Asphalt

Pardon my ignorance, but what is The Regret?

He seemed VERY interested in and certain that the two of you would be battling the dragon together.

Vindsval watches the the "sandman" leave. What was all that about him having another man's face?

I guess I will respond to each as it comes it. 1. The Battles These gave me a lot of trouble. I have really started to understand how much a good or bad series of rolls can sway a battle. There were battles I thought would be very difficult that got really good rolls and ended quickly and there were some that I thought would be a challenge that became nearly impossible because of a series of bad rolls. I did my best to balance them as much as I could. I thought I did a fairly good job and had an appropriate chance of KO without being ridiculous. Another point that I think led to the battles being harder was the strategy learning curve of the party leader. But without more input from players he did as best he could. More on that later. 2. Useless end drops, can you elaborate? I tried to put a variety of items in the armory that would help with different builds. 3. Terry's level up. There were several planned areas where character could have gained a level individually or in small groups depending on how they played out. Since with the exception of the key being held by the scavenger beetle, all of the keys could have been obtained without fighting a single battle I was prepared to make each of them a level up possibility depending on how they were handled, and what the characters did in them. 4. Being rushed at the end. Sorry about that. It seemed that most of you had lost a great deal of interest in the quest. I was afraid that if I allowed it to continue to flesh out the rest of the rooms it would end up being very drawn out and far too one sided. 5. The lava room The blob of stone on the wall held another gem that was drawing the magma up. IF it was shattered you would have gotten the gem. 6. Character interaction. This was the hardest part for me. With only one NPC the majority of the interaction needed to be player to player. I had hoped that there would be more ideas being bounced back and forth. The amount of quiet was off-putting for me because I didn't know if it was because of the time of year or because I wasn't putting forth enough input. I got the feeling that I wasn't making things interesting enough, but I wasn't sure how to add more within the confines of the quest I built. Characters Keliim, was the most active and the most fleshed out character. I think he did a good job as the party leader. He ran into some troubles with battles, because of his inexperience with strategy. But he got better with that as he went along, getting used to the benefits of fighting from the rear and how to assign free hits. He was my favorite character from the group, mostly because he was the most active, but he also had a fairly well defined personality. Some of his speech patterns I had to read twice to understand, but it gave his writing more flavor and a sense of voice. I look forward to seeing more of him in the future. Calamity and Terry came next as far as activity went. They came into the hall with good backstories and developed personalities. Throughout the quest each of them had some great one liners, but I wish they had been more talkative. I do look forward to seeing more of them in the future. Muradin and Rethinal, I really don't have much I can say about either of them. They both interacted very infrequently. I think starting the quest at the beginning of vacation season was most detrimental to these two characters. On the whole I hope that I had more successes than failures on my first quest. I learned a great deal that I think will help me if I ever get enough sets built to pitch another quest. I look forward to more critiques. I liked QMing and I want to do more in the future, so any input anyone can give me will be appreciated.

Well, I just finished up my first quest. Let the critiques rip everyone.

I appreciate your enthusiasm Outlander, but it would seem your compatriots are eager to return to your city. Again, I thank you for your service. IF I am in need again I will certainly contact your Hall. Please enjoy the hospitality until you are ready to depart. With that, the Caliph and his remaining advisor leave the throne room. Presumably to deal with his "Breeding Stock" problem. The Walk Through the Parlor been completed successfully.

A Merchant of few words, I like that. Vindsval counts out and Hands Matthias the 55 Gold.

As the Party Chooses their rewards from the Armory there is a commotion in the hall. Many booted feet running past the door. One man ducks into the room and whispers something to the Magus. If you would all follow me, I must return to the throne room immediately. The Caliph and his advisers are both there when the party arrives. Colk cick frikikok mo tic geminoc (it is as I feared) You majesty, this is nothing that is not expected. You asked us to breed more strength and aggression into the Line. In the quest for a better adversary there will be setbacks. Well my friends, it would seem I must cut your farewell short. I have a small matter that needs to be attended to. Apparently one of my breeding stock has escaped captivity, and is attempting to leave my lands. I cannot allow this creature to escape, we have invested far too much in its breeding and training. If you wish the Magus will return you to Eubric imediately Via Portal. The Caliph rises from his throne and begins to leave the room. Unless of course you would be willing to help me in one final task? Congratulations, you have successfully completed "A Walk Through the Parlor." Each of you may now return to the Hall. OPTIONAL: Any of you who wish to help the Caliph with his final task may do so, but it is not required. Please volunteer only if you are available to post regularly. THE PARTY IS VICTORIOUS Final Stats Kelim the Cruel (played by Mencot) DEMON SWORN Age 35, male human Level 9 Barbarian Power: 14 (9+5) Power Bonus: 0 Health: 16/16 (9+7) SP: 2 (4 against Free Hits) Gold: 127 Equipment: Dwarven Orichalcum one handed battleaxe (WP: 5), wolf fur coat(Prop) Heroic Helm (Headwear, SP:2, Helm's SP doubles on free hits) Inventory: Consumables: x4 Potion, Grand Potion, Smoke Bomb, Poison, Dirt Bomb, 2X Obsidian Shard: may be affixed to a blunt weapon to give the Bleeding 2 effect for one battle. Artefacts: Order Imperial Longsword (WP: 5),Really Hard Helmet (SP: 2, Immunity to Rock) Королева's Blessing (When equipped the player gains the ability to Animal Speak to Spiders only, and all spiders are Enamored with him for the first three rounds of battle. Accessory) Scarab Shield: SP3 Shield, Bearer takes half damage from vermin. Misc: Shovel, Crystal Shard (Treasure item, worth 20 Gold) Calamity (played by Scubacarrot) 24 year old human Mage Level 5 Power: 8 (5+ 3) (Spells X2 against Humanoid/Luminous) Health: 8/8 (5+3) Ether: 6/8 (5+3) Gold: 121 Equipment: Skull-Topped Staff (WP: 3, staff), Inventory: X2 Potion, Tonic, Amethyst, Remedy Gloves of the Falcon Brotherhood (worth 15 gold to the right fashion forward collector.) Crystal Shard (Treasure item, worth 20 Gold), Scroll of Blindness (Enables casting the Blinded-effect to the target, making it unable to use a physical attack for the next three rounds. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.) Artefacts: Gold skin Gloves (Spell power +2, Usable by mages, Handwear) Rethinal (played by Rconn0) 58 year old Were-Eagle cleric Level 5 Power: 8 (5+3) Health: 13/13 (9+4) Ether: 1/8 (5+3) Gold: 121 Equipment: Small hammer Inventory: 4X Remedy,Tonic, Tools: Chiton Pickaxe (Allows the user to dig through a breakable wall or obstacle.)Crystal Shard (Treasure item, worth 20 Gold), Obsidian Shard: may be affixed to a blunt weapon to give the Bleeding 2 effect for one battle. Artefacts: Snake Skin Belt:(+2 ether, usable by classes that use Ether, Accessory) Terry Yelnats (played by Endgame) Level 6 Mage HP: 10/10 (5+5) Ether: 3/10 (5+5) Power: 9(5 +4) (Spells X2 against Flying and Vermin) Gold: 123 Equipment: Cattle Prod Staff (WP: 3) Inventory: X3 Potion, Remedy, Sapphire, 2X Bat Guano (can be thrown at an enemy to cause the Blind Effect) Opal, Ether Lash Wand: WP 3 Wand, at the cost of 1 ether per WP the Wand becomes dual strike for one attack. Misc: Bedroll, Crystal Shard (Treasure item, worth 20 Gold), Muradin Falstad (played by Cryos) 47 year old male dwarf Level 5 Barbarian Health: 13/13 (9+4) Power: 7 (4+3) SP:1 Gold: 115 Equipment: Granite Hammer (WP:3),Chiton Breastplate (SP:1, suitable for barbarians, knights, rogues, rangers, beast warriors, cannoneers, dragoons, harlots, inflitrators, marauders, minstrels, regulators, skirmishers, vindicators and winged warriors; bodywear.) Artefacts: Inventory: X3 Potion, Mead, Shovel, Crystal Shard (Treasure item, worth 20 Gold), Smoke Bomb, Obsidian Shard: may be affixed to a blunt weapon to give the Bleeding 2 effect for one battle. Reach: WP 5 Halberd, 1/2 chance of attack being full strength from Back Row. ***Thanks everyone for coming on my first quest. I look forward to seeing what everyone has to say in the QM Lounge. If you wish to participate in the Final Favor, please make a post committing to do so in the Next 12 hours. It will begin shortly after that deadline at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Again, this is not required, and please only sign up if you want to actively participate in one more event. Thanks again. Asphalt***

That does seem to be the way. But in my travels the common people often either know exactly what is going on, or what is going on is exactly the opposite of what the common people think.

There you are my friend, much easier to drink without the mask in your way. Vindsval signals Sheharizad for another round of Flaming Moon Balls or whatever it is the Sandman calls them. Are there any rumors of what brought the wrath of the dragon upon the city?

Thanks for the input, I simplified it.

A Moon Elf, I thought them but a legend. It is good to know the race still walks this plane. Does he yet control the city, or has this dragon taken over completely? As for the choking fog, I recently helped to vanquish a beast whose voice was death. Perhaps this is no fog, but the breath weapon of the Vorpalis. If your mask causes you that much trouble simply remove it. You have seen the faces around this place, there is little that has not been seen.

I had it that way originally and thought it a bit OP for a low level quest.

Some would call that lazy, while others would simply call it efficient. I shall reserve judgment until I know more of the man behind the mask. Tell me, what do you know of this Kingdom of Moone and its Elven King?

It would not be the first band of heroes sent to confront a dragon who met an ill end. Though it is unusual in my experience to see the envoy of an employer spending time within the hall. The king was here earlier, I fear that there were those of us who made a less than ideal impression. I don't believe you offered your name. I am called Vindsval.

Saludt Vindsval catches the glass, does his best not to shatter it, and tosses it back. ​It tastes of ash and flame, cured in a pit of in a farmers field. An acquired taste I am sure. But not entirely unpleasant. You were looking at the Quest Board earlier. What is your business with it friend?

It saddens me to hear of the loss of an entire training Cadre. But, the Brotherhood expects and accepts only the best. If they were found wanting, better to know now than in the heat of battle. Magus, take these men to the Armory. Each of you may choose a single item from my stores. I apologize that we are not more fully stocked, but we have many men in the field. The king bids the party farewell and the magus leads the party silently to yet another wing of the red keep. How big is this place anyway? He opens a door and gestures the party inward. Before them is the Caiph's armory. Again, Each party member may take ONE item from the armory. There are no duplicates. First claimed is first owned. Caravan Hood: Sp 2 Headwear, immune to Earth Desert Turban: Sp 2 Headwear, Immune to Fire. Falcon's Crest: SP 2 Headwear, Grants power of Far seeing (per telescope) Falcon's Wings: SP 2 Backwear, Immune to Wind Mist Cloak:Backwear, at the cost of 5 ether a character may avoid a Free attack in a round he did not attack. Suitable for ether users Razor's Edge: WP 3 Dagger, Bleeding 2 Reach: WP 5 Halberd, 1/2 chance of attack being full strength from Back Row. Wind Blade: WP5 Great Sword, Wind Elemental, Ether Lash Wand: WP 3 Wand, at the cost of 1 ether per WP the Wand becomes dual strike for one attack. Scroll of Blindness (Enables casting the Blinded-effect to the target, making it unable to use a physical attack for the next three rounds. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.) Scroll of Fire Warding (Enables the user to make the target immune to fire for the duration of one battle. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.) Scarab Shield: SP3 Shield, Bearer takes half damage from vermin. Scroll of fire Armor (Enables the user to conjure a layer of fiery armor over the target, allowing the character to deal the 10 fire elemental damage when hit by Damage or Special Damage. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 5 ether.)

Derp, I am too used to seeing all of the diamond and amethyst pairings. my bad.

I believe it would give normal damage to both dark and light since the bonuses and no damages for each cancel out.

I try to sample something new each time I am here, perhaps I should give your concoction a try. Would it come in a larger glass by any chance? Something about the Whip draws Vindsval's attention. He points to it on the table. If the price is right I would take that off your hands my magnificently bearded friend. Would you accept 55 gold for it?

Vindsval looks at the commotion at the Bar. By the Gods, that is one impressive Cannon. Though I wish he would be more careful. Between the number of drinks he has consumed and the fervor with which he is polishing his barrel, I fear it may go off in his face. He looks to the side where the large hatted Gnome stand with his mouth agape. Be careful my friend, if he sees you staring at his hardware he may take offense.

A malfunction with the portal magic. A demon you say? Magus, is what this one says possible? The Magus looks very uncomfortable as he answers. Well your Magesty, Most high among the rulers of the Desert, there are scholars among us that theorize that our portals harness the space between realms in order to allow our transport. If this small faction is correct, than a being who resides within that inter-realm space could be drawn though accidentally. I assure you sire, it is only a very small faction who believe such. I find it far more likely that the beast she describes entered our, I mean Your, Parlor intentionally. Our magics are beyond repute. Even more so now that we know we have wards capable of containing a Demon. We should have no fear of any of our subjects escaping. The Caliph cuts him off with a gesture. Stop your prattling Magus, your position is not in jeopardy. Have your council investigate the issue. Being able to call demons from the Ether, may not be a terrible thing in times of war. But I digress. You have fulfilled your contract with me, and as I pledged I owe all of your a depot of gratitude and payment. Commander, as you spoke so highly of these heroes, please open the chest at your feet and pay each of them their due. At your command my Lord. The Blonde man opens the chest and removes five heavy bags of gold. Take these with my thanks. Though you share not my vows or belong to the order, I will consider all of your Brother's. and Sisters. ALL PLAYERS RECEIVE 100 GOLD COINS I believe your contract also called for you to each to choose an item from my armory. Are there any of you who would wish to add to the telling of your tale before The Magus escorts you there?

Pretty sure ONLY ranged weapons (bows, crossbows, broomsticks, throwing knives etc) cause full damage from the back row. I have never seen whips put in that category.

Weary of its confines the party moves forward and passes through the portal for a second time. With a stomach lurching pop they find themselves standing once again in the above ground Altar chamber. At least they hope it is, there is no sign of the Falcon Brothers who proceeded them. They look around hoping to see a sign they actually went somewhere when they hear a familiar voice behind them. Ahh, welcome back to the Red Court, the Caliph is awaiting your report. Follow me, please. The magus leads the party through the halls of the keep, until once again they stand before the Caliph. A smile spreads over the Caliph's face and he raises his arms in greeting. Obviously in a much better mood than when last they spoke. Welcome back all of you. My Commander Hizari tells me that you have come to the heart of why my Parlor became unresponsive. Please, I would hear what you have experienced and discovered.

Then let us Depart. The commander places the final Staff within the Altar. MEN!!! Form Ranks!! What will the party do?