>>37785405
I've been waiting for this. While we're looking for Noel we should practice with our Ars Magus. I was thinking sound magic, fitting for a Herald.

>>37785405
>Ben Herald
Jesus fuck, can't you think of a more interesting name?

The story so far:
Originally, you were sent to kill dangerous criminal Ragna the Bloodedge, who has a bounty in the trillion s and has slaughtered thousands of NOL officers.
However, your superior officer Hazama told you not to, so you decided to go drinking but were rudely interrupted by Murderhobo Lite Carl Clover.
Then, you met a cute superior officer Noel Vermillion, who you hit it off with pretty well. You were going to hunt down a rogue officer Major Jin Kiseragi but got interrupted by another murderhobo, Bang Shishigami. After some negotiations and apologies, Bang left you to go with Noel to a Chinese restaraunt, where you found Ragna the Bloodedge and his catgirl girlfriend.
Before you could figure out what was going on, Noel panicked and it turns out Hazama is a manipulative Bastard named Terumi. He nearly killed you, and you woke up on a bed, where a vampire lolita told you that you were stuck in a time loop.
After recomposing yourself, you flipped off Hazama and told Carl the Murderhobo to eff off.

>>37785493
Actually, that was the chosen name by the players. You literally named yourself. More on that later.

>>37785462
Shit, you need to practice your Ars Magus. That Terumi guy is a crazy, murderous bastard.
>On Hazama/Terumi:
So far you know that he is a gigantic tool with green hair dressed like a hipster.
He tried to kill you with a magical green chain whip and a soul-draining attack.
He also seems to be pretty high up in the NOL, the effective World Government around here.

>>37785675
Speaking of the NOL, Where's Noel? She should be coming this way, right?
>You first met Noel when she was confronting Murderhobo Carl and his crazy-ass statue/doll/sister thing.
Seriously, that kid is fucked up.
You still have your 500 dollars, rifle, semiautomatic pistol which can fire bursts of 3, and comm to contact other NOL officers.
You can use Ars Magus, the half-magic of this world, but right now, you can only do basic tricks.
>Find a place to practice Ars Magus
>Wait For Noel to show up
>See how Murderhobo Carl is doing
>Write-In

>>37785814
>Find a place to practice Ars Magus
But have the spot in view of the route noel will walk by.

File: Noel Basic.png (98 KB, 300x300)

98 KB PNG

>>37785906
You put in some decent effort into creating sound sigils. It's not much better than your regular fare- in fact, the difference is hardly noticeable- but you feel like you've advanced somewhat.
A somewhat daintily-build officer in blue garb walks by. It's Noel.
"Hmm? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be on-duty?"
She clears her throat, and with all of her attempted authority, she states:
"Could I please have your name and rank, officer?"
>Ben Herald.
>I was sent here to help you find Jin Kiseragi.
>Ragna the Bloodedge.
>Who's asking?
>Write-In
_______________________________________
>Shit link because I was a nub and forgot to label original thread.
>https://docs.google.com/document/d/1922zK0nXqFI0F1icSg9nHj8Z7vTNC3bvhP_zDQ7d9kI/edit?usp=sharing

>>37785553
>but were rudely interrupted by Murderhobo Lite Carl Clover.
Carl isn't a murderhobo. He's been a bounty hunter, but that doesn't make him a murderhobo by any sense of the world.
> another murderhobo, Bang Shishigami
Far from a murderhobo, he doesn't kill people, he's has a strong sense of morals, doesn't steal and actually leads(?) a remaining clan of Ninjas.

>>37785675
>magical green chain whip
The Nox Nyctores, you mean. You know, some of the rarest weapons in existence which are easily identifiable because they literally scar the soul?
Also:
>Whip
It's a green hook attached to a chain.

>He also seems to be pretty high up in the NOL
He's the captain of the intelligence division, without any additional information that means he doesn't do much but collect information. Hell, Makoto is 2 promotions away from being him.

>>37785814
>You can use Ars Magus, the half-magic of this world,
That's the scientific study of how to utilize Seither, which produces Grimoires since humanity isn't actually capable of manipulating seithr. That's actual magic if you're doing it yourself. It's basically the study to create magical items.

Magical weaponry on the other hand is Ars Armagus, like the Izayoi for example which was mass produced back when they needed those things. Further evolution of the Ars Armagus made the Nox Nyctores, like the ones Hazama, Carl and Noel use.

God, this makes me want to make an actual at least mediocre Blazblue Quest which knows the setting.

>>37786199
Christ, dude, calm down. As a character, you don't know a lot about these people. Do you look hard at weapons as they're trying to murder you? I was tying to keep it simple.

>>37786146
>Warrant Officer Ben Herald.
My Leiutenant gave me one set of orders which Captain Hazama countermanded so I was practicing my Ars Magus.

>>37786199
This is a glorified background character's take on all this anon. If he knows half this he's better read in than the vast majority of the NOL Mooks.

>>37786278
>This is a glorified background character's take on all this anon.
We're at one rank below Noel, NOL personal have to go through a military academy where all of this shit is explained to them. ALL the NOL Mooks know the basics.

The basics being what the Ars Magus/Armagus is, what magic is and what Grimoires are. And yes, they also know what Nox Nyctores are as they were the things used to defeat the Black Beast, which is COMMON KNOWLEDGE AS FUCK.

Furthermore, I realize that Hazama doesn't even have jurisdiction outside of the Intelligence division anyway. So he couldn't even have overridden his orders.

>>37786255
>Do you look hard at weapons as they're trying to murder you?
When you're fighting against them, it's good to know how they're going to try and murder you so you don't die yourself.
That being said, you have a point about not knowing a lot about them. Maybe that's also a good reason he shouldn't make such sweeping statements?

>>37786278
"I"m Warrant Officer Ben Herald. I was sent here to go find Ragna the Bloodedge, but then Captain Hazama told me not to."
"Oh, well, I'm Lieutenant Noel Vermillion. So.. Why are you way over here?"
You shrug. "I decided to practice my Ars Magus until I got further orders."
"Oh, really? Hazama telling you not to go after Ragna? That's kinda weird."
She stands up a bit more fully. "He sent me to go find Major Jin Kiseragi. Maybe you could tag along?"
She smiles at you.
>Is that an order?
>Of course.
>Can I call you Noel?
>No thanks.
>Here. Let me show you what I've been practicing.
>Write-In

>>37786512
>Write-in
"What? Why is it weird he doesn't want me to go after Ragna?"

>>37786493
I posted that shit-link above, which should explain most if not all the problems here.
>>37786146
Shit link here. It's basically a poor man's archive.
To put it in short, he doesn't remember much of anything- he's having to piece things together as he goes, because he's basically a promoted background character.

>>37786512
>Of course.
>Can I call you Noel?
plus>>37786543
He would mince me if I was once my own, figure we'd need a team to have half a shot at him.

>>37786596
Well that's lazy as hell. Much like the rest of the quest

>>37786543
"Of course I'll help you find Major Kiseragi. But...Why would it be weird that hew told us not to go after Bloodedge?" you say.
"Well, I mean... He is a wanted criminal, right? Why would Hazama want to let him go?"
>Ragna is worth trillions of dollars alive or dead.
"That is weird. But... as long was we're working together..Can I call you Noel?"
She blushes for a second before recomposing herself.
"I don't see why not? In that case, I'll call you Ben."
Now, where are you going?
>Straight to NOL headquarters
>Make sure you don't go past Ronin-Gai.
>Make sure you pass the Chinese restaraunt
>Write-In

>>37786755
>Make sure you don't go past Ronin-Gai.
>Straight to NOL headquarters

>>37786652
I'm sorry I don't meet your expectations.
Honestly.
I'm still working the ropes, and I'd appreciate it if you kept the scathing parts of your critique a little less scathing. That said, I will try to improve in the future.

>>37786819
Making sure not to pass over the path of that creep Bang from Ronin-Gai, you meander your way towards the NOL headquarters.
Trying not to give away that you know both more and less than you should, you use the map when you can do so without looking suspicious.
However, when you look up, Noel seems to be losing focus.
She seems a little *too* enchanted with the scenery.
You know that you'll go off-track if you let her daydream, but you might also get to know her better.
>Let her take in the sights
>Take in the sights with her
>Get her back on track
>Look out for any dangerous people
>Write-In

>>37786956
>Take in the sights with her
>Look out for any dangerous people
Make small talk.

>>37786988
Putting the map away, you're able to discern your surroundings a bit more clearly.
There seems to be a general chinese theme to this area, while Ronin-Gai was more Japanese.
There are a few general shops around and you see food stands selling small meals.
"Wow...It's really nice here, isn't it?" Noel asks, snapping you out of your stupor.
"Uh, yeah. You've been here before?"
"Well... I was more thinking that it reminds me of the Academy."
(Oh, the Military Academy. Crap, You don't have anything on that.)
"Um, yeah. Say, do you want anything to..."
Suddenly, a huge, hulking red figure catches your eye.
He's gigantic, and looks like he could break you in two with his bare hands.
He's definitely not a NOL Officer.
>Alert Noel
>Move off to the side
>Turn around
>Confront him
>Write-In

>>37787236
>Move off to the side
Just keep walking and hope he doesn't notice you.

He's muttering something, seemingly to himself, but you can't make it out.
Good thing you didn't fight him. He looks like a dangerous opponent.
Slowly making your way to NOL Headquarters, you find that the doors are unguarded.
That's strange. With Ragna the Bloodedge here? There's not even any blood. It's like they
disappeared.
>FLASHBACK:
>Hazama laughs evilly. "Restriction 666 released, Dimensional Interference Field Deployed! Code S.O.L., BlazBlue, Activate!"
>Suddenly, you find yourself evaporating.
Could it be?
>Inform Noel of what you know, knowing she may not believe you.
>Maybe Ragna is responsible for this.
>Maybe Jin is responsible for this.
>Write In

>>37787504
>Maybe Ragna is responsible for this.
He is a super powered terrorist after all.
If he can do that we need reinforcements.

>>37787545
"You think Ragna did this?"
Noel nods timidly. You can't blame her.
The whole unit vanishing like that? With people like Noel in their ranks?
Ragna must be pretty damn powerful if he can do that.
>Call for reinforcements
>Go in alone, asking Noel to call for reinforcements.
>Go in with Noel
>Ask Noel to go in while you call reinforcements
>Write-In

>>37787664
>Call for reinforcements
Please let it be the major and not Terumi.

>>37787699
Frak. You just realized you don't know anyone's radio signal.
Trying to stay cool, you ask Noel, "Um, do you know anybody we could call? If he wiped out the whole unit, there may not be a lot of people left."
She thinks for a second before perking up.
"Makoto!" She snaps her fingers. "Makoto is one of my friends from Military Academy! She's really strong, too!" Then she pauses. But I don't know if she's in Kagutsuchi right now..."
>Well better than nothing.
>Anyone else? At all?
>Wait, you mean you're not calling the Major?
>Just don't call Hazama. That guy's a jerk.
>Write-In

>>37787810
>Well better than nothing.

>>37787893
She takes your radio and uses Ars Magus to change the signal. You take note of that and prepare to use the technique, as well as the comm-link, in the future.
However, nothing comes through. Noel is distraught at this- Makoto could be dead for all she knows.
>She's strong, right? So there's nothing to worry about.
>Well, try someone else?
>We need to get moving and find Jin.
>Is it broken?
>Write-In

>>37788030
>She's strong, right? So there's nothing to worry about.
She's an Lt if she anywhere near as tough as you she's fine. Probably broke her radio or something.
>We need to get moving and find Jin.
If anyone can kick ass it'd be him.

>>37788132
You look at Noel. "Don't worry, she's probably just fine. She probably just broke her radio or something. Either way, we need to find Jin."
"I don't know... But I guess you're right. Oh..."
She opens the doors, and you two enter.
"There's something I have to tell you about Jin. He... He's a little... off... He... ran off to fight Ragna, disobeying orders. He carries an ice sword called the Yukianesa, and he's extremely powerful."
>Fighting a terrorist like Ragna? That sounds normal.
>What do you mean, 'off'?
>Do you not like Jin? I thought he was the 'Hero of Ikaruga'?
>Write-In

>>37788271
>What do you mean, 'off'?
Like captain Hazama off or bat shit insane off?

File: Jin_Kisaragi.png (241 KB, 515x645)

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>>37788340
"He... He's Ragna the Bloodedge's brother. And...killing Ragna, or at least trying to, is an obsession of Jin's. When he came back from the Ikarugan War, he became cold, angry, and vicious, calling me 'trash' and-"
"Were you going to say something, Lieutenant?"
A blonde man in NOL uniform, minus the beret, strides in with a curved sword in his hand. The temperature in the room drops five degrees.
Noel, in response to this, panics. "Major! I!"
"The worthless should stay silent." He glares at you with an icy, unstable glare.
"And who might you be?"
>Noel's inferior officer, Ben Herald.
>You can't talk to Noel like that!
>Before I tell you, you are Jin Kiseragi, right?
>Your superior officer. Stand down.
>Get ready to fight
>Write-In

>>37788527
>Write-In
"I was sent by Hazama, Captain of the intelligence division to find you sir. However I was not ordered to do anything further. Can I ask where everyone else is?"
Protectively stand in front of Noel

>>37788527
Warrant Officer Ben Herald, I assume you are Major Kisaragi. We suspect Ragna the Bloodedge is inside the building sir. Considering it seems her somehow erased all the NOL garrisoned we thought it prudent to wait for someone with greater skill than our own before we proceeded, sir.


Once he's out of earshot agree with Noel this guy is an ass.

"Warrant Officer Ben Herald, Major. I was sent by Hazama, Captain of the intelligence division to find you sir. However I was not ordered to do anything further. Can I ask where everyone else is?"
Jin glares ad Ben and laughs in a grating tone. "So the worthless Lieutenant managed to recruit someone slightly less-worthless, then?"
Frowning at this, Ben stands slightly in front of Noel, forming a partial barrier between her and Jin. "I assume you are Major Kisaragi. We suspect Ragna the Bloodedge is inside the building sir."
"Anyone with a brain can figure that out. Tell me something useful!"
Noel is becoming more scared, and Ben more frustrated.
"Considering it seems he somehow erased all the NOL garrisoned we thought it prudent to wait for someone with greater skill than our own before we proceeded, sir."
"You can say that again. I outclass you and the Leuitenant in every way. Now make yourself somewhat useful and stay here to make sure nobody interrupts my fight with...Brother."
He stalks off with a garish smile on his face.
Noel sighs in relief once the air warms again.
"Wow, this dude is a douche." Ben mutters.
"But we need to retrieve him...Maybe...If he fights Ragna, we can take him on in his injured state?"
>That's a great idea. High-five!
>And if Ragna wins we can just fight him.
>That guy can fight Ragna? I don't think so.
>Write-In

>>37788854
>>Write-In
"Why don't we join in his fight against Ragna?"
"If he loses we ambush Ragna and take both of them, if he wins we ambush him and take both of them."

>>37788854
>And if Ragna wins we can just fight him.
We should shut the doors when we head in. Lock em too.

>>37788915
>>37788922
"Well, that could have gone better." Noel mutters.
"Hey, wait a minute. If those guys are equal fighters..." A smile crosses Ben's face.
"Then when one of them loses, we can ambush the other, get both of them and save ourselves some time!"
"Um, that seems like a good idea."
"Let's lock the doors. That way they can't run."
"Um, I don't think a locked door would prove much of a threat for either of them. I've seen Jin fight. He creates ice and hurls it at people- ice spikes, ice cars..."
"Don't worry. Ben locks the doors. "You served under him, right? That means you must be good at fighting."
"Well.." She looks nervous. "I guess?"
You two make your way towards where Jin was going.

>>37789115 (My post)
You enter a hall with pillars forming a path in the middle. As you and Noel enter, you see Ragna and Jin fighting. Jin looks like he has the upper hand, forcing Ragna to defense while he slides about on ice and forms spikes that form barriers against his foe.
"Jin, get the hell away from me! I am not in the mood!"
"How cold, brother. It should be 'ice' to see me after such a long time, should it not?"
"Hell no! you cut off my freaking arm, you lunatic!"
The fight continues. They're doing some serious structural damage.
>Engage
>Wait for the tide to change
>Analyse their styles some more
>Write-In

>>37789214
"Alright, so how we're going to do this, is that I'm going to distract the winner and you will suddenly attack them while I'm doing it, alright?"
Otherwise:
>Analyse

>>37789214
>>37789260
This. We need to git gud if we don't want to get erased in a serious fight.

>>37789260
>>37789290
Funny that you should say erased... But that's neither here nor there.
You can tell that Ragna's style is a jolted but powerful attack style, focusing on hitting hard, not so much on recovery. Jn's style is more refined (relatively) and acrobatic, focusing on finesse and combination strikes, as well as keeping Ragna at bay with the ice.

>>37789501
>Is that how promotion works around here?
>does that mean I'd be you superior? Teasingly
>Focus we need to focus.

>>37789260
"We're gonna have to pull this off as a team. I'll distract them, while you take them down ina n ambush."
Noel smiles. "Maybe you can have Major Kisaragi's job? You seem more strategic than I am."
>Focus, Noel.
>Yeah, sure.
>Is that how promotion works around here?
>Does that mean I'd be you superior?
>Write-In

>>37789501
>>37789570
>>Write-In
"His job is being a living weapon and popularity stunt, not a tactician... I'm not sure I want my name attached to this haul though. We'll see."

>>37789564
(Just wanted cleaner post)
"Yeah, sure. Replace the crazy Major with the title Hero in his name. I'd be the Hero of Kagutsuchi, then. Does that mean I'd be your superior?" Ben nudges Noel.
"Um...I think?" She ponders the thought. "Well, you're nice to me, so I wouldn't mind."
Ben looks at Noel for a minute before shaking his head. "We need to focus. Watch for an opening."
Suddenly, Ragna gets Jin with an uppercut, jumps an absurd height, and then axe-kicks Jin into the floor. The marble floor. Which creates a dent in the ground. Damn. Ragna coughs and moves onwards after saying something inaudible to Jin.
>Approach Jin
>Engage Ragna
>Approach Ragna cautiously.
>Maybe my plan wasn't such a great idea.
>Write-In

>>37789734
>>Approach Ragna cautiously.
Sorry, can't let you murder everyone and run for it. Major, you good?

>>37789734
>Write-In
Jump out in front of Ragna and shout "Stop right there!" but don't engage him.

File: ragna normal.png (106 KB, 361x480)

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>>37789773
>>37789820
"Hey!" Ben runs to stand in front of Ragna, rifle leveled at the warrior.
Ragna just looks at Ben and sighs.
"Dude, do you really think I became the most wanted criminal in the world by surrendering every time some dumbass told me to?"
He pulls out the sword hanging at his side. That thing must weight 300 pounds.
"Now get lost, before I actually do kill you instead of just saying I did."
Noel creeps behind Ragna, Bolverk leveled at him. She's a bit off, so Ben's conversation with Ragna hides her movement.
>Signal Noel to attack
>Attack him yourself.
>Witty pre-battle quote
>Write-In

>>37789971
>Write-In
"Look, I understand your plight. I honestly do, the problem is likely that I'd get fired, or WORSE if I didn't try and take you on. So if you could just like knock me out and give me some mild wounds without killing me I'd be REALLY, REALLY thankful Mister Ragna."

>>37789971
>Witty pre-battle quote
No I think you Got to be the most wanted criminal in the world because the vast majority of my co-workers and superiors are incompetent asshats, like your brother. Noel now!

>>37789992
>>37789971
This.

Not >>37790040

>>37790054
Dude there are 2 posters and OP Stop samefagging.

>>37790094
What do you mean? It says four to me.

>>37790113
You just switched cpus or phones didn't you it was at 3 until you posted.

>>37790094
>>37790113
>>37790135
>>37790054
>>37790040
>>37789992

(The way of Dead Spike is compromise.)
"Look, I understand your plight. I honestly do, the problem is likely that I'd get fired, or WORSE if I didn't try and take you on. Mostly because my boss is an asshole and most of my coworkers, EXcluding Noel and DEFINITELY INcluding Jin, are incompetent asshats. Noel, now!"
Noel fires out a set of burst from Bolverk, catching Ragna off guard. Ben adds to the damage with some bullets.
Ragna throws his sword in an arc and yells, "Dead SPIKE!"
Ben barely dodges, but falls prone. Noel is distracting Ragna at this point.
A burning sensation courses through his body.
>Switch strategies
>That hurt me- but it didn't touch me?
>No time to think. Help Noel!
>Write-In

>>37790204
>That hurt me- but it didn't touch me?
the fuck?
>No time to think. Help Noel!
Cheap shots and interrupt his winds ups.

>>37790253
>>37790204
Second.

>>37790253
Ben looks at his leg, and for a second, it's surrounded by black mist.
>Is this seither?
A path of similar black dust/mist led behind him, too.
>I got caught in the TAILWIND of one of his attacks and it was still that powerful? No wonder he's the No.1 criminal.
As Noel keeps hailing him with shots, Ragna growls.
"Screw this! Restriction 666 released, Dimensional Interruption Imagin- OW!"
Ben shot him, slowly regaining his strength.
"Okay, you need to die! Carnage-" Ragna winds up for an attack.
Ben points and shoots. Nothing.
>> Out of ammo. Figures.
"No!"
"Scissor-GARGK!"
Ben looks up to see his unlikely savior behind Ragna.
"Did you really think I was out of this fight, ...Brother?" Jin hisses.
>Reload and run for it!
>Reload and shoot them both!
>Reload and shoot Ragna!
>Just run for it- Noel and Jin will handle this!
>Write-In

>>37790453
>>Write-In
Well, we're going to be time-resetting too. So lets leave this to them and go meet Hakumen

>>37790453
>Reload and run for it!


>>37790512
Meta anon, i'd love to but meta.

>>37790550
We're exceedingly close to the place where Hakumen is at, so we'll see if we can pull a BANG BANG BAAANG and manage to survive Hakumen for a bit

>>37790570
So reload and run letting them fight more?

>>37790512
>>37790550
>>37790570
>>37790587
Ben struggles to his feet.
"New plan- let's get the FUCK OUTTA HERE!"
"R-right!"Noel runs around the fight and both of them go for a door.
After a few turns, there's an elevator, and a few empty offices. Too empty, in fact- there are pages scattered as if they were just used five minutes ago.
Thunderous sounds come from the room of the clash.
"We need to find someplace to hide! The offices!"
>Yeah, the offices!
>The elevator!
>Noel, are you alright?
>Let's just wait here.
>Write-In

>>37790681
Wait a second, we meant run for it WITHOUT Noel

>>37790688
If this is corroborated, I'll edit. I thought you guys would want to take Noel with you. My mistake, will clarify next time.

>>37790681
>Yeah, the offices!
>Noel, are you alright?

>>37790688
Our mission is stop Terumi from mindraping her so we kinda need to stick with her.

Anyways it's 130 am here so I'm hitting the hay.

>>37790688
>>37790720
>>37790726
>>37790681
With this in mind, I think I'll end the thread here unless someone else wants to throw their two cents in.
If we can't decide, I'll put it as first choice next thread.

>>37790681
>Yeah, the offices!

Nearly missed this quest

Okay, you're a lot late, but feel free to join us next time with no problem,>>37790893.
I think I posted anon right >>37789115
here, so there are actually 4 posters. Last vote here goes to that anon.
Honor code, guys.