StickFig

Matthias nods to Rone and Holla as they prepare to depart. "Master Hybros, I believe I would be better served speaking to Piglina with you. I am better with animals than with mages." Apologies all, I will probably miss a few days... my wife has informed me that it appears my son has decided it is time to be born.

"I appreciate the warning, Captain Iceborn. But I don't really understand the effects of the Fountain's waters." Matthias turns to Hybros, Rone, and Holla. "What do we do now?"

One half of the map is in Guts' inventory; not sure what happened to Zane's half? Matthias watches Rone display the rags and map. "If you need more proof of our tale, perhaps you may discern the Fountain's effects on me... I have tasted the waters."

Matthias sighs as Rone and Holla make a mess of introductions, and speaks up from somewhere around the party's knees. "Captain Iceborn, my name is Matthias; these are my comrades Master Guts and Master Dyric. We do apologize for barging in and for the inquisitive bombardment; we owe you a debt for your map to the Fountain of Youth, if indeed it was your map." Here the gnome pauses, and clears his throat quietly. "In which case, I must regretfully inform you of the passing of your," another throat clearing, "crew, such as they were." "What Master Holla alluded to is that, as you are a member of the Council of Etheria, our employers entreat your favor in resurrecting an 'Old God', as it were: Passion. They have found all the necessary material and a willing host body, and desire only that the Council allow them to proceed without interference. Some of us are not convinced it is a good idea. The chaomancer seems all for it, though." Matthias' internal conflict over the group's decision only bleeds over a little into his voice. While his words are not openly seditious, his tone makes it clear where he stands on the matter. "I think that the three of us - or at least I - would very much like to hear what you know about the 'Old Gods,' the Fountain of Youth, and the other council members, if you would be so obliging as to give us your time." Stats look good; I re-arranged the loot into my inventory for easier reading. And just so I'm reading this right, the Etherial gems will each have a different effect based on the type of gem; and the following are all true? 1) Spells cast through that gem give the target the associated effect. 2) Weapons imbued with that gem deal elemental damage and the associated effect. 3) Equipment imbued with that gem protect from the associated element and the associated effect. True?

That word you keep saying... I do not think it means what you think it means.

"Ah, so basically proto-Regret, then," Arthur interjects sardonically. "You took the words right out of my mouth, Master Arthur," the gnome adds. "My lady, the job seems to already be taken," Hoke says as he looks at Guffington,"I would think he would find this objectionable, and I am not sure exactly what qualities you see in me that I may successfully fulfill this role." Matthias comports himself with as much calm as he can muster, which isn't a ton, but whatever. "So Passion's knowledge will be lost? Or Master Hoke's? If Passion's knowledge will not return, why bring him back at all?" "Lord Chauncey believes that only might makes right. That the weak and the defenseless are rightly at the mercy of those who wield power. And he is willing to kill, plunder, and destroy anyone and anything who does not believe as he does, in order to gain and hold that power." "I am not proud of my own actions in our last meeting, but there, as here, I was lied to at all levels of our mission. In any case there is no right course of action but to oppose those who have no regard for the humble." Letting his curiosity and desire to be anywhere but here overcome him, the tiny druid sidles next to Hybros and Rone. "I'd like to go as well."

That makes two of us (although the being outside for long hours is pretty normal for me). I would make an obligatory joke here about how 20-degree weather would be wonderful because in Korea we use Centigrade/Celsius and it's been below -10 for the last week, but I'm too worn out hahaha. In any case, I'm sure your filming is pretty mentally taxing on top of the cold; recover well and we'll be here when you're ready!

"Lovely choice of words there, Master Arthur." "Yes, more about the witches, and any other actual reasons we have for bringing this Passion person back. Preferably something more substantial than, 'Lord Chauncey talked me into it.'"

"Oh, so this whole bad deal is Lord Chauncey's idea? That makes me feel sooooo much better," the gnome quips as darkly as he can manage. "Ooooh, this is a strong argument," Matthias says, now seething and red in the face, full sarcasm mode engaged. "'We did really bad the first time, now bring us back!'" "Yes, and it's worked soooooooo well for both of you. No regrets, right?" "We don't know what it is, or how to prepare for it, because it is of course so very clear and present." Matthias attempt at imitating Chauncey fails miserably. Matthias, completely ignorant of how the Etheria Council works despite player knowledge drops the sarcasm and seizes on another line of argument. "Oh, so we're going to do this thing that we all know we really shouldn't be doing and we have no idea why we're doing it or what the results and repercussions might be, but we're prepared to defy the authorities now to do it?" If anything, this last seems to get more under Matthias' skin than anything else. "Repercussions if we don't act? Oh, you mean like the world continuing to peacefully go its merry way? Or do you mean you not having quite as much power as you could? Because still no one has mentioned any actual reason why we're doing this except the darkness that is apparently long defeated, and something about witches." "If 'for the lulz' is the best argument you have for doing this, that's a poor dying wish. Forgive me for preferring the status quo, but I say no until someone at least gives the real reason you want so badly to bring Passion back." "Yes, it would be much better to simply put the lives of the innocent people of this world at risk." Matthias' sarcasm has returned.

As far as I can tell, she is there, and she's also shopping - isn't Etheria "un-moored from time and space" or some such nonsense?

"Ummm, yes, resurrecting powerful and terrible immortal beings over here, and I'll take the pink frilly one, supersize the swords...."

"I do not yet know what power it truly is, Master Hybros," the druid intones, "I do not feel more powerful; I simply do not feel the passage of time. It is difficult to explain. Regardless, we need to tread very lightly."

"So, why are we bringing Passion back?"

Matthias finds himself abruptly facing a wall instead of Zeus's booth. The gnome, miffed at finding himself whisked through time and space in the middle of an interesting business negotiation, annoyed that everyone else seems to think Rone or maybe Holla has had the visions, frustrated that even Rone hasn't understood what the gnome had tried to communicate from those visions, infuriated at once again finding that the quest as accepted by the Veterans was a twisted fabrication, outraged at finding himself in a room with Lord Chauncey, and insulted at the Mother's tone, turns to face the assembly as Rone invokes him. He speaks to the assassin in a low voice, loud enough that the others can hear, but with a note of ...something soft, perhaps compassion or friendship, that they can tell is meant only for the assassin. "You are mistaken, Master Dyric. I did not see the Master of Regret die; in my vision I died, and others who I believed to be of the same kind of beings as Regret. The bodies of the Darkness - the Shadows - I do not know their name; I only know that they drank of the Fountain as it, and I, fell to our world." Raising his voice to address the assembly, the gnome removes its softness and the others can now hear an edge of anger, though it is obvious Matthias knows this to be impotent. "I am called Matthias;" he begins, "some of you may not know that. I am a gnome; some of you may not have known that. I am the chosen carrier of the Anvil of Orrik, for whatever that is worth; I do not claim to understand it. I do not know who all of you are, and frankly I do not much care what is Master Gerald's last wish, or Lord Chauncey's clear path. Lord Chauncey knows that in my estimation he rates only as a narcissist and murderer, albeit a sage and powerful one, and Master Gerald, you and your employees - do you call Master U'Or and Doctor Daneeka friends? - have proven yourselves untruthful by the very fact that you hid from us the true nature of our quest. Lady Hope - forgive me, I am not acquainted with your proper title - it is interesting to me that you cast this fear of the future as a folly of the mortals; should it not be we who are ageless who have much more to fear?" His voice drips with sarcasm. "Your lack of respect for that which you believe to be beneath you is truly endearing as a first impression." Shutting his eyes for a moment, the druid steadies himself in and against the swirling eddies of ether flowing through him and continues to direct his words to the Mother. "If you are of the Old Gods, pray tell us what you are; and explain to us the darkness, the shadows - surely you know that which destroyed your world? What are these artifacts we have collected, and how are they significant to the resurrection of your brother, God of Passion?" Something clicks in Matthias' mind, and he can't help but say, "Will your magic bring back his body? Do you intend to forge him a new one on the Anvil? Will you give him Master Gerald's, as a dying wish?" Fully expecting to be ignored - not an unusual feeling for a gnome - Matthias' tirade continues to rise into his mind and tumble out of his mouth. "Did your people create these objects? To what end? Did you also create the Darkness? Have you learned wisdom or compassion in your many years?" He searches the faces of his fellow Heroes, desperate for a spark of anything that will make sense of their situation. "What do we of Heroica know of these Old Gods? I know nothing but despair from them; tell me that there is something more?" Finding Lady Purpearl's eyes, the gnome is momentarily startled - he hadn't seen the elf since the party split up at Guffington's manor - but his gaze pleads with her, the only truly familiar face in the crowd.

Matthias is nonplussed. Between the dwarf confusion and absurd prices this merchant isn't impressing the diminutive druid. "I'll give you half that on the greaves and scroll of blinding - a fair price by Eubric standards - and I'll take one each of your in-house scrolls. In any case, I already have lightning at my disposal," he adds, patting the Extraordinaire. As he caresses his favorite firearm, his fingers surprise him by finding an extra barrel; he's momentarily astonished to find something very like XX's hand cannon slung on his own back. Not sure what to make of it, he decides to focus on his bargaining and examine the new gonne later.

Sorry all, thought I had subscribed to the thread but I wasn't getting any emails so I thought no one was posting the last couple of days... then that felt weird, so I checked today and of course there are several pages missing Matthias! Matthias comes out of what can only be an ether-overdose trance and the last hour tumbles into his mind in a matter of seconds. He finds himself standing at Zeus' counter, not certain exactly how he knows the elemental's name, and encounters a powerful urge to buy something. "My name is Matthias," he says, feeling for some reason that the merchant will appreciate knowing his customer, "and I'd be much obliged if you could find me a Scroll of Blinding and a pair of Greaves of the Aubergine Dragoon. Also, how much for a single Adamantite Shard?" As the time lapse continues through his brain, the gnome adds, "In any case, I'm not a dwarf. See the hat?" Matthias the Carnival Crusader (StickFig) Level 26 Druid *Gains 10 gold for each Humanoid killed* *Immune to Bound, Slowed* Power Bonus: 20 (+2 WP) Defense: 4 Health: 23/36 Ether: 6/26 Gold: 1432 Equipment: Restored Fireball Extraordinaire (WP:9, also hits enemies listed above and below the target, Darkness- and Lightning-elemental, user is Slowed, hand cannon, poisoned -10), Hunter's Plate (SP:4, wearer gains 10 gold for each Humanoid killed, suitable for rogues, rangers, barbarians, beast warriors, infiltrators, regulators, and winged warriors) (Dreyrugr), Winged Sandals (Protects from Bound and Slowed effects, footwear), DDSSA (+2 health, +2 WP, +10 power) Inventory: Peashooter (WP:2, deals Burning -2, hand cannon), Pongcanis Crossbow (WP:8, crossbow), XX Handcannon Replica (WP:12, pierces defense, hand cannon), Garnet (), Ruby (Fire), 8x Bone, Deadly Venom, 2x Elixir, Grand Potion, Grand Tonic, Grating Stone, Potion, 2x Red Death Blood, 4x Remedy, 4x Tonic, Doomsday Bomb (Deals 99 damage, bomb), 2x Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Dapper Hat (This amazingly dapper hat gives the wearer a ⅙ chance of being Encouraged at the start of any battle, headwear), Crocodile Handbag (Max. ether +2, immunity to water; accessory), 2x Phoenix Essence, Opal, Anvil of Oleg (Quest Item) Put that there so I don't forget the loot Guts just distributed or the Grogmas event gift.

Matthias, whose opinion of Arthur is not being improved by the latter's rambling, asks a series of questions. "What mission are you talking about? We came to give some gifts, and our half of the party brought ours. Why would we need to get some council on our side to give some gifts to Guffington? And what council are you talking about anyway?"

Matthias tries unsuccessfully to make sense of what's going on... and looks around, taking stock of exactly who is around.

Matthias scowls at the pompous mage. "Nifty? This anvil, like my 'ethereal prowess', comes from the great god Orrik, who forged this world." The gnome remembers his manners, and suddenly the offer of training catches his imagination. "I am called Matthias and I am very pleased to meet you, I'm sure. The ether of this place is astonishing; what sort of training do the mages here provide?"

Matthias wanders after the others, simultaneously lost in his thoughts and taking in the sights.

Matthias listens intently, still withdrawn and unsure of himself after the prolonged visions at the Fountain and still getting used to its effects. He gives Daneeka a wary eye as Rone peppers the doctor with questions and adds his own. "What's to say that the 'mages' of 'Etheria' aren't just the same darkness I saw, that overthrew the Old Gods? What's to say they haven't been just biding their time, probing quietly until they can bring together the artifacts they need to destroy this world and create their own? Why shouldn't we just dump that vial off the side of the boat? A few ageless fishes sounds a lot better than a few ageless world destroyers." Realizing how incredible and paranoid he sounds, the gnome softens almost imperceptibly. "Doctor, you know this Guffington; I do not. But does even he know what lurks in Etheria?"

Matthias shrugs, hoists the anvil, and follows Guts and Daneeka.

"Agreed, although I'm not certain where we might want to hurry to."

"No, no, no," Matthias says, "there were two men working with the Master of Regret - they were the same race, the same power, I think, although he seemed to be a leader among them. The Darkness overpowered them all, and drank from the fountain. What could be so bad that the Master of Regret - his whole people - fought and died to keep it from gaining the artifacts? In my first vision - when I picked up the Anvil - I saw the same beings, fighting the same darkness, and I felt the same fall. The Anvil and the Fountain are linked," he rounds on Daneeka, "What other artifacts is the other party fetching? Are they linked to the same power? Are we handing over the means to eternal dominance to your friends in Etheria?"

Matthias nods at Rone's explanation. "Yes, he's not my favorite person either, but he was adamant that whatever the darkness - the shadows - were or was should not drink from the pool. He couldn't stop them, though. To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure how he survived." Addressing the Assassin's earlier question, he adds, "And I'm not sure who Simon is... there were two men with the Master of Regret in the ...vision I had. Simon and Jones. Somehow I knew their names. They were both taken by the darkness. And then I swam to the bottom of the pool of the Fountain, and fell a long, long way... here."