KotZ

"How would you like to avenge your husband and get the beast back? We're going on an expedition to finally stop this creature. It won't be easy, but we need people who want to stop this thing."

"Gods, was it a storm? A creature perhaps?"

Kiray goes over to the elf at the end. "What's going on here? Busy day? Something wrong?"

"Yes, off to the docks."

"We're short on crew members for a ship to go on a quest and we're looking for more. It's as simple as that."

"Unless you can offer us some assistance now or if this is quick enough for us to help and then be on our way, we'll be heading off."

Round 1 >Benji (Meduaik) vs Mis-colored Village Jester (back): Hit (65x2=130; 130-20=110; Benji gains 110 gold) >Vindsval (hammer) vs Shade of Gray II (front): Shield – Miracle (Restores health to party; Already at full health; nothing happens) >Miderun (Club) vs Bessie (front): Miss (Nothing happens) >Bobby (Dagger) vs Calder Den, II (front): Hit (9 damage; 90-9=81 HP) >Shade of Gray I vs Benji (Free hit): Nothing happens (12-7=5) >Town Guard vs Vindsval (free hit): Nothing happens (3-3=0) Benji opens with an immediate kill on the village jester. The poor fool explodes in a bright display of color, all that was left in him. Benji scoops up his gold. Vindsval attempts to heal his fellow party members, but all of them are at full strength. Miderun misses the large ox as Bobby hits the sorcerer with a “dope” hit. The Shade of Gray and Town Guard miss their targets completely. Round 2 >Benji (Meduaik) vs Town Guard (back): Extra Critical Hit (60+45=105x2=210; 210-25=185 gold; Benji gains 185 gold) >Vindsval (hammer) vs Shade of Gray II (front): Damage (7-3=4 Damage; 12-4=8 HP) >Miderun (Club) vs Bessie (front): Damage (20-11=9 HP) >Bobby (Dagger) vs Calder Den, II (front): Critical Hit (11 Damage; 81-11=70HP) >Shade of Gray I vs Benji (Free hit): Nothing happens (12-7=5) The party continues the battle. Benji eliminates the Town Guard with ease an earns more gold. Vindsval tries to hit the shade of gray but this time he is hit and takes damage. Miderun attacks the ox once again but is also injured in her attack. Bobby makes a critical hit on Calder Den. Benji avoids the first Shade of Gray. The Enemies Sorcerer Calder Den, II *Immune to Darkness* Type: Human Health: 70/90 SPECIAL I: Color Drain – The sorcerer frightens his target, causing the target to have the Afraid effect. SPECIAL II: Adjust the Levels - Calder calls a townsperson to join him in battle. The new enemy arrives after round. PASSIVE SPECIAL: Enemy is equal to x2 the attacking hero's level. Drops: 70 gold, Robe of the Archmagi, fire gem Discolored Bessie the Ox Type: Beast Level: 6 Health: 20/20 Special: Charge - Bessie runs at the hero, hitting them and causing 2 damage. Drops: 2 bones Shade of Gray I Type: Dark Level: 4 Health: 20/20 SPECIAL: Bonding – The Shade causes the target to be Enamored. Drops: Wand (WP:5; suitable for mages, necromancers and scholars.), 20 gold Shade of Gray II Type: Dark Level: 7 Health: 50/50 SPECIAL: Bonding – The Shade causes the target to be Enamored. Drops: Hue and Saturation Whip (WP:7; causes target to be Enamored; suitable for rogues, artisans, beast warriors, harlots, marauders and necromancers.), 20 gold The Party Benji Carvenhall, the Dragonslayer and the Champion of the Northern Kingdoms (Flare) *Party Leader* 29 year old half-elf Level 45.2 Beast Warrior *Natural Respite* *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened Effects* *Immune to Ice and Water* *Overkill Gloves* Power: 65 (45+20) Defense: 12 (6+3+3) Health: 71/71 (6+44+15+6) Gold: 1,805 Equipment:Meduiak (Precision Bow; WP:20; AIM's become HIT's; darkness-, ice-, fire-, wind- elemental), 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), Overkill Gloves [borrowed from Galen] (handwear, +1 gold for every point of damage done extra when defeating an enemy), Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (SP:6, backwear, suitable for Ranger and Barbarian Oriented Classes and Beast Warriors), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3, Bodywear, Immunity to Ice and Water, Suitable for Barbarians, Beast Warriors and Regulators), Tricorne (Headwear, SP:3) Inventory: , Trickster's Mask of the Gender Swap (accessory), Trickster's Mask of the Elf - (accessory), Sterile Gloves (Handwear, Immune to poisoned- and bleeding–effects), Winged Sandals (accessory, immune to bound- and slowed-effects), Snake Eye Charm (accessory, immune to petrified-effect), Health Core (4), Greater Potion (consumable, +50 health) (3), Grand Potion (9), Potion (3), Remedy (4), Phoenix Essence (2), Dragon Scales (3), Nostrum (3), Smelling Salts (4), Mead (3), Flame-Distilled Brandy (4), Mulled Wine (3), Venom, Smoke Bomb (3), Soma, Chaotic Bomb, Cosmic Essence, Skeleton Decoy, Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb (2), Water Bomb, Bone (4), Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel, Tridentia Map, Ratmancer's Cowl (headgear, the wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin), Note, Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:17; earth-, wood-,water-, lightning-, light- elemental) Bobby "Young" Bucks Jr. (Zepher) *Immunity to Wood* 19 year old human rogue Level 3 Power: 9 (3 + 3 +3) Health: 9/9 Gold: 207 Equipment: Dope Dagger (WP: 3), Brown Dragon Girdle (bodywear, power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors) (Lent by Flare) Inventory: Potion, Venom, Phoenix Essence (2 lent by Flare), Mead, Remedy Vindsval Half-born (Asphalt) 37 year old, Male, Half Giant, Cleric Level: 4 Power: 7 Defense: 3 (Light Armor) Health: 8/12 Ether: 3/8 Gold: 157 Equipment: Montain Hammer (WP:3), Light Armor (bodywear, SP:3) Inventory: Potion, Smoke Bomb, Bed Roll, Phoenix Essence (1 lent by Flare), Mead, Halberd(WP:5; suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons and skirmishers.), Remedy Miderun (CallMePie) *Immune to Weakened Effect* 17 year old female orc Barbarian Level 4 Power: 11 (5 + 4 + 2) Health: 9/11 Gold: 192 Equipment: Club (WP: 5), Puglist's Gloves (Handwear, +2 Power, Immune to Weakened Effect) (Lent by Flare) Inventory: Mead, Phoenix Essence (2 lent by Flare), High Heels(Power +1; suitable for women.), Serstyral (WP: 3, axe). 10 discolored berries, Remedy Everyone choose your row and action. Party Leader please choose battle order.

"Which one of you is in charge here?" Kiray asked, ignoring Actaeon for the moment. "We're on official business and need some Crew members. Would either of you be interested or know anyone who would?"

Again, very sorry for the delay, this weekend has turned into an absolute nightmare regarding technology for me, but here is the long awaited update. "NO!" Calder Den and William Morris shout in unison. "We are not turning my island into a shared venture between the two of us," Calder continued. "This was my land, and it shall stay my land. You said that you would help me, but you lied." Calder Den, II lets out an inhuman roar. His gem and staff begin to glow, the brightest and most colorful things on the island now. Light streams out from the gem and then, brightness followed by darkness. The world pulses just as the captain's skin did, and when finally the heroes could see, they saw some of the townspeople had been... mutated. They had changed. Their eyes were dead and lifeless. The brightness and happiness was gone. Now they only held death now. "Lacy, Luke, get back!" William shouts. He grabs the two and pulls them to safety as his former townspeople close in. "I gave you a choice."Calder said to the heroes. "You could have had peace with me, and glory, and riches. Oh so many riches. But you chose the weaker option." PREPARE FOR BATTLE! The Enemies Sorcerer Calder Den, II *Immune to Darkness* Type: Human Health: 90/90 SPECIAL I: Color Drain – The sorcerer frightens his target, causing the target to have the Afraid effect. SPECIAL II: Adjust the Levels - Calder calls a townsperson to join him in battle. The new enemy arrives after round. PASSIVE SPECIAL: Enemy is equal to x2 the attacking hero's level. Drops: 70 gold, Robe of the Archmagi, fire gem Discolored Bessie the Ox Type: Beast Level: 6 Health: 20/20 Special: Charge - Bessie runs at the hero, hitting them and causing 2 damage. Drops: 2 bones Shade of Gray I Type: Dark Level: 4 Health: 20/20 SPECIAL: Bonding – The Shade causes the target to be Enamored. Drops: Wand (WP:5; suitable for mages, necromancers and scholars.), 20 gold Shade of Gray II Type: Dark Level: 7 Health: 50/50 SPECIAL: Bonding – The Shade causes the target to be Enamored. Drops: Hue and Saturation Whip (WP:7; causes target to be Enamored; suitable for rogues, artisans, beast warriors, harlots, marauders and necromancers.), 20 gold Mis-colored Village Jester Type: Human Level: 8 Health: 20/20 SPECIAL: Village Jester gets close to the target and steals 10 gold from the target. Drops: 8 gold, Smoke Bomb x3 Town Guard Type: Human Level: 3 Health: 25/25 SPECIAL: Rallied Defense - The Town Guard calls in a fellow townsmember to join in the fight. The new enemy joins after the round. Drops: 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.), 20 gold The Party Benji Carvenhall, the Dragonslayer and the Champion of the Northern Kingdoms (Flare) *Party Leader* 29 year old half-elf Level 45.2 Beast Warrior *Natural Respite* *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened Effects* *Immune to Ice and Water* *Overkill Gloves* Power: 65 (45+20) Defense: 12 (6+3+3) Health: 71/71 (6+44+15+6) Gold: 1,510 Equipment:Meduiak (Precision Bow; WP:20; AIM's become HIT's; darkness-, ice-, fire-, wind- elemental), 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), Overkill Gloves [borrowed from Galen] (handwear, +1 gold for every point of damage done extra when defeating an enemy), Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (SP:6, backwear, suitable for Ranger and Barbarian Oriented Classes and Beast Warriors), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3, Bodywear, Immunity to Ice and Water, Suitable for Barbarians, Beast Warriors and Regulators), Tricorne (Headwear, SP:3) Inventory: , Trickster's Mask of the Gender Swap (accessory), Trickster's Mask of the Elf - (accessory), Sterile Gloves (Handwear, Immune to poisoned- and bleeding–effects), Winged Sandals (accessory, immune to bound- and slowed-effects), Snake Eye Charm (accessory, immune to petrified-effect), Health Core (4), Greater Potion (consumable, +50 health) (3), Grand Potion (9), Potion (3), Remedy (4), Phoenix Essence (2), Dragon Scales (3), Nostrum (3), Smelling Salts (4), Mead (3), Flame-Distilled Brandy (4), Mulled Wine (3), Venom, Smoke Bomb (3), Soma, Chaotic Bomb, Cosmic Essence, Skeleton Decoy, Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb (2), Water Bomb, Bone (4), Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel, Tridentia Map, Ratmancer's Cowl (headgear, the wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin), Note, Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:17; earth-, wood-,water-, lightning-, light- elemental) Bobby "Young" Bucks Jr. (Zepher) *Immunity to Wood* 19 year old human rogue Level 3 Power: 9 (3 + 3 +3) Health: 9/9 Gold: 207 Equipment: Dope Dagger (WP: 3), Brown Dragon Girdle (bodywear, power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors) (Lent by Flare) Inventory: Potion, Venom, Phoenix Essence (2 lent by Flare), Mead, Remedy Vindsval Half-born (Asphalt) 37 year old, Male, Half Giant, Cleric Level: 4 Power: 7 Defense: 3 (Light Armor) Health: 12/12 Ether: 3/8 Gold: 157 Equipment: Montain Hammer (WP:3), Light Armor (bodywear, SP:3) Inventory: Potion, Smoke Bomb, Bed Roll, Phoenix Essence (1 lent by Flare), Mead, Halberd(WP:5; suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons and skirmishers.), Remedy Miderun (CallMePie) *Immune to Weakened Effect* 17 year old female orc Barbarian Level 4 Power: 11 (5 + 4 + 2) Health: 11/11 Gold: 192 Equipment: Club (WP: 5), Puglist's Gloves (Handwear, +2 Power, Immune to Weakened Effect) (Lent by Flare) Inventory: Mead, Phoenix Essence (2 lent by Flare), High Heels(Power +1; suitable for women.), Serstyral (WP: 3, axe). 10 discolored berries, Remedy Everyone choose your row and action. Party Leader please choose battle order.

Kiray's face stayed a blank mask. "Let us pass through into the tavern. We're on business."

QM Note: Yes sorry for the delay. I got in very late last night and had to go to a vigil for a friend. Update will be in a few hours. So sorry for the delay guys.

QM Note: I'm in a car heading home for the weekend for the next five hours. Update will come in around seven hours. Quest is almost done, and you guys should be back in the Hall in a few days.

"We have to go to the docks at some point, but I say we should go to the tavern," Kiray started, "just to see what is there. We don't even have to stay long. Let's go there."

Well that throws off my updating of 110 slightly too. I can work around it.

Kiray accepted the money from the admiral. When Lane spoke, she said, "Of course. Join us." She stuck out her arm for a handshake. She gave a small smile to Actaeon.

Sorry, this weekend is turning into an unexpected, personal one. Updates will happen but a little slower. After a long silence, William spoke to Vindsval. "I will hear the lies this man puts forth, but I will pay no heed. You should have killed him when you got the chance." "I never bothered you, tailor, but you disturbed my peace here on this island. You came to destroy and take this land." "You took our wealth," William says and leans forward, but Lacy holds him back before he does anything rash. Calder Den stands there and watches the little bout between the two townspeople. He turns to Benji with a look as if to say, "I told you so." Calder looks back to Lacy. "I'm terribly sorry about what happened to your lover, and I'm sorry to be the one to tell you, but he's dead. Killed indirectly by the creatures I have used unwantingly to right this island and return it to it's natural state." "You-" Lacy says but catches herself before doing anything. "I would say I regret allowing it to happen, but you people brought it on yourselves when you began taking and taking and not giving back; when you began stealing and encroaching on my space." "And you never wanted to confront us about it peacefully?" "And you never wanted to see the harm you had been doing to the land and your own people? Mainly the harm happening right under your noses that you chose to ignore to your own people? "You know nothing of our struggles here, wizard," William spat. "Look around at the mess you caused, the problems you're creating. This was not ours. I know not of the harm our people have suffered by us, but I know of the ones you have given us." "So you choose to ignore the harm that came to your lady of the night and her son? I see everything on this island, tailor. Do you choose to ignore the harm that came to her son by her before she talked to that teenager? Should I list more of the crimes the town of Tridentia has brought?" The air seems to become icy. What will the party say?

"Admiral, would you be able to spare some coin for this? To hire crew and all to make this journey a little... easier to convince these people to join. If not, let us be off."

"Do you forget," Kiray asked. "I can talk to them. If we have to pay we will. Let's at least see who there is first."

Hey no worries. This was my first quest to host and a major learning experience for me. I'm actually kind of glad the quest has been rocky and balancing has been difficult, so I know what to do if I host a quest again in the future and know what pitfalls to avoid.

Heads up, CMP, I'm going to make a "Hail Hydra" joke at somepoint in this quest. Also 110ers, I hope to have major updates tonight, need to take pictures first though.

"Well when you put it that way luck is in our favor," Kiray snorted. "And you're sure you cannot spare more for us? It would be greatly appreciated. Also how strong is the Hydra?"

"I will go with you, but I wish I did not have to," the man finally said. He stood up and his stone chair disintegrated as did the other four. He quietly stood between the party, protected by them as was suggested. The five made their way back to Tridentia.This time the journey seemed slow and monotonous. Nobody talked. Calder Den fiddled with his beard. At last they reached the town. As they came, dozens of villagers came forth. Among them were the tailor, Lacy, Daniel and even Luke. "You're back! Did you solve the problem of our missing colors?" William asked before seeing the sorcerer. Then Calder Den came forward. "... who's he?" the tailor asked cautiously. Luke stared wide eyed at the new mysterious man while Lacy jumped in: "Did you find anything in the orchard, heroes?" "Lacy, not now, there's more important business to attend to."

"If us four is not enough, how many people do you suggest? Are any others from you going to join us?" Kiray took a quick pause, realizing she was talking too fast again. "Sorry. Do you have any idea on how many appendages it has? And scaly, ok, that's something to go off of."

"I assume we're facing something of legendary and monstrous proportions, but even then things die by blades all the time. I'm not suggesting it will be easy, but we have a chance, as best we do not knowing exactly what it is."

Would have been nice to know what happened to that one.