The line between reality and fantasy is very solid . . . or is it?
Nah, nothing that deep or complicated, although there will be some meditation on Internet culture. The story centers around the players of a Massive Multiplayer Virtuality (think 3D, fully immersive/interactive Internet) RPG called Netscythe. The world of Netscythe is basically a cross-fusion of sci-fi punk and superhero fantasy (both Western and Eastern types), with some helpings of Dungeons & Dragons. The players are ordinary people, not all that different from you or me (hell, they are based on you lovely folks on my f-list and me), and the story centers around the bonds they form with each other.
Main Cast
Vici: Also known as the Knight Rider, Vici dresses similarly to the Japanese superhero Kamen Rider, albeit with some modernized knight trappings, hence his chosen title. He's a generally easygoing and friendly sort, if a little too prone to morbid one-liners about the state of the world. Recently, he has gone into a near-suicidal depression over the dissolution of his friendship with the Valkyrie known as Vy.
Lupe: Also known as the Knight Wolf, Lupe has a deep affinity with wolves, so much so that his fighting style is largely based on his imagination of how a bipedal wolf would fight. He tends to be even more easygoing than Vici, whom he finds a little too serious for his own good, and has a "healthy" contempt for rules. He's been trying to get Vici to get over Vy, but Vici's taking her absence from his life quite hard . . . so hard Lupe thinks he might have to beat the will to live into him.
Sin: Also known as the Black Paladin, Sin is both a commander of shadows and a master swordsman. He's fond of saying that he's more comfortable in the dark than in the light, but his closest friends are Vici and Geist, two of the most light-sided individuals one could hope to meet. Sin has recently attempted to set Vici up with some friends of his (Sin's) girlfriend, but it remains to be seen if Vici has the will to even try to go out anymore.
Geist: Also known as the Phantom Soldier, Geist is the earthly servant of a god of justice, deriving divine fighting and magical prowess from his connection to that god. He and Sin manage to be quite good friends in spite of their different natures, but his real affection lies with Vici, which Vici has platonically returned. He tends to be very idealistic and, at the same time, very deeply stubborn in his beliefs, accidentally alienating at least a few people because of this.
Sakura Akai: Also known as the Red Blossom, Sakura is the "crazy one" of the bunch, possessed of both a wild imagination and a "perky goth" disposition to her somewhat vampiric character. This tends to annoy Sin, but quietly amuse Vici. It doesn't help matters much that despite having a girlfriend in the real world, Sakura likes "molesting" Sin and Vici. Fortunately, she's a scarily good fighter, so that's a major plus where the others are concerned.
Charade: Too badass to have a title, Charade is a mentalist with massive skill in controlling the "invisible hands" that are the basis of his telekinetic powers. He's actually a rather decent fellow and quite intelligent, the latter serving him quite well in battles of wit with Vici, although he's noticed that Vici isn't so enthusiastic these days. Having some experience in the vein of women troubles, Charade has offered his assistance.
Supporting Cast
Sylph Khn'nr: Also known as Xiphos, Sylph is a biochemically enhanced "Solo," or mercenary for hire, possessed of inhuman physical and mental prowess. She is usually accompanied by her partner Ocean Bard, a supremely skilled "Netglider" and a "very good friend." Sylph has taken a platonic liking to Vici, to the point of offering to help him deal with Vy after the dissolution of their friendship. Despite those seemingly good traits, she is also a very dangerous person to know, due to her profession, and most friends of hers don't tend to live that long. . . .
Meryl: Also known as Ocean Bard, Meryl is a "Netglider," a hacker with cybernetic brain implants that grant her a degree of cyberpathy and enhanced mental acuity. She is perfectly able to handle herself in a fight, which is presumably a prerequisite for being Sylph's partner, although her primary method of helping Sylph is to acquire information for her missions. She and Sylph are "very good friends," to the point of being de facto life partners, sexuality notwithstanding and largely unmentioned.
Jade: Also known as Emerald Recurve, Jade is a skilled archer and brawler, although the latter belies a very romantic spirit. She is a great believer in the healing or redemptive touch of love, although she is realistic enough not to attempt to test that on her enemies. She is also the only person who has been in contact with Vy ever since the "incident" with Vici, although she is not quite sure who to believe.
Silhouette: Also known as Midnight Oracle, Silhouette is a seer capable of recording everything that has transpired, everything that is transpiring, and everything that will transpire. Her books have filled entire shelves of libraries, and frankly she likes libraries an awful lot. She is also a former friend of Vy, their relationship having dissolved prior to the "incident" with Vici, something that they have commiserated over.
Rex: Also known as Sonic Rex, Rex is a "Velocist," or person capable of moving at incredible speeds. He typically uses this speed as a stealth fighter, slipping in, striking, and slipping out before his opponents know what hit them. He also tends to be somewhat sarcastic in terms of his sense of humor, and he is fond of pointing out when others are being "incredibly stupid." This extends to himself, which helps balance out his apparent arrogance.
Vy: Too "humble" to come up with "fancy titles" for herself, Vy is a Valkyrie in the service of the goddess Justice. Unfortunately, she's taken it quite a bit too far, "smiting" anyone she sees as evil, or otherwise failing to meet her stringent moral standards. This self-righteousness has caused her to alienate several former friends --- Vici, Silhouette, Sylph, and Meryl among them. She bears an intense hatred for those people, viewing them as selfish hypocrites, although that particular description might fit her better, given her own excesses; in the name of Justice, she has become a player killer targeting "sinners."
accomplished
awake
calm
contemplative
blah
pissed off
cold