Dungeon Traversal Guide [Current and Up to Date]

The Fight for Liberation:


What are Dungeons:

Dungeons vary from different shapes to different sizes. Some may exist in the real world, while others may exist in worlds beyond basic human understanding. They are the main areas where enemies, whether they be demons or shadows, reside. Dungeons have a boss usually in its deepest section that must be defeated; though this may not be the case for them all. Regardless, in dungeons you will have access to summoning your inner strength almost all the time.


How to Traverse Dungeons:

When you enter hostile territory, you are going to be met with some resistance. Not only will there be enemies in your way, but the environment itself will be fighting against you. When you enter a dungeon, the Dungeon Master (AKA, Me or a member of the Forum Moderation team), posts up a grid-based map. To traverse this map, you simply have to make posts. Previously you had to make posts reaching 400 words to progress, which made for a lot of filler content. The change that's being made here is now, while the Word Requirement is BIGGER (1000), the entire group is contributing towards this count. Reaching said word-count goal within a turn cycle gives the team a movement bonus, which allows for extra spaces traveled. Missing this word goal gives you the normal amount of spaces.

Missing the Goal: 4 Spaces forward.

Hitting the Goal: 8 Spaces forward.

Doubling the goal: 12 spaces forward.

If you decide to break off from the group, Your words no longer count towards the group count, and you don't get any benefits. But you can cover more ground this way in case you're searching for loot, or ways to solve a puzzle. In this case, your word target is 400, unless stated otherwise (Be it through a strength, Soul Skill, Terrain or Dungeon Modifier.)

The Dungeon Master (who is a member of staff) will record your progress as you press further and further into the dungeon. At the end of each turn cycle, they will make their post show casing  where the group is headed, and how large the dungeon is. They will also be in charge of rping as the Shadows, Demons and "Dungeon" to impede your progress. If you encounter no opposition through your turns, it's possible that the mod will not post at the end of your turn and you can continue.

If you choose to leave a dungeon without completing it (by using a dungeon escape skill or item), you can rejoin where you left off. However, if you leave the dungeon and do not rejoin it within three days then you must start over.

When using Dia or Enhance skills, you must be within a square [in distance] of your target. This means if you're near the end of your dungeon, and someone is at the beginning and hurting, you wouldn't be able to heal them because you would be nowhere near them.

Dungeon Bosses:

There are two areas where "Dungeon Bosses" present themselves. The mid-boss presents itself at certain rooms in a dungeon. The main-boss presents itself towards the innermost section within the dungeon. These enemies are stronger than the average Shadows you encounter throughout the dungeon. They are also smarter. Depending on the amount of party members in your group will decide how strong some of the Bosses are while others have set stats. The more people, the more difficult. **Note: You can only have five max ACTIVE members per dungeon unless stated otherwise.

Once defeating a Mid-Boss, your party will win items that will help your progress through the dungeon. Once defeating the final boss, your party is awarded with dungeon items and perhaps even plot items you may need.

**-Note - Try to be in one Dungeon topic at a time, please. In the real world, feel free to be in multiple but for Dungeons, narrow it to one unless stated otherwise. Main reason being is that these Dungeons are continuity based. If you would die... that'd make dungeons that take place at a later time REALLY awkward.


Shuffle Time Bonus:

At the end of each successful PvS battle, there will be a chance to net extra rewards for your victory.

There will be a chance of getting three boosts at the end. They are labelled below:

1 - Stat Booster - Retrieve three stat points for one of your stats randomly.

2 - Velvet Coins - 2,000 Vc (or more) won from battle complete.

3 - Broken Card - Retrieve nothing for battle complete.

4 - Soul Recovery - Recovers 15% of both HP and SP.

5 - Broken Card - Retrieve nothing for battle complete.

6 - Ammo Box - Restore any Ammunition fired during this battle.

7 - Gold Hand Encounter - A Gold Hand will spawn on the map. If you locate and defeat it before it escapes, you will gain double experience and a rare item. These enemies are strong, and will attempt to run away from you. Be sure to chase it down quickly or miss your opportunity for great rewards. Only one can spawn at a time.

Random number (1,7) :

5

When the battle is complete, the Dungeon Master will use the randomizer to determine which of these six possible outcomes you will receive.

Dungeon Maps and Obstacles:

The first post of a Dungeon will usually hold the map and a few obstacles. Depending on the DM that maps can range from appearance, but they all should be following the base rules of dungeon traversal. Some maps will have obstacles that need to be overcome in some way, be it a puzzle, a locked door, a security system, or a missing bridge. Instead of using social stats to determine outcome, we roleplay this bit.

Here is a sample map below. Maps should give a difficulty, which I will explain after this.

Forest of the Lost

Red Stars - These are demons that are patrolling the area. They are aligned to the government however, can be swayed during negotiation when encountered. They will see you within 4 spaces unless you land upon a QAS space

Orange Star - The District Head and Boss of the Dungeon. This is your objective and your mission will be to remove this person from power.

Blue Highlight - The Entrance to the dungeon, where you will start.

Purple Highlight - A QAS area where you can make a decision on what you'd like to do. Depending on the area will determine the QAS. However, your choice will determine how easy the dungeon may turn out to be.

Green Star - Treasure boxes that will be revealed with Treasure Radar

Trees - What could they possibly do..?

Dungeon Difficulty - Medium


Difficulty in Dungeons and Missions:

Easy - Enemies are weaker in strength. They use only tier 1 skills and all have atleast two to three weaknesses. These missions are the easiest and give you little reward.

Medium - Enemies are moderate in strength. They use only tier 1 - tier 2 skills and all have atleast one to two weaknesses. These missions are quite normal and give you an average award of VC and one other item.

Hard - Enemies are quite strong. They use only tier 2 - tier 3 skills and all have atleast one weakness to no. These missions are quite hard and give you high award of VC and two other items.

Risky - Enemies are the strongest you've seen. They use only tier 3 - 4 skills and very few have any weakness. These missions are the hardest and give you an extreme award of VC and very rare items.


Fleeing from battles in Dungeons:

It is possible to escape battles. You can escape battles through an escape chance. Normally, you'll have a 50% chance to escape if your level is atleast within 10 of the enemies level. If the enemy's level is above that, it's alittle harder to escape and lowers to 30%. If the enemy is lower than your level, it will be a 80% chance to escape.

Experiencing Defeat:

When you or the whole team reaches 0 HP. You may have the option to escape the dungeon alive by paying the necessary fee of 5000 Velvet Coins. However, with each defeat, the cost doubles. Be sure to spend wisely. Specific NPCs this time around will take the fee and save you.

Modifiers and Player Death:
Some missions will have extra stipulations or modifiers attached to them in order to make finishing the task a bit more difficult, or upping the stakes. The Final step in a in a Quest-chain usually involves running through a dungeon with a few of these modifiers on. These aren't set in stone, except for one called "Extinguish", which denotes that Permanent Death is possible. When Extinguish is active, you cannot pay that 5000 Vc Fee to save you. A Player dies after they've been struck by 3 attacks after they've been knocked out without being revived.