>>41324264
>So it's just killing it you have a problem with, not finding it?
>Have you got anything better to do?

>>41324264
>>So it's just killing it you have a problem with, not finding it?

>>41324302

Seconded.

We hunting it down because we want to kill it or hire it?

>>41324264
>I've already got an army.
A respawning army, no less.

>>41324393
As far as I'm aware, you want to kill it so you can gain a powerful fire spirit as your ally.

Anons are free to throw the plan out of the window and acquire a dragon army, however.

>>41324393
A deal with the herald of the flame god. Kill a water dragon, burn its heart, keep it from being rezzed

>>41324427
Fair enough.
Its all down to taste, if this world has a monster eco system then killing the dragons will be really bad news, which is great for the players in the long run.

>>41324489
Also when we initially summoned the Herald of the Fire God, it was inside the country's primary forest.

Things did not go according to plan with that one.

“So it's just killing it you have a problem with? Not finding it?”

Neile raises a finger, opens his mouth, then shuts it. Good.

“Find me a dragon, get me and a team to it, and we'll take it from there. You don't need to worry about the rest.” You motion around his shabby sitting room, the lack of... well, everything. “Besides – have you got anything better to do?”

“... Perhaps not,” he says after a pause, the kid pulling himself to his feet and moving towards the window, scowling petulantly out at the scorched trees that remain of the forest, occasional flares of a still lingering fire sometimes visible. “That was my livelihood out there – hunting animals, selling the meat, fur, hides. Gods only know what happened out there.”

Ah. Yes. It's a mystery.

“Then prepare for travel,” you say, dusting yourself off as you rise as well. “I have things to do for now, but we'll likely be leaving tomorrow. You have some idea where to take us?”

“Yes, but-”

Guide acquired, you think as you exit the room, heading for the door. “I'll send someone around to fix the door later, along with money for supplies. Don't let me down.”

“Do you just expect me to-?!”

Shutting the front door behind you, you Summon a horse and make your way back towards the castle to get some privacy. Not long from now, you'll be going -
_

- back. Barely a second after you reach your office, the world vanishes, leaving your aching body being pulled out of the goop by a pair of bleary-eyed technicians. Russell himself, probably too weedy to help, grins and waves at you from his swivel chair, practically vibrating. “John! How was it all? Fun?”

>Absolute hell. I can't imagine worse.
>I've had worse. We'll see how it goes.
>Better than I was expecting. I'm looking forward to the next shift.
>Write-in.

(+1 Minion acquired!)

>>41324658
>>I've had worse. We'll see how it goes.

>>41324658
>Better than I was expecting. I'm looking forward to the next shift.


So... didn't you tell us we were going to have a meeting with "peolple" after we came out from the game? I hope they are not angry about the forest.

>>41324658
>I've had worse. We'll see how it goes.
>But better than I thought it'd be. You guys did a pretty nice job with the world there.

It was pretty cool.

>>41324722
We're going to timeskip some sleep first, THEN a meeting with your fellow 'NPC' actors. None of whom give a feck about trees, I guarantee.

>>41324658
>"I may have accidentally the forest is this bad?"

>>41324776
Nice, time to meet our soon-to-be partners in crime. We weren't told there would be others like us, right?

>>41324837
>We weren't told there would be others like us, right?

Nope. We think we're the only one.

>>41324776
Dude FUCK trees

>>41324854
Yeah, I only told you guys because it's coming up so soon. Not like it was a big spoiler.

>>41324861
DWARF DETECTED.

>>41324854
>We think we're the only one.
We weren't told about others, but I don't think it's that big of a logical leap to conclude that if they hired us, they also hired others.

>>41324888
Let me pull that lever over there

“I've had worse,” you grunt, trying not to stumble as the technicians ease you to your feet. God, those aches... “We'll see how it goes. Still better than expected, though.”

Russell seems relieved by that, fiddling with his glasses and beaming like a new father. “That's great! If even one person is unhappy with Conquest, it's like I've failed. Like everything I've worked for comes to nothing!”

“That's...” You squint at him. “That's depressing. You on pills?”

“Only for my ADHD!”

Right. Sighing, you fumble a dressing gown on, and move your protesting body towards the showers. Maybe a good sleep will help kick that longevity crap into fixing you up a bit.
_

The next morning doesn't allow you much of the free time you thought you'd be getting. While you appreciated the convenience (and even comfort) of the small staff quarters that came as part of your job – you'd likely be living here for the first six weeks, for the sheer convenience – being woken up at 6am to get dressed, grab a quick breakfast, and get escorted to meet 'fellow employees' didn't exactly rub you the right way.

Especially when you found out what these employees DID.

“The same thing as me?”

Russell nods enthusiastically, and you dimly recall the days when you could get away with punching people for being idiots. “Yes! They're less important 'NPCs', and they don't know about you, but-”

“Explain.”

“Well -” He pauses. “They're playing lone heroic NPCs, some of them are weapons-for-hire, some are lesser villains... Just don't let them know what you are, all right?” He stares up at your slightly-taller form, eyes wide. “As far as they know, you just help write quests, okay? Okay.”

Suspicious punk. “And why the hell can't they know I'm playing the big bad?”

(1/2)

Russell bites his lip. “I. Uh. I can't tell you that? Just yet. But eventually...!”

>Hm. Drop the subject for now – you're outside the meeting room.
>Push the subject – nothing wrong with standing outside a while longer. (Write-in)
>Write-in.

>>41325410
>Hm. Drop the subject for now – you're outside the meeting room.

>>41325410
>Hm. Drop the subject for now – you're outside the meeting room.

>>41325410
>>Write-in.
Just ask why he can't tellus, then drop it

>>41325410
>>Push the subject – nothing wrong with standing outside a while longer. (Write-in)
Push the weakling 'til he squeaks.
They are probably not allowed to know because of that reward to kill us, or that they don't blab.

>>41325410
>Hm. Drop the subject for now – you're outside the meeting room.

>>41325410
>Hm. Drop the subject for now – you're outside the meeting room.

But ask that he tell us why later on.

>>41325410
>Hm. Drop the subject for now – you're outside the meeting room.
Also tell him he will have some explaingns to do

Even MORE suspicious. “I'll drop it for now,” you mutter, aware of your surroundings, “but don't think you're getting out of this for long.”

Ignoring the brat's awkward twitching, you shove the door open, nodding a goodbye for now; inside is packed, a long boardroom table with a host of people sitting or standing at it, or even lounging on it -can't these morons work out how chairs work?

You're easily the oldest of the maybe twenty or so others here, who seem to be mostly in their late-twenties at most. They seem fairly casual, too, chatting together over the drinks and finger-food splayed out over the table. No-one seems to be in charge – what is this, a meet-and-greet?

As the door closes behind you, you

>look for someone who seems (write-in; bored? Sociable? Etc)
>decide that people don't matter. Acquire food.
>mingle in general
>Write-in

>>41325777
>mingle in general

Also go eat food.

>>41325777
>>decide that people don't matter. Acquire food.
This is definitely the old man option

>>41325777
>mingle in general
While food is important, we can get that after being polite.
No one wants to be the guy who sits alone, no matter their age.

>>41325777
>>mingle in general

>>41325777
>>decide that people don't matter. Acquire food.
Remember, we're just an elderly quest writer, playing a VR, even as an NPC, is something only nerdy kids do. We don't even know what a "joystick" is (that the thing in our daughter's bedstand, isn't it?)

>>41325777
>mingle in general

>>41325777
>decide that people don't matter. Acquire food.
They probably think you're a janitor or something.

Heading off for food, update in a minute.

>>41326204
Kinda wish I'd gotten this in earlier, but I'm a late follower to the quest.

I tried writing a possible BBEG motivation/endgame strategy from the perspective of us doing our evil monologue thing before we're killed. Long as fuck, though, so I uploaded to a pastebin. Give it a whirl if y'all like.

http://pastebin.com/tZAZzc2w

>>41326334
I looked, but I stopped because your very first sentence was wrong.

Screw this, You head over to the food, ignoring the curious looks of a few people who noticed you come in. While your legs are still a pain, your arms feel a little smoother-moving than usual – your 'health benefits' already kicking in – and you pick over the plates of food, selecting various sandwiches and – what'd they cal 'em? 'Nibbles'?

Stupid word.

Giving a nod towards some girl who's peering at you curiously (never seen an old man before?), you start chowing down on a second breakfast. Decent food, all told. A little fancy, but good.

“And you are?” The voice is high, haughty; you turn slightly to see a punk you can only describe as smug, stuck-up and far too interested in his looks, from slicked-back hair, to the multiple piercings, to the – is that eyeliner? It's eyeliner.

>Nobody important. Just here for the food.
>How's that your business?
>John Smith – quest-writer.
>Write-in

>>41326334
I'll give it a look in a second. Welcome to the quest!

>>41326464
>John Smith – quest-writer.
"I write the stuff that you dole out to players, bud."

>>41326464
>John Smith – quest-writer.

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>41326464
>Write-in
"I'm the guy who controls a level 200 quest giver." (Roll 1d100)

>>41326464
>John Smith – quest-writer.

>>41326464
>John Smith – quest-writer.

>>41326464
>John Smith – quest-writer.

>>41326464
>John Smith – quest-writer
May as well ask who he is/what he does.
>>41326461
Isn't part of our goal in this game to pretend we're an AI and not a player? An advanced one, moreso than the AIs governing the NPCs in competitor games, but an AI nonetheless?

>>41326464
Say you're a quest writer/giver. A high level one.

>>41326464
>>John Smith – quest-writer.

>>41326524
No. We don't control anybody, we're just a lowly quest writer.

>>41326464
>>How's that your business?

>>41326464
"Male, and you?"

>>41326464
>Write-in
"Someone whose killed more men in Vietnam than you have peircings"

Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>41326334
It's okay, but too try-hard. Also players will never care that much, if we wanted to hurt them it'd be better to just make everyone and everything in the game world self-destruct.

>>41326464

I'm Smohn Jith, quest writer extraordinaire.

>>41326524
I rather like it.

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>41326524
I like this.

>>41326606

He wasn't in Vietnam.

This quest takes place far after that.

>>41326601
Y'know, I wanted to be neutral, but this burn is too good to pass up.
>>41326616
Fair enough. We'd have to play that character to the end, after all, and it seemed unlikely we'd manage that.

>>41326601
I laughed.

Writin'.

Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>41326524
I can go for it.

>>41326334
Sounds good, I like the first half. But we shouldn't stage a coup to replace the king, we're working from the shadows.

>>41326606
>>41326601
We shouldn't start to answer this hostile. Be professional first, but ready to tear him a new one if he sneers at us. (for being "better" than us, because he controls a level 30 NPC)

Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>41326524
Plausible.

>>41326524

No. And why are you rolling?

>>41326667
>>41326644
>>41326633
>>41326616
>>41326524
You can stop fapping to yourself now.

>>41326675
Bluff? It's a half lie, we do control a level 100 NPC though.

>>41326656
Ide agree, but the way he asked is dickish. So as my old man says:
Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer.

>>41326691

Why even say we control anyone?

>>41326656
The implication was that the heroes came to the king with irrefutable proof of our actions in targeting them with our own private army, and it was either surrender to our brother or coup him.

Honestly, much of the story probably wouldn't happen. It was just my attempt at writing an AI intelligent enough to realize it was both in a game and intended to be the main villain.

As far as BBEG motivations go, it seemed like one the players wouldn't expect, which is part of why we were hired. Try new things and all, yeah?

Guys I just realized how obvious it is what our first quest we give to players will be
>there is a water dragon who has been harassing our fishermen and merchant fleets. kill him, bring his heart as proof that the deed has been completed, and you will be rewarded
We could maybe even provoke the dragon, or send merchant vessels his direction to make that statement true

>>41326735

It'll be a reference to our pre-launch shenanigans, but there won't be much of a point since the whole world is gonna get reset before the game is released.

>>41326688
Oh, I see. Several people like something you don't so obviously it's just one person.

>>41326735
Pretty high level quest, suppose its a good one for in person though.

>>41326719
Yeah, I think the basic rule in "RL" was "don't tell anybody you control a VR guy"

>>41326735
We need the water dragon dead now, so that the fire demon can give us power. In 6 weeks will be to late.

>>41326735
Depending on what the level of a water dragon is and when six weeks come to an end. You do realize we are rift next to a starting town?

>>41326767
5 out of 5 posts with dice rolls having the same opinion? Yeah, right.

>>41326766
I feel like we could offer it the heart of water dragon whenever and it'd join us. VRQM, can you confirm?

>>41326814
They replied to a post suggesting a bluff check. Probably thinking OP will use the rolls.

>>41326822
VRQM mentioned we'd get the fire dude as a WTF bonus after the reset from the devs if we did manage to seal the deal beforehand.

>>41326822
I'll allow this based on the nat100 that was rolled in the thread, and because you guys REALLY seem to want this guy. You'll have a hard time making any water-based allies with him around, just so you know.

>>41326867
Fire is way more ominous than water. Honestly I don't really understand what he is and what he will offer us, but it seems properly evil and manipulative

>>41326867
What are water-based allies good for?

>>41326577
Nope. Just the BBEG. Just because we have to stay in character at all times doesn't mean we're pretending to be an AI.

Plus after reading the rest of it anyway I don't think the game company wants us to be meta like that.

>>41326903
Fire isn't inherently evil. It's just, like, there. An element. Is a campfire evil? Is a lantern leading a scout in the dark evil? Is a oven cooking food with fire evil?

>>41326822

The game will reset, so we won't have the Elemental Prince on our side or whatever.

>>41326865
>>41326867

That'll be fine, then.

But other than being allies, everything else will be reset, right?

Can't have the national forest be burned down.

>>41326948
I didn't say it was evil, just ominous

>>41326930
Forcibly drowning people
Infuriating temple levels
Slimes that eat clothing

etc.

>>41326963
Water temple alone could seal our status as best/worst BBEG.

>>41326956
It's already been stated that we will retain the loyalty of the Herald of Flame after the reset, as a bonus from the company.

>>41326939
Yes, you're pretending to be an A.I.

Uh, was I not clear about that?

>>41326956
They let us keep it, as a WTF bonus

>>41326986
>>41326998

I know. I quoted the post that said so.

>>41326995
It sounded pretty clear to me upon introduction

>>41326984
I actually found water temple fairly easy when i played the game.

If we could get a minion to set up an equivalent in this world, it would give me a good chuckle.

>>41326995
You were, but I only think it was really brought up in the first couple threads.

We haven't needed to worry about it yet, given we're in the testing phase.

>>41326995
I guess you weren't. I thought the game was using real actors in their advertising.

>>41326995
Is everyone else in this room pretending to be AI so the game looks much better for investors and future games?

File: 1363402608897.gif (2.03 MB, 383x207)

2.03 MB GIF

>>41327097

>>41325378
>>41327097
Yes. See the other post.

My bet is that these are the people who will be leading the fight against us. After all, wouldn't it be cool if the 'NPCs' were the ones leading the fight against the shadow BBEG?

File: image.jpg (36 KB, 401x455)

36 KB JPG

>>41327121
Here's your response.

>>41327097
I don't feel like finding the post, but basically it's because AI's aren't advanced enough, so they are using actors. However, they don't want players to know they are playing with actors, instead of AI. So, we are the secret group of players that makes the snap decisions instead of letting a computer do it and possibly mess up

>>41327094
>>41327097

OKAY, IN SUMMARY.

You and other people are acting as A.I.s because A.I. technology is still not good enough to act completely convincing. The company is betting their all on this game, so it needs to-

>>41327178
Yes, this.

>>41327218
I just wasn't aware we were also a secret from the other actors

>>41327218
Okay good. We should definitely practice that teleport power after we find a way to quickly regenerate mp.

“John Smith. I write quest-lines for NPCs and you guys to give out.” Eyes off him, you focus on picking out a decent dip for those nacho-chip-things, whatever they are. “Mostly above level 100, doubt you'll deal with me much.”

The little shit seems taken aback by that, before the smug look returns. “Level 100? Sounds like you won't be busy for a while. You're gonna die of old age before even I get that high.” He gives you a look that suggests he doesn't expect it to be long before you die of said cause, the condescending toddler.

“Don't worry,” you assure him – are those strawberry tarts? Not bad. “There'll be people that aren't so incompetent, I won't have to wait long.”

That's a beautiful colour he goes. Almost the same shade as those tarts, which you happily down. Maybe it WAS a good idea coming here.

Leaving a sputtering punk behind you, you wander off in search of a drink to wash the food down.

As you pour yourself a soda – no alcohol here, for some reason – a dark-skinned woman nudges you, smirking as she steps beside you. “Good on you,” she whispers, reaching for her own glass. “He's already made himself leader of his little gang, he needed to get smacked down a bit.”

>No idea what you're talking about.
>Who the hell is that brat, anyway?
>Gang? What is this, high school?
>Write-in

>>41327239
Russell mentioned that this thread, two updates ago.

>>41327283
>Gang? What is this, high school?

>>41327283
>Gang? What is this, high school?
>add in a "back in my day....." Joke

>>41327283
>Who the hell is that brat, anyway?
>Gang? What is this, high school?
>Name's John, yours?

>>41327283
>>Write-in
Grunt
>Russel mentioned that
Right I saw that, I meant before this thread

>>41327283

>Gang? What is this, high school?

Suddenly glad we picked an old man.

>>41327283
>>Gang? What is this, high school?

>>41327283
>Who the hell is that brat, anyway?
>Gang? What is this, high school?

>>41327283
>>No idea what you're talking about.
>>Who the hell is that brat, anyway?
>>Gang? What is this, high school?
I feel these answers are very similar, so why not all? (we need meta info about the other parts of the game, so we can plan for in-game trouble)

>>41327283
If we find out who that guy is we can have him killed in-game just when he has gained enough levels to feel strong.

OP, will the PCs and NPCs lose levels when killed?

>>41327283
>Gang? What is this, high school?
>Write-in
'Does this mean I'm going to end up the principal here? Wonderful.'

>>41327352
Yes.

>>41327352
Nah. I've seen too many quest threads where the option people choose is "all of the above"

>>41327497
Those work well for info gathering but I agree not in this situation

>>41327497
Sometimes it's really a bad thing and it shows, other times it calls the OP out on it not really being a choice.

>>41327283
seconding >>41327315

>>41325378
>“The same thing as me?”
I thought this meant that each of them burnt down a forest, and was sorely disappointed.

>>41327315
>back in my day when you hated someone you punched them in the face, not hiding behind your friends.
Or something like that

You stare at her, bewildered. “Gang? What is this, high-school?”

“High-” She half-chokes on her water, giving an unladylike snort. “That- that's exactly what this is! The popular group, thinking they're top of the food chain, stamping on anyone lower.” The woman shrugs, grinning. “Don't seem to realise that this time, the lower members of the totem pole don't have to take their shit. Here-” Her hand reaches out to shake. “Lana Singh.. My character's a mercenary, can be hired by players if they don't have people to party with. Pays the bills, I guess!”

Shaking her hand, you keep one firmly on your drink. “John Smith. Guess you already heard what I do.”

“Yep. How are you coming up with those quests, then? You're not able to measure their difficulty or anything, are you? Not without test players.”

You shrug, side-stepping the issue. “The same way lower-level quests are done. I just come up with 'em anyway, someone else balances all the rewards and points out. What are you guys doing, anyway? Not like the game's started yet.”

“Just practice, mostly. They've got V.R. Areas set up, made to look like parts of the game, so we're training our asses off.” Singh pulls a face, waving her drink around at everyone else. “Some people – naming no names – are training in groups instead of alone, based on who they're playing. The rest of us are just getting on it.” She pats her arm with her free hand. “Feels pretty good to be in a body with real muscle tone. Pity I don't get a work-out in real life. So why'd they hire you, huh? Work on their older games?”

>Nah. Never worked on a game before.
>I've done a few. Nothing like this, though.
>I know a guy who got me the job.
>Write-in

RIP in peace, OP

>>41327315
>>add in a "back in my day....." Joke
Supporting this. Every fucking old person does that at every chance they have.

>>41328154
>Something about needing a new perspective. Or old, in this case.

>>41328154

>Nah. Never worked on a game before.
The whole "so I don't have any bad habits" spiel.

>>41328154
>Nah. Never worked on a game before.

"That's why they hired me, though. So I don't constantly use cliches that the players are tired of seeing. And I was the head of a library, so I have some good material to make references to and build from when necessary."

>>41328154
>Nah. Never worked on a game before.
"fresh classic perspective" they said.

>>41328154
>I know a guy who got me the job.

>>41328154
>Nah. Never worked on a game before.
Some sort of "fresh perspective" thing.

>>41328157
Distracted by highly important things, sorry.

Very highly important. Honest. Really. Would I exaggerate to you?

>>41328154
>>Nah. Never worked on a game before.
Life experience.

>>41328242
oh yeah, throw in the library too


Also ask her if she knows what character punk kid plays as.

>>41328154
>"They wanted someone with a wealth of life experience to draw on. Nothing says 'Realism' like doing a shady task you're not really comfortable with to pay off debts towards disreputable people"

>>41328357
It's too late, you're already dead to me. RIP in Peace, didn't you hear?

>>41328357
Pls add a "back in my day...." Joke to one of these answers. We are supposed to be like 70 years old. We better act like one.

>>41328357
>Distracted by highly important things
Porn?

>>41328362

>Also ask her if she knows what character punk kid plays as.

Oh yes. Yes this.

>>41328400
>>41328357

I think he had to take a shit or play with a cat.

>>41328383
I'll never be at peace! Never, ya hear me?!

>>41328393
Will do.

>>41328393
>Pls add a "back in my day...." Joke to one of these answers. We are supposed to be like 70 years old. We better act like one.
You mean, we better act like a sitcom stereotype of one.

>>41328422
'Back in my day, everything was a fetch quest. Hey John, go get that copy of Mort from the shelves. Hey John, go round up the boys and move those crates down to dock 2 for outgoing shipping.'

>>41328429
I didn't know I lived in a sitcom. Have you ever talked to an older person about discipline or work ethic? I heard three variations of "well back then" or "it's not like they used to" yesterday.

>>41328568
I have, and they only do that when talking about the past, and I have never heard the phrase "back in my day" used seriously by an old person in my life.

>>41328704
The 'back in my day' joke will remain a joke. At least we'll see if VRQM is any good at those sort of jokes soon enough...

>>41328810
No, I have no sense of humour.

>>41328864
Well, trainwrecks are fun to watch too, I guess.

>>41328864
Don't worry. The first time is always the worst.

>>41328971
I- I'm sorry. I tried, but... it hurt too bad.

I had to delete it.

Some day, anons. Someday, I'll make a 'back in my day' joke. Possibly when you nat 1.

>>41329098
Leave it to us then.

Rolled 1 (1d1)

>>41329098

>>41329241
Crit success!

“Nah. Never worked on a game before.” You take another sip, unaffected by her stare. “I was a head librarian, got a lot of life experience instead. Some sort of 'fresh perspective' thing.”

“That's – I suppose that's a sensible idea.” She shakes her head, still looking bemused. “I wouldn't expect them to take a chance like that on such a big game. Still, you've got time to get more experience before players start hitting the high levels, so...”

You huff, snagging a bowl on nuts for your own. “Nah, working already. Mostly, whatcha-call-it, fetch quests for now.” Like fetching a dragon heart.

“Really? That isn't too... cliché?”

“I hear it's standard. Besides, everyone has to start somewhere, right?” Time to change the subject, before the questions get TOO tricky. “What are the rest of these guys, then?” You make a motion that vaguely includes 'everyone in the room'.

She laughs again, shorter this time, and points people out. “That guy – he's a travelling merchant, vital to some plotline. The girl over there – the goth looking one? - playing a princess, she's mostly for PR stuff. That man over there is another mercenary, and his friend – ex-military – teaches close-combat skills. I think they wanted to develop real life martial arts in the game. Hey,” she pauses. “Are you going to play the game? That would help you, right, if you got a feel for playing it as well as working on it?”

>I'll probably have a character.
>No, I'll just stick to real life.
>Write-in

>>41329564
>No, I'll just stick to real life.
No time. Also if we say yes we will be in a position where we might be pressured to meet up with this girl

Are we going to know the princess in character?

>>41329564
>Write-in

"So far I'm just writing, but that might happen. I'll ask about it later."

>>41329564

>Write-in
They'd have to pay me $80k a year to play this game.

>>41329564
Yeah maybe. They don't want me in there yet though. Want to make sure the ole ticker can take it.

>>41329619
Second

>>41329615
>Are we going to know the princess in character?
it is a mystery

But seriously, you could go over and pry her character's name out of her if you want.

>>41329564
>I'll probably have a character.
SUCH A GREAT PLOT HOOK FOR THE FUTURE JESUS CHRIST

>>41329619
Third

>>41329619
Sure.

>>41329564
>I'll probably have a character.
The guy we're playing is public and no one knows he's the BBEG.

>>41329619
This.

>>41329619
Fifthing, I think.

>>41329647
We need to get this chick on our dragon hunt team.

Yo is dragondildo guy the massive boymolesting homofruit that we just met?

>>41329564
>>41329619
If we're going this route, we should throw in a question on what her character looks like. We can justify it as wanting to meet up in the game later if we do get a character.

>>41329850
Or where she is.

Could also justify it as involving her in quests.

>>41329564
>>41329850

Seconded

>>41329807
You mean Neile the grouchy possibly-part-dragon guy, who I definitely didn't throw in to act as your voice of in-game information? No. None of the actors are on the server yet, they're training in simulated copies of areas in the area. Think of it like a separate server.

>>41329807
No, the boymolesting fruit is part of a gang. Dragon guy is a loner hated by the community.

>>41329906
Ah. So as far as our server is concerned, they don't exist yet.

A few points we'll want to make.

Firstly, we need a lieutenant. Someone who is the face of our BBEG Organization.

Secondly, we'll need to plan out a war, from start to finish. A campaign that, while looking absolutely real and thought-out, is ultimately fruitless.

Lastly, we'll have to decide: Do we want the "face of evil" to win the war, or do we want to use the war as an excuse to conduct all sorts of unethical "but necessary" experiments on our own soldiers?

We need a very, very big look at the geography of this place. Probably need to talk to someone about geographical information and lore that most would call meta but we can pass off as "This guy has been putting together a plan for the past 30 years at least. He's probably very well informed on more than a few points."

>>41329807
Plot!
>have dragondildo show us where the dragon is OOC so we know where it is and can arrange for it to be a problem
>after the reset send out the call for players and parties who are willing to kill it and bring us it's heart as proof of its demise for a shitton of gold or like a a captainship so he feels rewarded and we have a very capable player under our thumb
>send anyone who accepts to dragondildo so he can guide them to the dragon

>>41329930
He's the head of a clique among the actors.
He's not in an in game mafia.

>>41329973
Or we can kill the dragon this week and level up. Why wait for some random player(who starts at level 1) to grind for months just to get to a point where he can take on a dragon with the help of six buddies when we can do it our selves?

>>41329990
Oh, sorry. No one called their friends a gang at my high school

>>41330284
Indeed. I bet murdering a dragon nets a pretty penny in exp.

I also wonder how much of its horde we would get to keep post-reset.

>>41330284
We could do both. Kill the dragon and get TWO superpowers flame monsters

>>41330383
Unless you want to roll another nat100 for a summoning, I doubt we'll get another

“So far I'm just writing, but that might happen. I'll ask about it later.” Still, she could be useful. “What's your character's name, anyway? Could always make you part of a quest if you want.”

“Really?” She perks up, neglecting her soda. “That might up my pay a bit, getting some notice. I'm probably going with Alian, if it gets accepted. Central continent-based. You really think you could do that for me?”

You nod, giving a small grunt. You're not really build for standing up for this long, doing nothing, not with your original knees. “Don't see why not. Unless you're not planning on sticking around?”

“In this job? Definitely. Other options are kind of sparse at the moment. Right now?” She sighs, eyes flicking to her wrist-computer. “I need to go to some training thing with Ms Delgado. Have you met her?”

Huh. “Maria Delgado? Yeah, we've talked some. She seemed all right.”

“All right?!” Lana stares at you again, this time in sheer disbelief. “Jeeze, who says that about the boss' kid?”

What?

“Hell, I've got to go – see you around, John!” She salutes you with a half-full cup and darts away, still checking her tablet; probably late already.

… Boss' daughter?

>Ignore that – there is food. Must eat.
>Ditch this place. You've mingled enough to satisfy demand, right?
>Accost fruity. (Write-in)
>Write-in

(As an aside, rest assured - female characters are not waifus.)

>>41330505
>Ignore that – there is food. Must eat.

>>41330505
>Ignore that – there is food. Must eat.
Observe those around us. See who mingles with who. Attract another wild conversation partner, possibly.

Even if we don't know who most of them are yet, we might be able to draw some connections later.

>waifus
Aren't we hella older than all the girls here anyway?

>>41330505
>Ignore that – there is food. Must eat.

Find a place to sit down, too.

>(As an aside, rest assured - female characters are not waifus.)

I see us taking on more of a pseudo-father figure role to some people than that.

Like being the Team Dad.

>>41330505
>Write-in
Talk to goth girl. She might be into the whole evil princess thing

>>41330505
Grab a stool or something for goodness sake
And eat food

>>41330505
>Ignore that – there is food. Must eat.
Might overhear something interesting

>>41330575
As a high-level quest writer, we'll probably need to write some quests involving the royal line. We can get input on what sort of work she wants her character involved in.

>>41330575

Seconded.

>>41330617
Probably should have expanded on that more. If we know what kind of character she wants, we can see how easy it'd be to involve her in our BBEG schemes.

>>41330564
>Aren't we hella older than all the girls here anyway?
Yes, but some anons expressed concern in an earlier thread that waifus would magically appear, so I thought I'd make this waifu-free zone clear. ... And now someone will take that as a challenge. Never mind.

>>41330667
>And now someone will take that as a challenge.

Just keep shooting them down.

>>41330667
>Old man not using VR to score with younger babes
Is that really realistic?

>>41330710
Depends on the old man

>>41330721
This one had an actual wife so I'm 100% certain he would not act like a neck beard and go for little girls.

>>41330763
Little girls. These are adult women

Quick vote:
>Siddown, eat, listen
>Oh priiiincess~

>>41331009
>Oh priiiincess~

>>41331009
>Oh priiiincess~

>>41331009
>Siddown, eat, listen

>>41331009
>Siddown, eat, listen

>>41331009
>Siddown, eat, listen

>>41331009
>Siddown, eat, listen

>>41331009
>Siddown, eat, listen
We are 70 years old, you guys voting the other way do know that right?

>>41331142
I didn't vote that way to bone I voted that way to scheme

>>41331009
>>Siddown, eat, listen

Did we get the identity of that punk kid? I think we didn't but I could have misinterpreted something.

>>41331009
>Oh priiiincess~
We gotta suck up for favors later

>>41331142
We got the "sweet old man act" if we wanted to scheme.

>>41331284

Our character in the game isn't a "sweet old man".

>>41331333
Out of the game you numbskull.

>>41331387

"if we wanted to scheme"

Why would we scheme out of the game?

>>41331009
>>Oh priiiincess~

>>41331440
Because..... Oh right. My bad.

>>41331457

It's okay, Anon.

Rolled 19 (1d100)

Nothing here.

>>41331737
>Nothing here.

So you say.

Well, screw that nonsense. You have to work your ass off later, and it's not like your longevity treatments aren't going to need fuel for all those repairs.

Yanking a chair out, you settle your ass down, sighing in relief at the pressure taken from your legs. Not like the seat's soft, but it's good to get a load off, and there's more than enough to fill your stomach with.

Keeping a plate of sandwiches within easy reach (and casting a look of imminent death when some idiot tries to snag one), you keep your ears peeled, making sure to look as if you're not even bothered by the surrounding pre-schoolers.

“-the tournament?”

“We should compete, even if-”

“- train up in Healing, get a-”

“- reward-”

“-an you believe what he-”

What a load of bullshit. All their voices mingling as they babble away about their plans for the game, or their paychecks, or who they're sleeping with, you can barely make out anything useful. You grunt in annoyance, taking another swig of the soda (going flat now) and try to make out something – anything – useful.

Nothing. At all. Guess this was a waste of time, after all.

-

>Timeskip – 3 hours, next game session starts, more control on what happens
>Timeskip – 6 hours, some grinding done
>Timeskip – 9 hours, more grinding done

(You could have heard something damn interesting, but it wasn't to do. Ah, well!)

>>41331972
>Timeskip – 3 hours, next game session starts, more control on what happens

>>41331972
>Timeskip – 9 hours, more grinding done

>>41331972
>>Timeskip – 6 hours, some grinding done

>>41331972
>Timeskip – 9 hours, more grinding done

>>41332070
>>41332042
Support. Try and train up our stealth.

>>41331972
>Timeskip – 6 hours, some grinding done

>>41332042
>>41332070
Fourth

Train teleportation and rapier combat from horseback and on foot

OP, what's our rapier look like?

>>41332378
It's got a blade and a hilt.

Seriously, if you guys wanna drag up pictures of rapiers, go for it. I looked for a while and then decided I'd just let you imagine it (the same reason I don't post character/location pictures.)

So, train
>Stealth, rapier, riding, teleportation
Y/N

>>41332504
Y

>>41332504
>rapier, riding, teleportation
Y
>Stealth
N

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159 KB JPG

>>41332504
Simple.
Elegant.

>>41332504
>Y

>>41332504
>Stealth, rapier, teleportation
Y

I don't see why would we need riding.
>In disguise we are an old officeworm, who won't go around riding for too much
>In our true BBEG form we'll have other, faster, and more subtle ways of travelling

but I rather avoid another argument so let's just roll with it

>>41332504
Teleportation and riding are kind of redundant.

>>41332504
Y

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43 KB JPG

>>41332551
I'm a fan of basket hilts

We are a noble, it's only fitting that we have a more decorated weapon.

>>41332691
One's for dodging and infiltrating, one's for teleporting.

No they're not.

Really though, infiltration/dodging versus getting places.

>>41332755
Are you saying that teleportation can't be used for dodging and infiltration?

>>41332782
I was being facetious.

Okay, next thread will begin with a training timeskip. Feel free to vote on anything else for training, and whether you want to go dragon-hunting when you're done.

Thanks for playing, and I'll get this thread archived! Next thread... maybe Tuesday?

>>41332504
>Y
In this order
>Rapier
>Teleportation
>Stealth
>Fuck riding don't level it.

>>41333139
Thanks for running

>>41332691
>>41332782
Riding is for getting somewhere. Teleportation is for instant relocation. Of course you can teleport wherever you can ride. But remember, a lot of our role is secret. Why should the lord commander be able to teleport? Riding is an everyday thing that nobody will think twice about. Using magic more than necessary (and from multiple areas of magic) will make players vary.

>>41333158
I'll second that

>>41333181
We can level up riding whenever we need to travel. We got like 20 levels in it right now. Besides, what'll a high level riding skill let us do compared to a high level teleport skill?

>>41333158
Thirding that

>>41333158
This

>>41333139

Archive?

>>41333385
Literally doing that right now, got distracted. Again. G'NIGHT, ALL!

>>41333273
Well it'll let us do neat horse riding things, and possibly other mounts too.