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Children of Hades (DanMachi)

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Ooooh, that's hype af. Can't wait to see what comes next. Also I'm stoked you timeskipped 13 months, allows for a normal level-up rate. I've seen too many Danmachi fanfics and quests just speed through levels and it felt so unsatisfying. And if you sprinkle in details to show how time has passed and how the characters have changed a little, I'd be so happy.
 
Axel Fones said:
Ooooh, that's hype af. Can't wait to see what comes next. Also I'm stoked you timeskipped 13 months, allows for a normal level-up rate. I've seen too many Danmachi fanfics and quests just speed through levels and it felt so unsatisfying. And if you sprinkle in details to show how time has passed and how the characters have changed a little, I'd be so happy.
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We didn't timeskip 13 months... We've actually been timeskipping about three months at a time. The total time passed since the start of the quest is thirteen months, it wasn't thirteen months that passed just then.
 
Cyberweasel89 said:
We didn't timeskip 13 months... We've actually been timeskipping about three months at a time. The total time passed since the start of the quest is thirteen months, it wasn't thirteen months that passed just then.
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I feel absolutely stupid. I'm gonna blame this on 2 hours of sleep followed by a full day substituting for a second grade class followed by a doctor's appointment.
 
Something tells me that we are going to be pushed to the brink and beyond by the Lingering Will and win by the smallest margins, then faint from Mind Down.
 
Nice speech Shade.

And now we fight the Lingering Will. If all goes well then it only took us a year and a month to level up.

...

THE DOG TALKS!?
 
Damn I was gonna say that. 13 minutes too slow.

I disagree with the magic thing too. Are we training squishy? It hasn't been getting a lot of screen time.
 
STOP said:
Damn I was gonna say that. 13 minutes too slow.

I disagree with the magic thing too. Are we training squishy? It hasn't been getting a lot of screen time.
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Squishy is strictly a pet. Unlike Leo, he doesn't have much combat potential. Golden Mushrooms, even if trained and fed lots of Magic Stones, just aren't strong enough to deal much damage or take many hits, and being Monsters, they can't be given a Falna. Not to mention if other Adventurers saw him, they'd probably try to kill him for the Exilia and Drop Loot. Rooster could carry him in a bag, but he'd be dead weight and interfere with her agility then. So Squishy stays safely in the Underworld Dormitory. He's kept in Rooster's room during tavern hours, but when the tavern is closed to customers, he's free to roam the entire Underworld Dormitory. Expect to see him more during downtime than during training or Dungeon excursions... for now. ;)
 
Remember people than we didn`t outright start as an adventurer, the 13 month is the time on this world, we join Hades familia in Chapter 2 part 6, so I could say than we have an falma for a little less than an year.

Also now as a Lv2 we stop being total scrubs, meaning less obligatory training so we don`t get killed with our own weapons, the benefits of having high level member in the familia whom also cover all the basic made money an lesser worry, I mean, now they only need money for food, repairs, luxuries and pleasures. Meaning than they can be selective of the amount of stone they want to pick up allowing then to just destroy the crystal core and move on faster to the lower floors, only then kill a ton of them the fastest way possible to gain power and some more to get money on the side.

Even if we take more than an year to level up I`m happy for Rooster progression, we not only got strong fast, but also, we got ourself some friends, otherwise she could have an sad life, empty of meaning.
 
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Chapter 8: Part 1
  • Threadmarks
    • Okay, you're about to face down the Lingering Will. Deep breaths, Rooster. Deep breaths..

    You step forward, holding your spear at ease. The wall of shadow's ember eyes regard you... neutrally? Is it possible the Lingering Will is more than it seems? Let's test that...

    "Lingering Will!" you announce. "I am Rooster Ringabelle! My party and I would like to challenge you to honorable combat! My team, verses you, to the death!"

    The eyes tilt, almost like a head within the wall of shadow is tilting its head in curiosity. Then, the eyes lean forward once, as if in a nod.

    "May you give my team and I a moment to prepare?" you humbly request.

    It nods again.

    "Thank you, Lingering Will." You bow, then step back up to your party.

    Leo is whimpering, his tail between his legs. Ian has his hand gripping his sword tightly. Tessa grabs at your waist, tears in her eyes. "Rooster, you can't be serious! Please, tell me you're joking!"

    "No..." you shake your head. "I'm done surrendering, I'm done running away. We were defeated by this thing earlier this year when we surrendered. Well... Mentor told me once that within the defeated, a victor waits to arise. We're stronger now! Our Basic Abilities are higher! It'll be difficult... But there's a chance we can win."

    Tremors rack Tessa's form. "But, I'm... I'm scared."

    You place one hand on Ian's shoulder, your other hand on Tessa's head, and your tail on Leo's back.

    "The true mind can weather all lies and illusions without being lost. The true heart can touch the poison of hatred without being harmed. From beginningless time, darkness thrives in the void, but always yields to purifying light. I free your soul of it burdens, and grant clarity that you have never known before. Awaken!"

    Sparkles flow over Ian, Tessa, and Leo, and you see the diminutive Weretiger's shaking stop. She takes a deep breath, looking up at you with a determined look. "I'm with my brother. I'll follow you to the ends of the world, Rooster."

    "Good. Because depending on how this goes, that might just be where we're headed."

    You turn and face the Lingering Will. Okay, let's go over your assets...

    You have Draw, Relay, Awaken, your armor, your buckler, and the Gem-Sho.

    If it comes down to it, Ian can Warp you all to the surface, but it costs so much Mind, it won't be useful for combat. He has Bide that he can use with his katana and scabbard, but needs time to build it up.

    Leo can probably hold the Lingering Will down or drag him out of cover. His Basic Abilities are pretty high for a dog.

    Tessa may very well be your trump card. Her Harmless Hairband keeps her undetectable to the Lingering Will so long as she doesn't attack with her crossbow, but she can still cast Scan without dispelling the effect. So long as her Mind keeps up, she can keep Scan going to give you active updates on the Lingering Will's next move.

    You take a deep breath and step forward. "Tessa, keep Scan up. Tell me what it'll do next. Ian, ready a Bide, just in case. Leo and I will take it on two-on-one. I'll try to strike at its Magic Stone core to end this as soon as possible"

    Ian nods and fully sheaths his sword, closing his eyes to start his Bide. Tessa nods as well and makes a diamond shape with her fingers, her eyes glowing light blue as she scans her enemy, muttering her spell's chant to herself. You step forward again with Leo, lamenting one thing...

    Awaken cleared your party's mind and settled their fears... but it doesn't do the same for you. You take a deep breath and try to calm yourself. Welp... time to Level up.

    "I'm ready, Lingering Will. En garde!"

    To your surprise, the wall of shadow begins to shrink and compress right before your eyes, until it starts to take shape. It almost resembles a semi-transparent shroud or shadowy mantle, glowing red embers around the top of the form, while part of the sheet holds the chipped and jagged katana. The Lingering Will bows to you, and you bow back. Then, at some unseen signal, you launch yourselves at each other.

    How should you handle this?

    Reader Choice
    [ ] All-out offense. This is the strongest enemy you've ever faced, don't give it a chance to strike back.
    [ ] Fight defensively. This a dangerous opponent, you can't take any risks.
    [ ] Back off, wait, study its movements, get a feel for it. Wisdom and strategy are key.
    [ ] Go straight for the chest to strike its Magic Stone core. You can't mess around with something like this.
    [ ] Write-in.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [x] All-out offense. This is the strongest enemy you've ever faced, don't give it a chance to strike back.

    Our Agility and Dexterity are awesome, plus we lead this team and made the decision to fight this battle, so I want us to lead from the front and be the Will's main focus. I don't think we'll be able to end this easily but hopefully our Awakened teammates can capitalize on any opening we create.
     
    [X] Test it while attacking all out, don't give it time to do more than react, then maneuver it so you fight it in an optimal position while maintaining the assault.

    Hit it hard, hit it fast, and take the (metaphorical) high ground then figure out how to increase our efficiency while fighting it. Don't turn this into an endurance match.
     
    Would be cool if Tessa lands the killing blow in the end, glad to see an faster update than normal considering where it at.
     
    I'll be frank, I kinda despise Rooster right now. Risk your own life if you want glory and advancement, you don't get to risk the lives of your friends, you don't make that decision for them. Don't see how I'd ever trust Rooster again after this, in their position.
     
    ChronOblivion said:
    I'll be frank, I kinda despise Rooster right now. Risk your own life if you want glory and advancement, you don't get to risk the lives of your friends, you don't make that decision for them. Don't see how I'd ever trust Rooster again after this, in their position.
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    They very clearly agreed to it. Ian has said before, he'd follow Rooster to hell and back, and Tessa said she feels the same way.
     
    [X] Back off, wait, study its movements, get a feel for it. Wisdom and strategy are key.


    Challenging fight, so read its strategy before you go all in.
    Because going all in doesn't work if you're hitting the wrong thing
     
    [x] All-out offense. This is the strongest enemy you've ever faced, don't give it a chance to strike back.

    We made a badass speech, no way am I gonna vote to take a wussy defensive approach.
     
    [X] All-out offense. This is the strongest enemy you've ever faced, don't give it a chance to strike back.

    SHONEN PROTAGONIST POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    [X] Fight defensively. This a dangerous opponent, you can't take any risks.
    We need a real scope of it skills and tactic, we already make the duel so it will not just stand there while we wait and look, we don`t really know who strong is relative to us, or if our skill are good enough to uphold the fight, but the true reason is than we are buying time for Ian to charge up (and prevent it from targeting Partner), then with Rooster and Leo try to corner it and let Ian go for the kill.
     
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    ChronOblivion said:
    I'll be frank, I kinda despise Rooster right now. Risk your own life if you want glory and advancement, you don't get to risk the lives of your friends, you don't make that decision for them. Don't see how I'd ever trust Rooster again after this, in their position.
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    This doesn't smack of mind control so much as fear suppression. It's no more mind control than Bard song in D&D: if you would normally be afraid, there's a good chance that the magic music will make you unafraid instead, but you're not being meat-puppeted. If anything, the absence of fear would enable a combatant to be more themselves than before.
     
    [X] Test it while attacking all out, don't give it time to do more than react, then maneuver it so you fight it in an optimal position while maintaining the assault.

    Hit it hard, hit it fast, and take the (metaphorical) high ground then figure out how to increase our efficiency while fighting it. Don't turn this into an endurance match.
     
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