Heroica RPG - Quest#66: WANTED! Steerpike the Poisoner

[Zepher]

Boomingham looks at Baba cooly.

"Do not disrespect Nyx."

Boomingham also turns his gaze to Steerpike. "Your organization will fail for the same reason that the Houses will remain in power and should remain in power. They have the power. We will stand and defend them because they can hire us, and you cannot. That alone speaks to the state of the city. I met a Wolfgang I liked. A man of the name Sancho. He helped us, and I respected him. You can further your goals, but you have to play the same game as the rest of us, you can't make up your own new rules, or you will fail. But we have no need for talk. You've made your choice. That's our one true power - I won't try to change your mind. We will see who wins, and whoever wins, that's how it ought to be. But I will win."

[Professor Flitwick]

"I know you are Heroican, Metasimian. The Wolfgang has eyes and ears everywhere, including closer to Captain Patricia than she could even suspect. If you're in it for the gold, why don't you join us? Our treasury rivals even that of Great Guffington, nowadays."

Steerpike then glances at Barbariccia.

"You misunderstand me, sir. I meant you don't have to join Heroica for the purpose of this battle. Simply join our side. She won't leave Eubric."

"Hearts aren't the only thing she steals, I've heard..."

Thothwick once again makes his voice as intimating as possible.

"Correct. Children. Lives. Both. I'm sure she's exactly the - if you'll pardon the charitable use of the term - person you want in this new world order of yours."

[Costy]

OOC: I'm going to have no Internet access for the next 3 days so Flipz can control my actions.

[Sandy]

Results of Round Five of the Wolfgang Battle:

Nagure vs. Ajax - Defended Counter (Ajax: recovers from stunned, 206 health-(30x4=120 dmg)=86 health)

>Arthur uses Scroll of Blindness on Crosette - Failure (Arthur: -1 ether)

>Arthur retrieves Unlucky Horseshoe

>Arthur (Unlucky Horseshoe) vs. Bowen - Mirror Damage/Mirror Damage (Arthur: no effect)

>Arthur uses Scroll of Blindness on Crosette - Failure (Arthur: -1 ether)

>Sorrow vs. Arrowic - Lethal Critical Hit/Damage (Arrowic: 73 health-(66x4=264 dmg)=0 health)

>Sorrow vs. Arrowic Bowen - Lethal Hit/Lethal Hit (Bowen: 257 health-(44x4=176 dmg)=81 health)

Crossette - Free Hit vs. Nagure (Nagure: 33 health+21 SP-15 dmg=33 health; Crossette: 257 health-(16x2=32 dmg)=225 health)

Arrows and strikes are exchanged back and forth, and in the end of the round, the three heroes stand against only three thugs.

Enemies:

Wolfgang Goon Ajax

Type: Humanoid

Level: 16

Health: 86/382

Special:

Steal & Stash

– Steals gold equal to the target’s level and hides it so it cannot be recovered.

Drops: 30 gold, Grand Potion

Wolfgang Hitman Bowen

Type: Humanoid

Level: 15

Health: 81/257

Special:

Dark Arrow

– Causes 15 darkness-elemental damage and the blinded-effect to the target regardless of row.

Drops: 20 gold, Smelling Salts

Note: Wolfgang Hitman fights from the back row, so all non-ranged attacks will do half damage to him, while his attacks do full damage to heroes in back row.

Wolfgang Hitman Crossette

Type: Humanoid

Level: 15

Health: 225/257

Special:

Dark Arrow

– Causes 15 darkness-elemental damage and the blinded-effect to the target regardless of row.

Drops: 20 gold, Smelling Salts

Note: Wolfgang Hitman fights from the back row, so all non-ranged attacks will do half damage to him, while his attacks do full damage to heroes in back row.

Backdoor Party:

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

(Flipz) ***Party Leader***

21-year-old male human Sorcerer

Level 21 2/3

*Immune to

Sealed

*

*Lucky*

*Hastened*

*Encouraged*

Power:

26

(21+5)

Defense:

3

Health:

28/33

(5+20+4+4)

Ether:

2/31

(5+20+1+5)

Gold:

448

(Owed 128 gold by Boomingham; owed 50 gold by Grimwald Gjinko; owed 70 gold by En Sabah Nur, oved 200 gold by Nagure)

Equipment:

Staff of Ennon (WP: 5,

Light

-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4)

,

Robe of the Archmagi (Bodywear, SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to

Sealed

), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.)

Inventory:

Weapons:

Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes jinxed-effect; throwing weapon

),

Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword),

Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics),

Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [n/a]),

Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging)

,

Artifacts:

Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent)

Gems:

Opal (

Ice

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Diamond (

Light

), Garnet (

Earth

),

Tools:

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

Scrolls:

Scroll of

Blindness

, Scroll of

Sealing

, Scroll of

Confusion

, Scroll of

Sleep

, Scroll of

Frailty

, Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of

Poisoning

(Grants target’s weapon the

Badly Poisoned

effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of

Luck

(Grants target the

Lucky

-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.), Scroll of

Weakening

,

Consumables:

Potion, Grand Potion x6,

Ether Core x2, Remedy x10, Elixir,

Smelling Salts x3, Nostrum x3, Mulled Wine, Jinxy Juice x4, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the

Badly Poisoned

effect for the duration of the battle and the

Confused

effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Zoot's Plaything

Nagure

(Costy)

34 year old Male Yeti Berserker.

Level 16

*Immune to

Fragile, Blindness,

Ice

&

Fire

*

*Counterstriking*

*Encouraged*

Power:

30

(16+

14)

Defense:

21

(12+9)

Health:

33/33

(8+15+10)

Gold:

4

(200 owed to Arthur)

Equipment:

Stone Hammer (WP: 14,

Earth

&

Darknes

s-elemental, hammer)

,

Shield (SP:9), Yeti Fur Coat (Artefact, bodywear, SP:12, immunity to

Ice,

Fire,

Fragile and Blindness; suitable for yetis only), Counterstrike Gloves (Artefact, handwear; After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level)

Inventory:

Axe of the Croise (WP: 10,

Light

-elemental axe)

,

Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear),

Potion x2,

Grand Potion x6,

Remedy,

Tiger Balm,

Phoenix Essence, Mead x2,

Deadly Venom x2,

Smoke Bomb x2,

Pickaxe

Sorrow

(Endgame) *Acting Party Leader*

428 years old undead

Assassin

Level 20

*Immune to

Light

and Blinded*

*Lucky*

*Encouraged*

*Hastened*

Power:

44

(20+22+2)

Defense:

7

(1+6)

Health:

30/31

(7+19+5)

Gold:

2087

Equipment:

Mockthril Longbow (WP: 22

Ice

and

Darkness

Elemental), Sticky Gloves (

Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors; handwear)

, Armor of the Croise (

SP: 1, +2 power;

bodywear),

Night’s Helmet (SP:6, immunity to light and blinded; headwear)

Inventory:

Longsword (WP: 5),

Dark Cloak (Backwear, SP:1, Max Health +1, Power +1, suitable for rogues and barbarians),

Archer's Hat (Artifact, headwear, Power +1, suitable for Rangers and their Advanced Classes),

Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the

Jinxed

effect on every third round),

Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles),

Grand Potion x5,

Health Core,

Tonic,

Ether Core x1,

Remedy x5,

Phoenix Essence x5,

Venom,

Deadly Venom,

Mead x8, Smelling Salts x8, Nostrum x6, Dragon Scales x2,

Bedroll

Party Leader, post the order of action. Everyone, post your actions and targets.

Round Four of the Steerpike Battle:

>Thothwick uses Health Core on Nyx - (Nyx: full health restored)

>Boomingham vs. Remus - Shield/Critical Hit (Guardian Angel)

>Nyx equips the Sterile Gloves

Lupus - Free Hit vs. Thothwick (Thothwick: 24 health+10 SP-(24/2=12 dmg)=22 health)

Steerpike - Free Hit vs. Boomingham (Boomingham: 78 health+12 SP-(41/2=21 dmg)=69 health; Steerpike: 1460 health-(22x2/2=22 dmg)=1438 health)

Boomingham - Poisoned (-1 dmg)

Remus - Bleeding (-5 dmg)

Thothwick uses up one of his precious Health Cores to restore Nyx back to full health. Barty pops up to protect everyone for the next round, and Nyx takes the chance to equip the gloves Boomingham gave her, removing the lethal poison in her veins. Lupus strikes Thothwick while Steerpike continues his duel with Boomingham. Boomingham is still poisoned and Remus bleeding.

Enemies:

Wolfgang Werewolf Lupus

Type: Beast/Humanoid

Level: 24

Health: 512/583

Special:

Ecliptic Slash

– Causes 24 darkness-elemental damage to the target regardless of row, along with the afraid- and cursed-effects.

Drops: 60 gold

Wolfgang Werewolf Remus

*Bleeding*

Type: Beast/Humanoid

Level: 24

Health: 195/583

Special:

Ecliptic Slash

– Causes 24 darkness-elemental damage to the target regardless of row, along with the afraid- and cursed-effects.

Drops: 60 gold

Nikolaus Steerpike

Type: Humanoid

Level: 41

Health: 1438/1482

Special I:

Half Moon Venom

- Causes the badly poisoned-, blinded-, sealed- and asleep-effects to the target.

Special II:

Injection

– Gives the encouraged- and inspired-effects to self. Used if the target is already under the effect of the Half Moon Venom.

Special III:

Medicine

– Restores 400 health to self. Used if Injection is already in effect.

Drops: Everlasting Venom (Adds the badly poisoned-effect to one weapon permanently), 9 Deadly Venoms

Note: Steerpike’s attacks cause the poisoned-effect to the target. Immune to all negative effects and sudden death.

Ballroom Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham

(Zepher) ***Party Leader***

45 Years old male human Paladin

Level 22 1/2

*Immune to

Fragile

*

*Counterstriking*

*Encouraged*

*Lucky*

*Inspired*

*Poisoned*

*GUARDIAN ANGEL*

Power

: 36

(22+10+4*)

Defense

: 12

(7+5)

Health

:

44/44

68/88

(10+21+11+2*)

Ether

: 22/22

(1+21)

Gold

: 63

(Owe 50 to Docken, 79 to Arthur, 110 to Sorrow)

Equipment

: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 10,

Darkness

Fire

, causes

Bleeding

Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Counterstrike Gloves (On Free Hits, Deals damage to enemy equal to wearer's level), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immunity to

Fragile

), Tome of Affluence (Generates 10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle, accessory)

*Pseudo's Blessing's Blessing (Not an Artifact, +4 Power)

Inventory

: Frozen Saber (Great Sword, WP: 9,

Light

Ice

, stunned effect),

Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (+4 to Power, -6 to Ether), Hamantasch (consumable, lucky + blessed effects upon consumption for the length of one battle),

Marksman's Monocle (

rolls of 4 are rerolled, headwear)

,

Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile for rest of battle, 5 ether, 50/50 chance), Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sealing, Garnet, Sapphire,

4 Meads, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immunity to Ice),

Emerald Lamp of Summoning,

Bedroll,

Adamantite Shard

Nyx

(Pandora)

19 years old female human Battle Mage

Level 25 2/3

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to Sealing, Poisoned and Badly Poisoned*

Power:

40

(25+14+1)

Defense:

3

Health:

36/36

(5+24+5+2)

Ether:

35/35

(5+24+1+5)

Gold:

21

Equipment:

Zee Standard (WP:14;

Ice-

and

Darkness

-elemental; Necromancer raise enemies with 2 extra levels; staff)

, Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from sealed-effect, bodywear), High Heels (+1 Power, footwear),

Sterile Gloves (immunity to

Poisoned

and

Badly Poisoned

, handwear

)

Inventory:

Book of a Thousand Creatures (WP:14, each roll has a 1/6 chance to summon a creature to aid the hero)

,

Explosive Staff (WP: 12, does 1/2 damage to all enemies on a successful hit (normal damage to targeted enemy) and 1/2 WP damage to self on a roll of 4 (disregarding SP/row)), Healing Staff (WP: 5).

Sandman's Parasol (Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects),

,

Shiny Helmet (+1 max health), Monkey Bar (all minions, pets, summons etc are Hastened),

Ruby (

Fire

), Diamond (

Light

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Sapphire (

Wind

), Emerald (

Wood

), Garnet (

Earth

), Aquamarine (

Water

), Opal (

Ice

),

Scroll of Sleep,

Scroll of

Frailty

,

Potion, 3 Tonics, 2 Grand Tonics, Ether Core,

3 Meads,

Fire Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Bomb '

X2' (May be combined with a bomb to get it to ignore SP),

Bedroll, 5 Bones

Thothwick

(Professor Flitwick)

44 year old Metasimian

Level

: 23 Black Knight

*Damage Undead*

*Immune to

Darkness

and Stunned*

Power

: 37

(23+12+2)

Defence

: 10

(6+4)

Health

: 22/38

(7+22+9)

Gold

: 409

Equipment

: Banana Sabre (WP:12, heals Metasimians when used on them), Skull Shield (SP:6; immunity to darkness; suitable to Black Knights only), Black Knight's Armour (SP:4, protects from stunned-effect), Cultist's Hat (regular attacks do Damage to Undead)

Inventory

: Shuriken (WP 8), Sabre (WP 10),

Sapphire (

Wind

),

Potion, Health Core,

Dragon Scale,

Venom,

Grand Zoot Cookie,

Bedroll, Telescope

Party Leader, post the order of action. Everyone, post your actions and targets.

[Flipz]

OOC: Yay, Mirror Damage actually accounted for for once! Damage caused and given should be halved, though, since I was in the Back Row Actually, wasn't Bowen still Blinded for that Round? Also: come on, Magnetic Mojo, I needs to double my Gold...

"All right, Sorrow, let's try to finish this up. Keep it up, Nagure, one good hit'll take him out."

Battle Order:

Nagure (Stone Hammer) vs. Ajax (Front Row)

>Arthur (Unlucky Horseshoe) vs. Crossette (Back Row)

>Arthur (Scroll of Blindness) vs. Crossette (Back Row)

>Arthur (Scroll of Sealing) vs. Crossette (Back Row)

>Arthur (Unlucky Horseshoe) vs. Crossette (Back Row) (if first attack successful, use Staff of Ennon instead, still Back Row)

>Sorrow (Mockthril Longbow) vs. Bowen (Back Row)

>Sorrow (Mockthril Longbow) vs. Bowen (Back Row)

Edited May 16, 2013 by Flipz

[Zepher]

"Alright then, Thothwick, Nyx, let's hit Steerpike while we can."

Boomingham swings at Steerpike with Scupperer from the front row.

Battle Order

Boomingham

Thothwick

Nyx

(If you want to auto-roll the round AFTER this one as well, I believe (if Pandy and Thothy agree) that I will target Remus from the back row, Thothwick will target Lupus from the backrow, and Nyx will equipped her sandman's parasol from the backrow, using the same order.)

[Pandora]

OoC: Zeph, do you want me to equip the Parasol now or fire at Steerpike this round?

Nyx does as Boomingham suggests.

If attacking, will be Amethyst at Steerpike through Zee's Standard, back row.

[Zepher]

Boomingham whistles sharply to get Nyx's attention.

"I know you love your accessories, dearest, but I know you love blowing stuff up more. Don't you think the parasol could wait for a second while Barty has our backs?"

"Blow him to smithereens!"

[Pandora]

Nyx grins.

"No worries, Larry."

Nyx points herself in Steerpike's general direction and summons Darkness magic through Zee's Standard at him from the back row.

[Flipz]

"OOC: forgot to add, feel free to autoroll with this battle order and actions. If Nagure finishes Ajax, he'll attack Bowen next, and then Crossette.

"Sorrow, as soon as this battle is over, I'm going to check my Magic Compass for Steerpike again. These goons aren't here by accident. If he's in there, I want you to run to Patricia and inform her of what's happened so far, and ask her if she needs our assistance."

[Endgame]

"If the flow of goons stop when these folks are dead, I'll be concerned... it means they either gave up or found another way in. And, really, how likely is the first one?"

I follow Arthur's plan.

[Sandy]

Results of Round Six of the Wolfgang Battle:

Nagure vs. Ajax - Damage (Nagure: 33 health+21 SP-16 dmg=33 health)

>Arthur (Unlucky Horseshoe) vs. Crossette - Critical Hit/Special Damage (Crossette: 225 health-(34x2=68 dmg)=157 health+jinxed)

>Arthur uses Scroll of Blindness on Crossette - Failure (Arthur: -1 ether)

>Arthur uses Scroll of Sealing on Crossette - Failure (Arthur: -1 ether)

>Arthur (Staff of Ennon) vs. Crossette - Shield/Shield/Confuse/Special Damage (Magnetic Mojo - All enemies: stunned; Arthur: 16+15+15=46 gold)

>Sorrow vs. Bowen - Lethal Aim/Damage (Bowen: 81 health-(22x4=88 dmg)=0 health)

>Sorrow vs. Bowen Crossette - Shield/Special Damage/Shield/Lethal Aim (Gold Reaper - Sorrow: 16+15x1,5=47 gold)

The heroes manage to eliminate one more bandit, while making a buckload of gold.

Enemies:

Wolfgang Goon Ajax

*Stunned*

Type: Humanoid

Level: 16

Health: 86/382

Special:

Steal & Stash

– Steals gold equal to the target’s level and hides it so it cannot be recovered.

Drops: 30 gold, Grand Potion

Wolfgang Hitman Crossette

*Stunned*

*Jinxed*

Type: Humanoid

Level: 15

Health: 157/257

Special:

Dark Arrow

– Causes 15 darkness-elemental damage and the blinded-effect to the target regardless of row.

Drops: 20 gold, Smelling Salts

Note: Wolfgang Hitman fights from the back row, so all non-ranged attacks will do half damage to him, while his attacks do full damage to heroes in back row.

Backdoor Party:

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

(Flipz) ***Party Leader***

21-year-old male human Sorcerer

Level 21 2/3

*Immune to

Sealed

*

*Lucky*

*Hastened*

*Encouraged*

Power:

26

(21+5)

Defense:

3

Health:

28/33

(5+20+4+4)

Ether:

0/31

(5+20+1+5)

Gold:

494

(Owed 128 gold by Boomingham; owed 50 gold by Grimwald Gjinko; owed 70 gold by En Sabah Nur, oved 200 gold by Nagure)

Equipment:

Staff of Ennon (WP: 5,

Light

-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4)

,

Robe of the Archmagi (Bodywear, SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to

Sealed

), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.)

Inventory:

Weapons:

Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes jinxed-effect; throwing weapon

)

,

Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword),

Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics),

Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [n/a]),

Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging)

,

Artifacts:

Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent)

Gems:

Opal (

Ice

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Diamond (

Light

), Garnet (

Earth

),

Tools:

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

Scrolls:

Scroll of

Blindness

, Scroll of

Sealing

, Scroll of

Confusion

, Scroll of

Sleep

, Scroll of

Frailty

, Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of

Poisoning

(Grants target’s weapon the

Badly Poisoned

effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of

Luck

(Grants target the

Lucky

-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.), Scroll of

Weakening

,

Consumables:

Potion, Grand Potion x6,

Ether Core x2, Remedy x10, Elixir,

Smelling Salts x3, Nostrum x3, Mulled Wine, Jinxy Juice x4, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the

Badly Poisoned

effect for the duration of the battle and the

Confused

effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Zoot's Plaything

Nagure

(Costy)

34 year old Male Yeti Berserker.

Level 16

*Immune to

Fragile, Blindness,

Ice

&

Fire

*

*Counterstriking*

*Encouraged*

Power:

30

(16+

14)

Defense:

21

(12+9)

Health:

33/33

(8+15+10)

Gold:

4

(200 owed to Arthur)

Equipment:

Stone Hammer (WP: 14,

Earth

&

Darknes

s-elemental, hammer)

,

Shield (SP:9), Yeti Fur Coat (Artefact, bodywear, SP:12, immunity to

Ice,

Fire,

Fragile and Blindness; suitable for yetis only), Counterstrike Gloves (Artefact, handwear; After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level)

Inventory:

Axe of the Croise (WP: 10,

Light

-elemental axe)

,

Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear),

Potion x2,

Grand Potion x6,

Remedy,

Tiger Balm,

Phoenix Essence, Mead x2,

Deadly Venom x2,

Smoke Bomb x2,

Pickaxe

Sorrow

(Endgame) *Acting Party Leader*

428 years old undead

Assassin

Level 20

*Immune to

Light

and Blinded*

*Lucky*

*Encouraged*

*Hastened*

Power:

44

(20+22+2)

Defense:

7

(1+6)

Health:

30/31

(7+19+5)

Gold:

2134

Equipment:

Mockthril Longbow (WP: 22

Ice

and

Darkness

Elemental), Sticky Gloves (

Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors; handwear)

, Armor of the Croise (

SP: 1, +2 power;

bodywear),

Night’s Helmet (SP:6, immunity to light and blinded; headwear)

Inventory:

Longsword (WP: 5),

Dark Cloak (Backwear, SP:1, Max Health +1, Power +1, suitable for rogues and barbarians),

Archer's Hat (Artifact, headwear, Power +1, suitable for Rangers and their Advanced Classes),

Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the

Jinxed

effect on every third round),

Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles),

Grand Potion x5,

Health Core,

Tonic,

Ether Core x1,

Remedy x5,

Phoenix Essence x5,

Venom,

Deadly Venom,

Mead x8, Smelling Salts x8, Nostrum x6, Dragon Scales x2,

Bedroll

Party Leader, post the order of action. Everyone, post your actions and targets.

Round Five of the Steerpike Battle:

Boomingham vs. Steerpike - Shield/Damage (Guardian Angel)

Thothwick vs. Steerpike - Critical Mortal Hit (Steerpike: 1438 health-49 dmg=1389 health)

>Nyx (Darkness) vs. Steerpike - Spell (Steerpike: 1389 health-(40x2=80 dmg)=1309 health; Nyx: -1 ether)

Lupus - Free Hit vs. Boomingham (No effect)

Remus - Free Hit vs. Thothwick (No effect)

Boomingham - Poisoned (-1 dmg)

Remus - Bleeding (-5 dmg)

Barty decides to stick around to fend of the werewolves. Thothwick and Nyx both score hits on Steerpike.

Round Six of the Steerpike Battle:

Boomingham vs. Steerpike - Hit/Meditate (Steerpike: 1309 health-(36x4=144 dmg)=1165 health)

Thothwick vs. Steerpike - Damage (Thothwick: no effect)

>Nyx (Darkness) vs. Steerpike - Shield (Spellblade - Steerpike: 1165 health-((68x2/2=68)+(68x2=136)=204 dmg)=961 health)

Lupus - Free Hit vs. Boomingham (No effect)

Remus - Free Hit vs. Thothwick (No effect)

Boomingham - Poisoned (-1 dmg)

Remus - Bleeding (-5 dmg)

The heroes pummel Steerpike with attacks while Barty protects them.

QM Note: Sorry, I can't autoroll the round you wanted because Nyx already has three artifacts, so she has to decide which one to give up for the Parasol.

Enemies:

Wolfgang Werewolf Lupus

Type: Beast/Humanoid

Level: 24

Health: 512/583

Special:

Ecliptic Slash

– Causes 24 darkness-elemental damage to the target regardless of row, along with the afraid- and cursed-effects.

Drops: 60 gold

Wolfgang Werewolf Remus

*Bleeding*

Type: Beast/Humanoid

Level: 24

Health: 185/583

Special:

Ecliptic Slash

– Causes 24 darkness-elemental damage to the target regardless of row, along with the afraid- and cursed-effects.

Drops: 60 gold

Nikolaus Steerpike

Type: Humanoid

Level: 41

Health: 961/1482

Special I:

Half Moon Venom

- Causes the badly poisoned-, blinded-, sealed- and asleep-effects to the target.

Special II:

Injection

– Gives the encouraged- and inspired-effects to self. Used if the target is already under the effect of the Half Moon Venom.

Special III:

Medicine

– Restores 400 health to self. Used if Injection is already in effect.

Drops: Everlasting Venom (Adds the badly poisoned-effect to one weapon permanently), 9 Deadly Venoms

Note: Steerpike’s attacks cause the poisoned-effect to the target. Immune to all negative effects and sudden death.

Ballroom Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham

(Zepher) ***Party Leader***

45 Years old male human Paladin

Level 22 1/2

*Immune to

Fragile

*

*Counterstriking*

*Encouraged*

*Lucky*

*Inspired*

*Poisoned*

Power

: 36

(22+10+4*)

Defense

: 12

(7+5)

Health

:

44/44

66/88

(10+21+11+2*)

Ether

: 22/22

(1+21)

Gold

: 63

(Owe 50 to Docken, 79 to Arthur, 110 to Sorrow)

Equipment

: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 10,

Darkness

Fire

, causes

Bleeding

Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Counterstrike Gloves (On Free Hits, Deals damage to enemy equal to wearer's level), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immunity to

Fragile

), Tome of Affluence (Generates 10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle, accessory)

*Pseudo's Blessing's Blessing (Not an Artifact, +4 Power)

Inventory

: Frozen Saber (Great Sword, WP: 9,

Light

Ice

, stunned effect),

Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (+4 to Power, -6 to Ether), Hamantasch (consumable, lucky + blessed effects upon consumption for the length of one battle),

Marksman's Monocle (

rolls of 4 are rerolled, headwear)

,

Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile for rest of battle, 5 ether, 50/50 chance), Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sealing, Garnet, Sapphire,

4 Meads, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immunity to Ice),

Emerald Lamp of Summoning,

Bedroll,

Adamantite Shard

Nyx

(Pandora)

19 years old female human Battle Mage

Level 25 2/3

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to Sealing, Poisoned and Badly Poisoned*

Power:

40

(25+14+1)

Defense:

3

Health:

36/36

(5+24+5+2)

Ether:

34/35

(5+24+1+5)

Gold:

21

Equipment:

Zee Standard (WP:14;

Ice-

and

Darkness

-elemental; Necromancer raise enemies with 2 extra levels; staff)

, Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from sealed-effect, bodywear), High Heels (+1 Power, footwear),

Sterile Gloves (immunity to

Poisoned

and

Badly Poisoned

, handwear

)

Inventory:

Book of a Thousand Creatures (WP:14, each roll has a 1/6 chance to summon a creature to aid the hero)

,

Explosive Staff (WP: 12, does 1/2 damage to all enemies on a successful hit (normal damage to targeted enemy) and 1/2 WP damage to self on a roll of 4 (disregarding SP/row)), Healing Staff (WP: 5).

Sandman's Parasol (Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects),

,

Shiny Helmet (+1 max health), Monkey Bar (all minions, pets, summons etc are Hastened),

Ruby (

Fire

), Diamond (

Light

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Sapphire (

Wind

), Emerald (

Wood

), Garnet (

Earth

), Aquamarine (

Water

), Opal (

Ice

),

Scroll of Sleep,

Scroll of

Frailty

,

Potion, 3 Tonics, 2 Grand Tonics, Ether Core,

3 Meads,

Fire Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Bomb '

X2' (May be combined with a bomb to get it to ignore SP),

Bedroll, 5 Bones

Thothwick

(Professor Flitwick)

44 year old Metasimian

Level

: 23 Black Knight

*Damage Undead*

*Immune to

Darkness

and Stunned*

Power

: 37

(23+12+2)

Defence

: 10

(6+4)

Health

: 22/38

(7+22+9)

Gold

: 409

Equipment

: Banana Sabre (WP:12, heals Metasimians when used on them), Skull Shield (SP:6; immunity to darkness; suitable to Black Knights only), Black Knight's Armour (SP:4, protects from stunned-effect), Cultist's Hat (regular attacks do Damage to Undead)

Inventory

: Shuriken (WP 8), Sabre (WP 10),

Sapphire (

Wind

),

Potion, Health Core,

Dragon Scale,

Venom,

Grand Zoot Cookie,

Bedroll, Telescope

Party Leader, post the order of action. Everyone, post your actions and targets.

[Flipz]

"All right, I'll finish off Crossette, you two finish Ajax."

Battle Order: We can autoroll with this, if you'd like.

>Arthur (Sir Roderick's Sword) vs. Crossette (Back Row)

>Arthur (Sir Roderick's Sword) vs. Crossette (Back Row)

Nagure (Stone Hammer) vs. Ajax (Front Row) OR if Ajax dead, do nothing

>Sorrow (Mockthril Longbow) vs. Ajax (Back Row) OR if Ajax dead, do nothing

>Sorrow (Mockthril Longbow) vs. Ajax (Back Row) OR if Ajax dead, do nothing

[Endgame]

"This is just folly, at this point."

I follow Arthur's plan.

[Zepher]

OoC: In the past, free hits even under the protection of Guardian Angel have invoked counterstrike, as technically the enemy hits us, but with no damage being dealt. As always, I leave it up to you, just telling you how its been done!

Boomingham steps calmly back as Barty swoops away.

"I'm afraid you'll have to step out of your shoes, Nyx. Thothwick, let's keep these suckers occupied while Nyx gets ready to attack."

Boomingham swings his sword at Remus.

Battle Order

Boomingham

Thothwick

Nyx

Edited May 17, 2013 by Zepher

[Sandy]

Results of Round Six of the Wolfgang Battle:

>Arthur (Sir Roderick's Sword) vs. Crossette - Critical Hit/Mirror Damage/Confuse/Hit (Crossette: 157 health-(45x2/4=23 dmg)=134 health)

>Arthur (Sir Roderick's Sword) vs. Crossette - Shield/Hit/Mirror Damage/Mirror Damage (Magnetic Mojo - All enemies: stunned; Arthur: 16+15=31 gold)

Nagure vs. Ajax - Furious Hit (Ajax: 86 health-(30x4=120 dmg)=0 health)

>Sorrow does nothing

>Sorrow does nothing

Arthur does minimal damage to Crossette, then gains some more gold. Nagure takes out Ajax, and Sorrow just stands still, wondering what Arthur is thinking by wanting to tackle on the hitman by himself...

QM Note: Why can't Nagure and Sorrow attack Crossette as well? You're doing minimal damage fighting from the back row like that! Is it because you want to reap gold from the enemy? Do you realize it'll take me ages to autoroll for you? I honestly have better things to do with my time...

Enemies:

Wolfgang Hitman Crossette

*Stunned*

*Jinxed*

Type: Humanoid

Level: 15

Health: 134/257

Special:

Dark Arrow

– Causes 15 darkness-elemental damage and the blinded-effect to the target regardless of row.

Drops: 20 gold, Smelling Salts

Note: Wolfgang Hitman fights from the back row, so all non-ranged attacks will do half damage to him, while his attacks do full damage to heroes in back row.

Backdoor Party:

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

(Flipz) ***Party Leader***

21-year-old male human Sorcerer

Level 21 2/3

*Immune to

Sealed

*

*Lucky*

*Hastened*

*Encouraged*

Power:

33

(21+12)

Defense:

3

Health:

28/33

(5+20+4+4)

Ether:

0/31

(5+20+1+5)

Gold:

525

(Owed 128 gold by Boomingham; owed 50 gold by Grimwald Gjinko; owed 70 gold by En Sabah Nur, oved 200 gold by Nagure)

Equipment:

Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword),

Robe of the Archmagi (Bodywear, SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to

Sealed

), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.)

Inventory:

Weapons:

Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes jinxed-effect; throwing weapon

)

,

Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics),

Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [n/a]),

Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging)

,

Staff of Ennon (WP: 5,

Light

-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4)

Artifacts:

Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent)

Gems:

Opal (

Ice

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Diamond (

Light

), Garnet (

Earth

),

Tools:

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

Scrolls:

Scroll of

Blindness

, Scroll of

Sealing

, Scroll of

Confusion

, Scroll of

Sleep

, Scroll of

Frailty

, Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of

Poisoning

(Grants target’s weapon the

Badly Poisoned

effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of

Luck

(Grants target the

Lucky

-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.), Scroll of

Weakening

,

Consumables:

Potion, Grand Potion x6,

Ether Core x2, Remedy x10, Elixir,

Smelling Salts x3, Nostrum x3, Mulled Wine, Jinxy Juice x4, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the

Badly Poisoned

effect for the duration of the battle and the

Confused

effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Zoot's Plaything

Nagure

(Costy)

34 year old Male Yeti Berserker.

Level 16

*Immune to

Fragile, Blindness,

Ice

&

Fire

*

*Counterstriking*

*Encouraged*

Power:

30

(16+

14)

Defense:

21

(12+9)

Health:

33/33

(8+15+10)

Gold:

4

(200 owed to Arthur)

Equipment:

Stone Hammer (WP: 14,

Earth

&

Darknes

s-elemental, hammer)

,

Shield (SP:9), Yeti Fur Coat (Artefact, bodywear, SP:12, immunity to

Ice,

Fire,

Fragile and Blindness; suitable for yetis only), Counterstrike Gloves (Artefact, handwear; After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level)

Inventory:

Axe of the Croise (WP: 10,

Light

-elemental axe)

,

Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear),

Potion x2,

Grand Potion x6,

Remedy,

Tiger Balm,

Phoenix Essence, Mead x2,

Deadly Venom x2,

Smoke Bomb x2,

Pickaxe

Sorrow

(Endgame) *Acting Party Leader*

428 years old undead

Assassin

Level 20

*Immune to

Light

and Blinded*

*Lucky*

*Encouraged*

*Hastened*

Power:

44

(20+22+2)

Defense:

7

(1+6)

Health:

30/31

(7+19+5)

Gold:

2134

Equipment:

Mockthril Longbow (WP: 22

Ice

and

Darkness

Elemental), Sticky Gloves (

Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors; handwear)

, Armor of the Croise (

SP: 1, +2 power;

bodywear),

Night’s Helmet (SP:6, immunity to light and blinded; headwear)

Inventory:

Longsword (WP: 5),

Dark Cloak (Backwear, SP:1, Max Health +1, Power +1, suitable for rogues and barbarians),

Archer's Hat (Artifact, headwear, Power +1, suitable for Rangers and their Advanced Classes),

Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the

Jinxed

effect on every third round),

Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles),

Grand Potion x5,

Health Core,

Tonic,

Ether Core x1,

Remedy x5,

Phoenix Essence x5,

Venom,

Deadly Venom,

Mead x8, Smelling Salts x8, Nostrum x6, Dragon Scales x2,

Bedroll

Party Leader, post the order of action. Everyone, post your actions and targets.

OoC: In the past, free hits even under the protection of Guardian Angel have invoked counterstrike, as technically the enemy hits us, but with no damage being dealt. As always, I leave it up to you, just telling you how its been done!

QM Note: Sorry, I can't agree to that. The Guardian Angel blocks the attack, so Boomingham has nothing to counter.

[Zepher]

Okay with me! You ought to swoop into my quests more often and tell my questies I'm being too easy on them. Cronk and Co. would not be a fan of that ruling.

[Flipz]

...and I underestimate how little damage I deal. I figured it'd add one Round, not twenty.

"OK, that didn't go as planned. Let's just finish her off already."

Battle Order:

Arthur (Sir Roderick's Sword) vs. Crossette, Front Row

Arthur (Sir Roderick's Sword) vs. Crossette, Front Row

>Sorrow (Mockthril Longbow) vs. Crossette, Back Row

>Sorrow (Mockthril Longbow) vs. Crossette, Back Row

Nagure (Stone Hammer) vs. Crosette, Front Row

OOC: If any Hero takes damage, we'll Counterstrike Crosette to death with Nagure at the top of the battle order doing nothing in the Front Row.

[Sandy]

Results of Round Seven of the Wolfgang Battle:

Arthur (Sir Roderick's Sword) vs. Crossette - Mirror Damage/Shield/Mirror Damage/Hit (Magnetic Mojo - Crossette: stunned; Arthur: +15 gold)

Arthur (Sir Roderick's Sword) vs. Crossette - Hit/Hit/Hit/Confuse (Crossette: 134 health-(33x2/4=17 dmg)=117 health)

>Sorrow vs. Crossette - Critical Lethal Hit/Critical Lethal Hit/Lethal Hit/Special Damage (Crossette: sudden death)

>Sorrow vs. Crossette - Special Damage/Special Damage/Shield/Shield

Nagure vs. Crossette - Extra Critical Furious Hit

Arthur gets some more gold before Sorrow's arrow kills the final Wolgang thug.

THE BATTLE IS VICTORIOUS!

Arthur and Sorrow get a third of a level and Nagure gets a half. The enemies drop five Grand Potions, three Smelling Salts and a total of 210 gold.

Backdoor Party:

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

(Flipz) ***Party Leader***

21-year-old male human Sorcerer

Level 22

*Immune to

Sealed

*

Power:

34

(22+12)

Defense:

3

Health:

29/34

(5+21+4+4)

Ether:

1/32

(5+21+1+5)

Gold:

540

(Owed 128 gold by Boomingham; owed 50 gold by Grimwald Gjinko; owed 70 gold by En Sabah Nur, oved 200 gold by Nagure)

Equipment:

Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword),

Robe of the Archmagi (Bodywear, SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to

Sealed

), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.)

Inventory:

Weapons:

Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes jinxed-effect; throwing weapon

),

Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics),

Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [n/a]),

Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging)

,

Staff of Ennon (WP: 5,

Light

-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4)

Artifacts:

Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent)

Gems:

Opal (

Ice

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Diamond (

Light

), Garnet (

Earth

),

Tools:

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

Scrolls:

Scroll of

Blindness

, Scroll of

Sealing

, Scroll of

Confusion

, Scroll of

Sleep

, Scroll of

Frailty

, Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of

Poisoning

(Grants target’s weapon the

Badly Poisoned

effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of

Luck

(Grants target the

Lucky

-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.), Scroll of

Weakening

,

Consumables:

Potion, Grand Potion x6,

Ether Core x2, Remedy x10, Elixir,

Smelling Salts x3, Nostrum x3, Mulled Wine, Jinxy Juice x4, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the

Badly Poisoned

effect for the duration of the battle and the

Confused

effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Zoot's Plaything

Nagure

(Costy)

34 year old Male Yeti Berserker.

Level 16 1/2

*Immune to

Fragile, Blindness,

Ice

&

Fire

*

*Counterstriking*

Power:

30

(16+

14)

Defense:

21

(12+9)

Health:

33/33

(8+15+10)

Gold:

4

(200 owed to Arthur)

Equipment:

Stone Hammer (WP: 14,

Earth

&

Darknes

s-elemental, hammer)

,

Shield (SP:9), Yeti Fur Coat (Artefact, bodywear, SP:12, immunity to

Ice,

Fire,

Fragile and Blindness; suitable for yetis only), Counterstrike Gloves (Artefact, handwear; After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level)

Inventory:

Axe of the Croise (WP: 10,

Light

-elemental axe)

,

Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear),

Potion x2,

Grand Potion x6,

Remedy,

Tiger Balm,

Phoenix Essence, Mead x2,

Deadly Venom x2,

Smoke Bomb x2,

Pickaxe

Sorrow

(Endgame) *Acting Party Leader*

428 years old undead

Assassin

Level 20 1/3

*Immune to

Light

and Blinded*

Power:

44

(20+22+2)

Defense:

7

(1+6)

Health:

30/31

(7+19+5)

Gold:

2134

Equipment:

Mockthril Longbow (WP: 22

Ice

and

Darkness

Elemental), Sticky Gloves (

Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors; handwear)

, Armor of the Croise (

SP: 1, +2 power;

bodywear),

Night’s Helmet (SP:6, immunity to light and blinded; headwear)

Inventory:

Longsword (WP: 5),

Dark Cloak (Backwear, SP:1, Max Health +1, Power +1, suitable for rogues and barbarians),

Archer's Hat (Artifact, headwear, Power +1, suitable for Rangers and their Advanced Classes),

Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the

Jinxed

effect on every third round),

Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles),

Grand Potion x5,

Health Core,

Tonic,

Ether Core x1,

Remedy x5,

Phoenix Essence x5,

Venom,

Deadly Venom,

Mead x8, Smelling Salts x8, Nostrum x6, Dragon Scales x2,

Bedroll

Party Leader, please divide the spoils of the battle:

5x Grand Potion – Restores 25 health to the target.

3x Smelling Salts - Causes the hastened-effect, allowing the target to act twice in one round for the duration of one battle.

210 gold

Just as the heroes sheath their weapons, they hear clapping behind them. It seems the alley cat has returned with two companions.

"Bravo! That's an impressive pile of corpses!"

"Nicely played, avoiding our little trap. My Sugar sure tried her best, but I guess you're immune to the cuteness-effect."

"Mmmeaaaooouuuwww..."

[Flipz]

Before doing anything else, Arthur uses an Ether Core and downs a Nostrum and Smelling Salts, slotting his Elixir back into his Hollow Blade.

"Nagure, I'm taking your portion of the Gold out of your debt. I suggest you drink one of those Smelling Salts. Sorrow, sorry there's not much here for you--though you DID get that nice helmet earlier...anyway, those shackles would be a nice choice right now instead of your armor, just a suggestion..."

Loot:

Nagure-2x Grand potion, 2x Smelling Salts, -70 Gold to debt

Sorrow-1x Smelling Salts, 3x Grand Potion, 70 Gold

Arthur-140 Gold

Arthur turns to the two Wolfgang lieutenants, nodding at the cat. "Sugar there owes me her life. Sorrow had a feeling she was trouble, wanted to shoot her on sight." He sighs. "I doubt you're here to turn yourselves in, and I'm sure you would't come quietly anyway, so I won't bother with the whole 'you're under arrest' cliché. Likewise, I think we all know why you're here, but I'll indulge you anyway: 'what do you want?' And I mean that both as 'Why are you here right now?' AND 'Why do you do what you do in general?'."

"Oh, and incidentally, I assume Steerpike is already inside? I'd appreciate confirmation anyway." Arthur checks his Magic Compass for Steerpike, and then, on impulse, for Donny Dozenhands, Violetta, and Ulric as well. "Why bother with all of this, anyway? It's not like poisoning the Houses will do any good--you can't exactly extort money out of someone who's dead."

[Sandy]

Barbariccia turns her attention back to the hypnotized crowd.

"Despair, children of Eubric, for there is little hope for salvation for you. You will be undone by your own spite and jealousy as you turn against each other. But there is one beacon of light shining brightly for a better tomorrow. Following that light is your only hope. That light takes the form of one man. He will deliver this city out of darkness and into a new future, and rule it justly and fairly. His name is Ulric. He is the Wolfheaded Messiah!"

Steerpike and the two werewolves let out a spontaneous howl.

Round Seven of the Steerpike Battle:

QM Note: Edited into oblivion...

[Sandy]

Arthur turns to the two Wolfgang lieutenants, nodding at the cat. "Sugar there owes me her life. Sorrow had a feeling she was trouble, wanted to shoot her on sight." He sighs. "I doubt you're here to turn yourselves in, and I'm sure you would't come quietly anyway, so I won't bother with the whole 'you're under arrest' cliché. Likewise, I think we all know why you're here, but I'll indulge you anyway: 'what do you want?' And I mean that both as 'Why are you here right now?' AND 'Why do you do what you do in general?'."

"Oh, and incidentally, I assume Steerpike is already inside? I'd appreciate confirmation anyway." Arthur checks his Magic Compass for Steerpike, and then, on impulse, for Donny Dozenhands, Violetta, and Ulric as well. "Why bother with all of this, anyway? It's not like poisoning the Houses will do any good--you can't exactly extort money out of someone who's dead."

"Ahahaha! You clever boy, you think you know so much about us when in fact you know very little."

"If you think we're here for gold, you're sadly mistaken. We're rich enough, trust me. It's power that Ulric wants, and that's something he can't buy with gold. He's no Hinckwell, hehe..."

"As your compass will surely tell you, Steerpike is indeed inside that Theater at this very moment. But he's not alone, and he's not there to poison anyone - except maybe your precious friends. There are much bigger things going on tonight, things that you cannot do anything about anymore."

"The wheels have been set into motion, I'd say. It's time to either hop onto the wagon or get left behind."

"The two of us are here to offer you that choice. We've both had run-ins with Heroica before, and the people we met turned out be smart enough to understand that Wolfgang will not be just a bunch of criminals hiding in the sewers for long. We want to deliver this city from darkness and into the light, with Ulric as our king. He genuinely wants what's best for the little people. Our ways may be criminal, but the amount of charity that Wolfgang has done among the poor rivals that of any church. We just don't make noise about it, but we have people's hearts on our side."

"You three have proven to be strong and capable, and the Wolfgang would be proud to have you as our allies. Trust us, you wouldn't be the first ones in your organization to gain our trust... We have even bonded with one of your Veterans, hehe."

"Donny, watch your mouth! These people aren't on our side yet. What do you say? Money, fame and fortune with the Wolfgang, would that sound like a bad future to you guys?"

The Wolfgang generals are offering improved reputation with their organization. How will the heroes respond?

Arthur checks his compass. Steerpike is indeed south, while Violetta and Donny are right in front of him. The compass cannot find Ulric, though. He must be still hiding in his lair.

Backdoor Party:

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

(Flipz) ***Party Leader***

21-year-old male human Sorcerer

Level 22

*Immune to

Sealed

*

*Hastened*

*Lucky*

Power:

34

(22+12)

Defense:

3

Health:

29/34

(5+21+4+4)

Ether:

32/32

(5+21+1+5)

Gold:

680

(Owed 128 gold by Boomingham; owed 50 gold by Grimwald Gjinko; owed 70 gold by En Sabah Nur, owed 130 gold by Nagure)

Equipment:

Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword),

Robe of the Archmagi (Bodywear, SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to

Sealed

), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.)

Inventory:

Weapons:

Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes jinxed-effect; throwing weapon

),

Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics),

Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [Elixir]),

Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging)

,

Staff of Ennon (WP: 5,

Light

-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4)

Artifacts:

Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent)

Gems:

Opal (

Ice

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Diamond (

Light

), Garnet (

Earth

),

Tools:

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

Scrolls:

Scroll of

Blindness

, Scroll of

Sealing

, Scroll of

Confusion

, Scroll of

Sleep

, Scroll of

Frailty

, Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of

Poisoning

(Grants target’s weapon the

Badly Poisoned

effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of

Luck

(Grants target the

Lucky

-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.), Scroll of

Weakening

,

Consumables:

Potion, Grand Potion x6,

Ether Core, Remedy x10,

Smelling Salts x2, Nostrum x2, Mulled Wine, Jinxy Juice x4, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the

Badly Poisoned

effect for the duration of the battle and the

Confused

effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Zoot's Plaything

Nagure

(Costy)

34 year old Male Yeti Berserker.

Level 16 1/2

*Immune to

Fragile, Blindness,

Ice

&

Fire

*

*Counterstriking*

Power:

30

(16+

14)

Defense:

21

(12+9)

Health:

33/33

(8+15+10)

Gold:

4

(130 owed to Arthur)

Equipment:

Stone Hammer (WP: 14,

Earth

&

Darknes

s-elemental, hammer)

,

Shield (SP:9), Yeti Fur Coat (Artefact, bodywear, SP:12, immunity to

Ice,

Fire,

Fragile and Blindness; suitable for yetis only), Counterstrike Gloves (Artefact, handwear; After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level)

Inventory:

Axe of the Croise (WP: 10,

Light

-elemental axe)

,

Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear),

Potion x2,

Grand Potion x8,

Remedy,

Tiger Balm,

Phoenix Essence, Mead x2, Smelling Salts x2,

Deadly Venom x2,

Smoke Bomb x2,

Pickaxe

Sorrow

(Endgame) *Acting Party Leader*

428 years old undead

Assassin

Level 20 1/3

*Immune to

Light

and Blinded*

Power:

44

(20+22+2)

Defense:

7

(1+6)

Health:

30/31

(7+19+5)

Gold:

2204

Equipment:

Mockthril Longbow (WP: 22

Ice

and

Darkness

Elemental), Sticky Gloves (

Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors; handwear)

, Armor of the Croise (

SP: 1, +2 power;

bodywear),

Night’s Helmet (SP:6, immunity to light and blinded; headwear)

Inventory:

Longsword (WP: 5),

Dark Cloak (Backwear, SP:1, Max Health +1, Power +1, suitable for rogues and barbarians),

Archer's Hat (Artifact, headwear, Power +1, suitable for Rangers and their Advanced Classes),

Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the

Jinxed

effect on every third round),

Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles),

Grand Potion x8,

Health Core,

Tonic,

Ether Core x1,

Remedy x5,

Phoenix Essence x5,

Venom,

Deadly Venom,

Mead x8, Smelling Salts x9, Nostrum x6, Dragon Scales x2,

Bedroll

[Pandora]

A look of utter distaste flashes across Nyx's face as her enemies howl. Now wearing her Parasol, she once more targets Darkness magic at Steerpike from the back row.

[Professor Flitwick]

Thothwick bursts out from his hiding place... under a table

"And pray tell, Baba, what is your role to be in this New World?"

Thothwick runs Nyx's side, to attack Steerpike from the back row.

OoC: Sorry I never got a chance to post yesterday, I went out straight after work. Sorry!

[Flipz]

Arthur sighs at the sincerity in the generals' voices. "Damn. And here I thought this'd be easy. You know, I used to think like you do. That a great change was coming to this city, that I could shape it into a better place at the side of a woman who would conquer Zoot and redeem Chaos. I even betrayed Heroica, and my fellow Heroes, for the sake of making a better world."

"[color-#483D8B]I was a fool. And I lost. And good people died to spare my from my rightly-deserved death. And for what? A city that won't even know what perils they've faced, what sacrifices were made for them? A city that, if they did know, wouldn't care? Let me tell you a secret. People like you and me? We're the heroes Eubric deserves, not the ones it needs. We can try so hard, and get so far, but in the end it doesn't even matter; in the end, we have to fall. Because we're the villains. Even though we truly want to make the world a better place, that's who we are to them. They will always hate us. And we will lose because of it.[/color]"

"And besides, what about people like Patricia? She wants the world to be a better place, and she's in a position to do so. Why not support her? Or better yet, why not change the system from within, convince the Houses to work together for the betterment of Eubric? Why hire petty thugs and common criminals? I just don't understand why things have to be the way they are. Why the people who are best for Eubric--no, for the world--are doomed to be at each others' throats." The frustration in Arthur's voice is clearly evident.

Arthur turns to include the other two Heroes in his address. "My duty is to make sure no one comes in or out of this door. The only way anyone is getting through is if I am dead. Anything else...that's up to you. Make the decision you feel is right in your hearts. Patricia may hold it against you, but I...I won't. I can't. It's just not who I am."

"As for me...I don't know. I'm not betraying the Guard. Patricia gave me a second chance, a chance to do some good in the city. Bennetton and Gnash died for me. I can't dishonor them. But I don't feel right about fighting you two, either." He kneads his forehead. "Damn it, if you two just used your talents for good instead of working with the worst sort of criminals..."