Posts made by Rogan

Upon opening the map, Seafoam found that it wasn't simply a site-map of the local ACDC area, but rather a catalogue of the peculiar and strange adventure that the group of metools had been on, the many distant places they had wandered, and the frightening and sometimes baffling trials they had overcome on their trek. Each little mark on the map seemed to contain the idea of a place, and a log of script beside, though it was all in unintelligible viral garble, to Seafoam. Even so, it seemed as though the little trio of mets had been wandering for a long time before they had happened upon Seafoam on their way back home. It felt almost like... if she tried, she might be able to experience some of the other legs of their journey, if she connected with the code of the map itself...

Before she could reach any kind of decision on this score, the navi was forced to tuck the thought away for later as a crackling electric ring sizzled across the space of her peripheral and gave her just enough time to jump back from the stunning blast before it hit her. The trio of metools were beginning to wander away with enthusiastic waves and happy 'meeps', now that they were in their home territory – though she could probably still catch up with them if she wanted to say more... but first, Seafoam would have to deal with some far less friendly viral entities in the small stretch of wooded greenery she'd wandered into while glancing at the map. Not far from her, a wide-eyed bunny virus hopped back and forth, trying to line up another shot while the metal prongs of its ears crackled with fresh sparks. The surrounding space had a few trees, and a number of low bushes making cover for one... no two shrubby viruses that peeked out from the ground cover with similarly aggressive intent.

-=Woodland Critters =-
BunnyBunny (Bunny)

Bunny viruses move by hopping. They are adept at jumping, and can reach higher terrain or hop onto objects with ease. They are also very good at dodging, and are treated as having Haste (+10%) for Evasion purposes only at all times. Omega Bunny has double Haste (+20%). These effects cannot be removed except by Glitch. They attack by launching a ZapRing from their ears.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Elec + Stun1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Hops around randomly before lining up a shot and firing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ZapRing1, Zenny
Special: Slightly better dodges.: 50Hp [Normal][About a movement ahead of Seafoam and to her right]
ShrubbyShrubby (Shrubby)

Shrubby viruses take cover when they are not attacking. Shrubby viruses teleport from behind cover when attacking, but never at any other time. If there is nothing on the field to use as cover against an enemy, and the only other viruses on the field are Shrubbies or viruses that cannot provide cover against attacks, they will stop attacking and attempt to flee starting next turn. Later versions of the Shrubby virus carry rockcube chip data, and will use that to make new cover when none is available.

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Wood + Ground Attack + Attack Target Pair
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Rolls a 10 HP log at opponent. The log is 2 panels wide, and can cross broken or missing terrain if only one of the two panels it crosses is broken or missing. This attack can hit up to two side-by-side targets, and can stop direct incoming attacks, but is stopped by objects.
Element: Wood
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RollingLog1, Zenny
Special: If the Ring Log falls into Sea Terrain, it will remain there and float as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers two panels.
Special: If the Ring Log strikes an object, it will remain there as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers 2 panels.
Special: If the Ring Log crosses a Lava Panel, it will burst into flame. A: 50Hp [Grass][Behind Shrub A, Ahead and left of Seafoam by a short distance]
ShrubbyShrubby (Shrubby)

Shrubby viruses take cover when they are not attacking. Shrubby viruses teleport from behind cover when attacking, but never at any other time. If there is nothing on the field to use as cover against an enemy, and the only other viruses on the field are Shrubbies or viruses that cannot provide cover against attacks, they will stop attacking and attempt to flee starting next turn. Later versions of the Shrubby virus carry rockcube chip data, and will use that to make new cover when none is available.

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Wood + Ground Attack + Attack Target Pair
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Rolls a 10 HP log at opponent. The log is 2 panels wide, and can cross broken or missing terrain if only one of the two panels it crosses is broken or missing. This attack can hit up to two side-by-side targets, and can stop direct incoming attacks, but is stopped by objects.
Element: Wood
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RollingLog1, Zenny
Special: If the Ring Log falls into Sea Terrain, it will remain there and float as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers two panels.
Special: If the Ring Log strikes an object, it will remain there as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers 2 panels.
Special: If the Ring Log crosses a Lava Panel, it will burst into flame. B: 50Hp [Grass][Behind Shrub B, Behind and left of Seafoam by a short distance]

-=ACDC Ranger =-
Seafoam.Exe: 110Hp [Normal]

-=Wooded Outskirts =-
60% Normal

• No effects.

Most of the area
40% Grass

• Wood Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Fire attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Soil.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

Much to the side to Seafoam's Left

-=Objects=-
Narrow Tree A: 40Hp [WoodBody] Directly left of Seafoam
Narrow Tree B: 40Hp [WoodBody] Forward and right of Seafoam, near the Bunny
Shrub A: 20Hp [WoodBody] Ahead and left of Seafoam by a short distance
Shrub B: 20Hp [WoodBody] Behind and left of Seafoam by a short distance
GMD: 15Hp [Glittering faintly in the branches of Narrow Tree A]

-=Battle 2, Start!=-

Emerging from the dark cave and into the broad, clear sunlight of the well-kept ACDC network, Seafoam and her troupe were greeted with a setting that seemed calm and safe by comparison to their other encounters so far today. The cave itself was tucked away by a blind rocky outcrop on the shaded side of a low hill, one of several small rises dotted about a space that looked like mostly flat parkland. The ground had the look and feel of short, soft grass, though a quick inspection showed that this was purely cosmetic; the panels underneath remained a stable, neutral 'normal'. Trees poked up from the landscape here and there, most of them in small ringed beds as though they'd been placed deliberately as part of some wider beautification project. In the distance to one side, a narrow river seemed to run between well-formed banks.

Here and there were signs of the network's welcoming and quaint design - a bench by the river, a walking trail between the trees, and far off in the distance from where she emerged, Seafoam could make out the signs of more structured civilisation beginning to take shape in the form of more regimented paths and lots. One way or another, they had definitely made it safely to the ACDC network - not too close to established network paths, so her entourage was probably safe for now.

Behind her, there was a small scattering of excited 'Meep's as the met trio edged out into the light and looked around, clearly relieved to see a network they recognised. The group seemed like they were about to wander off, now that they were as close to 'home' as a metool virus could get, but the map-wielding met stepped up close to Seafoam and she felt a small tug to get her attention. It held its map up towards her in a neatly rolled bundle and gave a bright 'Meep!' as it tried to give the rolled map to her, its eyes making small happy arches as it did.

The WineGlass private beach resort stretched along a gently arcing curve of beach that made a sheltered bay in a secluded area of the beach net. Sparkling blue waters met glittering white sands that in turn transitioned into shady tropical trees that gave the hinted suggestion of hidden lagoons and beautiful natural walking trails.

The resort itself nestled in the central section of the bay's curve, a scattering of various amenities, cafes, restaurants, shops and other beach-side comforts, while it rose to luxurious private accommodations amidst the trees further inland. Between the main resort buildings and the beach itself, a sheltered area also housed several pools and spas set up to give good view of the beach and the bay without the worry of sand or tides.

Out on the bay, a number of small pleasure-craft drifted or sailed back and forth, chartered by vacationing navis while the beach itself was strewn with beach umbrellas, lounges, volleyball nets and marked areas for other beach games. There was a partition part way down the beach, with some signage on it that seemed to divide one area of relaxation from another, though one would need to get closer to read what the division was all about.

The resort was modestly busy with various navis enjoying the space, and the sun was out and shining bright on the mid-morning setting while a gentle breeze drifted from one end of the cove to another, just enough to refresh and rustle the leaves on the trees.

Delta would arrive at the designated co-ordinates on the southern end of the beach just at the edge of the resort grounds, directly by the entrance to one of the open-air cafes that the complex housed - the cafe looked to be unstaffed – likely menu purchases were delivered automatically and charged to resort customer accounts. This one appeared to be empty of morning guests, save for a single other navi quietly sipping a fruity-coloured drink as she looked out at the shoreline with her back to where Delta would arrive.

At first it might be easy to mistake her for a child navi – her form was slight and small, and her feet clearly didn't reach anywhere close to the ground from the high stool she was perched on; if she were standing, she'd be maybe three feet tall at best, barely reaching Delta's hip. Long rabbit-like ears that lay back in a relaxed state gave her a few more inches, if one were feeling generous. Height aside, she was covered in a very short, soft coat of pure white fur and a glance at her profile showed her face to bear other similarly lapin features. She was wearing a dark red swim-suit made of a side-hitch bikini bottom with a tailored back clasp for what looked very much like a small tufted rabbit tail, and a narrow chest band up top that, given her build, didn't have much it needed to support and was just there for modesty. A small pair of stylised wings were picked out in silver thread against the red fabric on either side of the back-hitch.

Given that the navi seemed to be the only person present at this particular cafe, and the likelihood that her small frame might match the voice he'd heard in the mission brief, it seemed reasonable to guess that this navi was probably Delta's client, though she didn't seem to have noticed him yet if he wanted to slip away and do any other recon before engaging with her.

With just one foe remaining for now, Seafoam launched an attack that took advantage of her target's heightened elevation, striking it from above with a barrage of aqua needles while its attention was still focused downwards. With less time to react to the unexpected attack, the bat was pummelled into submission before it could drop back down, leaving Seafoam and her charges free to continue their exit from the cave.

Beside her the formerly-fearful metool seemed to let out a breath and relax again before wandering back to convene with the other two. The map-wielding met took the lead once more, falling in line behind Seafoam while the sculptor gave a few more careful chisels on his its project – a stalagmite now artfully turned into what looked like a metool wearing a pointed safety cone instead of its normal helmet – and trailed along behind the others.

-=Cavern Cravens=-
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack. A: DELETED
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack. B: DELETED
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack. C: DELETED

-=Hopefully Home=-
Map-Wielding Metool: 40Hp [Normal] [Behind Seafoam]
Sculptor Metool: 40Hp [Normal] [Behind Seafoam]
Substantially-Less-Nervous Metool: 40Hp [Behind Seafoam]

-=Met Protector=-
Seafoam.Exe: 80Hp [Normal][RageClaw: 5/6]

-=Are we back in Kansas now? =-
100% Normal

• No effects.

-=Battle 1, Victory!=-
Spoils: 450z

All around him, the incessant buzzing of the hives grated as the two on the ground gave rise to fresh swarms of bugs, but Delta was ready to be done with this encounter and focused his attention solely on the shadow-cloaked tree. North of him, the tree seemed to loom tall and foreboding, despite its torn and rent trunk, sinking into the depths of the gloom once more, but Delta was ready for its trickery this time. His first lunging slash cleaved through to shadows of the corrupted entity, revealing yet another inert tree in its place, but Delta was already moving with his follow up. He turned and struck a second time, this time connecting with the tree itself before it could strike at him.

His blade dug into the already damaged trunk of the tree and cleaved the wood apart, drawing a last howling shriek of tearing timer from the virus, caught out at last and its tricks spent. It seemed to rear up, only tenuously connected to the baste of its trunk, then fell towards Delta in its death throes in a last attempt to crush the navi with its final fall. Even this Delta was prepared for, however - his freshly reformed shield caught the weight of the dying virus and let him shove its bulk to the side even as the force of its fall shattered his shield again.

With the tree fallen, a quick salvo of shots swiftly deleted the loose hives as well, and the still-forming swarms of skeeters above them dissipated into the surrounding forest, fleeing the scene. With a last pulse of glowing energy, his candle healed its last and faded away, leaving Delta standing in the dark again, but the victor of the clearing all the same.

-=Hive-Hoarder=-
GloomScythe.Tree: DELETED

SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes A: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes B: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes A2: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes B2: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes C: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes B3: ESCAPED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes C2: ESCAPED

-=Bee-Seeker=-
Delta.EXE: 155Hp [In the middle of the clearing][Grass]
Candle: EXPIRED

-=Terrain=-
(Terrain is mostly grass in the middle of the clearing, with soil around the edges)
40% Soil

• Wood Elementals get +10% Evasion.
• Wood attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Grass.
• 100 Damage Aqua attacks: Change terrain hit to Mud.
• 100 Damage Fire attacks: change terrain hit to Coal.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

60% Grass

• Wood Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Fire attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Soil.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

-=Objects=-
Twisted Tree North: SLICED
Twisted Tree North-East: DELETED
Twisted Tree East: DELETED
Twisted Tree South-East: 60Hp [Woodbody][Soil]
Twisted Tree South: IMMOLATED
Twisted Tree West: DESTROYED
Twisted Tree North-West: 60Hp [Woodbody][Soil]

Ancient Beehive A: DELETED
Ancient Beehive B: DELETED
Ancient Beehive C: DELETED

-=Battle 5, Victory!=-
Spoils: 1100z, 15 BugFrags, Shadow1Effect: Shadow
Accuracy: S
Description: Grants the user Shadow. This reduces all incoming non-Slashing attacks to 0 damage, and reduces accuracy on ranged attacks by 20%.
Duration: One turn
Element: Null
Trader Rank: D, Skeeter Bounty +5

((As an aside, for clarity - Many viruses do have a behaviour pattern that involves putting up an iron- or metal- body defence and not attacking, but it's not a feature of the defence, just the pattern for those viruses. If there was anything on the site that led you, as a player, to believing that the defence worked that way, let me know, and I can check it out and see if we need to clarify something))

With the dark tree no longer clinging to the shadows, Delta was increasingly hemmed in by foes – though it seemed as though the collection of ancient beehives remained inert for now, each with a swarm of skeeters already buzzing above them. The tree itself rattled its branches and the moaning wind through the wood became a roaring wail of sound amidst the rustle of boughs and the fiercely whipping winds. Exposed to it a second time, Delta might notice that the blast of air that rushed through the clearing crackled with viral code, enough to interfere with any fields or barriers he might be using – fortunate for Delta then, that he wasn't in the habit of utilising that sort of defence.

He struck out with his blade, removing another of the dark tree's possible duplicates then turned his attention on the skeeters and their hives... but a grave miscalculation of past experiences seemed to have led the navi astray at a tactical moment. Even as he began making his flurry of swift buster shots at the smaller targets the tree's long scything branches continued to lash out at him, largely unhindered by its iron-bark defence. The tree certainly seemed to be rooted to the spot and immobile, but perhaps this wasn't a condition too unfamiliar to trees in general. It definitely didn't seem to be inhibiting it from attacking him and its branches had Delta well within reach. A storm of rapid shots and swings ensued from both sides of the battle as each tried to assail the other.

Delta's first two shots swiftly eliminated one of the skeeter swarms before it could react, but in turn GloomScythe swung two strikes in his direction, landing one scoring blow on the navi in the process. Amidst the rapid movements the long shadows played in the candle's flickering light and the dark tree seemed to take note of the way the flame was healing its prey and its attention began to split between delta and his summon. It aimed one scythe at each the navi and the candle, but was clearly becoming more focused on the troublesome light – the scythe aimed at Delta missed, while the other bit into the wax and made the flame waver for a moment.

Delta, meanwhile took another pair of shots at one of the hives, destroying it and preventing any further summons from that particular source, while the second swarm of skeeters rushed him, missing by a hair. Not far away, the third skeeter swarm followed suit, this group succeeding at finding exposed points on Delta's body and hungrily draining data from him. Fully distracted for the moment, the tree continued to slash at the cursed light, sending globs of wax flying left and right across the clearing and making the shadows warp and twist while Delta handily eliminated another swarm of insects with another pair of quick shots. If nothing else he was getting good bounty credit here...

The light from the candle continued to flow, healing both Delta and the candle itself, and as the navi continued to destroy bugs and hives, the tree's attention seemed to begin turning back towards the more obvious threat. It struck the candle one more time, but still failed to destroy it, before sweeping its scythes back in Delta's direction – another half-distracted miss, fortunately.

Harried by the attacks, Delta's next target only received one of his buster shots, the other going slightly wide, and so the second beehive remained; damaged and dripping from its ancient combs, but still intact. A final pair of strikes from both the navi and the tree saw Delta take a last pair of slicing blade strikes even as he successfully destroyed the third skeeter swarm.

The deluge of rapid assaults seemed to let up for a moment as the tree's hardened defence faded and the darkness drew in around it again. It was still looking worse for wear and that aggressive assault seemed to have taken some energy for the twisted entity to exert in is damaged condition. Maybe now Delta would have an opportunity to finish it off.

-=Hive-Hoarder=-
GloomScythe.Tree: 80Hp [Directly North of Delta, at the edge of the clearing][Soil]

SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes A: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes B: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes A2: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes B2: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes C: DELETED

-=Bee-Seeker=-
Delta.EXE: 125Hp [In the middle of the clearing][Grass][Regen: 5Hp per action while Candle lasts][Sword: 2/6]

Candle: 60Hp [Behind Delta][Grass][Regen: 5Hp per action (it counts as taking a single action each round, refreshing the regen)][1 Round]

-=Terrain=-
(Terrain is mostly grass in the middle of the clearing, with soil around the edges)
40% Soil

• Wood Elementals get +10% Evasion.
• Wood attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Grass.
• 100 Damage Aqua attacks: Change terrain hit to Mud.
• 100 Damage Fire attacks: change terrain hit to Coal.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

60% Grass

• Wood Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Fire attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Soil.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

-=Objects=-
Twisted Tree North-East: DELETED
Twisted Tree East: DELETED
Twisted Tree South-East: 60Hp [Woodbody][Soil]
Twisted Tree South: IMMOLATED
Twisted Tree South-West: 60Hp [Woodbody][Soil]
Twisted Tree West: DESTROYED
Twisted Tree North-West: 60Hp [Woodbody][Soil]

Ancient Beehive A: DELETED
Ancient Beehive B: 10Hp [Woodbody][Grass]
Ancient Beehive C: 30Hp [Woodbody][Grass]

Capitalising on the momentary hesitation of her foes, Seafoam manoeuvred swiftly to line up the two remaining bats as they each swooped upward to take cover amongst the hanging stalactites. Her shotgun rang out, buckshot scattering across the jagged rock of the ceiling as the main burst of the shot eliminated one of the two bats before it could get out of the way. The piercing round blasted through more of the stalactites but amongst them the second bat wove away from the blast, avoiding it.

With the remaining bat lurking up high, Seafoam attempted to reach it with a swing from her newly formed claws, but her opponent was just too high to reach for now. Two more pickaxes flew up towards the target from her allies, followed by annoyed 'Meep's as they deflected off the hanging stalactites. No luck for now, but as the PulseBat emerged from the higher sections of the cave and prepared to swoop down again it seemed that Seafoam would get another chance to nail the irksome virus.

-=Cavern Cravens=-
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack. A: DELETED
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack. B: DELETED
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack. C: 70Hp [High Altitude]

-=Hopefully Home=-
Map-Wielding Metool: 40Hp [Normal] [Cover behind a stalagmite, checking his map]
Sculptor Metool: 40Hp [Normal] [Cover behind a stalagmite, mining gently at it]
Substantially-Less-Nervous Metool: 40Hp [Guarding] [Beside Seafoam, on her right]

-=Met Protector=-
Seafoam.Exe: 80Hp [Normal][RageClaw: 5/6]

-=Are we back in Kansas now? =-
100% Normal

• No effects.

The main reasoning that I've always been given (it's no oversight - I've campaigned for it multiple times and been shot down by other mod staff) is that chips are meant to have things you can't access any other way and are meant to be better. These reasons never felt very satisfying to me, personally, but it is what it is... Like you say, there are ways around it that come at the sacrifice of other things.

Although, considering it... Our signature system used to have the option of passives, wherein you could pay 4x the signature cost, and (provided it was still under your individual sig limit), have the effect as a passive constantly. It eventually got a bit out of hand, because it threw the action economy out of balance and there was no way to rein it in outside of changing a lot of other things that didn't otherwise need changing... Now, at the value point the statusguard effect would have been, it would have been possible to make it a passive to any navis over level 20-ish... But, passives aren't a thing any more, so that 'risk' isn't really a danger now, so perhaps it might be worth looking into again, who knows ^.^

There are a lot of ways in which the Signature system has gotten the raw end of the stick compared to the Chip system; the system was designed after the games and focused heavily around the assumption that using battlechips would be your bread and butter the vast majority of the time... My Lyntael is actually a very extreme outlier in her non-use of chips at all. (My biggest gripe with it is that ALL chip defences have StatusGuard baked in... and we have NO way at all to get StatusGuard with signatures)

You're not incorrect that attributing a signature as Melee, and then giving it Slashing gives you a default accuracy as C... but if you're a navi that specialises in neither Melee nor Swords, then it kind of makes a certain amount of sense that they might not be as proficient as they'd like with that combination... or at least you could look at it that way.

Here's what I can say: You don't, technically, have to attribute your signature to Melee if you don't want to; by default signatures are treated as having A rank accuracy in lieu of having a nominated range attribution, and you can stick with that, play the signature as you describe and register it, and no-one will complain. You won't get the perks of having it attributed to melee (such as getting effectively a free movement to target), that's all.

Remember also that what actual effects the illusion ha is ultimately up to moderator discretion - you can make an illusion with the intent and hope that it might make things harder for your foes, but you can't say that it gives an accuracy penalty because that's up to moderation. As a general rule, if you sell it well and don't try to over-reach, you're more likely to get what you're trying for.

Most sword chips are B accuracy, while basic buster work is A. Buster chips that make your buster into a slashing sword (not to be confused with Sword battlechips...) enforce that accuracy drop as well, if I recall correctly. Sword subtype navis can negate this with their passive that grants an additional accuracy rank to all sword chips they use, and lets that accuracy surpass A rank if appropriate.

(Edit: compare your Shotgun, Cannon and FireHit with your RageClaw and Sword chips - the adjustment is built in.)

So, we have three types of illusion that cover different types of functions and, more specifically, different modes of application.
The key points to your question would be:

- Yes, an illusion can obstruct vision. The illusion of a solid brick wall cannot be seen through except by creatures unaffected by illusion.

- You cannot make an illusion 'selective' in any way beyond the modes described in the three different types: Hallucinating illusions, for example, are selective in that they only affect the targeted creature, and no-one who isn't specifically targeted sees (or hears) anything at all. A Small Area illusion, is a stand-alone illusion that everyone sees equally because it is what it is, and it's not in the scope of the illusion to look different to different targets.

- If the illusion filled a certain amount of space, you could design a Small Area illusion to have an internal visual different from its external visual, but it would still be the same for everyone, friend or foe.

Lastly, Illusions are intangible, and they are not affected by external effects - so, they cannot interact with real gusts of wind or other phenomena.

You *Might* be able to write a signature that conjures an illusion, and that also has a Counter trigger that you can reasonably describe that will end the illusion by directing a small amount of seeking damage at it when the effect that you want to cancel the illusion occurs in its space; it would need to be a counter since they are what respond to effects, and you could flavour and aesthetic it as the effect ending the illusion, but mechanically, under the hood, it wold be your navi delivering the counter to end the illusion, and they'd need to obey counter rules to do it. So, you might be able to do it, but it may feel messy and unsatisfying.

(And yes, I believe there is a long history of navis adding a cheeky Take Aim to sigs that they have added slashing to)

Amidst the ebb and flow of her charge Lyntael wove between the various attacks of the viruses surrounding her and guided the air currents in small ways that moved with and complimented the delicate steps and turns that she made. As one of the Shellnerd's spears passed through her barrier, the motion of it spun her partially around with a tugging that lacked any power to injure but still made the girl start slightly. She spared a glance for where it had scraped cross her side and blinked away a surprised thought when there was no clear damage to her new suit, and no inappropriately exposed skin to be seen. She shouldn't be surprised by that... but she was.

She hadn't had much hope that her words would find traction with the group that had tried to ambush her, but it was still sad that they weren't listening. She could leave, it was true... just push forward and let them be, but... even these lower nets weren't as deserted of other navis as she'd first thought, and if she didn't stop them from threatening her, then they would almost certainly go on to threaten someone else later. She caught her balance, pulling the circling winds around her body again and focused her resolve as the charge under her skin flared to continued readiness. If it must be done, then do it swiftly.

“Lyntael. In case you are hesitating, the... instrument... is no less a threat. It is a debilitator virus, and will hinder you, according to this reading.” Rogan's voice was calm and only mildly engaged, by the sound of it. Lyntael nodded her head and murmured a short acknowledgement as she assessed the scene.

Her eyes darted around to the viruses that had succumbed to the trials of the mud all around them, then focused forward instead to the more dangerous threats. With a short breath, Lyntael dashed forward a few steps, the winds around her body lightening her steps across the mud until she let one foot land firmly, crouching and drawing the press of her charge up to her chest and then out in a fluid sweeping kick that lifted her body upward and over into a graceful backward flip. Lightning crackled from her leading striker and tore free into a thundering wave of electricity that coursed outward towards the sealed-up shell virus with shattering, disintegrating force.

The force wave split into arcing lines as it reached the shellnerd, passing forward beyond the virus and on towards the beefier Aquagear behind it while other trails of electricity blasted back along the recoil, flaring back down the line it had already travelled and beyond. The returning arc seared beneath Lyntael's body as she let the wind guide her aerial twist, turning over to land back where she had come from on nimble toes as sparks rolled off her in waves that kept the pulsing beat of her energy stable. The sparks still danced beneath her skin, ready to lash out at anything nearby trying to strike her, but Lyntael's focus was still forward. As she landed, she let herself step back, bracing her slight weight more firmly and reaching out to embrace the cycle of her charge as it swelled in response to the first expenditure. Now she drew it deliberately, urging the build up and letting it flow until it filled her. Her arms lifted, wrists snapping together in front of her as her strikers sang with an electrical hum.

The bolt lit up the mud pit in a flare of bright light as it arced across the battlefield, once more dwarfing her small form with the force of its magnitude. Errant sparks arced and twisted from the main blast as it hammered towards the far off Aquagear in a succession of searing pulses.

Lyntael felt the blast steal her breath with it, the void opening up in her chest at the empty sensation, but she drew a breath: a moment of stillness between one heartbeat and the next, and then the power came roaring back again. The flood filled her and Lyntael let her body rise from its braced pose, limbs tingling with warmth and static. She looked up and out; the wind was there, caressing her senses, and with it... She reached.

Clouds formed, slowly at first and then swifter into a rolling grey storm that rumbled once then cracked with a flash of lightning in response to her call. Rain began to fall, pattering in the mud and filling in the divots caused by their conflict until it had drenched everything. Lyntael stood still in the centre of the battle shifting to avoid threats only absently, her body crackling and glowing as winds curled around her limbs and the viruses around her seeming to fading into the background for just a moment as she let herself experience the falling rain.

“Last chance...” Her voice murmured quietly towards whichever viruses remained on the field. “You can leave; I won't stop you.” She could feel her limbs flooded with electricity, burning in her muscles and glowing around her strikers ready to burst, but the warmth was still a comfortable tingle – a buzz that wasn't even close tot he pain she was used to feeling under stress. She could control this.

Summary

L*) Turbulence (Auto-deflect all hits of one shot or lobbed attack)
L*) Gust (Knock Back effects are Double Strength, and attacks with them gain Wind type)
L*) My Pain is Real (Start of Turn, Counter Refreshes: (On Hit): (10Elec Nova2, Knockback))
L1) My Fear Rejected, with hopeful stride (Take Aim, ShotBase(50)Elec Spread2, Break, Knockback, A) (Self-Slow (1 Rank, 1 Round)), 3CD (Overcharge +4) (To the Shellnerd, Spreading onward towards the Aquagear, and back in the opposite direction (might line up with Tuby or Fishy but maybe not, your call)
L2) A Manifest Spirit, and eyes that dance (Dodge, Movement, 10Elec Nova2, Take Aim) (Off-Target (1 Rank, 1 Round)), 3CD (Overcharge -1) (Movement takes her back to centre, between Tuby and Fishy, Take Aim comes after the pulse, for the next attack)
L3) My Anger Directed, 'gainst violent threat (ShotBase(50)Elec Break, Impact, Slashing, Knockback, Buster Shot (30null, Disarm x 5 hits) (Take aim cancels off-target for the main bolt)) (Off-Target (1 Rank, 1 Round)), 3CD (Overcharge +6) (To Aquagear)
L*) Fast Armour: 20Hp Casing Refresh
L4) As I Look To The Sky, and my wounds bleed wet (Stage Chance (Sea; as torrential rain), 10Elec Nova4, Knockback, 15Hp Sacrifice, Recovery Time (1 Action), 4CD (Overcharge -4)
L5) Action Precluded: Recovery Time
L6) A Fresh Start, and the will to live (Status Cure, SupportBase(20), Feint) (15Hp Sacrifice), 2CD (Overcharge -2) (Status Cure pre-emptively clearing the Confusion before it takes effect, presuming it landed at some point during the turn)

Cooldowns and Overcharge

My Pain is Real; it lingers after (1TCD)
My Soul Scream, and yet I fight (2TCD)
My Faith Can Heal, with time for laughter (2TCD)
My Heart Falters, and beats anew (2TCD)
My Fear Rejected, with hopeful stride (3TCD)
My Anger Directed, 'gaint violent threat (3TCD)
As I Look To The Sky, and my wounds bleed wet (4TCD)
A Manifest Spirit, and eyes that dance (3TCD)
A Loving Heart, and a second chance (1TCD)
A Fresh Start, and the will to live (2TCD)

Overcharge: Begin: +0, My Pain is Real (+1 if triggered), My Fear Rejected (+4), A Manifest Spirit (-1), My Anger Directed (+6), As I Look To The Sky (-4), A Fresh Start (-2), End: +4

On surer footing, Seafoam led off the assault with a rising wave as she attempted to douse the nearest bat. Despite the difficulty of lifting her wave up high enough to reach the airborne foe, she was still able to push the attack to crash over her target before it could escape any higher. Sodden and disoriented, the PulseBat twisted in the air, seeking upwards towards the sheltering spikes of the ceiling, but Seafoam's cannon shot chased it and connected with enough impact to remove the foe from competition.

As she dealt with the first aggressor, the other two bats swooped down, each releasing sonic blasts from their mouths loud enough to make the rocky structures in the cave shudder and crack. Seafoam was able to throw herself to one side in time to avoid one of the blasts, but the other clipped her and sent a heavy, uncomfortable vibration through her body. Even so, the navi was able to focus on charging up a stronger attack and returned fire, striking one of the two remaining bats with her harpoon and damaging it badly.

“Meep!” Beside Seafoam, one of her small metool charges had stepped forward – while the map-wielding met had taken cover behind one of the stalagmites to examine his chart for a moment, and the more artistically inclined of the trio had started to chip away at another spire of stone, the formerly more nervous of the three took the opportunity to arc a pickaxe up towards the other bat that had struck Seafoam, winging it. It ducked under its helmet after confirming the throw, hiding from any potential retaliation. The two remaining Pulsebats seemed shaken by the strong response to their attacks and seemed like they might retreat to the upper reaches of the cavern, at least for a moment or two.

-=Cavern Cravens=-
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack. A: 40Hp [Normal]
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack. B: DELETED
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack. C: 70Hp [Normal]

-=Hopefully Home=-
Map-Wielding Metool: 40Hp [Normal] [Cover behind a stalagmite, checking his map]
Sculptor Metool: 40Hp [Normal] [Cover behind a stalagmite, mining gently at it]
Substantially-Less-Nervous Metool: 40Hp [Guarding] [Beside Seafoam, on her right]

-=Met Protector=-
Seafoam.Exe: 80Hp [Normal]

-=Are we back in Kansas now? =-
100% Normal

• No effects.

The shadows lengthened, coiling around the glowing candle in the middle of the gloomy clearing as the wavering image of the dark tree stretched its branches impossibly across the space. A heavy thud and the buzz of irate insects announced it dropping yet another of its hives onto the battlefield, the white noise of the skeeter swarms becoming an unnerving static in the back of delta's senses. Even so, the navi responded with the right weapon for the job, drawing his blade and slashing at the the shadows.

He was rewarded with a rending of the darkness as his sword cut through the murky defence and drew a brutal gash across the trunk of the tree, revealing it. With a shriek like tearing wood, the dark tree recoiled from the strike, bending back from the edge of the clearing and gnashing at Delta with the jagged split in its trunk as though it were a wood-toothed maw. One of its thick boughs responded almost instantly, slamming down at Delta with horrendous retaliatory force, but the navi dodged aside, ready for the attack and the limb slammed into the grass with enough force to leave a small crater.

As Delta made his next strike, hoping to end the fight before his foe could recover, the wooden grove before his vision seemed to blur again for an instant and he found his blade brutally bisecting another one of the inert trees instead of his target – it had swapped itself again, but it had to run out of other trees sooner or later. Turning to locate the tree again, Delta managed to duck away from the swarming dash on the skeeter swarm as they buzzed in his direction, but he was able to see in that moment that the other two hives, new and old, had both ejected fresh swarms of their own into the air; the new swarms were still getting their bearings and turning their focus towards Delta, but they would no doubt begin harassing him soon enough.

Delta had enough on his hands, however, dodging a flurry of furious scythe swings from the tree as it lashed out at him from its new location. It was all he could do for the moment to keep himself safe from its swings, his own sword stroke going wide in the effort of juggling offence and defence together. As the tree bore down on him, scything in a frenzy now, Delta noticed a glint in the light of his candle glow – the tree, no longer hiding in shadow, now swelled in presence and assaulted him directly, and its bark had taken on a metallic black sheen that reflected the light. He continued to evade the majority of its attacks, though the pace and amount of sweeps overwhelmed him for a moment; one blade caught on his shield, piercing it, and another grazed across his midsection before he managed to get clear and catch a breath. It was only a small scratch, fortunately – the healing energy from his candle more than outweighed it.

-=Hive-Hoarder=-
GloomScythe.Tree: 80Hp [Directly North of Delta, at the edge of the clearing][IronBody][Soil]

SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes A: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes B: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes A2: 30Hp (Swarming above Beehive A)(Grass)
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes B2: 30Hp (Swarming above Beehive B)(Grass)
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes C: 30Hp (Swarming above Beehive C)(Grass)

-=Bee-Seeker=-
Delta.EXE: 170Hp [In the middle of the clearing][Grass][Regen: 5Hp per action while Candle lasts] [Shield Broken!][Sword: 3/6]

Candle: 100Hp [Behind Delta][Grass] [Regen: 5Hp per action (it counts as taking a single action each round, refreshing the regen)][2 Rounds]

-=Terrain=-
(Terrain is mostly grass in the middle of the clearing, with soil around the edges)
40% Soil

• Wood Elementals get +10% Evasion.
• Wood attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Grass.
• 100 Damage Aqua attacks: Change terrain hit to Mud.
• 100 Damage Fire attacks: change terrain hit to Coal.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

60% Grass

• Wood Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Fire attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Soil.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

-=Objects=-
Twisted Tree North-East: 60Hp [Woodbody][Soil]
Twisted Tree East: DELETED
Twisted Tree South-East: 60Hp [Woodbody][Soil]
Twisted Tree South: IMMOLATED
Twisted Tree South-West: 60Hp [Woodbody][Soil]
Twisted Tree West: DESTROYED
Twisted Tree North-West: 60Hp [Woodbody][Soil]

Ancient Beehive A: 30Hp [Woodbody][Grass]
Ancient Beehive B: 30Hp [Woodbody][Grass]
Ancient Beehive C: 30Hp [Woodbody][Grass]

The tansit left Seafoam catching her bearing for a moment as she emerged into the usually much better maintained ACDC network. Due to the route she'd taken to get here, though, the navi emerged in the darkened back of what looked like some kind of craggy cave. Further ahead, between jutting stalactites and oddly shaped stalagmites, she could see the light of a bright and sunny network peeking in the cave entrance.

It was only a few moments before the trio of following metools arrived behind her, appearing tentative and cautious at first, but rapidly perking up with excited and relieved 'meeps' as they seemed to recognise the feeling of the network as one more familiar to them. One of them began to pick at one of the nearby stalagmites with experimental curiosity.

Before she could lead her charges out of the cave and into the sunlight, however, Seafoam's senses picked up a series of shrill, almost super-sonic squeaks of sound and the flittering of wings above. Their arrival seemed to have agitated a group of PulseBats, and unlike her met friends this trio of viruses rapidly moved to assault both Seafoam and her charges for daring to intrude upon them. The stalactites on the ceiling formed a dense obfuscation of rocks, making the bats harder to reach with weapons while they were up high, but one swooped down immediately, emitting a sonic blast that cracked a nearby stalagmite and sent shards of rock flying in every direction; it looked like it was moving to wing back up into the obscured roof area between blasts, while the other two were preparing to swoop down and make attacks of their own.

-=Cavern Cravens=-
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack. A: 80Hp [Normal][High Altitude]
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack. B: 80Hp [Normal]
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack. C: 80Hp [Normal][High Altitude]

-=Hopefully Home=-
Map-Wielding Metool: 40Hp [Normal] [Just behind Seafoam]
Sculptor Metool: 40Hp [Normal] [behind Seafoam, to her left]
Substantially-Less-Nervous Metool: 40Hp [Normal] [behind Seafoam, to her right]

-=Met Protector=-
Seafoam.Exe: 110Hp [Normal]

-=Are we back in Kansas now? =-
100% Normal

• No effects.

-=Battle 1, Start!=-

As the wind rustled and groaned through the twisted branches it send an unnatural shudder through Delta's systems setting his senses on edge and giving a sense of creeping movement at the edges of his peripheral through the darkness. He adjusted quickly and fired a powerful rocket at his target and raised his shield again as it exploded but a further glance showed that he'd managed to hit another tree instead – it was hard to tell whether he had jumped at shadows, or whether the moaning wind had simply hampered his aim or blown the rocket off course. Either way he had to turn in place again to locate his target amongst the remaining ancient twisted trees surrounding him. Which one was it now?

The first hive began to swarm again, emitting another cloud of skeeters just as a flash of scything movement struck out from the edge of the clearing towards Delta again. He reacted just fast enough to avoid the first while the second scraped along his newly reformed shield and the warped wood itself seemed to tremble in rage at his refusal to die.

The other skeeter swarm moved to assault Delta but the navi was faster, taking the irksome insects down before they could reach him then dodging quickly to weave around two more furious scythe swipes untouched. He aimed a bursting wood tower in the tree's direction, using the chip as cover to plant his candle; the tower veered poorly, failing to connect with the tree, but as the candle grew and ignited, Delta felt the warming glow flow from it, ready to start patching up his injuries bit by bit. As the light from the candle swelled, the shadows in the clearing grew long and deeper, flickering and twisting at the edge of the candle's glow. Gloomscythe itself seemed almost to grow in the remaining dark, looming over the clearing with a sinister creaking sown as the reach of its branches almost seemed to encompass the space and its form darkened further and further to meld into the gloom.

-=Hive-Hoarder=-
GloomScythe.Tree: 160Hp [Directly East of Delta, at the edge of the clearing][Shadow: 1 Round][Strengthen: 10][Soil]

SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes A: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes B: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes A2: 30Hp (Swarming above Beehive A)(Grass)

-=Bee-Seeker=-
Delta.EXE: 155Hp [In the middle of the clearing][Grass][Regen: 5Hp per action while Candle lasts] [2-Hit Shield: 1/2]

Candle: 100Hp [Behind Delta][Grass] [Regen: 5Hp per action (it counts as taking a single action each round, refreshing the regen)][3 Rounds]

-=Terrain=-
(Terrain is mostly grass in the middle of the clearing, with soil around the edges)
40% Soil

• Wood Elementals get +10% Evasion.
• Wood attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Grass.
• 100 Damage Aqua attacks: Change terrain hit to Mud.
• 100 Damage Fire attacks: change terrain hit to Coal.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

60% Grass

• Wood Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Fire attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Soil.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

-=Objects=-
Twisted Tree North: 60Hp [Woodbody][Soil]
Twisted Tree North-East: 60Hp [Woodbody][Soil]
Twisted Tree South-East: 60Hp [Woodbody][Soil]
Twisted Tree South: IMMOLATED
Twisted Tree South-West: 60Hp [Woodbody][Soil]
Twisted Tree West: DESTROYED
Twisted Tree North-West: 60Hp [Woodbody][Soil]

Ancient Beehive A: 30Hp [Woodbody][Grass]
Ancient Beehive B: 30Hp [Woodbody][Grass]

Delta's quick sweep of testing shots probed the defences of the hostile programs and found purchase. The skeeter swarm, just about to make its play was handily shot from the air by a pair of blasts while the twisted tree itself was winged by one. Despite the gloom, it seemed tangible enough, though the relatively meagre buster shot didn't seem to give the tree itself any pause.

It continued its aggressive motion despite the warning shot, swinging both of its scythe-like limbs in a pair of arcs aimed at cleaving its latest victim in two. Delta was able to avoid one side of the pincer attack but the other made a razor sharp graze across chest as he couldn't quite get out of the way in time.

As the tree lurched and recovered from its extended swing, its scarred and warped trunk seemed almost to rear back like an animal, to a sound of creaking and protesting wood that could almost be taken for a roar. A second beehive dislodged from its branches, dropping to the ground a short way from the first and immediately began to swarm with insects of its own.

Delta switched to the age old nemesis of trees everywhere, launching a burning fist of fire at his target and was rewarded with a much more visceral reaction. The ball of fire slammed against the trunk, splashing fire up and down its length and causing the dark tree to flail with a sound of shrieking timber as it was illuminated by the sudden conflagration. The Navi struck again, aiming to en the threat with an even more enhanced flame strike and was rewarded by an almighty pillar of fire that seemed to utterly consume the warped wood.

For a moment, it seemed as though the fight might be over, but instinct saw Delta ready his shield, just as a heavy, crushing bough of wood slammed down towards him from a different direction. His shield immediately shattered, but thankfully saved him from the brunt of a blow that might have cracked stone. To the west now, the gloom-wreathed tree rustled its branches and gave rise to an ominous, whispering wind that moaned and wailed through the circle of trees. Where it had been, Delta could see the now smouldering ruins of one of the other trees – had it perhaps swapped places with one of them somehow? Either way, it didn't seem like it was going down quite that easily.

-=Hive-Hoarder=-
GloomScythe.Tree: 160Hp (Directly West of Delta, at the edge of the clearing)(Soil)

SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes A: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes B: 30Hp (Swarming above Beehive B)(Grass)

-=Bee-Seeker=-
Delta.EXE: 155Hp (In the middle of the clearing)(Grass) [2-Hit Shield: Broken!]

-=Terrain=-
(Terrain is mostly grass in the middle of the clearing, with soil around the edges)
40% Soil

• Wood Elementals get +10% Evasion.
• Wood attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Grass.
• 100 Damage Aqua attacks: Change terrain hit to Mud.
• 100 Damage Fire attacks: change terrain hit to Coal.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

60% Grass

• Wood Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Fire attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Soil.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

-=Objects=-
Twisted Tree North: 60Hp (Woodbody)(Soil)
Twisted Tree North-East: 60Hp (Woodbody)](Soil)
Twisted Tree East: 60Hp (Woodbody)(Soil)
Twisted Tree South-East: 60Hp (Woodbody)(Soil)
Twisted Tree South: IMMOLATED
Twisted Tree South-West: 60Hp (Woodbody)(Soil)
Twisted Tree North-West: 60Hp (Woodbody)(Soil)

Ancient Beehive A: 30Hp (Woodbody)(Grass)
Ancient Beehive B: 30Hp (Woodbody)(Grass)

With the worm virus continuing to congest the valley pass, and showing no signs of slowing down, Seafoam held onto enough of her senses to back off from the ever-growing problem. Her three charges quickly followed suit once it became clear that a tactical retreat was in order and together the group made some distance from the beat-heavy blockade.

This left the navi with fewer options for escorting her charges safely back to their home network - with the shortest open route currently congested, she'd need to take a slightly more circuitous set of network paths to get there safely, and it meant taking a bit longer, but at least it would be safer from larger threats.

-=Escape Successful!=-

((No worries; sorry if the battle seemed a bit overwhelming. Description is just flavour for Rp, feel free to transfer at your leisure. So you know (because you may see the effect again in the future), my personal feelings on confusion are that I do try to be fair about it; it's a debilitating effect, and you've got a large chance of most actions failing entirely, to no effect, or they might hurt themselves, or other player navis in team battles, but I would not make a player attack and damage vulnerable escorts or allies because of the effect - that would just be cruel and unfair, and though I can't speak for other mods, I won't do that as a moderator.))

Pressing further into the Okuden woods in search of challenges and more bounty targets, Delta found a section of the wood that seemed to grow gloomier and more shaded the deeper he went. The air was still and grew humid and stick, with a scent like sap filtering through the woods. At the edge of hearing, the irksome sound of skeeters buzzing scratched at his senses; it sounded like there were swarms of the things throughout the area, just loud enough for their buzzing to be annoying.

With no sight of identifiable hostiles, however, the navi had little option but to press deeper into the darkening wood. It wasn't much longer, making his way through the unpleasant warmth and cloying scent, that Delta emerged into something that looked and felt like a modest clearing between the trees. The buzzing had grown loud now, but the light had fallen to gloom by equal measure, making it all too easy to imagine seeing malignant shapes in the shadows of the trees.

A creak of ancient wood and a groan that sounded like the death rattle of some ancient beast rasped behind him, blowing a gust of hot, sickly sweet air across his back, before a pair of razor-sharp scythes swung around from either side, attempting to bisect the navi. Delta was able to avoid this initial surprise attack, but a glance back revealed an ancient, twisted and decrepit-seeming tree twisting in place and writhing as its trunk creaked and its branches rustled. All around, the other trees in the clearing seemed to shudder and sigh; the gloom made it hard to see where the branches of one ended and another began, but as the hideously scarred tree pulled itself back up, Delta could at least tell that the swinging scythe blades were only two of its many blackened branches, cracked and twisted along their gnarled lengths, but honed to lethal blades and stabbing points.

The buzzing grew more agitated, and above, dimly visible through the darkness, a series of ancient hives nestled amongst the old tree's grasping branches swayed and swarmed with insects. One hive dropped heavily to the ground beside the tree and began to spill forth a swarm of angry skeeters as the tree itself seemed to pull the dark shadows round itself and prepare to strike again.

-=Hive-Hoarder=-
GloomScythe.Tree: 300Hp (Directly South of Delta, at the edge of the clearing)(Soil)
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: 30Hp (Swarming above the beehive)(Grass)

-=Bee-Seeker=-
Delta.EXE: 170Hp (In the middle of the clearing)(Grass)

-=Terrain=-
(Terrain is mostly grass in the middle of the clearing, with soil around the edges)
40% Soil

• Wood Elementals get +10% Evasion.
• Wood attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Grass.
• 100 Damage Aqua attacks: Change terrain hit to Mud.
• 100 Damage Fire attacks: change terrain hit to Coal.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

60% Grass

• Wood Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Fire attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Soil.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

-=Objects=-
Twisted Tree North: 60Hp (Woodbody)(Soil)
Twisted Tree North-East: 60Hp (Woodbody)](Soil)
Twisted Tree East: 60Hp (Woodbody)(Soil)
Twisted Tree South-East: 60Hp (Woodbody)(Soil)
Twisted Tree South-West: 60Hp (Woodbody)(Soil)
Twisted Tree West: 60Hp (Woodbody)(Soil)
Twisted Tree North-West: 60Hp (Woodbody)(Soil)
Ancient Beehive A: 30Hp (Woodbody)(Grass)

-=Battle 5, Start!=-

((Welcome back ^.^ ))

Despite the enthralling rhythm and enticing dance partners, the consistent jostling was enough to let SeaFoam rouse at least partially from the cloying charm and she began trying to distance herself from the press of dancing bodies. It seemed almost like there were more of them than before, and the crowd was denser and more tightly packed than it had been a moment ago. There was a sense of the many dancers trying to hold on, or catch at her clothing as she extricated herself, but after a few drawn out, sluggish points of effort, the navi was able to pull herself free of the crowd and force her seemingly unwilling feet to take a few steps back and away from it again.

The glittering sparkle of colours hanging in the air shimmered and the pounding beat of the music continued to pulse; sure enough there were even more dancers than before, now that she was able to look at the group; where had the others even come from?

With clearer senses, Coral was able to see her navi finally struggle free of the many weaving columns of the peculiar cacty virus, her outfit snagging on its spines as it continued trying to encircle her and prevent her escape. Fortunately, Seafoam prevailed and got some distance, but the other detail Coral might notice was another tall-bodied cactus part forming on the end of the conga-line, making the worm longer still and clogging up the valley passage even more. Some strange reading on the PET showed its HP Value growing above its maximum as the virus proliferated in the space. If it kept growing like this, then, with their limited resources, simply busting it directly might not be easy, unless they could find some other way to deal with the problem.

Free of the press of bodies, though her feet continued to tap to the beat and the urge to sway and dance was still strong, Seafoam called out to the group of dancers, trying to reason with them to clear the path. Even as she attempted the more diplomatic path, however, the illusory party began to fray at the edges and her vision wavered and clarified; the dancers in all their lightly-dressed appeal faded and she could see the virus itself more clearly again, its many cacty bodies swaying and dancing to the beat of its own song in an ever growing and extending conga-line of congestion.

The main head of the virus focused on Seafoam, rocking back on forth on top of the lead body, then beginning to hop down the line of bodies on-beat, to keep its place as it stared at her. Its swirling kaleidoscopic eyes locked onto hers above its manic grin and though the illusion was now fading to tatters, a dire sense of confusion was clawing its way into Seafoam's mind; something wasn't right about this... She could see the virus clearly now, see its amused, gleeful grin as it danced, but her thoughts felt scrambled and acting felt difficult.

Behind her, two of her metool charges were continuing to dance happily with one another to the music, but the map-carrying met had paused and now looked back and forth between Seafoam and the grinning virus. Its eyes drew down slightly, and had it a visible mouth, the little guy might well have been frowning as it realised something was off.

Seafoam's efforts at diplomacy didn't seem to be getting any traction, try as she might, and the virus danced and snaked its way closer to her again. The line of swaying bodies leaned down so that the head of the virus could bend close to her as it hopped from body to body; it only grinned and swayed, its large eyes a myriad of dazzling colours. Below, the mouth opened from cheshire grin to toothy maw.

Completely focused as it was, the virus was caught unaware as a mattock sailed through the air past Seafoam's shoulder to knock its fancy party had from its head with a clang. The virus swayed back upright with it, still dancing to the beat and grinning like a thing possessed, but its eyes turned towards the miffed metool still standing with its group behind Seafoam. The met let out a challenging “Meep!” and held its ground but the party virus only stared at it, eyes swirling, before a fresh party hat burst into existence on its head in spray of confetti; this one was bigger, fancier, and even had a couple of little spinning pinwheels on it.


-=Delirious DJ =-
CactoCongo.Worm: 330/300(!?)Hp [Such Dancing!][1-Hit Party Hat: Reformed: Now Even Fancier than before!][Strengthen: 20][Normal]

-=In The Spotlight =-
Seafoam.Exe: 95Hp [Normal][Confusion (1 Turn)][Glitch: Toe-Tapping (1 turn, or until removed)]

-=Back-up Dancers?=-
Map-Wielding MetoolMetool (Metool)

Metools not currently attacking will guard. Entering guard mode requires an action. Exiting guard mode does not require an action.

Area: ACDC, Electown, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Dentech, Beach

HP: 40
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Piercing + Ground Attack
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Whacks ground with pickaxe, sending forth a shockwave.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Throws a mattock at an enemy.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Guard1, ShockWave, Zenny
Special: Can hide in its helmet to negate damage.: 40Hp [Normal] [Just behind Seafoam] [Doesn't like the cut of this virus' jib]
Sculptor MetoolMetool (Metool)

Metools not currently attacking will guard. Entering guard mode requires an action. Exiting guard mode does not require an action.

Area: ACDC, Electown, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Dentech, Beach

HP: 40
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Piercing + Ground Attack
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Whacks ground with pickaxe, sending forth a shockwave.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Throws a mattock at an enemy.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Guard1, ShockWave, Zenny
Special: Can hide in its helmet to negate damage.: 40Hp [Grass] [Behind and left of Map Metool]
Nervous MetoolMetool (Metool)

Metools not currently attacking will guard. Entering guard mode requires an action. Exiting guard mode does not require an action.

Area: ACDC, Electown, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Dentech, Beach

HP: 40
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Piercing + Ground Attack
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Whacks ground with pickaxe, sending forth a shockwave.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Throws a mattock at an enemy.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Guard1, ShockWave, Zenny
Special: Can hide in its helmet to negate damage.: 40Hp [Grass] [Behind and right of Map Metool]

-=Not Meant To Be a Mosh-Pit =-
60% Normal

• No effects.

40% Grass

• Wood Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Fire attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Soil.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

Valley area starts grassy and become rocky (normal) towards the virus' end; terrain is mostly even, but the valley is moderately narrow.

-=Glitch Record=-

Toe-Tapping: Balance Glitch (2 rounds, or until removed with status cure or other similar effects). The target can't help but respond to a beat that they can hear, tapping, bouncing or otherwise jigging to it. The sense of rhythm helps them dodge more effectively, at least if they dodge to the beat, but ti also hinders their ability to take proper shots and strikes when they need to, rather than hesitating for the right 'rhythm' Dodges are increased by one rank when roleplayed as being made on beat, while attacks accuracy suffers a 1 rank penalty.