A world plunged into peril and fear - a world which is considered fake except one wrong move could lead to instant death, not only virtually, but in real life also. The only thing driving in the players is freedom which is only accessible if all one hundred floor are completed - such a feat which could take years to make, only if you achieve survival.

You find yourself on the first floor of Aincrad (Black Iron Palace) after being introduced to SAO's creator and his evil plot to have you trapped in this world until you escape.


Current Role Players

OOC: https://rpglounge.rpg-board.net/t1018-sword-art-online

JustTopaz

Demyx

Anorak

LoneWolf323

FallChild

Three looked around. They had just found out that they were stuck in the game. She was shocked but a little happy. Her parents are going to have to notice her now. A lot of the people were freaking out, but Three knew better than that. She was freaked out of coarse, but she knew that hypervenilation wouldn't help. She ran from the square to the forests beyond. Three had enough practice before this happened that she felt comfortable running around the land alone. She was usually quick to accell at things, including this. A hog appeared in her path, scrapping the ground. Three did not break stride as she attacked it, slashing it through. Her exp improved and she was happy. This level was about to be mobbed by desperite players wanting fast level ups. She just wanted as big of a head start as she could get.

Sasuke blinked a few times. She had no friends in SAO to be shocked by. Her appearance hadn’t changed much though. Her hair was longer now than it was with her avatar. After all, she did play as a male character. Her eyes went from bright blue to hazel. She didn’t mind that either. The only thing she was worried about was her family.
She watched as others panicked. She wasn’t like them. She didn’t care that she was stuck in the game. She liked this world, even if it meant that she could die in real life she would prefer to die in this world, where she could enjoy herself, than die in the real world because of something pathetic.
She smiled, lifting the hood of her new cloak and walked out of the square. She was at a high enough level without having to go out now. Solo was how she liked to play but she would get lonely now that she can’t go home. She would need as many friends as she could get.

Topaz was standing at the edge of the square. SAO’s creator had just appeared before them, told them they would die IRL if they died IG and that they couldn’t logout. He’d given them a mirror which showed their real face. Thankfully she had her glasses. Topaz ran out of the square, into the plain on the east side of the town. She’d already headed out and started levelling up before all the players had been teleported to the town square. Her character was level 2 and halfway to 3.

Mihoko was unsure of what to do at this point. His hands began to shake as the area around him was embraced with great pandemonium and all he could do was stare into the sky which had been red a while ago, with a man in the center. The man whom had changed his life. The man whom had trapped them in this game.

He started by walking off, trying to ignore the uproar and exit the center of the first floor.

Three finally stopped and looked around. She may not have freaked out in the square, but she couldn't stop running. Like if she had run fast enough, she would have run back into real life. She had played as a completely random character before she was changed to look like herself. She felt exposed, like everything she was was out in the open. She did not like it. Maybe that was why she had left the square so quickly. But now she regretted it. She was tired and her stomach growled. Three began back to the trek back to the square. She had leveled up while she was out here. She looked in her inventory while she walked, she was still debating which sword she was going to use. She got out her thin light one, planning on trying this one out. She never like playing games alone, she like the company of others. But at this time, she wanted to get her baring's before she joined with anyone. Three was after all still a newbie.

Lone watched the other players as the game creator talked. He shrugged the nightshade hood over his head. Turning a few minutes before the speech ended as he stood by the wall. When it ended an the barrier keeping them there dropped. He slipped into a hidden passageway to a house or dorm like underground pocket. Only it wasn't a dorm. Just many spaces or pockets in a cave system the went under the main city. He picked up all his stored weapons and gear. Sliding his stock of throwing knives on his person, Sliding his dagger under his belt. Along with his katana, "Botolf" meaning messenger wolf; herald wolf. He walked out the cave system watching players mad dash to get points. Returning to the city to sit in an inn. He knew it would be more dangerous trying to rush. Just let everyone skip ahead. and then move forward in his own manner time and way.

Topaz moved west to the path that lead to the nearest town. She didn’t want to try and go back into the city. All the people trying to leave the city. Or hiding there in fear of this new world: They shouldn’t even have bought the game if they’re too scared to play. She’d already bought herself a basic black cloak and a simple sword.

Mihoko exited a large gate, the noises of screaming people dispersing as he moved. He would have to come to the decision if he wanted to be a solo player or a guild player. Both came with their respective perks but one seemed to have more downfalls. Working alone would mean a greater chance of death whereas guilds provide more protection and boss fights would be much easier. Mihoko shrugged as he moved on, not sure on his full decision as of yet.

Before Mihoko would venture into the second floor, he decided to buy some armor with some money he had collected whilst fighting before they were all brought to the first floor.

Three made it back to the town square, drained. She did not realize that her running was her way of coping until it was too late. Her legs burned as she walked into town; before she was told that everyone could die here, she did not feel hunger or pain. Now, it was different. It was like they were in real life here.
Three could still hear the crowd of upset people. She avoided them, but she couldn't avoid the people running past her. A few ran into her, not even apologizing. Three ducked into a doorway, tired of being pushed. She just stood there, watching the crowd slowly realize that they should be out there, gaining experience before it was too late. More people slowly tricked down this ally, and Three stood there, waiting. She was just ready to sleep after her excursion.

Sasuke started walking out of the square after it had emptied somewhat. She walked down an alley that didn’t seem to have many people rushing down it. She saw players racing to gain more levels, looking like idiots as they ran. She scowled, walking slowly, being pushed to the side by rude, scared people. She kept walking though, head down and hands in pockets. She glanced up and saw another player standing in a doorway, a girl. She didn’t look happy. No-one did.
Sasuke walked past her, further down the alley and turned into another doorway. This was the door to her home. She smiled slightly and opened the door, walking up to her floor and flopping down onto her bed. She closed her eyes and began to process what had just happened. Nothing too surprising. There was always a twist in games.

Lone was drinking quietly to himself. Watching a girl enter the Inn as others fled out in the mad dash. He looked at her quietly. Seeing her name rank. Items. It was the ability of foresight. He looked away handing the AI another coin for some food. Waiting he closed his eyes an his minds eye opened. Allowing him to see through walls seeing other players ranks names and inventories. He sighed Taking the food up to a room he purchased. "Never going to be a dull moment here." He said to himself. As he locked the door behind him.

Topaz followed the road, making her way to the next town. She’d ran into a few more boar and was now level 3. A grey shape moved in the long grass beside the road. Pulling out her sword Topaz moved to investigate. She picked up a rock and tossed it near the shape. It Jumped out of the grass onto the path.
“Wolf. Great.” Topaz said. She’d had experience with wolfs in the bata. Her level was 3 and it’s was around 5 if her memory sufficed. Can I take it? She asked herself. It looked at her it’s yellow eyes taking on blood-thirsty glint. No choice She raised her sword, activating her sword skill. Come on critical! The skill finished charging and in a flash she was standing on the other side of the wolf, her body rigid. Stupid Cool down! The wolf lunged at the cloaked girl, its teeth snapping. There was a blue flash of pixels dispersing into nothing. Topaz stood there her sword in both hands held out in front of her. Her breath came in short gasps. Topaz checked her level. Level 4.

Mihoko entered a small shop, expecting a bustle of people, rushing to buy equipment. He was wrong, the place was merely empty, except for a shop keeper NPC and a man in the far corner who was inspecting a crimson blade. "Hey." He muttered slightly, being given no acknowledgement. He shrugged before moving toward a rack which held dozens of blades.

Three was able to move from the door way as people stopped stampeding away from the square. She had faith that she would level up, but she did not want to be out there while everyone else was out there, scrambling to get exp.
Three went back to the square, wanting to see how was left there. As she got closer, she could hear the cries of the people there. She was people from children around the age of seven to adults, obviously upset about all of this. Three wanted to help these people with their sadness. She did not like seeing people upset. She sighed, hating the fact that she couldn't help them. She sat down on the ground just far enough away from them to not look like part of their group. She just sat and watched them, wishing these people could go back to the real world especially the children.

Her trip to The next village was uneventful after the fight with the woof. She’d run into a few boars and gained a bit of EP.
I hope the good quest will still be there when I get to the town. Her thoughts were of the little know quest that might give her the upper hand in this death game.

Sasuke had fallen asleep. She didn’t mean to. She woke with a start and rubbed her eyes sheepishly. “Damn,” she muttered. She stood and walked to the door of her room, then left and went to the Inn. She sat at a table in the back of the room and covered her face with her hood. She had a high level for someone who had only had the game for a few days. She smiled. Level 23. It wasn’t her fault that she liked using cheat codes. Well, it kind of was but she always blamed someone else.

Lone snoozed for a few hours. Waking with a yawn. Slipping out the door walking down the stairs pausing to look at the one only other person in the inn. Before he caught himself he said "Sasuke" out loud seeing the girls curiously high rank. When he looked closer he saw in a small warning label beside her name. "Cheat coder" He didnt notice anything else peculiar about the player. He quietly walked by his katana Botolf glowing slightly under the hooded coat. He quickly closed it hiding the weapon as he exited the door. He started walking through the streets exiting the city. Slowly gaining the feeling that someone could be following him.. He turned off the main path walking through a shrouded one. Drawing his blade quietly slicing down boar after boar. Until reaching a few wolves. His katana had a special talent with wolf related beasts. The blade had the alliance effect on them Making them his allies. There were more than just wolves in this world. Anything that had a wolf in relation to there coding. The blade made him an ally allowing them to help him. Mostly NPC's. He walked past them rapidly moving up with XP. Hidden routes through forests were always hidden with more enemies than most. So the players that knew were to find em had a advantage. The enemies would respawn faster on the hidden paths quicker than on the normal ones. Lone was reaching the pre gained level 5 before he played for fun on the beta rounds. He didn't play the beta to reach the highest floor possible or to get the highest rank or level possible. He played it to explore all the game had to offer. So he knew it better than the average player. He liked to explore the boundaries, nooks an secrets a game's underbelly had. That is were he gained his cloak and blade and other weapons. As he neared the city He was reaching level ten. Never sheathing his blade. Gained EXP enough to upgrade his swords special ability. Quick strike an finisher. Quick strike allowed him to always attack first. And had a 50% chance of hitting the target doing damage even if the targets blocking or evading. Finisher was a special ability he purchased when the beta ended it allowed and worked with quick strike. If the weapons damage was half of targets health he could quickly strike again finishing  it. The bonus perk was if he successfully does it enough it boosts his XP And allows him to rank up one item individually through the games coding each time he himself levels up. Which is how his blade is considered a rare item to weapon merchants craftsmen and makers. Worth a lot of coin if sold. But he wasn't planning on selling it. He liked the weapon.

Lone stopped at the edge of the next city. Sheathing his blade. Not liking the feeling that someone had followed him watching quietly. He glanced back at the forest. Was it a player hunter? Those that follow other players and steal there items maybe even killing for them. He thought to himself Before he walked into the city grounds entering the main merchant area. Noticing some people suddenly turn and look at him. He sighed turning on a back alley. Not liking the attention. His player card said "lone wolf" The guide book said that a player with a card like that was awarded for those that are allied with wolves. And has the cunning an skill of one too. When it described further past the gar-gin the guide describe it more thus. "A player who has sufficient skill in the game to explore and acquire rare items at a impressive rate." During the beta only the game creator gave player cards to beta players. He individually watched each player. And gave them a sorting card. For the games main launch. Since lone liked the name of the card so much he used it. Not realizing it would make people watch him so. He didn't mind if they asked him questions or asked for help. But when they looked at him like he was part of the reason there in this mess.. Like they wanted to take it out on him.. Half and half of the people he met were like that the other half didn't care or simply were impressed with it. He leaned against the wall sighing as he opened up his player map from the main menu screen looking around, Going through inventory, looking for interesting points on the map an locating a few of the players hes already come across. He doesn't have to say hi or friend them. His rare ability lights them up if there in the same area as he. Almost like a radar. People he hadn't met yet or come across remained invisible. It was a little edgy like sometimes it worked sometimes it didnt. Right now it was one of those times no ones location hed met showed up. Making it impossible to tell if someone had followed him that hed seen before..

Sasuke had looked up at the by before he walked out of the Inn. She was intrigued that there would be others like her, not caring to grab extra EXP. She waited for him to leave, then followed after a few seconds. She didn't exactly care if he knew that she was following him. She just wanted to know if he was good. She herself had tried to become a beta but had missed the opportunity. She trained extensivly after that, wanting to be something that she was not. It wasn't everyday that a beta was chosen but she always wanted to be one, even before she got the game.

Sasuke wasn't aware of how long she had followed the boy, Lone. She wasn't paying too much attention to the time. She was satisfied with his skill as a player. Sasuke wasn't sure if she should leave or not. She needed friends, she thought she did anyway, so she decided to jeep following him until he stopped. When he finally did, she stopped and rounded a corner, keeping an eye on him. He seemed to be lost in thought as he pulled up the game map. She walked from where she was hiding instinctively, walking towards him. "I don't think you really need that map. You're looking for something, or rather, someone. Aren't you?" She had always been a nosy kid. It was one thing that really sent people wild.

Lone paused. Glancing up from the game map looking at her. "Yes. It seems you were the person I was looking out for." He said calmly. He had already found the closest short cut back alleys in this part of town and was beginning the screen search to look for tell tell signs of where the others were. Darkened parts of map where streets ended abruptly or didn't seem to exist. Or had names but had no streets or routes marked under them. He stood away from the wall hands in his pockets. The katana Botolf Glowing an humming against his side. He wasn't sure why it did that yet. "You followed me that far? Without any of the beasts suddenly attacking you? Your sneak level must be high" He said casually with a shrug. Watching her not sure what she wanted but always his first thoughts were defensive. Throwing knives close at hand even though it didn't look like he was ready to move fast. Cunning like a wolf. Like the player card said. He didn't know her yet. For all he knew she could have been waiting to see what he could do. Then trick him into stealing his things without being the wiser. There were a lot of shady people like that an it wouldn't be the first time it happened. He was nice somewhat seen as a pushover. But some things set him off an when he gets rolling.. In RL people would go deathly silent when he was in a mood. Not because he got into fights hes never been in one.But there is always more than one way to skin a cat. And he was extremely skilled in doing just that.

(seriously Lone? I personally find your character OP. Kick ass attacks? All those special abilities? I was a beta too. )
Topaz walked down an ally, looking for the NPC that gave her the quest she so desired.
(I know it's short but I'm still fine tuning my special ability. and grumping about Lone's character's OPness)

@Anorak (Most of my posts will only involve Mihoko's 'little adventure' in the world in SAO - until I find someone to team up with, of course.)

Mihoko picked up a crimson and black blade, testing its weight, "This one shall suffice." He commented in a soft mutter, not expecting any reply. The shop keeper gave a slight nod, pointing at his counter as if he was implying for the sword to be given to him. Mihoko moved forward and placed the sword on the counter, awaiting him to say... something.

He was told the price instantly and he bought it, just being able to afford the piece of equipment. If he had more money, he would purchase a shield and some suitable money but that was not possible right now. Mihoko bowed slightly before exiting the shop

Characters Involved: @Anorak

Three sighed, upset. She could not torcher herself with staying with these people any longer. She got up, rubbing her face to remind herself where she was. She looked at her map, wanting to find something, anything to take her mind off of all of this. Three did not see anything immediate, so she just decided to walk around. She came upon different shops and decided to look through some of them. The first one she came to was a little bakery. Three was not hungry and did not stay in there long. Next she came to a clothing store. She looked around, missing her wardrobe at home. She did not find anything she needed and continued on.
Three knew she was just wandering around, but she did not know what else to do. She was worried about falling asleep here, because suddenly, everything seemed much more dangerous. So she just wandered into a shop, trying to look normal. It was a smith's shop and she walked out of it trying not to see anything. She had three swords because she could not resist buying them if she liked them. Three did not have the money to waste on yet another sword.
She went to the ally next to the smith shop and sat at its entrance. She knew she would be okay once everything calmed down some. But from sitting by those grief ridden people, the sadness must have rubbed off on her.

Sasuke smirked. "My stealth level isn't as high as it should or could be. I can get it higher if I so desire." She watched him closely. He didn't seem to trust her. And why should he? After all, she had just followed him, completely unobserved. They had just been told that they could never leave the game. Not without killing the final boss anyway. She shook her head slightly. "You can take your hands off your weapon. I'm not one to kill for items." She turned, not exactly knowing what to expect from this player, him being a beta and all, but she was willing to take the risk. "If you ever need help, not that I think you will with your player status, but if you do, I have a house that I've rented in Aincrad. You can find me there if need be. It gets awfully lonely here on your ow y'know." She started to walk away, interested to see if he would answer but walking fast enough to make him chase after her if he wanted to talk more. This is what really got on people's nerves IRL. She would just walk away, making them follow if they had more to say. It was handy when she was bullied though.

(Fall, are you entering the same shop that I am in?)