Pandora

"Can anyone else smell wet dog?" Nyx mutters as she walks into the shop "Ooooh! Doggies! But you're all bad doggies! Bad, bad doggies! " She pulls out her Ruby, and feels its warmth against her as she breathes in and focuses her thoughts on it, whilst holding her book in her other hand. She opens her eyes and focuses the force of Fire on Pongcanis Warrior B, standing in the back row next to Thothwick as she does so.

I have never doubted that for a second.

Sorry Zeph, I don't mean to be a pain but my gold should be 50, not 40, and the Spider Leg that Flipz lent me is suitable for Nyx as she's part Barbarian (although I'm sure that's just a C&P thing). Also, shouldn't Poletad have full Ether, as despite kindly healing Nyx, she has Natural Respite (which I should have put on my stats page) so she was technically already at full health? Sorry, nit-picky I know, and I appreciate that you're wrangling a load of heroes and NPCs right now (and heaven help you for the battles now you've expanded and split the parties).

Nyx walks alongside Bennetton and Cronk (with Poletad on her shoulder) and listens as Bennetton speaks of the city. Her city. He loves it as she does, and fights to protect it. She can remember coming back here, and... surviving. She has explored many of its nooks and crannies, come to know the people... the feel of the city. It is worth defending, the fact that Wren must be stopped notwithstanding. As they arrive at the Watch House more familiar faces greet them, and Poletad hops down and ribbets his greetings. She looks around, a broad smile splitting her face. "Mallelio! Vipera! And of course Emperor Phil!" at this she curtseys deeply, with a cheeky glint in her eye, knowing Phil was not a man to accept such formality, Emperor or not. "It is so good to see you all! And I have so many questions of Dastan, and how you all are, but it seems now is not the time." She listens intently as the Grey Wizard speaks of the spires, and the plan to split and take on each. She nods as Cronk divides the teams. "I see no issue with your division, and I have confidence that we will all act for the benefit of the quest only, Cronk. Basically, I'll punch anything you like and then set fire to it. "

"Thank you for the Tonic and the gold, Cronk." Nyx nods to her Party Leader, as they fall into step. She giggles a little as Poletad hops up, his hopping inadvertently tickling her ear. She just cannot resist the urge to tickle him back under the chin. "I know you're a brave warrior and a powerful healer Sir Poletad, but I hope you'll excuse me this little indulgence." she whispers to her companion, assuming he'll understand the sentiment in the tone of her voice. She doesn't know how to communicate, so just persists with chattering, hoping he'll pick up some Common. "Thank you also for the heal, you've always been so kind to me, but I have this Natural Respite thingy so I would guess you didn't spend any Ether on me after all." Whilst nattering away to Poletad, Nyx has heard catches of conversation between Cronk and Bennetton. "I should add Mr Bennetton that Cronk here is a fine leader. His heart is strong and true, and people listen to him. The same can be said for Skrall. I have had the pleasure of fighting side by side with both of them in the service of Heroica. They are good... beings, as Cronk might say, honest and forthright. I've worked with the Town Watch a few times before, both with Cronk and Skrall, and have always done so to the best of my ability, even if Captain Patricia didn't always appreciate our efforts. I expect at some point to return to Strivvi, once more to aid the Watch. Sorry, I know you didn't ask, I just thought I'd..... " She trails off, wondering if she's interrupted the conversation. OoC: Unfortunately I have 50 gold, not 70, as I started this quest with 35.

Dear Father Grogmas, you know I've been a good girl this year. Well, significantly better than I have been in previous years anyway, and that's thanks to some of the people I've met due to Heroica, so this year I'd like to ask for presents for some of the other heroes I've encountered. Feel free to still give me stuff too, though. You know I love presents. To Cronk, some Bright Polish for his armour, as I know he likes it to be shiny and bright. Perhaps if he shines it well enough it might reflect some damage, or at least protect him more(+1 SP permanently). To Larry, I'm willing to bet that wherever he is he probably needs a drink, so maybe a Flaming Gumball to remind him of me, but I bet the old goat doesn't realise the pink flame it has is due to the added Phoenix Essence, and he'd probably just drink it, when he could perhaps give it to someone else. Maybe give him a bottle of Flame-distilled Brandy to not only Encourage him but protect him from the cold (nullifies Ice elemental damage for one battle). Oh go on, give him both, and a big hug. To Barty, a kiss, for all he has to put up with, and for coming back. To Atramor, a jug of gravy, for when he eventually cooks that damn chicken of his. He'll get hungry one day. I'd like to also give him a Roast Chicken Leg (+1 HP permanently), to remind him of what he's missing. To Ellaria, I wish her a sign from her goddess that her daughter is safe, as that will give her faith, and it is her faith that keeps her strong. Also an Elixir, to help her continue her good deeds and because she had to waste one on Atramor. To Nerwen, I haven't seen her for so long, but I think she would like a Rito Feather, as I've heard that using one will grant the Hastened and Blessed effects for a while. To Galen, I think he'd like a Stretchy Leather Band. He can attach it to his throwing weapon so he can automatically retrieve it, because I remember he found that annoying. To Skrall, I'd like him to have a few (5) Exploding Bolts for his crossbow. He can use them just the same, but they have the added excitement of exploding on impact for a little extra damage(+5). To Rufindel, some bandages, and a First Aid Kit, which will guarantee a full heal of the entire party and removal of negative status effects one time only. So he knows he can definitely heal at least once. And finally, for Tarn, a kiss from his far off Dastanian Princess, as I know how he fell for her. Maybe a Mead for him too, to help take his mind off missing her so. Thank you Father Grogmas, I promise to be a good girl for the next year too, really. No, honestly, I will. Well.... I'll try.

"Cronk, I shall once more try this Light magic stuff, and I'll aim it at Chaos Beast B seeing as you'd like A and C untargeted. If you'd like me to change my target, please feel free to redirect me. I don't know when McColt's acting, but should he act before me, and be successful, then I'll aim my attacks at a single target. Unless it's dead, of course. " Nyx steps into the back row once more to perform her attack, keeping tight hold of her book.

Nyx shakes her Diamond to see if it's broken, as nothing seems to have happened. "So much for a girl's best friend. Hmpf." She looks up to see all the Chaos Beasts stock still, motionless. "Huh. Well, ok then." She prepares to try again with this Light magic, and given that the beasts seem inactive, steps forward to the front row to do so. She holds up her book, and notices it seems heavier than before, which is nice. She eyes up the Master Chaos Beast, cracks her neck and focuses...

A charming Christmas story CopMike, made even better by the happy and adorable Fabulanders; thank you so much for sharing it with us! A very Happy Christmas to you too, and to all the other EBers!

"I did say when I hit..." Nyx mutters again. "Thank you once more, Sir Poletad!" she calls to her favourite frog, knowing he would understand the sentiment if nothing else. "Let's try this again." she says, once more muttering. Nyx once more tries to channel Light energy through her book at Chaos Beast D from the back row, with the proviso that she'd switch to another similar beast should her target have fallen by the time of her attack.

Equally, no matter how you slice it, there is a certain amount of HP that has to be whittled away from the enemy for us to win the battle. Given that we grossly outnumber the foes, taking one down this round matters very little, however, at the point where all the enemies are at full health, it makes the most sense to spread the damage around at first so that all damage is used and no hit points are lost on just killing one beast. By which I mean a heavy hitter coming in last to one beast and taking its last 10 health off with what would have otherwise been a devastating blow.

Nyx views Arthur askance. "Slightly more than a trinket, actually." she mutters quietly, walking away. As she walked with the group into park, she sensed the beasts as they enclosed. She'd not seen them with her own eyes before, but she recognised their energy from Vipera's communications in Dastan, and simultaneously she was grateful that Vipera hadn't communicated the stench. "A sound plan, Skrall. I think some of our colleagues here haven't seen how hard I can hit, when I actually do hit, naturally. I'm glad I invested in this shiny new Diamond, heh?" Nyx steps back into the back row, drawing out her brand new Diamond, and holding her Book to her chest to act as a conduit (or offensive weapon should the opportunity arise) for Light magic, focusing the force of her thoughts on Chaos Beast D, reasoning that if Dyric did indeed assassinate it she could quickly switch to Chaos Beast A with Atramor.

That voice! So familiar.. her teeth grind as she thinks she could almost say some of those words herself, but her actions? No. The woman was insane, infuriating and insane, and needs to be stopped. Permanently. Nyx stifles a low growl, trying not to think of Wren too much. The bickering between the heroes wasn't helping either, she needed to be calm, because right now losing her cool could be disastrous. For all of them. As she trudges along with the group she stuffs her hands under her arms to prevent any... inadvertent discharges, and breathes deeply, thinking of Nerwen or Larry - the two people who calmed her the most. She almost chuckled to herself to think that; Nerwen was pretty obvious, but that drunken old fool? Maybe it was Barty... her mind wanders, and she feels better. Smiling helped. She calls out to the Paladin. "Friend Cronk, I hope you know you have my full support. your morals will keep us focused, and Skrall is an excellent choice. I remember him being a strong leader in Dastan and I appreciate his no-nonsense methods, just like yours." Nodding in Cronk's direction she now turns her speech to the Hunter. "Skrall, thank you for the translation. I hate to use you as a go-between but if you could communicate to Sir Poletad that if he finds the hopping wearisome he is most welcome to rest on my shoulder as we walk. I should enjoy his company, and I hope to pick up some Froglish over time." Poletad... he was another who had a good influence on her. In fact, the more she thought about it, the more she realised it was Clericy types who helped. Cronk was another, and even Atramor: after all there was a sense of relief of tension after she'd hit him around the head a few times with a Healing Staff. Hmmm. She moves towards the female elf. "Hello, I believe I heard you say to Thothy there that you're Alexis and you're an Evoker? Hi, I'm Nyx. We seem to be swapping stuff around, which is sensible; you use your magics differently, right? Summoning creatures and stuff? I rarely see my summon, so would you like to borrow my Monkey Bar? It will hasten any of your summons, so it might be handy. You'd be most welcome to it, although I would like it back afterwards." Whilst waiting for a response, she turns to Arthur, whom she met for a while in Dastan. "Hullo again Arthur, yeah, if you're not planning to use it yourself I'd like to borrow the Spider Leg, as I could combine that with my gems to cause a lot of damage to any flying beasties. Of course, I would return it in good condition." Talking, yeah, talking helped. She looks in her bag to get the Monkey Bar to show Alexis, and sees her own bomb XX. There it is again, that wave of emotion. But something else... She has a bomb XX, just as Wren had used. Wren having a bomb XX still didn't necessarily mean he was working with her. Her hope glimmers...

Crappy timing for this Zeph, I know, but I'm away for 48 hours or so. I'll try to get online, but we're visiting my folks in the countryside... Christmas and all that jazz. Obviously I don't know what you have planned for the start, but I'd trust Cronk or Atramor to "direct" Nyx if I'm really not around. No using my stuff, though.

Nyx steps out of the shadows, wrapping her cloak around her to keep out some of the cold. She'd been walking around the city for a while, re-visiting old haunts, catching up with the people she had known, and essentially grown up with, around the city. She looks at the old wizard, and the assassin .. Triad her name was? Her eyes fall on Hans and Poletad and warmth fills her heart on this frosty morning. The mix of emotions only get more confused as XX is mentioned. "Sir Poletad! The bravest frog I ever met" Nyx curtseys gracefully "and Hans! It is so good to see you again, but I wish it were under better circumstances. I do not think I know your companions, however if you vouch for them I will consider them brave warriors, like yourselves. I am Nyx." She addresses this last, short statement to the strangers and accompanies it with a small bow of her head. Nyx looks around at her Heroica companions, pleased to see Cronk again, and once more questing with Atramor for the fourth? fifth time in a row? She'd lost count, but at least she knew he was reliable. Still had the damn flapping dinner on his head, though. She smiles at Skrall, his new hat seemed slightly small for him, but it still cut a dash, and Hoke the gentleman she remembered from the Hall, and Arthur whom she remembered from Dastan. Thothwick had certainly changed, but it suited him; she nods politely at him, knowing the Metasimian favoured formality. Just a couple she didn't know then... well, she'd be bound to get to know them soon enough, that was the way of these things. "I know a little of the threats you mention. Sphinx is certainly dangerous, but nothing we can't handle, and you say XX is rumoured to be in Wren's employ... so maybe there's hope for him yet. I know nothing of the Court of Demons, nor Mephisto, so I'm glad that Thothwick has experience in that regard. I have helped both the Town Watch and the Ziegfrieds in the past, if you would like my assistance in speaking to them, then I offer my services." Zeph: I went shopping some time back, and my stats are updated in the link in my sig; essentially I sold the silver mace and bought a diamond leaving me with 35 gold.

Collectible Minifigs left lying around next to Superheroes and idle hands... well, this just seemed like a natural mix-up:

Nyx lurches into consciousness, a most unwelcome feeling. Not too many drinks it seems... must have been all the travelling that wore her out. At least she'd been awake enough to do her shopping beforehand. The usual chatter in the hall had settled to a low murmuring, peppered with occasional snores, and a few gripes from still-healing battle wounds. She looks around; Boomingham had gone, Atramor was unsurprisingly drinking rum, and a few other people were around but her eyes were refusing to focus just yet. She gets to her feet, and manages to do so steadily and somewhat gracefully. She didn't knock anything over or fall down, at least. She smooths down her robes, takes a deep breath and decides to examine the questboard. A few short strides and she's across the room. There are two notices, both with names attached, and as her vision clears the first thing she sees is the name 'Poletad'. She blinks, rubs her eyes and re-reads the petition on the board, keen to not miss a detail. Felton, Hans and Poletad are coming here?! And Wren is coming too? To Eubric? This is insane.... and Wren is bringing 'people'... Her mind wanders temporarily. The more she looks, the notice doesn't go away; it's true, it's real. Poletad, such a dear frog. And possibly.... She grabs a quill from a nearby nightstand and signs her name for Quest #53, drawing on all her inner resolve to keep her hand steady as she does so. She's breathing deeply, her heart is racing. Suddenly the room is overpowering and she has to leave, to walk and think. She walks as quickly as she can to the doors, resisting the urge to break into a run, and almost throws herself outside, gasping lungfuls of fresh, cold air. She heads out into her city, to be in it once more and amongst her people, before the threat arrives and potentially changes it forever.