《Empyreal War; MOBA reimagined》Skirmish 3: The Strength of Two
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A Chaplain and a Sorcerer... what a pretty weak duo.
I eyed on the girl they call saint whom is now equipped with the Sorcerer avatar. Her casual clothes were replaced with a red and white lacy dress that is a little bit revealing, can't wait to see her after we win this match.
The Sorcerer is a Caster. Like a Ranger, it can attack from a distance but out of all Casters there is, the Sorcerer's range is the shortest.
She extended her right hand forward prompting for a ball of energy to form over her palm. She pointed it towards the nearest pawn and shot it in a straight line. Her target staggered and after one more attack it quickly disintegrated.
As the lore goes this Caster's innate magic is controlled using a pair of bangles she was wearing. Technically that's her weapon but from anyone's point of view those are just for aethetics. Especially since they can't be used to block an attack.
The Sorcerer may have a shorter reach but unlike the Shikaree I am using, its attack deal a lot more damage than mine. It doesn't mean I'm powerless against her though. I shot a couple of arrows to the girl which she was not able to evade. She moved backwards and prepared to dodge as I drawn another but it was useless, I'm pretty good in this.
Among the members of the guild, I am one of the best in using Rangers. I can instinctively adjust my shots to accurately hit a moving target even if its twenty meters afar.
"You're poking too much Rotuel, I might get hit!" My colleague said as he moved among the pawns. His usual blacksuit was gone and was now wearing some primitive clothes: poorly stitched pelt and fur that would barely protect his body.
The Berserkr is an avatar that does not require much defense for its high amount of health.
"When will you trust me, Korg?" I told him. "Why not dive in so we can get a proper kill?"
"Bah. Its too early for that," he said attacking a pawn. He was armed with a pair of handaxes that he uses to easily chop down the weak enemies.
Meh. This coward. Now is not the right time to be too cautious. With his brute strength and my advantage in range we can defeat those two without breaking a sweat.
I kept on shooting the Sorcerer as she continued to try and take down some of our pawns. I've been doing this for quite some time so I believe she would be annoyed by now.
Yep, I can see that on her face.
She's pretty enduring though, my typical enemies usually fight back as soon as I do this. A common mistake. A fast and simple SHARPSHOT can knock the fool down considering they have been marked with all those shots I have landed.
She should do something about it any time now: she would retaliate or cowardly go back on their gate to replenish her health. The result will be favorable to us eitherway. The Chaplain's going to be alone if she leaves. An opportunity to strike that bastard or rally the pawns towards their golem.
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The girl will have little chance to survive if she fights back. If she miraculuously evades my SHARPSHOT I'm sure Korg would be able to chop her down before she could ever reach me.
After a few more attacks the Sorcerer headed back to their gate. Meh, females have always been non-aggressive types. I wanted to hit her more but its time to set the plan in motion.
I hinted on my colleague and pointed my bow on the unsuspecting Chaplain.
Tak.
The arrow landed on a pawn. The guy moved from his position after making a quick glance on me. I shot once more but he simply shifted behind another soldier.
A waste of arrows huh? Well it was a good method against a Ranger but not against a Raider. My teammate dove forward with his axe as soon as he came closer.
He was able to evade his swing but Korg swiftly swiped with his other axe slightly grazing his face. He moved a few steps away but it gave me a good opportunity to properly land a shot.
Tak!
Just like the Sorcerer and the Berserkr, the Chaplain has a pretty weak defense as well. A plain white garb with highlights of blue and gold, his clothes are more suited for a ceremonial event rather than a battlefield.
On top of it, it doesn't have a weapon!
Both of the Chaplain's hands were wrapped in a thin strap of paper. When observed closer, doodles and symbols were written on these paper which supposedly enables them to use their diety's blessing.
Although they look weak, the Chaplain can deal pretty good damage barefisted as they can shortly charge the wrappings to power up their attack. Plus, they can also create small magical orbs to shoot from a range.
Nevertheless, these paper wrappings will not provide protection. Its low durability also makes it even worse as compared to the Sorcerer's metal bangles.
Korg came and lunged forward activating a skill.
•••••
HEAVE HO
Type: Primary - Combat
Description:
The Berserkrs of the North are not just about brute strength. They are able to power up their muscles with mana whenever they need to take down a large threat.
Heave to empower an attack and deal 210% weapon damage and knock them back. If the attack did not hit an enemy, the Bersekr will be stunned for 3 seconds. Hold and charge to further increase effect.
Cooldown: 15 seconds
•••••
With faint red light, Korg's axe slashed with great strength. The Chaplain was able to dodge it but the force was strong enough to knock him off.
I took that opportunity to shoot him but he was quick in his feet. He tried attacking the stunned Berserkr but by the moment he got close, Korg has already recovered and swung his other axe wide.
FWOOP
The Chaplain ducked low to dodge, shortly charged his wrappings for some strength then went for an uppercut.
Korg didn't bulge and chopped down but the guy was faster to kick him off.
Korg stepped back mentaining his balance but the Chaplain chased him with a jab, a hook, then two more jabs, and ended with another kick.
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His speed didn't let my colleague to retaliate.
"What the--Hey Korg, are you spacin' out again?" I shouted readying my bow to support him.
My colleague doesn't usually fight like this. We of the Blackdogs are well-accustomed in fighting in pairs matching our movement with our partner's action.
I knew Korg has only started training Zerker for a few weeks but this kind of opponent shouldn't be that hard for him to beat.
"A little bit lazy, sorry," Korg said calmly picking up one of his axe that he dropped when he was hit.
"I thought you were a pawn," he said looking down at the Chaplain, "Well, you hit like a pawn," he boasted.
The Chaplain may be able to slightly power up his fist but we knew it is not enough to take down a Berserkerkr.
Korg even mocked him about it.
The guy only looked at him without showing much response.
"You don't talk when you fight, eh? Exactly like a pawn. Then stay being a pawn!" Korg said lunging forward. The Chaplain tried to dodge but the axe reached his chin. He stepped back while Korg relentlessly pushed forward swinging.
From a distance I knocked an arrow. Hitting him together leaves him no room to escape but then the Chaplain suddenly deflected it.
Another one but the Chaplain swatted it away.
It was useless to deflect the arrow with those paper wrappings as it would still deal him some damage. I'm pretty sure he understands that but still he did it. He did it while trying to evade the Zerker's attack.
Is he mocking me?
Well, that was good, sure, it takes more than a reflex to successfully swat an arrow but nah, he can't be that good.
We'll see if you can keep up.
I opened up a panel and unlocked a skill.
•••••
QUICKEN
Type: Utility - Support
Description:
Speed up by 50% for 10 seconds. Slow by 70% for 6 seconds after
Cooldown: 32 seconds
•••••
I stood still and took a deep breath then started shooting faster.
A clean hit in his shoulder, another one on his knee, a perfect shot on his leg. He won't be able to predict my attacks.
Fwoop!
He dodged making quick glances on me as he also try to evade my colleagues attack. He then moved so that Korg blocks my aim but I dashed from my position to hit him better in response.
The faster I knocked my arrows the harder it became for him to swat them, he had no choice but to evade instead.
As he dodged the next arrow, his wrappings lit up then he slapped Korg's axe as it came. It stopped the Berserkr for a moment giving the Chaplain an opportunity to attack.
A combination of jabs then a slightly powered hook. Korg flails his axe but the Chaplain succesfully dodges it then kicks him again to push him off.
I nocked another arrow to defend Korg but the Chaplain caught the shaft of light and stabbed it in Korg's shoulder.
Korg retaliated swinging his axe but the enemy has quickly moved out of reach. He created a ball of light in his palm and threw it in his face making my colleague stagger from where he stood.
The Chaplain then went on a stance, held his hand in front and whispered something under his breath.
An incantation. It was a skill that required speech to activate.
From what I remember, the Chaplain avatar does not have a combat skill that can deal high damage. It was a Mender afterall.
But I won't let the guy get a chance to do his thing. I was already charging up SHARP SHOT when he was about to start. The shaft of light in my bow crisply sparkled as I held it. This is going to hurt reaaaal hard since I've already placed him a MARK. If he tries to deflect it, it would only deal damage.
As I was about to release the arrow, the Chaplain suddenly shifted his hand towards my direction.
•••••
ENLIGHTEN
Type: Primary - Support
Description:
The great divine have tasked Chaplains to bring light into the world especially to those whom have been shrouded by darkness.
Create a bright spherical light that lasts for 12 seconds in the target area, enemies and objects within the 3 meter radius from the sphere will be revealed and are slowed by 20%. Allies within the radius gain 1 Faith attribute every 4seconds. Faith can stack up to 5 in a single instance and fades away after 10seconds.
Every point of Faith grants the Chaplain and the ally with +1 Spirit and increases the effects of any healing skill targetted on them by 2%
If the sphere is destroyed, it will explode dealing 120% weapon damage to units within the radius and stun them for 2 seconds.
Cooldown: 24 seconds
•••••
A very bright light appeared before me shortly blinding me of my vision.
A very unconventional use of the Chaplain's skill.
ENLIGHTEN is usually used against traps and opponents waiting for ambush. It can also be used to catch an enemy with its slowdown effect or stop an enemy from pursuing the Mender.
It was unusual to use the skill's visual effect to disrupt an enemy as the light the sphere produces only lasts for half a second fading off to a dim aftwards.
Well, it blinded me for a moment but what's worse is that it made my movement slow and heavier. I lost the concentration I have when I released the arrow.
FWOOSH
I watched the projectile flew above him while he moved to dodge Korg's primary skill.
This guy is insane.
Fighting two against one?
He's even using Chaplain... Of all Menders there is.
It was clear that he is mocking us.
The Blackdogs...
This is unforgivable!
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- In Serial20 Chapters
Sword System Academia
2/17 NOTICE: I'm putting this on hiatus, possibly permanently. I didn't want to spam with an "update chapter", so hopefully here and in the story blurb will get enough eyeballs. There are a couple reasons for ending SSA for now. 1) I wrote the next chapter but wasn't happy with it. I've been less and less satisfied with SSA's quality the more I thought about it. Part of the reason is... 2) I am seriously thinking about trying to publish some novels to help pay the bills, since I don't have my other source of income anymore. I have never asked for anything from SSA readers, no money, not even a review or rating. SSA is written for fun to amuse myself, primarily, and I would kind of feel bad actually charging someone money for something as unserious as that. I don't think it is good enough to ask anything in return. To use an analogy from music, SSA is more like a jam session with a bunch of friends. You're just chiling and having fun playing some music. I mean, if you are Mozart or even Eminem, your jam session is good enough to sell, but for an amateur beginner like myself, haha, no. If I want to publish something, I feel like I need to go the proper route of practice and rehearsals, which might be more similar to a classical concert performance. With SSA, I work from worldbuilding notes and a loose outline, but what you are essentially getting is the first draft with lots of so-called pantsing. Pushing out a web novel like this also means it is very difficult to go back and improve things without breaking everything else downstream. I wanted to try this "jamming" approach, as it was a good way to teach me about another aspect of writing, but to move forward, I think I need to hone my "classical" techniques, which emphasize rewriting, or at least, revising outlines. 3) While I intend to try to make $$$, my actual current goal is to "get gud". I've spent a lot of time recently trying to understand the self-publishing industry, and I'm pretty sure I can make some money by using short-term strategies with my current amateur skill level. But I've seen too many authors come and go/burnout, and really, the only way that I think I can enjoy writing and still make money on a long-term basis is to become a better writer. And the next step for me, which I haven't done much before, is to spend more time on rewriting and outlines. That is pretty much antithetical to the way SSA is developing. I've always been kind of 20/80 plotting/pantsing, but I want to spend a lot more time outlining before I even start writing. SSA jam sessions don't really fit my goal anymore. If you're curious about what's next, read on... Among other regrets, I regret not finishing SSA. It's the first story I've dropped, but then again, it's the first web novel I've attempted, so I suppose that's not a surprise. I don't think traditional web novel formats suit me that well. The whole SSA story I had loosely planned (beyond a first book or major arc) is way too large as well. Big story = good for neverending webnovel with Patreons, bad for penniless and fickle writer like me. I am currently outlining a complete trilogy to another story in great detail. I want the story to end concisely, and I also want the chance to really spend a lot of time on the full outline to spot pacing problems, character issues, lost themes, and so on. I'll still share this story on RR. What I intend to do is finish book 1, flash-publish the whole thing here for a few weeks, then publish on the big Zon. Repeat for books 2 and 3. The upcoming story will be about crafting heroes. The backdrop is an isekai-like setting, where elves will summon humans to their world as heroes, but the whole hero crafting business is still in its infancy. The elven mage researchers are figuring out how to imbue heroes with power, while the heroes are trying to figure out how to use the powers that they gain. Humans are the best hero templates because they are blank and have no intrinsic magic. Or at least that what the elves thought. The human MC has his own secrets... There will be some similarities with litrpgs, but I would call it more a progression fantasy or gamelit story. For example, the stats are very low, at least initially. Say we have a stat called Str. Going from Str = 1 to Str = 2 is a huge deal. Also, going from Dex = 0 to Dex = 1 is an even bigger deal. I guess you could call it a "low-stat litrpg", haha. Also, the heroes won't be gaining stats simply by killing things or leveling up. You can't increase stats arbitrarily, either. There will be rules to how stats can increase, and how they work with each other. The elven mages will be figuring out these rules in order to craft stronger and stronger heroes. Some inspiration will be from cultivation magic systems, but there won't be overt cultivation, at least for now. A theme I really want to explore is the idea of interactions. That includes things like hero crafter vs hero, tactics vs strategy, skill synergies, racial interactions (dwarves, elves, etc), and son. Yeah, so hero crafting. I'm super excited about this project and venturing into publishing. If you want to check out the upcoming story, you can follow my RR author profile to see when it drops here. Finally... THANK YOU TO EVERYONE! I'm very sorry that SSA is stopping, but I hope at least some of you will find the next story at least as enjoyable, if not more. Thanks to all the readers who gave SSA a shot. Big hug or solid fistbump to all of you, whichever you prefer! I hope this message is not a downer but an upper, because I am psyched!! -purlcray -------------- BLURB: Talen, youngest Master of the Koroi, makes his way to the Empire's capital to salvage his clan's fate. But the bustling city has few opportunities for the traditionalist. For the old sword clans are fading. With the rise of alchemy, gold can purchase strength that ordinarily took years of training to cultivate. Sword artists, once rare and accomplished, are quickly growing in number, especially among the wealthy noble class. Even with such alchemy, though, no one has advanced to the rank of Grandmaster in countless years. Talen's true dream is to walk the path of a sword artist to the very end while fulfilling his clan duties. And then the Swordgeists return, fabled founders of all sword arts, gods who had touched the world long ago and vanished. These myths turned into reality warn of a coming threat. Alongside this warning, they issue an invitation to the Sword System Academy, a path to power beyond the mortal realm. But first, they will hold an entrance exam... Story notes:Sword System Academia blends elements of western and asian fantasy such as xianxia and litrpg. I took parts from different genres I enjoyed and twisted them into my own creation. There will be an explicit system, both of the litrpg kind and the hard(ish) magic kind, but it is embedded within an academic structure that will develop over the course of the story. This is my attempt to design a unique type of system, the System Academia.
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