Heroica RPG - Quest#120: Hand of Blue

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall marks the Flying type as opposed to the Demon type and focus on bring the Gigas down from the back row with his Hunter's Crossbow.

[Sandy]

QM Note: Autoroll Mode On!

Also, I specified the description of the Pheles Kris to avoid any more confusion.

Round Six of the Battle in the Clouds:

Tritech Cannon hits Cloud Gigas - (Cloud Gigas: 2162 health-300 dmg=1862 health)

>Skrall vs. Cloud Gigas - Damage (Skrall: 38 health+8 SP-(72/2=36 dmg)=10 health)

>Arthur (Spider Leg) vs. Cloud Gigas - Dragon Aid (Cloud Gigas: 1862 health-33 dmg=1829 health)

>Atramor vs. Cloud Gigas - Chaotic Strike (Cloud Gigas: 1829 health-(94x4/4=94 dmg)=1735 health; Atramor: aura)

The heroes combine forces to attack the gigas, and they slowly manage to chip away it's health. Skrall gets slammed by the creature's enormous sword of air. Atramor generates an aura that draws all attacks to him until his next turn.

Round Seven of the Battle in the Clouds:

Tritech Cannon hits Cloud Gigas - (Cloud Gigas: 1735 health-300 dmg=1435 health)

>Skrall does nothing

>Arthur uses a Grand Potion on Skrall - (Skrall: +25 health)

>Atramor vs. Cloud Gigas - Shield (Internal Conflict - Cloud Gigas: 1435/2=718 health; Atramor: orderly battle style, no aura)

The cannon shoots at the gigas again. Skrall waits for Arthur to bring him a restorative potion. Meanwhile Atramor goes through an Internal Conflict, halving the gigas' health and switching to orderly battle style. His aura vanishes.

Round Eight of the Battle in the Clouds:

Tritech Cannon hits Cloud Gigas - (Cloud Gigas: 718 health-300 dmg=418 health)

>Skrall does nothing

>Arthur does nothing

>Atramor does nothing

Cloud Gigas - Free Hit on Tritech Cannon (Cannon: -1 condition)

The Tritech Cannon damages the Cloud Gigas further. The heroes just stand and watch as a giant fist crushes the cannon under it, making it inoperable.

One enemy still remains.

Enemies:

Cloud Gigas

*Immune to poisoned, bleeding, blinded, sealed, weakened, petrified, doomed and sudden death*

Type: Flying

Level: 72

Health: 418/2492

Special: Billowing Clouds – Causes 72 wind-elemental damage and the blinded-effect to all opponents.

Drops: Windwane Rod (WP:15, doubles the power of wind-elemental spells; staff), 2 Sapphires (Wind)

Party:

Arthur Justus Regulus VII, a Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (Flipz)

22 year old male human Dragoon *Party Leader*

Level 33 3/4 *Immune to Magic, Healing, Blind, Confused, Fragile and all Poisons* *Ignores Free Hits from Beasts*

Power: 43 (33+10)

Defense: 32 (14+5+2+10+1)

Health: 14/56 (5+32+15+4)

Gold: 944 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham)

Equipment: Spider Leg (WP:10/20 against flying enemies, Lightning-elemental; spear), Arm Shield (SP:14, shield), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (SP:5, Protects against Fragile and all Poisons; bodywear, suitable for knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing; headwear, suitable for anyone), Shadeaux Cape (SP:5, Immune to Blind and Confused, suitable to those with reputation among the Shadeaux only; if reputation is great, SP is doubled; if reputation is outstanding, SP is tripled; backwear), Fur Leggings (SP:1, Beast enemies do not deal free hits to the wearer; footwear, suitable for anyone)

Inventory:

Weapons: Zoot's Rebel (WP:20 "halberd", suitable to Arthur only), Sword of the Vampir (WP:17, user is Jinxed), Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Clockwork Lance (WP:12, has 1/3 chance to cause slowed-effect on the target; lance), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, Spear, causes bleeding-by-5 effect), Stag Antlers (WP:10, grants Intimidation; halberd), Metasimian Dory (WP:10, pierces defense; spear), Dauntlet Index (WP: 10, doubled against humanoids, Darkness-elemental; spear), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, halberd, stuns on successful hits, Hollow [Phoenix Essence])

Artifacts: Unicorn Helmet (SP:1; the wearer can only receive one negative effect at a time, with a new effect replacing the old one; headwear, usable by barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, regulators, skirmishers, and winged warriors), Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear, suitable for anyone), Cloak of Deception (Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent; Backwear, suitable for anyone), Stingy Gloves (Prevents enemies from ever stealing gold from you; handwear, wearable by everybody), handwear, suitable for anyone), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Zap-Tap Badge (Has a 1/2 chance to deal Electric damage to an opponent who has dealt damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Macabre Collar (Provides immunity to Insta-Kill and Doomed; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Scarf of Misfortune (Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (changes the wearer into an elf of the same gender when worn; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Lens of Speed Reading (allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action; accessory, suitable for scroll users), Pointy Hat

Spell Items: Opal (Ice), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the Poisoned 10 effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Weakening

Consumables: Potion, Grand Potion x7, Tonic, Grand Tonic, Ether Core, Remedy x10, Elixir x3, Hurricane, Jinxy Juice, Exterlate, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the Poisoned-by-10 effect for the duration of the battle and the Confused effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Crumbling Venom (-3 HP/-1 SP per round), Blind Fury, Love Potion, Grating Stone x2, Ella's Pie (Permanently boosts max. ether by 5 but permanently decreases max. health by 5 when consumed.), Smoke Bomb x5, Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used.), Bone x3, Silver Ore x2

Tools: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass

Atramor Gibbin (CallMePie)

32 year old male human Regulator

Level 34 1/4 *Immune to all elements, poisoned, and doomed* *Negative effects last one round* *Battle Style: Orderly*

Power: 54 (34+20)

Defense: 26 (4+6+4+12)

Health: 56/64 (7+33+12+6+6*)

Gold: 656

Equipment: Pheles Kris (WP: 20, wielder has a 1/2 chance to generate an Aura whenever using the weapon, doubling the user's current and max. health but drawing all attacks to them, fire, ice, lightning, earth, wind, light, and darkness-elemental dagger), Robust Shield (SP: 12, shield), Amulet of the Court (Negative effects last only one round on the wearer, immune to water, lightning, and wood, accessory, suitable for anyone), Rat's Hide (SP: 4, backwear, suitable for anyone), Galactic Armor (SP: 6, +6 max health, immune to fire, earth, wind, ice, light, darkness, and doomed, bodywear, suitable for anyone), Helmet of Azzurat (SP: 4, immune to poison, headwear, suitable for anyone)

Inventory:

- Tiger Claws (WP: 15, double WP against humanoids, fire- and darkness-elemental, dual strike, daggers), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, staff, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd), Staff of Ennon (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, staff, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Healing Staff A (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging), Healing Staff B (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging)

- Bracers of Insatiable Avarice (Power +2; user gains 25 Gold for every enemy he kills, handwear, suitable for hunters, berserkers, battle mages, beast warriors, dragoons, marauders, regulators, and skirmishers), Sylvania's Cowl (Grants Animal Talk, headwear, suitable for anyone)

- Scroll of Arc Frailty (50/50 chance to inflict the fragile-effect to all enemies for ether equal to the number of enemies), Scroll of Fire Armor (50/50 chance to conjure a layer of fiery armor over the target, giving them a 50/50 chance to deal the burned by 10-effect when hit by Damage or Special Damage at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Ice Armor (50/50 chance to conjure a layer of ice armor over the target, giving them a 50/50 chance to deal the stunned-effect when hit by Damage or Special Damage at the cost of 5 ether)

- 2 Grand Potions, Phoenix Essence, Health Core, Nostrum, Jinxy Juice (Deals the jinxed-effect to the target), Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, 3 Bones, Grating Stone

- Flint and Steel (Handy for starting fires), Pickaxe, Shovel, Rope, Decamodifier (Transforms an enemy with a quarter or less health left into a Decamon card when used, if there is a corresponding card. The monster will not drop anything if it is modified. Tool.)

Decamon Deck: Sylph (Electric 3), Thunderbird (Electric 4)

Skrall (Waterbrick Down)

81 year old Male Ogre Hunter

Level 36 *Natural Respite* *Favors Flying and Humanoid enemies* *Immune to Fragile, Blinded, and Confused* *Gains Triple experience* *Encouraged*

Power: 50 (36+12+2)

Defense: 8 (3+5)

Health: 35/50 (6+35+6+3)

Gold: 138

Equipment: Hunter's Crossbow (WP:12/24 vs. Beasts, fire, ice, wind, and darkness-elemental), Hunter's Quiver (Bows and Crossbows +2WP, allows Hunters to favor two types of enemies, back wear), Tricorne (SP: 3, head wear), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, wearer is immune to fragile, blind, and confused effects, body wear), Medal of Glory (Wearer gains 3x experience from fights, accessory)

Inventory: Composite Bow (WP:12, ignores SP, light, lightning, water, wood, and earth-elemental; bow), Oversized Greatsword (WP: 16 - Double damage on targets that are clearly smaller than the hero, greatsword), Lucky Doubloon (Grants "Special Guard"; accessory), Overkill Gloves (Gives the wearer 1 gold for every point of damage they do extra when they defeat an enemy (example: Enemy has 50 HP left, you do 75 damage, you earn 25 gold)), Potion, 1 Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence, 5 Phoenix Incenses, 7 Meads, 2 Nostrums, 4 Remedy, 2 Smelling Salts, 6 Venoms, 1 Deadly Venoms, 8 Smoke Bomb, 2 Dirt Bombs, Fire Bomb, 5 Water Bombs, Lightning Bomb, Minimizing Dust, 4 Bone, Blind Fury, Wolfgang Insignia, Black Goo

Tritech Cannon (Machine, controlled by Flipz)

Condition: 0/3

Power: 300

Element: None

Note: The Cannon is ranged and can be used to shoot at one enemy once per round. It is immune to all effects and cannot absorb Free Hits, but can be hit with one. If the Cannon gets hit by a Free Hit or an Area-of-Effect attack (including Sylph's Thunderdome), it will lose 1 condition, which cannot be restored. If it's condition drops to zero, the cannon becomes inoperable.

[CMP]

Atramor strides past the smoking ruins of the Tritech Cannon, onto the bow of the Bounty and points the Decamodifier at the enormous Cloud Gigas from the back row.

"Say cheese, asshoIe."

[Waterbrick Down]

OoC: Put me after Atramor.

"Atramor, I hope ya have a back-up plan." Skrall fires a bolt at the Gigas from the back row.

[Flipz]

Battle Order:

Atramor

Arthur

Skrall

Arthur again raises his Spider Leg Spear to attack the Cloud Gigas from the Back Row.

[Sandy]

Round Eight of the Battle in the Clouds:

>Atramor uses Decamodifier on Cloud Gigas - (Cloud Gigas: successfully decamodified)

>Arthur vs. Cloud Gigas

>Skrall vs. Cloud Gigas

Atramor's hunch turns out to be correct, and even the mighty Cloud Gigas gets transformed into a tiny card by Dr. Gioconda's device.

THE BATTLE IS VICTORIOUS!

Arthur and Atramor gain a quarter of a level while Skrall gains three quarters. The enemies drop the following loot:

Ether Core (Restores full ether to target.)

Rudra Bomb (Deals 100 lightning-elemental damage to all opponents when used.)

Party:

Arthur Justus Regulus VII, a Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (Flipz)

22 year old male human Dragoon *Party Leader*

Level 34 *Immune to Magic, Healing, Blind, Confused, Fragile and all Poisons* *Ignores Free Hits from Beasts*

Power: 44 (34+10)

Defense: 32 (14+5+2+10+1)

Health: 57/57 (5+33+15+4)

Gold: 944 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham)

Equipment: Spider Leg (WP:10/20 against flying enemies, Lightning-elemental; spear), Arm Shield (SP:14, shield), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (SP:5, Protects against Fragile and all Poisons; bodywear, suitable for knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing; headwear, suitable for anyone), Shadeaux Cape (SP:5, Immune to Blind and Confused, suitable to those with reputation among the Shadeaux only; if reputation is great, SP is doubled; if reputation is outstanding, SP is tripled; backwear), Fur Leggings (SP:1, Beast enemies do not deal free hits to the wearer; footwear, suitable for anyone)

Inventory:

Weapons: Zoot's Rebel (WP:20 "halberd", suitable to Arthur only), Sword of the Vampir (WP:17, user is Jinxed), Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Clockwork Lance (WP:12, has 1/3 chance to cause slowed-effect on the target; lance), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, Spear, causes bleeding-by-5 effect), Stag Antlers (WP:10, grants Intimidation; halberd), Metasimian Dory (WP:10, pierces defense; spear), Dauntlet Index (WP: 10, doubled against humanoids, Darkness-elemental; spear), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, halberd, stuns on successful hits, Hollow [Phoenix Essence])

Artifacts: Unicorn Helmet (SP:1; the wearer can only receive one negative effect at a time, with a new effect replacing the old one; headwear, usable by barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, regulators, skirmishers, and winged warriors), Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear, suitable for anyone), Cloak of Deception (Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent; Backwear, suitable for anyone), Stingy Gloves (Prevents enemies from ever stealing gold from you; handwear, wearable by everybody), handwear, suitable for anyone), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Zap-Tap Badge (Has a 1/2 chance to deal Electric damage to an opponent who has dealt damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Macabre Collar (Provides immunity to Insta-Kill and Doomed; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Scarf of Misfortune (Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (changes the wearer into an elf of the same gender when worn; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Lens of Speed Reading (allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action; accessory, suitable for scroll users), Pointy Hat

Spell Items: Opal (Ice), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the Poisoned 10 effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Weakening

Consumables: Potion, Grand Potion x7, Tonic, Grand Tonic, Ether Core, Remedy x10, Elixir x3, Hurricane, Jinxy Juice, Exterlate, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the Poisoned-by-10 effect for the duration of the battle and the Confused effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Crumbling Venom (-3 HP/-1 SP per round), Blind Fury, Love Potion, Grating Stone x2, Ella's Pie (Permanently boosts max. ether by 5 but permanently decreases max. health by 5 when consumed.), Smoke Bomb x5, Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used.), Bone x3, Silver Ore x2

Tools: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass

Atramor Gibbin (CallMePie)

32 year old male human Regulator

Level 34 2/4 *Immune to all elements, poisoned, and doomed* *Negative effects last one round* *Battle Style: Orderly*

Power: 54 (34+20)

Defense: 26 (4+6+4+12)

Health: 56/64 (7+33+12+6+6*)

Gold: 656

Equipment: Pheles Kris (WP: 20, wielder has a 1/2 chance to generate an Aura whenever using the weapon, doubling the user's current and max. health but drawing all attacks to them, fire, ice, lightning, earth, wind, light, and darkness-elemental dagger), Robust Shield (SP: 12, shield), Amulet of the Court (Negative effects last only one round on the wearer, immune to water, lightning, and wood, accessory, suitable for anyone), Rat's Hide (SP: 4, backwear, suitable for anyone), Galactic Armor (SP: 6, +6 max health, immune to fire, earth, wind, ice, light, darkness, and doomed, bodywear, suitable for anyone), Helmet of Azzurat (SP: 4, immune to poison, headwear, suitable for anyone)

Inventory:

- Tiger Claws (WP: 15, double WP against humanoids, fire- and darkness-elemental, dual strike, daggers), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, staff, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd), Staff of Ennon (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, staff, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Healing Staff A (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging), Healing Staff B (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging)

- Bracers of Insatiable Avarice (Power +2; user gains 25 Gold for every enemy he kills, handwear, suitable for hunters, berserkers, battle mages, beast warriors, dragoons, marauders, regulators, and skirmishers), Sylvania's Cowl (Grants Animal Talk, headwear, suitable for anyone)

- Scroll of Arc Frailty (50/50 chance to inflict the fragile-effect to all enemies for ether equal to the number of enemies), Scroll of Fire Armor (50/50 chance to conjure a layer of fiery armor over the target, giving them a 50/50 chance to deal the burned by 10-effect when hit by Damage or Special Damage at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Ice Armor (50/50 chance to conjure a layer of ice armor over the target, giving them a 50/50 chance to deal the stunned-effect when hit by Damage or Special Damage at the cost of 5 ether)

- 2 Grand Potions, Phoenix Essence, Health Core, Nostrum, Jinxy Juice (Deals the jinxed-effect to the target), Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, 3 Bones, Grating Stone

- Flint and Steel (Handy for starting fires), Pickaxe, Shovel, Rope, Decamodifier (Transforms an enemy with a quarter or less health left into a Decamon card when used, if there is a corresponding card. The monster will not drop anything if it is modified. Tool.)

Decamon Deck: Sylph (Electric 3), Thunderbird (Electric 4), Cloud Gigas (Electric 9)

Skrall (Waterbrick Down)

81 year old Male Ogre Hunter

Level 36 3/4 *Natural Respite* *Favors Flying and Humanoid enemies* *Immune to Fragile, Blinded, and Confused* *Gains Triple experience*

Power: 50 (36+12+2)

Defense: 8 (3+5)

Health: 50/50 (6+35+6+3)

Gold: 138

Equipment: Hunter's Crossbow (WP:12/24 vs. Beasts, fire, ice, wind, and darkness-elemental), Hunter's Quiver (Bows and Crossbows +2WP, allows Hunters to favor two types of enemies, back wear), Tricorne (SP: 3, head wear), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, wearer is immune to fragile, blind, and confused effects, body wear), Medal of Glory (Wearer gains 3x experience from fights, accessory)

Inventory: Composite Bow (WP:12, ignores SP, light, lightning, water, wood, and earth-elemental; bow), Oversized Greatsword (WP: 16 - Double damage on targets that are clearly smaller than the hero, greatsword), Lucky Doubloon (Grants "Special Guard"; accessory), Overkill Gloves (Gives the wearer 1 gold for every point of damage they do extra when they defeat an enemy (example: Enemy has 50 HP left, you do 75 damage, you earn 25 gold)), Potion, 1 Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence, 5 Phoenix Incenses, 7 Meads, 2 Nostrums, 4 Remedy, 2 Smelling Salts, 6 Venoms, 1 Deadly Venoms, 8 Smoke Bomb, 2 Dirt Bombs, Fire Bomb, 5 Water Bombs, Lightning Bomb, Minimizing Dust, 4 Bone, Blind Fury, Wolfgang Insignia, Black Goo

The storm clouds dispersed upon the defeat of the Gigas, and the airship was free to continue it's journey above the sea.

"That was amazing! Thus far I have only tested the Decamodifier on Toxic Toads and Tweetybirds and other little critters, but I'm extatic to see it really works on great beasts of legend, as well!"

"Shame about the cannon, though. The ship is defenseless for the rest of the trip, so let us hope the Cloud Gigas doesn't have friends nearby."

"Worry not, monsignore. We are far from defenseless. We have these three gentlemen guarding us. You really did well." Shanxian smiled at the heroes.

[Flipz]

"Thank you, milady, though I believe most of the credit goes to Skrall's marksmanship and Atramor's quick thinking with that Decamodifier."

Miirym squeaks with joy.

<I did it! I helped!>

Arthur smiles at the little dragon, though his helmet hides the expression. He turns back to the doctor.

"It is indeed a shame about the cannon. If I had thought ahead a little more about the Decamodifier, perhaps its destruction could have been avoided. I...may not be up to your level of mechanical expertise, but if there's anything I can do to help with repairs while we're on our way to Xu, I would be more than happy to offer my assistance."

[Waterbrick Down]

"Well we do our best, shame about the cannon though. Think you'll get a chance to fix her up before the journey home?"

[Sandy]

QM Note: You forgot to divide the loot.

"Well we do our best, shame about the cannon though. Think you'll get a chance to fix her up before the journey home?"

"Yes, we can perform maintenance to the vessel in Ai Xurong with the equipment we have there. Now we just have to keep thumbs up that we get there safely."

Enough thumbs were held up, apparently, because the remainder of the trip was uneventful. One morning Vincent Legonardo woke up the heroes to see one of the grandest sights Olegaia had to offer: a city floating among the clouds.

"Welcome to Ai Xurong, a citadel founded on a floating mountain. Before the age of airships, the citizens used tamed dragons and giant birds to travel to and from the city, but it was risky because the beasts could throw their passengers off their backs at whim. My airships have allowed the city to prosper in a whole new way, if I do say so myself."

"Your contributions to our nation are widely acknowledged, monsignore."

"If only the rest of your kind respected them the way you do, milady. I never intended my prized inventions to be used for warfare."

"Such is the way of the Aoi", Shanxian sighed.

"When we dock, me and Doctor Gioconda will depart for Tritech. You should head directly to the House of the Blue Hand, where the Council holds court. The Citadel in the Clouds holds many wonders, but its citizens do not take foreigners well, so you must not stray."

"I will keep the boys in check, monsignore. Don't you worry."

A little later, the heroes found themselves standing at the threshold of a large hall inhabited with the cream of the crop of Xu.

"Into the lion's den..." Shanxian muttered as she rolled further inside with her wheelchair. All eyes were on her and her strange entourage. "We have to wait here to be summoned to the Council Chambers. Just you wait and see, these vultures will be flocking to us in no time."

And indeed, in no time, another female aoi walked to Shanxian with a sour expression.

"Ah, I hoped I had seen the last of you when you departed for the Free Islands, sister-in-law."

"I am here at the Council's behest, Maiwei, and you know that very well. But at least you can get some delight out of seeing me in this unfortunate state."

"Seeing you all weak and fragile does not bring me any joy. Like you haven't brought enough shame to the Ji Pei name already. You used my brother to climb the ranks into the Council's favor, and as soon as he was dead, you eloped with that criminal monk. Have you tired of him, already, seeing you are escorted by this ragtag troupe instead? Of course, no man can compete with the size of an ogre..." The aoi lady's eyes were full of scorn as she glanced at the heroes.

"You are pushing it too far, Maiwei Ji Pei!" Shanxian was tense and flustered. The other woman seemed to really know how to get under her skin.

What would the party do?

[Waterbrick Down]

"Well someone's jealous." Skrall thought at the annoying Aoi's comment, but the ogre kept his tongue.

[Flipz]

Skrall gets the loot, sorry I didn't mention it.

Before Arthur can stop her, Miirym leaps up onto Shanxian's shoulder. She nearly opens her mouth to screech, but stops at Arthur's mental rebuke.

Miirym!

The little dragon reluctantly relaxes, though she still perches protectively atop Lady Ji Pei's shoulder, flicking her tail ever so often as she casts a suspicious reptilian gaze over the room. Throughout it all, the ex-Skirmisher stays spectacularly silent. He mentally sighs.

There are enough vultures in this room without you posing like one, Miirym.

<She needs my protection. You may not be allowed to show your opinions, but I am a Dragon, and here we are respected.>

They cannot listen to words you do not speak aloud, little one.

<I...will speak when I must. For now, my actions are enough.>

More than enough... Arthur thinks worriedly, but he allows the subject to drop for now.

[CMP]

"Lady, I dunno what your issue is, but Lady Ji Pei kinda has more important people to deal with right now. As her bodyguards we'd respectfully ask ya' refrain from deliberately wastin' her time," stated Atramor in a stiff diplomatic manner, his arms crossed over his chest.

[Flipz]

Arthur shoots Atramor a look, but says nothing, not trusting his ability to do so without being overheard. He subtly casts his gaze around the room, looking to see the room's other occupants' reaction to Atramor's outburst.

Edited December 4, 2014 by Flipz

[Sandy]

"Lady, I dunno what your issue is, but Lady Ji Pei kinda has more important people to deal with right now. As her bodyguards we'd respectfully ask ya' refrain from deliberately wastin' her time," stated Atramor in a stiff diplomatic manner, his arms crossed over his chest.

The aoi woman narrowed her eyes as Atramor spoke to her, but then she smirked.

"What a cheeky guards you have there, sister-in-law. I could have him arrested just for speaking to me with that tone."

"Mr. Gibbin, please", Shanxian said, motioning with her hand to silence Atramor. "This little snake is nothing I can't handle myself. Off you go, Maiwei, make someone else's life miserable for a change."

"Same to you, Shanxian." The woman struts back to the crowd. The discussion in the hall has quieted down to whispers.

Arthur shoots Atramor a look, but says nothing, not trusting his ability to do so without being overheard. He subtly casts his gaze around the room, looking to see the room's other occupants' reaction to Atramor's outburst.

Some of the non-aoi present are trying to hide their smiles, but the blue-skinned people do not seem amused. The aoi woman in a red uniform approaches them next.

"Is there a problem, Lady Ji Pei?"

"Oh, no, Guard Captain Raijin. My dearest sister-in-law just wanted to greet me after all these years we've been separated."

"I hope you have informed your guardians about the proper conduct when in the presence of Aoi", the guard captain said, sizing the heroes with her eyes. "As you were."

After the woman had walked back to the other soldiers she had been talking to, Shanxian leaned to Atramor and the others.

"Raijin is the captain of the Azure Guard. She is zealously loyal to the Aoi supremacy, so you have to watch out for yourselves in her presence. If you want to circulate, you can freely talk to the people that are not Aoi in this room. It might do us good if you can get a sense of the current mood in the court for me before I get dragged in front of the lions."

A third aoi, a green-clad lord, then walked to Shanxian.

"Lady Shanxian, it is a true pleasure seeing you gracing this city with your beauty again!"

"Lord Phang Ten, I wish I could say I shared your pleasure. How are things in the Trema Province?"

"Please, let us not bore ourselves with politics. I was rather wondering if I could talk to you about a more private matter." The lord took Shanxian by the hand and stroked it. "See, I still have not found a suitable spouse, and I was wondering..."

As the lord blabbered on, Shanxian motioned the words "go, this could take a while" with her mouth.

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall slides away from the two conversing Aoi and makes his way over to the were-cat and turtle. "Afternoon, gent's. Here on business with the court?"

[Sandy]

Skrall slides away from the two conversing Aoi and makes his way over to the were-cat and turtle. "Afternoon, gent's. Here on business with the court?"

"Afternoon? Why, it isn't even noon yet! I came here as soon as the doors opened, but still have not gotten a summon inside the Council Chamber."

"Har har! You know you could find yourself waiting for days if you're not in the Council's favor, Ambassador Ootaru." The wereleopard bumped his gloves together and bowed at Skrall. "My name is Hei-Ha-Chi, a Guru of the Brotherhood of Chi. If you came with Ambassador Ji Pei, then you must know Brother Lee Long? He is... or rather, was, one of our monastic order's most promising members. What happened to him was unfortunate indeed."

"That is what you get for crossing the aoi, Revered Guru. We Kappa have come to learn that lesson the hard way. If we still had our lakes to ourselves, I wouldn't have to live up here to fend for my people."

"I advice you to keep your tongue, Ambassador Ootaru. The spymaster is close-by, and whatever he hears, the Council hears" Guru Hei-ha-chi glances at the wereraccoon idly standing some distance away.

"The Council knows the distress of the Kappa more than well. My job is make sure they do not forget."

"Your persistence is admirable - just as long as they don't make turtle soup out of you." The Guru turns back to Skrall. "As for myself, I am here to ask for the Council's support and donations for the Brotherhood. The Council makes me do this trip every year. They want to make sure we are depending on them. Which we have been, since times untold."

Party:

Arthur Justus Regulus VII, a Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (Flipz)

22 year old male human Dragoon *Party Leader*

Level 34 *Immune to Magic, Healing, Blind, Confused, Fragile and all Poisons* *Ignores Free Hits from Beasts*

Power: 44 (34+10)

Defense: 32 (14+5+2+10+1)

Health: 57/57 (5+33+15+4)

Gold: 944 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham)

Equipment: Spider Leg (WP:10/20 against flying enemies, Lightning-elemental; spear), Arm Shield (SP:14, shield), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (SP:5, Protects against Fragile and all Poisons; bodywear, suitable for knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing; headwear, suitable for anyone), Shadeaux Cape (SP:5, Immune to Blind and Confused, suitable to those with reputation among the Shadeaux only; if reputation is great, SP is doubled; if reputation is outstanding, SP is tripled; backwear), Fur Leggings (SP:1, Beast enemies do not deal free hits to the wearer; footwear, suitable for anyone)

Inventory:

Weapons: Zoot's Rebel (WP:20 "halberd", suitable to Arthur only), Sword of the Vampir (WP:17, user is Jinxed), Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Clockwork Lance (WP:12, has 1/3 chance to cause slowed-effect on the target; lance), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, Spear, causes bleeding-by-5 effect), Stag Antlers (WP:10, grants Intimidation; halberd), Metasimian Dory (WP:10, pierces defense; spear), Dauntlet Index (WP: 10, doubled against humanoids, Darkness-elemental; spear), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, halberd, stuns on successful hits, Hollow [Phoenix Essence])

Artifacts: Unicorn Helmet (SP:1; the wearer can only receive one negative effect at a time, with a new effect replacing the old one; headwear, usable by barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, regulators, skirmishers, and winged warriors), Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear, suitable for anyone), Cloak of Deception (Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent; Backwear, suitable for anyone), Stingy Gloves (Prevents enemies from ever stealing gold from you; handwear, wearable by everybody), handwear, suitable for anyone), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Zap-Tap Badge (Has a 1/2 chance to deal Electric damage to an opponent who has dealt damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Macabre Collar (Provides immunity to Insta-Kill and Doomed; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Scarf of Misfortune (Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (changes the wearer into an elf of the same gender when worn; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Lens of Speed Reading (allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action; accessory, suitable for scroll users), Pointy Hat

Spell Items: Opal (Ice), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the Poisoned 10 effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Weakening

Consumables: Potion, Grand Potion x7, Tonic, Grand Tonic, Ether Core, Remedy x10, Elixir x3, Hurricane, Jinxy Juice, Exterlate, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the Poisoned-by-10 effect for the duration of the battle and the Confused effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Crumbling Venom (-3 HP/-1 SP per round), Blind Fury, Love Potion, Grating Stone x2, Ella's Pie (Permanently boosts max. ether by 5 but permanently decreases max. health by 5 when consumed.), Smoke Bomb x5, Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used.), Bone x3, Silver Ore x2

Tools: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass

Atramor Gibbin (CallMePie)

32 year old male human Regulator

Level 34 2/4 *Immune to all elements, poisoned, and doomed* *Negative effects last one round* *Battle Style: Orderly*

Power: 54 (34+20)

Defense: 26 (4+6+4+12)

Health: 56/64 (7+33+12+6+6*)

Gold: 656

Equipment: Pheles Kris (WP: 20, wielder has a 1/2 chance to generate an Aura whenever using the weapon, doubling the user's current and max. health but drawing all attacks to them, fire, ice, lightning, earth, wind, light, and darkness-elemental dagger), Robust Shield (SP: 12, shield), Amulet of the Court (Negative effects last only one round on the wearer, immune to water, lightning, and wood, accessory, suitable for anyone), Rat's Hide (SP: 4, backwear, suitable for anyone), Galactic Armor (SP: 6, +6 max health, immune to fire, earth, wind, ice, light, darkness, and doomed, bodywear, suitable for anyone), Helmet of Azzurat (SP: 4, immune to poison, headwear, suitable for anyone)

Inventory:

- Tiger Claws (WP: 15, double WP against humanoids, fire- and darkness-elemental, dual strike, daggers), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, staff, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd), Staff of Ennon (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, staff, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Healing Staff A (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging), Healing Staff B (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging)

- Bracers of Insatiable Avarice (Power +2; user gains 25 Gold for every enemy he kills, handwear, suitable for hunters, berserkers, battle mages, beast warriors, dragoons, marauders, regulators, and skirmishers), Sylvania's Cowl (Grants Animal Talk, headwear, suitable for anyone)

- Scroll of Arc Frailty (50/50 chance to inflict the fragile-effect to all enemies for ether equal to the number of enemies), Scroll of Fire Armor (50/50 chance to conjure a layer of fiery armor over the target, giving them a 50/50 chance to deal the burned by 10-effect when hit by Damage or Special Damage at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Ice Armor (50/50 chance to conjure a layer of ice armor over the target, giving them a 50/50 chance to deal the stunned-effect when hit by Damage or Special Damage at the cost of 5 ether)

- 2 Grand Potions, Phoenix Essence, Health Core, Nostrum, Jinxy Juice (Deals the jinxed-effect to the target), Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, 3 Bones, Grating Stone

- Flint and Steel (Handy for starting fires), Pickaxe, Shovel, Rope, Decamodifier (Transforms an enemy with a quarter or less health left into a Decamon card when used, if there is a corresponding card. The monster will not drop anything if it is modified. Tool.)

Decamon Deck: Sylph (Electric 3), Thunderbird (Electric 4), Cloud Gigas (Electric 9)

Skrall (Waterbrick Down)

81 year old Male Ogre Hunter

Level 36 3/4 *Natural Respite* *Favors Flying and Humanoid enemies* *Immune to Fragile, Blinded, and Confused* *Gains Triple experience*

Power: 50 (36+12+2)

Defense: 8 (3+5)

Health: 50/50 (6+35+6+3)

Gold: 138

Equipment: Hunter's Crossbow (WP:12/24 vs. Beasts, fire, ice, wind, and darkness-elemental), Hunter's Quiver (Bows and Crossbows +2WP, allows Hunters to favor two types of enemies, back wear), Tricorne (SP: 3, head wear), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, wearer is immune to fragile, blind, and confused effects, body wear), Medal of Glory (Wearer gains 3x experience from fights, accessory)

Inventory: Composite Bow (WP:12, ignores SP, light, lightning, water, wood, and earth-elemental; bow), Oversized Greatsword (WP: 16 - Double damage on targets that are clearly smaller than the hero, greatsword), Lucky Doubloon (Grants "Special Guard"; accessory), Overkill Gloves (Gives the wearer 1 gold for every point of damage they do extra when they defeat an enemy (example: Enemy has 50 HP left, you do 75 damage, you earn 25 gold)), Potion, 1 Grand Potion, Ether Core, Phoenix Essence, 5 Phoenix Incenses, 7 Meads, 2 Nostrums, 4 Remedy, 2 Smelling Salts, 6 Venoms, 1 Deadly Venoms, 8 Smoke Bomb, 2 Dirt Bombs, Fire Bomb, 5 Water Bombs, Lightning Bomb, Rudra Bomb (Deals 100 lightning-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), Minimizing Dust, 4 Bone, Blind Fury, Wolfgang Insignia, Black Goo

[Flipz]

Arthur gestured to Miirym, but the little dragon shook her head, staying perched protectively--if less aggressively--upon Shanxian's shoulder. Arthur sighs--audibly this time--and moves to speak with the man with the flaming staff and the were-raccoon.

"Greetings, gentlemen. What brings you here?"

[CMP]

Atramor shuffles over to Skrall, keeping quiet for a time after Shanxian's encounter with Maiwei. He nodded to the werelion as he spoke.

"We know Lee. Quite a combatant," he mentioned, although he refrained from telling Hei-Ha-Chi just how he knew as much. "Though I didn't know he came from your order. What is it ya'll do? I'm assumin' you're based somewhere near Xu, if the Council has this much pull with your order."

[Sandy]

"Greetings, gentlemen. What brings you here?"

"Greethings, young mist'her", said the old wizard in a wobbly, dry voice. "I am Weather Mage Sun Qui, and I am in charge of the Ether Windmills that churn p'hower t'ho this cit'hy. Recent'hly some of the windmills have been sabot'haged to direct'h the fuel they p'hroduce to somewhere else. I am here to give an official rep'hort on the matt'her to the C'houncil."

"Aye, the enemies of Xu are on the move. Raja Serpior of Nagashan has pulled some of his troops from the border, which can only mean he has some ploy we do not know about. If we weren't on a floating city, I would be expecting him to show up at our doorstep any minute now."

"Do you think'h there is a c'honnec'htion bet'hween these t'hwo incident'hs, Spymaster Tanooki?"

"I bet my tail there is! If only my last spy in the Nagashan court hadn't been caught red-handed, we wouldn't be this clueless. I hate not knowing stuff, don't you?" The wereraccoon nudges the elderly mage with an elbow, almost making him lose his balance.

"We know Lee. Quite a combatant," he mentioned, although he refrained from telling Hei-Ha-Chi just how he knew as much. "Though I didn't know he came from your order. What is it ya'll do? I'm assumin' you're based somewhere near Xu, if the Council has this much pull with your order."

"You can find Chi Monks and our monasteries in all the Xuese Provinces. Our order's history is intertwined with that of the Aoi - in good and in bad. In the countless wars that Xu has fought in this continent, our warrior monks have stood in the front line. But there is also a spiritual side to our teachings, concerning the chi - that you call ether - and its presence in every living thing on this earth. That is what we 'do' - train our bodies and minds to harness the power of chi, and through it maintain the balance of nature."

"A balance that the Aoi and their ethertech has overthrown. Their 'windmills' sap ether from the air while their 'pumps' do the same to the waters - such as the lakes of the Kappa. It is killing all the life in our habitats, forcing us to move elsewhere - only to soon find that they are going to install these devilish gadgets there as well! This vicious cycle has to stop!"

"I am aware of that, Ambassador Ootaru, but for heaven's sake this is not the right place to speak your mind out loud!"

The guru looked around warily to see if anyone had heard them.

[Waterbrick Down]

Xu was worse off than Eurbic it seemed to Skrall. "Shouting rarely accomplishes one's primary goal, my friend. Surely there is some benefit that the Kappa provide to the country that would serve as a bargaining chip before the counsel?"

[Sandy]

"Shouting rarely accomplishes one's primary goal, my friend. Surely there is some benefit that the Kappa provide to the country that would serve as a bargaining chip before the counsel?"

"I question the need to be useful to the government to be allowed to live in our own homeland. We Kappa have been known as expert fishermen and navigators in the many rivers and lakes of Xu, but those things mean little to the Aoi nowadays. The waters are more valuable to them in ethereal form, enabling them to just swoosh over any obstacle with their airships. The ironic thing in this that the Kappa people outnumber the Aoi a thousandfold."

[Waterbrick Down]

"How did the Aoi come to power and what do they use to maintain it, if there number are so few?"

[Sandy]

"How did the Aoi come to power and what do they use to maintain it, if there number are so few?"

"I can answer that, if I may. The Aoi have always been in power in the Xu region, as long as any written history can document. Their numbers must have been larger in the past, but nowadays they have dwindled to a mere thousand, if even that. But their rule has always been unquestionable, and people are used to it. It is not to say that there hasn't been attempts to overthrow them - that is why this country is in a state of perpetual war - but the wealth and knowledge and technology the Aoi have gathered to themselves have secured that all those attempts have failed. And the attempters have always met a bloody death as a warning to the following generations. Living in an inaccessible floating island has helped, too. That is the status quo of this land."

"Don't get me wrong, all in all Xu has been a decent place to live to the subjects of the Aoi government - until recently, that is. This new Age of Machines that the current Council is promoting just does not fit well in the lifestyle of us commoners. We are fishers and farmers and crafters, we live off the same land that the government is desecrating."

[Flipz]

"Greethings, young mist'her", said the old wizard in a wobbly, dry voice. "I am Weather Mage Sun Qui, and I am in charge of the Ether Windmills that churn p'hower t'ho this cit'hy. Recent'hly some of the windmills have been sabot'haged to direct'h the fuel they p'hroduce to somewhere else. I am here to give an official rep'hort on the matt'her to the C'houncil."

"Aye, the enemies of Xu are on the move. Raja Serpior of Nagashan has pulled some of his troops from the border, which can only mean he has some ploy we do not know about. If we weren't on a floating city, I would be expecting him to show up at our doorstep any minute now."

"Do you think'h there is a c'honnec'htion bet'hween these t'hwo incident'hs, Spymaster Tanooki?"

"I bet my tail there is! If only my last spy in the Nagashan court hadn't been caught red-handed, we wouldn't be this clueless. I hate not knowing stuff, don't you?" The wereraccoon nudges the elderly mage with an elbow, almost making him lose his balance.

"I, too, know and loathe not knowing things," Arthur says, thinking back to his difficulties in Dastan. So the Nagas are on the move...I dearly hope they haven't turned their attention eastward. I don't know if my people could repel forces of that magnitude...

"This may sound a bit unorthodox, but have you considered hiring Heroica?" Arthur asks Diplomatically. "They can sometimes be a bit peculiar, but I hear they have a great track record with investigations and infiltrations."

[Sandy]

"This may sound a bit unorthodox, but have you considered hiring Heroica?" Arthur asks Diplomatically. "They can sometimes be a bit peculiar, but I hear they have a great track record with investigations and infiltrations."

The spymaster bursts into a chittering laughter.

"That's a good one! What would we need a group of foreign mercenaries for? We have all the soldiers, diplomats, spies and technology we need right here in Xu. Our nation has always handled matters itself, and that has allowed us to grow into one of the most powerful countries in Aoshu - or Olegaia, as you of the western religions call it. In ancient maps we have stored here in the council archives, Xu used to be just a fraction of it's current size. The only reason it hasn't expanded further is because of the mighty mountain ranges that surround it from north and south."