Palathadric

"You abandoned that fort when the going got tough. We had to fight out way in there in what can only be described as a bloodbath. Don't act as if we owed it to you to return that fort in one piece. That fort almost spelled the ruin of Eubric. Why are you too afraid to install yourself in the city like everyone else instead of hiding out on an island where no one can reach you?"

"I...I...Okay. I think so. Maybe we will find people to help there. We can do Torald's memory honour." A slight smile grows on the little knight's face, even though his eyes still appear a bit sad.

By the way, for all the talk of Heroes working too much for the houses and all that, I really can't recall Pretzel having actually been directly hired by the houses. Most of the reputation he got was by happenstance.

I've always loved Matthias as a character. I think he's grown and changed incredibly well over the years and in ways that really seem to make sense. He's also a pocket full of fun...and trouble. I believe I only shared one quest with him: "The Grunch who Stole Grogmas," but I've read all the quests and following him as a character has been very enjoyable. Hoke I've also enjoyed a lot for just being quite different. Not sure if his character is just a reflection of yours, MDM, but regardless, it's nice having some firm, quiet, stable people around when all of the rest of us hotheads are getting into arguments and philosophical discussions. I can't recall if we went on any other quest together apart from the Mummy one, which, wasn't the greatest of quests, but really glad you've been a part of this game too. Well, obviously, I shared the last quest with both of you, though we were apart for most of its duration.

"I still have plans of training as a High Cleric. I'm not sure which role is more needed for the future though. Hell, if I'll be honest, I don't even know if I intend to hang around anymore. God knows I've done my bit for this city and part of me feels called elsewhere, to a quieter existence where I can focus on training people who actually want to learn to do more to help others and not just helping those who are continually in a fight for their own survival due to problems that they helped bring into existence. But, I guess it depends on how all of this turns out. I am somehow inextricably linked with Heroica, and not just Heroica, but Eubric itself. Even if I go, I almost certain that I will at some point find my way back, Heroica is in my blood now. Still, though, I just feel that my time here has torn me away from my purpose of living, spending all my time sorting through other people's problems. But, hell, maybe that's what living is all about, eh?"

Sitting back, somewhat as things seem to be taking their course, I let out a sigh. "I just have to wonder, with all of our talk of Heroica balancing out whatever government is formed, how many of us are really thinking of hanging around? As much as I care for this city...sometimes I just think I'm too tired to keep on sorting out everyone's problems...especially when their problems are on the scale of demonic invasions and suchlike. ...But I guess somebody has to do it. "I suggest we submit our ideas to the delegates present and see how they respond. Has Attina showed up?" I add the last question somewhat worriedly.

I love the way Skrall still has that Tricorne balancing on his head after so long.

"That's about as good an idea as any. The only issue is, who will take up those positions. I know Heroica knows fairly reasonable heads in each organization, but how will each faction appoint their representative in the future? Or do we leave them to figure it out? I guess, we may as well just take it one step at a time? I don't think we should have many more than eight. If a council gets too big it stops becoming a council and starts becoming an endless deliberation. By the way, I think I can figure the others out, but who are you thinking of when you say, 'Public works'?"

"Hands off? What the hell did we just have that whole fight with the Founders for? If we want to talk about a popular government, they were it. Oh, they gained their popularity by going behind people's back? Well, haven't the Wolfgang done the same? We're already bloody messed up in this city's politics and if you think that we can pull out now, and go do our own thing, then you're leaving this city to a civil war. What's the point in our rescuing this city from Rosier if we leave it to destroy itself? It's true, I'm not comfortable with the fact that Heroica will be more or less a dictatorship controlling the government (though even there I think you give us too much credit, we're not really that powerful) but if not who? Let's face it, when push comes to shove, we are the only ones who are really ready to stick up for this city. When the question of Eubric becoming a necropolis under Rosier came up, who were the only ones who gave a damn about it? I'm not saying, that Heroica should be actively involved in the running of the city, but someone needs to be there to ensure that the people have a voice even when their leaders turn against them. Because let's face it, even a king of the people's choosing may choose to go his own way once he gets in power."

"Atramor is right. If we complain about the way Hestia sided with the Bonapartes, and I think we just about all did in one form or another, then we've got to realize that it simply doesn't work to have Heroes with outside affiliations. How we can enforce this, I do not know. I doubt it's even really possible in truth..." I look over at Kiray. "As far as the Nornalis is concerned, I would have thought well of destroying it or at least keeping it out of Heroica, but Atramor again makes a valid point. How many of you all would be here today if it weren't for that. How many people have we had entering the hall who started with selfish motivations, but ended up becoming true heroes. Certainly, there are those who have not changed much through being in Heroica, but the fact is that, as much as I may have said the opposite in the past, Heroica doesn't have too many people in it. Think about it, if our lives are really as easy as some of you make it out to be, why aren't people breaking down our doors to get in. Don't tell me any rot about them feeling morally superior to us either. They aren't coming in droves, because people don't want to make the sacrifices it takes to be a hero of Heroica. People don't want the risk, the danger, they don't want to be responsible for saving Eubric when an archdemon strolls into town. They want to leave it to someone else. I think we've got to hang onto those we've got and do our best to encourage those who are coming in that their first mistake won't mean the end of them. "If we destroy the Nornalis or remove it from Heroica, it's true that those who come to join us may likely be better characters, noble characters, or whatever, but how many of those will there really be? How many of you were that way when you first came?" My eyes fall on Petaldan, and I promptly go quiet.

"You're right, Atramor. As much as it sounds like a return to the past, I think it is the only solution. Besides, Ulric, look at the number of your supporters who jumped to side with the Founders when they returned. Hell, when we got to fighting them, most of the support we had came from people who used to work with the houses, though obviously, they would have had reasons for doing so. Still, it seems to me that even in the Hovels people are not entirely in agreement with the idea of you becoming king. Some maybe, but I'm not sure if even the majority are. I must say, these Founders rising from the dead has changed some of my mindsets about this city. But...Scheherazade, is there an actual message for us from Hoples?" If there is a message from Hoples, I read it.

Seeing, Ulric already waiting at the hall, presumably ready to discuss business, my hands clench in anger, albeit almost imperceptibly. Can't he give us a moment's respite? I sigh and make my way over to Scheherazade. "Anything will do, but something...and thank you."

I chuckle. "It really never ends...except in dreams, eh? I mean, one would think that we had done enough for the city to all retire at this point, but really, we're just getting started if anything. I mean, reasoning with people is just about always more difficult than bashing them over the heads."

"Torald, please don't do anything foolish..." is all Petaldan can say, before the big Barbarian makes his leap into the dark. Petaldan stares into the void looking utterly dejected, his body appearing to crumble beneath him. Words fail him entirely and he simply bursts into tears as his body slumps into a ball on the floor. Meanwhile, Pretzel accepts Arthur's hand and, after rising, gives the skirmisher a hug. Somehow it felt the only right response after a battle like this one. Casting his eyes around, he notices the wailing Ezeran and Petaldan. "Darn. I mean, it was great when Byblos did it, but when it's a hero...it's different. Poor bloke! I guess in some sort of way, he fulfilled his destiny in doing so or something. Don't know how strong his spirit is for standing a trip like that, but I guess that's what being a hero is all about. Wow! He's a good kid, that barbarian." Hearing, Germ's comment, Pretzel cats a withering glance at him. "If Byblos, great scholar that he was, had to allow himself to be swallowed up by the void in order to banish an archdemon, I don't think we had much of a choice here. Though trust heroes to always think of some way of escape. Still, the barbarian clearly thought it his duty to do what he did. I would have wished that someone like you would have taken that role on. Wouldn't you even prefer it there to here?"

Congrats, once again, @MysticModulus. Welcome back.

"Besides, there is a certain lyrical irony in using the power of a demon against the demon's very purposes." "Oh, I know about that. Daddy always said that when you're fighting someone bigger than you, you have to use their strength against them...not sure what that means though, but speaking of the Pandemonium...oh, maybe I shouldn't talk in front of the demon." Petaldan quickly covers his mouth with his hands.

Pretzel throws a Seal Bomb followed by a Sleep Bomb "Oh...okay." mutters Petaldan, Tasting his Ambrosia.

"Oh, okay. I could have sworn I saw it just there, but it just vanished on its own...or something." Slightly bewildered, Petaldan uses a Tonic on Throlar.

Petaldan throws yet another Fire Bomb at the final Reinvigorating Root. I look sadly on as the Founders fade from view. "I promise that I will do all in my power to see your vision come to pass." Focusing on the situation at hand, I call over to our Weather Mage. "Heckz! Any chance that we can get this weather changed to something a bit more suitable to archdemon slaying? Petaldan ponders attempting to unleash a flood, but feels now may not be the best time to attempt it.

Petaldan throws a Fire Bomb at Restoring Root I. "Hey...that wasn't too bad..." Pretzel Dual-Strikes Remedying Root B and C from the Front Row with the Dual-Staff, then Throws a Sleep Bomb. "We will beat her yet."

First attack is from the Front Row.

Having spent a good number of years in a country where LEGO sets were next to impossible to find, I can remember going for a visit to Europe in 2003 and looking for all of my favourite themes and not finding them. It was quite a heartbreaking experience.

@Aanchir Yeah, good points. I guess nostalgia doesn't ever always make sense.

From the Back Row, Petaldan heals the part member with the least health or throws a Fire Bomb at Restoring Root F if no one needs healing. Let's try to cut back on the conditionals fellows. If you take off the first action entirely, Petaldan could jump up the battle order and eat a free hit.

Pretzel attacks Kayla from the Front Row with Heaven and Hell while Dual-Striking Chesterine. Pretzel then Dual-Strikes Restoring Roots I and J with the Dual Staff from the Back Row. Petaldan repeats. Is Dual-Striking counted as AoE?