Endgame

"I do have to commend, Mortimer. You have a pretty resolute will - not to mention, you've got guts. It'll be an honor to beat both out of you."

"Careful there, Mortimer. I'd hate for you to go into cardiac arrest. After all, can't have you looking ugly for your eventual portrait, can I? Tell me, Mortimer. Would you like it if I mind your friends paintings, too? You could have company. The automaton would make for a novel painting... So would that scruffy oaf. I would make Erdathcath into a frame, but I'm not that barbaric. Speaking of barbarians, I suppose the Raider wouldn't make a bad picture either... Neither would the redhead, hm." His words were horrifically off tangent, but his actual movements told a different story: one of pure concentration and precision.

Man, heroica has seriously slowed to a crawl recently - hopefully just end of the summer shenanigans. Also, Zepher, I do quite like these co-QMed segments. They add a lot.

Clearly you've never played the monster Hunter series, because doing that is the entire point of the game. It's always great to see some fellow QMs get recognition, though!

"Whatever this guy is made out of, it's flammable and highly toxic... I'd be somewhat impressed if he wasn't potentially going to kill me..."

"Funny. I could've swore that I did the same to your eye..." "You're that resolute, eh? Such dedication is only a esult of what we've done. You're in our debt for making you who you are now, Druid. And The Regret always takes back what rightfully belongs to him." Round Two of The Artist's Trails! >Punii throws a Military Grade Light bomb (back) (30 damage pyropaint) >Johon VS Crusher Tentacle (right) (back): Steal Critical Hit (13x2=26+30=56/2=28-4=24 damage) (30 damage from pyropaint) >Masson VS Red Tentacle (right) (back): Special Damage (Chemical Jab: Poison 25 inflicted!) (30 damage from pyropaint) >Johon VS Blue Tentacle (right) (front): Damage Shield: Ravage (90 gold earned, 13x2=26+30=56 damage) >Erdathcath VS The Harvester (left) (back): Damage Hit (16+21=37-4=33 damage) >Em VS Seerus (back): Hit (11+17=28/2=14-7=7 damage) >Jeaux VS Blue Tentacle (left) (back): Critical Hit (13x2=26+19=45+5=50x2=100 damage) >Boomingham heals himself (back): Shield: Guardian Angel! >Karie downs a Grand Potion (back) >Erdathcath VS The Harvester (right) (back): Special Damage Critical Hit (16x2=32+21=53-4=49 damage) >Em's missing eye: No effect! >Seerus's defective eye: No effect! >Blue Tentacle and Harvesters take Poison damage >Blue Tentacle (left) loses 31 max HP QM Note: If memory serves, the_Customizer, you'll have to specify an action for Boomingham today. The battle continues, Punii's bomb blasting off two of Seerus's limbs. The paint soon bursts into flames, frying three heroes. the party continues their assault against the maniacal mastermind, Boomingham even summoning Barty to his aid. "If there was a time to go all out, it's right now! Just... Can someone heal me?" "Eh?! An angel, here? Hah! The Regret has taken down angels before. A runtish divine like you would perish against him. Still, though, you are a minor setback to me..." "Do your worst! Hahaha!" Seerus, Level 90 Demon *Half-Blind!* HP: 1959/2400 SP: 7 Immune to Sealing, Fast Asleep, Hexed and Weakened! Specials: Canvas Curse: Seerus uses his magic to raises a stone slab from the ground, and uses the Canvas Curse to trap the hero who rolled Special Damage within it. The trapped hero cannot act until the canvas is destroyed. Mind Reader: Seerus reads the mind of the hero who rolled Special Damage, predicting their moves. For the next two rounds, any enemy they attack will counterstrike them. Succumbing Sonar: Seerus ensnares the mind of a random hero with his words, dealing 50 damage and Hexing them. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Acidic: On rolls of damage and free hits, Seerus reduces the SP of the damaged hero by 25%, rounded down. Drops: Oculoid Fireworks x3, 150 gold, Ectoplasm Crusher Tentacle (Right), Level 75 Demon HP: 310/450 SP: 4 Immune to Weakened! Specials: Smasher: The Crusher Tentacle picks up the hero who rolls Special Damage and smashes him into another random hero. Both are reduced to 1 HP. Pin Down: The Crusher Tentacle pins down the hero who rolls Special Damage. The hero is stuck in the tentacle's grasp, made Slow and Poisoned 10 until the claw is destroyed. If HP is above 200, Smasher is used. If not, Pin Down is used. Passive Specials: Dismemberment: Destroying this tentacle does 150 damage (disregarding Fragile) to Seerus. Drops: Mead Blue Tentacle (Left), Level 54 Demon *Weakened! 3 rounds remain* *Poison 14!* *Cursed!* HP: 25/284 Immune to Blindness and Sealing! Specials: Pyro Paint: Seerus douses the battlefield in a coating of pyrotechnic paint, which explodes into a multicolored flame the next round. The first three heroes in the battle order next round take 30 damage, disregarding row and SP. Chemical Jab: The Blue Tentacle stabs the hero who rolled Special Damage, giving them the Poison 25 effect. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Acidic: On rolls of damage and free hits, Seerus reduces the SP of the damaged hero by 25%, rounded down. Dismemberment: Destroying this tentacle does 150 damage (disregarding Fragile) to Seerus. Drops: Deadly Venom Blue Tentacle (Right), Level 55 Demon *Weakened! 3 rounds remain* *Confused! 2 rounds remaining* *Poison 7!* HP: 149/350 Immune to Blindness and Sealing! Specials: Pyro Paint: Seerus douses the battlefield in a coating of pyrotechnic paint, which explodes into a multicolored flame the next round. The first three heroes in the battle order next round take 30 damage, disregarding row and SP. Chemical Jab: The Blue Tentacle stabs the hero who rolled Special Damage, giving them the Poison 25 effect. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Acidic: On rolls of damage and free hits, Seerus reduces the SP of the damaged hero by 25%, rounded down. Dismemberment: Destroying this tentacle does 150 damage (disregarding Fragile) to Seerus. Drops: Deadly Venom Red Tentacle (Right), Level 70 Demon *Weakened! 3 rounds remain* HP: 218/350 Specials: Pyro Paint: Seerus douses the battlefield in a coating of pyrotechnic paint, which explodes into a multicolored flame the next round. The first three heroes in the battle order next round take 30 damage, disregarding row and SP. Tentacle Sweep: Seerus sweeps the entire battlefield with his tentacles, all heroes taking damage equal to their level. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Dismemberment: Destroying this tentacle does 150 damage (disregarding Fragile) to Seerus. Drops: Military Grade Fire Bomb The Harvester (Left), Level 65 Mechanical *Bleeding! 5 damage* *Poison 17!* HP: 100/400 SP: 4 Immune to Hexed and Weakened! Specials: Beaten Senseless: The Harvester bludgeons the hero who rolled Special Damage, reducing them to 1 HP and making them Blind, Fragile, and Doomed. Potent Hexing: The Harvester steals the common sense of a random hero, Hexing them until the Harvester controlling them is destroyed. Specials alternate. Drops: Greating Stone The Harvester (Right), Level 65 Mechanical *Confused! 3 rounds remaining* *Poison 14!* HP: 170/400 SP: 4 Immune to Hexed and Weakened! Specials: Beaten Senseless: The Harvester bludgeons the hero who rolled Special Damage, reducing them to 1 HP and making them Blind, Fragile, and Doomed. Potent Hexing: The Harvester steals the common sense of a random hero, Hexing them until the Harvester controlling them is destroyed. Specials alternate. Drops: Greating Stone The Party: Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) Level 31.25 Paladin *Immune to Darkness-, Fire-elemental; Immune to Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness* *Pierces SP From Front Row* *SP Ignored From Back Row* *Encouraged!* Power: 50 Power Bonus: 5 Defense: 10 Health: 1/54 Ether: 30/30 Gold: 808 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) 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), 2x Mead, x2 Nostrum, Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, Hair of the Dog • 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 25.66 Witch Defence: 2 Health: 26/41 (7+24+8+2) Ether: 30/31 (1+24+4+2) Gold: 680 Equipment: Oculoid Palm (WP: 11, successful hits lowers the target's level by 1; coils around the users arm when outside of battle, whip), 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: 8, disregards SP, longsword), Heirloom Dagger (WP: 3), Rusty Dagger (WP: 2, deals poisoned by 10 effect, breaks after 3 uses) *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 x5, 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), Grating Stone *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 19 *Blessed* *Transcended* *Immune to Sealing, Bleeding, and Confused* Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 2 Health: 27/27 Ether: 20/20 Gold: 758 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 x2, 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 Summons: Nilrem (Paladin Armor, Lightning Armor, Demon Armor) Mortimer "Em" Mahzan (Em) *Reinforced!* *Half-Blind!* Unknown age human male Warden Level 18 Power Bonus: 5 Defense: 25 (50) Health: 36/37 Gold: 86 Equipment: Aquabow (WP: 7, Water-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, Potion x3, Remedy x2, Venom, Grand Potion x5, Mead x2, Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, 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), Old Whip (WP: 10/20 against Beasts) 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 Druid *Party Leader!* *Hastened!* Power: 38 Health: 37/37 Ether: 26/26 Gold: 195 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), 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) Inventory: *Qlice (WP: 8, club, permanent Poison 4), Longbow (WP:7), Quick bow (WP: 6, bow, provides hastened effect for one round each battle) *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, 6 Mead, 4 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 Johon [AKA Alf Gregory] (Bricksandparts) 25 years old male human Barbarian > Raider *Lucky!* *Hastened!* Level: 30.5 Power Bonus: +0 (0art+0perm) Health: 14/44 (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: 2898 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) Consumables: Potions (25), Grand Potions (18), Tonics (0), Grand Tonics (1), Health Cores (1), Phoenix Essences (2), Remedies (9), Mead (14), Smelling Salts (17), Nostrums 15), 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) 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) "No..." Masson Cour, 26 years old, Level 50.2 Paragon *Poison 25!* HP: 15/70 SP: 5 Power Bonus: 5 Gold: 50 Equipment: Zandatsu (WP: 12, Longsword, suitable to Masson only, each succesful hit lowers target's Level/SP by 1) Syndicate Cowl Deluxe (SP: 5, Headwear, suitable to Masson only), Syndicate Uniform (+5 power, Bodywear), Quickdraw Sheathe (1/6 chance of starting every battle Hastened, Backwear), Wedding Ring (Immune to Enamored, Suitable to Masson only, cannot be dequipped, Accesory) Inventory: Spare Dagger (WP: 8), Remedy x3, Grand Potion x3 "It's about *wheeze* time..." Punii, Level 20.33 Alchemist HP: 6/36 SP: 3 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, Military Grade Light Bomb , Bad Breath

"I don't need to hex you in order to break you, Karie. You are immune to one of our many tools... I suppose I cannot deny that. But I do wish you could see what you look like right now. I just wish you could see how unhinged you look. Is that an actual smile, Karie? or are you covering something? Your crippling fear? Over what? That I'll retell you some of your "favorite" memories? That I'll emotionally deconstruct you, just like my underlings did in the forest? Perhaps I'll give you another scar on that simply inadequate body of yours, or brand you once again with a symbol of pure humiliation? Or maybe you are afraid that I'll turn one of your allies, your firneds, against you? Because I can. There are so many things I can do, Karie. I like to consider myself a multimedia artist, you know. I can break you and put the shards of your psyche back together without even having to use a single hex! Wonderful, isn't it? I already did it to Mortimer, in a way. Look at him. He's on the brink, and all he needs is the tiniest little shove and I bet he'll lose it. You teeter on the edge as well, Karie."

"He's an entity of darkness, Johon. Gladius wouldn't leave a scratch."

QM Note: Nope, those were "Destructive" grade, or something similar. Military Grade has been 10 damage throughout several quests. Can someone specify an action for Johon?

"Uh, no, it only does 10 damage... I mean, it'd destroy two of his tentacles and do an okay number on the rest, but it's no *cough* big game changer." QM Note: Bricksandparts, choose your target and this round can get rolling!

"Aww, I hope I didn't already snap your psyche like a twig. I know we Oculoids just get right under your skin, Karie. I'd hate to lose this guilty pleasure so quickly. Besides, can't really shut out a psychic, am I right?" QM Note: Could someone specify a BO/NPC actions?

Seerus looms over the party, glaring down at the carnage he was causing. "The Witch seems to be experiencing sensory overload. Was seeing Em's - no, excuse me, Mortimer's - eye blown out, followed by The Harvester, too much for your lecherous little brain? I bet the tattoo on your back is all tingly too, Mrs. Alderflask-Cour. That's because you currently have the honor of being in the presence of drawing it in the first place! Quite the design, isn't it? Shame I'll have to destroy my own artwork when I end this charade, though. Pity. Part of the job description, I suppose..."

Ah, that's true too. Alchemist, too. Yeah, I prefer the way it is now, simply because it's clear, concise, doesn't have a chance of messing you up, and doesn't take away poential good 4 rolls.

By that ruling, though, I might roll an Aim, reroll, and then get a Special, or so on. It makes Lucky way too volatile.

"I have a *wheeze* Military Grade lightbomb I could throw."

That's a fair point - I suppose it should be longer battles but shorter overall. If you let me get my hands on some enemy stats, I would gladly make them murder machines for you.

I was sort of hoping the reInnovation would make things quicker and deadlier, not longer lasting.

That's true, I suppose. Still, it'd be a tad wasteful.

QM Note: I'll allow that on the grounds of being exceedingly clever. He'll get the Boomingham-healed 1/6 version though, not the standard 1/2 version we had originally planned.

"You're about to be lit on fire. Plus, the Redhead and the Paladin are currently nearly out cold. I take it battle analysis rests with your comrades, then."

That was easily the best hilarious and deadly outcome that round could've possibly had in 105.

"This place is sacred to us Oculoids, you know - we call this cavern the White Devil's Cradle, for in this very mineshaft Prometheus tore his soul into pieces and became The Regret! It's poetic, really... You shall die where The Regret began!" Round One of The Artist's Trails! >Em VS Seerus (back): Critical Hit (7x2=14+18=32+5=37-7=30 damage) >Johon VS Red Tentacle (left) (back): Special Damage Shield: Ravage (90 gold earned, 13x2=26+30=56/2=28 damage to all enemies!) >Johon VS Red Tentacle (right) (back): Hit Shield: Ravage (90 gold earned, 13x2=26+30=56/2=28 damage to all enemies!) >Boomingham VS Left Harvester (front): Critical Hit (14x2=28+31=59+5=64x2=128-4=124 damage) >Erdathcath VS Right Harvester (back): Special Damage Critical Hit (16x2=32+21=53 damage) >Jeaux VS Blue Tentacle (left) (back): Hit (19+13=32 damage) >Erdathcath VS Blue Tentacle (right) (back): Special Damage Critical Hit (16x2=32+21=53 damage) >Karie VS Crusher Tentacle (left) (back): Special Damage (Karie and Boomingham reduced to 1 HP, Crusher Tentacle and Red Tentacle Left reduced to 1 HP.) >Masson VS Blue Tentacle (left) (back): Critical Hit (12x2=24+50=74+5=79/2=40 damage) >Punii VS Blue Tentacle (left) (back): Special Damage (Pyrotechnic Paint) >Crusher Claw (Right) VS Em: No damage! >Em's missing eye: No effect! >Blue Tentacle and Harvesters take Poison damage >Blue Tentacle (left) loses 35 max HP Warning: The battlefield is covered in explosive paint! (First three heroes in the BO take an automatic 30 damage, heroes cannot be hurt by the paint twice.) The round at first goes fairly well. Johon unleashes Muckraker on Seerus, weakening his limbs. The party continues to barrage the demonic leader, the assault going fairly well... Until Seerus starts getting serious. A tentacle lunges at Karie, picking her up and tossing her at Boomingham; her Witch magic manages to severely weaken two of Seeru's tentacles. Karie's triumph is quickly dashed, however, as she crashes into Boomingham. Masson looks on in dismay as he parries one of the tentacles. Punii attempts to flank one of Seerus' more volatile limbs, only for the battlefield to be doused in pyrotechnic paint. "Oooh, this is interesting!" Seerus, Level 90 Demon HP: 2328/2400 SP: 7 Immune to Sealing, Fast Asleep, Hexed and Weakened! Specials: Canvas Curse: Seerus uses his magic to raises a stone slab from the ground, and uses the Canvas Curse to trap the hero who rolled Special Damage within it. The trapped hero cannot act until the canvas is destroyed. Mind Reader: Seerus reads the mind of the hero who rolled Special Damage, predicting their moves. For the next two rounds, any enemy they attack will counterstrike them. Succumbing Sonar: Seerus ensnares the mind of a random hero with his words, dealing 50 damage and Hexing them. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Acidic: On rolls of damage and free hits, Seerus reduces the SP of the damaged hero by 25%, rounded down. Drops: Oculoid Fireworks x3, 150 gold, Ectoplasm Crusher Tentacle (Left), Level 75 Demon HP: 1/450 SP: 4 Immune to Weakened! Specials: Smasher: The Crusher Tentacle picks up the hero who rolls Special Damage and smashes him into another random hero. Both are reduced to 1 HP. Pin Down: The Crusher Tentacle pins down the hero who rolls Special Damage. The hero is stuck in the tentacle's grasp, made Slow and Poisoned 10 until the claw is destroyed. If HP is above 200, Smasher is used. If not, Pin Down is used. Passive Specials: Dismemberment: Destroying this tentacle does 150 damage (disregarding Fragile) to Seerus. Drops: Mead Crusher Tentacle (Right), Level 75 Demon HP: 402/450 SP: 4 Immune to Weakened! Specials: Smasher: The Crusher Tentacle picks up the hero who rolls Special Damage and smashes him into another random hero. Both are reduced to 1 HP. Pin Down: The Crusher Tentacle pins down the hero who rolls Special Damage. The hero is stuck in the tentacle's grasp, made Slow and Poisoned 10 until the claw is destroyed. If HP is above 200, Smasher is used. If not, Pin Down is used. Passive Specials: Dismemberment: Destroying this tentacle does 150 damage (disregarding Fragile) to Seerus. Drops: Mead Blue Tentacle (Left), Level 54 Demon *Weakened! 3 rounds remain* *Poison 7!* *Cursed!* HP: 215/315 Immune to Blindness and Sealing! Specials: Pyro Paint: Seerus douses the battlefield in a coating of pyrotechnic paint, which explodes into a multicolored flame the next round. The first three heroes in the battle order next round take 30 damage, disregarding row and SP. Chemical Jab: The Blue Tentacle stabs the hero who rolled Special Damage, giving them the Poison 25 effect. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Acidic: On rolls of damage and free hits, Seerus reduces the SP of the damaged hero by 25%, rounded down. Dismemberment: Destroying this tentacle does 150 damage (disregarding Fragile) to Seerus. Drops: Deadly Venom Blue Tentacle (Right), Level 55 Demon *Weakened! 3 rounds remain* *Confused! 3 rounds remaining* *Poison 7!* HP: 234/350 Immune to Blindness and Sealing! Specials: Pyro Paint: Seerus douses the battlefield in a coating of pyrotechnic paint, which explodes into a multicolored flame the next round. The first three heroes in the battle order next round take 30 damage, disregarding row and SP. Chemical Jab: The Blue Tentacle stabs the hero who rolled Special Damage, giving them the Poison 25 effect. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Acidic: On rolls of damage and free hits, Seerus reduces the SP of the damaged hero by 25%, rounded down. Dismemberment: Destroying this tentacle does 150 damage (disregarding Fragile) to Seerus. Drops: Deadly Venom Red Tentacle (Left), Level 70 Demon *Weakened! 3 rounds remain* HP: 1/350 Specials: Pyro Paint: Seerus douses the battlefield in a coating of pyrotechnic paint, which explodes into a multicolored flame the next round. The first three heroes in the battle order next round take 30 damage, disregarding row and SP. Tentacle Sweep: Seerus sweeps the entire battlefield with his tentacles, all heroes taking damage equal to their level. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Dismemberment: Destroying this tentacle does 150 damage (disregarding Fragile) to Seerus. Drops: Military Grade Fire Bomb Red Tentacle (Right), Level 70 Demon *Weakened! 3 rounds remain* HP: 294/350 Specials: Pyro Paint: Seerus douses the battlefield in a coating of pyrotechnic paint, which explodes into a multicolored flame the next round. The first three heroes in the battle order next round take 30 damage, disregarding row and SP. Tentacle Sweep: Seerus sweeps the entire battlefield with his tentacles, all heroes taking damage equal to their level. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Dismemberment: Destroying this tentacle does 150 damage (disregarding Fragile) to Seerus. Drops: Military Grade Fire Bomb The Harvester (Left), Level 65 Mechanical *Bleeding! 5 damage* *Poison 10!* HP: 213/400 SP: 4 Immune to Hexed and Weakened! Specials: Beaten Senseless: The Harvester bludgeons the hero who rolled Special Damage, reducing them to 1 HP and making them Blind, Fragile, and Doomed. Potent Hexing: The Harvester steals the common sense of a random hero, Hexing them until the Harvester controlling them is destroyed. Specials alternate. Drops: Greating Stone The Harvester (Right), Level 65 Mechanical *Confused! 3 rounds remaining* *Poison 7!* HP: 292/400 SP: 4 Immune to Hexed and Weakened! Specials: Beaten Senseless: The Harvester bludgeons the hero who rolled Special Damage, reducing them to 1 HP and making them Blind, Fragile, and Doomed. Potent Hexing: The Harvester steals the common sense of a random hero, Hexing them until the Harvester controlling them is destroyed. Specials alternate. Drops: Greating Stone The Party: Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) Level 31.25 Paladin *Immune to Darkness-, Fire-elemental; Immune to Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness* *Pierces SP From Front Row* *SP Ignored From Back Row* *Encouraged!* Power: 50 Power Bonus: 5 Defense: 10 Health: 1/54 Ether: 30/30 Gold: 808 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) 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), 2x Mead, x2 Nostrum, Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, Hair of the Dog • 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 25.66 Witch Defence: 2 Health: 1/41 (7+24+8+2) Ether: 30/31 (1+24+4+2) Gold: 680 Equipment: Oculoid Palm (WP: 11, successful hits lowers the target's level by 1; coils around the users arm when outside of battle, whip), 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: 8, disregards SP, longsword), Heirloom Dagger (WP: 3), Rusty Dagger (WP: 2, deals poisoned by 10 effect, breaks after 3 uses) *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 x3, Tonic, Grand Tonic x5, Remedy x5, Phoenix Essence x5, 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), Grating Stone *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 19 *Blessed* *Transcended* *Immune to Sealing, Bleeding, and Confused* Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 2 Health: 27/27 Ether: 20/20 Gold: 758 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 x2, 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 Summons: Nilrem (Paladin Armor, Lightning Armor, Demon Armor) Mortimer "Em" Mahzan (Em) *Reinforced!* *Half-Blind!* Unknown age human male Warden Level 18 Power Bonus: 5 Defense: 25 (50) Health: 36/37 Gold: 86 Equipment: Aquabow (WP: 7, Water-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, Potion x3, Remedy x2, Venom, Grand Potion x5, Mead x2, Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, 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), Old Whip (WP: 10/20 against Beasts) 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 Druid *Party Leader!* *Hastened!* Power: 38 Health: 37/37 Ether: 26/26 Gold: 195 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), 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) Inventory: *Qlice (WP: 8, club, permanent Poison 4), Longbow (WP:7), Quick bow (WP: 6, bow, provides hastened effect for one round each battle) *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, 6 Mead, 4 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 Johon [AKA Alf Gregory] (Bricksandparts) 25 years old male human Barbarian > Raider *Lucky!* *Hastened!* Level: 30.5 Power Bonus: +0 (0art+0perm) Health: 44/44 (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: 2898 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) Consumables: Potions (25), Grand Potions (18), Tonics (0), Grand Tonics (1), Health Cores (1), Phoenix Essences (2), Remedies (9), Mead (14), Smelling Salts (17), Nostrums 15), 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) 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) "No..." Masson Cour, 26 years old, Level 50.2 Paragon HP: 70/70 SP: 5 Power Bonus: 5 Gold: 50 Equipment: Zandatsu (WP: 12, Longsword, suitable to Masson only, each succesful hit lowers target's Level/SP by 1) Syndicate Cowl Deluxe (SP: 5, Headwear, suitable to Masson only), Syndicate Uniform (+5 power, Bodywear), Quickdraw Sheathe (1/6 chance of starting every battle Hastened, Backwear), Wedding Ring (Immune to Enamored, Suitable to Masson only, cannot be dequipped, Accesory) Inventory: Spare Dagger (WP: 8), Remedy x3, Grand Potion x3 "It's about *wheeze* time..." Punii, Level 20.33 Alchemist HP: 36/36 SP: 3 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, Military Grade Light Bomb , Bad Breath

Fields of Glory trips have lasted about 6 months in the past. Nothing would be accomplished in 5 days.

QM Note: What weapon will Johon be using? If nobodoy answers in a bit, I'll assume Muckraker.