Endgame

Masson holds his wife close. "Not the honeymoon I had in mind, ma cherie, but I can't complain too much." His eyes shift towards Boomingham for a brief moment before returning to Karie. QM Note: I'll stick around for a little while longer in case you want to chat up NPCs, but otherwise, I'll move this along come morning. Also: Zeph and B&P, tell me when your stats are ready.

"Don't Fear The Reaper" was the original quest title! Also: Nstickney, you're somehow confusing the quote system into thinking Flipz is me, somehow?

You can never tell, and I'm sure that's part of the joy of playing/responding to Boomingham.

"I'd support *wheeze* Erdy as our Party Leader. Back in the Colony, she *cough* helped out a lot when we were fighting Iris." "...Point taken, Mr. Boomingham." says the Sand Queen, choosing her words carefully.

The Sand Queen frowns. "I do wish you luck Mr. Boomingham, but Heroica isn't exactly an army. I hope you'll respect our occasional lack of transparency, but do know that this system is going to change on a whim."

"...I think not, unfortunately." The Sand Queen mutters something borderline inaudible. "Usually these garbs enforce modesty..."

There is a hint of sharpness in the Sand Queen's voice, and an unmistakable authority. "Although your special brand of "politness" is appreciated, Mr. Boomingham, I would encourage you to focus on the task at hand here. As for how we Veterans operate... I think you'll agree that that is something veterans and veterans alone should know."

You will, don't worry. We've actually gotten through that bit far faster than anticipated, though...

I never said Throlar would win, it'd just make the odds less skewed.

It's a tube of colored sugar sold as candy. I'm serious. Although, hm, something sugar based may be a good consumable down the road...

You'll get your chance to be the big bad wolf in the field of little bunnies eventually, don't fret.

Hey, I'm actually quite looking forward to the overhaul.

Masson takes note of Karie's apparent hangover. "Need a remedy, ma cherie? I brought a couple... And yes, Erdathcath, I believe we did meet on Goland. The Minoid is doing just fine there, or so I've heard. He learned a lot from you and your crew back there." The Veteran seems to be relieved that the standoff had defused itself, and continues. "Since it appears that you're all here, there is something I'd very much like to emphasize: The Regret's legions, despite their inherent wickedness, display excellent cooperation. His entire army acts in almost perfect unity. After all, all of his followers are either made by him or mercilessly brainwashed into servitude, from what we know. There is no dissent within his ranks, and you must be wary of that. Any sort of weakness or tension in your group will allow The Regret to pry your party apart. You musn't let this happen. In terms of The Regret himself... He organized a - thankfully stopped - genocide, mass produced a horde of demons, commissioned a brainwashing program on humans, enslaved half of his own species, and created a living warmachine. He also has enough magical might to censor my visions of his island, something which is... concerning, to say the very least. He is a formidable foe, heroes." "You can *wheeze* say that again... I fought him when he was trying to lose, and he was still *cough* the most powerful thing I've met." The Sand Queen sighs, a somber look on her brow. "And that's... Only his track record for when Heroica knew of him. I've done some research on the manner, and he has always been bringing darkness to our world for a long, long time. The Azzurati called him The Defiler, because of his disregard of everything sacred. Souls, nature... He saw them as his play things. You must stop him, heroes. You must go to his Citadel, his own territory, and put a stop to his machinations before it is too late. However, his Citadel is halfway around the world... But I have a solution to that problem." The Sand Queen pulls out a package, carefully opening it up and unfolding part of the contents. Swift Sail "Something of a gift. You see, I've commisioned a ship, the Excelsus, to bring you to the Northern reaches of Olegaia. Present this sail to the ship's captain, Captain Armstrong. It will allow his ship to sail extraordinarily fast, and hopefully secure you a decent amount of time to stop The Regret from doing whatever he plans. Any questions, heroes?"

Nah, because it spills and gets Lost Forever if Throlar gets KOed in his fight with the rest of 100. (For the record, DO NOT eat a giant Pixy Stick. I learned the hard way that eating too much sugar burns.)

Unikitty just has to give Throlar this: Extra Extra Extra Large Pixy Stick: Gives the consumer 14 turns per round.

I actually plan to have a few Rito down the line! No class option, unfortunately, due to reasons.

Because the complicated speech pattern of the U'kin which is complicated has gotten you addicted to the complicated addicting speech pattern of the U'kin.

Masson looks at Jeaux, befuddled. "But... Jeaux, you were at my wedding last night, you saw me- wait. Oh, Ennoc... You've never gotten my real name back then or seen my face, have you?" Masson removes the hood. "Is this a more familiar face? I've... reformed, Jeaux. Karie and I are married now."

Joeshmoe, I hadn't realized that Jeaux a) never learned The Stealer's name and b) never saw him unmasked. Gotta say, you're excellent at remembering character interactions.

"About the *wheeze* same... Nervous, though. Very, *cough* very, nervous..."

"I see some of you are nervous - and some of you are rather motivated. Be careful, Heroes - The Regret has manipulated the emotions of the Heroes in past, you must keep yourselves in che-" At that moment, the door opens, and in steps in two more figures. "Hello, *wheeze* heroes!" "I apologize for being late, I had an... eventful night, last night." He shoots Em and Jeaux knowing clances, and seems to smile warmly towards Karie.

QM Note: Edit your statistics page, and I'll post it here when the time comes. "Very well. Now... Is everyone else here? Your other two allies should be arriving shortly."

"Yes, and he himself organized this quest. When I heard that you were reutnring from the fields and had experience with his forces, I Z-Mailed you... Despite the fact that he posted that quest, I think just sitting idle and allowing him to dictate our fates would be foolish. Do you accept the invitation?"

Sand Queen gives Johon a befuddled look. "Mr. Johon, have you not yet received the Z-Mail I sent you?"