Log Horizon: Living in the Database (RECRUITING)

[Sabre]

"I see, eh, alternate world... an alternate world has sucked us in, fantasy has become reality..."

For years thousands adventured in the popular MMORPG Elder Tales.  With servers across many countries recreating Earth in 1/2 scale, the game created a fantasy world built on the ruins of ours where NPCs, known as the People of the Land, have been reduced in numbers and technology in battle against endless armies of monsters and demi-beasts.  Pushed to the brink of extermination, they look to us, Adventurers, to take on quests and save their world.  Over the years the game has seen numerous expansions that continuously enrich the setting, raise the level cap, and add quests breathing life again and again into Elder Tales.  With the release of its latest expansion, the Novasphere Pioneers, long-time veterans and a generation of new blood start up their computers for just another day of adventure.

Instead they reawaken in the guise and gear of their avatars, standing in the world of Elder Tales brought to life.  No longer a game, but reality itself.  The last thing they remember is sitting in front of their computer logging into the game.

"Right, no expectations for now. So going by the fantasy novel settings, we need to survive by our own from now on?"

Those who are familiar with the series need little introduction, but for everyone else Log Horizon is a light novel and anime series by Mamare Touno, author of another fantasy series Maoyuu Maou Yuusha.  It's premise is about a group of Japanese MMO players who find themselves spirited away to a new world very much like the Elder Tales setting, but also very much unlike it.  Their bodies are as powerful as they were in the game, but walking around in them is nothing like pointing and clicking around a screen.  They can see their game HUD and interact with their menus, but the world is far too real to be mere virtual reality.  In short, it's not a game, it's reality.

These players set out to both learn how to survive in their new world and figure out a way back to the old one.

This thread is an interest check for any Elliquiy poster who would love an adventure.  Whether you're a fan of the series already or are simply intrigued by the premise, then post here and let us know!  We've got a lot to talk about and plan, but together we'll bring this world to life right here.  I'm willing to be GM for this group game, but I welcome co-GMs of all kinds, even temporary ones willing to run a single quest, rotating with other players.

As we further the discussion I'll edit the second post in this thread to include important details and rules.  For now we can discuss the basics - for instance just how rule/system heavy would we like to play?  And around what level should every character be?  The nature of the RP and the game changes for level 90 players as opposed to levels 1-20.  We might each play two characters of different levels to enjoy both, or decide on just one level range.

Let us know what you think, and what you'd like to see!

Let's not forget

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5ADYYzMdi8

[Sabre]

-Placeholder-

[Sabre]

Those are definite options if we run this with a system.  Log Horizon however is a series that is less focused on combat and challenging skill checks and more about exploration and application of MMO abilities in unique ways.  Depending on the direction we take this we may not require a system at all, but it can prove useful for straight dungeon crawling or PvP scenes.

[TheHangedOne]

I'm not a fan of anime in general, as while I find the stories themselves fascinating, I just generally don't like the media itself (I don't watch much tv or movies, either; I prefer reading), however, I'd love to get in on this. The whole 'stuck in a game' premise has always appealed to me.

If you wanted to, Sabre, I could come up with a simple dice roll ruleset for combat situations.

[Sabre]

I'm reading through a few systems, but I'd love to hear any and all ideas you have for dice rolling.  Accessibility and speed should be important I think.

[TheHangedOne]

Just a simple, one size fits all D20 system I've used before. Roll 1d20, the roll determines your success or failure.

20 = critical hit. Enemy gets killed/gravely injured.
15-19 = hit! Enemy takes damage.
10-14 = Scratched. Enemy takes a little damage.
5-9 = Slight failure. Enemy blocks, parries, or dodges.
2-4 = Failure. The enemy not only is uninjured, but the failure results in over-extension or otherwise making the failer easier to hit.
1 = critical failure. Failer is disarmed, dazed, injured, has fallen prone, or has otherwise had a serious setback in the fight.

You could add bonuses and penalties as you wish, or otherwise fluff it out however you want. That's just what I've used, feel free to do whatever you want with it.

[pendarious]

heh well I'm in regardless of whether or not we use a system for this. though with the way that Log Horizon itself actually works I honestly don't think a system is needed though if it is voted by the majority *shrugs*

[Izaya Orihara]

I'm interested, since I thought Log Horizon was pretty good.
Though I dislike using a dice system, and tend to stick away from RPs with such things involved. Since I feel it restricts the flow of an RP, and I prefer to have something that's a bit more freeing.
On another note, I've played a bit of Everquest II, which is what Log Horizon seems to have been based off, with the character classes, sub-classes, abilities and the like.

I might not be able to discuss much for the next few days, though, since I'll be in Italy beginning in a few hours.

[Latooni Subota]

For this, I would suggest against dice-rolly bits. Leave it to common sense, description, and working things out ahead of time/GM Intervention if stuff can't be worked out. It shouldn't be too troublesome unless it gets REALLY PVP HEAVY. On the plus side though, I'm totally interested. It's no Royal Road, but it'll do in a pinch! :P

I got an old crafter-type mmo-world character that could be dusted off, among other things. SO MANY IDEAS!

[pendarious]

I'm interested, since I thought Log Horizon was pretty good.
Though I dislike using a dice system, and tend to stick away from RPs with such things involved. Since I feel it restricts the flow of an RP, and I prefer to have something that's a bit more freeing.
On another note, I've played a bit of Everquest II, which is what Log Horizon seems to have been based off, with the character classes, sub-classes, abilities and the like.

I might not be able to discuss much for the next few days, though, since I'll be in Italy beginning in a few hours.

actually Theldesia the world in which the game Elder Tales takes place is based off of the Elder Scrolls Franchise and A Bards Tale but honestly a lot of RPG's are fairly similar so it's understandable that one would think of a game they've played while looking at it.

[KnightNelson20]

Please count me in! I as well am not one with dice games really. I agree with Latooni's comment. (By the way love that name XD) As for level I would say if we are forming a guild of our own then we should open up the range. Of course we will have some lvl 90's as the higher up and leaders. But we could also have a few lower levels just to have around. But this would also depend on the nature or purpose of our guild. If we are a guild thats going to be focused on raiding or such like that then i would recommend our players all being of high level and avoiding low level players. But if we are just seeking to make a fun shifting rp Id go with the later. It leaves more room for fun.

[Sabre]

So far it seems the majority are in favor of a free-form game without system restrictions.  I don't think this would be a problem as long as we're all on the honor system.  As death isn't permanent, I think it's alright.

The next question should definitely ask about the nature and structure of the game.  A free and open setting, some overall plot?  Is everyone part of the same guild, and what goal does everyone want to see themselves working towards?

actually Theldesia the world in which the game Elder Tales takes place is based off of the Elder Scrolls Franchise and A Bards Tale but honestly a lot of RPG's are fairly similar so it's understandable that one would think of a game they've played while looking at it.

The author mentions in an interview that he was inspired by Everquest, Ultima Online, and Diablo, along with D&D having played since Red Box.  Any old experiences in these games can make for excellent material for the RP.

[pendarious]

I'll admit I'd forgotten about that interview *laughs*


I'd be cool with having at least one character in the same guild as everyone and if we are all running at least two characters then my second character would be a free lance solo player.

[KnightNelson20]

I'd be cool with having at least one character in the same guild as everyone and if we are all running at least two characters then my second character would be a free lance solo player.

Agreed!

[Sabre]

That's not a bad idea, having two characters with one in a guild and the other a free agent (or part of a different guild of other players or NPCs).

The free character can interact with the main guild or form ad hoc parties with other player characters.  What kind of guild would work best as a plot focus?  A general purpose support guild?  A raiding guild?  Or maybe a crafting guild focused on a particular speciality?

[Vanetias]

Interested.

[Latooni Subota]

Considering everything, an exploration guild would be best. If everyone is trapped in the game world, maybe there's a way OUT of the game world hidden in the game? Like defeating a special boss, or finding a special item that gives you a log-out option, or something? That'd give the group a lot of options plot-wise, like following up on rumors and stuff. I would be extremely tempted to make a blacksmithy-type character for this, though.

[KnightNelson20]

I am stuck between creating a Guardian class with a swordsmith subclass. Or a Summoner with a Vampire Hunter subclass. Both lvl 90 of course.

[pendarious]

well having smiths in the guild would be good even if it isn't a production guild.

I like the idea of a Raid Guild gone Exploration or something like that.

for characters I've already decided on what one will be and I'm still debating the other...

[Sabre]

A balanced party without too many overlapping specialties would be nice, though having some synergy can be good, too.

What else is everyone considering for their class and subclass?

[Vanetias]

An actual engineer class, that makes gunpoweder weapons and/or steam/clockpunk mecha/robot.

[pendarious]

while it's true that they have made steam ships and such like that there is no "engineer" class or subclass and Gunpowder is non-existant as far as I know

here is the wiki links for the 8 playable races, 12 playable classes, and list of currently known sub classes:

http://log-horizon.wikia.com/wiki/Races


http://log-horizon.wikia.com/wiki/Classes


http://log-horizon.wikia.com/wiki/Subclasses

[Vanetias]

Well, why not make a steam-powered mount/armour from the Mechanic subclass. That may work.

[pendarious]

it might......though its power pack would be huge and would have to pay a summoner to work with you until you figured out how to run a steam engine without the magic of a salamander summon....though you could just be a summoner yourself

[Vanetias]

Maybe take it a little further and build actual electronic robots(If an electric elemntal/creature is aviable) or adding to the steam mech thing, a flamethrower from a salamander.

[pendarious]

hmm......it's possible? so far they have only been able to make things that they actually understand how they actually work they haven't been able to invent things like robots yet....

[Vanetias]

It has already been done:

[Sabre]

I'm thinking robotics is a little too far at this point.  I doubt we'll be playing much further in the LH universe's timeline for that possibility.

[Latooni Subota]

After a lot of thought, I figure Race of Rituals, Enchanter, Tailor would be interesting. She picked the race and class for a genuine challenge in the game (and is no stranger to dying due to her truly abysmal hp and defense, at least before joining up with more established groups). Could she have some Chef skill as well, with that Apprentice trick? Regardless, her role in the guild is production of comfortable clothes and gear to help make it easier for the guild to explore and such, and act as battlefield control in battle with her damn near endless supply of mp and buffs/debuffs.

Too Disney?

[pendarious]

from what I understand of the Apprentice subclass is that when you take on a "Master" and level up abilities when you change sub classes it converts the experience and levels you had in a category into levels and exp for the new sub class but you are able to keep your "Masters" skills that you have already learned.

Also from what I understand you have to have Chef as your active sub class to cook properly though I could be reading that wrong if you used the Apprentice sub class....

[Sabre]

She'd lose her armorer skill if she apprenticed.

Perhaps we can delegate another player as guild chef, but Latooni's character may have real world experience with cooking that she nags on the other player with.  It might be fun to have a circle of players nagging on others on how to use each other's subclasses speaking from RL experience or just otaku mania.

[Latooni Subota]

The way I understand it is that when you learn things under Apprentice (In that case, cooking) when you switch out of the Apprentice to another subclass you keep access to what you learned as an Apprentice. At least, that's how it reads on the wiki. The other options work well too, though.

[pendarious]

I haven't actually read the sub classes descriptions on the wiki I've only got the vague description from the light novel and anime to go by. Though Latooni could be right I say we leave it's interpretation to Saber though since he is GM.

[Sabre]

The subclass which Minori now had was Apprentice. Minori hated the tailor subclass and wished to switch out of it as soon as she was able. However, she had found it difficult to decide on a new subclass. While she was deliberating, Shiroe suggested that she choose the apprentice subclass in the meantime.

The apprentice was one of the "subclasses", however, it was quite different from others. It was similar to role-playing subclasses like accountant or fortune teller, but was even more special.

An apprentice could register another player as a "teacher" and receive abilities based on that player's subclass, "copying" over a few low-level skills. Minori could craft parchment and ink because she had registered Shiroe as her teacher—— that was to say, those skills were copied over from Shiroe.

Apprentices received experience bonuses, so it was not hard to level up. Furthermore, the fact that skills were copied over from the teacher made it even more easy. However, because an Apprentice could only copy skills that were mid-level and below and the subclass lacked its own "unique set of skills", it was not very popular.

An apprentice's true defining feature was only evident after maturity. Apart from some special subclasses that had specific requirements, an Apprentice could switch to any subclass, and the skills pertaining to the new subclass would carry over along with all their current subclass experience.

For example, when a level 30 apprentice switched subclasses to a chef, he or she would become a level 30 chef with the same level of experience as an Adventurer who had been a chef since level one.

It was perfectly fine to start out as an apprentice if you wanted to be a blacksmith, which was quite tedious to train. However, a teacher was required and the list of items you could make would not increase as you leveled up so you would have to resort to other methods to increase your repertoire, which was one of the problems.

This along with the entries from both wikis tells me that an apprentice loses her old subclass and its abilities, and that the skills its learns only carries over into the same subclass as the teacher of the apprentice.  So no FF5 job shenanigans.

[Vanetias]

Are airships allowed for this game?

[pendarious]

probably not since they haven't even began experimenting with flight to our knowledge.

[Sabre]

A very simple hot air balloon should be possible with the right materials, ingenuity, and a fire mage/summon.  But anything more advanced is highly doubtful.  Let's not stray into steampunk here with airships and steambots and such.

[Latooni Subota]

Also, on second thought, I decided I'd rather do Summoner for the main class. If only because trying to find rare summons would be fun diversions :D

[Sabre]

You just want cute summons to dress up, don't you?

[Latooni Subota]

SHHHH

[Vanetias]

Or maybe a 'friend with benefits.' ;)

Also, is it alright to keep monsters like goblins as workers?

[Latooni Subota]

You'd be better off making friends with some NPCs and keeping them out of harm's way, I'd think.

[Latooni Subota]

The longer we take to plan and recruit, the more i keep wanting to change my concept. Can I get a current tally of who wants to be what (Race/CLass/Sub), and figure out if we're going to make this a small-scale game or keep waiting for more players, since the early rush seems to have died off completely?

[Latooni Subota]

Okay, I had a plot-ish idea that I ran by Sabre after reading more of Log Horizon and watching more episodes, so I wanted to pose it to everyone. Would anyone be adverse to the guild being one that takes in the support of the People of the Land, and attempts to raise their own city/kingdom separate from the main ones? The idea came to me after reading up on the Aristocrat subclass, and realizing that with the way Adventurers can change how their subclass works to get better results, an Aristocrat could probably do some cool things by becoming recognized nobility and getting the help of the People of the Land. We'd need more group input of course, but it would probably involve our guild taking control of a small region with nearby villages of Landers and spreading out our influence from there, grabbing new Novasphere Pioneer quests that pop up and building up a power base, as well as exploring the changed world of the game since at the time most people would be sticking to areas they're comfortable with/around the main cities. Thoughts?

[pendarious]

I whole heartedly support this idea

[Latooni Subota]

I swear I'm not doing this just so I basically be an adventurer princess. :P

[pendarious]

*teasingly* sure your not hime-sama ;D

[KnightNelson20]

Edited and added Raizons Backstory. Will be adding Izumi's backstory soon!

Raizon

Class: Summoner Lvl: 90
Subclass: Vampire Lvl: 90
Weapon: Soul Jars (magical items created by Izumi, Raizon is able to conjure different summons through these despite specific necessities. excludes summons that require location specifics)
Raizon is an energetic trickster. He has always been that way which normally got him into trouble both inside and outside of Elder Tales. Once this game became his reality he simply accepted it and fell into his role. He would be a world renown summoner. Not to mention his vampire subclass which at times he takes far to serious. Izumi and Raizon had been partners even before Elder Tales became warped. They have a relationship that mirrors brother and sister but hints on something more.

While leveling he met one of the People of the Land that also excelled at summoning, Ilfri. They began travelling together both seeking out more monsters/spirits to control. Often arguing over who would reap the rewards of the battle/raid, leaving Izumi to settle the debate. In a raid the three of them took up together in search of a stronger summon for Raizon, Ilfri took a fatal attack while Izumi's taunt was down. Raizon and Izumi were able to finish the encounter but they were still left in tears for their friend. Raizon specializing in Necromancy and stuck in his own vampire fantasies leaned into his friend and bit into her neck. Focusing his power he sealed her soul into his Soul Jars along with his other summons. She is now his favorite summon follower. Not many know that she was once a person.

Ilfri

-or-

Izumi

Class: Samurai
Subclass: Swordsmith/Sword Saint
Level: 90

[pendarious]

well here are my characters well stripped down versions since I haven't decided on back stories yet.

Argus

Name: Argus (Arthur Cornelius Grenwald)
Race: Human
Class: Guardian (Level: 90)
Subclass: Knight (Level:90)
History: Arthur is a 25 year old man who is a brilliant programmer. He does free lance work so that he can have plenty of time for his long standing hobby of playing Elder Tales. As Argus he is a guardian who has for 10 years in our time fought monsters and completed quests for the sake of being in battle. He is calculating and cunning but also fairly kind but lazy. When the Apocalypse occurred he was among the players who were initially shocked but he quickly fell into the role of his character and went back to battling as soon as he could. He also discovered that he was considered a legend among knights by the people of the land because he apparently appeared in their history around a century ago.

Erina

Name: Erina (Sakagami Rika)
Race: Fox Tail
Class: Sorceror (Level 50)
Subclass: Tracker (Level 70)
History: Sakagami Rika is a girl who's parents are abusive and on the verge of divorce. Her father beats her and her mother always yells at her she spent much of her childhood running away from home and hiding. She is 17 and has finally found her refuge the game of Elder Tales. She has been playing for 3 months and the apocalypse has occurred. now that she's trapped she takes on the persona of her character Erina the energetic, friendly, and somewhat crazy sorcerer who is everything that Rika wishes she could be. She has arrived on the European Server by accident after having accidentally activated a Fairy Ring during the first few minutes of the Apocalypse

[Vanetias]

Vanto

Name: Vanto(Weals 'Charles' Jam)
Class: Summoner(90)
Subclass: Mechanic(90)
Race: Human
Background: Playing Elder Tales as to kill time, he acts more of a laid-back person, sociable whilist perverted towards women he likes. Played the game for 9 months before the apocalypse happen.

[Izaya Orihara]

May as well bring in a couple of my own, with more or less complete backgrounds:

Yukihiko

Name: Yukihiko (Sora Asakura)
Race: Fox Tail
Class: Sorcerer (Level 90)
Subclass: Alchemist/Dragon Slayer- the second one being an acquired title (Level 88)
Biography/Personality: Sora Asakura is a mysterious yet benevolent seeming young man, believed to be in his late teens or early twenties. He grew up in a fairly rich and influential family, with the vestiges of power that an old Japanese clan retains after having survived for centuries, despite having been defeated by the Oda, whilst in alliance with the Azai, at the Battle of Anegawa. And having become unlucky later, with their head being implicated in a plot in 1632, before being banished and dispossessed. In more modern times, the family owns several powerful corporations, and Sora, being the heir apparent, is regarded as something along the lines of a prince. From an early age, his keen intellect was evident, as was his interest in music, culture, history and the occult, as well as games.

Despite the life it seemed would be laid out for him, it would not be as easy nor as peaceful as one would imagine. Being the only son, his birth had shunted his older sister, Kimiko into the sidelines in terms of inheritance. Something that irked her considerably. Accordingly, she did all she could to make him suffer, both directly and indirectly; verbally, physically and whatever else one could imagine, with Kimiko having something of a sadistic nature. Needless to say, it changed Sora's perspective on things, and made him a bit more drawn in. With his older sister and her friends grinding him into the ground at any chance they got, he seldom went out of the mansion unless it was for a family meeting, or school, or the like, and even then, grudgingly. Delving further into technology and music, he often played games, including MMOs, whilst also becoming quite competent with violins, guitars, panos and several other instruments, like the shakuhachi flute, as well as the Tonkori, Shamisen and Kokyu. He also took to watching anime and reading manga. All of these in a manner, signified a form of desire to distract himself from some of the more troublesome elements in his life, or perhaps to escape from them. Whilst playing Elder Tales, he became something of a reputable yet mysterious figure, a Fox Tail Sorcerer who'd attracted some loyal allies, and even slain a dragon without too much difficulty, whilst having been involved in numerous legendary quests and high level raids, in order to increase his own power. He'd also involved hmself heavily with quests involving nobles and royalty, fitting in rather well considering his real life upbringing. Shortly before the Apocalypse, Kimiko went even further, and poisoned their father, forcing him to give her the inheritance in his will. Unbeknownst to Sora, Kimiko was also  playing Elder  Tales , and may have even been amongst those who were online at the time.

After the Apocalypse, Sora adjusted well to the changing conditions, manipulating other players as well as People of the Land, whilst increasing his own wealth, power and status, buying Hirado Castle in the Ninetail Dominion, and using it as his base. However, he's cautious of Plant Hwyaden's influence in the area, with their suppression of the town of Nakasu, the only player town in the Dominion, as well as the Guild's control over the Holy Empire of Westelande, and the strong political influence that the said empire has over the Dominion. In some ways, he can be quite arrogant, believing others are inferior to himself. And he can often be a far cry from disdainful, being rather the opposite on other occasions. He possesses both a superiority and an inferiority complex. If he encounters someone who is stronger, or he believes to be stronger than himself, he can seem fanatically obsessed, or perhaps scared, of them. He desires to become stronger than them if possible, and would use any means necessary. As a result of his past, he's also quite cautious around girls. He tends to be quiet and sometimes unemotional when dealing with other people, though he can seem charismatic and kind in order to project a certain image. On the rare occasion, an older self of his can appear, which seems friendly, cheerful, good-natured, polite, and tends to acts very carefree, masking many of his real feelings with a smile.

Suigetsu

Name: Suigetsu (Harutora Fujiwara)
Race: Human
Class: Assassin (Level 81)
Subclass: Tracker (Level 78)
Biography/Personality: WIP (more or less complete, though)

Harutora Fujiwara is something of a rising figure in the criminal underground of Elder Tales, despite having played the game for a while. In real life, he was something of a model student until middle school, the vice president of the elementary student council, the star at sports meetings, and winning independent research awards, poetry awards, slogan awards, and participated in essay contests. This combined with his good looks and a respectable family- with an older brother being a famous actor, made him well known, especially with his girl classmates. He also has two eccentric twin younger sisters. However, Harutora was not particularly loved or hated since he went through school life in a withdrawn state, preferring to observe everything from afar, carrying out his life philosophy to be 'neither too close nor too far' from the others.

During afternoon breaks and such, other students would talk in the classroom or play in the courtyard, but since Harutora would always be in the library, he gave people the impression that he was a loner. But Harutora enjoyed being a step away from his surroundings. He knew he was a top student, however, he didn't think the people around him were idiots and didn't look down on them.

At this point, his observations are not used for ill, rather a simple hobby, but slowly it was turning more and more into an obsession. At one point, he became the vice president of the biology club, and much to the surprise of the president, turned the whole club into a gambling ring with one of the other members, Nakura, serving as Harutora's business partner. At one point, Nakura attacked him after having lost money in a bad bet, and Harutora responded by stabbing him, and incapacitating him. After this, he began to develop something of a darker reputation.  He got involved with gangs, indirectly causing conflict and watching from the sidelines as they clashed, before picking out the weakened survivors.

He also manipulated and used others, discarding them when necessary. He even went as far as to collect "followers" for his own purposes, manipulating traumatized teenage girls, ranging from gothic lolitas to gyarus (though the majority of them simply took Harutora to be a fortune teller of sorts) who would do whatever he said and worshipped him in an almost cult-like fashion. Most of them were usually depressed and/or suicidal and have all been victims of pretty severe levels of violence from their families or lovers. Those girls were lost and desperate for someone to believe in, making them especially easy to use. They weren't really in love with the families or boyfriends concerned, they simply put their faith in them. All Harutora did was shift their faith to him. If he wanted them to die, they would probably have gone ahead and died, even if they had doubts. Then again, some were unpredictable enough, at some point causing him to abandon this strategy after a small group of them grew too obsessed, and also blamed him for their lives, nearly killing him, breaking his arms and legs and hospitalizing him for the better part of a year, though he only found his way in hospital after he'd been stumbled upon after being left to die in an abandoned garage. It went to show that luck was finite, and strengthened his belief that humans would always have an element of unpredictability, something which made him want to see all they had to offer, even more than before.

After the Apocalypse, he is a member of a sinister and little known guild called Yūgure Tanken (Twilight Blade), based in Shibuya, involved in PKing, looting, assassination of Landers, and all kinds of shady business. Harutora also sometimes takes on contracts from rich nobles involving killing rivals and those who have slighted them, whilst also using his dark reputation to manipulate others into doing his bidding, and also instigating conflicts and rivalries between people of note, and convincing the leader of his own guild to have the guild take advantage of the weaker parties in such orchestrated struggles.

He is rather odd at times. Said oddness is apparent in the variety of different personalities he seems to have. His darker, more animal-like side can be quite predatory in nature, when baser instincts and emotions have more sway over him. Sometimes he can be brutal, impulsive, excessively-violent and possessing of a lethally-short temper. However, despite his aggression and obvious blood lust in battle, he can possess a feral cunning and has a knack for quickly exploiting any opening his opponent reveals. In addition, he can be blunt, sarcastic, and quite sadistic, revealing a psychotic grin or laughing maniacally whenever he becomes excited sometimes, or eerily silent, cold and disdainful at other times. He is also very rude and quite disrespectful at times, and mockingly polite, cunning and manipulative at others. He's often serious, yet at the same time disdainful of others, often laughing when opponents claim that they can defeat him, unless they tie in with things he's come to fear in life. And he can often be a far cry from disdainful, being rather the opposite on other occasions.  Harutora is often emotionally distant, refusing to allow anyone to become too close to him.  He claims to love humanity, and greatly enjoys putting people in miserable or chaotic situations in order to observe their reactions. With a thorough understanding of human behaviour and tendencies, he is able to determine people's thoughts and predict their reactions with high accuracy. He is extremely talented, and puts his skills to good use.

Although Harutora enjoys conflict, often showing up wherever there is potential for one, he usually stays out of it, preferring to observe the fight instead of directly taking part in it. However, when provoked, he quickly puts his opponent in his place, simply proving his superiority without actually beating the other person. Therefore he is usually seen as the one starting fights, but hiding in the shadows instead of directly taking part. As an Assassin, he ends things quickly when necessary, though he also enjoys prolonging the imminent death of his target, if nothing else but to see how it plays out, and to see how they react in such a situation, with his intent in witnessing all the variables of human behaviour that exist in the universe.

[Sabre]

I've been putting some thought into how this game might run, and came up with a few options.

1) Standard group of adventurers moved from quest to quest by a GM running the main plot.

2) The same but with very minimal GM control, if any.  Players run everything in collaboration.

3) A small, core group of players as co-GMs, with or without an overlord GM, who run 'episodes' to their liking.


Now, option one has the common weakness where any dropouts can really hinder the plot if not stop the game in its tracks.  Waiting for someone - including the GM - to post, but they don't for too long and interest is lost.

Option 2 is the anarchic approach, and things can run along just fine forever or players run the whole thing into the ground, at least until everyone loses interest if there's no goal everyone agrees to follow.

Option 3 is a sort of compromise, something to cover the weaknesses of both styles.  A group of 2-4 players who agree to keep the game alive and cover for one another runs the game.  We collaborate and come up with mini-arcs that one co-GM will run trying to move the plot forward, but should that GM disappear or not be able to post in a certain period of time then the other GM's should have the authority to take over until his or her return.  Otherwise that subplot goes on hiatus and another GM diverts the group onto their own idea, hopefully seamlessly.  It might help if the GMs give each other limited control of each other's characters in that case.

But to keep Option 3 from being a small game there'd be an eternal recruitment drive.  Think of it like the co-GMs forming a small guild but putting up ads in the Akiba guild hall for various adventurers (or Landers even) to come join the quest a certain GM is running.  They join up with fresh characters, have an adventure, and if they stay they stay, if they want to bow out they can, and anyone that disappears can be politely written out of the necessary plot (death isn't permanent after all).  And any returning players can return with their characters intact or make a new one for a new adventure.


It's just an idea, and having come up with it on the spot while eating dinner and watching some Legend of the Galactic Heroes might mean it's got room for improvement.

[Latooni Subota]

1 or 3 are my votes, personally. I'm no good as a co-gm though, so take that with a grain of salt. :x

[KnightNelson20]

I like options 1 and 3. I would say if we were a guild of sorts then the guild tops/leaders should be the gm/co-gm that way its easier to remember.

[pendarious]

i like 1 or 3. if we go with 3 i can do co-gm if need be

[Latooni Subota]

Welp, here's my character, finally!

Tsubame

Name: Tsubame
Class: Assassin Lv.90
Sub-Class: Aristocrat Lv.90

Tsubame is an enigmatic young woman who has been playing the game a very long time, appearing randomly throughout Elder Tales over the course of a decade with long gaps inbetween active periods. She is well known as a roleplayer with the role of an assassin and thief posing as a noblewoman, and has been in and out of several prominent guilds and a part of more than a few special events. Whenever there were difficult quests involving escorting NPCs or attending boring parties at castles, she was the first one in, playing at fitting in with all the nobles. This caused her Aristocrat level to sky-rocket (relatively speaking, considering how long she's played) leaving her with the dubious honor of (most-likely) being the highest leveled Aristocrat in the game. Post-Apocalypse she was one of the ones that didn't succumb to depression immediately after being trapped inside the game, and instead became FASCINATED with the change to their reality and the fact that the People of the Land had become so 'real'. While she'd only played at being a noblewoman, she found that her actions in the early game had given her a more storied 'history' in Elder Tales than she'd thought. Her decade of playing the game amounted to over a century of rubbing elbows with nobility by the game's reckoning, giving her the reputation of an immortal courtier that disappeared for years on end, only to return to assist the People of the Land in their times of need and attend fabulous balls and events. Fully capitalizing on her reputation in Eastal, she is utilizing her natural charm and fame to sway public opinion of the People of the Land in her favor, in order to try and lay claim to her own land.

[KnightNelson20]

added history to my first character.

[Saric]

I am EXTREMELY interested in this game, however I would like to raise a point of order and request ether a GM rulling or a consensus.

In the Classes section it states that some classes are 'server specific', in other words only the japan server had samurai and shrine maidens. The series creator performed a poll of what the classes were for other regions of the world and there's a link to it at the bottom of the classes page of the wiki. So the questions are thus: What part of the world do we want to be in? Do we want to use the 'official' alternate classes or make our own? And do we want to assume that everyone, no matter what server they were on at the time, got sent to the same world? (in other words could someone with a special class from the America server be present in a guild of mostly Japanese players because he was out exploring the world and got caught on the wrong continent when the shift happened? remember there used to be portals between the major cities, so being on the other side of the world wouldn't be an issue in the game, but is a tremendous problem in the world) Or would people prefer that we pick one world and stick with it?

Thank you for your consideration.

[Latooni Subota]

So far we've been under the assumption of doing Japan, probably around the end of the Autumn Festival arc. Mainly because it's what we have the most outright information for. I'm not opposed to picking a different region, but we'd need to do some extra work in fluffing out the region-specific stuff and areas. Gotta admit though, New York City would be a cool Adventurer town to hang out in sometimes. :P

[Saric]

So far we've been under the assumption of doing Japan, probably around the end of the Autumn Festival arc. Mainly because it's what we have the most outright information for. I'm not opposed to picking a different region, but we'd need to do some extra work in fluffing out the region-specific stuff and areas. Gotta admit though, New York City would be a cool Adventurer town to hang out in sometimes. :P

Got one name for ya: Norad (i.e. the Cheyenne Mountain nuclear bunker) Adventurer town or Dungeon? Ether way it's the ruins of a giant bunker that takes up most of a Mountain! Awesome is now in attendance.

On the other hand Europe is covered in caves, castles, and landmarks. The Colosseum as a guild hall? The Eiffel Watchtower? Remember Akihabara is a famous section of Tokyo, the whole rest of the world is an option for this game.

[pendarious]

It's true that there are multiple servers running in Elder Tales it is confirmed that it's all just one world despite the region specific classes. There is a light novel that details the journeys of Kanami (The former leader of the Debauchery Tea Party) traveling from the European continent back to the Japanese Islands.

Theldesia runs on a system called "The Half Gaia Project" which takes the design of our earth and reduces it by half it's size. Thus Theldesia is literally a smaller version of our world. According to the history of Elder Tales the world as they know it is built on the ruins of our own after an extensive nuclear war. OF course there are also the wars of the Alvs and the other races, and the two or three world fractures but none the less it's all the same.

Traveling across continents would be difficult because without the city gates we would either need a ship or would have to play around with the Fairy Rings until we got to where we wanted to go.


EDIT: added history for my characters

[Saric]

I don't suppose you know of anywhere one could get an English translation of any of the light novels do you?

On a more... 'on topic' note.

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

The last episode of the anime does mention one of the gates being activated. We could start earlier in the timeline, maybe even the day of the apocalypse itself, and have the town gate activate later in the game if we want to relocate. Going to Japan itself is probably on hold till season 2 comes out since we won't know anything about the city itself until it comes out. And while it's fine to make up stuff nobody else is going to see we don't want to establish stuff that could become 'cannon' later adn have to ether retcon stuff or explain backstory to every new player that shows up.

New classes can always just be put in the ooc thread or an info thread.

[pendarious]

well Baka Tsuki has the main light novels through volume 6 or 7 I forget which. This covers the entirety of the anime plus some stuff that may or may not be in season 2 of the anime. Also though I haven't found them there are sites that have the West Wind Brigade and Crescent Moon Alliance side stories for the series...though there supposedly isn't an English translation for the one about Kanami...I only got that info from the Tv Tropes page.

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

The gate that is working is in Minami and it is apparently unstable. it's access was made by Nureha using a new kind of magic apparently....I'm not too clear on the details though....

[Charlemagne]

*sticks head in thread*

I saw Log Horizon on the Interest Checks page and broke my mouse because I clicked too hard!

Not really.

Anyway, I haven't read through all the comments, but I'm interested in this because of the fact that most characters would be 90 already, which would leave the necessity for progression out of the way, which I'm all for.

I think I saw like two character spoilers, so for the OP, were you gonna put up an OOC for when you gathered enough people for this?

[Izaya Orihara]

I think I've more or less done the personality/bios for my characters.

[Sabre]

For region specific classes in different servers:

I'm going to have it so cultural differences between classes remain in effect even in other servers.  So a Japanese Kannagi and Samurai will remain Kannagi and Samurai in Europe or elsewhere, and vis versa with outsiders coming to Japan.  The classes are decided by where the character is originally created, and the abilities remain the same but with different names.  So yes, outsiders are certainly allowed.

As for the setting to this game, that's still uncertain.  So far people have written up characters that assume a Japan setting, and that has certain advantages and disadvantages.  If set in Japan we have a wealth of background and world building to draw from, and it might be possible to include familiar faces and places from the show/novel.  However others might feel limited by the ever expanding influence and changes brought about by the protagonists, though we can just as easily throw caution and later revealed canon to the wind.

A setting some place else in the world however has its own benefits.  We'd have less official material on hand to build off of, but we have much more freedom to pursue our own goals regardless of what is occurring in Japan.  We could even RP from Day One of the apocalypse and not know what to expect if we begin this in Europe, or the Middle East, or the Americas.  Personally I'm a fan of Eastern Eurasia in general as this massive world we can explore to our heart's content, and being in the middle it can feasibly include players who wish to have characters from either Japan or North America who were visiting for whatever reason on the fateful day, or who used a fairy ring and appeared there out of sheer luck.


The structure of this game is still up in the air so I'd like to keep this thread alive for a bit longer to both discuss things further and to draw in some more players.  As for the characters I've seen so far I'm deciding on what sort of limits if any we should adhere to.  If possible I'd rather not have players begin as too accomplished or unique, and rather have them work to make their legend in the RP itself.  I'd have to be against things like control of their own guild, a unique title (especially without it replacing their subclass), or having accomplished world-class magic before we even begin, such as turning a Lander into a summon.  I'm working on a sort of template to see if it's possible to have well-balanced but unique characters distinct from one another, and it should be ready soon.

[Saric]

For region specific classes in different servers:

I'm going to have it so cultural differences between classes remain in effect even in other servers.  So a Japanese Kannagi and Samurai will remain Kannagi and Samurai in Europe or elsewhere, and vis versa with outsiders coming to Japan.  The classes are decided by where the character is originally created, and the abilities remain the same but with different names.  So yes, outsiders are certainly allowed.

*snip*

A setting some place else in the world however has its own benefits.  We'd have less official material on hand to build off of, but we have much more freedom to pursue our own goals regardless of what is occurring in Japan.  We could even RP from Day One of the apocalypse and not know what to expect if we begin this in Europe, or the Middle East, or the Americas.  Personally I'm a fan of Eastern Eurasia in general as this massive world we can explore to our heart's content, and being in the middle it can feasibly include players who wish to have characters from either Japan or North America who were visiting for whatever reason on the fateful day, or who used a fairy ring and appeared there out of sheer luck.


The structure of this game is still up in the air so I'd like to keep this thread alive for a bit longer to both discuss things further and to draw in some more players.  As for the characters I've seen so far I'm deciding on what sort of limits if any we should adhere to.  If possible I'd rather not have players begin as too accomplished or unique, and rather have them work to make their legend in the RP itself.  I'd have to be against things like control of their own guild, a unique title (especially without it replacing their subclass), or having accomplished world-class magic before we even begin, such as turning a Lander into a summon.  I'm working on a sort of template to see if it's possible to have well-balanced but unique characters distinct from one another, and it should be ready soon.

Are we going to use the existing list of alternative classes or can we make some of our own? I personally feel like America got jipped since it only has 1 alternate class while everywhere else has at least 2 and two regions have 3!

I like the idea of starting in a different part of the world but I'd like to go on record against denying access to titles and the like. If you were in a raiding guide in the game and went on a legendary raid with your guild you could easily end up with a relatively rare title. I'm not a hardcore gamer and have never been in a hardcore raid guild but even I have done some of the 'final' boss fights in quite a few MMOs. That said it should be limited and fit your backstory. No level 20's from a crafting guild with Dragon Slayer for instance.

[Sabre]

The trick is balance I think, otherwise we'd have someone with a fancy Dragon Slayer title next to someone else with a level 60 Courier subclass.  I'm thinking of a pyramid styled point-buy template for characters, and not for stats but for things like subclass level, non-consumable magic items, rare weapon or armor, special level skills, or an asset.  Each person can have one very-rare level item or skill such as a rare subclass, a rare raid item/equipment drop like summon flutes or unique weapons, a guild or network of guilds that feed them information, items or gold, or a secret-level skill of their choice that makes them stand out against other level 90 players.  Then two uncommon level feats or objects, and so on.

[Izaya Orihara]

Hmm. Seems like it's getting pretty complicated, though I understand where you're coming from.  :-(

[Sabre]

I hope to simplify things greatly, and even more for the RP itself.  Smooth sailing with a well built ship and all that.

[KnightNelson20]

I understand. I should have waited to see when and how we were starting before making his back story so decorated. Also is it still up in the air about whether we will all be in a guild together or separate to begin with and coming together at some point(etc.)..??

[Charlemagne]

I remember an SAO RP that started with everyone /not/ in a guild, and it ended up dying. So I think starting together might be important.

[Vanetias]

Latooni, is it ok that I serve you as your 'pleasure servant'? (If you know what I mean  8-))(No anal though? As I don't do anal, so sorry about that.)

[Latooni Subota]

In a word: No. You don't know my character, and I don't know yours, and it is FAR too early to set up anything like that. :x

[Vanetias]

Alright then.

[KnightNelson20]

So common consensus is pointing towards starting from the beginning of the apocalypse but "possibly" in a different server. And most likely starting as a guild for easier interaction/reason for interaction.(?)

My only thoughts are that without giving us a starting level its not to say any of the high level characters wouldnt have rank or status or be known within the game. Even within the anime many of the characters have rank and accomplishments even before being trapped within. Without planned "event" plots. it would be hard for individual characters to reach their own goals. With that in mind I wouldn't say it isn't possible for pms to be sent to gm's regarding sideplots and progression. All in all it still depends on how we are going to play the situation at hand. Embracing it and charging head first. Or taking it day by day and simply hoping to find a way out.

[Sabre]

Okay, so:

Setting:  Northern Europe (Britain, Low Countries, Germany, and Scandinavia).  Assume majority of players (and NPCs) speak English, even if they're not British or Americans. 

Characters:  Either natives or visitors from anywhere in the world for whatever reason, such as chasing some rumor that the new expansion has a new, amazing quest in this region somewhere.  For character levels there could be some options:

a) Everyone is level 90.  Advantages - everyone is powerful and can ignore most physical threats they meet, but it would also trivialize many possible quests or encounters except those suited for their level.

b) Everyone plays two characters, one at level 90 and one at a lower level.  Level 90s focus on different aspects of the game than the lower level characters.  Might get chaotic.

c) Everyone is level 50-70 or thereabouts.

A handful of characters start in the same guild, perhaps only the GMs and everyone else joins up as extra support, or everyone is part of the guild. 

Thoughts?

My only thoughts are that without giving us a starting level its not to say any of the high level characters wouldnt have rank or status or be known within the game. Even within the anime many of the characters have rank and accomplishments even before being trapped within.

I'd like characters to be more like Akatsuki, Nyanta, Shiroe, and Naotsugu than Krusty or Soujirou.  The former group are veterans and may have a few raids under their belt (or not at all) earning them a special item, but otherwise they're just like any other player of equal experience.  Characters may have an uncommon but still generic title or subclass, but unlikely to have classes like Sword Saint or other unique rewards that the most powerful and renowned players usually have like the major guild and raid party leaders.

Edit:  One question - if we do move the setting from Japan, what do we rename Samurai and Kannagi?

[Latooni Subota]

Knight and Monk/Nun?

[pendarious]

well let me know when you actually decide on the level thing and i'll change my characters stories to match the new setting

[Sabre]

Would everyone prefer a level 90 start?

Knight and Monk/Nun?

Your Paladin and Cleric idea is also nice.

[pendarious]

I personally am all for playing two characters (in fact only playing one character kind of drives me batty considering I've long gotten used to controlling multiple characters) one level 90 and one lower level.

I will still change their stories to fit in with the chosen setting though when I know what the final decision is.

[Latooni Subota]

Regardless of choice, I'll only play the one character.

[Saric]

*snip*
a) Everyone is level 90.  Advantages - everyone is powerful and can ignore most physical threats they meet, but it would also trivialize many possible quests or encounters except those suited for their level.

b) Everyone plays two characters, one at level 90 and one at a lower level.  Level 90s focus on different aspects of the game than the lower level characters.  Might get chaotic.

c) Everyone is level 50-70 or thereabouts.

A handful of characters start in the same guild, perhaps only the GMs and everyone else joins up as extra support, or everyone is part of the guild. 
*snip*

I'd like characters to be more like Akatsuki, Nyanta, Shiroe, and Naotsugu than Krusty or Soujirou.  The former group are veterans and may have a few raids under their belt (or not at all) earning them a special item, but otherwise they're just like any other player of equal experience.  Characters may have an uncommon but still generic title or subclass, but unlikely to have classes like Sword Saint or other unique rewards that the most powerful and renowned players usually have like the major guild and raid party leaders.

Edit:  One question - if we do move the setting from Japan, what do we rename Samurai and Kannagi?

I'd personally prefer A or B, leaning toward A. I'd also like to point out that both the show and the light novels point out people having difficulty fighting even monsters 60 or 70 levels lower then them simply because it's now 'real life'.

Personally I'm planning on being in an American guild to start and deciding, along with the guild master, that it's not safe or practical to try and make it home and I should join a local guild for support until/if things change. Don't worry, he'll get attached fairly quickly. ;D

I'd like to point out that Soujirou earned his special title in the Tea Party, which is also where they all got their Griffin whistles. For that matter the appearance changing potion Shiroe had was part of a promotional event, you just had to have been playing at the time to get one. We're not talking about having a dozen titles each or our own guilds, or even top tier gear, but a max level character will pick up such things just from being around that long. That is just like every other max level character. It's the personalities, goals, and the focus of the show and the books that makes them stand out... well that and being led by Black Heart Glasses. On a side note some of the title subclasses just require you to meet some goal, others can only be held by a limited number of players at a time, they are not all created equal. So being a Dragon Slayer (which is not number limited) is a lot different then being a Sword Saint (which is).

The standard form of the Samurai is Pirate, but Western Europe (which is the server region listed) uses the Paladin. The Kannagi is the Medium standard but Western Europe has the Exorcist instead. Furthermore the Cleric is replaced by the Templar. If we go by the Official alternative class table seen here.

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

On an unrelated note, in the light novels Shiroe mentions that there are "about fifty" subclasses, but that he doesn't know them all. He also states that other servers have their own, some of which they make up entirely rather then re-skinning. Just a side note.

[Sabre]

A useful list, thanks.

As for titles I'm fine with uncommon titles, but wary on the very rare ones for the power they might present.  If they're mostly roleplay classes however that would be just fine.

For now I'll go with choice A - level 90 - and but everyone is free to make a lower level alt.  If we have enough players with secondary low level characters then we'll be able to include them into the game.  Wouldn't want to have jut one or two low level players right?

[pendarious]

I wouldn't mind using my lower level character either way....it makes for some amusing character development and such.

Edit: I've changed my characters stories a little bit and Changed one of the characters real names as well.

[Vaulera]

I would be interested in playing this game if there is still room! I don't however, know too much about the game itself, if that is acceptable, so I may need a bit of hand-holding.

[Sabre]

Welcome to the group!  We're glad to have you even if you're new to the setting.  Since we'll be starting from the beginning there won't be much to catch up on that won't be explained.

[Latooni Subota]

Busy week it seems!

[Sephora]

Is this rp dead in the water?  :C  Please say no! 

[Sabre]

Not yet it ain't!  Sorry I went quiet for the past few days, had a big move and still recovering from the jet lag and all the bills, papers, chores, and more that piled up and waited to attack me.  Give me a few more days and I'll be back on my feet, caught up, and ready to get this show on the road.

[Sephora]

Glad to hear it!  And congrats on the move.

A few days should be more than enough time for me to finish the last four episodes and create a pair of characters to add to your team.  ^_^ 

[Saric]

Is there any chance we can get dedicated character sheets?

[Vanetias]

Will be busy, exams coming up. You guys can start first if you want.

[Latooni Subota]

April/May is always rough with college stuff, allergies, stomach flus, etc