waves continued, he'd be able to do this, he'd get better. Recovery was something that his body was going to have to solve on its own. Helping Souta, making sure that they could get home was something that he had to do. Looking upwards again, he steeled his resolve. " I'm going to join the front lines." In the real world, so many people looked down on him because of his legs. Pitying expressions. Downcasted eyes. Picking their words carefully as if they were afraid to offend him and make him lash out. Did they truly have such a fragile impression of him. As time went on, he learned how to live with his disability and he was no different from what they deemed as "normal". Curling his fingers into fists, he stared down at his legs. I'm not different." Do you really want to sit on the sidelines?" Diz turned to look at him. " I'm not opposed to it," he interjected. " But, I also don't want you to be hurt." Ruler[newclass=.pricklebear1]background-color:#fff;height:auto;width:400px;margin: 0 auto;box-shadow: 1px 1px 2px 1px #c0c0c0;border: 10px solid #f9f9f9;google font="Open Sans";font-size:11px;padding:24px;text-align:justify;[/newclass]
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LV 3
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Post by Ruler on Nov 7, 2016 10:02:37 GMT -6
Ruler chuckled, then broke into a weak laugh. Diz didn't want him to be hurt. Although he had expected it, and knew it, it still sounded a little weird. "Being away from the frontline is prob'ly the best way to avoid being hurt," Ruler said, and his expression hardened. "Uncle. If you're going to be on the frontline..." he inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly, "y'know, that'd hurt a lot more. If something happened, I mean." The conversation, which he had wanted to avoid being heavy, still became heavier than a kite shield. He wanted to say more, but didn't. The air'd grown a bit too heavy for Ruler to take command of. He didn't have the life experience yet to know how to deal with such heavy subjects. To distract himself, as disrespectful as it was, Ruler opened up the menu, stared at his character. It was, pretty much, a blank slate. He'd made one decision: kite shield proficiency. From there, he could still discard that decision, put his focus elsewhere. He didn't have to use kite shields. He could still be the other Ruler. One who reigned over people. But Ii had no confidence that he could fill that role. Leadership wasn't for him. There were others more qualified. Probably. Of ten thousand people, there would surely be someone to stand up and take the reigns. "Dammit, making a choice is hard, y'know..." he mumbled out loud unintentionally.
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HP: 275
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STR: 0
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DEX: 3(+5)
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CON: 0(+35)
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ginseng IS
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Post by DIZ on Nov 7, 2016 10:07:16 GMT -6
[attr="class","pricklebear1"] 100/100 HP | STR 0 | DEX 0 | CON 0 |
" You're afraid." The tension that fell over them was one that he was used to. A spell cast when he looked in his parents' eyes after agreeing to the procedure, when he stood up to Otsuki at the end of their friendship, or when he came face to face with Souta's father. It was a tension that felt more like a challenge when faced with and he wasn't going to falter now. Not when he was so close to figuring out what to do. Not when he could make a difference now. " I realize that I will be hurt on the frontlines and I will take the necessary precautions." Words seemed hollow. Fleeting to his own ears but it was all that he had. " Souta, you aren't a coward if you decide to take the crafting route or stay within the walls of safe zones," he assured. " And if you decide to take the harder routes, you're a braver man than I am." He stared at his hands, curling them into fists and steeling his resolve. " Making decisions is hard but it is a part of growing up. Right now, regardless of all that we know, what is it that you want the most?" Ruler[newclass=.pricklebear1]background-color:#fff;height:auto;width:400px;margin: 0 auto;box-shadow: 1px 1px 2px 1px #c0c0c0;border: 10px solid #f9f9f9;google font="Open Sans";font-size:11px;padding:24px;text-align:justify;[/newclass]
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LV 3
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HP: 375
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STR: 0 (+44)
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n/a IS
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Post by Ruler on Nov 7, 2016 10:14:40 GMT -6
When he was younger, he knew exactly what he wanted. At age seven, his heart's desire was a radio-controlled car. When he was ten, he absolutely had to have a new bike. The coolest bike. The bike that spent most of its time in the shed, since there were few places to bike to as a ten-year-old in a city. Then as he became fourteen, another desire had welled up. One that Ruler tried to push away every time he thought about it. Those were embarrassing years. He'd ran around with a makeshift cape, then moved on to wearing his yellow scarf, fluttering in the wind. An eye-patch to complete the look. Surely his odd-coloured eye was because of a deep power resting within him. Surely if he wished hard enough, believed strongly enough, magic could exist. No magic had helped when he'd once come home with a 54. His father'd smacked him, and that was the end of 'all games'. He wasn't allowed to act out anymore. Secretly, Ruler still had. As he got older, his desire to be a prince of darkness ebbed away. He just wanted to be normal now. Didn't dare to go out to watch a film, because the moment he neglected his schoolwork, there'd be a rain of blows. With a wry smile, Ruler thought about how his father would likely be right at home in the game. He'd stand valiantly on the frontline and pummel whatever errant monster would try to take someone's life. Ruler sighed deeply, leaned back and stared up at the starry sky. What was it he truly wanted? That had ebbed away. Ruler had solemnly believed that. In reality, it hadn't changed. "To be a hero. What else?" He added the last part without thinking, but when he had, his face flushed red with embarrassment and he averted his gaze. "W, well... I guess being a little strong'd be fine, too."
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HP: 275
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STR: 0
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DEX: 3(+5)
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CON: 0(+35)
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ginseng IS
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Post by DIZ on Nov 7, 2016 10:21:46 GMT -6
[attr="class","pricklebear1"] 100/100 HP | STR 0 | DEX 0 | CON 0 |
The corners of Diz's mouth twitched upwards with fondness. A warmth in his eyes as he watched the younger boy go through the motions. His fathers once asked him the same question when he lost his way. It was a difficult question to ask but the answer was something that was so refreshing that he couldn't help but feel lighter at the thought of it. Diz wanted to help other people before he passed. No matter how it was. No matter how small or insignificant the help. He wanted to help them as best as he possibly could. And with a shocking revelation, he found that he was able to do just that. " Then do it." Diz uncrossed his arms from behind his head. " You can do a lot from the sidelines but if you want to live up to your namesake, put the work into it." Diz pulled up his own menu and gestured to the proficiencies that he had. " You're the only one who can help yourself but I'm always going to be here for you." Flicking over to another menu, he sent over a request. «DIZ» would like to send a friend request.
ACCEPT or DECLINE
" Family?" He smiled, extending his hand to him with his fingers curled into a fist. Ruler[newclass=.pricklebear1]background-color:#fff;height:auto;width:400px;margin: 0 auto;box-shadow: 1px 1px 2px 1px #c0c0c0;border: 10px solid #f9f9f9;google font="Open Sans";font-size:11px;padding:24px;text-align:justify;[/newclass]
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LV 3
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HP: 375
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Post by Ruler on Nov 7, 2016 12:53:11 GMT -6
Ruler bumped his fist against Diz's, smiling sheepishly. "'course we're family," he replied, studying the menu. He wasn't sure yet what he was going to do with the friend list (it seemed a little absurd to have to have a list of friends), but it could hardly do any harm to add as many people as he could to it. Of course, he accepted Diz's request. "I meant the maths tool, though," Ruler said afterwards, shaping out the rectangular tool with his hands. "That sort of ruler. Not... not a king or queen, or something." He laughed humourlessly. "That'd be a bit too much for me, wouldn't you think?" He re-opened the menu for his character, and navigated to look at the blank sheet again. With a furrowed brow, he continued, "Okay, so... what if I pick up blacksmithing to craft my own weapons, then use a one-handed sword? I wouldn't need to raise any other proficiencies, and..." he tapped the menu a bit, "it'd probably let me get away with just going some Dex, right? Maybe later I can get rapiers." A rapier sounded interesting, at least. He'd let himself be informed about all the weapons, just in case. Brute force wasn't really his thing, and neither was shouldering every blow. Rapiers and shields didn't get along, but a rapier was pretty precise and fit well into a build with other speedy skills. There wasn't a need to fear if you'd never get hit, after all. His mistaken choice of kite shields would just serve as a reminder to research things properly before taking steps in Aincrad.
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HP: 275
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STR: 0
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DEX: 3(+5)
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CON: 0(+35)
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ginseng IS
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Post by DIZ on Nov 7, 2016 14:37:47 GMT -6
[attr="class","pricklebear1"] 275/275 HP | STR 0 | DEX 1 | CON 0(+35) |
" I'm going to assume that you read the book which the beta tester took the time to compile." As if remembering his words and who he was dealing with, Diz backtracked. " Or at least you read what each stat does in the beginner's manual." The samurai leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. Staring forward and his eyes darting from left to right while he examined something that wasn't there. It was his thinking face or as some people said, a scheming face. He had to plan things out sometimes to the T. Sometimes not. " Each level, you're only allowed a certain amount of skill slots, and some of the basic movements like swimming aren't even allowed without the skill." He raised his fingers and put them together. " If you branch out to other weapon proficiencies, be careful because you may end up spreading your stats too far. Picking a role and sticking to it is best." With that, he separated his fingers from one another. " If you pick the wrong skills and can't go back then you may be limiting yourself further." Lowering his hands, Diz tilted his head in Ruler's direction. " So what proficiencies do you have so far," and then his voice dropped in octave to a teasing tone. " And really, the math tool?" Ruler[newclass=.pricklebear1]background-color:#fff;height:auto;width:400px;margin: 0 auto;box-shadow: 1px 1px 2px 1px #c0c0c0;border: 10px solid #f9f9f9;google font="Open Sans";font-size:11px;padding:24px;text-align:justify;[/newclass]
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HP: 375
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Post by Ruler on Nov 7, 2016 15:05:03 GMT -6
Ruler almost admitted he had not read any books, but thought better of it. The last thing he wanted was for his cousin, of all people, to think he was an idiot. He felt he'd already established that often enough, but his cool sides hadn't gotten enough exposure yet. Still, he couldn't help but lean in interestedly when Diz began to explain. Picking a role and sticking to it... well, he definitely wanted to be the agile swordsman then. But crafting was a necessity. It was a matter Ruler could not compromise on: the idea of creating things was too alluring. "Well, I started out with kite shield proficiency," Ruler began. He paused and hesitated, then continued, "The rest is still open. I did take a look at it, and decided I probably want to level Sprint later, pick up Rapier Proficiency and a rapier." He straightened on the bench and continued, "And I'll probably sink stat points into Dex all the way to the roof. It helps you dodge, right? So if I avoid everything, I won't need defences and can just focus on Dex." Dex was king.
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HP: 275
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STR: 0
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DEX: 3(+5)
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CON: 0(+35)
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ginseng IS
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Post by DIZ on Nov 7, 2016 15:52:16 GMT -6
[attr="class","pricklebear1"] 275/275 HP | STR 0 | DEX 1 | CON 0(+35) |
" And what happens if you're paralyzed?" Diz crossed his arms over his chest and continued staring off into the distance. He was listening. Always. It seemed as they got older, the more that Souta opened up to him, the better it was to understand. Himself. Others. The entire ordeal. However, he was seeing things other than what was in front of him. Numbers. Ideas. Pathways that wouldn't work while others would. If Souta took on a kite shield and used a one-handed sword, he'd be able to parry at least twice during a battle. " If you're paralyzed and hacked down, your HP will fall faster than anything ever has, especially if we're going against the boss on this floor." He frowned slighty and glanced at his cousin. " Try again. Think in terms of sustainability and survival rather than efficiency with attacks. Hitting hard isn't your only concern." Ruler[newclass=.pricklebear1]background-color:#fff;height:auto;width:400px;margin: 0 auto;box-shadow: 1px 1px 2px 1px #c0c0c0;border: 10px solid #f9f9f9;google font="Open Sans";font-size:11px;padding:24px;text-align:justify;[/newclass]
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