Endgame

Lynne looks around the Dastanese port, a look of amazement on her brow. "Huh... Guess there's more than Eubric to the world. Yes, lets go shopping. I think I'll need a tonic or two for the road ahead."

". . ." Masson stares at Boomingham for a moment, silently, before speaking. "It's more than a curse." What the meaning behind those words were, well, who could say...? "Hm. Yes, I do suppose death would be welcome. However, I..." The Regret pauses. "...Do not build my plans around... Impossibilities." There was a note of insincerity in his last statement. "A druid a couple years back shot me with a bow and arrow - similar circumstances, too - I had someone under my mind control then, as well. So, go ahead. Shoot me. Blocking it won't be hard." "Oh, I will, shortly. I just have to make sure my ivory accomplice doesn't get too worked up seeing some familiar faces before I call the little half-hour hack job Seerus did a success." "That red gunk was also highly flammable, something your husband's blood currently is not. it'll be bleached black before long, don't you worry. No reason to believe me? Oh, no. That's your own fault. You don't want to." Masson looks down at Karie's hand. "We're wearing the same ring. Why?"

That was good fun! I feel as if the game was a little short - by Day 3 I was expected to have deep connections, and I ended up dead because of it. Otherwise, it was a very well done Mafia game - balanced, well built (your LDD skills are far superior to mine), and the puzzles were solid too.

"No. Iris was just as strong as she was when you encountered her for the first time. She was mentally frayed, yes, but I purposely made sure Seerus did not deliver the critical blow - the last thing that would make her psyche snap. She was no weaker than you first met her. meeker, perhaps, and more disciplined, as with my standards, but no weaker. You have merely grown stronger, Mortimer. Part of my design as well. You outgrew your former adversary, and now she is no more." "There was actually a more sizable group that had decided to burst into my home, you know. A few hunting groups chose to combine their explosive power, and make a foolhardy rush towards one of the newly erected walls of the Western border of the Citadel. They blasted a hole in the wall and rushed into one of my courtyards, full of hope and greed. I dispatched three Monolith Mk IIs: forty foot tall battle automatons. All fifty of them were slaughtered within twenty seconds. Now then, they barely even made it into my Citadel. Now, as for your progress..." Using the scraps of the Citadel map left by Seerus and some of Masson's blood still on his claw, The regret marks the party's map. "About a third of the way up to my inner sanctum. Now, tell me, Boomingham, why would I not dispose of you so quickly?" "...I owe nothing but servitude now."

The Regret shrugs. "I've already told you my two purposes here. There are no more games, heroes - right now, as far as I'm concerned, I have my trade down to a science. I simply have a few more loose ends to tie up, and, well... That's it. The end. I devour the Lifespark, and then we will see who has the right to dominate this planet. I already am the master of your fates, Heroica. I can hardly think of what power I'll have over your kind when I become the Eternal Reaper."

Mortimer peers through the party's Soul Glass, and for a moment Masson and The Regret's souls are laid bare... Soul Glass Results Masson Emeritus Cour Mood: Mild confusion Surface Thoughts: "I know these peoples' names, but.... I feel like I don't know these people..." The Soul Glass reacts very oddly to the mind of The Regret... Mortimer is assaulted by feeling of dizziness and nausea as he peers into The Regret's mind. The Regret Mood: -̟͖̽̅-̩͇̯̜̤̫ͪ̋̏̇͗-͚̟͕͈̘͛ͥ̓̚͞ͅ-̱̬ͥͅ-̬̟̲̥͙̘̙͛ͨ̅ͫ̅ͨ̚-̶̼̞̂-̶̗̠͕͍-̧-͈̦̰͉̖̥̾̈̔̇̐͌̀-̧̾ͫͭ̈́̓-̷̠̗͖̣͐͑̎ͫͨ-͉̲̥̙̰̖͊̑ͪͤͧ̇͆͠-̰͢-̧͇͈͓͈̘̰̈͐͛-̶͍̉ͬ̈́-̨̙̙͓̖͙̩-̲̫̫̠̙͚͈̾̈́̽̉̉-̖ͬ́ͬ-͇͕̇ͭ͂̓̏̚-̱̬̠̜͔͉͖́- ̷͙̠͍̻̾͒̇ͤ̀ ̝̰͔ͥͣ̚͜ ̧̟̘̏ ̒ ͇̹ͣ̆ͯ̚ ̛͙̳͓̰̭͍̥ͫͫ̑ͬ̅ ̠͓͕̟͎̔̿̅̃͞ͅ ̵͕̙̮̺̒̇̆ͮ̾ͮ̚ ͦ̚҉͙̣͍̦ ̝̮̳̗̰̈́ͅ ̸̪͉̗̬̬͊ ͍̪͔ͅ ̸͚̟̦̝̺͙̬ ̉̾ͯ̀̇ͭ͐ ̰͍̭̳̥͎͖̾͗̀̌ ͖̣͕͢ ̱̬̜̞̦̈́̚͠ ̹̬͍̎ͧ͊ͪ ̻ ͥ̑̈ͅ ̼̬̘͍̝̮̍ͪͫ͊̍͗̚͝ ̧̪̳ͦ̂ͮ ͕͖͈͋ͯ Surface Thoughts: ̻ ̸̮̫͕̯ͥ̆͐̔̎̚ ̧̺͈̠͎͖̹̭̏ͥ̽͊͒̌ ͚͉͊̋ ͍̓ͯ̓ͧͪͦ͗ ̻͕͖̉̾ ̓ͫ́ ̴͎͎̻̅͐ͦͥ̄ ̱͙̞̮̗͈̈̆̀ͭ͛͊͡ ̹̻ͯ̊̏̋̈̃̐ ̢̿̾ ̵̠̻̥ͣ̂̿̽̓̾ ̪͖̝̭̫͉̱ ̩̦̲̙̭͈̫ͭ̂͑ͪ͊ͭ̏ ̝͚͍̗͙̙͇̈̔͆̈́̅ ------------------------- "...I think that's the first time you Heroicans have ever gotten an accurate glimpse into my mind. Tell me, what did you think?" The Regret lets out an icy cackle.

Lynne raises her oak staff to the air in triumph before brining it back down, clearly excited by the victory. "We did it! And that felt... suprisingly good. See, Polly, was that so bad? And... Good job out there, Leofwin." Lynne turns to adress the captain. "Is Dastan approaching?"

"Do you take me for a brute, Karie? because I'm far, far more dangerous than that. And yes, I do suppose some dialogue would be pleasant, but that is besides the point. Point is, I needed to do two things. One, dispose of iris's remains. And two..." The Regret slashes at Masson's wrist quickly, red blood pouring out. "Test if my new thrall had any emotional responses to seeing his friends and enemies. He's not ready for combat quite yet - still needs some time to metabolize the steroids we're pumping into his bloodstream - but it'll be soon, very soon. So yes, Karie..." "...It's me."

"You've been awfully silent, heroes." Masson speaks, his voice hoarse and dry, but much more firm than usual. "They have. Whether out of fright, astonishment, or disgust... I cannot say."

Iris screams as Jeaux's cannonball pierces her eye, detonating within her body. Mortimer's arrow only seals the Mastermind's fate, striking the killing blow. "I, I'm... I'm s-ssorry, I... failed..." Iris screams and collapses to the floor, her form practically melting into white plasm. Her body bubles away, leaving nothing but a white puddle on the floor, globs of black ink scattered in. "She's... Dead. After all she did in the *wheeze* colony, dies just like that..." "No. My purposes here are more pragmatic, shall we say." The Regret scrapes two of his claws together, producing a spark. He crushes the ember in his hand, consuming it in a blue inferno. He sends a blast of fire at Iris's remains, scorching them into nothingness. Before long, all that remains is ash and white gas, drifting out of the observatory and into the night sky. The Mastermind was no more. "Iris and Seerus were one of a kind, and for security purposes, I would like to keep them that way. If she was resurrected, or cloned, or brought back to life somehow less obedient, it would be a tad disastrous. If preventing such an event means using her own remains as a funeral pyre, then so be it. Thank you for sparing me the trouble of striking the killing blow, though. I was just going to tell Masson to do it, but you saved me a bit of time."

"It seems your friend bailed on you, Dragon." Lynne heals the remaining Drauger from the back row.

Iris's Last Stand, Round One >Mortimer VS Iris (back): Hit (14+19=33+5=38x2=76-2=74 damage) >Mortimer VS Tentacle C (back): Damage (0 damage) >Johon VS Iris (back): Special Damage Shield: Ravage (62 gold earned, 15x2=30+21=61x2=122/2=61 damage to all enemies, Iris, Dark Tentacle A, and tentacles A and B fragile) >Johon VS Iris (back): Damage Shield: Ravage (62 gold earned, 15x2=30+21=61x2=122/2=61 damage to all enemies, Iris, Dark Tentacle A, and tentacles A and B fragile) >Boomingham VS Iris (back): Critical Hit (14x2=28+30=58+5=63x8=504/2=252-8=250=244 damage, No hex, Bleeding transferred) >Jeaux VS Iris (back): Hit (13+20=33x4=132-8=124 damage) >Erdathcath VS Black Tentacle A (back): Special Damage Damage (41/2=21 damage) >Erdathcath VS Black Tentacle B (back): Damage Hit (16+21=37x2=74 damage) >Alice VS Tentacle D (dark) (back): Hit (12+30=42 x 8 =336 damage) >Punii VS Tentacle C (back): Chryseopia! (7 gold earned) >Karie uses Baaffy on iris (back) The heroes slash and tear through the feeble iris, her resolve shattered by her husband and her body just as weak as it was in the Colony. She puts up a few feeble attempts to ressit destruction, even managing to jab at Erdathcath, but it's all in vain. "We've almost got her, guys!" Iris's Last Stand, Round Two >Boomingham VS Iris (front): Hit (14+31=43+5=48x8=384-16=368 damage, Boomingham Hexed) >Mortimer VS Iris (back): Damage (0 damage) >Jeaux VS Iris (back): Hit (13+20=33x4=132-16=116 damage) One last salvo of attacks is all it takes. Boomingham thrusts Scupperer through the Mastermind's eye. Boomingham's mind clouds over from close proximity to the demoness, only for Mortimer to fire an arrow. Iris tries to ram the Warden, but her attack does no damage. Jeaux lines up for the shot and blasts iris with a cannonball, white plasm splattering off her broken body as she collapses to the floor, defeated. "...I... No... In my slumber, even, I..." "All of the havoc you *wheeze* caused, all of the blood you spilled - my mother's blood, even - and then... And *cough* then... You just crumble to dust like this.... Mortimer is right about you, Iris." "No, he's... He... Is... rong, he has got to be wrong, he's... Wrong...!" The Mastermind continues to rant on in an almost hypnotized state, her every limb now broken and feebly spasming. Looking at Iris's pathetic, crumpled form, the party knew that... The Battle Was Victorious! All heroes gain the appropriate amount of EXP. Party Leader, please distribute the loot: Map Scraps Health Core Ether Core 1 gold As the party looks at the helpless Oculoid, a burst of smoke fills the room, and two more figures appear behind them. Feeling a chill emanating from behind their backs, the party whirls around to meet the new entities in the room. Both were devils in white... One was The Regret, carrying his all too familiar aura of uneasiness. He brandished a weapon several times the height of most of the heroes, probably able to disembowle most anything with ease with his scepter. His tail arts from side to side in a caclulating manner, the bobdy language of his various limbs not matching each other. Some of him seemed relatively mellow, while other parts seemed ready to strike at any moment... The other figure was one that was in all too familiar garbs. His clothes were bleached white, covered in rips and tears. Blue eyes stare out of a black mesh hood, piercing the heroes with a single glance. Inky, black tentacles seemed to be emerging from his spine, coiling around his shoulder blades and slithering down his arms and across his torso. he weilds a unique Harvester, seemingly made of ivory. The beings who stood before them seemed to be none other than The Regret... And Masson Cour. "..." "Oh, how the mighty have fallen. I cannot help but remember being in this situation once before." Iris begins to speak, but is silenced by a deathyl glare from The Regret. "Spare me your words, Iris. I think we all know how this is going to end." Iris looks downcast, thoroughly humiliated. Masson stares down the Mastermind intently. What will the party do? The Party: Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) Level 32 Paladin *Immune to Darkness-, Fire-elemental; Immune to Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness* Power: 51 Power Bonus: 5 Defense: 10 Health: 48/55 Ether: 30/30 Gold: 838 Equipment: Scupperer (WP: 14; Darkness-, Fire-elemental; inflicts Bleeding (-5) and Poisoned (-10); great sword) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Tome of Affluence (+10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle; Immune to Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness; Immune to Darkness-, Fire-elemental; accessory), Counterstrike Gloves, Mopag Helm (SP: 3; headwear), *Pseudo's Blessing (+4 Power; not an artifact)* Inventory: Frozen Saber (WP: 9; Light-, Ice-elemental; inflicts Stunned; great sword), Lullaby Wand (WP:6, Inflicts Sleeping Effect), Sabre (WP:6, Longsword), Darksteel Greatsword (WP: 10, Blinded Effect, Greatsword), Grand Potion, Grand Tonic, Remedy, Phoenix Essence • Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (Power +4; Ether -6; headwear) Cloak of Blood Magick (+5 ether, attacks made with darkness magic weaken the enemy, bodywear suitable for Mages, Necromancers, Chi Monks) Scarlet Hood (Sutiable for anyone, headwear. SP: 4, Immune to Stunned.) Chains of the Pongcanis Chief (Hero Pierces SP if fighting from Front, Enemies ignore SP if hero fights from the back row, cannot be removed in battle)• Garnet, Sapphire, Amethyst • Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile; costs 5 Ether; 50/50 chance), Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragility, Scroll of Sealing, • Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immune to Ice), Fireball Whiskey (Immunity to Fire One Battle OR 20 Fire Damage All Enemies), Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Hamantasch (Lucky, Blessed), 3x Mead, x2 Nostrum, Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, Hair of the Dog, Grating Stone • Bedroll *Chicken Leg (+2, Quest 28), Drumstick (+1, Quest 70) **Pseudo's Blessing (+4, Quest 40), Big Apple (+1, Quest 70) Karie Alderflask-Cour 23? years old human female Level 26.66 Witch Defence: 2 Health: 42/42 (7+24+8+2) Ether: 25/32 (1+24+4+2) Gold: 710 Equipment: Blazing Palm (WP: 14, Fire elemenetal, whip, succeful hits lower the target's level by one.)Catsuit (Wearer becomes nimble and has a 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER, DAMAGE, and Free Hits, suitable to women only; body wear), Ethereal Cloak (SP: +2, Max. Ether: +4, back wear), Paper Doll (immunity to hexed, accessory) Inventory: *Weapons: Spring Staff (WP: 12, healing someone else through this staff also heals the user by the same amount; water elemental staff), Grumpy's Staff (WP: 10, fire elemental staff), Sexy (WP: 9, disregards SP, longsword), Heirloom Dagger (WP: 3), Rusty Dagger (WP: 2, deals poisoned by 10 effect, breaks after 3 uses), Oculoid Palm (WP: 11, successful hits lowers the target's level by 1; coils around the users arm when outside of battle, whip), *Minstrel Weapons: Angelic Trumpet (WP: 5, user is blessed, instrument), Vagrant's Guitar (WP: 5, user is lucky) *Artefacts: Glittering Dress (The user's job traits are replaced with those of a Harlot: Promiscuity, Flee, and Money Maker; suitable for women only, body wear), Medal of Valour (This pendant is awarded by the Bonapartes to those who show their heroism in the battle against piracy. The wearer gains double experience in battle. Accessory), Skull Mask (SP: 1, wearer can pose as undead, headwear), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (Changes user's appearance into an elf, accessory), Witch's Talisman (Makes the witch's poisonous attacks cause poisoned by 10-effect instead of poisoned by 1, suitable for witches; accessory) *Minstrel Artefacts: Encore Plectrum (If the same battle song is sung more than one round in a row, the song's ether cost for the consecutive rounds is halved; suitable for minstrels; accessory) *Gems: Ruby (Fire) *Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Newtity *Battle Songs: True Love's Serenade (restores 50 health to the rest of the party per round, cost 10 ether; Battle Song) *Consumables: Potion, Grand Potion x2, Tonic, Grand Tonic x5, Remedy x5, Phoenix Essence x4, Nostrum x3, Mulled Wine, 9 Venoms, Pumpkin Bomb (causes poisoned by 1, asleep, blinded, sealed, and confused to all opponents when used), Neutralizer x2, Tasty Pretzel (1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened, and encouraged-effects upon consumption), 5 Herbal Infusions (Removes negative effects and causes Blessed and Transcended effects), Deadly Venom *Tools: Telescope, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magic Compass *Sheep: Baaffy (Pet Sheep, whenever unleashed, puts random enemy fast asleep, unlimited use) Quest Items/Roleplay Item: Masson's Journal Entry 11, Map of Brendenton, Spider Coin (worth 1 gp), Forest Journal, Blue Syndicate Uniform, Kayla's Mask, Ulric's Letter Jeaux Elmfyre (joeshmoe554) Automaton male, Evoker Level 20.33 *Blessed* *Transcended* *Immune to Sealing, Bleeding, and Confused* Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 2 Health: 29/29 Ether: 16/20 Gold: 788 Equipment: Divine Cannonade (WP:13; gives blessed- and transcended-effects to user; Poison 7 and Cursed; Phoenix Essence; handcannon), Spellbound Gloves (Spellpower +5), Automaton Armor (SP:2, immune to bleeding and confused; suitable to automata only; bodywear) Inventory: Enchanted Bracelet (protects from sealing; accessory), Handy Suitcase (SP-2, use 2 items per round; accessory), Professor's Kit (successful attacks on Mechanical enemies have a 1/3 of turning them to the hero’s side for the next three rounds as a tamed monsters, accessory), Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield), Topaz, Diamond, Amethyst, Soma, Tonic, Grand Tonic x2, Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence x3, Remedy x2, Venom x2, Volatile Venom x4, Jinxy Juice, Smoke Bomb, Water Bomb, Bedroll, Bone x6, Experienced Turdwing (Deals the confused and poisoned by 1 effects on an opponent when used, fly familiar), Ruby, Sapphire, Ectoplasm, Oculoid Fireworks x3 Summons: Nilrem (Paladin Armor, Lightning Armor, Demon Armor) Mortimer "Em" Mahzan (Em) *Party Leader!* Unknown age human male Warden Level 19.5 Power Bonus: 5 Defense: 25 (50) Health: 38/38 Gold: 116 Equipment: Blazing Bow (WP: 14, Fire-elemental)Iron Knuckle Armour (Body, foot, and hand wear. Counts as one artefact. Usable by knights and dragoons. SP: 10. Cannot be removed by enemies), Vigilant (SP 12, halved damage from elemental attacks, immune to electricity, shield), Anniversary Medal (Artefact/Accessory) (Power +3, SP +3, Max. Health +3, Max. Ether +3. The values will increase by 1 with each passing year) Inventory: Consumables: Smoke bomb, Nostrum, Remedy x2, Venom, Grand Potion x5, Mead x2, Ambrosia, Silver Ore Weapons: Doppleganger (WP: 10, Retribution: The user inflicts any negative effects he or she has on the target enemy on successful hits; longsword), Aquabow (WP: 7, Water-elemental), Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe Equipment: Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield), Frost Helm (SP: 3, immune to ice, suitable for anyone), Eyepatch Buffs: Permanent + 3 HP, +2 Power, and +1 Ether from Crystal Sovereign. Erdathcath Madilinas, 199 years old, Level 24 Druid Power: 39 Health: 17/38 Ether: 26/27 Gold: 225 Equipped: Tritech Handcannon (WP:16, Fire-elemental, permanent poisoned 7, cursed), Satchel of Awesomeness (Permanent Lucky-effect; bodywear, suitable for anyone), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; accessory, suitable to Erdathcath only) Inventory: *Qlice (WP: 8, club, permanent Poison 4), Longbow (WP:7), Quick bow (WP: 6, bow, provides hastened effect for one round each battle) Machine's Heart (The hollowed out heart of Monolith, after being defeated, halves all damage from Earth, Electrical, and Mechanical type enemies; bodywear, suitable for anyone) *Mage's muffler (protects from sealing; accessory, suitable for anyone), Helmet (+1 max. health; headwear, suitable for anyone), Snake Eye Charm (protects from petrified; accessory, suitable for anyone), Helmet (+1 max. health), *Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, *Scroll of Weakening *6 Potions, Grand Potion x2, 7 Mead, 2 Smelling Salts, 15 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 2 Floral Bombs, 2 Ice Bombs, 2 Lightning Bombs, 1 Fire Bomb, 3 Smoke Bombs, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Holy Bomb, 2 Dirt Bombs, 2 Air Bombs, Bone, Skeleton Decoy, Saber teeth, Jinxy Juice x2, Grand Tonic x3, Love Potion, Blind Fury, Grating Stone, Mythril Shard x2, Silver Ore, 3 Elixirs, 2 Phoenix Essences, Emergency Essence x2, Agni Bomb, Sushi (restores 5 HP and 5 Ether), Neutralizer, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Equilibrium Tonic, Remedy, Silver Ore, Smoke Bomb Johon [AKA Alf Gregory] (Bricksandparts) 25 years old male human Barbarian > Raider Level: 31.25 Power Bonus: +0 (0art+0perm) Health: 45/45 (lvl30+cls7+7perm+0art) Defense: 5 (5art+0Shield+0perm) Ether: 0/0/30 (lvl30 Kept Effects: *Natural Respite* *Restoration**Immune to: Fragile* *1.5 stealing multiplier* *Hide of The Bleeding* Temporary Effects: Gold: 3895 Equipment: Weapon: Muckraker (WP:+13, suit: Barbarians/Knights/Beast Warriors/Necromancers/Regulators, *Water, Wood, Earth*, Causes *Weakened*) Shield: Artefact 1 (1+): Heavy Armour (suit: Bararians/Knights, SP:+5, *Immune to Fragile*) Artefact 2 (10+): Hide of The Bleeding (suit: Anyone, +10HP +5ETH for every enemy user defeats) Artefact 3 (20+): Sticky Gloves (suit: Rogues/Beast Warriors, 1.5 multiplier for stealing) Artefact 4 (30+):Barbarian's Boots (suit: Barbarians/Chi Monks/Beast Warriors, *Restoration*) Artefact 5 (40+): Artefact 6 (50+): Artifacts: Simple Helmet (suit: Anyone, HP:+1), Pseudo's hood (suit: Anyone, Ignores Undead immunity), Quiver of Poisoning (suit: Rangers/Beast Warriors/Infiltrators/Winged Warriors, Causes *Poisoned by 1* using bows/crossbows), Blessed Amulet (suit: Anyone, *Immune to cursed*), Dog Statuette (Rover) (suit: Anyone, SP:+1), Counterstrike Gloves (suit: Anyone, deals damage equal to level when hit with free-hit), Sterile Gloves (Suit: Anyone, *Immune to Poisoned/Bleeding*), Bravado Boots (suit: Anyone, 1/6 chance of receiving *Lucky* at start of battle), Scarlet Hood (suit: Anyone, pwr:+4, *immune to stunned*) Weapons: Sword of Decay (WP:+8, suit: Barbaians/Knights/Mages, Causes *Decayed by X-3 rounds* X=dmg dealt/4, Effect does not stack), Greatsword (WP:+3, suit: Barbarians/Knights/Beast Warriors/Necromancers/Regulators), Focal Staff (WP:+5, suit: Clerics/Mages, Ability: Roll 3 at cost of 5 ether), Gladius (WP:+15, suit: Anyone, Darkness, 1/3 chance of causing *Fragile* on succesful hits), Stalker’s Mallet (WP:+8, suit: Barbarians/Knights/Harlots, 1/2 chance of causing *sealed*), Lullaby Wand (WP:+6, suit: Mages/Necromancers, Causes *asleep*), Lovelorn Wand (WP:+6, suit: Mages/Necromancers, Causes *enamored*), Scaridy Wand (WP:+6, suit: Mages/Necromancers, Causes *afraid*), Wand of Wrath (WP:+6, suit: Mages/Necromancers, Causes *enraged*), Shield (SP:+5, Suit: Knights/Dragoons/Regulators/Skirmishers), Old Whip (WP: 10/20 against Beasts) Consumables: Potions (25), Grand Potions (18), Tonics (0), Grand Tonics (1), Health Cores (1), Phoenix Essences (2), Remedies (9), Mead (14), Smelling Salts (16), Nostrums 14), Venoms (10), Deadly Venoms (7), Smoke Bombs (1) , Fire Bombs (1), Water Bombs (5), Lightning Bombs (14), Bones (13), Skeleton Decoys (1), Ambrosia (2), Mulled Wine (1), (1)Trial Brews (1), Ectoplasms (1), Level-Up Mushrooms (1), Grating Stones (1) Elements: Aquamarine (2), Emerald (1), Garnet (1), Opal (1), Ruby (1), Sapphire (1), Topaz (1), Diamond (2), Amethyst (2) Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep (1), Scroll of Blindness (1), Scroll of Sealing (1), Scroll of Confusion (1), Scroll of Frailty (1), Scroll of Weakening (1) Tools: Shovels (1), Pick-axes (2), Magic Compasses (1), Water Canteens (2), Magniscopes (1) Quest/RP/Misc. items: Blue Rose (Invasion of Luosh) (1), Fifty Shades of Bley (1), Mythril Shards (1), Silver Ore "We... won." Punii, Level 21.33 Alchemist HP: 37/37 SP: 3 Gold: 19 Equipment: Yellow Carapace (SP: 3, Backwear, cannot be dequipped, suitable to Punii only... Unless you want to skin him alive?), Tiny Tail (WP: 7, cannot be dequipped, suitable to Punii only... Unless you want to amputate it?) Inventory: Health Core, Ether Core, Grand Tonic x2, Nostrum, Bad Breath, Bravado Brew "That wasn't so bad at all..." Alice Incor, Level 20 Sage *Invisibility!* HP: 30/30 Ether: 22/22 SP: 2 Equipment: Leather Armor (SP: 2, Bodywear) Invisibility Cloak (Backwear: 1/6 chance of dodging rolls of Damage and Free Hits), Ivory Hammer (WP: 12), Diamond, Amethyst Inventory: Grand Potion x2, Smelling Salts x2

QM Note: My mistake, Boomingham healed everyone! Adjust NPC actions accordingly. "Hmm. Part of me wonders if he'll ever even attemp to fight you again. I think he thinks he's made his point, and he'll be hiding in the shadows - perhaps dispatching weapons we have that are even stronger than he is. If you are so goddamn desperate to "pay him back", hon, you're going to have to drag him into the light. And that won't be easy."

"You're hardly one to talk, cyclops. He unravelled you too."

"You'll be saying the same to your teammates before long, Mortimer. The Regret knows how to strengthen people. He also knows how to reduce people to nothing. If I'm so weak, useless, and a waste of time, why are you bothering to even draw your blades?"

"Huh... Feeling better, leofwin? I didn't think the heal would be so... Immediate." Lynne heals Spearman B from the front row. "Not feeling too powerful now, are you, Red Dragon?"

"All those years... Sucking souls, taking down entire swarms of people, razing towns... Even took singlehandedly captured an ancient dragon, once. And now it seems like I'm destined to fall at the hands of you people..."

QM Note: You should probably post an action for Boomingham - Zepher is out of commission until Tuesday, I believe.

Looks like Iris failed to level grind.

"This is my last stand... I've been sent to die either way. Might as well strain you while I still can." "You are bound by a contract to kill The Regtret. if you had not signed up to do so, would you have any other motive for doing it? In a similar way, I'm... obligated. I lost my indiviudality down in the Colony. By granting me your false "mercy", I lost my right as an Oculoid to be free. I deserved my punishment, either way. You humiliaited me, and I failed to kill you. I paid the price for that. But there's still enough of me left to realize it was your party to blame...!" "You gave me mercy once. You won't do it again, hon. I won't let you. But Seerus, and the new Devil Commander... They're not too far ahead. You'll encounter them within the hour, I imagine." "It's not useless! There was a clear beginning, and a clear end - erase all humans and make Olegaia into a paradise. It's the most valiant purpose to ever be seen on this planet. Perhaps I'm useless in this cause now, but... That hardly matters now. I'm just staioned here to stall you, really, while Seerus and The Regret make the finishing touches on Masson. It pains me to lay down my life for Seerus, but... I'll do it for my master. Now, come, heroes! Let's put an end to this..." Trailing off nervously, Iris engages the heroes in one last battle. "She's the same Iris she was *wheeze* in the Progg Colony. This won't be too difficult at all, heroes... But I wonder... If she's just stalling us, should we even fight her?" Prepare For Battle! "Let's do this..." Iris, Level 48 Light SP: 2 HP: 1200/1200 Specials: Tentacle Thrashing: Iris Hastens herself for an amount of turns equal to the current amount of tetancles she has left. If she has no tentacles left, she deals 48 damage to the hero who rolled Special Damage instead. Soul Siphon: Iris attempts to suck out the souls of the heroes. Three random heroes lose 5 Max HP and take 34 damage each. Eye Beam: Shooting an ethereal beam out of her eye, Iris sweeps the battle field. All heroes take damage equal to their level +11, and the hero who rolled Special Damage loses their postive effects. Specials cycle through. Passive Specials: Tentacle Phalanx: Iris is constantly on the defense. Every round, when iris is attacked, any untargetted tentacle multiples her SP by 2. (Example: 3 untargetted tentacles when Iris is attacked: 2(base SP)x2x2x2=16 SP) Hypnotic Gaze: All heroes who target Iris have a 0/6 chance of being Hexed. The chances increase by 1/6 for every 2 tentacles destroyed. Desperate Retaliation: After all of Iris' tentacles are destroyed, her level drops to 40, but she becomes Hastened for the rest of the battle. Nucleus: The battle ends when iris is defeated, regardless of how many tentacles are left. Drops: Map Scraps, Health Core, Ether Core, 1 gold Tentacle A, Level 36 Light HP: 300/300 SP: 3 Specials: Suffocating Grip: Iris lunges at the hero who rolled Special Damage, grabbing them in her inky clutches. That hero takes 15 damage and has a Poison 7 effect until the tentacle holding them is defeated. Destructive Blast: Iris discharges a large amount of ether. The hero who rolled Special Damage and all heroes above them in the battle order take 27 damage. Specials decided by die roll. Tentacle B, Level 36 Light HP: 300/300 SP: 3 Specials: Suffocating Grip: Iris lunges at the hero who rolled Special Damage, grabbing them in her inky clutches. That hero takes 15 damage and has a Poison 7 effect until the tentacle holding them is defeated. Destructive Blast: Iris discharges a large amount of ether. The hero who rolled Special Damage and all heroes above them in the battle order take 27 damage. Specials decided by die roll. Tentacle C, Level 36 Light HP: 300/300 SP: 3 Specials: Suffocating Grip: Iris lunges at the hero who rolled Special Damage, grabbing them in her inky clutches. That hero takes 15 damage and has a Poison 7 effect until the tentacle holding them is defeated. Destructive Blast: Iris discharges a large amount of ether. The hero who rolled Special Damage and all heroes above them in the battle order take 27 damage. Specials decided by die roll. Tentacle D, Level 36 Light HP: 300/300 SP: 3 Specials: Suffocating Grip: Iris lunges at the hero who rolled Special Damage, grabbing them in her inky clutches. That hero takes 15 damage and has a Poison 7 effect until the tentacle holding them is defeated. Destructive Blast: Iris discharges a large amount of ether. The hero who rolled Special Damage and all heroes above them in the battle order take 27 damage. Specials decided by die roll. Black Tentacle A, Level 41 Dark HP: 400/400 Specials: Dark Blast: Iris discharges a large amount of dark magic. The hero who rolled Special Damage and all heroes above them in the battle order take 16 damage disregarding row. Health Drain: Iris siphons the heroes' vitality does 11 damage to all heroes disregarding row and SP, and restores 200 HP to itself. Specials alternate. Black Tentacle B, Level 41 Dark HP: 400/400 Specials: Dark Blast: Iris discharges a large amount of dark magic. The hero who rolled Special Damage and all heroes above them in the battle order take 16 damage disregarding row. Health Drain: Iris siphons the heroes' vitality does 11 damage to all heroes disregarding row and SP, and restores 200 HP to itself. Specials alternate. The Party: Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) *Encouraged!* Level 31.75 Paladin *Immune to Darkness-, Fire-elemental; Immune to Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness* Power: 50 Power Bonus: 5 Defense: 10 Health: 47/54 Ether: 30/30 Gold: 838 Equipment: Scupperer (WP: 14; Darkness-, Fire-elemental; inflicts Bleeding (-5) and Poisoned (-10); great sword) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Tome of Affluence (+10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle; Immune to Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness; Immune to Darkness-, Fire-elemental; accessory), Counterstrike Gloves, Mopag Helm (SP: 3; headwear), *Pseudo's Blessing (+4 Power; not an artifact)* Inventory: Frozen Saber (WP: 9; Light-, Ice-elemental; inflicts Stunned; great sword), Lullaby Wand (WP:6, Inflicts Sleeping Effect), Sabre (WP:6, Longsword), Darksteel Greatsword (WP: 10, Blinded Effect, Greatsword), Grand Potion, Grand Tonic, Remedy, Phoenix Essence • Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (Power +4; Ether -6; headwear) Cloak of Blood Magick (+5 ether, attacks made with darkness magic weaken the enemy, bodywear suitable for Mages, Necromancers, Chi Monks) Scarlet Hood (Sutiable for anyone, headwear. SP: 4, Immune to Stunned.) Chains of the Pongcanis Chief (Hero Pierces SP if fighting from Front, Enemies ignore SP if hero fights from the back row, cannot be removed in battle)• Garnet, Sapphire, Amethyst • Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile; costs 5 Ether; 50/50 chance), Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragility, Scroll of Sealing, • Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immune to Ice), Fireball Whiskey (Immunity to Fire One Battle OR 20 Fire Damage All Enemies), Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Hamantasch (Lucky, Blessed), 3x Mead, x2 Nostrum, Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, Hair of the Dog, Grating Stone • Bedroll *Chicken Leg (+2, Quest 28), Drumstick (+1, Quest 70) **Pseudo's Blessing (+4, Quest 40), Big Apple (+1, Quest 70) Karie Alderflask-Cour *Encouraged!* 23? years old human female Level 26.33 Witch Defence: 2 Health: 42/42 (7+24+8+2) Ether: 25/32 (1+24+4+2) Gold: 710 Equipment: Blazing Palm (WP: 14, Fire elemenetal, whip, succeful hits lower the target's level by one.)Catsuit (Wearer becomes nimble and has a 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER, DAMAGE, and Free Hits, suitable to women only; body wear), Ethereal Cloak (SP: +2, Max. Ether: +4, back wear), Paper Doll (immunity to hexed, accessory) Inventory: *Weapons: Spring Staff (WP: 12, healing someone else through this staff also heals the user by the same amount; water elemental staff), Grumpy's Staff (WP: 10, fire elemental staff), Sexy (WP: 9, disregards SP, longsword), Heirloom Dagger (WP: 3), Rusty Dagger (WP: 2, deals poisoned by 10 effect, breaks after 3 uses), Oculoid Palm (WP: 11, successful hits lowers the target's level by 1; coils around the users arm when outside of battle, whip), *Minstrel Weapons: Angelic Trumpet (WP: 5, user is blessed, instrument), Vagrant's Guitar (WP: 5, user is lucky) *Artefacts: Glittering Dress (The user's job traits are replaced with those of a Harlot: Promiscuity, Flee, and Money Maker; suitable for women only, body wear), Medal of Valour (This pendant is awarded by the Bonapartes to those who show their heroism in the battle against piracy. The wearer gains double experience in battle. Accessory), Skull Mask (SP: 1, wearer can pose as undead, headwear), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (Changes user's appearance into an elf, accessory), Witch's Talisman (Makes the witch's poisonous attacks cause poisoned by 10-effect instead of poisoned by 1, suitable for witches; accessory) *Minstrel Artefacts: Encore Plectrum (If the same battle song is sung more than one round in a row, the song's ether cost for the consecutive rounds is halved; suitable for minstrels; accessory) *Gems: Ruby (Fire) *Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Newtity *Battle Songs: True Love's Serenade (restores 50 health to the rest of the party per round, cost 10 ether; Battle Song) *Consumables: Potion, Grand Potion x2, Tonic, Grand Tonic x5, Remedy x5, Phoenix Essence x4, Nostrum x3, Mulled Wine, 9 Venoms, Pumpkin Bomb (causes poisoned by 1, asleep, blinded, sealed, and confused to all opponents when used), Neutralizer x2, Tasty Pretzel (1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened, and encouraged-effects upon consumption), 5 Herbal Infusions (Removes negative effects and causes Blessed and Transcended effects), Deadly Venom *Tools: Telescope, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magic Compass *Sheep: Baaffy (Pet Sheep, whenever unleashed, puts random enemy fast asleep, unlimited use) Quest Items/Roleplay Item: Masson's Journal Entry 11, Map of Brendenton, Spider Coin (worth 1 gp), Forest Journal, Blue Syndicate Uniform, Kayla's Mask, Ulric's Letter Jeaux Elmfyre (joeshmoe554) *Encouraged!* Automaton male, Evoker Level 20 *Blessed* *Transcended* *Immune to Sealing, Bleeding, and Confused* Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 2 Health: 29/29 Ether: 16/20 Gold: 788 Equipment: Divine Cannonade (WP:13; gives blessed- and transcended-effects to user; Poison 7 and Cursed; Phoenix Essence; handcannon), Spellbound Gloves (Spellpower +5), Automaton Armor (SP:2, immune to bleeding and confused; suitable to automata only; bodywear) Inventory: Enchanted Bracelet (protects from sealing; accessory), Handy Suitcase (SP-2, use 2 items per round; accessory), Professor's Kit (successful attacks on Mechanical enemies have a 1/3 of turning them to the hero’s side for the next three rounds as a tamed monsters, accessory), Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield), Topaz, Diamond, Amethyst, Soma, Tonic, Grand Tonic x2, Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence x3, Remedy x2, Venom x2, Volatile Venom x4, Jinxy Juice, Smoke Bomb, Water Bomb, Bedroll, Bone x6, Experienced Turdwing (Deals the confused and poisoned by 1 effects on an opponent when used, fly familiar), Ruby, Sapphire, Ectoplasm, Oculoid Fireworks x3 Summons: Nilrem (Paladin Armor, Lightning Armor, Demon Armor) Mortimer "Em" Mahzan (Em) *Encouraged!* *Party Leader!* *Hastened!* Unknown age human male Warden Level 19 Power Bonus: 5 Defense: 25 (50) Health: 38/38 Gold: 116 Equipment: Blazing Bow (WP: 14 *Poison 10*, Fire-elemental)Iron Knuckle Armour (Body, foot, and hand wear. Counts as one artefact. Usable by knights and dragoons. SP: 10. Cannot be removed by enemies), Vigilant (SP 12, halved damage from elemental attacks, immune to electricity, shield), Anniversary Medal (Artefact/Accessory) (Power +3, SP +3, Max. Health +3, Max. Ether +3. The values will increase by 1 with each passing year) Inventory: Consumables: Smoke bomb, Nostrum, Remedy x2, Venom, Grand Potion x5, Mead x2, Ambrosia, Silver Ore Weapons: Doppleganger (WP: 10, Retribution: The user inflicts any negative effects he or she has on the target enemy on successful hits; longsword), Aquabow (WP: 7, Water-elemental), Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe Equipment: Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield), Frost Helm (SP: 3, immune to ice, suitable for anyone), Eyepatch Buffs: Permanent + 3 HP, +2 Power, and +1 Ether from Crystal Sovereign. Erdathcath Madilinas, 199 years old, Level 23.66 Druid *Encouraged!* *Hastened!* Power: 38 Health: 37/37 Ether: 25/26 Gold: 225 Equipped: Tritech Handcannon (WP:16, Fire-elemental, permanent poisoned 7, cursed), Satchel of Awesomeness (Permanent Lucky-effect; bodywear, suitable for anyone), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; accessory, suitable to Erdathcath only) Inventory: *Qlice (WP: 8, club, permanent Poison 4), Longbow (WP:7), Quick bow (WP: 6, bow, provides hastened effect for one round each battle) Machine's Heart (The hollowed out heart of Monolith, after being defeated, halves all damage from Earth, Electrical, and Mechanical type enemies; bodywear, suitable for anyone) *Mage's muffler (protects from sealing; accessory, suitable for anyone), Helmet (+1 max. health; headwear, suitable for anyone), Snake Eye Charm (protects from petrified; accessory, suitable for anyone), Helmet (+1 max. health), *Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, *Scroll of Weakening *6 Potions, Grand Potion x2, 7 Mead, 2 Smelling Salts, 15 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 2 Floral Bombs, 2 Ice Bombs, 2 Lightning Bombs, 1 Fire Bomb, 3 Smoke Bombs, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Holy Bomb, 2 Dirt Bombs, 2 Air Bombs, Bone, Skeleton Decoy, Saber teeth, Jinxy Juice x2, Grand Tonic x3, Love Potion, Blind Fury, Grating Stone, Mythril Shard x2, Silver Ore, 3 Elixirs, 2 Phoenix Essences, Emergency Essence x2, Agni Bomb, Sushi (restores 5 HP and 5 Ether), Neutralizer, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Equilibrium Tonic, Remedy, Silver Ore, Smoke Bomb Johon [AKA Alf Gregory] (Bricksandparts) 25 years old male human Barbarian > Raider *Encouraged!* *Lucky!* *Hastened!* Level: 31 Power Bonus: +0 (0art+0perm) Health: 45/45 (lvl30+cls7+7perm+0art) Defense: 5 (5art+0Shield+0perm) Ether: 0/0/30 (lvl30 Kept Effects: *Natural Respite* *Restoration**Immune to: Fragile* *1.5 stealing multiplier* *Hide of The Bleeding* Temporary Effects: Gold: 3741 Equipment: Weapon: Muckraker (WP:+13, suit: Barbarians/Knights/Beast Warriors/Necromancers/Regulators, *Water, Wood, Earth*, Causes *Weakened*) Shield: Artefact 1 (1+): Heavy Armour (suit: Bararians/Knights, SP:+5, *Immune to Fragile*) Artefact 2 (10+): Hide of The Bleeding (suit: Anyone, +10HP +5ETH for every enemy user defeats) Artefact 3 (20+): Sticky Gloves (suit: Rogues/Beast Warriors, 1.5 multiplier for stealing) Artefact 4 (30+):Barbarian's Boots (suit: Barbarians/Chi Monks/Beast Warriors, *Restoration*) Artefact 5 (40+): Artefact 6 (50+): Artifacts: Simple Helmet (suit: Anyone, HP:+1), Pseudo's hood (suit: Anyone, Ignores Undead immunity), Quiver of Poisoning (suit: Rangers/Beast Warriors/Infiltrators/Winged Warriors, Causes *Poisoned by 1* using bows/crossbows), Blessed Amulet (suit: Anyone, *Immune to cursed*), Dog Statuette (Rover) (suit: Anyone, SP:+1), Counterstrike Gloves (suit: Anyone, deals damage equal to level when hit with free-hit), Sterile Gloves (Suit: Anyone, *Immune to Poisoned/Bleeding*), Bravado Boots (suit: Anyone, 1/6 chance of receiving *Lucky* at start of battle), Scarlet Hood (suit: Anyone, pwr:+4, *immune to stunned*) Weapons: Sword of Decay (WP:+8, suit: Barbaians/Knights/Mages, Causes *Decayed by X-3 rounds* X=dmg dealt/4, Effect does not stack), Greatsword (WP:+3, suit: Barbarians/Knights/Beast Warriors/Necromancers/Regulators), Focal Staff (WP:+5, suit: Clerics/Mages, Ability: Roll 3 at cost of 5 ether), Gladius (WP:+15, suit: Anyone, Darkness, 1/3 chance of causing *Fragile* on succesful hits), Stalker’s Mallet (WP:+8, suit: Barbarians/Knights/Harlots, 1/2 chance of causing *sealed*), Lullaby Wand (WP:+6, suit: Mages/Necromancers, Causes *asleep*), Lovelorn Wand (WP:+6, suit: Mages/Necromancers, Causes *enamored*), Scaridy Wand (WP:+6, suit: Mages/Necromancers, Causes *afraid*), Wand of Wrath (WP:+6, suit: Mages/Necromancers, Causes *enraged*), Shield (SP:+5, Suit: Knights/Dragoons/Regulators/Skirmishers), Old Whip (WP: 10/20 against Beasts) Consumables: Potions (25), Grand Potions (18), Tonics (0), Grand Tonics (1), Health Cores (1), Phoenix Essences (2), Remedies (9), Mead (14), Smelling Salts (16), Nostrums 14), Venoms (10), Deadly Venoms (7), Smoke Bombs (1) , Fire Bombs (1), Water Bombs (5), Lightning Bombs (14), Bones (13), Skeleton Decoys (1), Ambrosia (2), Mulled Wine (1), (1)Trial Brews (1), Ectoplasms (1), Level-Up Mushrooms (1), Grating Stones (1) Elements: Aquamarine (2), Emerald (1), Garnet (1), Opal (1), Ruby (1), Sapphire (1), Topaz (1), Diamond (2), Amethyst (2) Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep (1), Scroll of Blindness (1), Scroll of Sealing (1), Scroll of Confusion (1), Scroll of Frailty (1), Scroll of Weakening (1) Tools: Shovels (1), Pick-axes (2), Magic Compasses (1), Water Canteens (2), Magniscopes (1) Quest/RP/Misc. items: Blue Rose (Invasion of Luosh) (1), Fifty Shades of Bley (1), Mythril Shards (1), Silver Ore "This is the *wheeze* end of the line... For Iris, anyway." Punii, Level 21 Alchemist *Encouraged!* HP: 37/37 SP: 3 Gold: 12 Equipment: Yellow Carapace (SP: 3, Backwear, cannot be dequipped, suitable to Punii only... Unless you want to skin him alive?), Tiny Tail (WP: 7, cannot be dequipped, suitable to Punii only... Unless you want to amputate it?) Inventory: Health Core, Ether Core, Grand Tonic x2, Nostrum, Bad Breath, Bravado Brew "Here goes nothing." Alice Incor, Level 20 Sage *Invisibility!* HP: 30/30 Ether: 22/22 SP: 2 Equipment: Leather Armor (SP: 2, Bodywear) Invisibility Cloak (Backwear: 1/6 chance of dodging rolls of Damage and Free Hits), Ivory Hammer (WP: 12), Diamond, Amethyst Inventory: Grand Potion x2, Smelling Salts x2

"I hate Seerus. But The Regret? No. I do not hate him. I regard him with... almost fanatacism, in a way. he is my deity, and I take great joy in obeying him. But Seerus... I hate that bastard." "You're... using their limbs as weapons? What is wrong with you?! I know... I know I am not their mother, I know they will enver call themselves my children... But you think you can just get away with that? Like you're doing any good for your family olbigations, you urchin. Your husband is being transformed as we speak, and you rush into battle, knowing there is a chance that you house something far more important than you." Iris looks away for a moment. "You cut right to it, don't you, Boomingham? Because I'm afraid. I know I'm the same Iris that got humiliated before - I'm no stronger. Maybe even weaker, because of Seerus. And, unlike all other Oculoids - once again, besides Seerus - I am unqiue, one of kind. And that makes me fear death. Sko I guess you... I guess you could say that I'm... Stalling. I took to the front lines here for one last dance, but... Now it's taking a lot to even resist fleeing. I could. But I won't."

"You should've known that I am eternally loyal to my Master. The fault is your own, hon!" "At last, some manners. It's a shame you're hardly any different from the rest... New faces are always welcome though. Always a pleasure to meet a new breed of prey, so to speak. I'll have to kill you too. I... I'll have to try..." "You bother me most, automaton. How did an emotionless machine manage to humiliate me so utterly? You are a claculator with limbs! How you managed to bother me so much, how you managed to get under my skin and had your hand in mortifying me... All while you're just a talking doll! No emotions, no past, no memories. And yet, you somehow humiliaited me. I hate you for that, more than your human companions." It seems Iris' grudge was transfixed on Jeaux. It appears his lack of emotions, while still managing to indrecitly mortify Iris, spawned a hatred. "You didn't kill Seerus. He decieved you and kidnapped one of your team mates! Sorry, darling, but Seerus is alive and well. Your party has been trying to hunt him down since your encounter with him, even! I... Have no master plan, to be honest. I have to kill you for my Master. That is... That's as far as my schemes go. It's do or die for me here, heroes, sink or swim..." Once again, iris psyched herself out. It seems Seerus' abuse had gotten to her. The telescope was ratherg rand, peering out an open window. It was on a flexible pivot, allowing it to look up and down. Snow poure din from the gap in the wall, making the observatory almost unbearably chilly. "Speaking of Seerus' captive, he was practically begging to see you again, redhead. It was almost touching, in a way."

Thanks for having me, jamesn!

"I'm *wheeze* still here, Karie." chrips the young Progg, noticing Karie's look around. "Guess I've just been *cough* lost in thought." "Here goes.. something..." With that, the party steps onto the lift, the platform lurching to life. It glides along slick steel pillars, the platform quickly ascending up the room. It would seem fragments of a Sapphire in its frame allowed it to levitate up on a bubble of wind. Having reached the top opf the lift, the party is faced with a rather grand looking door, marked with sketches of all sorts of celestial bodies... The party throws open the door, and finds themelves in the observatory... With a familiar face looming over them, dripping white ink. Blue torches set the mood, filling the room with a mystic glow. Behind Iris, a massive telescope stared into the heavens. "Heroes. I had hoped you wouldn't make it here... I'm sure some of you remember humiliating me, though. Vividly, I imagine. Because I remember it quite clearly." "Who is this? Just some different colored knock-off of Seerus?" The Mastermind's demeanor quickly becomes volatile. "You... You brat! I am Iris! I am Seerus' equal! Perhaps just in title now, but..." Iris falters for a moment, before continuing. "I'll destroy you. Especially the ones I recognize... Erdathcath, Johon, Mortimer, Jeaux... I always harbored a grude. Especially the automaton. I'll be the end of you! I swear it! I swear it..."

I wish you the best! Lynne heals Leofwin from the back row.