Nealaphh, the shadow, vessel of the god-mind, stepped through the gate into the Ashen Steppes from the blank white canvas of the Nexus. Immediately it was overcome with an oppressive heat from the myriad lava flows and gas vents. While this did not inherently bother Nealaphh, there was no doubting that it was a clear indicator of an ambient level of danger. Nealaphh was not entirely sure how to feel about this. It had already been attacked once since being dragged into this damnable Omniverse, and that was just from the misguided delusions of a couple mortals. This place of explosive change felt more...real. This was comforting to Nealaphh to a certain degree, since in the Nexus it had felt very disconnected from any sort of universal energy or space. The air here was almost...thick. Besides, even if Nealaphh would perish here, it would just be resurrected at The Smiling One's behest. Fear was unnecessary, so Nealaphh began to stride off into the wastes, black cloak dragging a smooth trail through the glittering volcanic dust underfoot.

It was a while before Nealaphh ever came across anything especially remarkable. But after wandering around for...some time, it had happened upon something truly spectacular. Here was a cliff, made out of shining obsidian and other volcanic glass, that had a constant surge of lava pouring over its edge. The incandescent deluge fell down into a deep pit, where the molten rock and metal frothed angrily. Bright colors refracted through the obsidian, and despite the naturally darkened sky, it was quite a fascinating light display. Nealaphh spent the next four hours staring at this geologic display before suddenly being prodded in the back by a sharp point. The shadow turned around slowly to behold a small...thing...pointing a small spear at it. The creature had a yellow beak, a red carapace of some kind and large, rubbery foot...protectors around its feet. Its large white eyes were scrunched up in an emotion that Nealaphh believed to be called aggression. The shadow decided to name this entity 'Soot Walker'. The Soot Walker spoke.

"You there! You walk upon the dominion of The Koopa King, his Most Magnificent Maleficence, Bowser! You will come back with me to Koopa Camp seventy-eight, where you will be..." the Soot Walker said in a shrill, grating tone. It wasn't as if the Soot Walker had stopped talking; Nealaphh had just stopped listening. While it registered that the Soot Walker was still making noises, Nealaphh was more preoccupied with its own thoughts. It was fascinating that, despite the being's facial structure, it was able to pronounce such flexible sounds. Perhaps there was some special pliability to the creature's pallet that allowed it to make such sounds? Nealaphh would have to see.

"Wha-Whoa! Wait! Put me down! I'll- Gawwhh!" the Soot Walker shouted as it rose into the air. Nealaphh mentally pulled the creature's mouth open and rotated it upside down so that it could peer inside the creature's mouth. The Soot Walker continued to make strained sounds of protest, but there was very little it could do. Nealaphh discovered that, despite the creature's forward most beak retained a rigid, piercing edge, it's lower jaw was highly flexible. While this might naturally reduce the Soot Walker's ability to naturally defend itself with a bite, it would facilitate communication for development of a social structure. This was evidenced by its use of manufactured weaponry. Fascinating.

Finished with its examination of the Soot Walker, Nealaphh carelessly tossed the creature aside, where it retreated into its shell and skidded on its back for several yards, stopping just a foot from the edge of the frothing lava pool. As Nealaphh began to walk away, the Soot Walker poked its head back out from its shell and shouted angrily at the shadow.

"You'll regret this! Mark my words!" it shouted. Nealaphh paused in its exit and turned slowly to face the Soot Walker.

Regret would indicate that I possess a sense of what you mortals call 'responsibility', which I can assure you I-

Nealaphh was cut off in its telepathic rebuttal as it suddenly found itself hoisted high into the air. It blinked once and looked around, trying to assess what had just happened. It seemed to be in the grasp of some sort of gigantic beast, red in color, with a soft underbelly and hardened, scaly hide. Spines ran down its dorsal region, and two large wings sprouted from shoulder joints. Nealaphh could only assume that it was now in immediate danger, but wanted to see where the beast intended on taking it, so for the moment, the god-mind just decided to go limp and let itself be carried off to new areas of interest...

The 'island' portion of Dante's Abyss will begin on Monday, May 25th at roughly 8 PM CDT.

The 'barracks' portion will last from Friday the 22nd at 7 PM CDT until Monday the 25th. This is a change from the original date, although participants are free to go to the Barracks whenever they please (although it is a one-way street).

Karl Jak will make a post IC on the 22nd to indicate that all participants must report to the Barracks. Participants will then have the (OOC) weekend to enjoy the confines of the barracks. This period of the contest will last about 8-12 hours in-character, so feel free too have your character rest/eat/showever/whatever.

Note - Characters may continue to make purchases up until May 25th at 8 PM CDT. Once the first Day 1 thread goes up, collars go on and purchases are locked for participants. Leveling up on the island will not increase your SP until after the collar is removed.

I'm really happy with the turnout, which far exceeds my original goal of 'I guess around 20-ish?' As always, please continue to write and enjoy the preshow, as when I am determining the standing of competitors going into Day 1, the Dante Verse posts are what I will be basing most of my thoughts off of.

Hey guys, can we leave and enter DA any time we want? (until we go into the Barracks, of course)

[float=right][/float]
Say hello to Mami Tomoe~

Personality – The Mami most people see is a gentle, polite and almost motherly persona, used to cover up how she feels for herself and others.

The real Mami is much more emotional and frail, though that Mami rarely shows.

Typically she observes her surroundings (People, things, etc.) from a very objective and mostly logical standpoint, though she lets her feelings show in her smiles and in how she treats those around her. Though odds are this will not be relevant, Mami adores tea parties.

Possible Reactions – If she were to wind up in a face-to-face with Harry, she would offer a friendly greeting, but treat it as a means to redeem herself and start fighting with everything she's got, possibly even using her Power-Up right at the beginning of the fight. If she were to wind up in a face-to-face with someone she likes or is close to, she would probably play defensive for a while before waiting for the best opening to knock them unconscious and, if she knows the possibility exists, wait until they wake up and set up an alliance. If that wouldn't be possible, then she would just run off. Otherwise, she would probably be nearly unflinching in serious attitude during fights except for perhaps the occasional moment's hesitation before killing if it's necessary.

Mami is going into Dante's Abyss to find a purpose in the Omniverse, even if it means dying while trying to find it.

Relationships – Mami's fight with Harry drives a rivalry stake between the two, to say the least. Mami is (possibly) on good terms with Sasuke, so a possible temporary alliance could be in order if they worked together. She left on good terms with Lubbock, as well, so an alliance between the two of them likely wouldn't hurt.

‘Combat’ Style – Mami fights for others above all else, but if her life is put on the line while others' are not, she'll defend herself where necessary - After all, if she's dead or crippled, who will protect her friends? She typically prefers to face her opponent head-on, firing everything she's got at anything that moves until whatever moves stops moving - But that's when she has the ability to summon as many weapons as she needs. A Mami limited by quantity of weapons would be more likely to find a means of ending the battle as quickly as possible without killing. This could mean shooting a target in the leg so they cannot pursue as she escapes, or using the terrain to prevent a target from getting to her (Squeezing through a relatively small gap to escape from a larger opponent, for example).

Eligible Powers – Master Acrobat, Basic Super Jumping, Foresight

Moves – N/A (None qualify)

Extra – Mami has a Power-Up! (+1 ATK, DEF, TEC, +2 SPD - Or, in other words, 4 ATK, 2 DEF, 5 SPD, 4 TEC while used)
If she started a battle in bad condition compared to her opponent, or if her weapon/equipment was worse than her opponent's, she would use her Power-Up to compensate. However, she would at the very least consider that she might be in a life-or-death situation where it would be smarter to use then. If it already is a life-or-death situation, then ignore the think-about-it point entirely.
Do note, as well, this would be the first time Mami ever uses a Power-Up or anything that uses SP. 'Cause, y'know, I forgot she was Level 2 for a while.

Quotes – "Before you make a wish for someone else, take a moment to think about what you really want. Do you really want the other person's benefit, or the opposite - Their everlasting gratitude?" "Afraid of someone stronger coming along to challenge you? That kind of thinking is only for losers." [/quote]
[quote]Making this post right now so I don't wait for another week. Yeesh...

[float=right][/float]
Personality – Deadpool is essentially a good-hearted psychopath (if there is such a thing) with a knack for using inappropriate jokes. While some of his friends would call him a care-free individual, almost everyone else would consider him a lunatic who self-justifies his actions by referring to imaginary people.

Possible Reactions – Deadpool is always looking for a way to interject humor into whatever situation hurled his way. Though he would be open to the option teaming-up with other competitors, his lack of conscience would make any feelings for them shallow at best.

Relationships – Though Deadpool has no relationships with any of the DA contestants, he is aware of a particular NPC (Aero) that his author used to write as.

‘Combat’ Style – Even within the midst of a brawl, the mercenary always finds time to crack jokes and pass nonsensical banter, even if it detrimental to his survival; when staring death in the face he prefers to try and give it a wet kiss rather than retreat. Usually consumed with by own antics, he devalues the lives of those around him, and probably would not bother to save an ally.

Eligible Powers – Master Acrobat, Super Jumping, Insight

Moves – Since all basic moves have been disabled for the event, Deadpool’s only available move is his Tier 1 Super, Shinku Tatsumaki Senpukyaku

End to an Overture
After a preliminary period of sizing up his opponent, Deadpool may opt to take the fight more seriously; his attacks become more precise and powerful, but his mouth stays the same—talkative.

ATK - +2
DEF - +1
SPD -
TEC - +2

Extra –Perennial 4th wall breaker. Also, for the duration of Dante’s Abyys, Deadpool will slowly become plagued by the limitations of cancer, which reactivated after his Healing Factor regressed.

Quotes – Deadpool does not have any signature quotes at this time.

*Looks at Earned OM under Post Count.*

O.O!!!!

*Scouter Breaks*

xD!!!!

Purchases and Deductions for Nealaphh go here!

Current post count: (your current post count, viewable below your avatar)
Current Earned OM: (your current Earned OM, viewable next to your posts)
Current Spent OM: (total, viewable on your roster)
Buying: (whatever it is you want to buy).
Cost: (the cost) OM
New Spent OM: (your total Spent OM after the purchase)

All moves must be approved here before purchase.

I know this has it's own topic already, but ehhh.

I haven't rolled into DA yet, but if all goes smoothly I should be there and posting by tomorrow. Since I'll only have 3 IRL days to participate in the pre-show, I'd rather spend that small timeframe interacting with others than half-heartedly recycling through plots and ways to meet another person. If you wanna talk with mister grumpykins, you can PM me in advance or whatever

I find it easier most of the time to write with some music in the background to set the mood or just drown out background noise. Specifically, I have a preference for ambient/instrumental as words tend to distract me for some reason. Anyone have an favorites or general suggestions?

Also, feel free to post whatever artist(s)/genres/general music that motivates YOU to write so that others can have a listen!

Some people, such as Retane and myself, decided to update our signature during DA. Brag about how cool your signature is in here or comment on others' signatures.

Before [spoiler][/spoiler]

After [spoiler][/spoiler]