Palathadric

Catchy!

I pause and then say quietly. "If we call that murder, then I'm sure all of us are guilty in some way or another. I'm sure that there were many deaths that could have been prevented if I had not moved from one place or another. Exploring is a dangerous job and sometimes it accidentally puts others in danger too. Perhaps the mages would like to leave behind a token that could be given to Trevor's family?" "Why can't you all just get along?" I don't say it, but inside I find the mage's words very difficult to believe. "I say we let them go. We are not contracted to bring Doctor Cula the problem, just to solve it. I think that revealing these people would just cause more strife and raise more questions than necessary. They didn't hurt anyone, certainly not intentionally, and when the Ziegfrieds asked us to turn over the Triffid we went against their wishes and gave it to the Guild instead. By letting them go, we go against nobody's wishes, we prevent a sticky situation between them and Doctor Cula, and everybody will come away happy. I can't see anyone, neither us, nor Doctor Cula, nor them coming out happy if we turn them over. And part of being a hero is making people happy. "But can we trust Doctor Cula to make an unbiased decision? I don't think so. These men did not break anything of Doctor Cula's, so they don't really owe him anything."

"Oh, dear, I don't like this situation at all! Couldn't we just let them go? It would technically be removing the problem, wouldn't it? Besides, we did something nice for the Guild by returning the Triffid, though it hurt many mages. These mages aren't even trying to hurt anybody."

"Oh dear, kid. That's not such a nice thing to say. I don't think we're murderers." "Oh my, I thought there would be a problem like this. You should have just asked them if you could have a look at their machinery. Then we wouldn't have this problem and poor Doctor Cula wouldn't be wondering what's wrong with his machine." "I'm sorry. I don't know what's gotten into him." "If you want cheaper tonics, maybe you should make them yourself. If you make friends with the Guild of Invision, they might give you their recipes and teach you how to make machines."

"Timothy, please. The poor spirit is in rather poor spirits. I wouldn't mind a couple wishes myself though...Ahem, back to the business at hand." "Oh, did Doctor Cula invite you in here as a present for us returning the Triffid?" "Yes, we are. We were sent to fix this machine. It seemed to be encountering some errors. You wouldn't happen to know what could be malfunctioning though, would you?" "Sir, I don't much like the way you talk."

"I think many of us did stuff we wish we hadn't in that fight," I muse aloud. "Let's visit the furnace and try not to be burned.

Whether you choose to fight or not does not matter, you will still have the same chance of damaging us, and you will also still do the same damage to us whether you choose to fight from the front row or not, so you may as well front row it.

Thank you all for coming along on this "ride." I apologize that the quest took so long. I think one of the main problems of the quest was something I was actually trying to bring out: what a mess a corrupt society mixed with a rather anarchic one can be. Some concepts and ideas are just not things that can be incorporated easily into a quest. Hosting and story-writing really are quite different, I've learned. In any case, you guys were all very patient, and for that I'm thankful. I wish some of you had been more active, but I did realize that my NPCs weren't quite breathing the life I wanted them to, into the quest, so again I apologize for that and will try to work on especially this aspect for the next time I host. Yeah, I guess there is a fine balance of a certain amount of rail-roading and a certain amount of freedom in quests. It seems like I incorporated the wrong aspects of the two which led to more confusion than anything else. I will definitely try to improve on this: keeping the players focused while giving them the freedom to try things along the way. I think you guys wielded a lot more influence than you thought. I certainly thought that you'd end up having a boss battle with Cheapy, but then Kheyli decided to run off and find Bonaparte, and Cheapy would not have let that happened, so he had to abandon his former plans and try to negotiate. Even at other times, you actions quite caught me by surprise, like when Kellim decided to pounce on the wagon driver. I thought you guys would try to pull them over and have a polite conversation (there was even a possibility for you going on a Charity mission with the Wolfgang there), but I guess I didn't take the impulsiveness of heroes into account. Okay, I hope I can take the mistakes of this quest and make progress from them next time around. Thanks for all the good advice and for being understanding despite the craziness of the last months. Looking back, there are a lot of things I would have done differently, but... Special thanks to Flipz and WBD who counseled me on the battles and offered other advice too. I thought I had a lot more to say, but the words aren't coming now. I hope the loot wasn't too extravagant on the perma-boost side. It seemed logical as a "farm quest" to have those kinds of items more than weapons and artifacts, though I ended up throwing a few of those in too. Also, these 2-3 months have been one pain the megablocks as far as real life is concerned, but I didn't want to have to call off the quest, though I sometimes found it difficult to concentrate on it. Thanks again for your patience in putting up with it. Things have been looking up a bit for me recently, thankfully.

"It's not worth it. We've almost won." I say through grit teeth. Fighting the temptation to slip into another spell of confusion.

Party: Kheyli (K-Nut) Immune to Earth 327 years old female Fairy Level 8 Barbarian Power: 13 Health: 23/23 SP: 2 Gold: 510 Equipment: Gelum Blade (WP:5, Ice-elemental, ignores SP of foes weak to Ice, cannot be disimbued; greatsword), Over-sized Corset (Max HP +5, SP +2; Suitable to Female Characters; Bodywear) Inventory: Weapons: Rat Club (WP:5, deals Afraid to Vermin-type enemies and Poisoned-by-1 to enemies of all types; club), Electrum Blade (WP:5, Lightning-elemental, ignores SP of foes weak to Lightning, cannot be disimbued; greatsword), Barrager (WP:3 Greatsword), Frying Pan (WP: 1, +1 HP; Suitable for all classes), Boomerang (WP:7; Returns to Hero After 2 Rounds; Throwing Weapon) Artifacts: Cultist Cap (regular attacks do damage to Undead; headwear, suitable to anyone), Magic Viper Skin (Restores 1 HP to wearer each round of battle unless knocked out; accessory), Sylvania's Cowl (Grants "Animal Talk", Headwear), Seductive Perfume (Holder deals the *Enamored*-effect, accessory, suitable for women), Rat Skin Cape (SP: 2; Grants the *Scary* Effect against vermin; Backwear; Suitable for Barbarians, Rogues, and Beast Warriors) Consumables: Grand Potion, Potion x3, Remedy x2, Mead, Milk x2(restores 15 health and 15 ether upon consumption), Big Apple (+1 Max HP when consumed), Bread (Like a Tasty Pretzel...just longer), Poison Bomb, Aeolus Bomb (Deals 100 wind-elemental damage to all opponents when used.) Tools: Sauce Pan (Tool; Can be used with a Potion, outside of battle, once per quest to restore full HP) Treasures: 2x Golden Rings (Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver.) Keliim "Demon sworn" *Party Leader!*(Mencot) 37 year old male Human Level 14 Barbarian Power: 19 Health: 22/22 (+1*) SP: 2 (Double to Free Hits) Gold: 174 Equipment: Dwarven Orichalcum one handed battleaxe (WP: 5, Axe), Gauntlets of Recklessness (Hits become Mortal Hits, adding lost health to attack power; handwear), Heroic Helm (SP: 2, Helm's SP doubles on free hits, Headwear) Inventory: Weapons and Shields: Woodchopper's Axe (WP:8; Deals Double Damage to Plant-types; Axe), Order Imperial Longsword (WP: 5), Scarab Shield: (SP: 3, Bearer takes half damage from vermin) Artifacts: Sylvania's Cowl (Grants "Animal Talk", Headwear), Wolfish Fedora (+5 WP for each standing hero with Wolfgang reputation and Wolfgang NPC in the party, headwear, suitable for heroes with Wolfgang reputation), Королева's Blessing (When equipped the player gains the ability to Animal Speak to Spiders only, and all spiders areEnamored with him for the first three rounds of battle, accessory), Trickster's Mask of the Gender-Swap (swaps the wearer's gender when worn, suitable for anyone, accessory), Sterile Gloves, Really Hard Helmet (SP: 2, Immunity to Earth, Headwear;), Peasant’s Hood (Max. Health +1; headwear), Leather Cap (SP:1; headwear) Consumables: 7x Potion, 3x Grand Potion, Remedy, 4x Mead, Bunch of 10 Cherries (Each Cherry restores 1 ether when consumed), Chocolate Bar (Gives the *Nimble* and *Poisoned* Effect when consumed), Venom, Dirt Bomb, 5x Holy Bombs, Smoke Bomb, Double Rainbow (Gives the user the encouraged, lucky,poisoned by 1, and confused effects), Crimson Haze (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects permanently), 2x Obsidian Shard (may be affixed to a blunt weapon to give the Bleeding 2 effect for one battle), 2x Charion beetle horn Tools: Shovel Treasures: Black Pearl (Worth 75 Gold) *Big Apple Quest 145 Quintessa of Heartland (Sandy) 67 years old human female Barbarian Level 6 *Immune to fragile* Power: 9 + 1* Defense: 5 Health: 15/15 (+2**) Gold: 210 Equipment: Rolling Pin (WP:3; Deals *Bleeding 3*; Club), Heavy Armour (SP:5, protects from fragile-effect, suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers, regulators and vindicators; bodywear.) Inventory: Artifacts: Sylvania's Cowl (Grants "Animal Talk", Headwear), Pirate’s Patch (Grants Immunity to *Blinded*), High Heels (Power +1; suitable for women; footwear) Consumables: 2x Grand Potion, Potion, 4x Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Mead, Nostrum, 2x Smoke Bomb, Perfume (Can be used on an enemy to make it *Enamored* with its applier), Candycane of Doomed (Causes *Doomed* effect to the target when used; Breaks after 5 uses), First Aid Kit (Restores Full Health and Removes Negative Effects from the Entire Party) Tools: Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Compass, Bedroll Treasures: Gold Bar *Quest 149 Carrot **Quest 149 Greasy Sausage Cree (Pedguin) *Hastened* *Nimble* 27 year old Mopag Level 4 Knight Power: 9 Defense: 3 (Half Damage from Vermin) Health: 14/14* Gold: 165 Equipment: Wicked Mace (WP: 5; Deals *Poisoned*, Mace), Speed Cape (The wearer is permanently *Hastened* and *Nimble*, but rolls of 3 turn into Miss; backwear) Inventory: Weapons and Shields: Blade (WP: 3, greatsword), Shield of Defending (SP: 2), Wooden Sword (WP:7; Suitable to Anyone) Artifacts: Sylvania's Cowl (Grants "Animal Talk", Headwear) Consumables: Remedy, Venom, Transportapple, Smoke Bomb x 2, Greasy Sausage (+2 Max HP when consumed), Fatty Pizza (+2 SP for one battle when consumed) Tools: Bedroll *-1 Muskier Mushroom, +2 Greasy Sausage (Quest 145) Cheapy gives a little scowl at first but it turns into a more pleasant expression. "Don't you worry about me. I can take care of myself. Good day, heroes." With that said, the heroes head their way and Pemo, Cheapy, and their watchdogs the other. "Exactly what the Hel happened back there, Cheaky? How much simpler could the plan have been?" "Hey! It's not my fault you let them come directly after me. Why did you tell them which way I was headed?" "I most certainly did not. Do you think I want to lose gold on purpose. You could have at least delayed them." "I tried. I made a ruckus and people came over, but then that silly girl decided it would be a good idea to rush back here and check on you. I tried to delay her, but it didn't work. I almost led them on merry chase, but I couldn't because of that. You can be thankful they didn't feel the need to take retribution against you. I talked them out of it." "400 gold down the drain. What a shame! Well, we have our statuette and a lot to look forward to. What happened in the house, now that we have time?" "Stupid pacifists! Refused to kill the suckers!" "That can be remedied..." "Leave them be for now. We have more important matters to take care of. What on earth was that nonsense with Pimky?" Meanwhile, Pimky stares blindly down on the body brought by Cree. "No-o-o-o!" QM Note: Thanks for joining me on this quest. Apologies for how long it took.

My head clearing, I shout to Ezeran, "Ezeran, we have to finish him. We don't want Torald destroying us all." I look nervously back as Torald begins swaying a bit. I attack from the Front Row. Battle Order: Petaldan Ezeran Kid Hunkan Timothy Torald

I give a half snarl. "Business is business."

I attack from the Front Row Repeat Battle Order Except Petaldan Moves to End

Actually use your hammer, got the two mixed up. Wait are gems imbued into weapons counted as physical attacks?

"Heroes, heroes! Relax, please! I was as annoyed about this whole issue as you were. Cheapy, that joke was in very poor taste. Now, see to it that the heroes are paid, immediately. No more stupid pranks. We've kept them for long enough." Bonaparte tosses over a sack of coins, and Cheapy pulls another out of some hidden recess and hands the bags to Kellim. Each heroes gains 100 gold as the quest reward. THE QUEST IS SUCCESSFUL!!! "It's a figure of speech. We don't mean to attack anyone. I will bring this to the barn and we will declare ourselves free from the rule of tyrants. If somebody wants to attack us, that's their affair, but for now we will simply revel in our freedom. I'm sorry that things didn't work out for you too well in this quest, but you all did a great job. I heard especially glowing reports about your party leader, though I did hear that one of you abandoned the mission when it got serious. In any case, your success has proven your worth to me. If I ever need you again, I will not hesitate to call you all." Do the heroes have anything further to say?

"Torald, use your spear. Your sword won't do much against him. Argh! My eyes. How many of you are there. Kid, Hunkan, and Timothy, do nothing. You can't damage him this round." If I can damage the Wisp, I repeat, otherwise I do nothing. Battle Order: Ezeran Torald Petaldan Hunkan Kid Timothy

I hand Hybros the items. "That'll be 98 gold.

I purchase 2 Nostrums and 3 Meads 70 + 45 = 115 - 25% = 87 Gold

Is that how it works? :laugh; I've never seen that before. If I attack the Wisp now, am I protecting him from myself?"

I bring the items to Nerwen "That will be 132 gold.

I buy 2 Mulled Wines and 3 Meads 110 + 45 = 155 - 25% = 117 Gold Spent

Back on topic, people!

The heroes rush back to Bonaparte's place to see what's going on. "He seems to be leaving." "Shut up!" "Heroes...you're back so soon? I--" "You found the statuette, Bonaparte? I hid it from you and left that ridiculous note. I didn't think it would cause such a stir." "Oh...er, I did. We are preparing the effort to reclaim the barn's freedom now. There has never been a better time to strike. Thank you, heroes!" Do the heroes have anything to say?

"Good lucky, Nerwen! If you have any purchases to make, I can negotiate with the marketeers for you."

"Oh, crap!" Kellim notices plenty of potential hiding places, but realizes that since the party caught Cheaky by surprise, he did not likely have time to hide anything. Will the party perform any other actions before returning to Pemo?