A world in peril, a prophecy which speaks of end and destruction; bandits, monsters and tyrants rise from nothing with the objective of conquering, dethroning, or simply throwing the world into the deepest chaos.
And yet, among this turbulent darkness, there's still hope left; men and women of might and righteousness use whatever resources left in their hands to fight off this sudden tide of darkness and evil sweeping the land, regardless of how hard and dangerous it might be.
And among those larger-than-life figures, there is one person who is capable of changing the course of this world, a Hero blessed by the Gods in order to bring Peace and Order to the World Below, and in their wake, change it irrevocably.
That is a story that you most surely know, right? The Hero who slays the evil dragon, who dethrones the evil king, who saves the princess, who is lauded by commoner and nobility alike!
Sometimes, it's using their almighty strength, in a single swing eradicating the entire armies of evil.
Sometimes, it's using their mind, bringing enlightenment and heralding a new age to the whole world.
Sometimes, it's using their silver tongue, uniting the world as one under their flag, charming Kings and Gods in their wake.
Sometimes, it's using their heart, bringing out the best out of friend and foe alike, creating a crew of friends who would follow them to the ends of the earth and beyond.
And you...
...Aren't that guy.
Wait, wait, don't go just yet! Listen, I know, I know, it's an absolute bummer that you can't be the coolest guy around, and I know that you would prefer to be the one who kicks the ass of the evil god or something and to be the one with the, erm, how is it again? Waifus? Whatever, but just listen for a sec here! OK?
You aren't the Hero.
But! You are the second best thing, the right-hand man! The best friend! The bro! El hermano!
What I'm saying is, you are the Lancer! You know the best friend, who is supposed to serve as a foil to the Hero, to be the one guy who is there in the Darkest Hour, who is almost surely shipped with the Hero by the fanbase due to having better chemistry with the guy than the actual Love Interest...
You know, that guy!
Well, now that you seem at the very least resigned to the position, let's get through this resume yet again, shall we? Here it says that you are—
[ ][ARCHETYPE] THE QUIET AND RESERVED ONE —A classic: the straight guy to the Hot-blooded Hero, the distrustful loner to the All-loving Hero's warm heart, and the snarky tsundere to the Vanilla Hero's... Something! And the reward for the Hero's investment in them is your warm, sincere smile...Truly, you are perfect for the job!
[ ][ARCHETYPE] THE ROMANTIC AND BOMBASTIC ONE —Ah, yes, the guy who screams his attacks at the top of his lungs, who appears to only eat ham and cheese at every meal, the guy who is able to lift the Insecure Hero out of their funk, who is able to bring an honest smile from the Cynical Hero, who is able to make the All-loving Hero laugh with you and not at you! Truly, you are perfect for the job!
[ ][ARCHETYPE] THE OPTIMIST AND HEROIC ONE —Aha! Indeed, the Optimism for the Cynical Hero's... Well, Cynicism, the morality chain to the Vengeful Hero's hatred, and the Chessmaster Hero's link to the world around them, you fight for good and justice, and you do so with a smile on your face! For it is the right thing to do... Truly, you are perfect for the job!
Yes, yes! I'm loving what I see, your potential for a Lancer is off the charts, my friend! Anyways, here's the contract! Please, ignore all those pesky little risks and warnings and write your name... 'Ere!
[ ][NAME] WRITE-IN!
Great, great! ...Now, the contract is sealed, you fool! Hah, it sucks to be you, you foolish mortal! Nyehehehe!
...One last thing though.
Are you a boy or a girl? I'm being serious, I'm going blind and I really can't tell.
[ ][GENDER] I'M A LADY, YOU OLD GEEZER! —Ah, right, right... You are probably going into Hero's harem, that's just how these stories work, you know? Well, maybe not this one, but that's just a fair warning, you know?
[ ][GENDER] I'M A GENTLEMAN, YOU BLIND OLD MAN! —Ah, right, right... Just don't fall in love with one of the Hero's, erm... Waifus, was it? Anyways, it'll be better for your health, that unless you wanna be revealed as an evil traitor or something.
You take a little peek at what is written under the clause...
"—Risks on the 'Lancer' Profession include but are not limited to:
Death in the name of a tonal shift for the work
Eternal chastity (regardless of gender in case of a harem comedy)
Trauma and/or brainwashing by a villain
Involuntary heel-face turns
Voluntary heel-face turns
Crippling and/or disabilities caused by a villain
Loss of competence halfway through the work
Online harrasement and/or defamation
Cessation of existence due to the destruction of your soul
Entering an abusive relationship with a Tsundere (Warning about chastity still applies)
Medical coma
Fate Worse Than Death—"
...Maybe this wasn't such a great idea...
Me: Oh, Muse, please give me some ideas for what to write, I beg of you!
Muse: Continue writing you fan fiction?
Me: Nah, I writer's block is a bitch, can't do shit.
Muse: Magical Girl Quest?
Me: Ooooh, I'd love that...! But I can't get my word to manifest into my writing, and I'd like some quality writing for those stories, ya know? Man, these days a guy can't be a girl without something stopping her...
Muse: Big Mecha War Quest?
Me: BIG MECHA! BIG MECHA! BIG MECHA!...Wait, but I don't know shit about military ranks! And I feel that I would get an aneurism if I started researching anything related to the military these days, ugh... Besides, too much world building for me right now...
Muse: Hmmm... Lancer Fantasy Quest?
Me: ...Hey, that actually sounds great! Hell, I'm up for it! Thanks, Muse, pretty cool of you.
Muse: It's a pleasure to help! *Heavenly chorus as she ascends to the heavens*
...Well, that's that.
No plan, vote for approval, or something, imma gonna sleep, 20 something hours, bye.
Basic Robes: Simple robes worn by Mages. A tiny chainmail is beneath these, but otherwise? Not much to say. (End +5, Arc +5)
Simple Staff: A simple staff made out of wood. It helps to concentrate when performing spells. (Arc +5 when in use)
MAGIC Elementalism:
Water (Novice): You are able to mold Mana into water and reshape it's form to some extent. (You shape your water to be shot at high pressure, become whips and use it to cover small parts of your body, namely your hands and face)
Old Sword: A gift from Cedric's father as a goodbye. It has definitely seen better days, but Cedric seems to treasure it. (5+ Str, 5+ Dex)
Simple Light Armor: A cheap and basic set of armor: a breastplate made of iron, gauntlets, boots and elbow pads made of leather, with a chainmail underneath it all. (5+ End, 5+ Dex)
SKILLS
Swordsmanship (Novice): The way of the sword is harsh and unforgiving, your journey has only begun. (You hold a basic understanding of swordsmanship, you receive a +5 bonus when fighting someone less skilled than you).
Relationship with you :("Alright, first companion here!")
New quests are always fun. Let us see where this one leads.
If a best friend is what the hero needs then we shall provide! With our endless love of food, our pattern of shouting attacks, and our endless optimism. We will become the ultimate Lancer! So swear on the name of GOKU Kara. (Listen I've been re-watching DBZ cut me a break.)
[X][ARCHETYPE] THE ROMANTIC AND BOMBASTIC ONE
[X][NAME] Kara
[X][GENDER] I'M A LADY, YOU OLD GEEZER!
Next post will be a choice about your background, about mechanical stuff and then about the hero's gender, archetype and overall mechanical stuff-ness.
[X][ARCHETYPE] THE QUIET AND RESERVED ONE
[X][NAME] ALMERIC
[X][GENDER] I'M A GENTLEMAN, YOU BLIND OLD MAN!
Now I'm not saying that I'm picking this archetype for the sole purpose of an eventual heel-face-turn… I'm also not not saying I'm picking it for that reason.