Thirty minutes before the Territorial War…
"Vice Leader, where is Guild Leader? I don't see him anywhere."
One of the female members came close to me and asked. With Legionnaire's threatening aura, I understand why they feel more comfortable asking me.
"He won't be joining us. He got some business outside."
"?! Will we be fine?"
"Don't worry, we got this in the bag as long as we do our best."
I tried my best making her comfortable. That was the excuse Guild Leader told me if someone asked me where he went. That excuse might not be effective since he is still online on my friends list.
The fellow 4th tier already knows about this because I have messaged them privately. They did not question any of it which shows maturity as the pillars of Gold Paradise. Michelle did ask me awhile ago, but that is besides the point.
As I satisfy that girl's curiosity, we are now stationed on our assigned members as the leaders of these groups. In our Guild, the five thousand members are divided into five groups base on their character builds. The leaders of these groups are me, Aria, Michelle, Legionnaire, and Yogurt.
Not all groups have the same number of members. Legionnaire having the most members in his group while Yogurt has the least. It is only right because of their purpose. Having a lot of players in a group that specialize in stealth, it would defeat the purpose in the first place.
The people on my side composed of nothing but bow users. However, not everyone has their character built up the same. Some are better supporting those in the front lines while others may be better off just staying far away from the battlefield to deal damage. Commanding a unsynchronized group may be difficult, but it is our job as 4th tier members to give instructions in a war.
While I was finalizing my people on what to do, the timer on our interfaces have finally reached down to the last five minutes. All five thousand members just stood still waiting for it to turn zero. This is a good opportunity to recall how Territorial Wars work.
First of all, a Territorial War only occurs when one guild owns a Flag of Declaration. This item is really rare on level 30 and above boss monsters which in turn the lack of Territorial Wars at this point of the game. It can be bought in the market, but the cheapest one posted is 750,000g. That was on the early days of guilds having territories. Now, that player might regret it for selling it that cheap considering the lowest price of this item in the market today is 2,000,000g.
And when a guild already has a Flag of Declaration in their disposal, they can force any guild in their city to be their opponent. The guild who initiates the Territorial War can decide what territory they will take and they in turn go offensive in the declared war. Meanwhile, the guild who was challenged has no choice but to defend in their Towns or Villages for the invaders.
Usually, declaring a Territorial War is only common when taking another's Town. Using the Flag of Declaration on a guild's Village is seen to be wasteful because how little profit the guild can take in owning a Village. But we did use one on a village nonetheless because Richest Asian said it is located in a good farming spot.
We have successfully taken over four towns and a village using this method. On the other hand, we have not lost yet a single time defending our territories. A part of the reason why we stay undefeated is the unwritten agreement of the top 3 guild of Twilight City to not get involved within one another yet.
It is a monopoly of power, but that what happens when people get serious in games. Not to mention the profits guilds can gain at the outside world.
Today, we are face against BraveHearts, the No.6 Guild in Twilight City rankings. It is a guild that is weaker than ours, but people will still form in line to join it. They are the unfortunate guild to meet our declaration this time.
"This would be a breeze. Aruna Town will be ours. Just make sure I'm the one who finishes their leader, alright."
"Don't let you guard down, Miss LadyQueen. This is still a Territorial War."
"You're too uptight, Legionnaire. Learn to smile sometimes. We already got too many people who don't move their faces."
I will agree with Legionnaire this time. Territorial Wars is still Territorial War. When a stronger guild forces a weaker guild to defend against their siege, victory seems inevitable, but that is not the case.
The defending party has an advantage given to them considering it is their own territory being invaded. Most of it comes from the siege engines provided by the city. Like ballistae and catapults, BraveHearts will have their walls filled with these devices. Each one of them deals a lot of AoE type of damage best used for clearing a group of players. Utilizing it is a big part for a territory's defence although each usage cost a lot of gold.
If you think about it, the richer guild usually wins the Territorial War.
"Make sure to position yourselves immediately when we get transported to the battlefield. They don't know our Guild Leader is absent this time around. We should finish it quickly before they can adjust and take advantage of the situation."
"Yes!"
"We are the stronger guild, but I don't want people to come into battle composed because of it. Carelessness is a weakness!"
"Yes!!"
"Show them the might of Gold Paradise! Leave no one alive!!!"
"Yes!!!"
Legionnaire is the rallying leader before we step into the battlefield and his voice echoed the whole town. Pretty harsh words for an event inside a game. This feels like preparing for war in era of swords and shields. However, this intense shout of his, has boost up everyone's morale in this stage. There is a reason why he is the most popular.
"I'm still not used to this. I get nervous every time."
"It's okay, ChickB. If we lost, we'll just have an 80% decrease in our experience gain for seven days. Not like we're going to lose anyway."
Hearing the consequences of losing a Territorial War from, hurts even up to this day. Having our experience cut-off for seven days might sounds to not amount too much, but it is hell for any player of New World. It is a semi-permanent debuff which means quitting the guild for that period of time will be useless because it will stick on the player anywhere he or she goes.
[00:00:10]
The timer is almost done. The cute fairy I know and love should be appearing soon. She is the icon of Territorial Wars. After only showing up once during the first time a player enters the New World, she now shows herself again every time a Territorial War is about to start.
I am talking about RiRi, the fairy guide. Once the clock hits zero her little voice will be heard. And speaking of the cute devil.
"Welcome Travellers. It's another beautiful night isn't it"
She appeared flying above our heads while trying her best to read what was on the paper she was holding. Whoever designed her needs a huge raise in their salary.
"Uhm… In accordance with the law, the group Gold Paradise have wagered war against BraveHearts for the town of Aruna. As the assigned saviours of Astrea, Kefri have permitted you Travellers to fight with their live-- May the strongest ones deserve the glory! (phew~ that went well…)
After she was done saying what she was supposed to say, a blinding light flew above our heads and transported us to the battlefield.