Heroica RPG - Training Room

[Scubacarrot]

A worn figure walks into the training room.

"Mr. Holla. It's been a while."

"Aye."

"Finally giving up on being a "Raider" then? Very well. The Guild of Invision is interested in teaching you. Perhaps you can pick up some useful tricks from them."

"I see. Very well." With that, Guts walks out of the door again and heads to the Guildhouse. Greeted by an old acquintance.

"Velcome, Velcome Mithter Holla! Ve have tho much to do, come in, come in!"

Guts raises an eyebrow, and follows the doctor inside...

~

Later, much later, several days later. Guts walks out again, with the basics of alchemy in his head, and several basic alchemical compounds in his belts and pockets.

"Guts Holla. Alchemist. Heh."

Guts Holla (Scubacarrot) *Immune to Weakened, Fragile, Asleep, Cursed, Confused and Blinded**Immune to Darkness, Light, Water, Fire, Air, Earth, Wood, Lightning and Ice Elemental Damage*

44 year old male human Alchemist

Level 31 3/4

Power Bonus: 4 (2 permanent bonus+2 equipment)

Health: 48/48 (7 base+30 level ups+10 class+1 permanent bonus)

Defense: 4

Gold: 855

Equipment: Lifestealer (WP: 60, Ice, Darkness, Light, attacks restore 3 health, dagger), Dancing Shoes (Wearer dances well, in the turn after a miss is rolled, the wearer can act twice. +Immunity to Asleep, Confused, Fragile, Weakened and Blinded, + Immunity to Darkness, Light, Fire, Air, Earth, Wood, Lightning and Ice Elemental Damage, footwear), Pugilist's Gloves (2+ Power, Immune to Weakened, handwear), Crocodile Armour (+4 Defense +Immunity to Water Magic, bodywear), Blessed Amulet (Immunity to Cursed, accessory)

Inventory: Stag Antlers (WP:10, Intimidation, halberd), Twin Sai (WP: 10, dual strike, dagger), Ambrosia 3x Mead, Smelling Salts, 22x Grand Potion, 4x Health Core, 2x Elixir, 10x Remedy, 5x Smoke Bomb, 5x Deadly Venom, 2x Neutralizer, Shovel, Telescope, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Crimson Serum (Grants Mutated Effect for one battle.), Arc Elixir, Beholder's Eye, Agni Bomb, Neptune Bomb, Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle), Topaz

Edited May 21, 2014 by Scubacarrot

[LordoftheNoobs]

Grimwald, at long last, is able to become a Sage - and does so.

Grimwald Gjinko

69 year old male gnome Sage

Level: 16

Power: 22 (15 + 8 + permanent boost of 1)

SP: 0

Health: 30/30

Ether: 26/26

Gold: 748

Equipment: Splinter Broom (WP: 8, broomstick, defies SP), Spellbound Gloves (Increases the power of spells by 5, doubled if the enemy is weak to the element)

Inventory:

*Shovel, Pickaxe, Bedroll

*Opal, Amethyst, Diamond, Topaz

*Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sleep

*Mead, Remedy x3, Potion x2, Bone x2, Grand Potion, Bunch of Cherries (10/10 cherries that each restore 1 ether when eaten), Ice Bomb, Root beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against Undead enemies for 20 damage (Does not affect non-Undead enemies)), Ambrosia, Smoke Bomb, Plague Venom, Grand Tonic x2, Nostrum, Sushi (restores 5 HP and 5 Ether) x2, Smelling Salts, Mythril Shard

Edited June 28, 2014 by LordoftheNoobs

[JimBee]

Upon receiving a fast response from Jun, Hybros heads to the Ji Pei palace to meet with the young diplomat and Vincent Legonardo.

"Welcome, Hybros. It has been too long, and it is good to finally see you again. I believe you and Legonardo have already met." He indicates the man standing next to him.

"Yes, very briefly at Jolly Roger's Grotto, if I recall correctly. I just hope your reputation proceeds you, little one. And a curious creature you are... Ahem."

Hybros bows his head low to both.

"Yes, so it has come to my attention that you've spoken with my associates, Doctors Raph and Don, along with Doctor Telsa of the Tritech. As it turns out, a similar project has arisen that will perhaps satisfy your request. An old friend of this family, Doctor Daneeka,requires a power source for a device that he is building. From what I understand it will complete the tasks that you were hoping to perform, so I suggest you seek out Daneeka and speak to him about it. Until then, I must get to work. Good luck."

Hybros bows again, and looks Legonardo in the eye.

"Thank you. I will speak to Daneeka immediately. I know him as well, and the man he works for, heheh..."

Legonardo exits, but Jun lingers.

"Hybros... You have come a long way since our quest in the Pagoda of Nine Elements. You have faced many trials, and have many more ahead of you. You have helped this family on many occasions, and I am proud to call you a friend of the Ji Pei. Now, there is one more thing I would like to impart to you before your next journey. I have a strong feeling that you will be needing it. Please follow me."

Hybros has no choice but to oblige, and the pair walk into the next room, which appears to be a training room of sorts. In it resides a single form, who sits with his back to the door in a cross-legged position, appearing to be meditating. He rises at the sound of the door opening.

"..."

"Lee, this is the one I was telling you about. Hybros, this is Lee Long, a trusted friend and ally who has served my family faithfully for many years. He is strong in both spirit and fists, and has agreed to teach you the ancient fighting practice of the Aoi and many others."

Hybros bows to Lee.

"The art of the Chi Monk involves the harmony of the fighting spirit and the mind's connection to ether. A Chi Monk uses his fists in coordination with the power of the nine elements to fight enemies, but also protects his allies with the healing power of ether. It is a practice that borrows from many fighting styles and thus requires great concentration and training. I can impart this training on to you, but you must commit the utmost dedication."

"But... I do not have one bit of magical ability. I never have, though... though I think my people have been able to... I am not sure..."Hybros looks to the ground. "I can not promise that I will be able to complete this training."

"Many people who have never used magic in their lives or even known that they've been able to, have learned of their abilities later on. If your people were skilled in controlling ether, I believe you may be able to as well. There is only one way to find out, but you must be prepared to make sacrifices. Sometimes these skills do not come without a price..."

"I have faith in you, Hybros. If you are as resilient as your were in that pagoda... I believe that you can succeed."

Hybros hesitates, but eventually nods.

"I will accept this training with gratitude. Come what may, hehehe..." He draws Zoot's Reaper.

"Then let us begin. You will not be needing any weapons, however..."

---

After several weeks of vigorous training under Lee's instruction, and the occasional audience of Jun, Hybros eventually learned to control magic both to harm and to heal, as his ancestors had many ages ago. The inherent powers of earth and wood were especially strong in the imp as they were the original arcane elemental strengths of the imps and their forest environment, but he found that he could also utilize the powers of other elements, thanks to Lee's training.

The transformation was reflected by his new physical appearance, which also indicated that the training was not without incident. Bandages wrapped the imp's head and body, with only one eye visible. What exactly happened, however, was a mystery to all but those three.

Hybros, 53-year-old male imp Chi Monk *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements* *Intimidation*

Level: 30.75

Power Bonus: 1 *

Defense: 0

Health: 52/52 (7+30+12+3*)

Ether: 33/33 (30+3)

Gold: 1429

Equipment: Golden Armor (user is permanently hastened and cursed, fire-, water-, earth-, wind-, wood-, ice-, lightning-, darkness-, light-elemental, grants immunity to Sleep, Blindness, Confusion, Frailty, and Weakening; bodywear), The Black Hat (Suitable for anyone, grantsIntimidation, immune to darkness and cursed, headwear)

Inventory:

• Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 45.25 gains 1/4 WP every kill made with it, light-, darkness-, fire-, ice-, and wind-elemental; longsword), Zoot's Reaper (WP:15, earth-elemental; scythe), Clock Cog (WP:14, retrievable), Cracked Starbeam Dagger (WP:15, damages undead, double WP from dusk until dawn, breaks after one use, throwing weapon), Ancient Starbeam Dagger (WP: 12, damages undead, double WP from dusk until dawn, breaks after one use, throwing weapon), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all, retrievable), Justice (WP:8, causes blinded-effect, dagger), Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike, daggers), Spinning Bolas (WP: 5, deals the Slowed effect, but the effect is removed when retrieved; retrievable), Wrench (WP:3, decreases the target’s level by 1, retrievable), Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield),

• Sterile Gloves (grants immunity to poisoned- and bleeding-effects, handwear), Sticky Gloves (gains 50% more gold, suitable for Rogues, handwear), Baron's Epaulets (Suitable for short heroes, grants Command over short NPCs), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP:1, suitable to Rogues; backwear), Pauldrons (suitable for knights, dragoons, and skirmishers, SP: 2, accessory), Cloak of the Red Assassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear),

• 13 Potions, 12 Grand Potions, 16 Health Cores, 11 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, 3 Elixirs, 2 Phoenix Essences, 4 Phoenix Incenses, 2 Deadly Venoms, 3 Smoke Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 5 Nostrums, 2 Meads, 2 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, 3 Pumpkin Bombs (causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used), 2 Gold Rings (Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver), Skeleton Decoy, Bone

• Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, 4 Mythril Shards, 4 Scrap Metal, Crimson Haze (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects permanently)

"Well done, my friend. You have seen better days, it seems, but I hope the training was worth it. I wish you good luck on your quest to find your people. Do inform me of any new findings."

"Thank you Jun, and thank you Lee. I am eternally grateful for your training and support. I can not truly repay such favors, but I will promise to not let you down, not this time. I will find my people, no matter the cost."

With a parting bow, Hybros exits the palace, physically beaten, but spiritually awakened. It was time for rest and thinking at Heroica Hall before he set out on his next and possibly most important adventure.

[Quarryman]

Upon getting back to the Hall Namyrra sought out the Copper Fox at the training room.

"Greetings Mr Fox, since I have earned my Veteran's Badge I believe I'm now ready to become an Archmage."

OoC: new picture of Namyrra will come once I'm back home and can build a new outfit for her.

Namyrra Uq

1337 years old female Fenarian Archmage

Level 45.8 *Immune to Sealed*

Defence: 10

Health: 64/64 (5+44+5+10)

Ether: 69/69 (5+44+1+5+4+10)

Gold: 919

Equipment: Empyreal Staff (WP:15), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Ether:5. immune to Sealing, bodywear), Medal of Glory (gain triple XP; accessory), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max. Ether +4, backwear), Fanged Helm (SP:5, headwear)

[Palathadric]

I walk into the Training Room.

The Copper Fox looks up from what he’s been doing.

“Oh, no, you’re back again. What do you want this time? Tired of the weight of a shield in your life, eh?”

“Well, not really, but life has thrown my something of a sour lemon lately. I want out!”

“Out of what, exactly?”

“I don’t want to be a paladin any longer?”

The Copper Fox raises an eyebrow.

“So what changed, may I ask?”

I sigh.

“Much has changed…too much it seems. The paladins are not what they used to be. They are now working in close proximity with the undead—”

“And that bothers you why…?”

I scowl and then spit on the floor.

“Please do not leave that spittle on my floor.”

“Perhaps you should have the undead remove—”

“Clean it at once, Monk!”

“Yes, sir!” I gulp.

The order trains one to be too obedient.

“So, if you don’t want to be a paladin any longer, what do you want to do? I can’t see you taking up any of the Advanced Classes. Am I right in assuming you won’t?”

“You are.

“You do not seem to have a whole lot of reputation with any of the houses either,” he says anxiously. “I can’t say it looks the best on your resume, although I do see that you have reputation with the Wolfgang.”

He adds the last bit with a wicked grin.

“Bah! Don’t remind me!”

I prepare to spit again but catch myself at the last second and think better of it.

“So then…back to simple cleric is it?”

“I’m tired of healing parties that don’t appreciate my work. I don’t want to be some sort of soldier that neutrals can hide behind. I want to actively fight evil, to be able to take matters into my own hands and not be subject to the will of a party who thinks they know better than I do but can’t understand what the hell is going on.”

The Copper Fox looks questioningly.

“You are heroes, you need to work as a team…”

“Yes, but when one member of a team is unappreciated, he needs to take up a new position until the others recognize the loss they are undergoing in no longer having him holding the same positon he used to.”

“Well, you seem to have thought it out long and hard.”

“I want a stronger weapon. These weapons I have now I either bought from other heroes. I have not received a good weapon from a quest in years. If I won’t get them from quests, then I want to make my own stronger to match the strongest weapons in Heroica.”

“You do not have the ability to become a Mystic Knight.”

“When I was at the marketplace on a quest…”

I am suddenly reminded of when I saw the Copper Fox associating with some Wolfgang members. I hesitate.

“Yes?”

“…Well, they offered to train me as an Artisan?”

“An artisan?”

“Yes.”

“Well, the role is hardly heroic, but I suppose it could fit you well enough.”

“I should hope so.”

The Copper Fox scratches his head.

“Well, I can give you some basic training, but it may be more worth your time to visit them and see what they can tell you. You may find that the training they have in their crafts is worth more than anything I can give you here, if that is indeed what you want to do.”

“It is, but I cannot be trained by mere marketplace venders.”

“They are the best at their profession, at least here in Eubric. Heroica has only the best to wait on them.”

I nod.

“I am off then.”

“May Mercutio smile on you!”

I go to the marketplace and find the merchants going about their business.

“Anwyl, how was that sword I sold you?"

“Eh? That sword was worth less than Scrap Metal! It broke before I could do anything with it! I’ll show you how a dwarf takes to you selling him scrap like that…”

“Uh…maybe next time…don’t let it bother you.”

The dwarf grunts. He knew better than to mess with a heavily-armoured hero.

Meanwhile, I head to Gnomeo’s.

“Greetings, Gnomeo!”

“Ah, how is that Magic Compass I sold you working for you?”

“Haven’t had a chance to use it yet to be honest.”

“Eh? So you’re not here to complain about it being broken like the others?”

“What? Is it common that they don’t work?”

“Er…um…no, of course not.”

“Oh...”

“So what are you here for, laddie?”

I am sure I’m older than you.[i/]

“When I completed that quest for you a few months back, you offered me the ability to train to be an artisan.”

“And now you’d wish to start the training?”

“That I would.”

“It’s a difficult business…literally.”

“I am more than up for it.”

The gnome nods, but not necessarily in agreement.

“Well then, your training begins here.”

I train with the marketplace team for a days or even weeks, but by the end I return to the hall feeling different.

I am a businessman now.

Monk Pretzel and His 99 Pieces, The Super Sleuth

465-year-old male "hermit" Artisan

Level: 30

Power: 38 30 + 8

Health: 55/55 9 + 15 + 29 + 2* --*Stickleback Brew

[UsernameMDM]

Hoke enters the Training Room once more. He really did not come to train, but rather to gain an ally.

He pushed open the heavy doors and announced his presence.

"Good day Mr. Ablesword. You look live you could use some sleep. What may I help you with."

Hoke produces the correct paperwork and hands it over to the Copper Fox for examination.

"I've come to be paired with a hatchling, and begin training as a Dragoon."

The Copper Fox nods as he finished reading the papers. He folds them and hands them back to Hoke, who returns them to his pouch.

"Follow me if you would."

The Copper Fox guided Hoke deep down a hidden tunnel that wound so far under the city that Hoke could feel its weight. Finally, they came to a cavern. But they were not alone.

"You've come for one of my kin? Choose wisely."

Hoke surveys the jewel like eggs, marveling at the beauty and power emanating from within.

"That one will do nicely," a voice whispered to Hoke, one that he usually silenced when it spoke.

But this time, he listened. He stepped forward and picked up the brown egg.

"Nothing will separate you."

The great dragon breathed as it shot a small flame and a puff of steam from its nostrils that engulfed the egg. It cracked. A large streak at first that quickly spun a spider's weave of interlacing cracks that soon became chips and chunks raining onto the ground like amber hued diamond dust. Hoke breathed in the flame, the smoke, and the diamond dust.

And his lungs became ash.

He struggled to breath and gasped for air, going down to his knees. With each agonizing breath, his lungs became more substantial; from ash to flesh to stone. Obsidian. He felt the fire burn within him, strengthening him. He shook off the last tinge of pain and returned to his feet, almost ashamed of being brought low before the great dragon. But all embarrassment melted away when he looked into his gloved hand to see a pair of serpentine eyes bob to and fro on a spindly neck looking up at him. He followed the sway of the cat-like pupils, surrounded by the smoldering amber hued iris. Not a word was whispered, yet the hatchling spoke to him.

They would be one.

“Ahem. Mr Ablesword? We have more to discuss. Shall we?”

Hoke nodded, but did not look up at the Copper Fox. He bowed low to the great beast, then turned and followed the skilled trainer back into the Training Room.

In the Training Room, the Copper Fox covered the basics of the Dragoon, or as much as he could with a hatchling. He introduced Hoke to some weapons he was not accustomed to but would soon master.

Then training was at an end. Hoke was a Dragoon at long last.

“I know she will be powerful one day, but I hesitate to employ her abilities at this time. I feel that we should first form a bond of trust, where neither one will ask anything of the other except to learn. We will strengthen each other as our bond grows.”

Hoke helps the hatchling up onto its shoulders and neck where its claws dig into the leather and mail and its tail wrapped about him like a miniature python.

“Now if you please Copper Fox, I shall take back my powers as a Mystic Knight.”

A mystical vortex swirls about the knight and dragon. With the transformation complete, Hoke thanks the Copper Fox and heads out the door, handing the hatchling some raw meat he picked up for their meeting. The tiny dragon greedily gobbled up the first bite and emitted a sound that seemed to be a purr and a satisfied hiss. Before he crossed the threshold, the Copper Fox laid a hand on his shoulder and gave him an envelope sealed with the Shadeaux crest addressed to Arthur.

"The hatchling needs a name."

Hoke looked at the reptile, remembering the fondness he found in Vipera and smiled.

"Torc."

Edited October 14, 2014 by UsernameMDM

[Sandy]

~Two new job expert job classes are now available at the Training Room!~

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl enters the Training Room and stands before Copper Fox.

Purpearl bows slightly.

"My name's Purpearl Berthadhiell, Elven Mage, also known as The Carnival Crusader. My presence in this organisation is more of a... recent event but I believe it is time for me to push my skills to the next level. Please enlighten me, Master Fox."

"Berthadhiells. Elves." Copper Fox scratches his chin. "Your wares are ancient, young elf, including your out of fashioned dress. Where did you get your hands on that wand?"

"My past is unclear, Master Fox. I was raised by adoptive parents. This wand was there beside where I was found."

"That explains everything. You are weak physically and your magic flows through your vessels like a rapid flowing river set on fire. Magic can be a hindrance if you are not careful. Control is what you would need, like a dam on a fast flowing river."

"I will do whatever it takes. Take me under your wing. I wish to train as a Mystic Knight."

"A fine choice, Purpearl. I cannot imagine you doing down the path of a Sorcerer, or a Battle Mage. Follow me."

And so Purpearl trained hard under Copper Fox. Soon she developed the strength of a Knight, coupled with her magic, she is able to make her attacks stronger and was able to defend herself more effectively with a shield. As her training continued, Purpearl realised that from time to time, there would be a surge of uncontrollable magic flowing through her, causing her to fumble in her steps and miss her target. Under the guidance of the Veteran, Purpearl has learnt to effectively channel that surge of uncontrollable magic into her weapons, raising its power. During her time with Copper Fox, Purpearl also learnt diplomatic skills that she failed terribly at over the couple of quests she had been in.

After an undefined amount of time training, and a change of clothes, Purpearl steps out of the Training Room feeling refreshed, as a Mystic Knight.

Purpearl Berthadhiell, the Carnival Crusader (Purpearljellyblob)

180 Years Old Female Elven Mystic Knight *Immune to Fragile, Fire**Deals Poisoned +3*

Level 17

Power: 38 (Level 17 + WP 17 + 4 Bonus #102)

Health: 26/26 (Base 5 + 16 Levels + 7 Health Bonus - 2 Penalty #102)

Ether: 25/25 (Base 5 + 16 Levels + 4 Bonus #102)

SP: 8 (5 + 3)

Gold: 338 (Owes Karie 25 gold)

Equipment: Thorny Rose (WP: 17,wood-elemental, deals the poisoned by 3 effect, mace), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, immune to fragile, suitable for suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators), Aventine's Tricorne (SP: 3, Immunity to Fire)

Inventory

Weapons: Crimson Arcanon (Wand WP:3), Tunic of Elven Acrobat (+4 HP, Provides Evasion Effect with 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER, DAMAGE and Free Hits, torsowear), Zelphie's Staff (WP: 20, cannot be imbued with elements, damages undead), Chaotic Whip (WP: 5, Light and Darkness Elemental), Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; accessory)

Consumables: Raw Sushi (Consumable, Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether), Tasty Pretzel (x2) (1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened and encouraged-effects upon consumption), Tinyshroom, Level Up Mushroom, Muddy Bomb (deals blinded and -3 poisoned to all foes), Tiger Balm, Potion (x3), Grand Tonic, Venom (x2), Remedy (x2), Mead, Ambrosia, Bone

Gemstones/ Scrolls: Ruby (Fire), Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Scroll of Confusion

Others: Bedroll, Shovel, Magnifying Glass

"That shield remains here, Mystic Knight."

"My apologies. I am truly grateful to be able to train under your guidance. I look forward to my next visit."

Edited November 15, 2014 by Purpearljellyblob

[Flipz]

It is late evening when Arthur at last approaches Chateau de Shadeaux. Letter in hand, the Skirmisher approaches the great stone edifice.

After reading his letter, the guard nods and leads the other man inside. Sitting in the parlor are two figures the ex-Mage recognizes, if only in passing.

"Master Dragonlord. Count Shadeaux."

"Zis is ze un you und Shawe spoke of?"

"Yes. Mr. Regulus has a long history with our organization, as well as a record of service to the Town Watch. I believe he will serve your needs well."

"...'E will do. Send 'im to Shawe."

The Veteran and the Hero both bow to the Count, and the Dragonlord escorts the Skirmisher through the halls of the Shadeaux mansion.

"Regulus--a word, please?"

Arthur nods in acquiescence. Both men stop walking.

"I hope you realize just how lucky you are that the Count needs this job filled. He's showing you a lot of trust, trust that several other Heroes have worked very hard to build. Don't break it."

Arthur bows his head.

"I won't. I've had a lot of time to reconsider my past...indiscretions. I want to make amends for my misdeeds."

The Dragonlord nods.

"That's good to hear. Fortunately, the Sand Queen agrees. Which is why we're letting you go through with this." The Veteran gestures forward, and he and Arthur resume walking.

The pair pass into a large, empty room, with cabinets full of gear and racks full of polearms lining the walls, and the Skirmisher instantly realizes its purpose: a training room. Inside, two more familiar faces await.

"Mr. Regulus."

"Mr. Regulus."

"Mr. Shawe! And...Copper Fox...I just want to say--"

The Veteran raises his hand.

"Now is not the time, Mr. Regulus. We are here to train you as a Dragoon."

Arthur looks around in surprise.

"Me? The caretaker of a Dragon? Me?" He pauses. "I'm...not sure I'm the best candidate for such a responsibility."

"Told you," the Dragonlord remarks to his fellow Veteran. "You have proven yourself thus far, Mr. Regulus. We have every faith you will give this task your utmost dedication."

After a moment's hesitation, the Skirmisher nods fervently.

"Is this the offer you spoke of in your letter, Mr. Shawe?"

"Partially. There is more--but I'll leave you to your training first."

And leave them he does. It is a grueling night's training, but fortunately the battle styles of the Skirmisher lent themselves well to that of a Dragoon. It is not long before Arthur has mastered the physical art of the style--but one major obstacle remains.

"A Dragon. Where am I to find a Dragon to raise?"

"Come with me."

The Copper Fox raises an eyebrow.

"You aren't staying to meet with the Count yet again?"

"Don't exaggerate, Fox. We can discuss it later. Come along, Regulus."

Arthur nods, but takes a moment longer.

"Thank you, Copper Fox. And...I'm sorry."

The Copper Fox says nothing, but nods in acknowledgement.

Arthur follows the Dragonlord out of the Chateau, and towards the Hovels. The now ex-Skirmisher looks around, wondering why his experience differed from his other friends who had walked this path.

"Dragonlord...?"

"I think we both know," he says without looking, "that a blindfold would be rather pointless for you." The Veteran waits for Arthur's grudging nod of admission. "The Count is trusting you with a Dragon. I'm trusting you not to look where you're getting one."

Arthur blinks in surprise, then nods and shuts his eyes, following the Dragonlord by sound alone. They pass inside an unfamiliar building, then down corridors and stairs until they finally arrive in an enormous, rough-hewn cavern. Despite its depth and size, the place feels warm.

"Open your eyes."

Arthur complies, and finds himself in the lair of a great green Dragon. He starts, then bows respectfully.

"Mr. Regulus, this is my companion, Smaragdea."

"I am honored to meet you."

"Welcome to my lair. Your respectfulness pleases me."

"Smaragdea has been given several eggs to take care of. Now you must choose--"

But one of the eggs, a smallish one colored gold, has already begun to shake. Entranced, Arthur begins to reach toward it.

<Master? Who is it I sense?>

I...'Master'? I'm not sure I--

Contact.

At the touch of a finger, the eggshell fractures, once, twice, thrice...and then flies to pieces, the little hatchling within stretching its wings before curling back up tightly, every inch of her body save her piercing eyes covered by the leathery appendages. Arthur looks to the Dragonlord questioningly. The Veteran nods.

"She is yours. You'll have to think of a name."

Arthur looks back to the little gold reptile before him, pondering.

<Master? What is wrong?>

Arthur frowns.

"I'm...not really comfortable with that term. Smaragdea, in your tongue, what is the word for 'guardian'?"

"'Miirym'."

"Very well. That is me, young one."

The little Dragon cocks her head.

<I don't think so. I think that is...me!>

"You? Why would--?"

A glaze passes over his eyes. A vision--no? She was still with him...?

And then he hears it. The quiet murmur of voices--some loud, some soft, a few familiar. A realization--

The Spirit Pools. She's connected to the Spirit Pools.

<Is that what they are called? I have heard them as long as I can remember, even before you came. There were voices who spoke to me. They say that is my name.>

Miirym?

In his vision--and perhaps in reality as well--the little girl nods.

But how...?

<I do not know. I was only just born.> She looks pleadingly to Arthur. <Will you take care of me?>

Arthur looks the hatchling straight in the eyes. I will. I promise.

The vision fades, and Arthur is greeted by a Veteran waving a hand in front of his face.

"...gulus? Regulus, can you see--?"

"I'm here."

"Are you all right?"

The newly-minted Dragoon nods.

"Yes. I'm fine." He holds out his shield, allowing Miirym to climb up onto it, then draws it close again. "Miirym and I are both just fine."

The Dragonlord smiles and leads Arthur, eyes closed once more, back to the surface.

&

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

, a Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (played by Flipz), Level 33.75 Dragoon, 22-year-old male Human &

Miirym

, 0-year-old female Dragon hatchling

*Immune to

Blind

,

Confused

,

Fragile

and all

Poisons

*

*Only Receives One Negative Effect At A Time*

*Ignores Free Hits from Beasts*

Power Bonus:

0

Health:

56/56

Defense:

31

Gold:

1049

(Owed 128 gold by Boomingham)

Equipment:

Zoot's Rebel (WP:20 "halberd", suitable to Arthur only), Arm Shield (SP:14, shield), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (SP: 5, Protects against

Fragile

and all

Poisons

; bodywear, suitable for knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators), Unicorn Helmet (SP:1; the wearer can only receive one negative effect at a time, with a new effect replacing the old one; headwear, usable by barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, regulators, skirmishers, and winged warriors), Shadeaux Cape (SP:5, Immune to

Blind

and

Confused

, suitable to those with reputation among the Shadeaux only; if reputation is great, SP is doubled; if reputation is outstanding, SP is tripled; backwear), Fur Leggings (SP: 1, Beast enemies do not deal free hits to the wearer; footwear, suitable for anyone)

Inventory:

•

Sword of the Vampir (WP:17, user is

Jinxed

), Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Clockwork Lance (WP:12, has 1/3 chance to cause

slowed

-effect on the target; lance), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, Spear, causes

bleeding-by-5

effect), Stag Antlers (WP:10, grants

Intimidation

; halberd), Metasimian Dory (WP:9, pierces defense; spear), Spider Leg (WP:9, doubled against flying enemies,

Lightning

-elemental; spear), Dauntlet Index (WP: 9, doubled against humanoids,

Darkness

-elemental; spear), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, halberd,

stuns

on successful hits, Hollow [nothing]), Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield)

•

Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, staff, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd), Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5,

Light

-Elemental, staff, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Healing Staff A (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging), Healing Staff B (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging)

•

Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear, suitable for anyone), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing; headwear, suitable for anyone)

•

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

•

Stingy Gloves (Prevents enemies from ever stealing gold from you; handwear, wearable by everybody), Overkill Gloves (Gives the wearer 1 gold for every point of damage they do extra when they defeat an enemy (example: Enemy has 50 HP left, you do 75 damage, you earn 25 gold); handwear, suitable for anyone),

•

Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Zap-Tap Badge (Has a 1/2 chance to deal

Electric

damage to an opponent who has dealt damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Macabre Collar (Provides immunity to Insta-Kill and Doomed; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Scarf of Misfortune (Wearer deals the

Jinxed

effect on every third round; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (changes the wearer into an elf of the same gender when worn; Accessory, suitable for anyone),

•

Lens of Speed Reading (allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action; accessory, suitable for scroll users), Pointy Hat

•

Opal (

Ice

), Diamond (

Light

), Garnet (

Earth

),

•

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

•

Scroll of

Blindness

, Scroll of

Confusion

, Scroll of

Sleep

, Scroll of

Frailty

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

Poisoning

(Grants target’s weapon the

Poisoned 10

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

Weakening

,

•

Potion, Grand Potion x2, Tonic, Grand Tonic, Ether Core, Remedy x8, Elixir x3, Phoenix Essence

•

Hurricane, Jinxy Juice

•

Exterlate, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the

Poisoned-by-10

effect for the duration of the battle and the

Confused

effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Crumbling Venom (-3 HP/-1 SP per round), Blind Fury, Love Potion,

•

Grating Stone x2, Ella's Pie (Permanently boosts max. ether by 5 but permanently decreases max. health by 5 when consumed.), Mythril shard

•

Smoke Bomb x5, Bone x3, Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used.)

•

Silver Ore x2

"Oh, and one more thing."

"Hmm?"

The Dragonlord produces a bundle of nearly two dozen letters, all addressed to 'The Veterans' and all bearing a pink Zeigfried seal. He immediately tucks them back away.

"We're all tired of getting these. Read your damn mail." And with that, the Veteran is gone.

Arthur stares after the Dragonlord in confusion, before coming to a sudden realization. Digging through his own pack, he removes a still-wrapped Grogmas gift and looks at it curiously, his new companion also observing in fascination...

Edited November 16, 2014 by Flipz

[StickFig]

Matthias walks through the door and finds himself at the end of an unfamiliar hallway. At the other end is another door, so he follows through that one as well, and emerges in a well-lit room with a high ceiling and racks of weapons along the walls. A voice from the shadows under a staircase nearly startles the gnome as he inspects a rudimentary crossbow on one rack.

"May I help you with something, halfling?"

"I'm not a halfling," Matthias mutters under his breath, but not wanting to be caught out somewhere he's not supposed to be, he bites back anything further. "No, I don't think so," he says out loud, "I was just wondering what I might find down this hall."

"And what did you find?"

"You, I suppose." The gnome finally looks up at his questioner, and remembers his manners. "I am Matthias, the Gnome," he says with some emphasis, extending his hand. "Who do I have the pleasure of addressing?"

The man shakes Matthias' hand firmly, but quickly and without feeling.

"I am the Copper Fox, trainer to Heroica. These halls are the Training Room, wherein new skills are learned and new professions joined. I can teach you many things, if you dedicate yourself."

Matthias mind turns at once to the battles of Baltarok, and to the forest outside Ve'er. "Healing. I would learn healing, that I might ease the pain of those around me. And..." he trails off, wondering for a moment, then decides on boldness. "I have seen necromancers bring beings back from death, turned to ...not themselves. I would learn to bring men and women back fully, to themselves and not to thralldom, if you can teach me."

"If you can? I can, Matthias, Ranger, Carnival Crusader. I can train you as a Druid, if you agree."

Matthias gasps a little as the man adds his titles, and nods agreement. The Copper Fox shakes Matthias' hand once again, then walks away. "Where are you going?" the gnome asks.

"I have other matters that need attending," the man replies as he opens another door. He turns to Matthias one more time. "You have all the training you need from me; you will call on the name of your God and creation will answer. Feel the elements around you, and you will know what to do." The door closes, and the Copper Fox is gone, leaving Matthias as confused as ever, but with a strange sense of purpose.

Matthias the Carnival Crusader (StickFig)

Level 16 Druid *⅙ chance to be Encouraged at the start of battle* *Immune to Bound, Slowed*

Power Bonus: 10

Defense: 0

Health: 26/26

Ether: 16/16

Gold: 111

Equipment: Restored Fireball Extraordinaire (WP:9, also hits enemies listed above and below the target, user is Slowed, hand cannon), Dapper Hat (This amazingly dapper hat gives the wearer a ⅙ chance of being Encouraged at the start of any battle, headwear), Winged Sandals (Protects from Bound and Slowed effects, footwear)

Inventory: Magnar’s Unreasonably Cruel Axe (WP:12, deals Bleeding -3, axe), Peashooter (WP:2, deals Burning -2, hand cannon), Grimmau's Clothespin (Prevents the first negative effect inflicted on the wearer during a battle, headwear), Helmet (SP:1, headwear), Amethyst (Darkness), Ruby (Fire), Topaz (Lightning), Elixir, Grating Stone, 2x Red Death Blood, 3x Remedy, 2x Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Magic Compass

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen enters the training room.

Seeing Copper Fox she says

I wish to train as a minstrel, to unlock the power of song in battle.

Copper Fox replies

Your weapons, you will not need them.

Now, let's hear what you've got.

Nerwen divests herself of armour, shield and sword. Standing in a simple linen shift she begins to sing.

Good says the Fox, Open yourself to the world, let the music flow in.

As she sings, Nerwen's voice changes, losing the distinct trace of elvish pronunciation and her dress shimmers, lengthens and changes to a fitted, sparkling sheath.

Olegia! Olegia!

I am one with the wind and sky

Olegia! Olegia!

Here I stand in the light of day.

Let the storm rage on!

The old never bothered me anyway!

You need only an instrument now and you are ready.

Nerwen pulls a battered flute from her satchel.

This was a gift long ago, I'm certain Anywl can sharpen it up.

Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight)

264 year old female Elven Paladin

Level 32 *double experience**counterstriking*

Power bonus: +8 (quest #102)

Defense: 0

Health: 46 (Base Cleric 9 +Level bonus 31 -Quest #102 5 +Minstrel Bonus 11)

Ether: 37 (Base Cleric 5 +Level bonus 31 +Minstrel Bonus 4)

Gold: 54

Equipment:Medal of Valor (Double experience from battles; accessory), Counterstrike Gloves.

Edited November 17, 2014 by Chromeknight

[Capt.JohnPaul]

Alexandre takes his Level Up Mushroom and applies his Grating Stone to his elf sword. Then he becomes a Skirmisher.

Alexandre le Chevalier, Orc-kin (Played by Capt.JohnPaul) *Immune to Fragile*

20 year old elf male Skirmisher

Level 30

Power Bonus: +1 (Growshroom Cap, Quest 103) (+6 total if in Front Row)

Defense: 20

Health: 54/54

Gold: 1

Equipment: Sword of the Elven Blademaster (WP: 17; ignores SP, +1 gold per successful strike), Cross Heater Shield (SP: 12), Fighting Boots (Power +5; footwear), (SP:5, protects from fragile-effect;bodywear), Gladiator Helmet (SP:3; headwear)

Inventory:

• Feather Duster of DOOM (WP: 1), Butcher's Cleaver (WP: 5, throwing weapon)

• Mr. Snuggles (Accessory, +1 HP, +1 Power, +1 SP, cannot be imbued with scrolls, suitable for barbarians)

• Bedroll,

• 3x Grand Potion, 2x Remedy, Neutralizer

• 4x Mead, Smelling Salts, 2x Nostrum, Mulled Wine, Ambrosia

• 3x Smoke Bomb

• 3x Deadly Venom, 3x Volatile Venom, Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle),

• Tome of The Regret, 1 fine Montresorian Wine

[Myrddyn]

Erik makes his way to the Training Room for the second time.

"Hey, Mr Fox. You trained me as a Shaman a while back, and don't get me wrong, I do appreciate it, and these are some useful skills to have. It's just that, well, healin' injuries is all well and good, but I think as a hero with this organisation I'm more likely to find an opportunity for, ahem, preventin' people from being wounded in the first place, by, well, bashin' the people who'd wound 'em first."

"What do you want me to teach you, then? You can hit people as a Shaman."

Erik produces the Darkstar Wand, and shows it to Copper Fox.

"I got this wand off a guy I met on my first quest with Heroica. Can you teach me to use that?"

"I would need to train you as a Battle Mage for that, but you might consider Raider instead. Without any gems, a Raider's ravages would be far more useful than a Battle Mage's circles of might and magic. In addition to which, as a Raider, you would be able to find opportunities to steal gold from your opponents."

"Steal gold in the middle of a fight? I'm not a criminal! I'll take the opportunity to stab 'em instead, and then loot their corpse afterwards, like a true hero."

After training with Copper Fox for a period of time, Erik emerges as a Battle Mage.

Erik Tyrvarr (Myrddyn)

19 years old male human Battle Mage.

Level: 22 2/3

Health: 39 (Barbarian base 8 + Level bonus 21 + Battle Mage bonus 5 + Raw Meat 5)

Ether: 23 (Level bonus 22 + Battle Mage bonus 1)

[Siercon and Coral]

Siercon entered the Training Room for the first time. (It's about time I updated my picture especially since I never wore or had any of that other stuff ;)

"Copper Fox I presume?" Siercon said fastening the last claps on his new Magician's Gloves.

"That is correct, how can I help you?" Fox said noticing the ridiculously sized spear across this mage's back.

Siercon awkwardly dropped the heavy spear as carefully as he could, but it still landed on the floor with a heavy thud. "I was hoping you could teach me to become a Battle Mage."

"Ah... Indeed." Fox replied. "I see lifting weights, and practicing on mannequins is not going to help someone in your phase." he eyed Siercon's ghost like appearance and continued. "Come with me, I have a feeling I know what might help."

Siercon was surprised, yet somehow not at Fox's intuition and ability to read a hero he had never met. Dragging the spear behind him he followed Fox into another room away from all the training equipment, weights, and weapons.

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

Some time passed... At least only some time here passed. And the two emerged.

"Well lad, looks like I need to shave now." Fox said laughing. "Good luck with your travels, and if you have any questions; you know where to find me."

"Thank you greatly, it has been an honor." Siercon said sincerely. Turning to go he picked up the oversized spear effortlessly and spun it around several times revealing a purple wake of darkness energy. He exited the training hall a Battle Mage.

Edited December 30, 2014 by Siercon and Coral

[Flare]

Benji approaches the Copper Fox weakly.

"I don't know what to do... I have seen a vision."

"What are you saying, Benji?!"

"Well, you see, I drank a remedy, to heal myself of my lycanthropy... and..."

"How will you remain a beast warrior!? You fool, you've ruined your future. I have been watching over you ever since you got here, and this is how you repay me...!"

"I can't deal with this any more! I've been going down the wrong road for too long. I am to be a Beast no more."

"You were a fool to drink that remedy. The side effects are unknown. If you really are intending to become a prophet, maybe your newfound guardian will reveal to you this little booger."

"..."

'Is it my destiny to serve the unnatural? The higher force? Was my choice wise? Are you even there?'

"..."

"I knew that your so called vision was just the result of your drunked state. Pull yourself together, Carvenha-"

"Benjemoni Carvenhall, you ask for truth and you will not be denied this. If you choose to follow what you do not understand, then you will be counted as blessed. My prophets have blasphemed me and have twisted my truth to become darkness. The One Who Always Has Been speaks to you-ou-ou-u-u-u...."

............

Benji slowly realizes that he was laying on the floor screaming.

"Get up you fool!! Have you completely lost all of your gray matter?"

"I'm sorry that you cannot understand what it is not seen... but... it is my destiny."

The Copper Fox glares at Benji, speaking not a word, but instead motioning to a thick book at the side of the room.

Not wanting to upset the Fox any more, he reads through the material quickly and realizes that he already knew the majority of the information. Much had to do with his original class of ranger, and the rest was similar to his mother's profession of being a magic bearer. Benji realizes that his newfound connection with the spiritual side of life had awoken a part of him that he had never known.

He walks out of the training room, ignoring the Fox. He knew that he didn't need the petty Veteran's help to do what was right. He was no longer a beastly fool, but now a prophet. He had a lot of damage to repair. On his way out the Copper Fox tossed him a robe and smirked.

"Good luck."

Benji Carvenhall, the Dragonslayer and the Champion of the Northern Kingdoms

30 year old half-elf

Level 50 2/6 Prophet *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened Effects* *Overkill Gloves*

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 15 (6+3+3+3)

Health: 76/76 (6 base +49 lvl up +15 class +6 permanent boost)

Ether: 55/55 (50+5)

[-obelix-]

Thalion enters the Training Room and bows. "Master Copper Fox, it is time to train again."

"Aaaah, Thalion Dwinlas. Good, so you have decided to listen to my advice then and give up the way of the Sorcerer?"

"Yes, I would like to train to become an Artisan!"

"Ok, let us begin then..."

After a lengthy period of training with various tools and crafts, Thalion becomes an Artisan.

213 years old male elf Artisan

Level: 31 1/4

Power: 44 (Level 31 + WP 13)

Defense: 12 (3 + 4 + 5)

Health: 50/50 (5 + 30 + 15)

Ether: 40/40 (5 + 30 + 5)

[Masked Builder]

"Hello Copper Fox, it's been a long time."

"Why yes it has Ms. Alexis, what are you looking for today? Surely you're enjoying being a Harlot?"

"Well I was; but people have gotten rather used to me, it's time for a change."

"Well if you waited just a bit longer you could train in one of the master classes."

"No, I'd rather not wait. Time waits for no man."

"Which class do you want then?"

"I quite enjoyed my time as an assassin, it's time to go back."

"Ah assassin; excellent choice; shall we begin?"

Alexis brushes up on her assassin training then walks from the training room out into Eubric.

Alexis Fenral, Orc-kin *Immune to Darkness, Water, Bound, Slowed*

22 year old female elven Assassin

Level 47

Power Bonus: 12

Defense: 1

Health: 58/58

Gold: 1359

GP: 9

Equipment: Steel fan (WP:20, ice-, lightning-, and darkness-elemental), Counterstrike Gloves, Medal of Glory (Artifact/Accessory - Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles), Winged Sandals (artifact; footwear; protects from bound and slowed effects), Aventine's Cape (SP:1, immunity to darkness and water),

Inventory:

• Cat-o'-Nine-Tails (WP: 20, damage divided between all enemies, Suitable For Rouges), Death's Whip (WP:11, on successful hits there is a 1/6 chance to cause double damage), Healing Staff (WP: 5; healing effect), Staff of Ennon (WP: 5, light-elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4; staff), Fang Dagger (WP: 4), Town Watch Halberd (WP: 6),

• Quickdraw Quiver (permanent hastened-effect, suitable to Rangers), Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory), Smelly Hide (Suitable for barbarians and beast warriors, half damage from beasts and humanoids on Damage, bodywear), Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from fragile), Ring of Sight (protects from blinded), Regret's Cape (Backwear, grants immunity to first negative effect afflicted each battle),

• Aquamarine (Water), Diamond (Light), Sapphire (Wind), Topaz (lightning), Fifty Shades of Bley,

• Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Shovel, Venom, Bedroll,

• 2 Somas, 5x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Health Core, 6x Potion, Grand Potion, 9x Meads, Smelling Salts, Nostrum, 9x Remedies, 7x Grand Potions, Skeleton Decoy, 8x Bone, Deadly Venom, Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), Mulled Wine, 2x Grating Stones, Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle), Red Death Blood (If applied to a weapon the Doomed effect is dealt on first blow), Zoot's Cookie, 2 Lightning Bomb, 7 Water Bombs, 3 Dirt Bombs

[CMP]

After a week or so of visiting random bars around Eubric, Atramor returned to Heroica Hall, this time to the Training Room, where the Copper Fox looked to be assembling more combat dummies.

"Mister Fox, there ya' are. I was hopin'-"

"Decamon Drafter? Few others seem to have many cards left. It seems the only viable reason to have kept yours," guessed the Fox shrewdly without even looking up. McCafferey clicked her beak almost approvingly of the Veteran. Atramor only blinked in mild surprise.

"Well...aye. Figure I could use with more flexibility in what I can do in battle."

"Then I hope your Witch training comes in handy. You'll be spending a lot of ether."

The Copper Fox stood - but rather than the usual sparring weapon in his hand, he had only a few Decamon cards.

"Now then. Let's play."

Twenty minutes, a lot of cards, and many training dummies maimed in various ways later, Atramor left the training room as a Decamon Drafter, and looked the part as well.

Atramor Gibbin, the Fiery Champion (CallMePie)

32 year old male human Decamon Drafter

Level 35 *Immune to all elements, poisoned, and doomed* *Negative effects last one round*

Power: 55 (35 + 20)

Defense: 14 (4+6+4)

Health: 62/62 (7+34+9+6+6*)

Ether: 41/41 (6+35)

Gold: 900

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

Inventory:

- Robust Shield (SP: 12, shield), Silver Katana (WP: 15, longsword), Tiger Claws (WP: 15, double WP against humanoids, fire and darkness elemental, dual strike, daggers)

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

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

- 3 Bones, Fenghuang Incense (After being consumed, automatically revives all party members with full health once when knocked out; cannot revive targets that are already knocked out.) Fire Bomb, Grand Potion, 10 Grand Tonics, Grating Stone, Health Core, Jinxy Juice (Deals the jinxed-effect to the target), Phoenix Essence, Smoke Bomb

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

Decamon Deck: Volt Ant (Electric 1), Tweetybird (Flying 1), x2 Brains-in-a-Jar (Ethereal 2), Tangleweed (Plant 3), x2 Dune Ghoul (Rock 3), Simsalamander (Fiery 3), Sylph (Electric 3), Succubus (Fiery 4), x2 Holy Cow (Luminous 4), Thunderbird (Electric 4), x2 Death's Rose (Plant 4), Sandman (Ethereal 4), Automaton (Electric 5), Mushroomhead (Plant 5), Unicorn (Luminous 5), Aquaphant (Aquatic 6), Electriphant (Electric 6), Cave Troll (Rock 6), Woodwose (Plant 7), x2 Carcinos (Aquatic 8), Storm Elemental (Electric 8), Cloud Gigas (Electric 9), Phoenix (Fiery 9)

* = Nutritious Banana, Chicken Drumstick, Grand Zoot's Cookie

[Flipz]

Arthur slowly, hesitantly walks up the steps to Number 14, Heron Street. He raises a fist to the door, then pauses. Should I? He lowers his hand, strokes his chin, then swiftly removes his helmet, exchanging it for the Pointy Hat he had received nearly a year ago, now dyed blue and embroidered with stars to match the hat he'd first worn when he came to the city, that particular piece of headwear now little more than a tattered rag buried beneath the bulk of junk at the bottom of his bag. After one last moment's hesitation, and a glance at the unusually-compliant Miirym sitting on his shoulder, he raises his fist once more.

*Knock knock knock*

A woman, at once familiar and foreign to the once-mage, answers the door.

"Arthur!" she exclaims in surprise, "I wasn't expecting--come in, come in!"

Nervously, hesitantly, Arthur complies, sweeping the hat from his head and clutching it nervously between his hands. Valentine leads him down an off-kilter hallway lined with portraits, some of them moving, all of them unfamiliar. An unkind accusation jumps to his lips, but he bites it back--old prejudices would not serve him here. She's my mother. It's hard to believe, but it adds up.

...still want to hear her say it to my face, though.

<Hear her say what to her face?> Miirym mentally inquires.

Arthur starts. In his preoccupation with his parentage, he had momentarily forgotten his draconic charge. He wondered for a moment whether he ought to protect his own privacy, but after weeks of silence, if not downright hostility, he was not about to pass up the opportunity to reconnect with her. That she's my mother, he replies. Taken aback by her guardian's unexpected honesty in response to her intrusion, the little dragon lapses back into silence. At length, the three arrived in a cramped yet airy dining room, a space of moderate but ample size that was dominated by the overlarge dining table taking up the majority of its length and girth. By contrast, the chandelier above was a smaller, more modest affair that nonetheless illuminated the space well in conjunction with the tall window on the room's shorter west wall.

Valentine notices Arthur's gaze and shrugs apologetically.

"It was a gift."

"From my father?" Arthur inquires.

"Noel's."

"Ah." That's right, I have a brother. Younger or older, I wonder? And wasn't he the one who sent out the Grogmas notices holiday before last?

Both humans take a seat, Miirym apparently content to remain on her guardian's shoulder. An awkward silence ensues. Miirym coughs quietly, a puff of black smoke rising towards the overly-high ceiling. Arthur busies himself by watching the dishes scrub themselves through the open kitchen doorway. Valentine sits quietly, patiently, silently at the other side of the table. Finally Arthur works up the courage to say something.

"So...I have a brother?" he asks, having failed to come up with any other suitable topic of conversation that would be less awkward.

"Oh...yes. Half-brother, actually. Would you like to meet him?" Before Arthur can respond, Valentine has a conjured pink parchment and quill in her hands.

"No, that's..." Arthur trails off awkwardly. Valentine stops writing. Arthur sighs. "Look, I...I just need to know."

Valentine peers over her purple-lensed spectacles. "If I was telling the truth?" she asks knowingly. She takes a breath, then releases it slowly. "Yes," she responds finally. "I know it probably wasn't the right time, but to be frank, I don't know if there is a right time. I just know that I...I couldn't bear to see you suffer any more. I gave you up to avoid that, to avoid all--"

Arthur stands up abruptly and turns away from Valentine, forcing Miirym to take wing. She settles down on the back of the chair at the head of the table, as Arthur presses a fist to his face. Valentine also rises.

"Is something wrong?"

Arthur's free left hand clenches and unclenches a few times. Suddenly, he slams his fist down against a nearby china cabinet, the seemingly-inanimate piece of furniture nonetheless growling at him. He ignores it.

"DAMN him!" he shouts. "Damn him for being right about me even one time!"

The tell-tale patter of feet on stairs breaks the momentary tension. A black-clad half-elf appears in the hallway.

"Mom? I heard shouting--oh." Noel takes a moment to regain his composure. "Who's the chump?"

Valentine interrupts what would have undoubtedly been a hostile response from Arthur.

"Noel, this is Arthur...your half-brother."

Noel gives Arthur an appraising, uncertain look, but then notices Miirym.

"Whoa, dude, you've got a dragon? Sick!"

Miirym rolls her eyes and takes flight again, this time landing on the chandelier that was--she hoped--out of reach of the teenaged wizard. Arthur smirks. Valentine seems to want to say something, but after a quick glance at Arthur she merely purses her lips while giving Miirym a stern look.

"Her name's Miirym. It means 'Guardian' in the dragon tongue."

"Right on," he says gamely. "Anything else interesting about you, or...?"

"I'm a Hero," Arthur offers.

"You don't say." Noel turns to his mother. "So where was this guy when the Academy got sucked into the Void?"

Arthur counts the days in his head. "Helping a princess fight a giant serpent and a robot. Underwater." Arthur grins smugly, knowing he'd gain points for presentation.

"Wicked," Noel acknowledges grudgingly, not nearly as enthusiastically as Arthur had hoped. "Hey, Mom, I'm gonna go hang with Hél and the gang, 'kay? Don't wait up!"

Valentine opens her mouth to interject, but before any words could come out the boy was gone. She shakes her head and smiles affectionately.

"Kids."

"I wouldn't know," Arthur replies, perhaps a little coldly, based on Valentine's resulting look of puzzlement. He tries to cover. "You need me to go after him?" The Dragoon looks out the door through which his half-brother had passed.

Valentine shakes her head dismissively.

"No need," she says. Her expression betrays a hint of her concern as her gaze brushes the front door, but she quickly masks it for the sake of her visitor. "Noel's not the sort to respond to the whole 'big brother' role. Just give him time." Arthur nods, but continues to gaze distractedly at the door. Valentine moves next to him. "Not used to having younger siblings?"

<He doesn't talk about his family,> Miirym informs her, relishing in the fact that Valentine couldn't understand her...or so she thought.

"So he doesn't talk about them. That doesn't mean he doesn't want to. The two are completely separate things," Valentine responds matter-of-factly.

Miirym double-takes, as does Arthur.

"You can understand her?" Arthur asks incredulously.

"But of course! You didn't think your spiritual connections came from your father, did you?"

Arthur starts to respond with the obvious "yes", but decides against it.

"Actually, that's something I wanted to ask you about. Or more specifically, she's what I wanted to ask about."

"Who, your dragon?" Valentine glances towards the rude reptile. "She's a bit rude, I'll admit, but that's hardly unusual from what I've heard. And speaking of rudeness, Miss Miirym, I would appreciate it if you got down from my chandelier, please."

As Miirym reluctantly complies, Arthur raises an eyebrow.

"Rude? Try downright disrespectful."

Valentine scoffs, but her expression softens when she sees Arthur's own.

"You really don't know about children, do you?" she says, somewhat sadly. She smiles reassuringly. "No child really respects their parents, even the best-behaved of the bunch. It takes maturity to be respectful, something of which children tend to be in notoriously short supply." She winks at Arthur, then laughs at the confused look he gives her in reply. "Don't worry. Just trust your instincts. It certainly works for me with Noel."

Arthur's gaze becomes downcast.

"Trust seems to be in short supply between the two of us."

Valentine rests a reassuring hand on her son's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, dear. That I can't help you with. If it makes you feel any better, your father had the same issue with me." Her expression sours. "Of course, that was before I caught him trying to sell my Z-Mail spell to the Spymaster of the Blue Hand, so perhaps a little mistrust on my end would have been in order."

Arthur nods, his demeanor subdued.

"I'm starting to realize that my father's not the man I've made him out to be all these years."

"Mm. We all do that to our parents, I think, to some degree."

"Do you regret it?"

"Being with him, you mean?"

Arthur nods.

"No. Regretting my time with him would mean regretting having you, and I will never regret my children."

Valentine hugs her son--a gesture he, for the first time, returns.

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

Arthur steps into the Training Room, a determined look on his face. The Copper Fox is waiting for him.

"Having trouble with Miirym?"

Arthur stares for a moment at the Veteran, then nods.

"A little. Who knew the wild and unpredictable raw power of the elements would be easier to manage than a two-foot-long reptile?"

To the Dragoon's surprise, Fox laughs.

"Hah! I'll have to remember that for next time I talk with Cain." The Jack-of-All-Trades quickly recovers his composure. "I take it then you'd like to go back to spellcasting?"

Arthur nods reluctantly.

"For now. I wish I could trust Miirym to have my back, but for now..." he trails off awkwardly.

"I understand. I also understand you've found some new reading material?"

Arthur starts in surprise, then pulls a copy of Begone with the Winds from his pack.

"Why don't you give that a read?" He winks at Arthur, then leaves the once-and-future mage to his literature.

&

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

, a Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (played by Flipz), Level 34 2/4 Weather Mage, 23-year-old male Human &

Miirym

, 0-year-old female Dragon hatchling

*Immune to Magic, Healing,

Blind

and

Confused

*

*Ignores Free Hits from Beasts*

[

Currently in:

Heroica Hall

]

Power Bonus:

0

Health:

48/48

(Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 33 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 6*)

Ether:

44/44

(Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 33 + Class Boost: 6)

Defense:

17

(Duplovian Helmet of the Guard: 2 + Shadeaux Cape: (7*2)=14 + Fur Leggings: 1 )

Gold:

1524

(Owed 128 gold by Boomingham)

Equipment:

Zoot's Rebel (WP:20 "broomstick", suitable to Arthur only), Lens of Speed Reading (

allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action; accessory, suitable for scroll users

), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing; headwear, suitable for anyone), Shadeaux Cape (SP:7, Immune to

Blind

and

Confused

, suitable to those with reputation among the Shadeaux only; if reputation is great, SP is doubled; if reputation is outstanding, SP is tripled; backwear), Fur Leggings (SP: 1, Beast enemies do not deal free hits to the wearer; footwear, suitable for anyone)

Inventory:

•

Weapons:

Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, staff, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd), Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5,

Light

-Elemental, staff, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Healing Staff A (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging), Healing Staff B (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging)

(Unsuitable weapons:

Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable throwing weapon, causes

Jinxed

-effect)

(Lent to Docken), Sword of the Vampir (WP:17, user is

Jinxed

), Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Clockwork Lance (WP:12, has 1/3 chance to cause

slowed

-effect on the target; lance), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, Spear, causes

bleeding-by-5

effect), Stag Antlers (WP:10, grants

Intimidation

; halberd), Metasimian Dory (WP:10, pierces defense; spear), Spider Leg (WP:10, doubled against flying enemies,

Lightning

-elemental; spear), Dauntlet Index (WP: 10, doubled against humanoids,

Darkness

-elemental; spear), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, halberd,

stuns

on successful hits, Hollow [nothing]), Arm Shield (SP:14, shield),

Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield)

(Loaned to Purpearl), Blue Hand Shield (SP:5, grants immunity to

five effects of the user’s choice; these immunities cannot be changed once selected

Hexed, Petrified, Minimized, Jinxed, and Stunned; shield) )

•

Artifacts:

• White Ninja Cowl (The wearer can choose to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits; the effect ends if the user targets an enemy; suitable to rogues, beast warriors, chi monks and infiltrators; headwear), Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear, suitable for anyone), Unicorn Helmet (SP:1; the wearer can only receive one negative effect at a time, with a new effect replacing the old one; headwear, usable by barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, regulators, skirmishers, and winged warriors), Pointy Hat (+2 Max Ether),

• Duke's Coat-of-Arms (SP: 5, Protects against

Fragile

and all

Poisons

; bodywear, suitable for knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators),

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

• Stingy Gloves (Prevents enemies from ever stealing gold from you; handwear, wearable by everybody), Overkill Gloves (Gives the wearer 1 gold for every point of damage they do extra when they defeat an enemy (example: Enemy has 50 HP left, you do 75 damage, you earn 25 gold); handwear, suitable for anyone),

• Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Zap-Tap Badge (Has a 1/2 chance to deal

Electric

damage to an opponent who has dealt damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Macabre Collar (Provides immunity to Insta-Kill and Doomed; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Scarf of Misfortune (Wearer deals the

Jinxed

effect on every third round; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (changes the wearer into an elf of the same gender when worn; Accessory, suitable for anyone),

•

Gems:

Opal (

Ice

), Diamond (

Light

), Garnet (

Earth

),

•

Tools:

Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass, Begone with the Winds (Grants the holder access to the Weather Mage expert job class upon reaching Level 30.),

•

Scrolls:

Scroll of

Blindness

,

Scroll of

Sealing

(

Lent to De'kra

), Scroll of

Confusion

, Scroll of

Sleep

, Scroll of

Frailty

, Scroll of Armor Sundering (

Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success

), Scroll of

Poisoning

(

Grants target’s weapon the

Poisoned 10

effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether

),

Scroll of

Luck

(

Grants target the

Lucky

-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.

)

(lent to Hybros), Scroll of

Weakening

,

•

Consumables:

•

Healing: Potion, Grand Potion x7, Tonic, Grand Tonic, Ether Core, Remedy x10, Elixir x3, Phoenix Essence, Fenghuang Incense

•

Status: Hurricane,

•

Venoms: Exterlate, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the

Poisoned-by-10

effect for the duration of the battle and the

Confused

effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Crumbling Venom (-3 HP/-1 SP per round), Blind Fury, Love Potion,

•

Permanent Improvement: Grating Stone, Ella's Pie (Permanently boosts max. ether by 5 but permanently decreases max. health by 5 when consumed.),

•

Bombs: Smoke Bomb x5, Bones x3,

•

Currency: Silver Ore x2

•

Decamon Deck:

Night Mare (Dark 5), Pegasus (Luminous 8)

•

Quest Items:

Edited January 18, 2015 by Flipz

[Sandy]

~A new expert job class is available in the Training Room!~

[Lind Whisperer]

A quiet, but repetitive knocking at the door woke the sleeping Veteran.

"Always another Hero to train..." He swung the door open. The grey-cloaked rogue dipped his head.

"Might I come in?"

"Yes, yes." He stepped aside, letting the rogue pass by him. He yawned. "So...what'll it be? Raider? Assassin?"

The rogue bowed, again. "If I might be so bold, as to make a request-"

"I don't mean to be rude, but it's late, and I'd like to eventually get some sleep, so if you could just make it, and we could move along?"

"Of course, sir." The rogue cleared his throat, and stood up.

"I would like to request that I be allowed to go and become a Black Knight while in the company of my family, who are presently camped a short way outside of the city.

The Veteran began to speak, but the rogue quickly finished his request before he could.

"I have carefully studied and memorized all of the arts, the skills, the movements. If you test me on any of them sir, you will not find me lacking."

The Veteran again began to speak, but then paused, and considered the request. He suddenly took a fighting stance, which the rogue instantly followed up with the perfect response. He silently repeated this several more times, until he was satisfied.

"Well, you do know the skills - and it is late...But on the other hand, it isn't quite conventional...Aw, Hel, I live in a world where we have projectile missiles but everyone still keeps carrying swords, and there are fully working autonoma, but everyone still riding horses or dragons.

Sure, kid - have fun with your family."

He yawned. "I, am going to go train myself in the art of...*yawn*...solid sleep..."

The rogue bowed again, and silently slipped out of the room, his long grey cape flowing behind him.

"Where on Olegia did he steal a cape like that? That was quality...*yawn*...material, that was. Ah, well - I should really talk to Fabian in the morning..."

LindEubricBKphoto

Later that night, a dark figure slowly walked back up through the streets of Eubric. In their beds, naughty children awoke frightened, as if spooked by an invisible terror, unseen even in nightmare, but all the same, horribly present. But good children, lost far away in dreamland, felt strangely comforted, as if their parents had gently stroked their brow and tucked them in a little tighter.

[JimBee]

Hybros and Ellaria entered the Training Room together as fellow heroes and trusted friends. They had been through a few scrapes together, and with their most recent experience in the town of Towr in northern Uland, it was time to train for a new practice. Ellaria, because she was ready to find a new direction to her life, and Hybros, for reasons that he would soon explain to his friend, along with his changed appearance. It had shocked Ellaria when he approached her before going to train together - his face was no longer covered in bandages (as it had been since his training as a Chi Monk with Lee Long), and in their place were two small dark horns that stuck out from just below the brim of his signature hat. Even more striking were the large bat-like wings that had sprouted from his back. Even with his short stature, the "Imp" looked more impressive in his golden armor. He still donned traditional Xuese robes, however, and the lack of his usual kerchief revealed a wicked grin with sharp teeth.

Ellaria did not look the same, either, for she had forsaken her green druidic robes in favor of a cleaner look suitable to the alchemical laboratories. It included a long white coat over a long shirt and a pair of slacks - she had really come to appreciate comfortable trousers over heavy skirts. Her long hair she had gathered and lifted into a large beehive on top of her head to protect it from getting burned in corroding fumes.

"It is great to see you, after all this time", Ellaria greeted Hybros with a smile. "I just have to ask... since when have you had wings and horns?"

"Eheh, this is the real me you see in front of you. I just did not know it any more than you did."

"Looks like you had an interesting couple of months since we returned from Towr. Unlike me. I've been holed up at the apothecary, practicing formulas and mixing ratios. Becoming an alchemist has been a sort of aspiration of mine ever since I met Old Spriggan, but I never figured it would be this complicated."

"I can help you with that, Miss Arbour", said the Copper Fox as he stepped into the room. "And apparently you are here for the same purpose, Hyb... Oh!" Surprise flashed on the Veteran's face as he took a good look at Hybros. "Eh, nice pair of flappers you have there. Anyway, I have been authorized by the Guild of Invision to test whether you two are suitable to an alchemistic career. Let me get everything prepared."

"So, are you going to tell me what made you this way?" Ellaria asked Hybros when the Copper Fox began to lay out alchemical equipment on a long table.

"We have a long road of training ahead of us, eheh... I will explain as we go."

The Copper Fox handed each of the heroes a pestle and mortar, and the pair began to crush leaves, herbs and other substances. Hybros took a deep breath, and prepared to reflect on the happenings of the past several month with his Druid friend.

"You remember our journey deep beneath Eubric, yes? I believe that I was meant to be on that quest. Ever since I have lived on the surface of Olegaia, ever since I... can remember, I have been searching for my people. I am sure you have seen no others like me. I believe that search has brought me here, to Eubric, and to Heroica, and finally to the underground. I have had several trips below the surface since my time in Heroica, the first being in a dungeon of an arena held by the one known as Wren. Skrall and Nyx and others have spoken of her, and I do not know much about her but I believe they both talked to her when we were in that ancient library. It was in that dungeon that I first had a vision of my people. I had always known that they existed, somehow, but now I knew their origin. Once in large numbers they dwelt in the thick forests of the surface world, until they were found by humans, elves, and dwarves. These species grew wary of my ancestors, and my people were not used to the newcomers. They fought, and eventually the forests were cut down, the Imps' homes destroyed. They fled underground, and there they stayed for a very long time."

Ellaria poured a flask into a pot that Hybros held.

"I came to know then that I should search for my people below the surface. Since then I have made several voyages below ground. I saw the creatures that lived down there, and I knew that, in the vast network of tunnels, temples, and old cities, that my people were down there somewhere too. So I was sure that on our journey with Doctor Daneeka, that we would find them. We did, in a way. We all had visions from those witches - you and I had one together about that child. Nyx joined me in a vision about the ancient times of this island - before it was an island and before its inhabitants sunk it into the ocean. Long before then, my people were discovered by your race and others, and a war was fought. As I said, my people hid below ground once they had lost. But it was not enough, there was nowhere they could run. The greed of humans, elves and dwarves ran deep underground. They feared us, because of our powers to manipulate nature - magicks more arcane than the other races had ever known - and because of our appearance. Small, dark diminutive creatures who spoke in clicks and chirps. We resembled what your people thought as demons. And so, my people were banished to where human paladins and mages thought we were from - the realm of Zoot."

A concoction boiled in the pot, Ellaria occasionally stirring it with a wooden spoon.

"I know this because of my experience. Wren claimed to manipulate the power of Zoot, but I have seen its true power for myself. In an ancient Temple of Zoot below the city, I saw an army of undead and the release of an Archdemon. I watched others eaten whole, sent to the realm of Zoot. I was fortunate enough to avoid that fate - I fear that I would have been the last Imp Olegaia had ever seen without hope for return. We did defeat the archdemon Mephisto, and he dropped an item. When I touched it, I could feel his presencesomehow. What is more, another presence was awakened, that of a... 'gift' from Wren, or Zoot itself. It somehow felt so familiar, and overwhelmingly warm..."

He drew Zoot's Reaper. It's dark metal glimmered in the dim candlelight. It took the form of a scythe when Hybros received Zoot's Plaything, and seemed to ooze with ancient power. Since his encounter with Mephistopheles, it served as a reminder of Zoot's Realm and what might lay there. Perhaps it was time to use it as a weapon again.

Hybros coughed. The concoction was beginning to smell. Upon prompting from the Copper Fox, Ellaria and Hybros added quantities of crushed insect parts and flower petals.

"Down there in Zoot's Temple, we found the Pandemonicon, an ancient book of the gods and demons including Mephisto and Zoot. It is in our very own library, which I consulted Byblos about more recently, eheh."

"But there is also the other book that I found in that ancient library that we visited with Daneeka. It is a book of ancient times, and one that was lost when Mercution was sunk into the ocean. That is why knowledge of my people is so scarce - few besides Daneeka have heard of the Imps, and fewer living have seen any besides me. I went to him after our quest in Towr, to translate it. All of my suspicions from visions and encounters have been confirmed by this book. My people lived on Mercution for eons before elves and others came. People of the earth and forests, one with nature but also an advanced society. They were not powerful enough to combat the greed and numbers of the other races who arrived there, and so they were driven underground centuries before being completely banished to Azazot. I must have escaped or been summoned somehow, but my purpose was simple. The only question left was... how to find my people."

By now the alchemical solution in the pot was boiling, so Hybros helped Ellaria carefully take it off the fire and let it cool.

"The answer had been under my nose the whole time - the Temple of Zoot that I visited years ago was the answer. It was there that Sycamore Ziegfried summoned Mephisto, and I was sure that I could do the same. I had gained the magical abilities from my training with Lee Long, now all I needed was the knowledge given by the Pandemonicon. I visited Byblos, who was understandably hesitant to let me see the book that had caused him so much grief, eheh... He explained to me its dangers, and I was well aware of the risks. I certainly did not make this decision lightly, because I had seen the destruction caused by a brief visit of just one Archdemon. But with a little... forceful convincing on my part... I was able to convince Byblos to reveal to me the secrets Pandemonicon, namely how to open a temporary doorway to Zoot. Perhaps he felt compelled to help a hero of Heroica, perhaps the binding magic from the book itself nudged him in the right direction... eheh. Whichever the case, I now had the knowledge necessary to open a door to retrieve my people."

"With that came the difficulty of letting unwanted demons out. But I had no other option. My whole life had led me to this point, and I knew my people were watching, waiting for me to free them. I had spoken to them at the very end of our journey to that library. If Skrall and Nyx had spoken to people they care about that are no longer part of this world, then you must have, too, Ellaria. My people... they were there. They would be ready."

"The passage that I took with many other heroes on the first visit to Zoot's Temple was blocked after our exit by the great dragon Smaragdea, so I needed to find another route. I know of a deep system of tunnels that run from the underground gnomish city of Zylstra. I have friends there, so they sent me in the right direction but even they have not fully explored the tunnels yet. But I had one more tool, and that is Zoot's Plaything. As I searched the tunnels its presence awakened again. The familiar whispers inside led me down a path that led straight to the very same temple I had visited before. I had arrived. I entered, and stood among the three seals on the floor. Two were broken upon my last visit: the one of Mephisto the Hungry that had been released upon my first visit, and the one of Abraxas the Proud, another archdemon who had escaped somehow. I do not know where it resides. That left the third guardian of the temple, Marilith the Vengeful. Since my first visit, it, too, had been broken. All three archdemons had been released from the temple, and it would seem that all doors to Azazot had closed. But the temple held ancient and powerful magic... I knew there had to be some remnants of the spells that held such powerful beings."

By now, the solution had cooled, and it was time to distribute the contents to smaller bottles. Ellaria and Hybros did so silently until all of the substance had been bottled and corked. The green liquid would be carried over to Portia's Potion Shack later; they had concocted a simple healing potion in mass quantity. The Copper Fox allowed the pair to leave for the night, and the two began to walk among the streets of Eubric.

"I had doubted my magical abilities, after all I was no expert. But somehow I felt as though I would be getting help. The whispers through Zoot's Reaper guided me, and I followed the steps memorized from the Pandemonicon..."

Hybros' eyes widened as he stopped short. He had reviewed the events in his head over and over again, but somehow sharing them with another made his recollection all the more vivid. He thought for a moment, and began to recall to Ellaria the events that took place in the Temple of Zoot, in great detail.

. . .

The imp traveresed the winding tunnels flowing from Zylstra. The long, tall cavernous passageways seemed to have no end. Many paths split from the main one, but Zoot's Reaper whispered in his ear, staying his direction true. The darkness would have rendered most creatures blind, but the imp's evolved eyes, surely from ages of his people living below the surface, provided him with very limited vision. Most creatures, it seemed, did not venture this deep, as Hybros' journey was without incident. After a very long time, the whispers becoming louder all the while, Hybros reached his destination. The mouth of the tunnel fed into a a huge cavern, and the familiar Temple of Zoot stood before him. Unlike last time, he was alone, without friend or foe. Only his courage and wisdom could guide him now. He ascended the stairs of the ancient structure, and entered the large arched doorways. In the center of the main room, the three broken seals that once held their respective archdemons lay dormant.

He stepped forward, standing between the three seals. By now the whispers from Zoot's Reaper were loud enough to be almost unbearable, but Hybros was determined enough to concentrate. He closed his eyes, and began to gather his power, derived from ether as Lee Long had taught him. Enough energy was gathered for a powerful spell, but then suddenly Zoot's Reaper began to glow in the imp's hands. More power coursed through the weapon and through Hybros than he had ever felt before, and suddenly the room seemed to shake. Manifestations of his people's arcane magic took hold of the imp, building and building in the small creature. Incantations from the Pandemonicon left his lips without him even thinking about it, and soon the power came to a head. He raised Zoot's Reaper, and brought it down through the air swiftly. Behind it, its path left a wake of astounding light. The cut quickly opened into a circle, a doorway to Azazot! What seemed to take hours, even days, was compounded into a few seconds during which Hybros witnessed, through that doorway, his people for the first time. The Imps were much like Hybros: diminutive, bright-eyed and sharp-toothed, but in other ways different. Most had large wings and horns; some even had pointed tails. And some had varying complexions and skin tones. But all shared kinship, and fought back demons of various nature with arcane magic as they stepped one by one through the doorway into Olegaia. Hybros could only watch as the power that coursed through him left his body and mind completely numb. At last, the final one flew through on draconian wings, and the doorway closed as quickly as it opened.

The portal was gone, and in its place stood some forty-odd creatures resembling Hybros who stared at the hero with wonder. Zoot's Reaper fell from his hands, and the power he felt faded. He crumpled to the ground, but quickly rose. Strangely, he felt no weakness. But, the magic that he had only recently learned to manipulate thanks to the teachings of Lee Long had vanished. Ether no longer touched him, and his ability to communicate with the mystic powers of the world. However, he felt his appearance change. During his training as a Chi Monk and his magical power's manifestation, he had began to grow horns on his head and the beginning stubs of wings on his back. They had grown fully in the past few moments, as a result of the full realization his power. The bandages that previously covered his face fell, revealing a wicked demeanor and pointed teeth.

After some silence, the imp to last leave Azazot stepped forward. He greeted Hybros only with a gaze. He spoke slowly in the common tongue, if interlaced with clicks and hums characteristic of the imp race.

"Hybros. You have made it. Through some turn of fortune or fate, you have managed to free your people from their prison that they have wrongfully been trapped in for longer than you can imagine. You may call me Sigil, and these that stand with me are but a fraction of our people. The rest are many, but could not be liberated from that realm all at once. No, they will have to be saved slowly and in due time."

"I... how did you..."

"You have many questions. The simple answer is that we have been watching you for all your life, hoping that one day you will have found your way back to us. That day is today, and that is what is important. Your appearance, it is natural of our people to change in their life. You have outlived the lifespan of any normal... imp, as the people of this world call us, but now that you have been in contact with our ways, I believe it has manifested in you appearance."

Hybros nodded, with a lack of words. "So... what happens now?"

"Now, we rebuild. Begin living on this world once again, saving the rest of our people from that horrible place in any way we can. Our people will be known on this world once again, and our vengeance will be taken." Sigil paused, as if he had more to say, but stayed silent.

Hybros paused. He was not expecting this kind of response. "Revenge? I... I do think you will want to, or can, take such matters into your own hands. The world has changed since the last time imps roamed it. There are many people of many species, and war is no simple matter. I have seen for myself that much."

Sigil nodded, as if expecting Hybros' reply. "I do not expect you to understand. But the people of this world... they do not know suffering. Not like we have. You yourself were spared from our prison. But our time in there was not spent in vain. Our people have learned much, grown stronger. The power of this so-called... god, Zoot, you call him. It is powerful. And there are many other powers lost to his world. For ages we have spent suffering, and learning from these wicked powers. Revenge will be had, Hybros, whether in your lifetime or not." Hybros simply stared at his newfound kin. Sigil met his gaze unblinkingly, but offered an additional response."While we have many new powers at our disposal, we have found that numbers win wars. And that is something that we did not have when we were banished from this earth, nor do we have them now. Time will be the only factor."

Hybros frowned, and changed the subject. "There is a city... not far from here. It is away from most of the surface world... I can take you there. Perhaps that is where you could live."

"A secluded place would suit us well, for now. We can fend for ourselves, away from those who would seek to send us back to that prison. At least until our numbers have grown and we have become more familiar with what this world has become. It has been a very long time."

Without being sure of what to say next, Hybros took a long look at the imps before leading them back through the tunnel that he came from. He was quiet the whole journey, contemplating what had happened, and his purpose now that he at last had found his people. The other imps were silent, too, perhaps also reflecting.

They arrived before Zylstra, the odd buildings standing before them and the diminutive people bustling between them. Life had proceeded normally there, it seemed, and the gnomes, dwarves and halflings had yet to take notice of the large group emerging from the tunnels that led to their sanctuary. Before they would inevitably encounter the citizens, Sigil took Hybros aside.

"The Baron here... we will talk to him. There may not be space enough... but perhaps you can help build and expand this city. I am not sure, these people are wary of outsiders. We will see..."

"These people... they are unlike those that we encountered on Olegaia before. They are few. They shall not cause us trouble, nor us to them. And if they do not accept us, we will find another way. We always have. Thanks to you Hybros, our people live on. But there is more work to be done, and you will continue to help us. Stay, and our people will grow strong."

Hybros looked away.

"That... ehehm... that is something I cannot do... My sole purpose was to find my people, and I have completed that purpose. Yet, here I stand. I feel that there is more to be done, not only for my people but also for this land. I was brought to the island of Uland, which is where we are now, for a reason. I thought the only reason was to find you. But in my journeys I have found much more, and the people of this land need my help. My place is here, with you and with them, until the end of my days, whenever that may be. And revenge is a task that I cannot aid you in."

Sigil nodded, again unfazed, as if he predicted the response. It would seem that Hybros' kin understood more than he knew. Perhaps they had been watching him very closely...

"I see. Very well. Perhaps the best way you can help your people now is to continue on your journeys, and carry on life in this place. Secure our place on the surface, and help us directly when you can. We will be here."

Hybros let out a sigh, grateful for Sigil's and his people's understanding.

"I will not be far, and will visit all the time. There is much that I wish to learn about my people..."

With that, Hybros departed, letting out a sigh. A great weight was lifted from his shoulders, one that had been there for a very long time. Yet, anxiety lingered. There should be closure, but a new weight remained in its place. There would be much to learn about his people, and their motives. As Sigil said himself, only time could tell.

. . .

Ellaria and Hybros completed their walk, arriving at Ellaria's little house on Marlin Street.

"You actually found your people? I am so happy for you, Hybros! That is, if you are happy. Are you?"

"Eheh, I guess I am. It is something of a conclusion, is it not?"

"No, Hybros. It is a new beginning. For both your people and yourself. Don't ostracize yourself from them. Go talk to them, teach them about this modern-day world and the wonders you've seen in your travels. That might persuade them to abandon their will for vengeance and seek their place in this world peacefully. Eubric, despite all the chaos running rampant here, is a great place for that - nobody looks you twice even if you have horns, wings and a pointed tail to match. This city embodies freedom - in good and in bad. You have freed your people, Hybros, now teach them what freedom means."

"Ellaria... Thank you for listening. And for everything."

"It's what friends are for. Tomorrow we will show the Copper Fox what a pair of badass alchemists we are. Good night for now, my little winged friend."

. . .

The following morning both Hybros and Ellaria returned to the Training Room full of vigor, and by the end of the day, the Copper Fox deemed them worthy to join the Guild of Invision as full-fledged alchemists.

Ellaria Arbour (Sandy)

24 years old female human Alchemist

Level 32 3/4 *Three rolls for Mixture* *Transfer poisoned and bleeding upon being hit* *No Free Hits for 3 rounds*

Power: 42 (32+10)

Defense: 5 (1+4)

Health: 53/53 (9+31+10+1+2)

Gold: 20

Equipment: Geppetto's Hammer (WP:10, wood-elemental hammer, hollow [Diluted Arc Potion (Restores 15 health to all allies)]; hammer), Rubber Gloves (For Mixture, the die is rolled three times instead of twice, and the highest two results determine the created item; suitable to alchemists; handwear.), Robe of the Magi (SP:1, suitable for mages, clerics, alchemists, chi monks, decamon drafters, necromancers, regulators, scholars and weather mages; bodywear.), Spider Helmet (SP:4, passes poisoned and bleeding effects to the enemy when the wearer is hit; headwear), Spirit Robe (Renders wearer invisible to the enemy for the first three rounds of battle so they do not take free hits; backwear)

Hybros (played by JimButcher)

54-year-old male imp Alchemist *Permanently Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements except wood* *Intimidation*

Level: 35.25

Power Bonus: 3*

Defense: 0

Health: 54/54 (7+34+10+3*)

Ether: 0/0 (+2*)

Gold: 730

Equipment: Zoot's Reaper (WP:15; scythe, suitable to Hybros), Golden Armor (user is permanently hastened and cursed, fire-, water-, earth-, wind-, ice-, lightning-,darkness-, light-elemental, grants immunity to Sleep, Blindness, Confusion, Frailty, and Weakening; bodywear), The Black Hat (Suitable for anyone, grantsIntimidation, immune to darkness and cursed, headwear), Sterile Gloves (grants immunity to poisoned- and bleeding-effects, handwear), Alchemist's Cheatsheet (Suitable for alchemists, 1/3 chance to make two of the same Mixture on rolls of Shield, accessory)

[Jebediahs]

En Sabah Nur found a spot to sit and concentrate. A red hued portal opened behind his left shoulder and a portal with spiraling water opened on his right. In front of him a third portal opened on the ground, lightning striking outward and upward until the Chidoris Obelisk erupted forth. Clumps of dirt burst from the ground to surround Nur's wooden shield as an alien aquatic creature and a rockling emerged from their respective portals. Nur explained to the spirits and the Rockling that he wouldn't be calling for them any time soon. The spirits bound to his aquamarine and topaz returned to their planes but Nur asked Emerald to wait a moment. "Emerald you're a battle mage...perhaps you can help me with a spell I've been working on."

- "As long as you're quick about it! I'm supposed to meet my friend to go hat shopping in a half hour."

En Sabah Nur grinned. "Of course. I have spent much time observing the Wolfgang and believe I can replicate their beast transformation. If you could take a look at my proposed incantation and hand gestures..." Emerald looked over the presented material, nodded then left through her portal. Nur sighed and cast the beast transformation spell. Some...thing's...not right...

->

"That...didn't quite go as planned. I look ridiculous." Unused to his new body, Nur thought it best to let the spell expire as opposed to casting a reversal spell. He stretched a few limbs then sat and waited. Alfred arrived just as his master reverted to his natural form. Nur looked at his companion then to his shield still floating nearby. "Well alright then. I'm pretty good with a bo staff. Let our training begin."

En Sabah Nur (Jebediahs)

31 year old male human, Mystic Knight

Level 31.25 *Immune to Darkness*, *Converts Ether to Health*, *Reflects Ether-Based Attacks*

Power: 51 (71 vs. Humanoids)

Health: 52/52 (Mage Base 5 + Level Bonus 30 + Mystic Knight Bonus 7 + Raw Meat Bonus 5 + Raw Meat Bonus 5)

Ether: 42/42 (Mage Base 5 + Level Bonus 30 + Mystic Knight Bonus 1 + Ectoplasm Bonus 2 + Sedge Hat Bonus 4)

Edited March 6, 2015 by Jebediahs

[Comrade Commander]

Darksten strolled into the training room, a bit pissed that it had taken him so long to finally make it here.

Though the ranger had never met the Copper Fox, the lead trainers capabilites were well know. Darksten approached the man, seeking guidance to improve his combat capabilities.

"Sir. I come to you seeking assistance for I have grown tired of having to rely on my companions on quests. They simply hide in fear and leave me to get mauled, or are so pathetic they cannot hit the broadside of a barn. I wish for you to teach me ways to become so powerful I won't have to rely on others"

"No man is an island ranger. We all rely on each other in some fashion. But I understand your frustration. You seak to be able to blast away enemies, while having more power over your questing party...

While each quester is their own unique character, unable to be simply controlled by another, I do have an idea..." The Copper Fox replies, before teaching Darksten the power of an evoker, using gems stored in the training room.

"Amazing" Darksten mutters to himself as his flaming eagle flutters around the room. "With this loyal companion I can have more say over the course of a battle and together we can present a more powerful front"

But then his eagle is gone, leaving behind a simple grey puff of smoke. "What happened?!" Darksten asks of his trainer

"You ran out of Ether."

"You mean to say I am restricted by an unseen force? I am sorry sir, but this class is not for me"

"Fine, then let us try to make you a true hunter" The Copper Fox says as he helps Darksten practice with his crossbow

"Now this feels better" Darksten says as his arrows strike the humanoid targets with increased precision. But he grows frustrated when his bolts seem to loose their edge against other races

"Master trainer, perhaps you miss understood me" Darksten says, growing angry at the lack of progress towards his goals. "I want to kill all enemy. I want to be able to strike out at the groups that oppose me no matter the number, no matter the race, and I want to do so without the limitation of the a magical force."

"Very well, then let us make you a true assassin"

Darksten spends the next few hours learning how to hone his accuracy and strike from the shadows. He has finally found the class he enjoys.

'Thank you master trainers. I will not forget your assistance. Perhaps you could aid me with one more thing. I saw one of my previous quest companions swipe gold off of one of our enemies. Perhaps you could teach me the same thing?"

And so Darksten learned to steal gold on top of his deadly skills before making his way back to the hall.

Darksten (Comrade Commander) *Immune to poisoned, bleeding, cursed, jinxed and blinded*

35 year old male human Assassin

Level 15 1/2 *Immune to poisoned, bleeding, cursed, jinxed and blinded*

Power: 21 (15+6)

Defense: 2

Health: 26/26 (6+14+5+1)

Gold: 512

Equipment: Crossbow (WP:6), Sand-Worm Hide (SP: 2, bodywear), Tribal Amulet (Wearer is immune to poisoned, bleeding, cursed, jinxed, and blinded; suitable to barbarians, rangers, beast warriors; accessory)

Inventory:

Weapons: Spider String Bow (WP:4, darkness-elemental bow), Fine-tuned Guitar (WP:15, user is lucky; instrument)

Artifacts: Safety Blanket (SP:1, protects from Afraid, backwear), Vampire Cape (Halves damage from undead enemies; backwear)

Spell Items: Murder on the Dancefloor (Has 1/6 chance of instantly knocking out each opponent (unless immune to sudden death) when sung; costs 30 ether per round; Battle Song)

Consumables: 6x Potion, Health Core, 5x Remedy, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, 4x Mead, Smelling Salts, 2x Nostrum, Soma, Ambrosia, Root Beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against undead enemies for 20 damage. The Root Beer does not affect non-undead enemies), Aeolus Bomb, Floral Bomb, 5x Lightning Bomb, Smoke Bomb, 3x Venom, 2x Bone

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

Edited March 14, 2015 by Comrade Commander

[Brickdoctor]

With new cloak in hand, I enter the Training Room.

"Well, it's certainly been a while since I've been here... let's make this visit worthwhile. Time to learn how to use just about everything in this room."

Bartholomew Docken, Dragonslayer (Brickdoctor)

34-year-old human male, Mime

Level 51.6 *Gains Triple XP* *Takes Halved Damage from Free Hits* *Scary* *Nimble* *Immune to Defense Reduction, Removal of Positive Effects, Confused, Blinded, Poison, Fragile, Fire, Earth, and Wind* *Counterstriking*

Power: 71 (Level 51 + WP: 10 + artifact bonus: 10) (Power Bonus: 0)

Defense: 28 (SP: 20 + SP: 3 + SP: 5)

Health: 97/97 (base HP: 6 + Level bonus: 50 + Class bonus: 20 + permanent boost: 21*)

Ether: 60/60 (Level bonus: 50 + Class bonus: 10)

Gold: 209 (1 Gold loaned to Lord Lawrence Boomingham [Zepher])

GP: 27

Equipment: Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10; inflicts the Blinded-effect; Crossbow), Mythril Shield (SP: 20; Shield), Dread Hat (permanent Scary effect; immune to Defense Reduction, Removal of Positive Effects, Confusion, Blindness, Poison, Fragile, Fire, Earth, and Wind; suitable for anyone; Headwear), Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3; Damage of all Free Hits is halved; suitable for anyone; Bodywear), Medal of Glory (Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles; suitable for anyone; Accessory), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level; suitable for anyone; Handwear), Cloak of Extravagance (SP: 5; WP +10; permanent Nimble effect; suitable for Mimes; Backwear)

Inventory:

• Iris Shield (SP: 15; reflects physical Damage back to the attacker regardless of Row or Defense, if the user survives the attack.), Pan (WP: 1; +1 Max HP; suitable for all classes), Fishstick (WP: 7; deals double Damage on ships; club), Unlucky Horseshoe (WP: 13; inflicts the Jinxed-effect; Throwing Weapon [borrowed from Arthur Justus Regulus VII (Flipz)]), Training Longswords (WP: 5; Longsword) (2), Lieutenant's Sword (WP: 6; Longsword), Throwing Knife (WP: 3; Throwing Weapon), Skirmisher's Shield (SP: 10; Shield), Composite Bow (WP: 11; ignores Defense; Longbow), Butcher's Cleaver (WP: 3; Throwing Weapon, inflicts Bleeding-5)

• Large Water Canteen (Carries 6 portions of water; Accessory), Aqua Gear (Adds Water-element to physical attacks, immune to Water, Accessory), Cobweb Cowl (immune to Sudden Death; suitable for anyone; Backwear)

• Potions (4), Diluted Arc Potion, Grand Potions (9), Health Cores (3), Grand Tonic, Remedies (10), Phoenix Essences (3), Phoenix Incense, Mead, Smelling Salts, Feathers of Lithe (2), Feather of White, Smoke Bombs (5), Water Bombs (5), Lightning Bombs (5), Doomsday Bomb (99 damage to all enemies), Bones (11), Venom (5), Deadly Venom, Inkwell (causes a weapon to deal the Blinded-effect for one battle), Skeleton Decoy, Teleportapple, Adamantite Shards (3/4 Adamantite), Writ of Blacksmith Service

• Bedroll, Shovel, Magnifying Glass

• Silver Ore (60 Gold)