KotZ

"Diana, focus on the Dragoons," Kiray urged. "Act, I suggest you keep the others busy for Diana." Kiray uses her stun bomb from the back row.

I agree on Asphalt's character. I'm excited to see what he does in 110. And Flipz is doing an excellent job in 104. Not random enough, Endgame. Not nearly random enough.

William pulls out a wrinkled map and hands it to Benji. "This is a map of the known area of Tridentia. Flora and Luke are hopefully still along the coast. Come back here as soon as you can." The Party: Benji Carvenhall, the Dragonslayer and the Champion of the Northern Kingdoms (Flare) *Party Leader* 29 year old half-elf Level 43.4 Beast Warrior *Natural Respite* *2x against Vermin* *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened Effects* *Immune to Ice and Water* *Overkill Gloves* Power: 63 (43+20) Defense: 9 (6+3) Health: 69/69 (6+42+15+6) Gold: 32 Equipment: Meduiak (Precision Bow; WP:20; AIM's become HIT's; darkness-, ice-, fire-, wind- elemental), Medal of Glory (accessory, mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, immunity to asleep, blinded, confused, fragile, and weakened effects), Overkill Gloves [borrowed from Galen] (handwear, +1 gold for every point of damage done extra when defeating an enemy), Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (SP:6, backwear, suitable for Ranger and Barbarian Oriented Classes and Beast Warriors), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3, Bodywear, Immunity to Ice and Water, Suitable for Barbarians, Beast Warriors and Regulators), Ratmancer's Cowl (headgear, the wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin) Inventory: Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:17; earth-, wood-, water-, lightning-, light- elemental), Trickster's Mask of the Gender Swap (accessory), Trickster's Mask of the Elf - (accessory), Sterile Gloves (Handwear, Immune to poisoned- and bleeding–effects), Winged Sandals (accessory, immune to bound- and slowed-effects), Snake Eye Charm (accessory, immune to petrified-effect), Health Core (4), Greater Potion (consumable, +50 health) (3), Grand Potion (9), Potion (3), Remedy (7), Phoenix Essence (2), Dragon Scales (3), Nostrum (4), Smelling Salts (4), Mead (4), Flame-Distilled Brandy (4), Mulled Wine (3), Venom, Smoke Bomb (3), Soma, Chaotic Bomb, Cosmic Essence, Skeleton Decoy, Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb (2), Water Bomb, Bone, Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel, Tridentia Map Bobby "Young" Bucks Jr. (Zepher) *Immunity to Wood* 19 year old human rogue Level 1 Power: 7 (1 + 3 +3) Health: 7/7 Gold: 10 Equipment: Dope Dagger (WP: 3), Brown Dragon Girdle (bodywear, power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors) (Lent by Flare) Inventory: Potion, Venom, Phoenix Essence (2 lent by Flare) Vindsval Half-born (Asphalt) 37 year old, Male, Half Giant, Cleric Level: 1 Power: 4 Defense: 3 (Tricorne) Health: 9/9 Ether: 5/5 Gold: 0 Equipment: Montain Hammer (WP:3), Tricorne (headwear, SP:3) (Lent by Flare) Inventory: Remedy, Potion, Smoke Bomb, Bed Roll, Phoenix Essence (2 lent by Flare) Miderun (CallMePie) *Immune to Weakened Effect* 17 year old female orc Barbarian Level 1 Power: 6 (1 + 3 + 2) Health: 8/8 Gold: 10 Equipment: Serstyral (WP: 3, axe), Puglist's Gloves (Handwear, +2 Power, Immune to Weakened Effect) (Lent by Flare) Inventory: Potion, Mead, Phoenix Essence (2 lent by Flare) The Heroes set off in search of Flora Zent and her son Luke. The four hug the coastline, looking for any clues may help them. Yet if there were any footprints, the tides had already washed them away. The sun starts to set, casting long shadows along the sand. They continue to trek until just before the sun completely sets, they hear coming from behind some rocks. One is a distinctly feminine, sultry voice. Then there is a deeper one, but when he talks, there are cracks. Finally, a higher third voice chimes in. The Heroes carefully move around, and see: "You know we can't swim and you only brought one tiny boat for all three of us!" "We just have to get to another IS-land, honey." "You said there would be a boat waiting for us out there, but no, you just had to lie to me again." "Don't you start that Flora!" "I want to go home..." "You shut up- wait, what's that? Who's there?" That's what I was doing, but I wasn't sure. Oops.

"Germ, we need you with us," Kiray said. She then turned to Actaeon, "You got this?" Kiray uses her Everlasting Venom in her Sanctified Rito Longsword from the back row. "I'm urging you guys to stay with us. We all make mistakes, but we can't let more harm come to Dastan from Darius."

"It started in the berry orchards, but that's the farthest out of town we go, aside from our graveyard. There's miles of woods and unexplored land we still haven't gone into yet." "Our folk aren't as sturdy as your kind. As for why Flora is out there, that's anyone's guess." "Go whenever you're ready. I'll wait here to gather my things to come with you when you come back."

We kill the Batman.

Flipz, I'm really enjoying this last bit for 104, even though I sort of expected it. I just can't leave Diana out there to be harmed .

"We are, or well used to be at this rate, a fairly rich colony. People had money saved. Many left to continue to make money and get food before their livelihood ended here and their money ran out." "Only that is has become worse, sir. Slowly but surely color has gone from the surrounding area. Most of the villagers believe that it is some supernatural spirit causing the problems, but I don't think so. I believe there is someone out there." "Oh please do help get the Zents back. I'm worried sick. It won't take too long." "If Mr. Caso is right about Flora heading towards the coast, she can't have gotten far. She's always in high heels and the terrain is rocky. Worse, she doesn't know how to swim. If you hurry, you could catch her by morning."

"Maybe her words are harsh, Siercon," Kiray replied, "but we have a job to do. She and I both lost a parent dear to us. Look at what we are, Siercon. Look at who we are. We're Heroes of Heroica. We're basically a mercenary group. People hire us to do jobs that others won't--or can't--do. Sometimes that is good work. Sometimes that is bad work. Do I necessarily want to kill? No, I don't. But sometimes we have to do it to get the job done. It's clear Darius is a problem right now. Let us all focus on him before more lives are lost. The only thing I disagree with Diana on is that sometimes the Houses do good. Obviously not good for all, but right now if the Shadeaux cannot keep one of their soldiers in line, that soldier has to be stopped." Kiray moved closer to Diana. "I stand with Diana."

The Heroes and their guide board the trading ship as crew members continue to load just a few items needed to take back to Tridentia. At dusk, the journey begins, the ship sailing off into darkness, slowly vanishing from sight. The journey lasted only a fortnight, and aside from some rogue waves, nothing interesting of note occurred. Tailor William Morris sat up top fiddling with his clothes the entire time, but as soon as his beloved town of Tridentia came into view, his hands stopped, he stood tall, looking to see if his town had gotten worse from the mysterious problem, or even if it was there at all. But it was. A sigh of relief was audible from the tailor. The group disembarked and entered the Town Square. The place was near empty. An old man sat leaning up against a tree, his fingers lightly tapping his walking stick. His eyes seemed glazed over, as if his mind was elsewhere. maybe it was. A weaving loom was off to the side, but only a small amount of red cloth was on it. Tailor William Morris walked up to a woman of flaming red hair. "Lacy, I've returned with Heroes from Eubrick to help solve the issue of the berries," the tailor said. He looked around, noticing the lack of people in the normally busy town of Tridentia. "Where is everyone?" "They're all hiding in their homes or have fled the town while you were away," Lacy Lane said in her silky smooth voice. It sounded as rich as the vibrant colors of fabrics that sat in front of her might sound if they could speak. "And it's been worse while you were gone, too. More color has started to disappear. There are no more beautiful berries for dyes and some places are almost completely devoid of color. You've seen it but it got worse." "And we still haven't discovered the problem?" The woman shakes her head. Then her gaze moves over to the heroes who were standing behind William. "Oh, do forgive me, Heroes. My name is Lacy Lane, one of the shopkeepers in Tridentia, but as you can see, all the others have either closed up until the problem is solved or have left town, off to who knows where. If you need anything please don't hesitate to ask. We can't sell you the fine linens we have in stock right now, but if you complete your quest, we'll give you them as our thanks." Supplies for sale Potion (Restores 10 health to the target.) Costs 12 gold. Remedy (Removes all negative effects from the target.) Costs 20 gold. Holy Bomb (Causes 5 points of Light-elemental damage to all enemies.) Costs 20 gold. Elixir (Restores 50 health and 10 ether to the target and removes all negative effects from the target.) Costs 50 gold. "I'm so sorry for the marked up prices," Lacy continues, "but we need to charge visitors more to keep this town afloat for now. But if you go to the berry orchard for me, I'll be able to give you a discount at the store. I'll make everything half off. How does that sound, Heroes? It shouldn't take you too long, it's just a bit of a ways out of town. This is very important to me, and I can't leave the shop and I'm too scared to go their myself." No sooner had Lacy finished speaking when the old man by the tree stood up. His joints popped and cracked and he shuffled over to the group. "William, I didn't mean to over hear, but these our the heroes who have come to help?" the old man asked. "Yes, Daniel, they are," William sighed. "Heroes, this is Daniel Caso, our town cobbler." "I'm going to get straight to the point, if you don't mind, William," Daniel cut in. "I require assistance from you to find a, uh... person... yes that's the word... a person for me--" "Is it Flora?" The cobbler's face seemed to turn red. "Yes, it is her. She's gone missing. You see, Flora Zent is my favorite, er, lady in town and I haven't seen her for the past two days. I'm worried she's gotten lost with her son Luke. I think she may have gone down to the coast, or that's the way I saw her go a few days ago with him. Could you please find her for them for me? I'll give you each ten gold and two remedies to split between the four of you." The man's eyes soften when he is speaking about Flora and her son. William turned to the heroes. "You're the professionals. What do you want to do?"

That latter part is strictly platonic.

I was actually something like this would happen. Kiray, though originally wanting to bring them both in originally just can't leave Diana out to dry. Must be the conversations they've had. But no, I've enjoyed having Kiray interact with Actaeon, be it with arguments or not.

"This arguing is getting us nowhere!" Kiray barked. "Darius is a problem and he needs to be stopped now. We should worry about him first and deal with the others once he is done." Kiray glared at the others.

The Party: Benji Carvenhall, the Dragonslayer and the Champion of the Northern Kingdoms (Flare) *Party Leader* 29 year old half-elf Level 43.4 Beast Warrior *Natural Respite* *2x against Vermin* *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened Effects* *Immune to Ice and Water* *Overkill Gloves* Power: 63 (43+20) Defense: 9 (6+3) Health: 69/69 (6+42+15+6) Gold: 32 Equipment: Meduiak (Precision Bow; WP:20; AIM's become HIT's; darkness-, ice-, fire-, wind- elemental), Medal of Glory (accessory, mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, immunity to asleep, blinded, confused, fragile, and weakened effects), Overkill Gloves [borrowed from Galen] (handwear, +1 gold for every point of damage done extra when defeating an enemy), Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (SP:6, backwear, suitable for Ranger and Barbarian Oriented Classes and Beast Warriors), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3, Bodywear, Immunity to Ice and Water, Suitable for Barbarians, Beast Warriors and Regulators), Ratmancer's Cowl (headgear, the wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin) Inventory: Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:17; earth-, wood-, water-, lightning-, light- elemental), Trickster's Mask of the Gender Swap (accessory), Trickster's Mask of the Elf - (accessory), Sterile Gloves (Handwear, Immune to poisoned- and bleeding–effects), Winged Sandals (accessory, immune to bound- and slowed-effects), Snake Eye Charm (accessory, immune to petrified-effect), Health Core (4), Greater Potion (consumable, +50 health) (3), Grand Potion (9), Potion (3), Remedy (7), Phoenix Essence (2), Dragon Scales (3), Nostrum (4), Smelling Salts (4), Mead (4), Flame-Distilled Brandy (4), Mulled Wine (3), Venom, Smoke Bomb (3), Soma, Chaotic Bomb, Cosmic Essence, Skeleton Decoy, Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb (2), Water Bomb, Bone, Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel Bobby "Young" Bucks Jr. (Zepher) *Immunity to Wood* 19 year old human rogue Level 1 Power: 7 (1 + 3 +3) Health: 7/7 Gold: 10 Equipment: Dope Dagger (WP: 3), Brown Dragon Girdle (bodywear, power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors) (Lent by Flare) Inventory: Potion, Venom, Phoenix Essence (2 lent by Flare) Vindsval Half-born (Asphalt) 37 year old, Male, Half Giant, Cleric Level: 1 Power: 4 Defense: 3 (Tricorne) Health: 9/9 Ether: 5/5 Gold: 0 Equipment: Montain Hammer (WP:3), Tricorne (headwear, SP:3) (Lent by Flare) Inventory: Remedy, Potion, Smoke Bomb, Bed Roll, Phoenix Essence (2 lent by Flare) Miderun (CallMePie) *Immune to Weakened Effect* 17 year old female orc Barbarian Level 1 Power: 6 (1 + 3 + 2) Health: 8/8 Gold: 10 Equipment: Serstyral (WP: 3, axe), Puglist's Gloves (Handwear, +2 Power, Immune to Weakened Effect) (Lent by Flare) Inventory: Potion, Mead, Phoenix Essence (2 lent by Flare) QM: Alright, these should be fixed but let me know if I missed anything. Just waiting for Zepher to confirm he is ready to travel and we'll be off.

Kiray moved to Diana. "I'm with you," the knight proclaimed. Kiray targets Darius from the front row.

A small, pristine white ship pulls into the docks. Sailors begin to tie down ropes and put up the gangway. Everyone is moving quickly; their feet like a small thunderstorm. Tailor William Morris watched in bewilderment at the heroes talk amongst themselves, exchange goods, though the one with the hair seemed a little off putting. As the ship came to dock, the tailor's eyes lit up at the memory of home, but withered quickly. He looked back to the party and announced, "This is the ship that will take us to Tridentia. Are you ready to depart?"

William shakes Benji's hand, his eyes drifting to the unfamiliar headwear. "Do you mean the journey itself or how long it will take to find the root of the problem? If you mean how long it takes to Tridentia, only a week or two. As for how long it takes to find out the cause of the problem, I have no idea. This had been plaguing us for near two months before my fellow townsmen voted to send me to the Hall to find Heroes." "You are correct, Miderun. Tridentia is known for exporting some of the finest linens throughout the south. The island we live on has a variety of berries of multiple colors. Maybe you have seen some of our work. We can only guess that the problem is magical, as this disease, if you want to call it that, has started spreading not to just our berries, but the rest of the town and surrounding area. Everything is starting to lose its color. And if this continues, all of us Tridentians will lose our money, our businesses will go under and our families will starve. I have reserved space on a trading ship back. This ship had brought some of the last good linens we made, everything else is not of the best quality and up to Tridentia standards."

Somehow I always make things much more difficult for myself than I should.

Kiray noticed Actaeon hadn't told everyone the battle order. She knew they had to attack soon or all of them would be wiped out. She shouted out that battle order. Battle order: Kiray Diana Denerii Actaeon Germ Siercon Warlen Mallelio *edited because the names didn't bold for some reason.

Brickshelf being down made it a lot more difficult to get Quest 110 ready.

Four heroes, one with a great deal of experience, and three who had just been given their first quest for Heroica make their way through the docks, looking for a man in a bright, colorful robe over a drab shirt and trousers. In the distance, they see the man they are looking for. Hearing the approaching footsteps, the man turns around, a look of relief coming to his face. "Oh thank goodness, you four are here," the man says. "You have no idea how much we need heroes right now. Oh, I completely forgot. I am William Morris, a tailor down in the town of Tridentia. We're actually a trading colony far to the south of Azzurat, right near the Pearl Sea." Tailor William Morris pulls out a map and shows it to the Heroes. His smile widens as he looks where his town is. "Sir Carvenhall, since you are the most experienced of these worthy heroes, could you lead the party? Also, do you all have any questions?" The Party: Benji Carvenhall, the Dragonslayer and the Champion of the Northern Kingdoms (Flare) *Party Leader* 29 year old half-elf Level 43.4 Beast Warrior *Natural Respite* *2x against Vermin* *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened Effects* *Immune to Ice and Water* *Overkill Gloves* Power: 63 (43+20) Defense: 9 (6+3) Health: 69/69 (6+42+15+6) Gold: 32 Equipment: Meduiak (Precision Bow; WP:20; AIM's become HIT's; darkness-, ice-, fire-, wind- elemental), Medal of Glory (accessory, mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, immunity to asleep, blinded, confused, fragile, and weakened effects), Overkill Gloves [borrowed from Galen] (handwear, +1 gold for every point of damage done extra when defeating an enemy), Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (SP:6, backwear, suitable for Ranger and Barbarian Oriented Classes and Beast Warriors), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3, Bodywear, Immunity to Ice and Water, Suitable for Barbarians, Beast Warriors and Regulators), Ratmancer's Cowl (headgear, the wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin) Inventory: Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:17; earth-, wood-, water-, lightning-, light- elemental), Tricorne (headwear, SP:3), Brown Dragon Girdle (bodywear, power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors), , Trickster's Mask of the Gender Swap (accessory), Trickster's Mask of the Elf - (accessory), Puglist's Gloves (Handwear, +2 Power, Immune to Weakened Effect), Sterile Gloves (Handwear, Immune to poisoned- and bleeding–effects), Winged Sandals (accessory, immune to bound- and slowed-effects), Snake Eye Charm (accessory, immune to petrified-effect), Health Core (4), Greater Potion (consumable, +50 health) (3), Grand Potion (9), Potion (3), Remedy (7), Phoenix Essence (8), Dragon Scales (3), Nostrum (4), Smelling Salts (4), Mead (4), Flame-Distilled Brandy (4), Mulled Wine (3), Venom, Smoke Bomb (3), Soma, Chaotic Bomb, Cosmic Essence, Skeleton Decoy, Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb (2), Water Bomb, Bone, Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel Bobby "Young" Bucks Jr. (Zepher) 19 year old human rogue Level 1 Health: 9/9 Gold: 10 Equipment: Dope Dagger (WP: 3), Inventory: Potion, Venom Vindsval Half-born (Asphalt) 37 year old, Male, Half Giant, Cleric Level: 1 Power: 4 Defense: 0 Health: 9/9 Ether: 5/5 Gold: 0 Equipment: Montain Hammer (WP:3) Inventory: Remedy, Potion, Smoke Bomb, Bed Roll Miderun (CallMePie) 17 year old female orc Barbarian Level 1 Power: 4 (1 + 3) Health: 8/8 (8) Gold: 10 Equipment: Serstyral (WP: 3, axe) Inventory: Potion, Mead QM Note: Please check your stats to make sure everything is correct. Also, Asphalt if you can make a smaller headshot for Vindsval Half-Born, I would really appreciate it.

A thin man in a colorful cape that covered drab clothes walked up to the quest board. He looked at it for a moment before writing something down on the board and striding off in a hurry. Once gone, everyone can see:

Current Sign Ups for Quest 110: Color Me Gone Miderun (CallMePie) Benji Carvenhall (Flare) Bobby (Zepher) Vindsval (Asphalt) *The chosen questers will be announced later today, I'm giving a few more hours for sign ups since it's still 8/22 here.*

Kiray attacks Kreika from the front row.

Kiray accepts the loot from the battle. "I agree, Actaeon, I actually was going to ask for a few of the bombs just in case," the female knight said. She then leaned in close and whispered to Diana and her party leader, "Well what's done is done, we just have to press on and quickly. Like you've said we've lost too much time. At least we have some weapons and an extra person with us."