Flipz

Noticing Zannaqim's name on the Questboard, Arthur takes a moment to pass by the green Selkreeth. "Here," he says, counting out 155 Gold. "On the Quest board is a map to the Marketplace, go find Gnomeo's stall and buy his tools--they'll be helpful on your Quest. Oh...and you might find this helpful as well--you seem to know power, so perhaps it will aid in learning Common." Arthur lends Zanna "Of Power and Mortals". Zanna stares at Arthur confusedly, before seeing her scribbled scrawl among the few names not crossed out on the call-to-arms. "Ah...thank you." Gathering her gear, Zanna prepares to visit this 'Marketplace' before answering the call.

Arthur nods. "That sounds...significantly more plausible. Of course, it could also have just been a reflection of your own expectation of what Zoot is like--that sort of thing is surprisingly common among creatures of Chaos." Arthur scowls darkly. "You'd be surprised at how good demons are at turning something that should be good into something that is ill," he grumbles, thinking back to his experience at Guffington's Spire. At the Fenarian's pronouncement of fear, Arthur laughs--a bit forcedly, to the more perceptive spectators. "Zoot! Azazot! Abraxas! Marilith! Mephisto!" Arthur chuckles lightly, with a tinge of dark to it. "Master cleric, where do you think those demons get their power? Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself--and demons will gorge themselves on that fear. Though it may be difficult to find in the moment, mirth and humor are the two best weapons a demon-hunter may wield." "It is, and it isn't. Yes, that's contradictory--it's part of its nature, as a being of Chaos. But as for teaching it a lesson..." With a sudden ferocity, Zoot's Rebel slams the butt of his halberd against the floor, splotches of dark ink-like goo spattering the floor beneath both arm and unusually unnaturally-curved blade. The Skirmisher had not drawn the weapon, nor summoned it--one moment it had been gone, and the next, there. "There I can agree--but it is easier said than done, and oft the ones seeking to teach that lesson find ourselves earning one...earning a lesson in cost." The weapon is gone--there is no blade, no mess, no ink. But for the space of a few short breaths, it hadn't even been there. "The last three people I know of who went up against Zoot ended up, in order, posessed, killed, and corrupted. You can't 'fix' a Chaotic curse. You can only live with it--or with skill, adapt it to your ends." Arthur turns, in turn, to Bobby. "And to that end...what exactly did the force of Zoot ask of you, and precisely what did you gain in return?"

Arthur winces. "Not anymore...and even then it was less 'demons' and more 'the source of demons' power'...which generally puts one in dangerous games of maneuvering against demons. And paying some pretty significant prices." Caught off-guard, Arthur leaves his hand sticking out for a few awkward moments before withdrawing it. "Tried to kill and usurp him once. Or more precisely, to help someone else kill and usurp him so I could kill and usurp her. It...didn't go well." Arthur winces again and rubs the back of his head. "Learned the hard way that Chaos isn't a good shortcut to power, and is much, much safer and more useful as a philosophy." Arthur frowns at the mention of the soul trade. "That's...not usually his style. Demons, sure, especially archdemons, but Zoot? Completely out of character. He's not really an 'action-y' sort of god the way Ennoc is, more a force of nature that people ascribe personality to. Or, well, a force of Chaos more than a force of nature. His developing a shard of personality is...well, I won't say unheard of, but again, out of character." Arthur frowns, remembering the Shard of Ennoc he'd helped to slay. "Gods don't normally take direct forms unless they've merged with and possessed a mortal or semi-mortal host...or started out as them. I'm not sure which possibility disturbs me most." Arthur strokes his chin, considering. Could this teenager be wearing the Amulet of Gods? Or was his strange condition some means of priming him for it? Either way, the possibilities weren't good. Especially if he figures out just how much power he has over the weapons of Zoot...

"Yes, that's the general result when dealing with Azazot, as I've learned myself," Arthur remarks from behind Bobby, having excused himself from Karie and Zanna shortly before. He wasn't sure why the boy had such a draw on him, but he knew he wouldn't get answers from staying silent. And with the mention of Zoot, at least some pieces had fallen into place. Arthur extends a hand. "I am Arthur, Master." Though he had intended to fish for a name, somehow that was not how the words came out of his mouth. He frowns at yet another example of the boy's influence over him. That must have been some deal he made...

Oh! Well, in that case, thank you very much. And in honor of the contest and all the great new content that's been added, I've gone ahead and added a couple new Featured Articles to the Wiki. Check them out--and as always, if you have more information on the world of Heroica, we're always happy to welcome new editors and new information.

Arthur's eyes unwillingly follow Bobby once more. He desperately chokes back the words rising in his throat before his mouth can betray him. 'What is thy bidding, my master?' Seriously? What is WITH this guy? And why is he having such a strange effect on me...? --------------- Zannaqim stares at Karie in bewilderment. "Ignore a call to arms? That is all...a-low...the elders let you do this?" Zanna stares off into empty space. "Truly Heroica is a mighty tribe if it needs so few warriors to fight its battles..."

"Likewise." Arthur sits back in his chair, glad to have a chance to sit and relax for once instead of gallivanting around the world or spending a night in the shivering pain of damp armor. He is about to say more, when... Arthur stares at the boy, gaze semi-unwillingly affixed to the champion of Zoot. The ex-Chaomancer--and current living weapon of Chaos--fights an urge to run to the figure and kneel at his feet. Good gods, even I didn't have an aura like that when I practiced! The Pheles Rod, bound weapon of Mephisto himself, didn't even feel like that! If I didn't know any better, I'd wonder if he was as powerful as Ziegfried himself... He continues to stare at Bobby, face a near-even mixture of horror and awe... --------------- Zanna nods along as she slowly tries to piece together the [[song-warrior]]'s many new words. "'Curry-flavor'...I was warned of this. The other of my kind on the boat here said that it will burn you for a long time if you per...part...par-take in it." Unaware of the inadvertent double-meaning of her words, Zanna finds herself distracted by the flurry of activity around the Quest board. She shakes her attention back to Karie. "I came to join the tribe of Heroica when my first tribe ran out of challenges to face. I..." Once again Zanna finds herself drawn to the Quest board, and this time her distraction is enough to break that of the Arthur. The Arthur smiles at her. "Go. We'll be here when you get back." Nodding at the Elder's--er, the [[experienced-tribesmember]]'s--advice, Zanna stands up and goes to the Quest board. Seeing a new call to arms posted, but the previous one missing, she signs up for Quest#154, before returning to Karie's table, even more confused. The Arthur notices her perplexion. "What's wrong?" "...I am...I do not know the meaning of..." she fights futilely to express the thought in Common. "Something you didn't understand?" "Unn-der-stand?" Zanna files away the word for later analysis. "Maybe...does that word tell how I feel in my head?" "Oh, no, it doesn't. 'Understand' is more...'to know' or 'to know the meaning of'. If there's something you don't understand, perhaps you're feeling...confused?" Zanna perks up. "I have heard that word! There was a heavy tin hat a person wanted to sell to me, he said it pro...protek...stops you from being confused." *Perhaps I misjudged that dinged-up old helmet, if it was truly a repository of vast knowledge--* The Arthur chuckles awkwardly. "That's...a little different. Same word, different meaning--that one is more of a magical effect." The Arthur shrugs apologetically. "Common is weird." "Your words have more truth than words can say," Zanna grumbles grumpily. The reminder that Common words often had more than one meaning was not a pleasant one...especially with yet another [[experienced-tribesmember]] likely to join them soon. More unfamiliar words, more scrambling to uncover their meaning without losing face... She does not notice the Arthur study her for a moment before dashing off a quick Z-mail. Zanna attempts to recompose herself. "To answer your...to answer you, I am...confused. Does your tribe not all go out to battle in one group? I gave my name to the call to arms before, but now it is gone, and only some of our fellow tribe members have left. I would understand if I was left for being new, or weak, or not used to tribe custom, but they even left behind you and the Arthur. And now there is another call so soon? With members of the tribe...ab-sent?" Arthur chuckles, but decides to let Karie field the question.

... I'm honored, really, but unfortunately my addition to the Dragons page doesn't qualify (I did it all the way back in July, and it was an improvement rather than a completely new page). I think the only article I fully started during the contest period was the Quest 104 page, which I added on September 3rd. While I'm here, though: a huge thank-you to everyone who's been helping out on the Wiki! As of right now we're up to 916 pages, almost all of them having lots of information that's immensely helpful for players and QMs alike! I highly encourage everyone to keep contributing, so that we have an easy, accessible resource for Heroica that anyone can search and use.

Just re-read 104 for the process of writing the wiki article for it--was that seriously only a two-month Quest?! By today's standards, that sucker would have taken a friggin' year! Anyway, it reminded me of why I loved that party--they didn't just play along, they embraced the experience and actively contributed, interacting with each other almost as much as I did with them. It's reminded me all over why I'm so excited to bring back Darius and Diana, and I really hope everyone else is, too.

All right, folks, for those of you questioning why we have infoboxes: this is why.

"Much obliged." Catching the Diamond one-handed, the Skirmisher briefly adds, "You might try a Hood of the Elementalist for that, if you can find a blank one. They've been popping up lately, and they're dead useful. Just a thought." The Skirmisher nods in farewell, then makes his way over to Karie's table. "Hell yes," Arthur says without hesitation as he takes a seat. "You've been around almost as long as I have, and accomplished a frankly insane amount along the way. You've survived demons, dragons, and several of the most dysfunctional parties in Heroica history, and most importantly, when you want something done, you put yourself out there and get it done, you don't just sit back and use everyone else as pawns. Take real risks, make real change--that's what Heroica ought to be, and you're a poster child of that." --------------- "My name is Zannaqim," Zanna replies, almost automatically, to the introduction. With some hesitation--especially as the Arthur sits down--Zanna pulls up a chair. "I still do not...this thought is still strange to me. If the...Vet-er-ans...are the tribe elders, why are they not here? Or are they here, but too weak to defend their place as elders? How can they be elders if they do not lead the tribe into battle? And why are they..." Zanna tries and fails to parse the Karie's complex statement, *hmpf*-ing in frustration. *Putting bait into water for huts? And something about mshrksk on a stick?* She risks a bluff of understanding to gain more clues. "Why do you say they are...col-lu...'col-li=sion and all to geth-er-chum-my-at-i-tude with the how-ses'?" As soon as she gets out "collision" Zanna knows she's made a terrible mistake, but she tries (and fails) to keep her embarrassment off her tentacled face. *I wanted to impress these elders--err, [[experienced-tribemembers]]--not do the opposite! Kshrksk...*

I was just rereading part of 130 to double-check some info for the wiki--whatever happened to that magic shop Nemeshtar was supposed to open in Eubric, Sandy?

"That seems quite fair." Arthur makes the trade, taking his newly-acquired Bright Polish and applying it to his Shadeaux Cape. "May it serve you well." "Hear, hear," Arthur calls, overhearing Karie's suggestion. "I mean, I'm not one to talk given my parentage and my loyalties, but still...more and more I am beginning to question their actions...and even their motives. Especially when they still refuse to get rid of that damned Nornish relic." --------------- Zannaqim listens closely in quiet confusion. She may not know what these "Vet-er-ans" are, but from the context they sound similar to the elders of her first tribe...so why is the Arthur--and this other clear warrior of experience--railing against them? She thinks back to her mother's training. *'Notice when you are confused, for that is the time for caution. Seek the source of your confusion, for there you will find both danger and truth.' Those were her words.* Zanna takes a deep breath. *I notice I am confused.* *The words of the Arthur and the elder of instruments are confusing me.* *The elder of instruments was the source of these words.* *I should seek out the elder of instruments.* Her decision made, Zanna approaches Karie. "If it would not be rude to ask, why do you and the Arthur not like these...'vet-er-ans'? From your words they seem like a kind of tribe elder...but are you and the Arthur not both elders of this tribe? How can they stand up to your...strength?" The word, though spoken with confidence and understanding, leaves a foul taste in her mouth. The language of the Selkreeth has at least eighty-seven words for strength--and those are just the ones she knows--each with their own distinct nuance and meaning...but from what she could gather, Common had but one. The lack of subtlety had enraged her when she first realized it, but by now she is able to keep her temper...if only just. --------------- OOC: WBD, for convenience here's the stats of the weapons: Sword of the Vampir (WP:17, user is Jinxed; longsword), Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, staff, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4),

At the end of the day, it comes down to intention: +2 SP for Star Elves, or *2 SP for Star Elves. Based on how Purpearl seemed to heavily favor the Star Elves and their superiority, I'd guess that she intended the item to double its SP for Star Elves, but that's just my view (and admittedly, my view on everything involved in 135 and 136 is somewhat negatively biased, so take it with an extra-large grain of salt).

The more the merrier! I've got two in the works, set to open sign-ups as soon as 150 lets out. Those will be for higher-level characters, though, so someone else should work something up for lower-level characters.

Noticing that the notice had refreshed himself and omitted his name, Arthur signs up for the Fields of Glory. OOC: If it's between Arthur and Zanna, I'd rather Zanna go, though Defend and Phalanx would go a long way towards keeping her safe. I should also point out that Zanna is explicitly not on permadeath and likely never will be, unlike Arthur. "Arthur Ziegfried," Arthur replies, shaking the vampire's hand. He listens to the rest of Boris' assessment. "This sword?" Arthur inquires, producing the Sword of the Vampir. "I don't know much. An Assassin friend of a friend sold it to me--I don't recall her mentioning where she found it." Or ever showing up in the Hall again, come to think of it. "It carries a powerful curse of misfortune, but my own equipment protects me. I suppose I could part with it if you really want, though I don't know how useful it would actually be to you as a Cleric." Arthur considers for a moment. "I could remove the Diamond from the staff if you're interested in it, though it would cost the Gold I was going to pay you. If I did that, I could give you the staff and my Sapphire, if you're worried about Light--or if you wanted, I could take some Gold and an Artifact of yours and imbue the Diamond into it so you'd be protected from light entirely." Arthur's keen tactical eye passes over Boris as he makes his own assessments, trying to see how best the vampire's loadout can be improved. "I'd offer to pay for the imbuement myself, but I'm a bit short on Gold at the moment."

Need some more help identifying minifig parts! I have the hair, messenger bag, and weapon, but I'm not sure about the face, torso, and legs. Any ideas?

...that moment when you're in the middle of revising Quest plans, and you suddenly realize something you hadn't planned for but nonetheless falls perfectly into place. ...I'm really exited about these upcoming Quests, you guys.

Zannaqim signs up for the Fields of Glory as well. *I may be weak, but this wondrous medal the Arthur has given me will grant me great strength and defense, or with the cowl he gave me I may hide back and observe and learn. I can stand with the strongest of the tribe, if only I am given the chance!* --------------- As the group surrounding the Fields hopefuls begins to diminish, Arthur passes near Boris, happening to see a familiar-looking bottle poking slightly out of his pack. "Hmm..." After digging through his own belongings, Arthur pulls out his Staff of Ennon--a weapon he would likely never use again--and approaches Boris. "Excuse me, sir, I couldn't help but notice you have a tin of Bright Polish there...would you care to trade it for, say, this staff and 50 gold?"

Those are headings; I wrote up a brief explanation on them here.

They're useful for at-a-glance stuff (age, race, most recent appearance), so the rest of the article can go more in-depth. I'm thinking of paring down the Quest one, since right now it implies that you're supposed to paste the entire original pitch in there, which isn't really the intention (especially since pitches can get quite long). Heinrich Hinckwell's page sort of shows how infoboxes can be useful (and also highlights my work on the Hinckwell theme, which is somewhat of a pilot for the other faction infobox themes ).

A gentle warning: be sure to log in before you start editing stuff, otherwise Sandy can't figure out what you've done. A less gentle warning: I'm about to start work on the Characters infobox template; all existing character infoboxes will break and need to be remade now. Once I've finished tweaking the new template and the wiki CSS to support it, though, it will be much nicer, and should have improved documentation on use to boot. If you'd like to see what the character infobox will look like, I've already finished porting the Quests infobox (Template:Infobox quest) to the new portable format; existing Quest infoboxes are likely broken as well, so if anyone wants to start going through and fixing them up it'd be much appreciated.

"...I'm not sure if it would make me more or less worried if it was one of the chimaera guards..." Seeing her fellow tribespeople walking to the Quest board and signing their names, Zanna follows suit. Zannaqim signs up for the Fields of Glory. "...ah, heck, if you're signing up, I suppose I don't see the harm in trying. Besides, as a Skirmisher, I'd be able to Defend and Assist some of these less experienced fellows." Arthur signs up for the Fields of Glory. "...besides, even if I'm not picked, I'd be happy to lend a weapon or two to anyone who'd need them."

"...they sound an awful lot like the Order Imperial. And I'm...rather strongly opposed to them, for obvious reasons." Which reminds me, I really should see about hooking up with the Golden Crusade sometime...if they'd still want me without the "Golden Dragon"... Arthur's face falls slightly at the fresh reminder of his departed daughter, but he shakes it off. "Arthur Ziegfried," he says bowing slightly in introduction to the Barbarian as well as the other less familiar Heroes surrounding him. "...damn it. Damn it, damn it, damn it..." --------------- Zannaqim appears alarmed by Arthur's cursing. *It must be a serious matter to provoke such worry from a tribe elder.* --------------- "...sorry, it's just...these are chimera guards. Creations of the late Lord Blackenord, a rebel in the Dastanian rebellion several years back. I knew several of them were smuggled into Eubric by Grogmas of that year, but I'd hoped the other Heroes and I had destroyed the last of them that night. Apparently, they've managed to spread further than we thought." Arthur frowns. "The other ones sound like Ji Pei tech...likely stolen, neither Jun nor the Tritech scientists like to let their combat-capable models out of their own hands. Alternatively, they might have been stolen from Xu...Monsignore Legonardo is a brilliant inventor, but he's only one person, and I'm sure Xu is still picking up the pieces after the revolution..." Arthur is interrupted suddenly, as he feels a weight drop into his bag. He looks inside, and flushes deeply. ...I don't think it's nepotism, but...it's probably nepotism. Seems more likely than my luck actually turning around. He considers for a moment, then smiles at the inexperienced Selkreeth who happens to be standing beside him. "It's your lucky day, Zanna. You could probably use some better gear than that cowl I gave you...and it just so happens I have a new piece to spare." Arthur lends Zanna the Anniversary Medal. "Feel free to hang onto this for a while--I'll want it back some day, but barring a trip to the Fields of Glory I think I'll be sticking to the Hall for a while. You'll make better use for it than I can." --------------- Zannaqim is once again surprised by Heroican generosity. As she silently accepts the medal, she notices a first-aid kit that has mysteriously appeared at her belt--likely her own prize from the Lottery she had entered. "I...thank you. The tribe of Heroica is very..." Zanna struggles with her words, ultimately gesturing helplessly when none come. "I feel I must honor this...[[sharing-of-spoils]]," she finally concludes, lapsing into her own language in frustration. Arthur waves it off. "Don't worry about it. Just use it well." Zannaqim nods, but it is clear she is formulating some sort of return gesture in the back of her mind. "I will." She turns to the Barbarian who had approached her, one whose name she had not yet heard. "Forgive me, mshnav, I do not know your...name, is the Common word? I hear you call for members of the tribe to aid you in battle, yes? I am here." Zannaqim holds her rubbery arms close to her chest, crossing them and bending them backwards upon themselves in the traditional salute of her first tribe. "I am...ah, my 'name' is Zannaqim, new...[[tribesperson]] of the tribe of Heroica." Though the word 'name' is clearly new to her, she seems enormously pleased at having puzzled out its meaning, and doubly so in using it for herself.

OOC: Holy cow, was not expecting that result! Thanks, Sandy!