Heroica RPG - Quest #159: An Unexpected Return

[Waterbrick Down]

On 11/13/2018 at 9:19 PM, Lord Duvors said:

 

@Waterbrick Down

"Captain Attina," he said, "I'm sorry about this, I really would like to stay and try to talk things out with you, but duty calls. I hope you understand."

With a quick bow, he turned and strode out the door.

"I think you made your position clear. Unfortunately your terms are not one that we can accept and if you think that my men aren't prepared to block..."

"Attina, enough! Let it end... These heroes are not to blame for the distrust this city has in the Bonaparte name and everything that has evolved from it." Attina goes to hold her daughter's hand, "But know this, you are not to blame either... They do not slight you for the protection you have provided to this city from the north all these past years. The burden of guilt lies upon your uncle, your father, and I. I allowed for the tyranny your uncle forced upon the men, I allowed your father to continue in his depression, I allowed my connections with Heroica to interfere with my responsibility to you.. I am sorry my daughter."

Attina stares at her mother for a long moment as a tear runs down her cheek, she clears it away before addressing the heroes.

"The fleet will sail north, they will not trouble your waters. If our... your city is ever in need of aid, send word."

With the Bonaparte's leaving the heroes spend a few more days in deliberation, speeches are given, efficiencies debated, but before long six new veterans step forward prepared to lead Heroica into a brave new future. Atramor, Dyric, Hoke, Karie, Vindsval, and Asa. Together the veterans pledge along with the remaining heroes to strive for neutrality in the affairs of the city and to serve as its arbitrator and protector for as long as the city would have them.

A council of representatives was put forth to oversee segments of the freeport's society, Valentine Ziegfried was designated minister of magical affairs, Doc Daneeka was installed as minister of science, Detective Warlock Hoples was appointed minister of the city watch, Skrall took on the ministry of public works, Commander Fervent of the paladin forces after resigning his post was accepted as minister of military defense, Doctor Monalisa Giocanda was established as the minister of business, and finally Teresa Finneldria accepted the ministry of foreign affairs. After much heated debate and deliberation it was determined that a public election would be held for the office of the freeport’s prime minister for a term of three years. Through the utilization of the z-mail system a nail-biting race ended with Ulric Wolfkin taking the seat. Between Ulric, the council, and Heroica a charter of laws and courts were established in the city that would become known as the Licit Code.

Slowly the city began to rebuild, the Bonapartes, unable to come to an agreement with the new leadership determined to leave the city and offer their protection to kingdoms further to the north. Captain Illdria’s suggestion of armed ships soon began a booming business in escort craft and the ex-Bonaparte mutineers soon found plenty of work aboard the many trading vessels in the area. The Tritech corporation in partnership with what remained of the Guild of Invision scientists began a work-study program through the academy of enlightenment offering subsidized education to the city inhabitants financed through the leveraging of tritech automation within local industry. Negotiations were reopened with Xu and after months of deliberation the Ji Pei were once more allowed to return but under stricter agreements. The Hinkwell and Shadeaux businesses were slowly rebuilt and a merger deal was struck between Lorcan Hinkwell and Umbra Shadeaux ending the bitter rivalry between the two families. The Ziegfried Manor and family eventually opened their circle to allow for all mages within the region to form the Uland Circle an internationally revered hub for magical innovation and learning. The hovels were slowly transformed and soon became well known for housing some of the most skilled labor within the city. In the years to come the city would face even more trials, however the citizenry of the freeport always knew that centered in their city stood a hall always willing to watch over it, to provide guidance, to preserve peace, to stand true, and to always assemble... heroes.

THE END

Final Stats

 Althior Emorith, The Dragonslayer (K-Nut)
36 years old male (undead) human Prophet
Level 59 3/5 *Clairvoyance* *Glossolalia* *Intimidation* *Permanently Transcended and Hastened* *Immune to Petrified, Cursed, Bound, and Slowed* *Absorbs Earth* *Immune to Ice and Darkness*
Power Bonus: +6 (+18 to Spells)
Defense: 10
Health: 93/93
Ether: 76/108
Gold: 5920
Equipment: Mythril Scepter of Divine Affinity (WP:35, Has ⅙ chance to deal cursed effect on successful spells and ⅙ chance to deal blessed effect on successful healing, staff), Gloves of the Aspirant Zieg-Friend (Spellpower +5, Max Ether +5; suitable to those with reputation with the Ziegfrieds only, if reputation is great, values doubled, if reputation is outstanding, values tripled; handwear), Winged Sandals (protects from bound and slowed effects, footwear), Garuda Wings (Makes the user permanently hastened; Power +50 to winged warriors; backwear), Coat Hanger (allows wearing a second bodywear artifact regardless of the amount limit for artifacts; accessory), Robe of the Seneschal (SP:5; wearer absorbs earth-elemental damage and is immune to petrified, ice, and darkness elemental damage; suitable to clerics, mages, chi monks, necromancers, scholars, and weather mages; bodywear), Robes of Illumination (SP: 5, +10 Max Ether, wearer is permanently transcended, suitable to prophets; bodywear), Sungold Seal (Max HP+2; Power+3), Warlord’s Helmet (SP:6; healing through ether in a battle encourages targets as well, suitable to clerics and chi monks; headwear)
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons: Staff of the Supreme Necromancer (WP:25; damages undead; +5 level to raised undead; suitable to necromancers; staff), Scorching Staff (WP:20; attacks and fire elemental spells deal blinded; fire elemental staff), Doom Axe (WP:19, has 1/6 chance to cause doomed; axe), Bone Saw (WP:17, causes weakened and fragile to humanoids, beasts, vermin and flying enemies; longsword), Makeshift Coat Rack (WP: 4 Improvised Weapon), Boon Rod (WP:22; healing is guaranteed to restore health at least equal to WP at cost of one ether; staff, suitable to clerics), 
Artifacts: Lieutenant's Helm (SP:3, protects from fragile; headwear), Feathered Hat (Max Health +4; a consumable item named 'feather' can be stored in the hat and used without spending a turn during battles; comes equipped with [Feather of Lithe]; headgear), Pink Ribbon (Max Ether +3, grants immunity to sealed, afraid, and doomed; accessory), Lens of Speed Reading (allows one scroll to be used per round in addition to a normal action, suitable for classes that have ether; accessory), Medal of Glory (Wearer earns triple experience; accessory), Counterstrike Gloves (if the wearer is damaged by a free hit, they counter with strength equal to their level; handwear), The Black Hat (wearer is immune to cursed, grants Intimidation)
Spell Items: 2x Ruby (Fire), 2x Aquamarine (Water), Garnet (Earth), Sapphire (Wind), Opal (Ice), Topaz (Lightning), Emerald (Wood), Diamond (Light), Amethyst (Darkness), Ethereal Amethyst (Darkness, deals blinded) Scroll of Frailty (Enables casting the fragile-effect to the target, causing it to take double damage for the next three rounds. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.), Scroll of Love (Enables casting the enamored-effect to the target, making it unable to damage the caster for three rounds. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.), Scroll of Luck (Enables casting the lucky-effect to the target for one battle. Each casting has a 50/50 chance and costs 10 ether.), Begone With The Winds (Grants the holder access to the Weather Mage expert job class upon reaching Level 30), Geode
Consumables: 3 Potions, 8 Grand Potions, Greater Potion (Restores 50 health to the target.), 7 Tonics, 3 Grand Tonics, 2 Ether Cores, 6 Remedies, 2 Elixirs, 8 Meads, Nostrums, Smoke Bomb, Rudra Bomb, 3 Venom, Garnet Lamp of Summoning, Skeleton Decoy, Feather of Lithe (Makes the user nimble for three rounds), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), 2 Milks (restores 15 health and 15 ether upon consumption), Cup of Asmodeus (Max. health +6 but power -6 when merged into an artifact at a smithy.), Grating Stone, Greater Tonic, Dragon Scale, Ella's Pie (Permanently boosts max. ether by 5 but permanently decreases max. health by 5 when consumed.), Hurricane, 4 Fire Bombs,
Tools etc.: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, 4 Bones, Deaddy Bear (Causes 45 damage and doomed but has 1/6 chance to break whenever used), Sauce Pan (Tool; Can be used with a Potion, outside of battle, once per quest to restore full HP), Cornucopia (increases the holder's gold by 25% at the end of each quest)

 Atramor Gibbin, the Fiery and Aquatic Champion of Decamon and the Serpent Skinner (CallMePie)
34 year old male human Rogue Thief
Level 46 2/5 *Immune to all elements and all negative effects except virus* *Steal 50% More Gold* *Lucky*
Power Bonus: +3
Defense: 10
Health: 89/89
Gold: 1930
Equipment: Rat's Hide (SP: 4, backwear, suitable for anyone), Galactic Armor (SP: 6, +6 max health, immune to water, wood, lightning, fire, earth, wind, ice, light, darkness, and doomed, bodywear, suitable for anyone), Wide-Brimmed Hat (Protects from all negative effects except sudden death and virus; headwear), Beginner's Lockpicks (1/3 chance to grant the Inspired effect at the beginning of each battle. The bearer can also unlock any non-magical locks. Accessory),  Living Mythril Claws (WP: 37, double WP against humanoids, double damage against vermin, +1 WP after every successful hit, resets at end of current quest, light elemental, dual strike, Poisoned 7, Cursed, daggers)
Treasure: Robes of Illumination (SP: 5, +10 Max Ether, wearer is permanently transcended, suitable to prophets; bodywear), 100 Gold, Healing Staff, Cloak of the Dwarven Warchanter (SP: 5, Immune to Blinded and Sealed, suitable for Dwarves), Staff of Ennon (WP:5, light elemental, restores 2 ether on successful hits, staff)
Inventory

Spoiler

Weapons: Robust Shield (SP: 12, shield), Ball & Chain (WP:11, causes fast asleep -effect; whip), Bow of the Void (WP:10, each demon and ethereal enemy alive in the battle temporarily increases the WP by 1, longbow), Bloodied Poleaxe (WP:15, causes the bleeding by 5 -effect; halberd), Phlegethon (WP:20, doubled by each knocked out party member, Brain Drill (WP:20, damages the target’s ether as well; suitable to all classes), fire-elemental whip),
Artifacts: 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), Helmet of Azzurat (SP: 4, immune to poison, headwear, suitable for anyone), Spider Demon’s Cowl (Protects from doomed and sudden death; backwear), Vengeful Heart (Power +10, but the user cannot change target of attacks until the previous one is defeated; accessory), Amulet of the Court (Negative effects last only one round on the wearer, accessory, suitable for anyone), Order Imperial's Assassin Cowl (Immune to darkness, wearer is nimble, headwear; suitable for assassins, chi monks, infiltrators, rogue thieves, and paragons), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors; handwear), White Ninja Cowl (The wearer can choose to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits; the effect ends if the user targets an enemy; suitable to rogues, beast warriors, chi monks and infiltrators; headwear)
Spell Items: Scroll of Fire Armor, Scroll of Ice Armor, Scroll of Tongues (Grants the user the Glossolalia Job Trait. Each casting lasts for a limited amount of time and costs 10 ether), Topaz, Ruby, Amethyst, 2x Aquamarine, Archangel's Summonstone, Archdemon Summonstone
Consumables: Elixirs, 4 Remedies, 3 Phoenix Essence, Smelling Salts, 2 Phoenix Incenses, 7 Venoms, 5 Fire Bombs, Hexed Idol (Causes the hexed-effect to one humanoid enemy when consumed), Sword of Asmodeus (Power +6 but max. health -6 when merged into an artifact at a smithy), 6 Bones, Potion, 2 Greater Potions, Myrrh
Tools/Treasure: 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.), Flint and Steel (Handy for starting fires), Pickaxe, Shovel, Rope, Magic Shovel, 3 Mythril Shards, Twitzle the Canary (Remedies poisoned when used on target, bird familiar)

 Benji Carvenhall, the Dragonslayer and the Champion of the Northern Kingdoms
30 year old half-elf
Level 51 Prophet *Overkill Gloves* *2x damage against Vermin*
Power Bonus: 5
Defense: 25
Health: 83/83
Ether: 0/55
Gold: 1584
Equipment: Hollow Meduiak (Precision Bow; WP:24; AIM's become HIT's; darkness-, ice-, fire-, wind- elemental; Hollow [Elixir]), Overkill Gloves [borrowed from Galen] (handwear, +1 gold for every point of damage done extra when defeating an enemy), Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (backwear, SP:6, suitable for Ranger, Barbarian and Beast Warriors), Wonky Shoes (footwear, SP: 3, suitable for all classes), Order Imperial Prophet's Armor (SP: 8; Grants Command; Suitable for Prophets; Bodywear), Tricorne (headgear, SP:3), Anniversary Medal (Power +5, SP +5, Max Health +5, Max Ether +5. Values increase by 1 with each passing year; Accessory)
Inventory

Spoiler

Weapons: Hollow Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:17; earth-, wood-,water-, lightning-, light- elemental; Hollow [Elixir]), Ornamental Throwing Knife (WP: 6, has a 1/3 chance of causing target to be Confused; ranged; retrievable throwing weapon; suitable for rangers, rogues, beast warriors, infiltrators, scholars and winged warriors.)
Artifacts: Nordic Stomach Guard (bodywear, SP: 3, Suitable for Barbarians, Beast Warriors and Regulators), Brown Dragon Girdle (bodywear, power +3; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors), Puglist's Gloves (Handwear, +2 Power, Immune to Weakened Effect), , Trickster's Mask of the Gender Swap (accessory), Trickster Mask of the Dwarf (Headgear, the wearer's appearance is changed to that of a dwarf), Sterile Gloves (Handwear, Immune to poisoned- and bleeding–effects), Winged Sandals (footwear, immune to bound- and slowed-effects), Snake Eye Charm (accessory, immune to petrified-effect), Marksman Monocle (Misses are rerolled, Headgear), Robe of Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from sealed-effect, suitable for mages, clerics, necromancers, scholars and weather mages; bodywear), Ratmancer's Cowl (headgear, the wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin),
Consumables: Health Core (3), Grand Potion (10), Potion (3), Elixir (4), Remedy (3), Grand Tonic (3), Phoenix Essence (4), Dragon Scales (3), Nostrum (4), Smelling Salts (3), Mead (2), Flame-Distilled Brandy (3), Mulled Wine (3), Venom (3), Venom-15, Soma, Cosmic Essence, Skeleton Decoy, Bone (12), Smoke Bomb (3), Chaotic Bomb (100 damage, random element), Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb (2), Water Bomb, Stun Bomb (3), Sleep Bomb (2), Grating Stone (3), Mythril Shard, Phoenix Incense, Fire Bomb (4)
Spell Items: Ruby (Fire), Opal (Ice), Aquamarine (Water), Emerald (Wood), Scroll of *Minimizing* (Has 1/2 chance of causing the *Minimizing*-effect on the target; costs 10 ether.), Scroll of Frailty, Amethyst, Garnet, Ethereal Opal (Ice and Fragile)
Tools: Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel

 Hoke Ablesword - Champion of the Northern Kingdoms, Kraken Whacker, Titan Smiter, Serpent Skinner, Matchmaker and Rock Champion of Decamon (UsernameMDM)
Human Male Dragoon
Level 61 2/5 *Immune to Fragile, Confused, Dark, Earth, Fire, Wind* *Absorbs Poison*
Power Bonus: +5 Power, +7 WP
Defense: 61
Health: 106/106
Gold: 1786
Equipment: Zoot's Order (WP:40; Deals Darkness, Light, Ice, Cursed, Fragile, permanently Poisoned-by-10, hits reduce enemy SP by 1; spear, suitable for Hoke only [Hydra Tongue, Crimson Haze, Amethyst, Diamond, Etherial Opal]), Mythril Buckler (SP:42, Amethyst, Mythril), Hydra Skin (SP: 2, wearer gains HP when poisoned instead of losing it, backwear),Sven's Heavy Armor (SP:6, Immune to Fire, Earth, Wind and Fragile),  Guffington's Seal (Proves the Hero is a Friend of Guffington. The hero starts every quest with one "Hero's Cocktail": encouraged, hastened, lucky and inspired), Samurai Helmet (WP:+4, immune Confused, Sealed suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors),  Bone Claws (+3 WP, 2 SP, hand wear), Warrior's Treads (SP:2, Health +1, footwear), Prayer Beads (User is Permenantly Blessed, accessory),
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons: Blue Steel Shield (SP:5, Immune to Blind), Vintul (WP: 16; greatsword), Wasabi Blade (WP: 4, Fire-elemental long-sword), Fang Dagger (WP:5, double damage to beasts, dagger), Balanced Main-Gauce (WP: 10, Riposte has a 1/6 chance of instantly killing the/each target, dagger, suitable only for marauders), Blade of Tranquility (WP: 2, deals the Sealed effect, Long-sword), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, causes the Bleeding-by-5 effect; spear), Glistening Halberd WP:10 (1/2; chance to caused stunned effect, lance),
Artifacts: Helm of Prestige (SP: 5, +10 Max HP, Wearer is Permanently Blessed, Headwear, suitable for Paragons),  Sharkskin Gloves (Accessory, provides immunity from water elemental attacks),  Cultist Hat (damage vs undead), Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory), Pugilist Gloves (+2 to power, immune Weakened), Shadeaux Cape (SP:1; suitable to those with reputation among the Shadeaux only; if reputation is great, SP is doubled; if reputation is outstanding, SP is tripled; backwear.), Iceborn's Improved Summoning Amulet (Can be used once per quest to revive a fallen enemy to join the party. The enemy has a level equal to their previous level, and health equal to the half the health of the hero reviving them. Their class can be determined by the QM, and they cannot be revived by Phoenix Essences. Accessory), Goggles, Shackles of War, , Medal of Glory (Wearer gains triple experience, accessory), Sterile Gloves (Immune to poisoned and bleeding, handwear, suitable for anyone),  Obsan's "Masterpiece" (SP: 10; suitable for knights, barbarians, beast masters, dragoons, marauders and regulators; Immune to Ice, Wind and Wood; bodywear), Coat Hanger (Allows for a second body wear, Accessory), Counter-strike Gloves
Spell Items: Etherial Sapphire (Sealed+Wind), Emerald (Wood), Etherial Aquamarine (Confusion+Water), Topaz (Lightning), Etherial Garnet (Slowed+Earth), Etherial Topaz (Lighting+Stunned), Opal, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep
Consumables: 7x Grand Potion, Health Core, 2x Grand Tonic, 5x Remedy, 5x Ether Core, Elixir, 3x Ambrosia, Soma, 5x Mead, Smelling Salts, 2x Flame-Distilled Brandy (Encouraged & Immune to Ice), 8x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, 2x Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used), Hero's Cocktail, Mulled Wine, Neutralizer, Nostrum, Elixir, Arc Mead, Dragon Scale,
Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel 3x Smoke Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Water Bomb, Air Bomb, 4x Fire Bombs, 2x Dirt Bomb, Seal Bomb, Crescent Seal  (+2 Power, +1 Free item usage during the first round of battle),

 Torc
Female Dragon Adult 
Level: 61
Health: 91/91
Element: Fire
Ability: Draconic Fate (May pay 10 health for a 1/2 chance to make a party member Lucky)  

 Skrall (Waterbrick Down)
81 year old Male Ogre Beast Warrior
Level 44.2 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Fragile, Blinded, and Confused* *1/3 chance to revive when KO'd*
Power Bonus: 0
Defense: 11
Health: 69/69
Stealth: +2
Gold: 796
Equipment: Oversized Mythril Greatsword (WP:46, double damage on targets that are clearly smaller than the hero, greatsword), Tricorne (SP: 3, head wear), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, wearer is immune to fragile, blind, and confused effects, body wear), Moone Greaves (SP: 3), Vorpalis Talisman (1/3 chance of instantly resurrecting with 1 HP and 1 Ether upon being knocked out; accessory)
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons: Giant Hammer (WP: 13, deals Confused), Axe of the Minotaur Champion (WP: 30; user is Slowed and Immune to Hastened, cannot be equipped at the same time as a shield; axe), Unlucky Crossbow (WP: 13, causes Jinxed Effect), Rosier's Spike (WP: 20, Pierces SP when poisoned, Hammer)
Artifacts: Medal of Glory (Wearer gains 3x experience from battles, accessory), Paper Doll (Immunity to Hexed), Pugilist's Gloves (+2 Power, Immunity to Weakened), Lucky Doubloon (Grants "Special Guard"; accessory), Grogmas Beard (Power bonus equal to the number of the current month (eg. +1 in January, +12 in December); accessory.), Winged Sandals (Immunity to Slowed and Bound, Footwear), Hunter's Quiver (Bows and Crossbows +2WP, allows Hunters to favor two types of enemies, back wear)
Consumables: 10 Mead, Nostrum, 3 Remedy, 1 Deadly Venoms, 9 Smoke Bomb, Blind Fury, Phoenix Essence, Phoenix Incense, Silver Ore (worth 70 gold), 4 Fire Bombs
Tools: Spyglass (Reveals if there are spies and eavesdroppers in the vicinity when used; tool)

 Arthur Justus Regulus VII Ziegfried, a Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (NPC, takes suggestions from Dyric)
24-year-old male Human Skirmisher
Level 44  *Immune to Hexed, Petrified, Minimized, Jinxed, and Stunned* *Immune to Fire, Earth, Wind, Blind, Confused, and Defense Reduction* *Deals double damage to Humanoids and Ancient-type enemies*
Power Bonus: +5
Health: 70/70
Defense: 53
Gold: 6020
Equipment: , Blue Hand Shield (SP:15, Immune to Hexed, Petrified, Minimized, Jinxed, and Stunned; shield),  Shadeaux Cape (SP:15, Immune to Fire, Earth, Wind, Blind, Confused, and Defense Reduction, suitable to those with reputation among the Shadeaux only; if reputation is great, SP is doubled; if reputation is outstanding, SP is tripled; backwear), Immortal Greaves (Wearer deals double damage to Ancients and Humanoids; footwear), Of Power and Mortals (+1 power each successful quest), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, halberd, stuns on successful hits, Hollow [Empty]),
Abilities: First Breath (Arthur may sacrifice a turn of combat to focus and gain +3 power. Power resets at the end of a battle or when the hero is KO'd),
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons: Zoot's Rebel (WP:20 "halberd", suitable to Arthur only), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, Spear, causes bleeding-by-5 effect), Stag Antlers (WP:10, grants Intimidation; halberd), Metasimian Dory (WP:10, pierces defense; spear), Spider Leg (WP:10, WP doubled against flying enemies, Lightning- and Wind+Slowed-elemental; spear),  Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Clockwork Lance (WP:12, Light-elemental, has 1/3 chance to cause slowed-effect on the target; lance), Dauntlet Index (WP: 20, WP doubled against humanoids, Darkness-elemental; spear), Icy Halberd (WP:9, Fire-, Earth-, and Ice+Fragile-elemental, triple damage against plants and electric enemies, no damage against fiery and rock enemies; halberd), Rosier's Nettle (WP: 20, 1/6 chance to steal enemies drops, Halberd), 
Artifacts: Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing; headwear, suitable for anyone), 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), Stingy Gloves (Prevents enemies from ever stealing gold from you; handwear, wearable by everybody), Overkill Gloves (Grants Overkill gold on kills; handwear, suitable for anyone) (currently loaned indefinitely to Namyrra), Tin Gloves (Power +1, multiplied by the number of “tin” artifacts equipped; suitable to knights, dragoons, skirmishers and vindicators; handwear), Tin Armor (SP:6, multiplied by the number of “tin” artifacts equipped [current: 0]; suitable to knights, dragoons, skirmishers and vindicators; bodywear), Tin Greaves (Immunity to Stunned-, Slowed-, and Hastened-effects; footwear), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; 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), Sandman’s Parasol (Protects from asleep- and fast asleep –effects; accessory), Comfy Pillow (If the user is inflicted by asleep- or fast asleep-effect, they regain full health and ether; accessory.), Dragon's Hearth Talisman (When worn, the user has Diplomacy when speaking to dragons, accessory), Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently Blessed; accessory.), Fur Leggings (SP: 1, Beast enemies do not deal free hits to the wearer; footwear, suitable for anyone), Anniversary Medal (Power +6, SP +6, Max. Health +6, Max. Ether +6. The values will increase by 1 with each passing year; accessory.)
Unsuitable Weapons/Artifacts: Pointy Hat (+2 Max Ether), Sven's Dagger (WP: 14, Fire- and Earth+Sealed Elemental), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, staff, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd), 
Spell Items (unsuitable): Diamond
Consumables: Adamantite Shard, Health Core, 12x Grand Potion, Tonic, 10x Remedy, Hero's Cocktail (Makes the hero encouraged, hastened, lucky and inspired), 7x Mead, 4x Nostrum, 3x Neutralizer, Exterlate, Blind Fury, Blind Bomb, 2x Seal Bomb, 3x Stun Bomb, 5x Smoke Bomb, 3x Bone, Henry Award, Grating Stone, 4 Fire Bombs
Tools & Treasure: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass, Guffington's Seal (Proves the Hero is a Friend of Guffington. The hero starts every quest with one "Hero's Cocktail"), Cornucopia (This horn of plenty is said to ensure limitless wealth. Increases the holder’s gold by 25% at the end of each quest.)

 Dyric Rone(The Legonater)
Human male, Assassin
Level 34.25 *Permanently Lucky* *Immune to All Elements and Blinded* *Steals 50% more gold*
Defense: 6
Health: 46/46
Power Bonus: 0
Gold: 2328
Ability: Ace Assassin Training (Dyric's successful Assassination rolls against enemies immune to instant kill deals an additional LETHAL AIM roll (see Assassin))
Equipment: Lucky Die (User is permanently *Lucky*; suitable for anyone; Accessory), Night's Helmet (SP: 6; immune to Water, Wood,Earth, Ice, Fire, Wind, Lightning, Light, Darkness, and Blinded; suitable for anyone; Headwear), Crystal Shoes (Immunities become Absorption), Cloak of the Red Assassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; back wear), Mockthril Longbow (WP: 27; Ice-elemental; Longbow),
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons: Double Chain Whip (WP: 10; Whip), Tarok's Wrath (WP: 20, 1/2; chance to Instantly Kill orcs; Dagger), Throwing Knife (WP: 4; Throwing Weapon), Pongcanis Dagger (WP: 8; Dagger), Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable throwing weapon, causes Jinxed-effect), Mythril Crossbow of Incessant Warmongerers (WP: 40; Darkness and Wind-elemental, deals Slowed on non-AoE rolls, also deals Damage to the enemies above and below the target upon a successful hit; Crossbow), Requiem (WP: 20;Wood and Light-elemental; Longbow),
Artifacts: Winged Sandals (immune to Bound and Slowed; suitable for anyone; Footwear), Ambrose's Heart (Artifact, suitable to Evokers, Accessory, +5 power), Sticky Gloves (increases amount of Gold stolen by 50%; suitable for Rogues and Beast Warriors; Handwear), , Cabin Boy's Rags (All other party members +3 power, body wear), Shadeaux Cape (SP:15, Immune to Fire, Earth, Wind, Blind, Confused, and Defense Reduction, suitable to those with reputation among the Shadeaux only; if reputation is great, SP is doubled; if reputation is outstanding, SP is tripled; backwear), Quiver of Blinding Light (Attacks become light-elemental and cause blinded; can only be used with a bow or a crossbow; back wear),
Spell Items: Diamond, Opal
Consumables: Potions (4), Grand Potions (4), Remedies, Banana (restores full HP to target), Elixir (2), Cosmic Essence, Nostrum (2), Venom (5), Mythril Shards (2/4 Mythril), Military Grade Light Bomb, Military Grade Darkness Bomb, Smoke Bomb (2), Bones (2), Skeleton Decoy, Demon Repellent (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons during one battle unless the user is the only hero left standing; consumable), Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 in magic shops), Earthwyrm Fang (Grants the encouraged-, lucky-, reinforced-, and blinded- effects for the duration of one battle), Phoenix Essence, Ancient Bone, Phoenix Incence, Guffington's Seal (Proves the Hero is a Friend of Guffington. The hero starts every quest with one "Hero's Cocktail"), Hero's Cocktail, Deadly Venom, Fire Bomb (4)
Tools & Treasure: Bedroll, Shovel, Magic Compass, 3 Silver Ore (Worth 60 gold)

 Karie Alderflask-Cour (Kintober)
26 Year Old Human Female Minstrel 
Level 39.25 *Permanently Nimble* *1/3 Chance to Weaken targeted enemy on successful hits* *Steal 50% More Gold*
Power Bonus: 3
Health: 67/67
Defense: 7
Ether: 2/45
Stealth: +2
Gold: 1476
Equipment: Catsuit (Wearer becomes nimble and has a 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER, DAMAGE, and FREE HITS, suitable for women only, body wear), Vorpalis Crown (SP: 4, the wearer has a 1/3 chance of dealing Weakened to the targeted enemy on successful hits. Headwear, suitable for anyone.), Fenarian Robes of the Vampire (SP:3, Max. Ether +4, backwear), Encore Plectrum (If the same song is sung for more than one round of combat in a row, the song's ether cost for the consecutive rounds is halved; suitable for minstrels, accessory), Fine-tuned Guitar (WP:15, user is lucky; instrument), 
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons: Angelic Trumpet (WP: 5, user is blessed, instrument), Demon's Fiddle (WP: 12, causes Enamoured and Cursed, instrument) Sexy (WP: 11 longsword, ignores SP) Blazing Palm (WP: 14, Fire Elemental whip, successful hits lower the target's level by 1), Oculoid Palm (WP: 11, successful hits lower the target's level by 1, whip), Sexy (WP: 11, disregards SP, longsword), Heirloom Dagger (WP: 3, dagger), Nocturne Flute (WP: 6, inflicts the Sleep affect, instrument), Vagrant's Guitar (WP: 5, user is lucky, fire and wind elemental instrument), 
Artifacts: Glittering Dress (The users job traits are replaced by those of a Harlot: Promiscuity, Flee, and Money Maker, suitable for women only), Snake Eyes Charm (Provides immunity to petrified, accessory, suitable for anyone), Mage's Muffler (Provides immunity to sealed, accessory, suitable for anyone), Immortal Aegis (Bodywear, SP: 6, 1/6 chance of negating all damage on a Free Hit), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (changes user's appearance into that of an elf of the same gender, accessory)
Spell Items: Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Newtity, Scroll of Magic Disguise (Changes the appearance of the target to anything the caster desires for 1 ether per minute of duration (actual duration dictated by the Quest Master), Emerald
Battle Songs: True Loves Serenade (restores 50 health to the rest of the party, costs 2 ether per healed ally, Battle Song), Murder on the Dancefloor (Has 1/6 chance of instantly knocking out each opponent (unless immune to sudden death) when sung; costs 5 ether per non-immune enemy; Battle Song), Serene Etude (Removes negative effects from the rest of the party instantly. Costs 1 ether per negative effect removed; Battle Song), Hundred-Hero Hymn (Doubles the current and maximum health for the rest of the party for the remainder of the round. Stacks with the inspired effect. Costs 10 ether per ally)
Consumables: Grand Potion x14, Tonic x3, Grand Tonic x15, Remedy x8, Phoenix Essence X2, Nostrum x3, 2x Mead, Neutralizer x3, Herbal Infusions x3 (Removes Negative Effects and causes Blessed and Transcended effects), Oculoid Miasma (Consumable, reduces level of one enemy by 10.), Elixir x2, Tiger Balm, Health Core, Potion x4, Mead x6, Venoms x19, Deadly Venoms x2, Bone, Smoke Bombs X12, Mulled Wine, Phoenix Incense, Tiny Shroom, Greater Tonic, Fire Bobs x4
Tools: Magic Compass, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Decamodifier, Empath Glass (Can read NPC emotions; one time use in each battle, causing one enemy Confused and Fragile for 3 rounds) *Sheep: Baaffy (Pet Sheep; whenever unleashed deals the fast asleep effect to one random opponent once per battle, unlimited use)

 Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)
48 year old male human Vindicator
Level 38.5 *Immune to darkness, fire, fragile, sleep, weakened, and blinded* *Affluence*
Power Bonus: +5 (+5 front row)
Defense: 14
Health: 61/61
Stealth: 0
Gold: 1178
Equipment: , Tome of Affluence (+10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle; grants immunity to fragile, asleep, weakened, blinded, darkness and fire; accessory), Vest of Faded Trials (SP:10, 1/2 chance of granting reinforced effect at the start of every battle, Immune to Fragile; Suitable for Knights, Barbarians, Dragoons, Skirmishers, Regulators, Vindicators; bodywear and headwear), Fighting Boots (Power +5 on the front row; suitable to barbarians, knights, rogues, beast warriors, chi monks, dragoons, harlots, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators, vindicators and winged warriors; footwear.), Round Metal Shield (SP:7), Scupperer (WP:19; darkness-, fire- and earth-elemental; inflicts bleeding 2 and poisoned by 10; has 1/2 chance each to inflict blinded, sealed, weakened and fragile; greatsword),
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons: Epidemic Halberd (WP:8, causes all negative effects that the user has to the target when attacking; halberd), Venom Fang Blade (WP:9, causes poisoned equal to WP; longsword), Lullaby Wand (WP:6, inflicts asleep), Frozen Saber (WP: 15; light-, ice- and wind-elemental; inflicts stunned; great sword),  Silver Sword (WP: 18, Longsword),
Artifacts: Crown of the Desert King (SP:6; absorbs fire, wind, and earth; suitable for Boomingham only, headwear.), Venomari Helmet (SP:2, absorb poison as health; helmet), Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (Power +4; Ether -6; headwear), Scarlet Hood (SP:4, grants immunity to stunned), Chains of the Pongcanis Chief (Hero Pierces SP if fighting from Front, Enemies ignore SP if hero fights from the back row, cannot be removed in battle), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; accessory, suitable to Erdathcath only), Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.), Counterstrike Gloves (If the wearer is damaged by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level; handwear.), Crimson Suit of Armor (SP:12, allows wearer to pose as Crimson Bear Knight; takes three artifact slots: bodywear, headwear and footwear), Floral Gear, Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.),
Spell Items: Amethyst (Darkness), Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile; costs 5 Ether; 50/50 chance), Emerald Lamp of Summoning (0/3), “True Love Serenade” (restores 50 health to the rest of the party per round; costs 10 ether; Battle Song)
Consumables: Potion, Health Core, 2x Remedy, 11x Mead, 3x Smelling Salt, 2x Nostrum, 2x Ambrosia, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immune to Ice), Fireball Whiskey (Immunity to Fire One Battle OR 20 Fire Damage All Enemies), Hamantasch (Lucky, Blessed), Jinxy Juice, 2x Floral Bomb, Seal Bomb, Poison Bomb, Stun Bomb, Seth Bomb (Deals 100 darkness-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Hair of the Dog, Oculoid Miasma, Oculoid Fireworks, Saber Teeth, Bone, Pickled Mushroom, Greater Potion, 2x Fire Bombs, 3 Venom
Tools/Treasure: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Vindicator's Seal (Grants access to the Vindicator expert job class; cannot be given away), Mythril Shard, Rose Bouquet

 Matthias (Stickfig)
Level 33.25 Druid *Immune to Earth, Ice, and Water* *Immune to Blinded, Bound, Fragile, Sealed, and Slowed* *½ chance immunity to Asleep* *Deals Fragile* *Gains 10 gold for each Humanoid killed*
Power Bonus: +18
Defense: 10
Health: 43/43
Ether: 19/34
Gold: 1505
Abilities: Bearer of the Anvil (Matthias may sacrifice his turn to add his WP or SP to another heroes for the round; he may also improve one weapon at the end of each quest [+1 WP]), Immortal Waters (Once per quest, Matthias can heal himself to full health and remove all negative effects during combat; this does not take up an action)
Equipment: Ethereal Steampunk Stovepipe (SP:1; immunity to Earth and Water; protects from Blinded and Sealed; ½ chance to protect from Asleep-effect; suitable for men; headwear), Hunter's Plate (SP:4; wearer gains 10 gold for each Humanoid killed; suitable for rogues, rangers, barbarians, beast warriors, infiltrators, regulators, and winged warriors) (Dreyrugr), Ethereal Rocket Boots (SP:2; immunity to Ice; protects from Bound, Fragile, and Slowed effects; footwear), Sungold Seal (+3 power, +2 health), Coat Hanger (Allows wearing a second bodywear artifact regardless of the amount limit for artifacts; accessory [no bodywear attached]), Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3, Free hits deal half damage, Bodywear), Stave of Grasping Thorns (WP:15; Roots of Life triggers a Kudzu (see Weather Mage); staff),
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons:   Peashooter (WP:2, deals Burning -2, hand cannon),  Tinkerer's Wrench (WP:10; double WP against Mechanical; ranged, retrievable, throwing weapon),  , Ethereal XX Handcannon Replica (WP:12, pierces defense, Fire- and Light-elemental, deals Afraid, hand cannon),Ethereal Restored Fireball Extraordinaire (WP:13; also hits enemies listed above and below the target; Darkness-, Ice-, and Lightning-elemental; deals Fragile; user is Slowed; hand cannon), Rosier's Barb (WP: 25, Causes Bound, 1/3 chance to cause Slowed, Bow),  Double-Barreled Handcannon (WP: 15, fire-elemental, dual-strike, hand cannon),
Artifacts: Dapper Hat (This amazingly dapper hat gives the wearer a ⅙ chance of being Encouraged at the start of any battle, headwear), Trickster's Mask of the Human (Changes the wearer into a human of the same gender when worn, accessory), Coat Hanger (Allows wearing a second bodywear artifact regardless of the amount limit for artifacts; accessory [no bodywear attached]), Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3, Free hits deal half damage, Bodywear), Winged Sandals (Protects from bound- and slowed-effects; footwear),
Spell Items: Emerald, Scroll of the Chasm
Consumables: 2x Adamantite Shard (¼ of a full Adamantite ore, used for adamantizing weapons), 8x Bone (Distracts the target for the duration of 1 round, preventing Free Hits; worth 5 gold in magic shops), Candy Cane (Restores 10 Health and 5 Ether), Deadly Venom, 3x Elixir, Emergency Essence, Grand Potion, 2x Grating Stone, 3x Nostrum, Potion, 2x Red Death Blood, 2x Remedy, 4x Shattering Arrow (Lowers enemy SP by 5, suitable for classes with bows and crossbows), Tonic, Zhar-ptitsa Incense (Revives all party members to full health and grants the Blessed, Reinforced, and Transcended effects, consumable), Greater Tonic, Dragon Scale, 4 Fire Bombs
Tools: Bedroll, Magic Compass, 3x Fire Bomb, Skadi Bomb, Smoke Bomb

 Monk Pretzel and His 99 Pieces, the Super Sleuth (Played by Palathadric)
463-year-old male "hermit" Artisan 
Level 41.2 *Immune to Blinded, Weakened, Fragile, Confused, and Asleep* *Immune to Fire, Earth, Wind, Darkness, Wood, Earth, Water, Light, Lightning, Ice*  *Permanently Nimble**Permanently Reinforced*
Power Bonus: +5
Defense: 692 
Health: 73/73
Stealth: +2
Gold: 1872
Equipment: Wraps of the Steadfast Tortoise (Grants permanent *reinforced* Effect, Handwear, Suitable for Chi Monks), Cloak of the Grand Vizier (SP: 11 multiplied by the number of party members; Grants immunity to Darkness, Wood, Earth, Water, Light, Fire, Lightning, Ice, Wind, *Blinded*, *Weakened*, *Frailty*, *Asleep*, and *Confused*; Backwear), Cape of Extravagance (SP: 5, +10 WP, Wearer is Permanently Nimble, Backwear, suitable for Mimes), Soul Link Chain (Allows the user to pair up with another party member, each of them gaining all the effects that the other has. The partner has to equip the chain as well (ie. one chain can be shared by two people); Accessory), Dual Staff (WP: 14; Ice, Lightning, Fire, Wind, Light; Deals *Bleeding 3*; Dual Strike; Staff)
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons: Mythril Heaven and Hell (WP: 41; Darkness; Poisoned 9, Cursed, Dual-Strike; Whip), Pheles Kris (WP: 20, wielder has a 1/2 chance to generate an Aura while equipped, doubling the user's maximum health but drawing all attacks to them, lightning, fire, earth, wind, ice, light, darkness elemental dagger), Quarterstaff (WP: 4/8 against Humanoids; Staff), Whip of Savage Overlords (WP: 9; ⅙ chance of inflicting the *Slowed* effect; Whip), Steak (WP: 1; instantly kills vampires on successful hits; suitable for all), Staff of the Necromancer (WP: 12; damages Undead; +1 Level to raised Undead; Staff), Mining Hammer (WP: 3, 1/3 chance to inflict *Fragile*), Honed Axe (WP:10, cuts target's SP in half, Axe),  Flying Cross (WP: 11; Darkness; Broomstick), Tyrant's Maul (WP: 29; causes *Hexed*; Hammer), Shadeaux Mace (WP: 9; deals *Fragile* effect; Mace),
Artifacts: Strategist's Shako (+5 power while in the front row, +5 SP while in the back; Headwear), , Duplovian Helmet (SP: 2; Immune to Magic and Healing; Headwear), Burning Knuckle Helmet (SP: 10; Wearer suffers Burning -3 effect; Suitable for Anyone; Headwear), Bumble Fanshirt (SP: 1; Vermin with level less than half of the wearers are scared and won't directly attack the wearer; Bodywear),  Rock Gauntlets (Grants the wearer Iron Fist at no ether cost; Suitable for anyone; Handwear), Counterstrike Gloves (Handwear), Soothing Slippers (Meditation restores 5 ether; Footwear), Shackles of War (Accessory), The Good Book (Grants the Convert job trait - the user can turn any allied or neutral NPC to their faith, gaining their respect; user gains 10 gold from each conversion; suitable to Monk Pretzel only; Accessory), Scholar’s Codex (Makes negative effect scrolls deal non-elemental damage equal to the user’s level when successfully used, but also cost 1 ether more; suitable to scholars only; Accessory), Book of Artisan's Tricks (At the beginning of the quest, wearer may choose to copy another class' ability (the copied ability can be used at will until the end of the quest; Accessory; Suitable for Artisans), White Ninja Cowl (Once per battle, the wearer can choose to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits; the effect ends if the user targets an enemy; suitable to rogues, beast warriors, chi monks and infiltrators; Headwear), Totem of the Wandering Chieftain (Immunity to Bound, Slowed, Blinded, Asleep, Instant KO, Accessory Suitable for Barbarian Chieftains), Cowl of the Dark Druid (Grants the wearer the ability to TAME enemy creatures, see Sylvan Ranger, suitable for Druids, Headwear), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (SP: 5; Protects against *Fragile* and all *Poisons*; Suitable for Knights, Dragoons, Skirmishers and Regulators; Bodywear), Bloody Skull Helmet (SP: 3; heals wearer by the amount of health other combatants lose by *Bleeding* at the end of each round; Headwear), Infernal Armor (SP: 10, absorbs fire, suitable for knights, dragoons, regulators, skirmishers, and vindicators; bodywear), Darksteel Armour (SP: 6; Max. Health +3; Bodywear), Baron's Oversized Hat (wearer is permanently Encouraged and Slowed; headwear), White Fur Coat (SP:4, grants immunity to stunned; allows the user to hide to avoid Free Hits (the effect ends if the user targets an enemy); suitable to barbarians and beast warriors; backwear)
Spell Items: Aquamarine, Emerald
Consumables: 8 Potions, 20 Grand Potions, Cherry (Restores 1 ether), 5 Grand Tonics, 2 Tonics, Ether Core, 15 Remedies, 3 Neutralizers, Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 7 Phoenix Incenses, 2 Phoenix Essences, 4 Meads, 4 Smelling Salts, 5 Nostrums, 5 Mulled Wines, Dragon Scale (lucky & blessed), Titan Heart (encouraged & inspired), Candy Cane (Restores 10 Health and 5 Ether), Tiger Balm, 8 Venoms, 5 Deadly Venoms, 2 Paralyzing Venoms, 2 Jinxy Juices, 5 Smoke Bombs, 6 Fire Bombs, Military Grade Fire Bomb, 3 *Blind* Bomb, 2 *Seal* Bombs, 2 *Sleep* Bomb, 2 *Confuse* Bombs, 2 *Stun* Bombs,  Plague Bomb (Causes 15 damage and *Poisoned* by 15 -effect to all opponents when used.), 7 Bones, Milk, Mythrial Ore, 2 Soma, 2 Elixer, 3 Smoke Bomb, 2 Blind/Seal Bombs, Ether Core, Grating Stone
Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Shovel, Magic Compass, Magic Shovel (will always find something when used, limited to three uses per quest), Dice Bag of Fortune (tool; when used on an enemy, causes their loot rolls to be rolled twice)

 Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) Champion of The Northern Kingdoms
265 year old female Elven Shaman
Level 40.8 *Immune to sealed* *Gains Double EXP* *Counterstriking*
Power bonus:+8
Defense: 1
Health: 62/62
Ether: 46/49
Gold: 1215
Equipment: Mourning Star (WP: 10; Fire-elemental; inflicts Fragile-effect; mace), Lesser etherial cloak (SP:1, Max. ether +3, immune to sealed; backwear), Medal of Valor (Double experience from battles; accessory), Chameleon Vest (Max. Health +10, the user becomes able to absorb the last element it was damaged with; bodywear), Counterstrike Gloves, Barbarians boots (natural, respite becomes restoration)
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons: Nocturne Flute (WP:6; causes asleep-effect; instrument), Mutt's Flute (WP:10; inflicts Weakened-effect; instrument), Party Maracas (WP:4; user is hastened; instrument), Battered wooden flute (WP:6; Darkness-elemental; instrument), Sword of the Warrior of the Light (WP: 14; Light-Elemental, Meditate becomes hits; longsword), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer), Singing Sword (WP 10; causes bleeding, longsword/instrument)
Artifacts: Leather armour (SP:1; Bodywear), Zap-Tap Badge (1/2 chance to Electric counterstrike an opponent who has dealt damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level; Accessory), Shield (SP: 5), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3; Immunity to Ice and Water; Bodywear; Suitable for Barbarians, Regulators, and Beast Warriors), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2; Immune to Blind), Seal of the Warrior Priestess (At the beginning of the battle the user has a 1/6 chance to be Transcended, a 1/6 chance to be Blessed, and a 1/6 chance to be Inspired; Accessory; Suitable for Paladins), Trickster's Mask of the Angel, Razor (user is Blessed and Immune to Bleeding, Enraged, and Encouraged; May take up any artifact slot; requires a shaved head), Helm of the Lord of Light (Immune to Light and Jinxed; headwear; Suitable for Knights), Sylvania's Cowl (Permits Animal Talk, Headwear), Encore Plectrum (if the same Battle Song is sung for more than one round in a row, the song’s ether cost for the consecutive rounds is halved; suitable to minstrels; accessory.)
Spell Items: Opal (2), Topaz (2), Diamond (2), Amethyst, Garnet, Emerald, Aquamarine, Ruby, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion, Hundred Hero Hymn (Inspired-effect to all allies for 10 ether; song),
Consumables: Phoenix essence (3), Potions (10), Grand potion (2), Health Core, Tonics (3), Grand tonic, Ether Core (2), Ambrosia (4), Elixirs (2), Remedies (6), Neutralisers (2), Tiger Balm (2), Nostrum (2), Smelling Salts (2), Venom (4), Dragon Scale (lucky & blessed), Titan Heart (encouraged & inspired), Fire Bomb (5), Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bomb, Water Bombs (2), Dirt Bombs (2), Air Bomb, Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Red Death Blood (Once applied to a weapon the first successful hit deals doomed, consumable) (2), Sushi (restores 5 health and ether), Feather of Lithe (user is nimble for three rounds, 1/3 chance to avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits), Grating Stone, Bright Polish , Remedy, Venom
Tools: Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass, Telescope,

 Vindsval Half-Born (Asphalt)
41 year old, Male, Half Giant,
Level: 44.2 Vindicator *Immune to Dark & Demonic enemies* *Immunity to Asleep,Blinded,Confused, Fragile, and Weakened* *Gains 3x Experience*
Power Bonus: +12
Defense: 10
Health: 67/67
Stealth: +1
Gold: 924
Equipment:  Shikokku's Stealth Suit (SP:7; Power +6, User is immune to Dark & Demonic enemies; Body, Head and Backwear counts as 1 Artefact), Wonky Shoes (footwear, SP: 3, suitable for all classes)(lent by Benj), ), Multi-tool Attachment (Artificial arm, Enables user to ignore the weapon restrictions of their class excluding Shields, Handwear, Suitable for Vindsval), Great Club (WP: 100, cannot be reinforced, imbued, or used with a shield. Suitable to barbarians and beast warriors); Medal of Glory (accessory, mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, immunity to Asleep,Blinded,Confused, Fragile, and Weakened effects)

Spoiler

Weapons And Shields:
 Very Pink Parasol: Broomstick, WP:1, Male enemies are Enamored with the hero, Xeno Whip (WP:4, poisoning the Xeno Whip doubles the poison output, whip), Witch's Hammer (WP 8, Poison 10, Hammer), Leets d’Loc (WP:9, ice-elemental longsword), Renegade’s Crook (WP: 10, successful healing also poisons the target’s weapon by 3, staff), Stygian Blade (WP: 12, Longsword: WP doubled when using it against an Ethereal or Ancient enemy. The aura it exudes seems to be very cold, very luminescent water, the blade of Charon, the Angel of Death.), Crystal Blade (WP: 16, Greatsword. Imbued with a diamond, as is light-elemental as a result. A transparent blade that the fallen angel Glaz wielded), , Woodsman's Axe (WP: 7, Axe), Verkenner  (WP:10, Darkness Elemental Broomstick,ranged), Great Club (WP: 100, cannot be reinforced, imbued, or used with a shield. Suitable to barbarians and beast warriors); Requiem (WP: 20;Wood and Light-elemental; Longbow), Wrath Lance (WP:18, causes enraged and burning 10, poison 7 and cursed; Darkness and Fire Elemental, lance), Bifrost Blades (WP: 14, dual strike, dagger Light, Earth, Water, Wind, and Ice  Elemental), Ludeus (WP: 25 Successful hits have a 1/3 chance of Awakening the blade's true power, doubling the sword's WP for the next round. Doubling does not compound., Lightning, and Wood Elemental)
Inventory:
Artifacts: 
Toxic Hood: (Headwear. The green hood worn by the Rosalia Pestilence. Changes the poisoned effect, to Blessed for the duration of the battle if poisoned while wearing the hood, Usable by all.), Ten-Gallon Hat: Gives the wearer the "Tourist" effect, causing no one to take them seriously), Gauntlets of the Legionnaire (Power +5, immune to Petrified, Handwear), Wanderer's Seal (Vindicator's Seal, grants access to the Vindicator job class; suitable to followers of the Wanderer only), Mechanical Arm (Doubles WP for the equipped weapon; wearer cannot become disarmed; suitable for Vindsval only; handwear), Armor of Thorns (SP: 15, Can have venom applied to it and deal poisoned when taking damage, Headwear, Torsowear, Legwear), Gloves of the Hypocritical/Hippocratic Oath (Adds +10 to healing for characters with the Healing job trait and +10 Poisoning for characters with the Wicked fighting style [or future equivalent]), 
Spell Items: Scroll of Poisoning (Can be cast on a weapon to give it Poison 10, for the duration of the battle at the cost of 5 Ether), Scroll of Frailty (Enables casting the Fragile effect to one target for three round. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.), Emerald
Consumables: 5X Mead, 11X Remedy, Potion, 12X Grand Potion, 2X Smoke Bomb, 3X Tonic, 3X Venom (poison -1), 3X Deadly Poison (Poison -10), Banana, 4X Hurricane - This exotic drink grants the Hilariously and Luckily Drunk-effect, doubling the power of every attack, provided the consumer can state a pun related to his attack with every attack for the duration of one battle, Bone, Fenghuang Essence, Agni Bomb, Elixir, Myrrh, Soma, 2X Phoenix Essence, Candy Cane (Restores 10 Health and 5 Ether), Health Core, 4X Mulled Wine, 3X Ambrosia, 2X Golden Lotus Flower (heals to full health upon consumption), 3X Nostrum, Last Resort (Revives all knocked out allies with 1 health.), Smelling Salts, Phoenix Incense, 4X Fire Bombs
Tools & Treasure: Bed Roll, Shovel, Magic Compass, Mythril Shard,  Bag of Wonder (Summons a random Decamon that joins the battle for 5 rounds. 8 uses remaining, Consumable)

 Eric (Khorne), Self-proclaimed Siren-Slayer and Butcher of Basilisks 
30 year old Human Nord
Level 31.5 Vindicator *Evasion* *Protected from Weakened, Stunned, Poisoned, Bleeding, Cursed, Asleep, Fast Asleep, Confused and Hexed + Immune to Darkness, Water and Earth* *Zweihänder Grip*
Power Bonus: +3
Defense: 0
Health: 62/62
Stealth: 0
Gold: 2150
Equipment: Pugilist's Gloves (Power +2, protects from Weakened; handwear),Boots of Evasion (Wearer takes half damage in front row + Immunity to Darkness, Water, Earth and Asleep; footwear), Periwinkle Ribbon (Grants Immunity to Stunned, Poisoned, Bleeding, Cursed, Asleep, Fast Asleep, Confused and Hexed; suitable for Periwinkle Eric only; headwear), Godricsleif (WP: 22; Lightning-elemental; greatsword),
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons:  6 Silverfish Wings (WP:8, retrievable, throwing dagger), 2 Diseased Silverfish Wings (WP:8, causes cursed-effect, retrievable, throwing weapon), Rakshasa Blade (WP:8 multiplied by the amount of Rakshasa weapons equipped by the party in the battle; greatsword), Rakshasa Flail (WP:7 multiplied by the amount of Rakshasa weapons equipped by the party in the battle; mace), Rakshasa Scimitar (WP:11 multiplied by the amount of Rakshasa weapons equipped by the party in the battle; longsword), Rakshasa Waveblades (WP:5 multiplied by the amount of Rakshasa weapons equipped by the party in the battle; dual strike daggers), Shield (SP:5), Natnail's Sword (WP:10 Longsword),  Twin Biter (WP:7, causes bleeding; dual strike axe), Conspirator (WP: 20, causes Blinded and has 1/2 chance to cause Confused with each hit, Ice- and Darkness-elemental; longsword),
Spell Items: Opal (from Hybros for Dyric)
Artifacts: Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently Blessed; accessory.), Flora Gear (adds Wood-element to physical attacks and protects from Wood-elemental damage, accessory), Redhawk Helmet (Power +12 if the wearer acts first in the battle order; suitable to barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators, vindicators and winged warriors; headwear.), Venomari Helmet (SP:2, absorb Poison as Health; helmet), Heavy Armor (SP:5, protects from Fragile; bodywear),
Consumables: Potion, 13 Grand Potions, 2 Elixirs, 3 Remedies, Danab's Apple (Revives all fallen party members, restores full health and ether to the whole party and removes all negative effects from them; consumable), Neutralizer, Tiger Balm, 8 Meads, 6 Smelling Salts, 2 Nostrums, 2 Mulled Wine, Ambrosia, Genuine Nordic Mead (Grants the encouraged, hastened, inspired, reinforced, and enraged-effects; consumable), Venom, Deadly Venom, 2 Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Feather of Lithe (Makes the user nimble for three rounds, giving them a 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits.), Lightning Bomb, Floral Bomb, Aeolus Bomb, Poison Bomb, Seal Bomb; Phoenix Essence, Pickled Mushroom x2, 4 Fire Bombs
Tools etc.: Vindicator's Seal (Grants access to the Vindicator expert job class; cannot be given away), Cornucopia (Increases the holder’s gold by 25% at the end of each quest.)

 Ezeran Yavarr (MysticModulus)
42 year old male human Sorcerer
Level 25.33 *Immune to Wood and Fire, Sealed and Blindness* *Enemies that hit Ezeran become slowed*
Power Bonus: (+2 spellpower)
Defense: 6
Health: 38/38
Ether: 26/29
Stealth: 1
Gold: 1366
Equipment: Ooze Wand (WP: 10, 1/3 chance to Slow, Poisoned 1), Sneezing Demon (SP:3; enemies that hit the wearer become slowed; immunity to wood, fire  and blindness, suitable to Ezeran only; bodywear), Etherium Pauldrons (SP:3, immune to sealed; backwear), White Ninja Cowl (Once per battle, the wearer can choose to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits; the effect ends if the user targets an enemy; suitable to rogues, beast warriors, chi monks and infiltrators; headwear)
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons: Trickster’s Baubel (WP:6, each hit causes one random effect: stunned, poisoned by 1, asleep, blinded, sealed or confused; wand), Ancient Sapphamber Staff (WP:8, doubled against Ancient enemies, staff), Simple Staff (WP: 10), Mockthril Spear (WP:4, spear), Rosier Spine (WP: 20, Deals Bleeding 10 when casting wood spells, Wand)
Artifacts: Hood of the Elementalist (SP:1, *Absorbs darkness*; headwear, suitable to anyone),  Pointy Hat, Mage's Muffler, Bad Luck Charm, Begone with the Winds (Allows access to the Weather Mage Class, Accessory), Sedge hat (Max. Ether +4; headwear), Bad Luck Charm (Makes the sorcerer’s spells - including Razzmatazz and Sleight of Hand - cause an additional jinxed-effect, increasing their ether cost by 1; suitable for sorcerers; accessory),
Gems: Emerald (Wood), Ruby (Fire), Diamond (Light),  Sapphire (wind), Amethyst (Darkness)
Consumables: 5x grand potions, 2x grand tonics, 3x Remedy, ether core, 2x Smoke Bomb, venom, Pickled Mushroom, 2x Golden Lotus Flower (heals to full health upon consumption), 2x potions, phoenix essence, elixir, Tooth, 8x Firebomb, Pickled Mushroom, Tiny Shroom
Tools: Crescent Seal  (+2 Power, +1 Free item usage during the first round of battle), Bedroll, Shovel

 John 'Heckz' Brutenhal, the Ghostbuster, the Super Sleuth, the School Inspector and the Matchmaker (Cutcobra) (Takes Suggestions from Lind)
32 year old male human
Level 31.5 Weather Mage *Immune to Sealed* *Deals Weakened to Humanoid Enemies and Fragile to Holy Enemies* *Instant Weather Forecasts*
Power Bonus: +3 (+10 with Spells)
Defense: 3
Health: 41/41
Ether: 24/52
Gold: 1119
Equipment:  Weatherfax Broom (WP:30, makes weather forecasts instant instead of being applied at the end of the round, broomstick), Robe Of The Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether + 5, immune to sealed; bodywear) , Magician's Gloves (Spellpower +10; suitable for mages; handwear),Sungold Medallion (+3 Power, +2 Health), Watt's Artifact (Makes the user’s attacks and spells three times more effective against demons; accessory),
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons: Solemn Dagger (WP: 12, darkness-elemental dagger, 1/2 chance of causing sealed
Artifacts: Cloak of Blood Magic (+5 ether, attacks made with darkness magic cause weakened; suitable for mages, necromancers and chi monks; bodywear), False Lips (Rolling Pleasure House and KISS AND MAKE UP causes poisoned by 5 in addition to other effects, suitable for harlots only, accessory.), Venomari Helmet (SP:2, absorb poison as health; helmet),  Rich Man's Shirt (suitable for anyone, +5HP, +10 ether; bodywear), Rich man's trousers (suitable for anyone, immune to Jinxed and Bound; footwear), Buffoon's Hat (Prevents anyone from taking the wearer seriously; protects from Free Hits unless the wearer is the last hero standing; headwear). Burning Eyes (The wearer may add fire elemental to their attacks. The wearer deals weakened to humanoid enemies and fragile to holy enemies. Headwear),
Spell Items: Opal (Ice), Garnet (Earth), Amethyst (Darkness), Aquamarine (Water), Ruby (Fire)
Consumables: 2x Remedy, 6x Mead, 6x Nostrum, 7x Smelling Salt, 2x Tonic, 10x Phoenix Essence, Danab's Apple (Revives all fallen party members, restores full health and ether to the whole party and removes all negative effects from them; consumable), Soma, Poison Bomb, Smoke Bomb, 2x Deadly Venom, 7 Bones, Forbidden Apple (has a half chance of causing blinded or transcended to the user), Fire Bomb, x7 Seal Bombs, x4 Venom, Grating Stone, Grand Tonic, 4 Fire Bombs
Tools, etc: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Compass, Blue Jelly, "Fifty Shades of Bley" (Grants access to Harlot), "Begone With the Winds" (Grants access to Weather Mage), Black Market Insignia (Allows the owner to seek out a black market dealer from any city they visit on a quest, as decided by the QM.), Vindicator's Seal (Grants access to the Vindicator expert job class; cannot be given away)

Kiray Nastayo, A Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (KingoftheZempk)
24 year old Female Human Warden
Level 29.67 *Immune to Blinded, Doomed, Blessed, Light, Darkness, Wood**Double damage to Demonic and Holy Foes**Half Damage from Free Hits* *Intimidation*
Power Bonus: 6
Defense: 29
Health: 46/46
Stealth: 0
Gold: 939
Equipment:  Never Blessed Armor (SP: 11, Immune to Darkness, Light, and Blessed, Wearer deals double damage to Demons, suitable to Knights, Barbarians, Regulators, and Skirmishers), Spesialian Spiked Pauldrons (Damage from Free Hits is halved, Immune to Wood; accessory), Never Blessed Helmet (SP: 8, Immunity to Blinded, Doomed and Blessed, Wearer deals double damage to Holy Enemies, suitable to Knights, Barbarians, Regulators, and Skirmishers), Orcish Barbed Shield (SP: 12), Mythril Hunter's Crossbow (WP:22, double WP against beasts, fire, ice, wind, and darkness-elemental),
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons and Shields:  Sword of Fire and Light (WP: 7, Fire-Light Elemental, Greatsword), Mythralized-Smith’s Katana (WP:20, Darkness elemental, Deals Bleeding +2), Sanctified Rito Longsword (WP:6, doubled against Flying enemies; longsword), Wolfhead Aegis (SP:5, enemies that hit the user become afraid, suitable for anyone with Wolfgang reputation; shield.), Glacial Mace (WP: 12; has 1/2 chance to cause *Slowed*; Ice-elemental; Mace), Deadly Crossbow (WP:17, Light elemental, has 1/6 chance of instantly knocking out the target unless it is immune to sudden death; crossbow, deals poisoned by 10), Myrthril Composite Bow (WP:22, ignores SP,light,lightning,water, wood, and earth-elemental; bow), Shield of Invisibility (SP: 0, the user is immune to free hits until they are the last hero standing), Shield of Roses (SP: 10, Immunity to Poison, Hexed, and Enamored)
Artifacts: Snug Armor (SP: 5, Cannot be De-Equipped, Suitable to all classes that use shields, body wear), Fishy Scale Mail (SP: 6 , wearer absorbs water-elemental damage as health, immune to Fire; suitable for knights, dragoons, skirmishers, and regulators, body wear), Flameproof Armor (SP:1; no longer flameproof; bodywear, suitable for anyone), Winged Sandals (Protects from bound- and slowed-effects; footwear.), Skull Mask (SP: 1, wearer can pose as undead, headwear),
Spell Items:
Consumables: 10X Potion, Ambrosia, 2x Mead, Mediocre Pongcanis Brew (Encouraged + Enraged), 3x Smoke Bomb, 9x Bone, Soma, 2x Ambrosia, 3x Mead, Dragon Scale, Fire Bomb, 8x Venom, Tako Sushi (Restores 10 health; consumable), Noxious Venom, Greater Potion (Restores 50 health to the target), 8x Grand Potion, Dirt Bomb, Floral Bomb, Ice Bomb, Confuse Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Venom,Tonic, 2x Remedy, Nostrum, Venom, Chicken Drumstick, Phoenix Incense, Phoenix Essence x3, 2x Grand Potion, 2x Grand Tonics, 6x Fairie Dust, x4 Shattering Arrow (lowers enemy SP by 10 points, suitable for classes that use crossbows and bows), 2x Fire Bombs
Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Wolf King's Seal (+3 Power, Intimidation, doesn't take up an item slot)

 Lind Whisperer (Lind Whisperer)
25-year-old Human Black Knight *Steal 50% More Gold*
Level 26.33
Power Bonus: +2
Defense: 17
Health: 42/42
Gold: 1078
Stealth: 0
Equipment: Invader's Armour (SP: 3, wearer is encouraged when their current health is at half or below the wearer's maximum level), Vorpalis Netherwings (SP: 4, the wearer deals double damage to humanoid type enemies and takes half damage from Holy/Light enemies. Backwear, suitable for anyone.),Swift Boots (Changes HIDE into STEAL & HIDE, allowing the wearer to steal gold equal to the target’s level if it carries gold in addition to hidi/ng; suitable to rogues; footwear.), Shield of the Silent Knight (Shield, SP:8, attackers have a 50% chance of being Sealed), Gladius (WP: 16, darkness-elemental greatsword, 1/3 chance of causing Fragile on successful hits), 

Spoiler

Weapons: Darker Ethereal Deck (Playing Cards) (WP:7, throwing weapon), Ethereal Deck (Playing Cards) (WP:7, throwing weapon), Wind Spitter's Deck of Cards (WP:10; wind-elemental; causes triple damage to mobs; suitable to Lind only; throwing weapon). Star-Breaker (WP: 5, darkness-elemental halberd *1/2 chance of stun*), Steel Knife (WP: 12, throwing weapon), Skull Shield (SP:6; immunity to dark-elemental damage; suitable to Black Knights only; shield.)
Artifacts: Trickster's Mask of the Human (suitable for anyone, changes users appearance into a human of the same gender, accessory), Mugger's Mask (Protects from loss of gold from gold stealing enemies, headwear.), Akrone Fez (Artifact; SP: 1, Max. Health: +1, Headwear, suitable for anyone), Plasma Shield (SP: 3, user absorbs electric attacks), Immortal Palms (+7 power; all battle start with one round of Electric weather. Handwear.), Rosier's Thistle (WP 25, When poisoned ignores Poison Immunities, Long Sword)
Spell Items: Scroll of Frailty, Ruby
Consumables: x5 Potions, Bone, Last Wish Powder, Military Grade Firebomb x2, Grand Potion, Greater Potion, Remedy x7, Deadly Venom, Venom
Tools & Treasure: Bedroll, Shovel, Newspaper with Picture of Lupine, Alfendi's Cape, Alfendi Lupine's Blank Calling Cards, Map of Olegia, Arena Pass x2, Crescent Seal (+2 Power, +1 Free item usage during the first round of battle)

 Petaldan Parfenius (Played by Palathadric)
5-year-old male "wonder" Paladin *Immune to Darkness*
Level 18.5
Power Bonus: 0
Defense: 33
Health: 40/40
Ether: 17/18
Stealth: 0
Gold: 863
Equipment: Armour of Dark Arts (SP: 10; Takes up: Bodywear, Handwear, Footwear slots; counts as one artifact; Suitable to Knights, Dragoons, and Skirmishers), Cloak of Innocence (SP: 3; grants the wearer immunity to Darkness, if the health of the wearer is below 50% the wearer is also *Blessed*; Backwear; Suitable for Petaldan only), Slimy Sword (WP:25, can be split into several weaker Slimy Swords or combined with other Slimy Swords to increase WP and split apart again at any time, Longsword), Mythril Shield (SP: 20 Shield)
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons:  Brine Blade (WP: 5, 1/6 chance to trigger a Flood (see Weather Mage) when dealing damage, Longsword), Renegade’s Crook (WP: 10, successful healing also poisons the target’s weapon by 3, staff), Shield (SP: 5; Shield), Mace (WP: 6, mace)
Artifacts: Really Hard Helmet (SP: 2, Immunity to Rock), Paladin's Armour (SP:4, Ether +2; suitable to Knights, Clerics, Paladins; Bodywear),Gloves of the Boy Wonder (SP:2; immunity to *Stunned*, *Bound*, and *Petrified*; suitable to Petaldan only; handwear), 
Spell Items: Emerald, Topaz, Scroll of Tongues (Grants the user the Glossolalia Job Trait. Each casting lasts for a limited amount of time and costs 10 ether)
Consumables: Potion x 2, Grand Potion x 2, Remedy x 2, Phoenix Essence, Tiger Balm, Smoke Bomb x4, Health Core, Mead, Phoenix Incense, Pickled Mushroom, Tonic, Bones x2, Fire Bombs x2, Level Up Shroom x5
Tools: Bedroll, Etherium Ore (may applied to one weapon to allow it to deal the Sealed-effect permanently), Letter of Recommendation (Increases reputation with one of the seven main factions depending on the user's choice.)

 The Demon Germ (samurai-turtle) 
??? years old ; Half Demon; Male Black Knight  
Level 25 *Immune to Slowed & Hastened * *Steal 50% More Gold*
Power Bonus: +4
Defense: 21
Health: 44/44
Stealth: +3
Gold: 1041
Equipment: , Spesialian Helmet (SP:2, SP:4 if wearer’s Star Elf, Health +2, Power +2, Suitable for anyone; headwear), Greaves (SP:2, immunity to Slowed and Hastened; footwear), Dastan Armor (SP: 4; Immune to Darkness/Amethyst Diamond/Light Garnet/Earth & Ruby/Fire; +2 SP for all other Dastan Equipment; Suitable for Knights, Regulators, Winged Warriors, Dragoons, and Vindicators; bodywear), Crested Shield (SP: 13; shield), Flying Talon "of the Salamander" (WP:10; Ruby/Fire-elemental;  Steals one drop at Random from Enemy; whip)
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons: "Sporing" Brilliant Dagger (WP: 10; Emerald/Wood-elemental; 1/3 chance to Blind; dagger), Sword-Fish (WP:8; WP double if target has been attacked by Spear-Fish or Fail-Fish; longsword), Kobold Sharp Wings (WP:9; Deals Bleeding 1, poisoned 1; throwing weapon), Kobold Sharp Wings (WP:9; Deals Bleeding 1, poisoned 1; throwing weapon), Fellcrest Hand Axe (WP: 8; deals bleeding 5 on successful hits, poisoned 1; throwing weapon),, Obsidian Scimitar (WP:20; Amethyst/Darkness-elemental; longsword), Dwarven Portable Catapult (WP:10; Double Damage to Enemies Visibly Larger than the User; Throwing Weapon), Rosier's Thorn (WP = Poisoned, Dagger)
Shields: Winter Shield (SP:10; absorb Ice but takes double damage from Fire; shield), 
Artifacts: Demon Wings (Take to the Skies deals Darkness-elemental damage and Hexed instead of Wind-elemental damage and Stunned; backwear; suitable to The Demon Germ only), Snake Eye Charm (Protects from Petrified-effect; accessory), Blessed Amulet (Protects from Cursed-effect; accessory), Sterile Gloves (Protects from Poisoned- and Bleeding- effects; handwear), ,  
Consumables: Bone (x6), Deadly Venom (x6), Remedy (x15), Potion (x2), Grand Potion (x15), Nostrum (x3), Fire Bomb (x9), Faerie Dust (Allows the user to change their age, size, and gender for a short period of time. +1 Stealth) (x2), Holy Bomb (x4), Smelling Salts, Venom, Level-up shroom
Tools: Crescent Seal (+2 Power, +1 free item usage during first round of battle), Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Candles (x3), Telescope, Magic Compass

 Throlar Wineghilm (Lord Duvors)
137 year old male Dwarven Paladin  *Permanently Nimble* *Immune to Ice*
Level 22.67
Power Bonus: 0
Defense: 21
Health: 51/51
Ether: 5/22
Stealth: +1
Gold: 790
Equipped: Greaves of the Wolf (SP: 5, Wearer is Nimble; footwear),  Rotting Rod (WP: 15, 1/3 chance to Hex Undead, staff), Weathered Shield (SP: 16, Ice elemental), Lens of Speed Reading (allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action; Accessory; Suitable for scroll users)
Inventory:

Spoiler

Weapons: Miracle Lance (A white spear crafted in the likeness of an ancient dragon: WP: 10, doubled against Ancient enemies, lance), Sundering Longsword (WP: 10, 1/3 chance to deal fragile; longsword), Spring Staff (WP: 12, healing someone else through this staff also heals the user by the same amount, water elemental staff), Unicorn's Horn (WP: 10, Ice and Darkness elemental, healing becomes nurturing, removing negative effects as well as restoring health; staff), Shredding Star (WP: 13; removes all temporary effects from the target; Mace), Splinter Broom (WP: 10; 1/2 chance to deal *Stunned*; defies SP; Broomstick), Greatsword/Longsword)
Shields: Elven Shield (SP: 5, all elves in the party gain the same amount of SP as long as the wielder is standing)
Artifacts:  Mage's Muffler (Protects from sealed; accessory), Sandman's Parasol (Protects from asleep and fast asleep; accessory), Lethauros Crushers (While equipped, the wearer does double damage to Rock and Flying type enemies, suitable for anyone; footwear),   Robes of the Kappa Master (+20 health, wearer is slowed; bodywear), Amulet of Elven Loyalty (Wearer can use anything suitable for elves and is considered a friend by all elves; the wearer also becomes encouraged if there are elves in the party; suitable to Throlar only; accessory), Sylvania's Cowl (Permits Animal Talk, Headwear)
Spell Items: Scroll of *Sealing*, Scroll of *Blindness*, Scroll of *Confusion*, Scroll of *Sleep*,Scroll of *Weakening*, Scroll of Arc *Sleep*, Scroll of Elemental Aura (Enables the user to cause the target's attacks deal only elemental damage corresponding to a gem available to the user for the duration of one battle. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 5 ether), Scroll of *Minimizing* (Has 1/2 chance of causing the *Minimizing*-effect on the target; costs 10 ether.)
Consumables: x2 Potion, Grand Potion, x6 Remedy, Elixir, x2 Bone, Floral Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Sleep Bomb, Seal Bomb, Blind Bomb, Confuse Bomb, x3 Smoke Bomb, Phoenix Incense, Phoenix Essence, 2x Water Bombs, 4x Fire Bombs, 3 Level Up Shroom
Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass.

 

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Epilogues

A few weeks after the "Rosier Incident" we find Germ near the Fields of Glory with some new unusual friends...

Are you sure those upgrades I installed are working correctly?

In a mono tone voice.

/// All systems are at optimal performance levels. ///

As it's glowing eyes swish back and forth. It makes a sudden arm movement pointing in a direction with noise coming from some "bushes". At the same time mechanical noises can be heard coming from the "thing" as if it is arming a hand-cannon.

/// Potential hostile detected, high power levels detected. ///

Hold up a second 8654309. It seems familiar...

A blue furry creature comes out of the "bushes" talking what seems like multiple languagrs at once.

Armskutie dalick mofit. Germ? Their you are, I thought I smelled you. Deckimod virmtsk areklmes.

Grand, you know I don't understand half of those languages you speak in. And why didn't respond to any of the Z-Mail sent you? I figured pink notes puffing out thin air would get anyone's attention.

Esqimkuk ??? I thought they were bad tasting cookies. Masxrtino nmtinds rjuqdz, Part of me can't help it, besides I think it confused people talking like this, Reskindy baspocte.

/// I understand it perfectly. Are we continuing to the Fields of Glory or the Sands of Time, Supreme one? ///

(Guess that is one of the benefits of being a machine.) Fields of Glory, we need the practice, and now to catch everyone up (or Grand). I have been contacted be the Misers (or spirits of nature if you will). In an attempted to contact everyone I got roped up in some dumb political coup, with a demon involved no less. At this point I still haven't heard back from the Misers, maybe they ate the Z-Mail too. At this point Germ looked at Grand with a "really" look. The best I can tell the Misers seems to be a place called the Sands of Time.

At this point Grand interrupts Germ.

Arskuta smetfeict, how do you figure they are there?

Germ takes out a map he got from some where and a Magic Compass.

With this stuff, the Compass has this ability to find things you are looking for, but the Compass does has its limits. Not to mention I put some upgrades in 8654309 here. Are you sure we can find more of your kind, 8654309?

As Germ put the map and Magic Compass away.

/// Affirmative, my communication range has been improved. If any more of my type is in range we can find them. ///

As the party moves closer towards the Fields of Glory entrance...

Grand, where was it? That we fought that big machine, that was hunting you down. Was it over there? Germ points in a direction away from the Fields of Glory.

Nicqhdif. At this point Grand looks around and points in a different direction. It was over that way. Indypbst esibdyam, where did you find "him"?

8654309, when I stuck underground, after I fought a mimic. The thing seemed to like me so I gave it a bunch items to hold on to (or sell off). But I digress, when I found 8654309 was trying  to map the underground. I was surprised that I found a similar model that I made. "He" was damaged and I fixed "him" up, made it slightly better if I say so myself.

When the party finally gets to the entrance to the Fields of Glory. Germ was able to convince the "Old Farmer" to let the party in. Basically telling him that it could be a long time before anyone else from Heroica would be even able to show up. And with his constant monster problem it would be wise to let his party come in and have a go a the Fields...Eventually the party moves on from Fields of Glory to find the Misers.

 

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Elsewhere in Eubric…

For much of Dyric Rone’s life, Duplovia had been home. Of course, ‘home’ means plenty of different things for plenty of different people. A building, land, a society, a family. That had all been taken away from Rone. It was systematic. It was effective. The young Duplovian was forced out, thrown into the wilds of the Kingdoms with nothing to call his own save for the clothes on his back. He was able to scrounge up enough supplies to cross the Crystalline, finding himself in the legendary Eubric Freeport.

Following the footsteps of the Miracleworker, Rone found himself on the doorstep of Heroica. It was there where he’d found a place to belong. Heroica took in the vengeful kid and gave him a renewed purpose, a direction. Through time it became a society he could live for. Eubric became a land he could fight for. The motley crew of men and women he grew to knew become friends – some even family – that he would die for. With every war, every conflict, the port grew to be Dyric Rone’s home in every way but one.

In his seven years in Eubric, Dyric had never bought a house.

Sure, there had always been better things to do. People to fight, villages to save. So, he’d sleep in the Hall, in local taverns and inns. Payment was never the issue, he’d always had plenty of coin to spare; it was simply the idea of it all, of settling down for once, staking his claim somewhere. He couldn’t lie to himself anymore – his claim had already been staked. More blood and tears has been spilt over Eubric in the past few years than an entire childhood within the old walls. Seeing his old hero, his idol, in the flesh suddenly made it all connect for Rone. His past was fulfilled. He had outgrown his dreams, and it was time to live in the new reality.

One by one he took old tools and trinkets out of his pack and found places for them in the loft. Most of it was equipment he couldn’t even remember collecting. Demon Repellent? At least his weaponry was mostly sorted. He pulled one more bow out of the bag, an old Mockthrill weapon. Rone very well knew where this one came from. Weary arms placed it on a hook beside a bow of briar wood he had long-since named ‘Requiem.’ ‘The Last Song of Hans,’ he had said. Rone had promised to fight on the lost Regulator’s behalf, to make his death – his legacy mean something. It was time to make that sort of promise again. If he was going to help lead the new Heroica, he couldn’t afford to lose the old one.

“Sorrow,” the assassin whispered over the bow. It was as fitting a name as any.

Rone cleared a couple more knickknacks and settled for the day. His office was finally unpacked. He stepped over to a tall window behind his desk, gazing into the city beyond. The old lucky die bounced back and forth in his fingers. Somedays he wondered if it was really as lucky as everyone told him. Yet, he had come this far, and there were better men than him who hadn’t. That had to count for something, one way or another. He wasn’t content simply to remember those who had gone before him. The Founders, the Veterans, the mentors and friends who had left in his wake - they had all believed in a cause, in a Heroica who would serve when heroism was needed. They left behind a world that was richer, people who were wiser, and a city that was safer. The time for philosophizing and debate was gone. It was a time for action.

Dyric Rone looked out at the fading light resting over Eubric Freeport. His city. His home. And, with time and a fair amount of hope – his legacy.

 

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A few months later…

The sky was darkening, the horizon fading, just how he left it.  Small flakes of snow lazily drifted through the air, every once in a while swirling in loose circles as a gentle winter breeze meandered through the twilight sky.  The snow couldn't accumulate on the dragon, melting before it even touched her scales. Instead, the wetness shimmered, and beadlettes of gathered water launched into the air with every wing beat.  The mammoth-sized dragon flew closer and closer to the city, its windows a-glow and smoke gently and steadily streaming from the chimneys.

 

"There," the rider said.

The dragon slowly and silently descended, landing in a cobble-stoned plaza.  The occupants and passers-by hardly gave any indication of noticing the newly arrived, save for a curious stare here-and-there.  The rider slid off the dragon, a little faster than intended because of the melted-snow covered scales, but landed steadily and solidly.  He was well dressed, but not finely, with well made but not overly ornate clothing. A fur mantle secured with a brooch-insignia and leathery-skin cape covered his shoulders as he pulled back his hood.  He reached his hand up which was taken by a much more delicate one. The maiden, assisted by the rider, dismounted the dragon gracefully. She also pulled back her fur-lined hood and looked around.

"So this is your Eubric?"

"Indeed it is my love."

"Heads-up down there," called out another man looking over the side from atop the dragon.

He held a chest and cautiously handed it down to the rider.  He then slid down the dragon, just as fast as the rider. He was a able-bodied looking man, a few years or so older than the rider.  He wore a bear skin cloak, also clasped with a brooch-insignia. The rider set the chest down on the cobblestones. He opened the chest and bent down to inspect the contents.  The maiden drew closer, a soft light emanating from the perfectly cut diamond in her hand, illuminating the contents of the chest as the man looked over the rider's shoulder.

"Looks like they all made it in one piece," he said of the jewel-like, large multi-colored eggs.

At that moment, another dragon touched-down, this one the size of a large wolf with light wings and a long, kite-like tail.  She also inspected the eggs.

"A good omen," she said, looking the rider in the eyes, the eyes of the man who freed her in what seemed a lifetime ago.

The rider smiled and gently closed the chest.  The man moved over and picked the chest up. The rider stood up and moved towards the large dragon and stroked her face.  He cupped the very tip of her chin, one of the few spots on her jaw that was free of spikes and tusks.

"Fly about and through the cavern.  We will meet you there shortly."

The large dragon lifted off, lazily, and flew away.  The rider watched her for a bit and turned to the maiden, the man, and the wolf-sized dragon.  He slung a familiar pack onto his back and smiled.

"Come along, we've got much work ahead of us."
 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Below Eubric…


“Are we just abou there?”


“Not too much further. As minister over all these sewers and tunnels, you give us a few months and we’ll have a right freeway goin’ down here.”


“Well that’ll certainly make it easier… I think I see it up ahead there.”


“Looks like it, giant doors sittin’ in the middle of a huge cavern. Hard to miss. You know how to open them?”


“I believe so. Here stand back.”

The Fae One begins to utter an ancient incantation as the giant doors within the Rosier’s cavern start to open. The sound of large crowds begin to fill the cave as light from another world brightens the room. City smells and the ever bustling of activity from a myriad of people, creatures, and life-forms never before seen are laid witness as the barrier between worlds is finally broken…

 

 

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Across the void...

 

Torald’s eyes tried adjusting to the utter darkness surrounding him. The voice of the Pandemonicon still echoed in his mind.


“You fool, there is no end now... Prepare for oblivion.”

As a sense of existential dread starts to grip the barbarian, a soft glowing light permeates the darkness and a gentle voice reaches out through the nothingness. A form begins to materialize in the distance growing nearer and nearer.

“Well, I can’t say I was expecting any visitors, but it appears someone got my message.”

Byblos smiled at Torald, helping him to his feet.

“Do not worry or be frightened. I am Byblos and there is much to explain and so much to show you. There’s a lot of universe out there, but you have the look of a hero about you, I hope you’re ready for an adventure.”

QM Note: Thanks again folks for all your time and patience, not only in this quest but throughout this entire game. I’ve got so much to say later on in the QM Lounge, but I want to make sure I thank Sandy for making all of this possible along with every single QM and player. You guys are one of the best communities I’ve ever had the privilege of interacting with. If there are any other epilogues to add, please feel free to post them here. Otherwise feel free to continue any in character discussions in the Hall Thread. 

[Kintobor]

-Spring-

Karie found herself at a place she seemed to find herself at more often than one would like to admit. The spring air breeze blew lazily amongst the flowers she had planted a month prior around the tombstone. In all aspects it was a beautiful day: white, puffy clouds lazily drifted in the sky as the sound of birds chirping seemed to be the only thing wanting to be heard in the cemetery. She looked at the engraving denoting who had been buried there time and time again. She felt a sobering, somber sense of remorse slowly wash over her.

"I thought I'd find you here, Veteran. It feels like it's been centuries since I saw you last." A familiar voice spoke up from behind her. Karie turned around, startled not from the intrusion, although she had seemingly lost focus, but from who she recognized was approaching. Her step sister, Amelia, made her way through the other headstones and markers, adorned in one of her familiar blue outfits. Her hair was tied back, looking much more mature than the last time Karie saw her. 

"Your husband told me I could find you here, Karie." Karie hadn't seen her sister, Amelia, in months, years maybe, even though they had been responding through letters and the occasional parcel at Grogmas. Karie hugged her stepsister as she approached, happy to see an unexpected but not unwelcome guest. 

"Hey, uh... sis." Karie let go, noticing that her sibling in law had brought with her a small bouquet of spring flowers. Karie wiped away a few tears. "Thanks for the gesture. I appreciate it." Amelia knelt down to place the flowers in front of the tombstone, clasping her hands as she rose. "Mind telling me what you're doing in Eubric?" Karie asked. Amelia sighed, looking displeased.

"Father's looking into the merger. He's not impressed. He's never impressed when the Shadeux actually meddle with his own shipping and furniture business." Amelia laughed. Karie chuckled to herself, shaking her head. "Well, that and he's here to see you, Karie. When he heard that you'd been nominated as a Veteran he nearly fell out of his wheelchair. He's done little but talk about you since we arrived in the city."

"Maxwell's in wheelchair now?" Karie asked worryingly. Amelia nods.

"He started using it about two months ago. He started having trouble getting around. I know it bothers him deeply, but there's little we can do. He used to walk the workshop and make furniture when he could, giving it out to the poor. He can't anymore." Amelia looked the tombstone over as Karie's gaze turned it's attention back to it. Karie knew what was written in the stone, but for Amelia, this was her first time reading the words to herself. They both stood there for a moment before Karie interrupted the silence.

"I saw her, Amy. She was right in front of me. I hadn't seen her since I was three, but I could tell it was her." Amelia looked at her sister with concern, but let her continue. "I had so much I wanted to tell Kayla about: my adventures, my family, how much I missed her... and then she was gone. The dream ended. And I haven't been able to get it out of my head." Karie continued to look at the tombstone as she spoke. "She told me she'd never leave me again. And then the dream collapsed." Karie looked at her feet. She had talked to her husband about it, but doing so didn't seem to help her. She still found herself coming her at least once a week and reminiscing memories she didn't have at Kayla's grave, the grave she paid to have erected and her sister's remains moved to. She didn't want her to be forgotten in the Hanging Gardens. "I don't know, I've just thought for so long that I'd never see her again and then she appeared in front of me and now I don't know what to think." Amelia worriedly turns to look at her sister, trying to piece her sister together. She grinned knowingly through her rosy lipstick when she believed she had Karie figured out. She spoke to her sister-in-law calmly, knowing Karie was hurting.

"You met your sister, but you never got to talk to her. You'll never know if she was the woman everyone told you she was."

"Yeah." Karie took a deep breath, trying to hold back the waterworks. Amelia came over to console her sister as she began to cry. The two stood by the grave for some time before Karie was spent, sniffling. "Thanks, Amelia. Thanks for being here. I appreciate it." Amelia smiles.

"We're sisters, Karie. It's what I'm here for." The two linger around Kayla's grave for a few more moments before the two begin to leave. Karie knelt down and placed her Heirloom Dagger next to the grave, silently thanking her sister for giving it to her. 

"So, what's it like being a Veteran, to have people looking up to you?"

"Better than one would imagine. I've already had people confront me, asking for my hand in marriage. I'm in full "Veteran Karie" attire when this happens, too: white face paint, guitar strapped to my back, decked in swords. I leave them all disappointed." Amelia and Karie laugh together.

"Oh, lord. By the way, Karie, I forgot to mention something to you." Amelia flashes a gold ring towards Karie. The Veteran looked at it, happily surprised.

"You're engaged?!"

"I don't think you'd like him, he's far too provincial for your liking." Amelia laughed, ribbing her sister. "Richter came with us for the trip, too. He's currently with father at your place."

"You just dropped dad and your fiancée at my place with Masson- no, wait, you're marrying one of the Belmont boys?!"

Amelia continued to laugh as Karie continued to prod her sister Amelia for questions about her fiancée. She quickly joined in her sister's mirthful attitude as the two made their way out of the cemetery. Karie finally felt a sense of resolve in her that she hadn't felt in some time. She would work to build this city up, to make it a place for everyone: a city capable of giving a second chance. She knew that although she'd probably never see her sister, Kayla, ever again, her sister's vision for a brighter, more prosperous city would come true. Karie would see to it.

[Waterbrick Down]

PM Side Quests:

Torald's Conversations with the Pandemonicon
 

On 2/19/2018 at 4:16 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

Torald comes to in a black void...

 

 

Seconds pass...

 

 

Hours pass...

 

 

It becomes impossible for Torald to determine how long he had been there. A voice permeates throughout the inky darkness. "Potential"

On 2/20/2018 at 1:45 AM, Alfadas said:

Lesson learned, don't pick up strange books . 

 

Potential... Hmm. 

On 2/20/2018 at 1:17 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Willing?"

On 2/20/2018 at 2:12 PM, Alfadas said:

Who are you? Where am I? What happened? Wait, am I IN that book? Am I willing? Willing to do what? 

On 2/20/2018 at 3:59 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Observe... Channel... Conquer. "

On 2/21/2018 at 1:50 AM, Alfadas said:

Observe what? This inky black abyss? And what do I channel? I'd like to conquer, yes, but I want answers too! Hello? Do you even hear me or do you just say random words? Torald was very confused. 

On 2/21/2018 at 9:59 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Questions... Impatient... Reward.”

Torald feels his skin begin to burn, but then the feeling passes and he suddenly feels more empowered, healthier, and somehow even more connected to the ether. (+10 HP, SP, Power Bonus, Ether)

”More... Return... Agreement?"

On 2/21/2018 at 10:42 AM, Alfadas said:

What did you do? Feels good though. So, if I want more I touch the book again? Hmm. Why do I have a feeling this isn't free. No use in asking you, whoever you are. Torald thinks for a moment. Agreed, I guess. 

On 2/21/2018 at 3:40 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Excellent... Secrecy"

Torald feels himself pulling free from the darkness as a bright light dawns upon his vision. With a gasp he is returned to consciousness.

 Torald Waruelf, Matchmaker (Alfadas)
21 year old male human Battle Mage
Level 16
Power Bonus: +10
Defense: 25
Health: 40/40
Ether: 27/27
Gold: 236
Abilities: Pact of the Tome (Torald may spend his action for a 1/6 chance to cause the Doomed effect on a Humanoid enemy or the Hexed effect on a Demon enemy).
Equipment: Torangu's Trident (WP: 20, SP: 5, cannot be used with Shield, Trident), Pandemonicon (+10 Power Bonus, HP, SP, Ether, Grants Pact of the Tome ability, accessory, Level 1, cannot be unequipped), Mythril Mail (SP:10; suitable to knights and barbarians only; bodywear),
Inventory:

  Reveal hidden contents

Weapons - Broken Spear (WP: 3; Causes Bleeding and Poisoned by 2 every other round used), Sludge Glaive (WP:8, pierces defense and causes either fragile or weakened; halberd), Whispering Greatsword (WP: 10, 1/3 Chance to Seal), Keen Axe (WP 15, Ignores SP)
Artifacts - Boots of Drunken Boxing (Power +2; if wearer is encouraged: power +8. Footwear. Suitable for Torald only), Pongcanis Shield (SP: 7; Shield),  Crocodile Belt (Max. Health +2; accessory), Fighting Boots (Power +5 on the front row; footwear.), Pugilist's Gloves, Heavy Armour (SP:5, protects from fragile-effect, suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers, regulators and vindicators; bodywear.),
Consumables - 4 Potions, 8 Mead, 3 Venom, 3 Grand Tonics, Feather of White, Smoke Bomb, Bright Polish, Phoenix Essence, Small Shroom
Tools - Shovel, Pickaxe, Crescent Seal  (+2 Power, +1 Free item usage during the first round of battle)
Gems - 2x Emerald (wood), Topaz (lightning), Aquamarine (water), Garnet (earth)

QM Note: The Pandemonicon is now a permanent accessory for Torald. Throughout the rest of the quest, it will speak to you, guide you, make requests of you. If you assist it, it's accessory level will go up, granting you more bonuses and abilities.

On 2/22/2018 at 1:45 AM, Alfadas said:

Secrecy. I got it. 

 

Pretty cool this. Would be cool to see the Pandemonicon try to corrupt Torald, as he isn't the smartest tool in the shed. Not too much, not like now kill everyone, but just a bit. 

On 3/4/2018 at 11:24 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

Torald hears the familiar voice in his head.

"Hound... Spotted... Captive... Free... Careful..."

Torald notes a bejeweled collar around the dalmatian's neck.

On 3/8/2018 at 2:56 AM, Alfadas said:

The dog wants to be free? Maybe if we take the collar off? Torald thinks aloud. 

On 3/8/2018 at 1:05 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

“Release... imprisoned...”

On 3/11/2018 at 11:49 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

As Torald releases the hound, the familiar voice echos in his mind.

"Good... Reward..."

The book seems to have increased in power!

Pandemonicon (+11 Power Bonus, HP, SP, Ether, Grants Pact of the Tome ability, accessory, Level 2, cannot be unequipped), 

On 3/12/2018 at 3:52 AM, Alfadas said:

Let's hope I did the right thing, Torald wonders. 

On 3/12/2018 at 7:00 AM, Alfadas said:

This is going to answer nothing, but here goes anyway: Pandemonicon, any clues to where the Oracle might be or what these weird plant things are? 

On 3/12/2018 at 10:43 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Buried..."

On 3/12/2018 at 11:40 AM, Alfadas said:

Uh, what now? The oracle is buried? That ain't good...

On 3/12/2018 at 11:53 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Taken... Deep..."

On 4/3/2018 at 3:29 PM, Alfadas said:

Torald asks the Pandemonicon: Can you help us win this fight? Just this once, use your powers on this woman. 

On 4/3/2018 at 3:53 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Hungry... Soul... Feed... Choose... Friend..."

On 4/4/2018 at 2:59 AM, Alfadas said:

Okay then. Nevermind. I'm sorry I bothered you. For now, NO feeding on my friends. 

On 4/16/2018 at 11:45 AM, Alfadas said:

Torald sees the other are kinda stuck on the door. Pandemonicon, how to open this door? He asks as he points to the Gentleman door. 

On 4/17/2018 at 10:44 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Act... Gentlemanly..."

On 4/17/2018 at 2:53 PM, Alfadas said:

Obviously... Thanks. 

On 4/30/2018 at 11:35 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

The book echos in Toralds mind.

"Kill... Destroy..."

On 5/1/2018 at 11:42 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Must... Strike... Now... Reward"

On 5/2/2018 at 9:34 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Disappointment..."

On 6/20/2018 at 2:17 AM, Alfadas said:

Sorry to disappoint you, book, but I have another request. No, I'm not going to sacrifice one of my friends. I am just curious if you perchance know the solution of this energy sphere. 

On 6/20/2018 at 12:51 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Solution... simple... dots... repeating... letters..."

On 7/10/2018 at 3:18 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Careful... jealous... won't understand...."

On 10/21/2018 at 2:04 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

A familiar voice silent after awhile speaks out in Torald's mind.

"Door... open... banish..."

On 10/23/2018 at 7:40 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

"You... pure?"

On 10/23/2018 at 7:52 AM, Alfadas said:

I think so? I only killed those deserving, threatening my friends. I helped countless people. Even helped some people find true love. Other than that, I'm not sure. Sure, I took rewards from the people I helped but only because they offered. Rude not to, right? But can you help destroy or capture this foul demon? I think that is more important then questioning my mental state. Countless lives depend on it. But if you don't think I'm pure, maybe Petaldan could be of use? He is but a child, pure and innocent as can be. Don't hurt him though...

On 10/23/2018 at 12:01 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

The voice coalesces into a steady stream of thought, foreign yet powerful. 

"I can banish her from this realm never to return, however I seek what is beyond that door. If I do this, you and I must go through it."

On 10/23/2018 at 3:48 PM, Alfadas said:

Will I be able to return to this realm? If not, I'd like to say goodbye to my friends first. But if it means we rid this realm of this Demon, so be it. 

On 10/23/2018 at 4:08 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

The voice pauses and takes on a softer tone, yet still serious, "Perhaps we will return at some point... complete your business in this realm first, say your farewells, set your house in order, afterwards we will depart."
 

 

Dyric's Side Quest from here

On 5/12/2018 at 3:12 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

QM Note: I don't have anything in mind.

Dyric heads off, four of the guards following behind.


"I was just fine, keeping an eye on those lion knights. At least they're civil and don't go ambushing folks like those Heroica types."

On 5/12/2018 at 3:24 PM, The Legonater said:

Well now CMP pulled the same move, but whatever 

Tell me about it. The past few days have been a right mess. 

Dyric uncorks a Smelling Salt, and begins to drink it. 

Say, have you folks tried this stuff? It's real good. Speaking of, I don't think I got names from any of you?

On 5/13/2018 at 3:00 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

The group seemed like an inexperienced lot for the most part, but they carried themselves with confidence.


"Can't say I have, those things tend to be expensive. Corporal Boral."


"Private Coral, Boral's sister. Don't worry Mister," The private addressed Dyric, "I'm sure Ennoc will be with us."


"Grash. Grash have dealings with heroes before, heroes must be filled with madness."


"Constable Timothee, do you really think we'll run into any of those heroes?"

On 5/13/2018 at 4:01 PM, The Legonater said:

'Run into,' heh. Dyric now pulls out a mead, drinking that as well. This stuff's also really good, by the way. 

He pauses, stopping in front of the young group. 

'Grash,' hey? I fought with a Gnash once, a long time ago. He was a good kid, good head on his shoulders. He died in my service, honourably. For now, I'd like to avoid you all having a similar fate. No one needs to die today.

Rone hesitates again, now turning to face the four.

I suppose I should give my name, too. I am Dyric Rone, son of Cyric Rone, Prefect of Duplovia. If you’re thinking ‘gee, that name sure sounds familiar,’ well, it’s because it should. It’s because that name is emblazoned on every single one of those handouts the new ‘Council’ has been delivering. It’s because all those years ago, some young punk crossing the Crystalline told himself ‘when I grow up, I want to be a hero.’ So, grow up he did. He fought armies in Haddon, armies in Baltarok, armies in R’klin, armies in Ovalen... I’ve bested Lord Shadeux, beheaded the warlord Vonnetate, slew giants in Duplovia, defeated the attempted-goddess Lady Wren, fought Admiral Melville and his Undead Kjorfalneire; I’ve marched into the horrors of the astral realm and survived and I don’t intend to stop surviving here. I have been Assassin of the Light, Royal Retainer of the Banished, Orc-kin, hero of Heroica. I’ve fought poachers more intimidating than you.

That is to say, you should run. I don’t want to kill you, I don’t even want to fight you. You all seem like fine men, simply following orders. But the choice is yours. Continue moving east. Run back to base. Remember the time Dyric Rone spared you. Because if you do fight me, I will win. And I’d much rather let you go.

You want one more push? The Doomsayer is dead. I know because I helped kill him. And for the record, he was a fake, you're being duped. Rone swirls the remnants of the fearie potion. Go tell that to your superiors. Just so long as you go. Gnash fought by my side and I considered him a friend; if you were to chose the same I would not deny you, but much like Wren, this will be a far bigger fight than you folks will be able to withstand. Return to your homes, be with your families. There's no telling how this will go. Just be safe. 

On 5/15/2018 at 12:44 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

The group of guards stand stunned at Dyric's reveal.

"Gnash my brother. Gnash would be disappointed at what Dyric Rone become. Grash cannot believe Gnash would be deceived. Gnash will fight deceiver, Gnash not afraid of fancy titles and many words."


"Now just hold up Grash, let's not let things get out of hand here."


"No Gnash is right, I don't know what kind of Pixie Dust this joke has been huffing, but it's addled his brain. Coral, you're with me right?"


"Boral, I... what if it is a lie? What if it really is too good to be true?"


"Really? For years you have been praying to Ennoc that he would send salvation to this city and when it finally arrives you're the one who doubts it?"


"No, I just... I just..."


"Grash not like Dyric Rone's attitude anyways, Grash will not be intimidated." Grash levels his spear at Dyric, "If you real hero, why you use lies and deception talk?"

On 5/15/2018 at 3:36 AM, The Legonater said:

Rone now drinks a remedy, washing away the facade.

There was a time I thought heroics were so black and white. Experience told me otherwise. I lied to you because I wanted to save lies. I lied to your commander so that we could free the wrongfully imprisoned Lion Knights and stop the false Founders. I lied to him so that we wouldn't come to blows, and be forced to fight you. But now I'm telling you the truth, for the same reason. A real hero makes risks for the good. Gnash knew that. He fought for what he believed, and he fought for Eubric, even when he was vastly over his head. He died for that belief, but it saved the city. If you haven't yet heard that, Grash, you deserve to. Your brother died a hero, a true hero. 

These Founders are not true heroes. They lie and deceive, not to help the city, but to tear it down. They've all but destroyed the houses, They've cast out the people trying to do this city good. And now they sit, accumulating power. I don't know what their end goal is, but I can tell you Eubric's safety is not in their intentions. So I will fight them, and I will gather whatever forces are necessary to do it, because it is the right thing to do. A clean slate is needed, to be sure. There are heroes that have done wrong. At times I was one of them. But today we are trying to correct our mistakes, to make Heroica a hall of genuine heroes once more. 

And Coral, I too have prayed for Eubric's salvation. I fought for years to find some shred of unity in this city, in the houses. In the end, it turns out we are all simply people. The best we can do is to be the best we can be, and hope to set an example for those down the road. That's how Heroica will be reformed, through genuine examples, not these swaths of upheaval these fakers have instituted. Duplovia was not built in a day, and Eubric will not change overnight. It will be a slow, gradual renewal, sparked by those who believe in the people. Sparked by those like you and me. 

Looking in sympathy at the four, Rone offered his open hands. 

Resist me, if you must. If you cannot reconcile your convictions or duties with my words, I understand. But know that I have no desire to fight you. Every action I have taken has been for your safety, and the city's safety. You say Gnash would be disappointed in me, Grash, but I am simply following in his footsteps. Protecting Eubric, protecting you, at whatever the cost. 

Do what you will. 

On 5/17/2018 at 12:33 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

Grash stares at Rone for a few moments.


"You should fight more and talk less Dyric Rone, it's liable to get you killed one of these days." The orc stows his weapon.


"That's it? You're just going to buy his filth of lies?"


"Grash not know what to think right now. Too many things confusing Grash, Grash at least know Dyric Rone not deserve to die right now."


"worst case if he's lying, he will not last long against the Founders. If he's telling the truth, who are we to try and stop him?"


"Ennoc alone knows the truth of the matter and it will come out eventually. If the Founders be shams, sooner or later something will slip." Coral sheathes are sword, "You're free to go my Rone, we won't stand in your way. I can't say there won't be others who won't be dissuaded by your arguments, but I can assure you we won't be counted among them."


"Seriously Coral? Timothee? Grash?... Fine, just... try and not kill anyone OK? There's a lot of men out there a lot more indoctrinated then us."

The guards step aside allowing Dyric to leave as he pleases.

On 5/17/2018 at 1:05 AM, The Legonater said:

Rone considers, smiling to himself.

That... sounds about right. You have my thanks, soldiers. Watch yourselves in the coming battle. 

The assassin walks back to the Embassy.

On 5/18/2018 at 1:09 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

As Dyric returns to the embassy he can see Torc watching over the remaining guards stationed out front. Beyond Torc, unnoticed, Dyric spots a dozen more guards rushing towards the embassy, apparently the changing of the guard had brought new reinforcements.

QM Note: You'll be able to join the battle once the others finish up in the embassy.

On 5/19/2018 at 12:37 AM, The Legonater said:

Dyric switches his Cabin Boy Rags and Crystal Shoes for the Shadeaux Cape and Cloak of the Red Assassin. 

So I'm essentially sitting tight for the moment?

 

Boomingham's conversation with Rosier after eating one of her roots here and becoming a quasi-dark druid

On 5/8/2018 at 12:24 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

As Boomingham nods off to sleep he feels the warmness once again brushing against his consciousness. A voice speaks out in his dream, smooth as silk, warm as a summer's breeze, neither too feminine or masculine. Each word cascades into the next like the sweetest of honey, as powerful as poetry.

"SO WILLING, SO SACRIFICIAL, OH WHAT SHALL I DO WITH YOU LOVELY?"

On 5/8/2018 at 6:32 PM, Zepher said:

Boomingham smiles dreamily at the voice. “What I’d like you to do with me is let me have my Oracle and be on my way but I’m guessing that isn’t in the cards. What am I going to do with you? Passion, I’m assuming?”

On 5/8/2018 at 9:22 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"FOR SOME. LUST, DESIRE, I GO BY MANY NAMES. THE DEEP-SEEING ONE WAS QUITE AN OBSTACLE, I NEEDED HER REMOVED.FROM THE PLAYING FIELD. TELL ME HUMAN, WHAT DO YOU LOVE?"

On 5/9/2018 at 2:56 PM, Zepher said:

Hm. That’s a tough one. His knee jerk relationship is to say booze, but that doesn’t seem the appropriate answer. Eubric? Not quite love... protective of it for sure, but not love. Certainly not lust. His Kingdom, his family? Gone, and gone too long. Barty? Also gone. Heroica? Again, maybe something approaching love but certainly not exactly that. 

“I love being a hero,” he proclaims, guessing that’s about as close he can get. It feels good though, and certainty surges.

On 5/11/2018 at 8:15 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"AH A HERO. I COULD USE ONE OF THOSE, PERHAPS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE MY HERO? HEROES LIKE RESCUING THINGS DON'T THEY?"

On 5/12/2018 at 1:10 PM, Zepher said:

“Sure we do. What is it you need rescuing?”

On 5/13/2018 at 3:07 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"I'M WITHERING AWAY, I NEED SUSTENANCE. A STRONG AND CAPABLE MAN LIKE YOU, SO DARING, SO BOLD, SO ALLURING. SURELY YOU COULD FIND WHERE ALL OF MY LITTLE FRIENDS HAVE FLOWN AWAY?"

On 5/13/2018 at 10:46 PM, Zepher said:

The dead faeries... "The thing about Heroica is that we're heroes for hire," laughs Boomingham. He finds himself smiling at this Passion again, whatever the Hel she was."I can promise to track down your flying pals given you give me a little something in return. Seems fair, doesn't it? See, said I like being a hero, and that entails saving some folks. Namely, the Oracle. Though, got to ask to, if you're amenable, why it is you're hanging around the low levels of Eubric. We're not exactly known for our winged populace. Did you ask the Founders to help you out on your little quest as well?"

On 5/15/2018 at 12:31 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

"I CARE LITTLE FOR THE CHILDREN OF DREAMS, THEY DO WHAT THEY WISH AND I REMAIN HERE SEARCHING, STRIVING, GRASPING THAT I MIGHT FIND THE DOOR. THAT I MIGHT FIND WHERE THE WINGED ONES HAVE FLED. YOU WOULD CALL YOURSELF A HERO AND YET EXTRACT PAYMENT? NAY, THE SLEEPER SHALL REMAIN IN HER SLUMBER, SHE IS, AS I SHARED A NUISANCE, A NOSY BUSY-BODY. BUT IT MATTERS LITTLE, WILLING OR NOT, I SHALL HAVE YOUR SERVICE. LET US HOPE FOR BOTH OUR SAKES IT IS THE LATTER."

On 5/15/2018 at 2:23 PM, Zepher said:

Remaining jovial, Boomingham can’t help but smirk a little. A challenge has been issued. “Hm, think you’ll be getting my help one way or another? Want to bet on it? How, pray tell, are you a disembodied voice going to exert control over a valiant hero like me? Gotta tell you, lady. I’ve faced down the witch Baba while she was controlling the elite of the city. Don’t know what you can do. Course, did have wax in my ears at the time...”

On 5/17/2018 at 12:45 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

"AH A NAME I HAVE NOT HEARD IN CENTURIES, THE DECREPIT HAG WAS ALWAYS TOO FULL OF... AMBITION. NO MY LOVELY, YOU'VE TASTED OF MY FOOD, YOU'VE LAIN DOWN IN MY BED, NOW ITS TIME I GET WHAT I WANT."

Boomingham can feel his consciousness being relegated to a corner of his mind as if he is an observer in his own body. The vindicator's limbs seem to move on their own, falling under the powerful Hex of the voice.

On 5/26/2018 at 8:38 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

“GOODBYE LITTLE HERO, I’M SURE WE’LL MEET AGAIN SOON.”

 

[Waterbrick Down]

Dyric, Matthias's, and Bellanotte's Side Quest from here

On 6/28/2018 at 12:13 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

Dyric, Matthias, and Bellanotte make their way into Triad park as the compass seems to continue pointing east.

On 6/28/2018 at 12:32 AM, The Legonater said:

I'm assuming you mean west?

Dyric leads the group down the main path past the central fountain, moving towards the north-west corner of the park.

On 6/28/2018 at 11:19 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

QM Note: That I did. 

As Dyric leads the party to the edge of the Park he notes that the trail of the oracle party leads northwest toward Sungold Hill, but the magic compass seems to point straight west into the bay.

As Dyric continues he spots a discarded page of the daily Eubric Herald with the emblazoned headlines:

Traitors of the city to Hang!

On 6/28/2018 at 11:32 PM, The Legonater said:

Well, that doesn't bode well. Matthias, you think they mean us? 

Hmm. They must have doubled back, or curved around at some point. Dyric continues forward, keeping close to the shoreline to avoid the Hall, until he reaches the Harbour area, following the compass. 

On 6/29/2018 at 6:19 AM, StickFig said:

"No, Master Dyric," the gnome replies. "I think they mean Lady Bellanotte's family, and any Heroicans they might have captured. It would mean us if we were in their clutches, but we're not."

Thoughtfully, the gnome adds, "We don't even know who 'they' are yet." He decides to pull out his own Magic Compass and ask it to point at Boomingham.

On 6/29/2018 at 1:32 PM, The Legonater said:

Right. Dyric's gaze falters back to the young woman. He knew a little of what it was like to be hated at youth. No one deserved that sort of vitriol. 

We're going to fix this, he said, to no one in particular. We're going to make this all right again. 

On 6/30/2018 at 1:41 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

The compass seems to be pointing at a sewer grate underneath the western side of the Bascule Bridge.

Matthias notes that his magic compass points in the same direction as the party led by Karie.

Bellanotte can only state at the headlines the article speaking of the upcoming hanging of her father, brother, sister, a Detective Hoples, a paladin Commander Fervent, Corporal Boral, Private Coral, Watchman Grash, Constable Timothee, and were-hound brothers Billian and Trillian.

On 6/30/2018 at 1:47 PM, The Legonater said:

What on...? 

An appalled expression grew on Dyric's face. Many of those were names he knew all too well.

We can't afford to wait. Into the sewer. Let's make this as quick as we can. 

On 6/30/2018 at 2:01 PM, StickFig said:

Matthias follows Rone.

On 6/30/2018 at 7:27 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

Dyric, Matthias, and Bellanotte, begin to cross along the underside of the bridge, keeping to the shadows of the tresses in order to avoid detection. Prying off the sewer grate, the group is met with a moderate current of water running out into the bay. Moving upstream the party is buffeted by waste and refuse from the city. White roots intersperse along the sewer walls until the group comes upon a large breach where roots and water come pouring out. Would the party continue along the sewer or explore the breach?

On 6/30/2018 at 8:41 PM, StickFig said:

Matthias uses his compass to once again point at Boomingham, then Alderflask.

On 6/30/2018 at 11:04 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

Both Boomingham and Karie seem to be in the direction of the breach.

On 6/30/2018 at 11:07 PM, The Legonater said:

You beat me. 

That's curious. Matthias, I can try with this breach, but I don't think I'm qualified for it. Do you think your druidic abilities could tell us anything about these roots? If not, we should press forward, see if we can tell what's up with these parties. 

Can we enter the breach? 

On 7/1/2018 at 1:59 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

QM Note: Yes the breech can be entered.

On 7/1/2018 at 2:09 AM, The Legonater said:

We enter. 

On 7/1/2018 at 6:47 AM, StickFig said:

"Master Dyric, I believe they are the same roots we have encountered several times lately - first in the passage to the Dragon's tomb."

Matthias follows Rone into the breach.

On 7/1/2018 at 2:29 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

As the group pushes forward, the water gets deeper and deeper, the roots more and more entangled. At long last the trio comes up against a wall of entangled roots, on the other side muffled voices can be heard.

 

On 7/2/2018 at 2:22 PM, The Legonater said:

OoC: Expect some delays over the next week or so. 

I reckon so. You can't get a read on them? I don't think this is the Founders' work... whoever created them maybe?

The Fey One is alive...?

Matthias, those compasses both point this way? See if you can fire up that military handcannon of yours, maybe blow a hole through this. 

Dyric's voice raises to a yell trying to be heard through the other side. 

We are Heroes! Stand clear, we are coming through!

On 7/2/2018 at 2:27 PM, StickFig said:

Matthias gives Rone a sidelong look. "Are you sure that's a good idea? Whose voice do you think that is? Maybe we should find out before we go barging in? Maybe they can clear the roots from their side - with fire magic, like we did before?"

The druid does his best to sense anything about the roots that might be meaningful, and attempts to wiggle between a few to see if it's possible to pass through.

On 7/2/2018 at 2:29 PM, The Legonater said:

Perhaps that's valid. 

You on the other side, identify yourselves! If you are a friend, help us through this wall!

Dyric waits, hoping his gamble pays off and he finds friends on the other side, and not the Town Watch. 

On 7/2/2018 at 3:21 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

The druid senses that he has no control over these plants and they are too tightly knotted to squeeze through. A faint bit of torch light seems to filter through the vines.

On 7/2/2018 at 3:46 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

A voice answers back from the other side of the roots.

 

On 7/2/2018 at 7:28 PM, StickFig said:

Tired and frustrated by the smell of refuse, the oppresive humidity of the sewer, and the repeated obstacles to reuniting Heroica, Matthias lets his emotions get the better of him and shouts. "Same to you! We killed a false Founder made of pixie dust a little while ago - you wouldn't happen to have some more of them over there, would you?"

On 7/2/2018 at 10:35 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

An explosion rocks the wall of roots as Matthias, Dyric, and Bellanotte all fall forward through a bomb sized crater into a rather spacious cavern.

QM Note: Link provided.

 

After the main 159 hero party tripped the Ziegfried front door trap a number of them ended up in the void and had the following conversations
 

On 3/23/2018 at 11:51 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

Hoke finds himself alone in a cubical room, no doors, no windows, with pale gray walls, floor, and ceiling. A disembodied voice echoes throughout the room.

"Welcome to the void, dude. Why don't you spend some time in here and rethink how the choices in your life have led to this moment. Is vandalism really going to make you feel any better?"

After a few minutes the voice repeats itself again and again.


"Welcome to the void, dude. Why don't you spend some time in here and rethink how the choices in your life have led to this moment. Is vandalism really going to make you feel any better?"

On 3/24/2018 at 9:17 AM, UsernameMDM said:

Hoke groans and mumbles under his breath as he rubs his temples with one hand.

"Ziegfrieds," he says to himself.  He heard about their eccentricities, most likely caused by magic,  He even knew one, sort of, and if he was a small taste of what was in store, well, this certainly wasn't going to be boring.

"What vandalism?" Hoke calls out. 

On 3/24/2018 at 5:07 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

The voice offers no answer but simply repeats for minutes, then hours, then what seems like days. After a while the voice stop.


"Wow, looks like I caught one, you learned your lesson punk?"

On 3/25/2018 at 8:48 AM, UsernameMDM said:

"What lesson was I supposed to learn?  That the Ziegfrieds are as out-of-touch as I was told they were?"

On 3/25/2018 at 9:14 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Ooo fiesty, go ahead lob your insults, you seem to be enjoying yourself in there."

On 3/26/2018 at 9:51 AM, UsernameMDM said:

Hoke crosses his arms.

"As much as I can." Hoke says as he takes a closer look around.

On 3/26/2018 at 12:35 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

There isn't much to see, gray walls, floor, and ceiling. The room is neither too cold, nor too hot, too dry, nor too humid.

On 3/26/2018 at 1:20 PM, UsernameMDM said:

"Are we done here yet?"

On 3/26/2018 at 9:56 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Stern and silent type, eh? You sound like my mom. Have fun enjoying the void dude."

On 3/27/2018 at 7:36 AM, UsernameMDM said:

"Your mom?" 

'Oh boy.'  Hoke mutters to himself.

"May I speak with her please."

On 3/27/2018 at 10:41 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Hold on a sec, my loser brother needs something."

Hoke hears a rumbling as if something large is stalking in his direction.

On 3/27/2018 at 11:42 AM, UsernameMDM said:

Atramor or Hoke? ;)

On 3/27/2018 at 1:53 PM, UsernameMDM said:

Hoke looks around again, the black metallic orb shifting to the palm of his gloved hand.

On 3/27/2018 at 11:38 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

The walls of the room begin to be torn away as a giant creature snarling and salivating tries to make its way into the room.

"Raaaawwwrrr!"

Thankfully a door appears and opens at the other end of the small cell with a young kid beckoning Hoke on.

"If you don't like the prospect of being eaten, I suggest you come quickly."

QM Note: Feel free to return to the main thread.

On 3/28/2018 at 7:48 AM, UsernameMDM said:

Hoke looks at the creature, a painful memory sparked in his mind.

"Can't be..." he says as he backs out of the room.

 

On 3/23/2018 at 11:52 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

Atramor finds himself alone in a cubical room, no doors, no windows, with pale gray walls, floor, and ceiling. A disembodied voice echoes throughout the room.

"Welcome to the void, dude. Why don't you spend some time in here and rethink how the choices in your life have led to this moment. Is vandalism really going to make you feel any better?"

After a few minutes the voice repeats itself again and again.


"Welcome to the void, dude. Why don't you spend some time in here and rethink how the choices in your life have led to this moment. Is vandalism really going to make you feel any better?"

On 3/24/2018 at 12:18 AM, CMP said:

Atramor looks around, doing what he can to take the sudden teleportation in stride. It was easier than he expected. Heroica had a way of taking the shock out of a person when weird occurrences went down.

 

"Ain't no vandal, mate. Dude? What kinda... we're checkin' up on the Ziegfrieds, 'dude', need to set a few things straight with 'em."

 

The rogue pushes against the wall with the weight of his body, then decided to try and bust the ground with his Magic Shovel.

On 3/24/2018 at 5:06 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

The voice repeats for minutes, then hours, then what seems like days. Atramor's attempt to break the box with his fist or shovel yield no success. After a while the voice stop.


"Wow, looks like I caught one, you learned your lesson punk?"

On 3/24/2018 at 6:19 PM, CMP said:

Atramor has been sitting on the floor and grumbling for quite some time by the time the voice speaks up again.

"Yeah, sure. Lesson learned. Ya' gonna let me out now dude? I got things to do, ya' know."

On 3/25/2018 at 9:16 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"So penitent, I like it. Things like breaking into our house?"

On 3/25/2018 at 10:43 PM, CMP said:

"No, things like tellin' the Ziegfrieds not to trust these puppets callin' themselves the Founders."

On 3/25/2018 at 11:09 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"No duh, Dude! Do you think we look like sheepsicles?"

On 3/25/2018 at 11:53 PM, CMP said:

"I have no damn idea mate, you're a disembodied voice and I'm locked in here!"

On 3/26/2018 at 2:34 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

"So if I let you out, you're not gonna like kill me are you? Cause my mom can definitely zap you straight into Hel."

On 3/26/2018 at 1:40 PM, CMP said:

"Of course not. We just wanna talk with the Ziegfrieds."

On 3/26/2018 at 9:55 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Maybe you just try knocking next time, instead of just randomly walking in uninvited, sound chill dude?"

On 3/27/2018 at 2:22 AM, CMP said:

"Yes, fine. We done here, mate?"

On 3/27/2018 at 10:40 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Hold on a sec, my loser brother needs something."

Atramor hears a rumbling as if something large is stalking in his direction.

On 3/27/2018 at 11:39 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

The walls of the room begin to be torn away as a giant creature snarling and salivating tries to make its way into the room.

"Raaaawwwrrr!"

Thankfully a door appears and opens at the other end of the small cell with a young kid beckoning Atramor on.

"If you don't like the prospect of being eaten, I suggest you come quickly."

QM Note: Feel free to return to the main thread.

 

On 3/23/2018 at 11:51 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

Althior finds himself alone in a cubical room, no doors, no windows, with pale gray walls, floor, and ceiling. A disembodied voice echoes throughout the room.

"Welcome to the void, dude. Why don't you spend some time in here and rethink how the choices in your life have led to this moment. Is vandalism really going to make you feel any better?"

After a few minutes the voice repeats itself again and again.


"Welcome to the void, dude. Why don't you spend some time in here and rethink how the choices in your life have led to this moment. Is vandalism really going to make you feel any better?"

On 3/24/2018 at 3:08 PM, K-Nut said:

“Apparently you have no idea who I am if you think I’m a vandal. Hel, what’s the point- probably not anyone on the other side of that voice anyways...” he waits for a response.

On 3/24/2018 at 5:08 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

The voice offers no response, but simply repeats for minutes, then hours, then what seems like days. After a while the voice stop.


"Wow, looks like I caught one, you learned your lesson punk?"

On 3/25/2018 at 11:14 AM, K-Nut said:

“I’m no goddam vandal, alright? I’m Althior Emorith and I’ve helped this family out more than anyone else, alright? So if you want this home protected let me out and let me protect it,”

On 3/25/2018 at 9:17 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"If you're no vandal what are you trying to break into our house for?"

On 3/26/2018 at 9:16 PM, K-Nut said:

“We’re on the trail of the original veterans of heroica, or their imposters to be more exact. We found the corpse of the original Golden Dragon, and we need a necromancer to resurrect her and figure out what the hel is going on, alright? Ask the other Ziegfrieds about Althior and they’ll tell you to let me out,”

On 3/26/2018 at 9:54 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Woah, woah, dead bodies? Why didn't you say that before. How about just knocking next time, capisce?"

On 3/27/2018 at 10:01 AM, K-Nut said:

Althior rolls his eyes. "Fine, if you let me out of here I promise I'll knock next time,"

On 3/27/2018 at 10:42 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Hold on a sec, my loser brother needs something."

Althior hears a rumbling as if something large is stalking in his direction.

On 3/27/2018 at 11:40 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

The walls of the room begin to be torn away as a giant creature snarling and salivating tries to make its way into the room.

"Raaaawwwrrr!"

Thankfully a door appears and opens at the other end of the small cell with a young kid beckoning Althior on.

"If you don't like the prospect of being eaten, I suggest you come quickly."

QM Note: Feel free to return to the main thread.

 

On 3/23/2018 at 11:51 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

Matthias finds himself alone in a cubical room, no doors, no windows, with pale gray walls, floor, and ceiling. A disembodied voice echoes throughout the room.

"Welcome to the void, dude. Why don't you spend some time in here and rethink how the choices in your life have led to this moment. Is vandalism really going to make you feel any better?"

After a few minutes the voice repeats itself again and again.


"Welcome to the void, dude. Why don't you spend some time in here and rethink how the choices in your life have led to this moment. Is vandalism really going to make you feel any better?"

On 3/26/2018 at 12:03 PM, StickFig said:

@Waterbrick Down Sorry I've been incommunicado; it was a crazy weekend at work. I should be much more responsive from now on.

Matthias rubs his head and his stomach, still a little woozy after the dragon flight. He looks around bewildered and wonders if he should swear off flying indefinitely.

After about the fifth or sixth repeat of the strange voice, the gnome answers, "Vandalism? Who's doing any vandalism? One minute I'm with the others and we're trying to find the Ziegfried family to see if they know what's going on in Eubric; the next minute I'm here. What's the bigjob idea?"

On 3/26/2018 at 12:36 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

The voice offers no answer but simply repeats for minutes, then hours, then what seems like days. After a while the voice stop.


"Wow, looks like I caught one, you learned your lesson punk?"

On 3/26/2018 at 1:26 PM, StickFig said:

"Lesson? What lesson was I supposed to have learned? Don't go looking for people to make sure they're OK? Or was it don't be a hero, or maybe don't try to protect and defend the city where you live?" It's obvious the gnome is both irritated and afraid - being stuck in a time loop is an immortal's worst nightmare.

On 3/26/2018 at 9:52 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Sheez little dude, keep it together. Maybe don't go wandering into people's homes uninvited. capisce?"

On 3/27/2018 at 9:55 AM, StickFig said:

"Maybe don't leave the front door hanging open like it's been looted and the people inside might be in troubles, capisce?" Matthias retorts, although he regrets his temper. "Look, if you're one of the Ziegfrieds, you can figure out who we are pretty easily if you don't know already, which means you're just wasting all of our time keeping me - and I assume the men I came here with - suspended like this. If you're not a Ziegfried, you don't have a lot of room to lecture me about univited guests."

On 3/27/2018 at 10:41 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Hold on a sec, my loser brother needs something."

Matthias hears a rumbling as if something large is stalking in his direction.

On 3/27/2018 at 1:14 PM, StickFig said:

Increasingly sure he's dealing with a teenager, Matthias rolls his eyes and checks his cannon. Existential dread starts to set in... and he fires a cannon shot off to vent a little anger. It doesn't help.

On 3/27/2018 at 11:39 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

The walls of the room begin to be torn away as a giant creature snarling and salivating tries to make its way into the room.

"Raaaawwwrrr!"

Thankfully a door appears and opens at the other end of the small cell with a young kid beckoning Matthias on.

"If you don't like the prospect of being eaten, I suggest you come quickly."

QM Note: Feel free to return to the main thread.

On 3/28/2018 at 10:44 AM, StickFig said:

Relieved and irritated, the gnome ducks out the door, resisting the urge to punch the kid in the stomach.

 

[Waterbrick Down]

Pretzel's conversation with Asa at the Inn of the Weeping Gargoyle here

On 3/29/2018 at 2:07 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

As the others moved on, Pretzel stays in the room with the Valkyrie.

"Is there something that gives you pause, Monk Pretzel?"

On 3/29/2018 at 2:27 PM, Palathadric said:

I make some small talk with the veteran until I can safely assume the others are out of earshot. Then I drop my voice.

"Asa, I don't know about all of the politics you, our veterans, were playing before all of this happened. I knew Kukulkan was involved with the Wolfgang and from the moment I saw Jacq conversing with one of their members, in one of the quests I went on, I suspected the same of him. He told us that he was only spying on them, but I never really believed him. Cain's involvement with the Shadeaux and Hestia's with the Bonapartes were obvious for all to see. I saw you and the Oracle as more neutral, but perhaps I was wrong in that. Still, I want to ask you, now that I see you, what do you really think is best for the city at this point? Do you think we should try to revive Heroica? Should we abandon the city to the Founders? Clearly, you took the action of writing to the Herald or through the Herald perhaps I should say, because you have some idea of what you want to see happen. Right now, I don't really have any vision for either this city or Heroica. I feel that I'm just bumbling along with friends for their sake more than anything.

"Many of the others seem to think it's a good idea to work with the Wolfgang, or Ulric, rather. Due to circumstances that occurred on the quests I was on, not least of which was when Baba entered my head, I have always held a vicious animosity towards the Wolfgang. I felt that I had been forcibly driven to their cause by the actions of others, always when I was 'out of my head' in one form or another. I am now reasonably respected in their ranks, more so than many who loyally support their cause, yet I don't really feel that I have been able to make any significant difference through that position. To me it would seem useless to take the city from the Founders to turn it over to Ulric. I'm sure almost all of the other heroes would agree, but they seem to feel that we can 'use Ulric for now' or something. I don't think this is any more possible than the way that we 'used the houses' before. Still, I am visionless.

"Before we discovered the message from Byblos, or what you told us regarding the Founders 'pulling the strings' I more or less felt like going along with the Founders. I wanted to prove to them that I was worthy of their respect and that Heroica and Eubric, did not get the way it is because of me. I apologize for this and I have not admitted it to anyone else, but I was the one who told the Founders about Jacq and Kukulkan's involvement in the Wolfgang, which led to the Founders expelling them and trying to arrest them. In a sense, one could say that the reason Heroicans are looked on as vagabonds and criminals is because of me. I didn't choose to stand up for the two of them when the Paladins and Town Watch came to arrest them, but later I did so, both for the sake of my fellow Heroicans who fought to protect them and for the few Paladins whom I was able to convince of the futility of their cause. I still have friends in Heroica and I don't wish to see them to come to harm, but...I guess I just don't know what I'm fighting for anymore.

"It all seems hopeless, really. I mean, it has been a number of years since I returned to Eubric as Hero, but it doesn't really seem that the city has gotten any better in that time. Sure, we have rescued it time and again from threats, but to what purpose? Just so the people can continue on as slaves to the houses or to anyone else who takes power? Even if we defeat the Founders, what then? Will Eubric just return to the same corruption only under a different name? What's your vision for the city? Have you played a part in the house politics that have been going on? And if so, have you forsaken it, or do you intend to keep on going with it once or if this city is restored to normal? I guess, in a way, I'm asking...are you worth fighting for?"

On 3/30/2018 at 10:28 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

The Veteran reflects for a few minutes in silence.

"Monk Pretzel, many years ago I left my home country of Nôrnia, destroyed by the greed of men. Nôrns lives are infinite, I myself am approaching my 1200th year. Time is our ally and little troubles bothers us that we cannot simply outlive, but time is also our enemy for with it we forget the fleeting perspective of the races around us. To humans they have but a brief moment to make their mark upon this world before their lives are snuffed out. Semiramis and I remained neutral in all of this turmoil, I because it is in my people's nature simply to wait, hers because she saw the outcome of every move she made and they all frightened her so she chose to not move at all. But... our companions, Cain, Jacq, Hestia, Kukulkan for each of them, they believed they must act, each in their own way towards the benefit of this city. Cain sought that through maintaining the city's glory with the House of Shadeaux, Hestia in the rule of law with the Bonapartes, Kukulkan the freedom for all the races that dwelt within Eubric, and Jacq for the opportunities of all its citizens no matter their birth or standing... I yet do not know if they were right in that, but what I do know is that each had the good of this city in their hearts."

The Valkyrie pauses before continuing.

"Men are fickle, they will go to whomever tickles their ears, whether that be my companions, the houses, the Founders, or even Ulric. There are many nations that sit under a single ruler and do so with prosperity. This Ulric has used unscrupulous methods in the past on his way to power, he claims for the greater good, and yet would he claim otherwise, can he claim otherwise? I have seen his work in the Hovels, giving hope to the downtrodden, I cannot deny his influence and yet I fear his call for revolution depends merely upon warfare between the city's classes. I am no architect of governments Monk Pretzel, but I cannot believe a monarchy under Ulric would last long, this city is too much of a melting pot even for the likes of a werewolf like him. There are still others at work I fear, but what they may be, I cannot imagine. Things deeper, things older, things more malevolent than even what we imagine the Founders may be. Find what that is, seek it out and I believe in the process you will discern the path that Eubric should walk."

Asa looks Monk Pretzel once more in the eyes.

"Know this, Monk Pretzel, neither I nor any veteran is worth fighting for. This city is not worth fighting for. What's worth fighting for is the opportunity this city represents to those who come here. A chance to make a difference, to impact the lives around you for the better, to bring peace in a world so often devoid of it. Under the houses, that chance crumbled, and even now I believe the Founders are poised to snuff it out, whatever Heroica looks like moving forward may there be a reason why people once again look to it not as a solution to their problems, but a bastion of the capacity for goodness in each of us when we put off our own self serving attitudes and truly look out for the good of one another be they Human or Norn, Grumpkin or Orc, young or old, rich or poor."

On 3/31/2018 at 7:12 AM, Palathadric said:

"Sometimes...it just seems like too much of a burden to bear. ...When those you thought you could trust turn out to be working for different ends..."

I suddenly think back on my words to the Founders regarding the veterans and feel ashamed.

"Well, I guess we all do it, don't we? So long as we have different visions and different ideas of what will solve the city's ills, we will always feel at least slightly betrayed by the actions of others when they don't sync up with ours. Not a whole lot we can do about it, I suppose.

"Sometimes, I feel that in staying in Eubric, Heroica is just casting its resources before a thankless crowd. Sometimes I think that Heroica would be more welcome in any city other than Eubric, but I guess that is why the city needs us so much. Though there is always the temptation to just abandon it to itself.

I let out a long sigh.

"Thank you, Asa! I cannot say that my vision is any clearer, but at least, at least I feel a little strengthened if nothing else. ...What about you? Do you plan to remain in Eubric? You're always welcome to join us...I'm sure you know that."

On 3/31/2018 at 3:01 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"It is why I write, to remind them of the actions of you heroes, yes the mistaken and sometimes ill thought-out, but for the most part the good."

"I will remain in the city as long as there is still hope for it. Your offer is tempting, but do you believe that I would only cast more suspicion on your cause?"

QM Note: Let me know if you're using an "Job Class" features.

On 4/1/2018 at 11:40 AM, Palathadric said:

"I would not think so, I can ask the others what they think, though."

On 4/2/2018 at 8:43 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

"I leave that to you, otherwise I think my place is here for the time being."

On 4/4/2018 at 2:44 PM, Palathadric said:

Excusing myself, I exit the room, and return shortly thereafter.

"It seems the others believe that you will likely be of more use here where you are. ...I don't believe any of us want the responsibility of dragging you out of your safety here to enter the outside world, where who knows what could happen. I think we all feel that if you remain in safety, then there will always be some vestige of hope for this city."

Having delivered my report, I turn to go, but stop at the door, turning back.

"Stay safe, Asa. And...pray for us."

Bowing, I exit the room.

On 4/4/2018 at 3:46 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"I always am. Be safe Monk Pretzel and watch over your companions."

 

[Zepher]

Boomingham watches at the heroes finish ironing out of the final details of the government, elect new founders, and select new adventures for themselves. Remaining silent, he fumes for a moment when his name isn't even thrown into the ring for a founder, but he feeling quickly fades. Why not Atramor, and Dyric, Hoke, and Karie? Let them have their try. In truth, Boomingham had already tried enough. He'd been a King, and a General, and a hero. He'd been a husband and a father. He'd been a Knight, a Paladin, and a Vindicator. Now maybe he can be a citizen... a watchful citizen, but a citizen still. He slips out of the Hall quietly, confident the others will find him if he is ever needed.

At his apartment he is greeted by Severus, who flatly remarks that the (current) danger has passed, and who explains he is going to the Hovels to celebrate. Boomingham lets him go. He hangs on the wall his sword: Scupperer, from a Orcish Slaver, the Frozen Saber, from the High North, and the Silver Sabre, given to him for a Grogmas by the boy Atramor, now a Veteran of his Hall. He leaves his armor there too, stolen from a corrupt knight in the sands of Salamnda. He lifts his Tome heavily and flips through it, and decides it's done. In the front he writes an inscription: to Nyx, to Atramor, to Ellaria, and to Karie. They were the people he'd kept it for, and one day it'd go to one of them, but not quite yet.

As he leaves the apartment and heads towards the Port he regrets not having grabbed the big ogre Skrall or Nerwen to join him for a drink, or even Zelda or Umbra, but that was that, too late now. He buys a bottle of booze at a pub and heads towards the water, keeping an eye for Mumbassa's ship, though he imagines it'll take a while for proper trade to return to the port. He takes up a seat on a seawall. Barely discernible in the distance the remains of Fort Bonaparte smolder. A light circles his head and he swats at it, and it dodges. He laughs and it fades. Sitting and drinking he stares off into the dark sea and looks at the stars.

[Flipz]

For a long while, Arthur sat in the Hall as the last details of the city's new foundation were hammered out.  As all things do, however, this too reached its end.  As the sconces burned low in the dead of night, Arthur rose from his seat, folded a short letter he'd taken quite long to write, and dismissed it before silently exiting the headquarters of Heroica.

The Skirmisher strode through the silent streets, reflecting back on all he'd done to protect and preserve them, all he might be called to do in the future.  One day he, too, like the illusory Founders, would be a man of a distant time, a person whose entire existence was born of an age long past.  I will not make those same mistakes, he promised himself.  I vow that, come what may, I will devote my full strength to a future of compassion, a future where everyone's destiny is held in their own hands, not in mine.  No matter the age, I will fight for the future, not the past.

Arthur's wanderings took him past shops and warehouses, homes and harbor.  Guffington Manor, the Shadeaux chateau, Tritech Laboratories -- all these were places he'd need to visit in the coming days.  But ultimately, tonight he had one destination and one destination alone.  As he reached the gates of Ziegfried Manor, a pink parchment poofed into existence before him, and he read through the short message inside.
 

Arthur,

Miirym is fine.  She was involved, but did not come to harm.  I will pass on your message.

-Glaz

 

Arthur let out a breath he hadn't meant to hold.  Refolding the letter and stowing it in the pocket at his breast, the Skirmisher stepped forward, rapped on the door three times, and pressed a finger to the keyhole.  On cue, the door opened of its own accord, ushering him in.  The former mage drifted automatically to the side of the entry hall, a door materializing in the wall at his approach; he opened it, stepped inside the closet, and closed it, a magical light illuminating the enclosed space.  His personal closet was barren by the family's standards -- both due to his own frugality and his belongings being split between the Manor and his mother's home -- but it would do, and tonight he needed to be here.  With a soft sigh, he returned his armor, his shield, his weapons to their proper place, safely stored as they had been before.  He would need them in the morning, but for just one night, the battle was over.  For the final touch, Arthur hung up his cloak, replacing it with a blue robe spangled with stars, and put the matching hat his mother had given him atop his head.

Arthur stepped out of the closet and into his own, tiny room.  His family would be downstairs (probably, if the house felt like orienting itself right-side-up), no doubt awaiting him.  Deciding not to keep them waiting, he headed into the living room, the majority of the adults huddled around his mother and murmuring in quiet voices at the hearth while his brother and cousins entertained themselves with poorly-concealed impatience.  The latter group looked up at his arrival, prompting the rest a moment later to follow suit.

"Well," he said, "I'm home."

Edited November 19, 2018 by Flipz

[CMP]

Atramor lifts his eyes after a few hours of intense drinking, washing down the last unpleasant dregs of politics as, slowly, the leaders of Eubric filter out of the Hall. A slow smile creeps to his face as silent settles in, a sound that had only recently come to know the Saloon. The rogue finally rises to his feet once he's sure they're all gone. He strides to the counter, eyeing another bottle with longing...but instead, gently places his bottle on the bar as Scheherazade scrubs the last dishes she'll ever touch in the Hall. Atramor tips his hat to the orc's back.

"Heh. Hasn't been this quiet in a damn long time....been a hell of a run, Scheherazade." He takes only a second's pause. "Ya' know...pretty empty place when I first showed up. Veterans hadn't even shown their faces yet, and almost everyone else's been gone for years, save a couple....'cept for you. Why don't ya' close out my tab?"

The orc matron snorts, not even turning.

"Very funny. I told you lot from day one, heroes drink free."

Atramor nods.

"Aye. Half of why I stayed, in the beginnin'. But ain't many heroes sleep on that stool at the end of the bar. Just sayin'. There's been more change 'round here than I care to try and remember. But ya' always stayed the same. Always appreciated that."

He waited for a moment. She gave another hoarse snort, and a vague nod, but still didn't turn. The rogue shrugged, and swept his coat about him as he left, leaving a sizeable tip in a pouch on the counter: every coin to his name.

"Enjoy retirement, Scheherazade. Anyone deserves it, it's you."

And with that, he slipped out of Heroica Hall.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the later hours of that evening, Atramor's self-imposed chore was about as glamorous as that room full of politicians. The chilly waters of the Crystalline Sea lapped up along the shoreline like creeping shadows. He paid no attention to the sea snarling about his boots as he walked along the soaking, serene beach, glancing back only briefly to give the ruins of Fort Bonaparte a mock salute before moving on. The wet footprints in the sand reminded him of that shanty town in Dreida. Where he was born and raised...that much was true. The surf, the sand, the sun. The urchin gangs, the raucous sailors. That damn chicken. They were...times. Not good ones. Those came later...in Heroica. His true home.

He trudged through some obscuring bushes, climbing a hill that brought him a few dozen feet above the shoreline, and slammed the head of the shovel into the grassy dirt with his foot. The last time he'd been here had been traumatic for all involved, but those memories no longer paralyzed him as they once did. That's how he knew it was really home: he'd never felt real, tangible loss until these quests. Life had been so easy before. Thieving, piracy. Numbing feelings was second nature. There was no thinking about the morality of it. Atramor chuckled as he dug. When did the morality of things hit him?....

Wasn't in that Shadeaux warehouse. That was just good old fashioned House politics. He let out a silent exhalation, still counting his lucky stars Umbra seemed to have let that go. Or maybe she just forgot. He didn't think in the moment how easily Hybros took to the shadows, but it would explain that demon nonsense later. That was where he'd met Boomingham, too. Who would've guessed that the guy swindling those guards would be in line to be king...again. He smirked to himself. He'd never admit how much he'd learned from the old man.

Maybe it was Julian. Damn kid reminded him too much of himself! Atramor briefly marveled at how long ago he'd met Mynatt, then his thoughts turned briefly to his closest ally on the quest. The rogue laughed to himself as he recalled Tarn trying to lead that loose cannon of a party. What an adventure...he felt like he'd seen all of Eubric by the time it was over. How naive he was back then....there were also those psycho losers in that cave. Who the hell those guys were, Atramor had no idea. What a sad excuse for a cult.

The storm...no, that was all just survival instincts. He must've been damn desperate to get on a quest to work for the Bonapartes. That was the first time he'd met Namyrra...always reliable in a pinch, but he'd never admit he had no idea what she even was. That was the first time he'd come face to face with honest-to-gods pirates, too. Maybe it wasn't a battle of morality, but his allegiance was pretty solidified at that point. McCafferey's too. Damn, that was weird. Was also the first of many quests with Ellaria. The rogue sighed as he shoveled out some more sand.

Guarding those guards, heh, what a misleading title. All he could remember was trying to hunt down the Wolfgang. Back when they were bad guys...the straightforward kind, the ones you didn't even think about taking down a peg. Cronk, Rufindel, Nyx. What a team. Atramor smirked to himself as he recalled that prison fight. Nothing was going to compare with fist-to-fist with a metasimian. That was when Cousland stepped into the picture, too. If nothing else, she gave a damn about her own men.

Dastan, hell, where could he even start with that mess. A dozen or more heroes, a whole damn palace full of enemies. Who was the worst...that damn U'kin...or Brunt, that ghost ki-.....no, it was XX, that trigger-happy sleazy little...oh, damn it. That's when Wren showed up, too. What a damn disaster. At least everyone came out alright. That's when he knew Nyx'd always have his back. Dyric, too. And Tarn, of course...along with no small number of allies. Hans, Felton, Vipera. Phil...still running the show, hopefully. And Ella. Atramor's mind flickered back to Drakencourt, wondering what'd become of Tarn and his princess. A legion of dragon-crazed kids, no doubt. A ray of light in an otherwise pretty dark quest.

Nothing compared to how dark things would get, though.

Atramor shook his head, escaping his reverie and the point that he'd already missed. He frowned down into the small, shallow, empty hole at his feet, and knelt down, setting a flat, ironbound chest into the hole. He popped it open, and then set about to laying a three items inside it. The Amulet of the Court. Nothing now but a memory of that night...of the lives lost. And, after a moment, the Archangel and Archdemon Summonstones. Divine jewels of unlimited...terrible power. There was only one outcome if he held onto them. So he needed to leave them behind. Alone...but never unguarded.

After a few more minutes of silent contemplation, the chest was buried, flanked by its eternal guardians. Atramor levered the shovel back over his shoulder and eyed the sun as it set.

That night in a safehouse with Ellaria and the alchemists. That night in a theatre with Ellaria and a bunch of rats. Scaling a mountain in Xu with Tarn for the last time, facing off an army of ninja. Azzurat. Strivvi, twice. Xu, a second time. The Dwarven Kingdoms....Goetia. A lot of loss. But a lot of victories, too. For every hero gone, another six would join. Maybe not now. But there was always later. And now it was on him and every remaining hero to make sure later always came. No matter what would come.

With one last look down at the worn inscription in the stone, the Veteran turned and left the still scene.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Later:

The heroes' gallery is muted and quiet in the dead of night. Darkness hangs in the air, lanterns flickering only softly, doing little to illuminate the collection of aged, but conspicuously well-polished emblems of heroes past and present. In its prime, visits to the gallery were sporadic. But as a door snaps open at the behest of a panicked, desperate individual, it becomes immediately evident that tonight, this is not the case.

"Please be empty please be empty please be empty! Gods, just ONE thing going right tonight would be-"

He speeds his way through the gallery, too focused on watching for pursuers to look ahead...until he's barely ten feet away from the gallery's other occupant, hunched over a centuries-old globe of Olegaia and wearing an impossibly battered hat.

"-just...great. Look, I- I didn't mean to trespass-...but...."

The young man trails off, paralyzed in shock. The older, cloaked figure does not appear to register his appearance. The younger, glancing between the older man and the door behind him, shakily pulls a longsword from behind his belt - a fetching one, beset with jewels that glimmer in the firelight. But his resolve seems to fail him, briefly; he can't even seem to come to terms with the idea of threatening the man in his path. The blade falls limply to his side, the point clattering to the floor with a clank. It is only with this metallic ring that the figure turns, and as the lad's eyes fall upon this ragged, unkempt man, the figure reaches into its torn, battered cloak of rathide to reveal-

A mostly-empty bottle of rum.

"You....need a drink," remarks the man hoarsely, holding aloft the alcohol. The younger man appears baffled. The bearded one fixes him with an entirely unsurprised expression.

"But I-"

"Need somewhere to hide. Aye?" He heaves a deep, gruff sigh. "Learn to pick locks. Gives ya' a thousand places to hide. When did ya'll forget how to pick locks. Used to be ya' couldn't mug so much as a direwolf without knowin' how to pick a lock."

"How....did you know I?..."

"Because that ain't your sword. Bet ya' haven't held anything longer than a dagger before," he muses, scratching his beard.

Before the younger man can do anything more than gape, the door slams open again, and in storms a sweaty, exhausted-looking noble wielding a blade just as, if not more impressive. He glares as the young lad whips around, entirely ignoring the elder.

"There you are. Had me running down TWO...WHOLE...STREETS, but I have you. Relinquish my sword, you unrepentant burglar-! 

The nobleman lunges forward with his blade. The thief flinches. But while the attack is sudden, it is not nearly sudden enough as the elder man whips the steely feather from his hat and sweeps forward at the nobleman, where its true nature is made very evident.

The torches flicker and flare the same deep purple as the cutlass balanced precariously on the shocked, horrified noble's collarbone. The thief, backing away, is transfixed with a mix of terror and fascination.

"Harsh. We prefer 'rogue'."

"...I- I meant no disrespect-"

The older man's eyes flashed.

"Look around. Every hero that's ever existed is memorialized in this gallery. Every one that's given their all so people like you can live in your glamorous mansions is remembered here. But you'd see it covered in blood; over a kid that stole one of your toys."

"That sword-"

"Will find better use in this kid's hands than it ever would in your home. You're rich enough. Now get out. Or I might actually start gettin' upset."

The noble's desperate eyes flickered between the two, and barely registering a conscious decision, he stepped back off the cutlass and fled the way he came. The thief looked on in amazement as the older sheathed the weapon, and the lanterns returned to their normal state, even brighter than before.

"Who the hell are you??"

"Well. Nowadays they call me the Rat King. Veteran of Heroica. But you can just call me Atramor. And if you're going to steal somethin', I suggest not gettin' caught."

Atramor took a long swig from his bottle.

"And what am I callin' you, mate?"

"Uh. Dymas. Where did you learn all that?"

"Experience. Beatin' bad guys. Gettin' beat by bad guys. And a good teacher. And, before you go thinkin' anythin', kid." He raised his bottle, halting the thoughts he knew were occurring to Dymas. "Know that it ain't easy. And it ain't fair. The best heroes fail the most. But...thing to keep in mind." He fixed the young rogue with an intense look. "They never fail alone. And that's the one thing Heroica can guarantee a hundred percent, every damned time. Just a question of if you have what it takes to try."

Dymas blinked back at Atramor. The grip on the stolen sword tightened a bit as he nodded.

"...I think I do."

"And I think ya' do too, so don't make me look like an idiot." Atramor dug around in his ratty cloak. "We all come from nothin'. Maybe we had somethin', maybe we never did, but that's the one thing we all got in common. Got any coins?"

Dymas rifled through his pockets.

"Yeah, six."

"Good. Here's four more. And this...." he tossed the rogue a Venom. "...and this," he finished, handing over a Potion. The temporary magical imbuement started to fade from the lanterns. 

"There. Exactly as ready as I was."

"Thanks...but, uh, that's really specific, is that an official policy, or?-"

"Don't worry about that," hand-waved Atramor. "Ya've got what ya' need. And what it takes. Now, last thing..."

"Er...there's not a test, is there?"

"Sort of. New tradition." Atramor smirked under his beard. "Everyone's upstairs. Go introduce yourself...and ask Sham at the bar for a Flaming Gumball."

"...Is that...some sort of code?"

"It's exactly what it sounds like," laughed the Veteran gruffly, crossing his arms. "Now go."

"Alright...heh. It's funny...."

"What's that?"

"When I was coming up they said Heroica wasn't what it was. That most of the heroes left years ago...but I guess not all did, huh?" Dymas gave an excited nod, and a grin Atramor couldn't help but find familiar. "Thanks. Never had a chance like this before - but I guess I'm not alone there, huh? Don't know what happened to all the other heroes. But I think you're doing right by 'em, even if they're gone. World's gonna miss 'em."

Dymas pocketed his equipment, and set off for the saloon, leaving Atramor alone in the darkening gallery.

"...Huh."

"Well...good thing they ain't ever gone, then."

[Palathadric]

Packing up his things, Pretzel sighs, looking back at the hall and reflecting on all that it had stood for all of this time. The hall had been a good home to him. The heroes in whose hands he was leaving it were capable. They had all grown tremendously in the time he had known them.

Atramor was no longer the Podunk arms seller he once made him out to be. The lad had grown and would be a worthy leader of the hall. The respect others had for him and his ability to make even the rulers of the city listen to him would be massively important to the new political structure of Eubric and Heroica’s role in the city’s affairs.

Rone was a dependable lad. He would fight for what he thought was right. Was his sense of right and wrong good enough? Probably not, but then again, with Eubric the way it was and with most people looking out for themselves, just having someone willing to fight for what he thought was right was good enough. Besides, he would have the other heroes to balance him out.

Other heroes like Throlar. Another good lad. Probably the best of the lot as far as his sense of right and wrong, though possibly too slow to react in intense times. Nevertheless, he had had enough sense to speak to the Founders and try to win the battle through diplomacy instead of allowing it to continue as a massacre. It was a good thing that Arthur too had taken to negotiating at that time.

Where would we be if the Founders, even if it was only pixie dust images of them, had not joined us in fighting Rosier! I’m glad their spirits could come to peace with what was done and even help us in fighting off that old demon.

Pretzel’s thoughts returned to the other new veterans of Heroica.

Karie…well…he had had his reservations about her becoming a veteran. He had not been pleased by her outburst at Patricia when they had met. Could she be trusted to fight for what was right when she was so personally involved in the city with a husband and child and all? She had reacted in vengeful anger against Patricia, probably one of the few people who had really done some good for Eubric, and because of that it seemed that the command of the watch would be going to Hoples… hopeless Hoples.

Let’s pray he can do better than he did in the last investigation. At least he stood up for us when we needed him.

Who was the last of the new veterans? Ah, that green…

Pretzel shook his head, wondering how it was that the other heroes had not even nominated him, the man who probably had gone on more quests than any of the other heroes. Instead they had chosen a greenskin just for the sake of keeping up appearances of political correctness. Just to win over the “poor, oppressed” races of Eubric.

Bah! If we had not fought them off so long ago they would have raped and ravaged Eubric. But Eubric has forgotten those times. Just as they have forgotten and rejected the Bonapartes and Paladins who delivered them. But it’s good. Eubric had corrupted those noble organizations beyond measure. It is most unfortunate! Let’s hope Fervent can remain steadfast in his resolve.

Choosing the big greenskin as a veteran had seemed a slap in the face to those who sacrificed much in their much longer service to Heroica and Eubric, but…

Perhaps they did not choose the old king or I because they want a younger generation of heroes as veterans…

In any case, Heroica was not in bad hands. Even the greenskin had fought nobly when it had been required of him and, in truth, Pretzel could not think of much to say against him.

Damn, I’m growing soft, aren’t I?

Stepping out the door, Pretzel noted how unusually it was bright today, much brighter than normal, so bright in fact that everything around him began to disappear as the light clouded his vision.

“What in God’s name is this? Is this blindness? I thought I was immune to that.”

Pretzel looks down.

No I can still see myself, and yes, I am still wearing my cloak.

“Good day, Petrikadoc!” comes the unfamiliar voice from the familiar figure.

“Oh, no! Not you again,” Pretzel groans, seeing his angel approach, arrayed as she always had been. “ “You know, you were one of the reasons I sought a different path than the Paladonic way.”

“Do I offend you and your sense of righteousness?”

“Well…no, but, yes…I don’t know.”

The angel laughs.

“Where am I?”

“I think you know well enough…”

“True, true, I do, but…will I meet…?”

“Who? Ennoc?”

“No, not him, but…I do not even know if I am write in saying ‘him’.”

“Who?”

“The great God. The creator of Ennoc and—”

“Theleg Oco?”

“Yes.”

“No. Not while you are yet living. Not while your mission on Olegaia remains.”

“Then I am not finished?”

“I will leave that for my lord to answer himself.”

A figure drifts forward, seemingly from out of the light, though in truth at the same time it seems as if the light is emanating from his face.

“Well done, Petrikadoc.”

“That name sounds familiar…”

“It is your name, though you have forgotten for some time.”

“Will I remember when I leave here?”

“No.”

Pretzel sighs, glancing towards the angel, but then looking away.

“The helper I gave you offends you?”

Pretzel casts a sceptical sidelong glance.

“The other paladins I worked with had respectable angels. Some great, some small, but all—”

“I choose the angels I assign to my warriors with care. My decisions are not random.”

“That is of little comfort. It seems you chose my angel to humiliate me.”

“Perhaps you needed it.”

“…”

“Were you afraid to hear my voice, Petrikadoc? Were you afraid of the mission I had for you? I see that you ran from the path of the paladin, that you feared the road you were on.”

“Was I meant to stay?”

“You made your decision, and even though it may have been a bad one, it could not hinder your destiny.”

“Then all of this was part of my destiny?”

“Would you have had it any other way?”

Pretzel hesitates, but a feeling of anger wells up inside of him, anger that he suppressed for so long, anger against himself and against the decisions he had made. Suddenly, the words rush from his mouth as if involuntarily.

“But I strayed far from my purpose. My mind is not as single as it once was. I put up with gross shortcomings in those around me. And why? Just because I lacked the will to stand up for what I knew was right. Damn it! I sided with those bloody werelions posing as your warriors to fight off soldiers more noble than they. I stood with my infatuated party leader and his flame simply because I liked him, even though they sought to uncover the mysteries of the deep. Hel…am I even allowed to say her name in these halls?”

“She is a creation of Theleg Oco, just as you and I are. Why would you not? Do you think I fear her name? …But do go on.”

“Well, the noble warriors. They tried to stop us. They fought with us against criminals, but they sought to stop us from uncovering the mysteries of the deep, and for good reason, but I fought them instead of siding with them as I should have—”

“Are you sure you should have sided with them?”

“How could I not have? They had the best interests of the world at heart. They knew the dangers of meddling with such things. They stood for something and—”

“But tell me. What did they ever accomplish?”

“What?”

“How can you say that their way of going about protecting the world was right unless you look at what they accomplished for the world? Compare, for instance, the achievements of Heroica against their achievements. Who outshines whom?”

“Well. I don’t know how I could quantify such a thing.”

“What?!? Coming from just taking down your second archdemon, you tell me that you’re not sure if Heroica has done more good for the world than the Order Imperial?”

“Well…I suppose, but…”

“Tell me, Petrikadoc. Do you think the Order Imperial could have taken down the archdemons?”

“Well…no.”

“Could you have done it alone, then? Or only with the ‘acceptable heroes’?”

“I believe—”

“Think about it seriously.”

Pretzel shakes his head.

“You may have compromised what you thought was best, but you built friendships; friendships that lasted. The other heroes would not have stood by you had you not stood by them when they needed you. Yes, the Order Imperial sought to glorify my name, but, they chose to put undue importance on minor issues all the while missing the major issues that desperately needed addressing.”

“Such as?”

“Such as the protection of Eubric. Tell me, how many times did the Heroes of Heroica save Eubric from destruction?”

“More times than I can recall.”

“And how many times did the Order Imperial save Eubric or aid Heroica in doing so?”

Pretzel looks down, knowing he had no answer.  Finally, he speaks again.

“But…but…it’s more than that. Granted, some good came from my decisions, but much evil came about as well. I…I killed the boy. The prophet. I mean, I know we fought him and the others as good as killed him already, but he was still alive.”

“I know.”

“Oh, I reasoned that it was the right thing to do. I have told myself over and over that it was the only choice, but…”

“I know you have. You have attempted to deceive yourself while condemning yourself at the same time.”

“Will I ever be free from the memory of what I have done?”

“When you strive for good, but do wickedly, those wicked deeds will always come back to haunt you…unless you harden your heart to them, but that is worse still.”

“I have killed many people, but he was but a child.”

“Yes, you have. Many lives have been cut short before their time, including the boy’s.”

“Does he…do you think?”

“Forgive you? No. You have wronged him greatly. Though he himself was not above reproach either, and many have cried out to me against him and against his order.”

“The Order Imperial?”

“Indeed.”

“Then we were justified in bringing them down?”

“They had to face the consequences of their actions, but that does not excuse you or the paladins in your turn. Justice will be brought to all when my light shines on them at the end of time and the motivations of their hearts are revealed.”

“I never trusted those werelions from the start…and working with that kobald…ugh!”

The general frowns.

“Remember, Petrikadoc, times are changing. The camps of the gods are no longer what they once were. Theleg Oco has put an end to much that once was. No longer do I war against Torrik and his children. I am sure you have yourself seen many children of his who have taken on my garments.”

“I have, but…you cannot tell me they are indeed sincere.”

“They are. One of my greatest servants in Heroica has been a child of Torrik. I know him and he knows me.”

“But…they are evil. They slew so many.”

“They did indeed. And you slew many of them as well. But that was a different time.”

“But…you told me. My mission was to fight them.”

“Your mission of a bygone day. Your mission was to protect the people from them; the people of Uland and of the kingdoms. You did that. Your mission was complete, but you were not content with that. You were not content to make peace when the time for peace had come. There was a time when I greatly valued your determination, but times have changed. Dark forces have arisen and no longer can we toss our power at one another, as we must combine our power against the forces of evil.”

“So you are saying I must now be on the side of the greenskins?”

“You have done admirably well in working with them so far in spite of your inner misgivings.”

“Humph!”

“Has it been so awful thus far? Have they always sought to stab you in the back?”

Again, Pretzel had no answer.

“Have you any further questions?”

Trying to sort out the mental confusion his mind was in, Pretzel struggled to form the questions that were hidden somewhere in his mind.

“Just…why Eubric? Why do so many problems seem to stem from that city? There are quieter corners of the world where the archdemons could have done their work unopposed, and yet, instead, they choose a city in which they are sure to face opposition or at least realms that are within Heroica’s sphere of influence. I don’t understand it.”

“There is much that you do not understand and which you do not need to understand. Suffice it to say, Eubric is an important city. It is a sort of hub of the spirit world. Yes, the demons look upon Eubric with great lust and desire. They know that whoever holds Eubric holds the fate of the world. That is why they have thrown their all into fighting for it, not just once but continually. Eubric’s freedom has a magnetic pull on both the good and the evil. That is why it will never be free from problems, but also why there is always hope for it, so long as it remains so. Eubric must remain free, Petrikadoc. It is absolutely vital.”

“I…I do not know if I still have the power to keep fighting for it. I am so worn…so tired.”

“You may not need to. A stage of your journey is complete. The enemy’s power has received a critical blow by your banishing those two demons and their peons. No, the enemy has not the power to launch another full-scale attack on Eubric. Not now, anyway. Their forces will gather and attack once again at some point, but now they are too weak. They need time to regroup. Your work in Eubric is over for the time being.”

“Then what I am to do?”

“You will retire to a country, to a land that I will lead you to. Now is no longer the time for war and strife. You will put down the garments of the guardian of Heroica once again. You are no longer to be the shield of others. Now, you will to be a light to the people of the world. To minister my gift of healing to the nations, that when the time comes and the enemy’s forces grow strong yet again, many will remember Heroica and come to their aid because of the good that you have done for them.”

“I do not know if I can do more. I feel weak, spent.”

“Do not worry. Go in the strength of my power. Take on the garments of light. You shall be called a High Priest now. So cast aside your weapons of war, and keep only those things that you can use in your current profession.”

Pretzel removes all of the excesses in his inventory, but as he removes the Prophet Imperial’s Armour, he is stopped.

“Keep the armour of the lad. May it serve as a reminder to you of where you have come from.”

“But this armour weighs on my mind. Every time I see it, it drives into my conscience. There is nothing I would rather rid myself of.”

“But that is why you must hold onto it, that it may be in your memory, a reminder of the evil that you have done, but of the power I have to turn that evil around. Besides, Simon has a mission for you to fulfil for, having snuffed his life out, you must now bear his burden. Yes, the time is coming when you too shall take on the robes of a prophet and minister my words to people, but that time is not yet. For now stay faithful to the calling I have given you, but never forget that more is to come.”

“Will I ever return to Eubric?”

“Undoubtedly. You will be led to return, just as you always have, in their hour of greatest need, but you and your friends have done enough to ensure that that hour will be some time in coming. So do not fear for Eubric, for you leave it in capable hands.”

Pretzel nods and bows.

“Go now Pretzel, High Priest of my Righteous Light.”

 

High Priest Pretzel, the Super Sleuth (Played by Palathadric)
465-year-old male “Apostle” High Cleric
Level 41.2 *Immune to Darkness, Wood, Earth, Water, Light, Fire, Lightning, Ice, Wind, *Blinded*, *Weakened*, *Frailty*, *Asleep*, and *Confused*

Power Bonus: 2 (+5 Front Row)
Defence: 6 (+11 x # of Party Members) (+5 Back Row)
Health: 74/74 9 + 15 + 40 + 3 + 2 + 5
Gold: 1872
Equipment:  Cloak of the Grand Vizier (SP: 11 multiplied by the number of party members; Grants immunity to Darkness, Wood, Earth, Water, Light, Fire, Lightning, Ice, Wind, *Blinded*, *Weakened*, *Frailty*, *Asleep*, and *Confused*; Backwear), Strategist's Shako (+5 power while in the front row, +5 SP while in the back; Headwear), Darksteel Armour (SP: 6; Max. Health +3; Bodywear), Rock Gauntlets (Grants the wearer Iron Fist at no ether cost; Suitable for anyone; Handwear), Lens of Speed Reading (allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action; Accessory; Suitable for scroll users), Dual Staff (WP: 14; Ice, Lightning, Fire, Wind, Light; Deals *Bleeding 3*; Dual Strike; Staff)

Inventory:
Weapons: Tyrant's Maul (WP: 29; causes *Hexed*; Hammer), Quarterstaff (WP: 4/8 against Humanoids; Staff), Staff of the Necromancer (WP: 12; damages Undead; +1 Level to raised Undead; Staff), Flying Cross (WP: 11; Darkness; Broomstick), Steak (WP: 1; instantly kills vampires on successful hits; suitable for all)
Artifacts: Bumble Fanshirt (SP: 1; Vermin with level less than half of the wearers are scared and won't directly attack the wearer; Bodywear), Order Imperial Prophet's Armor (SP: 8; Grants Command; Suitable for Prophets; Bodywear), Soothing Slippers (Meditation restores 5 ether; Footwear), The Good Book (Grants the Convert job trait - the user can turn any allied or neutral NPC to their faith, gaining their respect; user gains 10 gold from each conversion; suitable to Monk Pretzel only; Accessory)
Gems: Amethyst, Emerald, Garnet, Aquamarine, Ethereal Opal (Ice and Fragile)
Scrolls: Scroll of *Sealing*, Scroll of *Blindness*, Scroll of *Confusion*, Scroll of *Minimizing* (Has 1/2 chance of causing the *Minimizing*-effect on the target; costs 10 ether.), Scroll of Arc *Sleep*, Scroll of Elemental Aura (Enables the user to cause the target's attacks deal only elemental damage corresponding to a gem available to the user for the duration of one battle. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 5 ether)
Consumables: 10 Grand Potions, Cherry (Restores 1 ether), 5 Grand Tonics, 2 Tonics, Ether Core, 15 Remedies, 3 Neutralizers, Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 7 Bones, Milk, Soma, 2 Elixirs, Smoke Bomb
Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Shovel, Magic Compass, Magic Shovel (will always find something when used, limited to three uses per quest), Dice Bag of Fortune (tool; when used on an enemy, causes their loot rolls to be rolled twice)

 

 

Karie, sitting at a table in Heroica Hall, suddenly notes a pink slip of paper appear before her with a bag of holding beside it.

Karie, forgive my sudden departure. It seems I have been driven to other lands. I doubt I shall ever see you again for my calling is in other lands. But take this bag of holding. You will find many useful weapons and artefacts therein. Perhaps you may keep them in Heroica’s Armoury. That way they may be of use to any new heroes on their first quests and returned when not in use. Whatever the case, I trust your judgment.

PS: Keep well and prosper. I wish you, Masson, and your child all the best. Congratulations on your new appointment.

Edited December 14, 2018 by Palathadric

[Palathadric]

[Deleted]

Edited December 14, 2018 by Palathadric

[Duvors]

The old man leaned back in his chair, setting down his quill pen and gazing at the paper sheets before him.  In the dim, flickering candlelight one could barely make out the words on the page - and the expression of mingled regret and joy on his face.  There was still much still untold - his own later adventures in Värtland, Babeleth, and beyond forming a mere drop in the bucket of these unwritten sagas.  But now he was no longer as young as he used to be, and the night's chill affected him too much to consider staying up longer.  For now, they would remain unwritten.  So with a slight groan, Throlar Wineghilm rose from his seat, and snuffed out the candle.