冬の鎮魂曲~Reworked Pt V

I need to do something. I really do. For the past N days, I've been playing Neverwinter non-stop because this year's Simril event happened to be the best one so far. In fact, the event will only end on 4th Jan 2018. However, I did do a bit where the latest chapter of A Requiem From Winter Past was concerned. As of now, the word count has breached the 2000 mark. What this means is that I've broken the halfway glass ceiling. Recently, I went on an adventureship (i.e. searching stuff 4 teh lolz like a boss named Marco Polo). In that particular voyage, I realised the average chapter length which we're all accustomed to is basically around 3000 plus. More specifically around 3.5K to... like maybe 3.8K or so. Believe it or not, I was crazy enough to manual count the words on a random page of a book I happened to own. After that, my curiosity was further piqued. And guess what? Setting sail on the waters of Google actually reaped some interesting findings. So it's not that bad. I'd expect something like 4000 to 5000 words per chapter. Apparently, I actually overestimated the likes of J.K Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, and Suzanne Collins. At the same time, here's a tip for aspiring novelists especially if you happened to be a Singaporean just like me.

Also, a shout out here to R.A Salvatore here. The book I mentioned here happened to be entitled Exile. The Dark Elf trilogy was definitely the best read so far where Salvatore's stuff is concerned together with the Hunter's Blades trilogy. Of course, it must be said that I never covered as much ground as what one might expect from someone like me. I've actually yet to get my hands on the Sellswords trilogy and Paths of Darkness series. A conniving Jarlaxle, a heartless Artemis Entreri, and a BSOD Wulfgar aren't exactly your typical Singaporean Disney fare when it comes to the choice of protagonist. I won't say I'm proud to be a Singaporean, but I'll say I'm proud to be an anti-typical Singaporean. So much for other Singaporeans envying others, I guess. Now if only Elaine would do something about continuing the story of that unscrupulous Elaith Craulnober. And no, the Elaine I'm talking about is Elaine Cunningham, not Elaine Jasmine Heng.

I wonder how the song would sound if the likes of Jam Hsiao and Ah-mei are to sing it. Please note the present tense here.

http://glaive-d-barde.blogspot.com/2017/10/blog-post.html

http://glaive-d-barde.blogspot.com/2017/11/reworked-pt-ii.html

http://glaive-d-barde.blogspot.com/2017/11/reworked-pt-iii.html

http://glaive-d-barde.blogspot.com/2017/12/reworked-pt-iv.html

So what this post is all about?

I'll be doing mainly two things. The level up system and... well, putting up an updated version of Aeravor's in-game info. On a side-note, I'm now toying with a couple of modifications where Arondight is concerned. The first aspect of consideration would be his looks. I'm not going to spoil anything, but when I did his looks in the current draft, something felt amiss. As for the second aspect of consideration, it has got something to do with his weapon of choice.

Cory Barlog mentioned Hulk and Bruce Banner, but he forgot to mention Logan and Laura. Not to mention as well the Showman of Oz.

If I decide to go ahead with the changes, most likely it will come in a bundle. Simply put, I'll be upping both the latest chapter and the relevant changes.

I suddenly recalled something about full auto

The only problem? I forgot what kind of full auto. My best guess is auto hit and auto parry. For auto parry, I don't have an issue with it. For auto hit, it really feels dodgy. At the same time, auto dodge feels... well, equally dodgy. If I can make things less complicated, then why not?

The stat in question is Dexterity. Allow me to copy and paste the details.

Dexterity: Confers chance of successful dodge if manual dodge fails (1% per every 2 points beyond the score of 4; 10 seconds cooldown) and the chance to automatically hit if weapon attack misses (1% per every 2 points beyond the score of 4; 30 seconds cooldown).

Deums affecting Dexterity:
Earrach [+1 Dexterity]
Fómhar [Chance to automatically hit if weapon attack misses increases to 2% instead of 1%]

See how needlessly complicated the above auto system looks? The self-critic in me calls it an act of absurdity, I won't be surprised if the likes of IGN and Angry Joe would be less merciful and more merciless (Fyi note: Apparently, there was really a fight between the two).

Therefore, I need to repair what is broken. If it's not broken, don't fix it. But if it's indeed broken, then fix it like Joe Fixit. How the full auto works in this reworked version details as below:

1. It is now officially full auto instead of half auto. Auto dodging now doesn't require a manual (dodge) fail to trigger.

2. However, auto hitting stays the same.

3. Manual dodge execution will disable auto-dodging.

4. The 30-second cooldown rule still applies to both.

Levelling up without the level

Yes, I know that's an oxymoron. How can a character level up without the level? It's like pizza minus the cheese, only perhaps a tad more absurd. Because I want to stay true to the plot rather than the gameplay, I decided to think out of the box. Or at least I tried to.

How levelling up works is very simple:

1. Character level is non-existent. However, levelling up still does affect certain aspects of the character gameplay. Stats increment is definitely ruled out.

2. Any stat increment where character class is concerned, however, is retained.

3. Levelling up will boost the efficiency of the character in three aspects.

4. The three aspects are the character's profession and traits. Note that character traits actually cover two aspects of the gameplay instead of just one.

5. Every level up will offer one upgrade point. Boosting character efficiency requires a certain amount of upgrade points stated.

6. Each aspect has three ranks.

7. While Aeravor is your default PC, it doesn't mean other characters cannot be used. The progress of any character upon unlock will reflect Aeravor's actual progress. Simply put, how many upgrade points he has earned at the point of unlocking will carry over to the relevant characters.

Error 404: Playing God Not Found

There are many ways to play God. Or at least more than one. Success, on the other hand, should be a different matter altogether. Likewise, trying to be God will result in a 404.

What this means is very simple: There is no way Aeravor (or any other character for that matter as well) can ever fully master all the three aspects. It's like choosing a girlfriend. There's no way I can ever afford to enter a relationship with more than one girl. The choice is very simple: Which ones to take and which ones to ditch.

Every aspect has three ranks (like what you've seen above). In total, levelling up should occur only 60 times. So what this means is this below:

1. The total number of upgrade points should be 60. However, it is possible to get up to 70 upgrade points.

2. In various locations, ruins can be found. Such ruins hailed from the long gone Age of Renown. While these places won't guarantee you extra upgrade points by default, some of them do offer one bonus upgrading point per location.

3. There is a catch, though: You'll need to clear the whole damn place of anything that lurks. That includes demons. Actually, I won't be surprised if only demons would be there. And even then, it's not a given that you'll get your top prize by default. The whole damn thing is really random. Seriously.

4. Specific side quests do give bonus upgrade points, one point per quest completion. 

5. The amount of upgrade points needed per rank goes like this: Rank 1 requires 1 upgrade point, Rank 2 requires 9 upgrade points, and Rank 3 requires 20 upgrade points.

Points exchange

Upgrade points are not just used for ranking up the aspects. Once you got a Rank 1 for each aspect, you'll be able to use your upgrade points to upgrade any primary stat of your choice. For every 2 upgrade points spent, you can add 1 point to the primary stat of your choice.

And now for the upgraded bio (done via copy and paste)

Aeravor

Primary stats:
Strength-10

Fortitude-9

Dexterity-15

Wit-6

Resolve-19

Deum:
Geimhreadh

[Damage resistance bonus via Fortitude increases to 1.5% instead of 0.5%]

[Base bonus critical weapon damage via Wit increases to 15% instead of 10%]

[+1 Resolve (Original Resolve score-18)]

Class:

Fighter

[1% damage bonus per point in Strength]

[0.5% critical chance bonus per point in Resolve]

[5% critical damage bonus]

[+0.5% damage resistance per level up]

Fighting style:

Swift

[Fast attack deals 3% more damage per hit]

[Heavy attack deals 25% less damage but will deal bonus damage according to the amount of Focus built up (bonus is equivalent to the percentage of the Focus gauge filled)]

[Whenever holding ground, default chance of auto-parry is set at 35% instead]

[Attacking speed increases by 0.5% per point in Dexterity]

Traits:

Vánagandr

[Hit points always regenerate at 2% of the maximum amount per second]

[Force attack always deals critical damage against demons]

[15% critical chance]

[12% movement speed]

Requiem From Winter Past

[Gain 1 stack of Ferocity whenever taking damage or after a successful parry, but lose 1 stack of Ferocity whenever interrupted, dazed, or stunned. Gain 0.5% critical chance bonus per stack in play. Once Ferocity reaches 10 stacks, all stacks will be cleared and Steelborn will be triggered]

[Steelborn-Automatically parries a single attack once per every 10 seconds whenever holding ground. For every such parry, gain 15% critical damage bonus for the next 5 seconds. Critical chance bonus gained via Ferocity will be retained for the entire duration. Steelborn lasts for 2 minutes and cannot be triggered again for the next 3 minutes. Ferocity cannot be gained for the next 30 seconds after Steelborn effect expires]

Profession:

Ranger

[8% movement speed]

[The first attack always deals critical damage against any unaware target]

[10% automatic dodge chance]

[10% automatic parry chance]

[Terrain sensor gauge is always set at 25% and builds up 5% faster]

Starting secondary stats:

Weapon damage bonus-13.5%

Base damage resistance-7.5%

Maximum hit points-32000 [23000 default hit points+9% maximum hit points bonus (1000 hit points per 1%)]

Critical chance-24.5%

Critical weapon damage-220% of normal damage [200% default critical damage+20% critical damage bonus]

Automatic dodge chance-10%

Automatic parry chance-10%

Movement speed-20%

Attacking speed-10.5% [10% default attacking speed+7.5% attacking speed bonus]

Bonus focus gain-8%

Tactic:

Monster of Ván

Enables Aeravor to change his choice of deum if either all five usages of thaumaturgy are spent. Tap on the cross button to select which deum to use. Hold down the button again to set the selected deum to usage. At the same time, the number of runes usable for metallurgy is increased to twenty-four. Using metallurgy will result in a burst of direct damage per usage instead of increasing the gear durability.

Focus:

Chaos Incarnate

Aeravor enters a berserk state for five seconds. As Chaos Incarnate, Aeravor gains 150% increase in attacking speed and weapon damage. Any critical damage cannot be reduced. Usage of any thaumaturgy or metallurgy effect automatically results in a critical effect/hit. After Chaos Incarnate expires, Aeravor takes 20% more damage with his Focus gauge disabled for ten seconds. 

Force attack:

Thviti

More than just an ability unique to one individual, Thviti is the official name used for any Vánagandr's ability to teleport and attack within a fifty feet radius so long the target can be detected. Known as "hitter" to the dwarves and "batterer" to the elves, this ability can target up to five enemies within range with a total of five hits dealt. If less than five targets are available, the number of attacks dealt per target will be randomly allocated. However, the amount of attacks still stays at five.

List of aspects: Wolfblood, Contra Mundum, Survivor

Wolfblood

Wolfblood refers to the lineage of the Vánagandr even though no one knows exactly what manner of beings they are. Despite boasting elven features, the stark white hair and unnatural capabilities hint at something far more fearsome. Hence, 'tis a little wonder that they are called monsters of the gods by the Teutonians who first gave them the fief of Ván.

Rank 1 effect-Wolf of War: Whenever combat starts, 40% of the maximum hit points will be converted to temporary hit points until the battle ends. This ability has a 15 second cooldown period.

Rank 2 effect-Endless Pursuit: Critical chance is increased by 10% and movement speed is increased by 4%.

Rank 3 effect-Monster of the Gods: Whenever a thaumaturgy effect is triggered, the following bonus effect is gained according to the deum type.

[Earrach: Instead of the ability to self-heal, the user enters an ethereal state immune to physical damage. Resistance to thaumaturgy and metallurgy effects is increased by 50% and self-heal is still usable under such circumstances. Repeated usage of thaumaturgy will extend the duration]

[Samhradh: For every percentage of hit points missing (temporary hit points included), the user inflicts bonus damage. Repeated usage of thaumaturgy will increase the damage bonus by 0.5%]

[Fómhar: Whenever an attack is dodged or parried successfully, the user gains a shield absorbing up to 200% of the maximum hit points. Repeated usage of thaumaturgy will refresh the shield]

[Geimhreadh: User gains 2% damage bonus once every three seconds. If the user is attacked, the damage bonus is increased to 3% instead. Repeated usage of thaumaturgy will reduce the target's damage resistance by 1% per any attack up to a maximum of 5%]

Contra Mundum

Being the enemy of the world is never something a sane person would gladly take up. In fact, one cannot be blamed for saying only the truly insane would desire such a calling. Despite this term existing since the Age of Renown, Contra Mundum is now nothing more than a term known to archaeologists, scholars, and well-learned collectors. Yet ironically, the Age of Renown still remains an obscure chapter in the pages of history.

Rank 1 effect-Foebane: Critical chance bonus given by Ferocity per stack is increased to 1%.

Rank 2 effect-Enemy of the Odds: When Chaos Incarnate is triggered while Steelborn is active, the penalty imposed after Chaos Incarnate expires will be reduced by half.

Rank 3-Mocking Death Itself: Ferocity can no longer be lost through any means.

Survivor

To fight is never to win, but rather to survive. In the same way beasts and birds of the wild fight to achieve this end, civilisation has always been doing the very same thing despite justifications from those benefitting from it. Yet, those furthest away from the civilised world have never forgotten the roots of greatness as historians and scholars call it.

Rank 1 effect-Master Tracker: Movement speed increases by 10%. Enables potion brewing.

Rank 2 effect-Steel and Instinct: Automatic parry chance is increased by 15% and critical damage is increased by 12%.

Rank 3-Battlefield Assassin: If at least one ally is present during combat, enemies cannot target the character unless the first attack is made. Any unaware non-boss target attacked will have a 5% chance of being slain outright regardless of a first strike or otherwise. Terrain sensor gauge is now set at 100%.

Next up: Yes, I did add something that reads like terrain sensor gauge. However, I think I've spent too time burning my focus on this post.

A Crucible's Lore: Rangers and bounty hunting

It's been a surreal week. Why I say that is very simple: In one week, three prominent names passed away. The first to go was R.C Sproul. Then Kim Jong-hyun was next. Lastly, it was Bernard Law's turn.

Why I say this is very simple: I'm already starting to write a new chapter of A Requiem From Winter Past and said chapter actually involves a philosophical conversation surrounding homines (i.e. men in Latin speak) and deorum (i.e. gods in Latin speak). And since it involves the relationship between humanism and theism, it means the passing of three totally different individuals now carries a sense of surreality. I may need some time to further process what needs to be processed. At the same time, I think I need to rephrase the word "cardinal" into something else due to Bernard Law's impact on the world (I'm referring to this one).

Note: I'm not interested in starting a fight between Rome and the rest of the world. I'm more than happy to respect Roman Catholics from Singapore and beyond since I'm not stupid enough to assume every graduate from CHIJ goes by the name Elaine Jasmine Heng. In other words, I'm not about to assume every Roman Catholic goes by the name of... okay, never mind that.

Add note: I don't want to elaborate who is Elaine Jasmine Heng. I'll just let Google carry the black wok for me.

What this post is all about

Basically, I think I need to create a lore book. Well, sorta anyway. After all, I don't expect myself to explain every single part of the world while telling a story. In my previous (and now defunct) blogs That Random Blade and This Known World, I did something like that. For some reason, I couldn't retrieve my password. Hence, I needed to create a new Google account. And that includes starting everything from ground zero. Plenty of stuff and ideas... well, you get the drift. In my childhood and teenage years, no one was able to set me right since no one knew what's wrong with me. Not even myself. Near twenty years of being error prone means being unable to live like a normal person today. And it doesn't help that no one seems to know my struggles except for myself at the moment.

Since I'm no different from Vincent van Gogh while he was still alive, I might as well make the most out of what I know I can do. Opinions be damned, this is my life and not that of others. Margaret Weis once said this about Raistlin Majere:
"People can identify with Raistlin. We can relate to feelings that nobody loves us, to the struggle for recognition and acceptance. I really understood Raistlin right off the bat."

Unlike Amos Yee, I am just another Raistlin Majere. And I can live with that.

)0(

Lore focus: Rangers

Origin:

Unlike those sellswords we are so familiar with, rangers have a longer history. Much longer given the fact that mercenaries only started existing after the Age of Renown reached its end. A noble profession for those not so noble, being one was the only way which a halfborne could prove himself as somewhat valuable.

Unlike the current society, the smallborne was never something as simple as being a commoner. Rather, anyone not of elven or dwarven blood would be regarded as one. The Homm'Eot (that is, the dwarves) enslaved them, the Homm'Nua (that is, the elves) looked down on them despite freedom given at no price at all. A halfborne is one of smallborne lineage mingled with either dwarven or elven blood. The Homm'Eot would always work the smallborne men while bedding the finest of their wives and daughters. As for the Homm'Nua, there would always be willful daughters eloping with unworthy lovers or an errant son taking an unworthy maiden as a paramour. The challenge for both races was apparent: To take a life without any cause is murder, to do so the same against an infant is murder twice as worse. The punishment for the former is death by decapitation. The penalty for the latter would be that of a traitor where descendants must bear the sins of the transgressor unless pardoned by whoever ruling over them.

Back then, the Age of Renown was never without its own conflicts. The orcs were given their share of the world, yet something went wrong. We still do not know the reason why, for there is a saying amongst our people: A hatchet buried in history is a hatchet never seen. However, rumours have it that the Homm'Ogr desired what lies in the south beyond the mountains. The Homm'Nua vehemently objected to it while the Homm'Eot tried dissuading them. What happened afterwards, should such tales be true, is not known. After all, a hatchet buried in history is a hatchet never seen.

As a result, rangers were needed as auxiliary troops against the occasional orcish raid. By any standard of the Homm'Ogr, this means months of bloodshed, an occurrence best likened to a dormant volcano erupting violently. After the third such attack, Aellen de Stormhearth, Crown of the Homm'Nua, commissioned a census throughout the elven territory. Brayn Ironsiege, Crown of the Homm'Eot, followed suit, for he was ever an opportunistic king. The intent of both rulers was the same: To find out how many halfborne were there under their respective rule.

The numbers totalled up to twenty thousand strong, men and maidens strong enough to traverse across terrain while wielding bows, slings, and swords. This was not taking into account children and youths yet to enter the Rite of Coming, a test of understanding and ability before one could be recognised as an adult.

Alas even then, proper recognition was more of a child's dream than an attainable fantasy. Circumstances, however, tend to deal the most unexpected hand. As it turned out, the rangers now serve as a reminder of a golden age never to be surpassed.

Current scenario:
As fighters and scouts who utilised sniping and underhanded means to win a fight, rangers were soon recognised as the first sellswords to grace the pages of history. Perhaps via inspiration or due to dire straits, mercenaries soon took the field in droves. The downfall of an era promised much riches and many ways to die, therefore how can one ever resist the lure? Utterly disillusioned by dreams cruelly mocked, the rangers abandoned their duty. Like those who came after them, they indulged in fighting for coin and spending their keep. Be it on food, ale, or whores, an army of hounds soon became a pack of wolves. Answerable to no one and held accountable to none. They used to be tightly knitted, yet each chose in the end to go his individual way. Some chose to hold onto what was left, most pledged their causes to the highest bidder.

Like every profession, there must be new blood coming in. No longer fettered by the arrogance of their masters, each ranger would always make sure to nurture a child for this very life. It could be an abandoned infant still alive or a child lost in the woods. If one has enough coin, a purchase from an orphanage would be a surer bet. If one was daring enough, surely a noble's daughter or a merchant's son would go missing under the moon and stars. To every ranger, only children were able to learn fast. At the same time, they acknowledged the ability to ask questions tend to result in survival in the long run rather than outright death. A notion which an otherwise civilised world scoffed at its own pitiful loss. In the short run, however, any outcome could be a possibility.

Ability:
Rangers are masters of terrain warfare. Guided by instinct, adaptation would only be a matter of minutes, if not within an hour or so. Whenever needed, a skilled ranger can stay unmoving for days. Be it beneath the canopy, behind the thick trunk of a tree, or among bushes and shrubs, the finest assassin is always the most patient one.

When it comes to proficiency, a ranger is always required to master one type of projectile weapon and one type of melee weapon. The former can range from crossbow to throwing knives while the latter includes any weapon type apart from the heavy ones like halberds and two-handed swords.

In ranged combat, a ranger favours a single attack piercing the opponent's eye rather than letting loose a barrage or a crippling hit. At the same time, rangers always pick the best spot instead of just engaging the enemy upon sight. This results in long ranged attacks done from the high ground or short ranged attacks fired from any cover.

In melee fighting, the first attack will always define the ranger's next move and beyond. Against a single target, such tactic is called assassination. Against a group, such an approach becomes a case of assessing and strike. Either way, it is imperative for the first attack to result in the target either dead or maimed. Either way, a ranger relies on fast hitting attacks with the decisive blow struck once the target presents an opening.

When it comes to dodging attacks, rangers excelled best in any terrain offering enough space and cover. Yet, it must be stated that they tend to fight best under the cover of a forest with stumbling roots tripping the opponent instead of the combatant. After all, limited space means a better chance of parrying attacks. At the same time, running away is not so much about having enough space, but rather fast thinking and knowing where to run. In any party of adventurers, a ranger can easily slip out of enemy view to deliver a fatal stroke. For they are known as masters of assassination both on the battlefield and alone within the shadows.

Lore focus: Bounty hunting

Origin:

Where there are sellswords, there are surely criminals on the run. No one knows exactly when bounty hunting as a way to earn money first started. Some said it began when mercenaries started plying their trade and the various rulers knowing the need not to make enemies out of them. At least not if they could help it. Then there are those who claimed that it was originally intended as a form of mockery directed towards the nobility who always enjoy hunting as a sport. Some believed this practice was started during the Age of Harmony when the Causaceans were a unified people. Either that or it began after the War of the Three Thrones in order to deal with unlawful elements beyond any authority's control.

No matter which one is the correct answer, any mercenary would just give a shrug should this question be asked. That plus a sardonic remark or two directed towards the so-called intellectuals, people who actually spend their free time debating over such a pointless topic in a comfortable room.

How the market works:

While bounty hunting is absolutely legal and a convenient way to get rid of problematic individuals, any authority knows the need to supervise a trade involving volatile elements. For a start, mercenaries aren't exactly the most civilised people in the world. Secondly, competition may eventually give way to a chaotic free for all over a particular bounty, a notion scoffed by sellswords who know their code of conduct better than kings or civilians. Indeed there has always been a golden rule where bounty hunting is concerned: He who claims the kill claims the credit, but he who engages the prey must never be impeded. Anyone who breaks this rule runs the risk of dishonour, a situation resulting in either isolation or hostility from those who know both the deed and doer.

In every town or city, an office in charge of managing the transactions is set up. Not only is this the only legal place where payment is given, this is also the only place allowed by the authorities to disclose which targets are available. An issue which bounty hunters have no problem with since it's all about the money. Targets are classified into three categories:

Category I targets are fugitives guilty of petty crimes. Acts like theft and robbery committed against the rich and powerful. The reward is always paid through pence (that is, the lowest level of Causacean currency).

Category II targets are those guilty of more serious crimes like rape, arson, and murder. The reward available involves either a mix of quarters (that is, the second level of Causacean currency) and pence or a payment of purely quarters.

Category III targets are like those under Category II, only more dangerous for all the obvious reasons. Such targets are the only way for bounty hunters to earn crowns (the highest level of Causacean currency) with rare cases commanding a fee of crowns and gems combined.

To obtain rightful payment, proof of the deed done must be given. This means a severed head belonging to the target. As a result, bounty hunting is something welcomed by undertakers. To every sellsword, payment is always a matter of racing against time, for to live by the sword means learning to expect the unexpected. At the same time, no one can ever discern the identity of a rotting corpse, let alone a rotting head. Even though an exorbitant fee is synonymous with the service of embalming within this context, a sellsword knows how valuable this seemingly unworthy task is. At the same time, not every mercenary is willing to own a horse. Therefore, stable owners also stand to profit from any deal brokered albeit not as much compared to the undertakers.

)0(

Okay, I know this post isn't worth that much compared to what I'm normally used to doing. However, there's no point pushing myself to the point where I know my standard may be compromised. Once my brain hit a blank, I know it's time to give up the ghost. Lastly, I'll just up this vid.

Ah Kong

Well... yeah, it's really Ah Kong...

Come to think of it, Jack Neo isn't the only local talent here. Royston Tan is another one, no offence intended.

After such a long time, I don't know what the label Heracles gone mad is for. So might as well I devote it to things outright crazy. Earlier on, I stumbled upon this. Normally, S'poreans won't think twice to see what the (Angry) Ah Kong was all about. The problem is, I don't think like a S'porean. So like that curious cat, I decided to see for myself what the angry ah-kong was all about.

Note: This post was done with NO intention to... well, promote any YouTube personality. I just happen to be your anti-typical S'porean. Hopefully, this sounds right because it's never okay to laugh at the death of other people. Laughing at my own death where I'm concerned, however, is another story altogether.

Apparently, this is what your (Angry) Ah Kong looks like...

Apparently, (Angry) Ah Kong has never visited Singapore. Since I'm sure local S'poreans don't know this (Angry) Ah Kong who had sadly left this world, I might as well up a few clips. Before every clip, however, I'll add a caption and a link. All in the name of remembering why your own (Angry) Ah Kong should be really this angry.

Need help in managing gaming addiction?
Call your (Angry) Ah Kong

Need help in managing violence?
Call your (Angry) Ah Kong



Need help in managing F1 wannabes?
Call your (Angry) Ah Kong



Need help in respecting women via first world education?
Call your (Angry) Ah Kong



Need help in protecting your black cat, no matter whether it's Jurong West or Punggol West?
Call your (Angry) Ah Kong



Lastly but not the least, got problems in combating racism?
Call my (Angry) Ah Kong

P.S: Okay, I need to sleep now. The Ebola (joke) really got me hard.

Les Scélérats (aka the X-Men game design which needs a Total Recall)

I swear the Total Recall running gag is getting lamer with every run. But still, I can't stop laughing at my ability to do the occasional retcon like Capcom and DC.

I need to be fair, though. Like how DC has the tendency to retcon itself into no man's land (or no woman's land, depending on whether you're a Wonder Woman fan), Marvel has given its fans their own fair share of WTH moments. For every retcon, there's always a convolution. I don't know how many alternate universes DC has so far, but Marvel indeed got tons of them (arguably the most famous one being the Age of Apocalypse universe where I actually like the fact that Kurt Darkholme was an anti-hero unlike his Earth 616 self). The most amusing decision from Marvel (not that I'm complaining anyway) was killing off Nightcrawler (i.e. Earth 616 ver), only to rez him 11 years later (i.e. he died at 2003 and was rez'd at 2014).

With that being said, the ability to auto-rez means something for Marvel to work on. No, I'm not joking. Kurt really has that weird auto-rez ability in-plot now (although it's only shown once and no one knows how that thing works).

Any wager on Amanda Sefton having a hand in the whole auto-rez deal? After all, she's still alive. Well, technically speaking that is.

http://glaive-d-barde.blogspot.com/2017/08/les-scelerats-aka-x-men-game-design.html

http://glaive-d-barde.blogspot.com/2017/09/les-scelerats-aka-x-men-game-design.html

http://glaive-d-barde.blogspot.com/2017/09/les-scelerats-aka-x-men-game-design_12.html

Things to be DC'd

Firstly, I need to fix the Infinity Gems system. When I look back at it, the whole thing now seems terribly broken. More specifically, I might have created a convoluted mess. The more I tried wrapping my brain around it, the more it didn't feel right.

Secondly, I need to fix the stat parameters. Unlike the Infinity Gems system, the reason lies in trying to be consistent with the powers-that-be. In other words, I'm going to change the attributes to the list below:

Intelligence, Strength, Speed, Durability, Energy Projection, Fighting Skills

Thirdly, the so-called class system needs a Total Recall (or Total DC depending on whose side you're on). Actually, there's no point for me to do the class system now. Total Recall/DC or not in the future, only time will tell. Or Ulysses Cain for that matter.

Stats (and what they exactly do)

I'm going to simplify the whole thing. Every attribute will affect two stats. Which means there are twelve stats in total (i.e. 2 x 6=12). The attributes and stats are elaborated as below.

Intelligence:

Affects the hero's ability to analyze the situation and read the opponent's moves during combat.

Stats involved-Critical damage (5% per point in Intelligence) and critical hit chance (5% per point in Intelligence)

Strength:

Affects physical damage dealt by the hero against any opponent.

Stats involved-Physical damage (10% per point in Strength) and physical critical damage (5% per point in Strength)

Speed:

Affects the hero's mobility and the ability to dodge.

Stats involved-Evasion chance (5% per point in Speed) and movement speed (10% per point in Speed)

Durability:

Affects the hero's physical fortitude against all sorts of injuries.

Stats involved-Maximum hit points (4000 per point in Durability) and damage resistance (10% per point in Durability)

Energy Projection:

Affects the hero's power control and non-physical damage dealt.

Stats involved-Power usage (5% reduction per point in Energy Projection), non-physical damage (10% per point in Energy Projection)

Fighting Skills:

Affects the hero's fighting technique.

Stats involved-Deflection chance (10% per point in Fighting Skills) and critical hit chance (5% per point in Fighting Skills)

What does what: Further stats breakdown 

Critical damage: Default critical damage is fixed at 250% of normal damage dealt. Any critical damage bonus will be added to this amount.

Physical damage: The most common form of damage in the game. Effective against non-mech enemies, but least effective against mech enemies. Physical damage attacks do not require using the power gauge. Physical damage can be dodged or deflected.

Non-physical damage: Such damage can either be energy, psionic, or telekinetic. All non-physical damage attacks require using the power gauge.

Energy damage: Highest average damage in the game. Especially effective against mech enemies. Non-mech enemies take additional burning damage after being hit. Energy damage attacks carry a base critical hit chance of 20%. Energy damage cannot be deflected.

Psionic: Average damage is the same as physical damage in the game. Non-mech enemies deal 10% less damage and take 10% more damage after being hit. This effect can be refreshed by continual psionic damage. Mech enemies, however, are immune to psionic damage (i.e. they do not take damage and are unaffected by the effects). Psionic damage cannot be dodged or deflected.

Telekinetic: Average damage is the same as physical damage in the game. Instead of dealing psionic damage, telekinetic damage works like physical damage with the difference being that it is equally effective against mech enemies. Telekinetic damage attacks carry a base critical hit chance of 10%. Telekinetic damage cannot be dodged or deflected.

Evasion: Chance of automatically dodging an attack without taking damage. Keeping a distance from the attacker will improve the chances of an evasion by 5% to 15% depending on the distance. At the same time, evasion chance will decrease by 2% per attack beyond the first if simultaneous attacks are dealt.

Movement speed: Whenever the hero is moving, evasion chance will increase by half the movement speed in terms of percentage. The same amount of percentage bonus also applies to damage resistance.

Deflection: Chance of blocking an attack. Unlike evasion, deflection cannot be modified via movement speed. Against low to mid damage attacks, successful deflection will result in no damage taken. Against higher damage attacks, successful deflection will result in half damage taken instead.

Level up, no XP, and... this?!?

Upon levelling up, the hero will not see an upgrade in the attributes and stats. Instead, two things will happen.

1. The hero's attacks will increase in damage.

2. The hero's mutant ability will cost less to use.

3. The hero's superhero powers will have better efficiency. However, they will use up more of the power gauge as a result.

4. A default X-Treme Team-up attack can be unlocked once the hero reaches level 30.

5. Omega Drive attack can be unlocked once the hero reaches level 50.

6. Gem points will be given per level up.

So what are gem points, one might ask.

Infinity Gems: What they do and why Thanos wanted them so badly

Infinity Gems now confer certain bonuses to the respective heroes instead of giving some sort of super-charged bonus powers. In order to use them, you need to complete a certain quest with any hero (one will do). Afterwards, visit the relevant NPCs (e.g. Scarlet Witch in the X-Mansion, Iron Man in Avengers Tower, and Valkyrie in Asgardia) for an upgrade. Please note three things:

1. In order to enable any upgrade, you'll need sufficient gem points.

2. To ensure the upgrade is done, you'll need to pass a test offered by the relevant NPC. Please note that any test given doesn't necessarily require victory so long the stated requirements are completed. Victory in this case, however, will result in bonus gem points upon turning in the test result to the NPC.

3. You can only use the gem points upon unlocking the option to use the Infinity Gems. By my own estimation, it should be via a quest given at level 25.

Gem points are used to power the Infinity Gems. Because absolute power corrupts absolutely (which may explain why Thanos is so crazy), only one such gem can be allocated to each hero. There are 4 tiers to each of the Infinity Gems. They are listed as below.

Power:

Tier 1-Grants the hero 2% chance of invulnerability upon hit or when being hit. This effect lasts for 3 seconds and has a cooldown period of 60 seconds.

Tier 2-The chance of triggering this effect is increased to 5% and the effect will last for 5 seconds.

Tier 3-The chance of triggering this effect is increased to 15% and the effect will last for 10 seconds.

Tier 4-Any critical hit or effect triggered by the hero will result in increasing both Strength and Durability to the maximum score of 7. This effect lasts for 3 seconds and has a cooldown period of 60 seconds.

Time:

Tier 1-Once every 60 seconds, the hero has 2% chance of looking into the future. All of the hero's attributes are increased by 1. This effect lasts for 3 seconds and has a cooldown period of 60 seconds.

Tier 2-The chance of triggering this effect is increased to 5% and the effect will last for 5 seconds.

Tier 3-The chance of triggering this effect is increased to 15% and the effect will last for 10 seconds.

Tier 4-Any critical hit or effect triggered by the hero will affect all relevant targets on the map. 

Reality:

Tier 1-Once every 60 seconds, the hero has 2% chance of using powers and attacks at no power gauge cost. This effect lasts for 3 seconds and has a cooldown period of 60 seconds.

Tier 2-The chance of triggering this effect is increased to 5% and the effect will last for 5 seconds.

Tier 3-The chance of triggering this effect is increased to 15% and the effect will last for 10 seconds.

Tier 4-Reality Gem effect applies to all allies with the chance of triggering set at 4% and effect duration lasting 5 seconds.

Soul:

Tier 1-Grants the hero 2% critical hit chance bonus, 5% critical damage bonus, and the ability to deal psionic damage equivalent to 8% of damage dealt upon hit.

Tier 2-Psionic damage dealt this way is increased to 12%.

Tier 3-Critical chance is increased to 4%; critical damage bonus is increased to 7%.

Tier 4-The hero is immune to psionic damage.

Mind:

Tier 1-Grants the hero the ability to deal psionic and telekinetic damage at 5% of damage dealt upon hit for psionic and 5% of damage dealt upon hit for telekinetic.

Tier 2-Psionic damage dealt this way is increased to 8%.

Tier 3-Telekinetic damage dealt this way is increased to 8%.

Tier 4-All allies in the map gain +1 to all attributes.

Space:

Tier 1-Whenever the hero deals critical damage, all opponents on the map take damage from the same attack. This effect has a cooldown period of 60 seconds.

Tier 2-Critical damage caused by this effect is increased by 10%.

Tier 3-Critical damage caused by this effect is increased by 10%.

Tier 4-Critical damage caused by this effect is increased by 10%.

Oh oh...

I suddenly realised I got nothing else to write. It's like... yeah, my brain is a blank. In fact, above post was written way before today over a span of... well, a few days. Which means perhaps I should have upped this before that.

Therefore, let me up a few vids before ending this post. The reason why being that I realised Nasuverse is the same as Marvelverse as in they both thrived on the concept of multiverse.

http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Notes.
http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Gun_God


Lyrics



http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Kara_no_Kyoukai
http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Shiki_Ryougi


http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Tsukihime
http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Shiki_Tohno

P.S: No point for me to add anymore stuff lest Nasu supplants Mr (Stan) Lee.

Chains, Scars, And Pride

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

)0(

"Bring with you three things: The sword, the purse, and your life. The sword for money, the purse for whores, and your life for both."

~Invocation of the Sword and Purse, also known as every sellsword's rite of passage

)0(

"Hey wake up, Aera!"

It was her again… Ji'Yeon’s annoying sister. It has been three days since Aeravor agreed to Ji'Yeon’s request. As a sellsword, the world was his home. As an individual, he was never one to owe a debt. Even though that stupid girl promised not to write it down, the Vánagandr still felt terribly annoyed. Annoyed at her for being such a busybody and annoyed at himself for being so easily persuaded. Yet, he acknowledged there was something in her which attracted him. It wasn’t her beauty, for he paid before whores more attractive than her and blessed with experience. It wasn’t her inner fire, for Gráinne displayed it before.

For the first time in his life, the wolf was cornered. Facing the known has never been a problem, for his years were spent laughing at death itself. It was the unknown which unsettled him, something in her that could not be seen. It was both a feeling of dread and one of hope, a contradiction unto itself. Aeravor was no stranger to paradox. He himself was one, every mortal likewise the same. Yet, this was a monster totally different.

)0(

The village of Enosh is one used to peace and quiet. Yet, every man and boy has to take up arms. Tranquillity to every manner of bandits is an excuse. It is a reason to loot and burn, a justification to kill, rape, and enslave. No one in the Empire has ever tried counting how many attacks have been launched, neither does anyone ever attempt to fathom a guess how many settlements were sacked or successfully defended. The authorities never say anything, the only notable move made is to ensure rebuilding is never to be stopped. Then there are the mounties, specially trained forces to counter such raids. At the same time, military troops are also required to help if deployment becomes a problem deemed unsolvable. Rebuilding requires money and there is a saying: "A wise man builds bridges, but a successful one chooses wisely his bet".

"Thanks, looney old man."

Before a statement of gratitude rudely put, Hannya gives a grin. He remembers the first question Lars asked him, days after he took in a boy with neither kin nor a home. As a Cinha, he was brutally disfigured over a crime he did not commit. Treason may be tempting, but the punishment is never pretty. Half of his face has been burnt, his right arm severed at the shoulder. Countless years have passed, the one who framed him most likely resting six feet under a whitewashed tomb instead of at some commoners’ graveyard. So much for justice.

"Are we born like that?"

He wasn’t interested in the repulsive, but rather the destructive. A power which wiped out both demons and victims alike, a violent force taking away more than just countless lives. This was also the first question Hannya asked his teacher when he claimed his first kill. The second one was, "Why always me?"

Demon hunters are doomed to be cursed, the source of their anguish lying in their blood. Hannya never knew what his father was thinking when he had sex with a female Vánagandr, a mother whose face he has never seen. His own people call them the Jinroh, but he prefers calling them the Wolf Brigade, the same term Kalarans use for a race both elven and not.

"You’re welcomed, brat. I’ve convinced Flaive not to make noise and try killing you."

"Only because you hypnotised that guy," smirks Lars Alterfate as he sips his tea, "I hope you never use that on anyone to tend your garden."

"You’re never one to commit rape, Lars. Whoremonger, yes. Rapist, no. I’ve seen you grow up from a boy to a man. And that includes being a lad in between."

Lars can only afford to laugh at his teacher’s words. This is the only person whom he regards as a father, the rest be damned. He recalls that disapproving frown from the local parish, his displeasure always finding joy in comparing a struggler’s worth with that of the rest. Those of his age looked down on him, those of senior age faked themselves as people of wisdom and truth. Lars never knew his real parents. Even until now, he doesn’t know a thing about them. He chose not to hate anyone. Even until now, he chooses not to. They didn’t do anything for him, they never gave him a reason to warrant forgiveness. However, Ji'Yeon managed to convince the demon hunter to take another path, a choice which he wasn't strong enough to make until those words arrived.

"If it’s never possible to forget, then a day will surely come where you need to decide whether or not to forgive. You can’t run away, Lars. Because no one can."

Ji'Yeon never forced her beliefs down anyone’s throat, yet there was something drawing Lars to her inner world. An inner world where the unattainable was the conqueror and the flawed became the conquered. It was an inner world which felt so cold and warm at the same time, the greatest contradiction of all. An inner world of ice and fire.

Muspelheim, the Circle of Fire… what if Tae was indeed responsible for Aera going insane? Chaotic shit, how wonderful…

"You pulled that off again?" interrupting Lars on the spot, Hannya’s hazel brown eyes never strayed once from his student’s golden orbs.

"You mean pulling a rabbit off my arse? I doubt so."

"Don’t give me your bullshit and that shrug, Lars Alterfate," sighs the Cinha demon hunter, the act of mentioning Lars’ full name a show of exasperation, "If not for that rabbit you're talking about, Tanee would have ended up in the worst possible state. And that’s me putting it in a nice way. I don’t want to imagine what stupid things Flaive would have done if she actually survived the ordeal."

"What if I say yes? What if I say I pushed Enkidu past its rightful limit again?"

"You alter a person’s fate, you’re playing with your life. Others may say it's the most powerful aspect of Enkidu, but I call it the real deal rather than the biggest deal. Thankfully, it is not so bad if you choose to feed. By the way, when was the last time you've had a decent meal?"

"When I saved fair lady Tan. No choice but to use my scythe. Too many demons plus one dangerous son of a wolf out to gut me."

"Alright, I assume things are not that bad," nods Hannya, "I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but you always refuse to feed on the demons you reaped. Any other demon hunter would have died. Even myself."

"I hate that taste. Ever tried cannibalism?"

"Demons are demons, people are people. Damn it, Lars. Just damn it. And besides, we're not eating them like eating meat."

"No, you’re wrong. You’re only correct on the last part, looney old man. Demons don’t kill, people do."

"So you’re going to settle for herbs and vegetables just because cows and sheep bleed like you and me?"

"I know it’s hypocrisy… but do I smell a pot of gyunabu cooking somewhere?"

"Okay, you win. I give up," laughs Hannya with both hands up, his resigned look akin to a teacher surrendering to a problematic student, "Seriously though, Lars, stop your whoring. Just settle down with a decent girl and maybe have a couple of kids. You really need a decent life to set yourself right, I dare swear this in the name of the Mikoto."

The heavily burdened demon hunter stays his tongue, but he knows the humour behind his mentor’s reply. Half of him wonders with regret what if Ji'Yeon had never died. The other half recalls with amusement that dusky girl all flustered over his athletic frame. For some reason, the living invokes inside him fond memories of the dead.

)0(

Utnapishtim, a city built underground. It is a kingdom of splendour with no one knowing the boundaries of its reach. When the Holy Quintet faith first began, it was anything but that. A catastrophic sequence of events changed for good the fortunes of the faithful, a part of history mocking the existence of gods. In a twisted tale of how the good should be rewarded, demons beset Causacea shortly after the Accord of Wyrms was signed and ratified. The Causaceans turned on those who brokered peace in the first place, none giving heed to explanations. The demons targeted all before their inhumane gaze, no cause was pleaded on behalf of those not guilty. If not for a company of sellswords led by an elf whose name is now forgotten, all would have been lost and all would surely fade. Kings and people were saved due to exploits of the brave, priests and clergy were given a new lease of life due to gold, gems, and craftsmen. None of them came from those who wronged the innocent, however. Instead, the gifts came from the Homm’Nua. A people, who by right and every reason, had no cause to do this.

Aeravor wakes up to a peculiar sight. His room is lit with a chandelier bearing lights of various colours. Yellow, orange, and soothing red, they induce a calm which he has never known for countless years. He gets up from his bed only to realise he is stark naked. Clucking his tongue, he starts rummaging for his belongings, a mess soon replacing an otherwise tidy room.

"How impressive."

The ranger ignores the speaker. Sarel Aphros closes onto the Vánagandr, her nudity displaying in full view before Aeravor’s narrowed eyes of blue. Fire flares up inside him, the source hailing from his loins. Yet, he has lived a life where resolve alone matters. For a moment, he is reminded of what Gráinne said about him after their first night of passion.

My Steelborn… Aeravor Steelborn.

Steelborn… indeed a resolve of steel is what prevented Aeravor from snapping Sarel’s neck or raping her on the spot. That is whichever comes first. His brethren called him the result of a miscarriage, someone who should have been dead in his mother’s womb. They soon realised what kind of monster he’s meant to be, for no Vánagandr or any other entity for that matter can command more than one deum. Let alone all four. Aeravor isn’t a genius, but a monster and a force of nature in every sense. An existence rejected by the world, he knows the meaning of Contra Mundum beyond mere words.

Sarel gently grabs Aeravor’s crotch, eyes of crimson red daring the wolf to ravage her. His answer is a low growl and a snarling face, his stinging slap spurning her goading hand. No one has changed apart from Nanaya no Tae'Jin. Lars has never changed a single bit, the same goes for Aeravor. As for her beloved sister…

"Where are my things?"

Wistful thoughts interrupted by a disruptive man, Sarel nevertheless gives a cunning smile. There is no point in acceding to Aeravor’s request. At the same time, there is no reason for her not to play the pandering whore. This is a murderer and whoremonger, a sellsword in every sense of the identity. She has seen many men, some like him and others not so much. She finds it interesting that despite his moral flaws and a lack of shame, Aeravor remains a more righteous man than the rest. For to her, righteousness always starts from honesty. And no man is more honest than the wolf in front of her. The saying is right after all, that a wolf knows best every man. Not to mention every woman as well.

"I got rid of them. So utterly worn out…"

With nary a consideration, Aeravor slams Sarel against the wall, his iron grip pinned against her throat. He is not going to give a single damn about Muspelheim. If triggering Niflheim is the only way, so be it. This was the final gift from Kagetsu no Ji'Yeon, the last song she gave to the only man she loved. It matters not to him whether he is worthy, for the only thing matters most to Aeravor is to respect her freedom of choice. Such is the only act of reciprocation a brutal sellsword can do for that kindest soul.

"So utterly worn out, I have actually found for you replacements of better quality. Don’t worry, I never touched Fragarach. There’s no way I will survive whatever rejection coming from the Answerer."

If Sarel has hoped for Aeravor to display any show of surprise over her words, she chooses to mask her disappointment. Never once does the ranger loosen his grip. But at least he chooses not to tighten further a noose that is his hand. The Grand Damsel of Utnapishtim is suddenly amused, her mirth never showing its hand. She is reminded of how a berserk knight had held her in the same way, a knight named Kain Lamrec and Arondight. Then a crashing sound is heard.

There before the two is a young girl, her trembling frame and wide eyed shock an indication of trouble. In a single flash, Sarel appears in front of her, an eruption of crimson sparks scorching Aeravor’s hand.

"What is your name?"

The girl is definitely no older than fifteen. Sarel Aphros has a decent idea of what might be happening behind her back, for she does not recall having this servant girl. Going down on a knee, Sarel caresses the terrified girl who is now on the verge of tears.

"Sha… Sharry…"

"Sharry… good. Please tell me why you’re here since I don’t remember having a servant girl by this name."

"Will you kill me?"

"You’re quite calm for someone waiting to be killed, little girl," quips Aeravor as he starts getting dressed before an opened wardrobe, "That mad bitch Jeska Lews Brynhilda would have you in her ranks under different circumstances."

"No, I am not going to kill you. You have my word, Sharry. And besides, I won’t be surprised if you prefer having me as your mistress instead of… well, some morally upright man who can’t keep his lower body covered."

"Legalis Paelos… of…"

"The Legalis of Anglsax. A well-known man of the gods whom I’ve seen caressing whores," smirks Aeravor as he faces Sharry, his grin ever so wide. He has already fastened his pants and his boots as well. However, his lean torso of well-sculpted bronze remains bared much to Sarel’s amusement and Sharry’s blushes.

"Get yourself totally dressed first."

Ignoring Sarel’s words, Aeravor’s visage turns sombre. His gaze hardened like stone and iron, nary an emotion can be seen. Brief silence ensues for Aeravor and Sarel, yet it feels like an eternity of suffocation for young Sharry.

"Let me give you an advice, little girl. Whether you take it or leave it is not my problem. The world is a merciless foe. It won’t wait for any straggler and it won’t remember the strugglers. People die and the world doesn't give a shit. Advice over."

With his words finished, Aeravor takes the remainder of his belongings and walks out of the door. With his torso naked still.

)0(

It is a land of winter, the blizzard assaulting me from all directions. I feel the chill seeping into my bones, yet I am able to stand firm in spite of it. There is no life to be seen, everything in this realm speaks of death. Death… yes, I believe that was how death should look like when my mother left a world where the living is remembered and the dead forgotten. Mayhap this is my inner world ever since people mourned for Eirlanna Ulst-Eliaden, the only one whom I still call mother.

Knowing not how long I have trekked or the distance covered, all I want is to find a place. A refuge for the wanderer, a house or a cave. The surroundings are oddly clear despite the blizzard. I can see a frozen lake to my right while a pack of wolves prowl the tundra at my left. It is a beautiful sight nevertheless, a fanciful portrait of something unattainable. What that something is I know not, just that it feels far more real than the many things in my life. Perhaps Karen was right, that 'tis really true a woman's instinct is like an unerring arrow finding its mark.

Then the wolves start surrounding me, their eyes of azure blue reminding me of him. I have never forgotten even once that man. He who stood under an azure moon, he whom I knew to bear scars unseen and aplenty. How is he now? Is he healed? Or are the scars still there? Despite their wary gaze, the wolves neither snarl nor make a single growl. It feels as if… no, it cannot be. How can it be? How can a mere girl like me command respect from a pack of beasts?

Then they start moving forward, a march going ahead of me. Are they leading me to somewhere? Is there something in their den which I must see? A truth that I must know, no matter what? I give in to that nagging feeling of curiosity, a trait my mother instilled in me much to my father’s displeasure.

Their steps are quick, but I am able to keep up with them. From the tundra to a rocky slope I enter a forest, a place which should never have existed here in the first place. A forest populated by pine and spruce, a silent realm gifting me the greatest peace I have ever experienced. The wolves travel like a meandering stream and I am like a boat carried by the currents. Finding my way around the trunks and through the shrubs, I arrive before a cave. Then I realise one thing: The pack is nowhere to be seen.

A rumbling growl abruptly greets my ears, tremors reaching deep down inside my heart. A monster is inside, but something in me says I must play the intruder. If not, I will surely then wake up from this dream full of regrets. Joenne has always complimented my bravery while Karen’s attitude is always a mixture of envy and worry. As for myself, to the Seven Hells with pragmatism. I may be a Cinha, but I don’t think like one if rumours of my kindred are even half as true.

The cave is dimly lit with torches lining the side. Despite the difference between a burning stick and the hearth in my room, the warmth feels real. Too real to be dismissed as a dream. I do not know the interior of the monster’s den, but there seems to be only one path available. A single path which I do not know is leading up or down, left or right. Then I reach the end. It is not a dead end as I half-expected. It is a door not made from wood, but of iron hard and cold. And behind it, the monster is there. I hear its snarl shaking me unto the very core, the growling now supplanted by a sound more akin to a lion’s roar. My senses are numbed, my hand extending towards a door with neither handle nor a knocker. Then it suddenly opens by itself. Like panels forced open by a sudden gale, the door opened just like that.

The cold is surely not an illusion, my bones chilled to the marrow. For a moment, I lose my senses. I can only stumble forward like a blind girl trying to find her way through the harshest snowstorm. Then I behold that most awesome sight. The pack of wolves are already there surrounding one of their own. It is a lone wolf bound with chains, the ends fastened by a sword embedded into the ground. There is no way it can break free, the blade serving as both the lock and key. Unlike its fellow brethren whose fur is of silvery grey, the prisoner wears a coat of black. Like them, its eyes are of azure blue. Its physique is larger than any of them. On all fours, even the greatest of their own can only reach its shoulders.

Alas, the pack do not regard it as one of their own. They nip their target in a seemingly playful manner, yet I know a taunt when I see one. Words of mockery in the guise of jest have been my lot, a cloak of compliments hiding the knife of lust is something I have to endure lest my father’s honour is challenged. Unlike the life I have lived thus far, the prisoner’s pride still runs free.

Without thinking, I allow the rage to seize hold of me. Why should I, a daughter of House Eliaden, allow such injustice to prevail? I grab the nearest wolf by its tail and give my hardest pull. I don’t care what will happen next, to the Seven Hells with the outcome. A loud yelp warms my heart, then it skips a beat. My mother always had this to say about the Vánagandr: Anger the least of the pack and they will tear you apart.

Then the black beast chained let out that roar I heard earlier, the foundation of the den shaken unto its very core. Thrown off-balance and totally disoriented, I find myself landed on my behind. As for its tormentors, they have fled by the time I regain my composure. Compassion takes hold of me, an impulse that would get anyone killed. I foolishly extend a hand towards that prisoner anchored to its own cell. With a low growl, the wolf snaps forward. If not for the chains holding it back, surely my right hand would have been gone and eaten.

"How impulsive."

Turning around, I see a maiden around my age. Her features and complexion are unmistakable. Like me, she’s a Cinha. Her smile is both of joy and sorrow, a contradiction. Unlike me who is dressed in a chemise of linen, she is wearing some sort of full-bodied dress I have never seen before. It is a sleek dress with loose sleeves and fastened with a sash, its colour wholly red with flowery prints of light pink.

She steps forth towards the wolf, my heart freezing on the spot. To my amazement, the captive allows itself to be caressed. Giving me a bemused look while scratching its ears, my fellow Cinha never changes her expression. For some reason, jealousy starts raging inside me. Why? Why such a feeling for no cause at all?

"His name is Aeravor. You’ll do well not to forget this."

"Aeravor? Wait, if that wolf is called Aeravor, then what about you?"

Walking past me, the maiden starts singing a song. A song full of sadness, the lyrics stirring up a fire inside me.

The wolf, the lion, a maiden fair.

A dirge for those alive.

A child deprived of warmth and love.

His laughter against death.

The wolf, the lion, a maiden fair.

A dirge for those alive.

A boy who dreams to be a man.

A life saved, yet no more.

The wolf, the lion, a maiden fair.

A dirge for those alive.

The dragons gone, yet one still lives.

Her life, her love, her path.

)0(

Alestrial wakes up. Night has yet to bid farewell, her gentle eyes of brown looking at the dark sky liberally sprinkled with stars and illuminated by the crescent moon. She desires to see him again, a yearning heart reminiscing that starless night adorned with a full moon of azure blue.

Aeravor… is that your name? And that sword embedded behind you… what is it to you?

)0(

Glossary:

Gyunabu: A simple Cinha meat stew inspired by the real-life sukiyaki and nabe.

Circle: For the lack of a better way to put, it refers to any semblance of a spiritual realm. If the concept sounds familiar to you, good. Otherwise, try googling Dante Alighieri.

Anglsax: The capital city of Teutonia. The name is basically all about me hashing together the words Anglo and Saxony.


Additional notes:
1. The village of Enosh is basically me being uncreative. In Berserk, there's a village called Enoch. So I just decided to mess around and use the name Enosh. Like Enoch, Enosh is also a name recorded in the Book of Genesis. More specifically, Enosh was the son of Seth (Warning: Berserk was banned 17 years ago in my homeland of Singapore for a very good reason).

2. Niflheim and Muspelheim are pure Norse. In fact... okay, I can't spoil it for you. It's not as if we all have a decent idea of what might happen in the last two books of A Song Of Ice And Fire where Jon and Dany are concerned. That is provided G.R.R Martin doesn't waste too much of his remaining lifespan via procrastinating. *shrugs*

3. Gráinne von Stormhearth is inspired by an actual elven queen who happened NOT to be Galadriel.

Honestly speaking, I don't know who was responsible for this artwork of Francesca Findabair.

Hence, I can only link it back to here.

4. The part where Lars commented on cannibalism may seem shocking to you. After I pulled it off, however, I realised someone actually did that before.

Alucard facing off against the white hoods and Nazis actually reminded me of the conflict between Stalin and Hitler. After all, Wallachia was considered Slavic in every sense of the word.

6. Hannya is actually a legit term in Japanese culture. If there is anyone I know whose name sounds even remotely like Hannya, no matter whether it's Hanyang, Hanya, or whatever Han, I apologise in advance.

7. The decision to add in Ji'Yeon's song was inspired by the anime Trigun where a character named Rem actually... well, sang a song.

Lyrics

8. The dress Ji'Yeon was wearing is... well, a kimono of sorts.

9. The concept of Fragarach killing anyone apart from its rightful owner was something J.R.R Tolkien did for Anduril if I remember correctly.

)0(

Additional track (because I really like this song despite being a guy)

P.S: Nearly forgot to mention that Lars calling Hannya a looney old man was something taken from Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Not the recent Emma Watson-Dan Stevens version, but rather the actual animation N years ago. Unfortunately, I can't find that scene where Gaston sang something about "that looney old man".