Endgame

Round Four of the Final Battle! >Arthur VS Stalactite A (back): Damage Hit (8+31=39+10x2=98 damage) >Minoid VS Stalactite A (back): Miss >Arthur VS Stalactite A (back): Special Damage Critical Hit (8x2=16+31+10=59x2=118 damage) >Minoid VS Stalactite A (back): Critical Hit (6x2=12+20=32+10=42x4=168 damage) >Erdathcath VS Stalactite A (back): Special Damage Special Damage >Erdathcath VS Stalactite A (back): Damage Hit (15+21=36+10=46x4=184 damage) >Grimwald throws Chaotic Bomb (back): 100x4=400 damage to Monolith's Heart ...?! The party goes in for an all or nothing assault, bombarding Monolith's impaled heart. Grimwald delivers the coup de grace after Arthur, Erdathcath, and the Minoid soften up the pulsating organ, throwing down a Chaotic Bomb. The bomb causes the spikes to plung einto the giant's heart, Monolith staggering backwards and howling in pain. Electiricty begins to course through his body, tendrils of static dancing haphazardly from limb to limb... He spasms and shakes, gripping his weapon tighter and tigher. Finally, steam billows out from his chainsaw spear... and Monolith tears the weapon into two, functional halves. Monolith takes heavy steps towards the heroes, the gargantuan machine shaking the ground with every titanic step. "You've pushed me this far... Well done. But this isn't over. Far from over. Heroes... The Regret has obtained something I don't think humanity ever will. Unity. Perfect unity. His every soldier obeys him to the letter, his entire legion one cohesive unit. With his mind guiding such a powerful force, you will fall at the slightest misstep. Comapred to the perfect cooperation of The Regret's legion, you might as well be fighting alone. Every iota of distrust will weaken you. Any amount of friction or resentment will cripple you. If you hope to ever lay a finger on The Regret's base, the Shadow Citadel, you will have to be nothing short of perfection! Now, heroes. Allow me to be your final test, before this bloodstained saga begins its final act. Let us finish this." Monolith dashes into the fray, and the battle begins anew! Time to end this, once and for all! "STATEMENT: Heroes. We must put Monolith out of his misery. We must. QUERY: A machine that can suffer. Did you ever think it possible? Will I eventually become one...?" The heroes draw their weapons, and prepare for the last bout's climax. "Kill or be killed. Kill or be killed..." Monolith, Level 70 Ancient *Electrocuted!* HP: 400/400 SP: 10 Immune to Blindness and Sealing! Specials: Deadly Discharge: Monolith unleashes a column of light and electricity from his eye, sweeping the battlefield. All heroes receive the Electrified 8 effect, and the hero who rolled Special Damage takes 60 damage. Target Acquired: Monolith fixates on the hero who rolled Special Damage, making them take an automatic free hit from him every round until his head id deactivated. Can stack on multiple heroes. Stalagmite Fright: Monolith slices up the ceiling, causing sharp rocks to tumble onto the heroes. All heroes to 14 damage, disreagrding row and SP. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Major Malfunction: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 25 damage. Drops: Emergency Essence, Topaz Monolith's Heart *UNTARGETTABLE, Invincible?, Immune to all Negative Effects? HP: 1650/1650 Passive Specials: Resurrection: Each body part is resurrected after 3 rounds by the Heart. When the Heart bursts, the battle is won. Surge: Monolith's heart beats wildly, its electricty mechanism on the fritz. Each round, one of Monolith's body parts is Electrocuted at random. Electrocuted body parts defy SP on free hits and rolls of damage, and inflict the *Electrified 3!* to whomever targets it. EMP: If the current round's electrocuted body part is not succesfully hit, Monolith's heart discharges the extra electiricty in the form of an EMP. All heores take damage equal to their level rounded down, disregarding row and SP. Infection: Any negative effects inflicted onto impaled stalagmites are passed onto the heart. The effects wear off when the stalagmite breaks. Drops: Machine Heart Mortar Cannon, Level 48 Ancient HP: 300/300 Immune to Sleep and Sealing! Specials: Bomb Barrage: Monolith launches off a series of explosives; this does anywhere from 10 to 20 damage disregarding row and SP, decided by a random number generator. Smokescreen: The Mortar Cannon releases some smog, making itself Hastened and Counterstriking for a round. Additionally, the hero who rolled Special Damage recieves the Poison 10 effect. Specials alternate. Passive Specials: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 10 damage. Malfunction: Drops: 150 gold Left Hand, Level 44 Ancient HP: 250/250 Immune to Sleep, Jinxing and Sealing! Specials: Scissor Slash: Monolith catches the party in between both of his blades, slicing them open. All heores have their HP and ether halved, and all heores ahve a 1/3 chance of losing their positive effects. Speed Break: Monolith increases his already impressive agility, Hastening both of his hands for a round. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Brutal Bludgeon: On rolls of damage and Free hits, the hero is made Weakened. Malfunction: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 10 damage. Drops: Neutralizer Right Hand, Level 44 Ancient HP: 250/250 Immune to Sleep, Jinxing and Sealing! Specials: Scissor Slash: Monolith catches the party in between both of his blades, slicing them open. All heores have their HP and ether halved, and all heores ahve a 1/3 chance of losing their positive effects. Tremor: With the force of an earthquake, Monolith slams both of his blades into the ground. The hero who rolled Special Damage, and all of the heroes above him/her, recieve 50 damage. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Brutal Bludgeon: On rolls of damage and Free hits, the hero is made Fragile. Malfunction: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 10 damage. Drops: Tiger Balm Needle Cavern Roof, Level 0 Ancient (Can only be hit by ranged attacks) Damage Recieved: (0 stalagmites dropped) Immune to Poison, Fragile and Bleeding! Specials: Spike Drop: A spike plummets into the hero's body, making them fragile until it is destroyed. Passive Specials: Controlled Collapse: Every 75 damage the roof recieves, a stalagmite is dislodged that plummets into Monolith's heart. Each stalagmite lasts 2 rounds, and can be attacked. Any damage that each stalamgite recives is passed onto the normally invincible Monolith's Heart. The Party: Arthur Justus Regulus VII, a Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (played by Flipz), Level 32.25 Skirmisher, 22-year-old male Human *Immune to Fragile and all Poisons* *Only Receives One Negative Effect At A Time* [ Currently in: Six Thousand Feet Under] *Party Leader!* *Lucky!* *Blessed!* *Hastened!* *Reinforced!* Power: 42 (31 + WP:11) Health: 42/54 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 30 + Class Boost: 15 + Permanent Boost: 4*) Ether: 36/36 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 30) Defense: 20 (Arm Shield: 14 + Duke's Coat-of-Arms: 5 + Unicorn Helmet: 1) Gold: 454 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham) Equipment: Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, Spear, causes bleeding effect), Arm Shield (SP:14), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (Protects against Fragile and all Poisons, SP; 5, suitable for knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators; bodywear), Unicorn Helmet (SP:1; the wearer can only receive one negative effect at a time, with a new effect replacing the old one; usable by barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, regulators, skirmishers, and winged warriors; headwear), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent) Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round) Inventory: Weapons: Zoot's Rebel (WP:20 broomstick, suitable to Arthur only), Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Sword of the Vampir (WP:17, user is Jinxed), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, stuns on successful hits, Hollow halberd),Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear), Dauntlet Index (Spear, WP: 8, WP dobuled against humanoids) (Unsuitable weapons: Ammit (Greatsword, WP 6, gains 5 Ether for each kill), Artifacts: Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Stingy Gloves (Handwear, wearable by everybody. Prevents enemies from ever stealing gold from you.), Minoid Card Key, Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent) Zap-Tap Badge (Artefact, Accessory. Has a 1/2 chance to deal Electric damage to an opponent who has dealt damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level.), (Unsuitable Artifacts: Sticky Gloves (Handwear, Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors) (sent to Isaac Shawe) ) Heavy Armor (SP: 5) Gems: Opal (Ice), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Tools: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass Scrolls: All Lent! Consumables: *Healing: Potion, Tonic, Grand Tonic , Ether Core, Remedy x6, Elixir x3 *Status: Nostrum x2, Hurricane, Mead x2, Ambrosia x2, Jinxy Juice, Blind Fury, Love Potion *Venoms: Exterlate, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the Poisoned-by-10 effect for the duration of the battle and the Confused effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Crumbling Venom (-3 HP/-1 SP per round) *Permanent Improvement: Bright Polish x2, Grating Stone, Ella's Pie (Permanently boosts max. ether by 5 but permanently decreases max. health by 5 when consumed.), *Bombs: Smoke Bomb x5, 3 Bones, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used.), *Currency: Scrap Metal x2, Silver Ore x2 Bookmark is hitching a ride. Erdathcath Madilinas, 199 years old, *Hastened!* Level 22 Druid Power: 37 Health: 36/36 Ether: 7/25 Gold: 620 Equipped: Tritech Handcannon (WP:15, Fire-elemental *Poison 10!*), Satchel of Awesomeness (Permanent Lucky-effect; bodywear), Overkill Gloves, Mage's muffler (protects from sealing), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; suitable to Erdathcath only; accessory), Inventory: Longbow (WP:7), Helmet (+1 max. health), 6 Potions, Grand Potion, 6 Mead, 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, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Saber teeth, Scroll of Weakening, Snake Eye Charm (protects from petrified), , Jinxy Juice, Grand Tonic x2, Love Potion, Blind Fury, Grating Stone, Jinxy Juice, Mythril Shard, Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Silver Ore, Elixir, Emergency Essence, Qlice (WP: 8, permanent Poison 4, Club), Agni Bomb, Sushi 69 year old male gnome Cleric Level: 15 Power: 23 (14 + 8 + permanent boost of 1) SP: 0 Health: 23/23 Ether: 13/19 Gold: 513 Equipment: Knotted Broom (WP: 6), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), Tricorne (SP: 3) Inventory: Shovel, Pickaxe, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sleep, Mead, Remedy x3, Potion x2, Bone x2, Grand Potion, Bunch of Cherries (10/10 cherries that each restore 1 ether when eaten), Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, Ice Bomb, Root beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against Undead enemies for 20 damage (Does not affect non-Undead enemies)), Ambrosia, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the Poisoned 10 effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Luck (Grants target the Lucky-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.), Scroll of Weakening, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Smoke Bomb, Plague Venom, Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics), Tricorne (suitable for anyone, SP: 3, headwear), Grand Tonic x2, Pugilist's Gloves (+2 power/immune to Weakened), Splinter Broom (WP: 8, defies SP), Opal, Amethyst, Diamond, Nostrum, Sushi x2, Smelling Salts, Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear), "STATEMENT: Let us finish this!" Minoid, Level 20.33 Drilling Automaton HP: 32/32 Power: 33 SP: 2 Equipment: Minoid Drill Arm (WP: 13), Iron Shell (SP: 2), Scanning Eye (Allows the Minoid to analyze most foes before battle. If in battle, it can spend a turn to analyze the fight) Inventory: Remedy x2, Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [Phoenix Essence]), Quick bow (WP: 6, Suitable to rangers, provides hastened effect for one round each battle), Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), Grand Potion x2

The numbers on the counter appear to be off, Sandy... Saved: 60/73 If you subtract 6 from 73 (6 being the number dead), you get 67 - or, in other words, 7 people that need to be sent back. We have Noel, Carrot, Sorsha, Drucilla, Hynessamine, Syrio, Brimstone, plus the two language students. That equals 9... "That's more than enough arguing, you two - do the water splashing thing quick, then we're going to have to send the school back."

"Huh. That... I'd actually have to agree with you on that one, Carrot." I lighlty nudge him to see if he stirs.

That is operating under the assumption that Medals of Glory are balanced. Fast Learner is worse, though, because its essentially inseperable. There is no way to dequip it - as long as you are a scholar, there is no shaking off the EXP doubler. So no matter what, Scholars will be progressing twice as fast as any other normal hero, who usually has to scrape and struggle for EXP. Those levels will make a difference, too - they'll get artifacts and other classes much earlier than the bulk of Heroica, only widening the power gap - despite there being people who have played longer, gone on more quests, and completed more battles, Scholars will just surpass them purely because of a single job trait. This all applies to Medals of Glory/Valor, really, but at least they can be dequipped. Also, I hope there will be no "Immune to Negative Effects" monsters if you're gonna introduce a class specifically for dealing them out, Sandy.

"You've done well thus far. Perhaps you do have a glimmer of a chance against him... Entire armies have thought the same, however. They... didn't come back."

If that was the case, he'd totally have at least a few Decamon.

Monolith's head is bigger than Arthur - how big are Grimwald's feet?

I have a whole second phase up my sleeve, y'know.

QM Note: I did roll for all scenarios described - sorry, you're more or less stuck with this. Round Three of the Final Battle! >Arthur uses an Elixir on Grimwald (back) >Erdathcath uses a Smelling Salts on Arthur (back) >Erdathcath VS Mortar Cannon (back): Hit Shield: Roots of Life (15+21=36 HP healed) >Grimwald casts Frailty on Stalagmite A (back): Success! >Grimwald VS Stalagmite A (back): Critical Hit (8x2=16+15=31+10x4=164 damage) >Arthur drinks Ambrosia from Hollow Blade >Arthur VS Right Hand (back): Hit Critical Hit (3x2=6+30=36 damage) >Minoid VS Stalagmite A (back): Hit (6+20=26+10=36x4=144 damage) >Monolith VS Arthur (back): 64/2=32-40=0 damage The party gracefully recovers from their previous barrage at Monolith's hands; Erdathcath summons up the Roots of Life, and the Minoid and Grimwald launch an assault at Monolith's imapled heart. The Minoid drives an arrow in with an arrow, while Grimwald rams into it, causing quite a system shock. "That... hurts... There must be cleaner way to do this, heroes... please...!" Monolith, Level 64 Ancient HP: 328/400 SP: 10 Immune to Blindness and Sealing! Specials: Deadly Discharge: Monolith unleashes a column of light and electricity from his eye, sweeping the battlefield. All heroes receive the Electrified 8 effect, and the hero who rolled Special Damage takes 60 damage. Target Acquired: Monolith fixates on the hero who rolled Special Damage, making them take an automatic free hit from him every round until his head id deactivated. Can stack on multiple heroes. Stalagmite Fright: Monolith slices up the ceiling, causing sharp rocks to tumble onto the heroes. All heroes to 14 damage, disreagrding row and SP. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Major Malfunction: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 25 damage. Drops: Emergency Essence, Topaz Monolith's Heart *UNTARGETTABLE, Invincible?, Immune to all Negative Effects? *Fragile from Stalagmite A!* HP: 792/1100 Passive Specials: Resurrection: Each body part is resurrected after 3 rounds by the Heart. When the Heart bursts, the battle is won. Endgame Syndrome: Activates when the Heart's HP hits zero... Infection: Any negative effects inflicted onto impaled stalagmites are passed onto the heart. The effects wear off when the stalagmite breaks. Drops: Machine Heart Stalagmite A, Level 0 Ancient Damage Recieved: 308 Turns Remaining: 2 Heroes do not give or recieve damage on rolls of Damage and Special Damage. Stalagmite B, Level 0 Ancient Damage Recieved: 0 Turns Remaining: 2 Heroes do not give or recieve damage on rolls of Damage and Special Damage. Mortar Cannon, Level 48 Ancient *Jinxed!* *Bleeding!* HP: 23/300 Immune to Sleep and Sealing! Specials: Bomb Barrage: Monolith launches off a series of explosives; this does anywhere from 10 to 20 damage disregarding row and SP, decided by a random number generator. Smokescreen: The Mortar Cannon releases some smog, making itself Hastened and Counterstriking for a round. Additionally, the hero who rolled Special Damage recieves the Poison 10 effect. Specials alternate. Passive Specials: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 10 damage. Malfunction: Drops: 150 gold Left Hand, Level 44 Ancient *Under Repair! 3 rounds remaining* HP: 0/250 Immune to Sleep and Sealing! Specials: Slice and Dice: Monolith tears through the party with his massive chainsaw spear. All heroes have their Health and Ether cut in half, and receive the Bleeding 5 effect. Dirt Nap: Monolith slams the hero who rolled Special Damage into the ground. That hero is reduced to 1 HP, becomes Doomed, and has all of their artifacts unequipped. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Brutal Bludgeon: On rolls of damage and Free hits, the hero is made Weakened. Malfunction: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 10 damage. Drops: Neutralizer Right Hand, Level 44 Ancient *Poison 10!* *Confused!* HP: 111/250 Immune to Sleep and Sealing! Specials: Slice and Dice: Monolith tears through the party with his massive chainsaw spear. All heroes have their Health and Ether cut in half, and receive the Bleeding 5 effect. Skewer: Monolith stabs the hero who rolled Special Damage, reducing their max health by 5 for the rest of the battle and doing 48 damage. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Brutal Bludgeon: On rolls of damage and Free hits, the hero is made Fragile. Malfunction: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 10 damage. Drops: Tiger Balm Needle Cavern Roof, Level 0 Ancient (Can only be hit by ranged attacks) Damage Recieved: (150 damage) (2 stalagmites dropped) Immune to Poison, Fragile and Bleeding! Specials: Spike Drop: A spike plummets into the hero's body, making them fragile until it is destroyed. Passive Specials: Controlled Collapse: Every 75 damage the roof recieves, a stalagmite is dislodged that plummets into Monolith's heart. Each stalagmite lasts 2 rounds, and can be attacked. Any damage that each stalamgite recives is passed onto the normally invincible Monolith's Heart. The Party: Arthur Justus Regulus VII, a Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (played by Flipz), Level 32.25 Skirmisher, 22-year-old male Human *Immune to Fragile and all Poisons* *Only Receives One Negative Effect At A Time* [ Currently in: Six Thousand Feet Under] *Party Leader!* *Lucky!* *Blessed!* *Hastened!* *Reinforced!* Power: 42 (31 + WP:11) Health: 42/54 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 30 + Class Boost: 15 + Permanent Boost: 4*) Ether: 36/36 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 30) Defense: 20 (Arm Shield: 14 + Duke's Coat-of-Arms: 5 + Unicorn Helmet: 1) Gold: 454 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham) Equipment: Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, Spear, causes bleeding effect), Arm Shield (SP:14), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (Protects against Fragile and all Poisons, SP; 5, suitable for knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators; bodywear), Unicorn Helmet (SP:1; the wearer can only receive one negative effect at a time, with a new effect replacing the old one; usable by barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, regulators, skirmishers, and winged warriors; headwear), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent) Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round) Inventory: Weapons: Zoot's Rebel (WP:20 broomstick, suitable to Arthur only), Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Sword of the Vampir (WP:17, user is Jinxed), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, stuns on successful hits, Hollow halberd),Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear), Dauntlet Index (Spear, WP: 8, WP dobuled against humanoids) (Unsuitable weapons: Ammit (Greatsword, WP 6, gains 5 Ether for each kill), Artifacts: Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Stingy Gloves (Handwear, wearable by everybody. Prevents enemies from ever stealing gold from you.), Minoid Card Key, Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent) Zap-Tap Badge (Artefact, Accessory. Has a 1/2 chance to deal Electric damage to an opponent who has dealt damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level.), (Unsuitable Artifacts: Sticky Gloves (Handwear, Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors) (sent to Isaac Shawe) ) Heavy Armor (SP: 5) Gems: Opal (Ice), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Tools: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass Scrolls: All Lent! Consumables: *Healing: Potion, Tonic, Grand Tonic , Ether Core, Remedy x6, Elixir x3 *Status: Nostrum x2, Hurricane, Mead x2, Ambrosia x2, Jinxy Juice, Blind Fury, Love Potion *Venoms: Exterlate, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the Poisoned-by-10 effect for the duration of the battle and the Confused effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Crumbling Venom (-3 HP/-1 SP per round) *Permanent Improvement: Bright Polish x2, Grating Stone, Ella's Pie (Permanently boosts max. ether by 5 but permanently decreases max. health by 5 when consumed.), *Bombs: Smoke Bomb x5, 3 Bones, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used.), *Currency: Scrap Metal x2, Silver Ore x2 Bookmark is hitching a ride. Erdathcath Madilinas, 199 years old, *Hastened!* Level 22 Druid Power: 37 Health: 36/36 Ether: 7/25 Gold: 620 Equipped: Tritech Handcannon (WP:15, Fire-elemental *Poison 10!*), Satchel of Awesomeness (Permanent Lucky-effect; bodywear), Overkill Gloves, Mage's muffler (protects from sealing), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; suitable to Erdathcath only; accessory), Inventory: Longbow (WP:7), Helmet (+1 max. health), 6 Potions, Grand Potion, 6 Mead, 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, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Saber teeth, Scroll of Weakening, Snake Eye Charm (protects from petrified), , Jinxy Juice, Grand Tonic x2, Love Potion, Blind Fury, Grating Stone, Jinxy Juice, Mythril Shard, Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Silver Ore, Elixir, Emergency Essence, Qlice (WP: 8, permanent Poison 4, Club), Agni Bomb, Sushi 69 year old male gnome Cleric Level: 15 Power: 23 (14 + 8 + permanent boost of 1) SP: 0 Health: 23/23 Ether: 13/19 Gold: 513 Equipment: Knotted Broom (WP: 6), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), Tricorne (SP: 3) Inventory: Shovel, Pickaxe, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sleep, Mead, Remedy x3, Potion x2, Bone x2, Grand Potion, Bunch of Cherries (10/10 cherries that each restore 1 ether when eaten), Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, Ice Bomb, Root beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against Undead enemies for 20 damage (Does not affect non-Undead enemies)), Ambrosia, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the Poisoned 10 effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Luck (Grants target the Lucky-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.), Scroll of Weakening, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Smoke Bomb, Plague Venom, Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics), Tricorne (suitable for anyone, SP: 3, headwear), Grand Tonic x2, Pugilist's Gloves (+2 power/immune to Weakened), Splinter Broom (WP: 8, defies SP), Opal, Amethyst, Diamond, Nostrum, Sushi x2, Smelling Salts, Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear), "This ends..." Minoid, Level 20.33 Drilling Automaton HP: 32/32 Power: 33 SP: 2 Equipment: Minoid Drill Arm (WP: 13), Iron Shell (SP: 2), Scanning Eye (Allows the Minoid to analyze most foes before battle. If in battle, it can spend a turn to analyze the fight) Inventory: Remedy x2, Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [Phoenix Essence]), Quick bow (WP: 6, Suitable to rangers, provides hastened effect for one round each battle), Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), Grand Potion x2

Aww, I wanted my villains to call heroes more derogatary things than just "bastard".

What magical powers have allowed you to bypass the swear filter? (I can't find the setting...) And yes, I believe she has been stated to be a female grumpkin.

"We know that you took the keys and locked yourselves in here before the demons arrived. You can tell us what happened - we even sent the rogues off nice and healthy for helvetia's sake, and they were holding a teacher hostage. So, tell us. Now."

I step back. "...Do what you must."

"Just... Just pull up th covers and hope they realize we weren't screaming in pain..." I would agree.

I onceal my emotions as well as I can, wanting to recieve the most rational reply I can. "Killing you won't fix the school and return it Eubric, will it? Just put you out of your misery."

"Then let us begin..." Round One of the Final Battle! >Arthur VS The Mortar Cannon (back): Damage Critical Hit (20x2=40+31=71 damage) >Minoid VS The Mortar Cannon (back): Critical Hit (13x2=26+20=46x2=92 damage) >Grimwald VS Needle Cavern Roof (back): Hit (8+15=23x2=46 damage) >Erdathcath VS Left Hand (back): Hit Critical Hit (15x2=30+21=51x2=102 damage) >Erdathcath VS Right Hand (back): Damage Aim (21 damage) >Monolith VS Arthur (back): 64/2=32-20=12 damage The party does well in its first clash against the gargantuan foe. Monolith keeps a watchful eye on the heroes, but the group moves in almost perfect synchronization. They carefully avoid his constantly barrage of calculated strikes, the party narrowley dodging a swift dismemberment several times over. Minoid and Arthur team up against Monolith's mortar cannon, dodging its spray of bombs and returning fire. Grimwald aims for the ceiling, ramming into it with his Splinter Broom. Erdathcath ducks and weaves through a series of monolith's attacks, hitting each of his hands. "Hmm. Well done." Monolith, Level 64 Ancient HP: 400/400 SP: 10 Immune to Blindness and Sealing! Specials: Deadly Discharge: Monolith unleashes a column of light and electricity from his eye, sweeping the battlefield. All heroes receive the Electrified 8 effect, and the hero who rolled Special Damage takes 60 damage. Target Acquired: Monolith fixates on the hero who rolled Special Damage, making them take an automatic free hit from him every round until his head id deactivated. Can stack on multiple heroes. Stalagmite Fright: Monolith slices up the ceiling, causing sharp rocks to tumble onto the heroes. All heroes to 14 damage, disreagrding row and SP. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Major Malfunction: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 25 damage. Drops: Emergency Essence, Topaz Monolith's Heart *UNTARGETTABLE, Invincible?, Immune to all Negative Effects? HP: 1100/1100 Passive Specials: Resurrection: Each body part is resurrected after 3 rounds by the Heart. When the Heart bursts, the battle is won. Endgame Syndrome: Activates when the Heart's HP hits zero... Infection: Any negative effects inflicted onto impaled stalagmites are passed onto the heart. The effects wear off when the stalagmite breaks. Drops: Machine Heart Mortar Cannon, Level 48 Ancient *Jinxed!* HP: 133/300 Immune to Sleep and Sealing! Specials: Bomb Barrage: Monolith launches off a series of explosives; this does anywhere from 10 to 20 damage disregarding row and SP, decided by a random number generator. Smokescreen: The Mortar Cannon releases some smog, making itself Hastened and Counterstriking for a round. Additionally, the hero who rolled Special Damage recieves the Poison 10 effect. Specials alternate. Passive Specials: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 10 damage. Malfunction: Drops: 150 gold Left Hand, Level 44 Ancient *Poison 10!* *Confused!* HP: 128/250 Immune to Sleep and Sealing! Specials: Slice and Dice: Monolith tears through the party with his massive chainsaw spear. All heroes have their Health and Ether cut in half, and receive the Bleeding 5 effect. Dirt Nap: Monolith slams the hero who rolled Special Damage into the ground. That hero is reduced to 1 HP, becomes Doomed, and has all of their artifacts unequipped. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Brutal Bludgeon: On rolls of damage and Free hits, the hero is made Weakened. Malfunction: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 10 damage. Drops: Neutralizer Right Hand, Level 44 Ancient *Poison 10!* *Confused!* HP: 219/250 Immune to Sleep and Sealing! Specials: Slice and Dice: Monolith tears through the party with his massive chainsaw spear. All heroes have their Health and Ether cut in half, and receive the Bleeding 5 effect. Skewer: Monolith stabs the hero who rolled Special Damage, reducing their max health by 5 for the rest of the battle and doing 48 damage. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Brutal Bludgeon: On rolls of damage and Free hits, the hero is made Fragile. Malfunction: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 10 damage. Drops: Tiger Balm Needle Cavern Roof, Level 0 Ancient (Can only be hit by ranged attacks) Damage Recieved: (46 damage) (0 stalagmites dropped) Immune to Poison, Fragile and Bleeding! Specials: Spike Drop: A spike plummets into the hero's body, making them fragile until it is destroyed. Passive Specials: Controlled Collapse: Every 75 damage the roof recieves, a stalagmite is dislodged that plummets into Monolith's heart. Each stalagmite lasts 2 rounds, and can be attacked. Any damage that each stalamgite recives is passed onto the normally invincible Monolith's Heart. The Party: Arthur Justus Regulus VII, a Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (played by Flipz), Level 32.25 Skirmisher, 22-year-old male Human *Immune to Fragile and all Poisons* *Only Receives One Negative Effect At A Time* [ Currently in: Six Thousand Feet Under] *Party Leader!* *Lucky!* *Blessed!* Power: 42 (31 + WP:11) Health: 45/54 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 30 + Class Boost: 15 + Permanent Boost: 4*) Ether: 36/36 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 30) Defense: 20 (Arm Shield: 14 + Duke's Coat-of-Arms: 5 + Unicorn Helmet: 1) Gold: 454 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham) Equipment: Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, Spear, causes bleeding effect), Arm Shield (SP:14), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (Protects against Fragile and all Poisons, SP; 5, suitable for knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators; bodywear), Unicorn Helmet (SP:1; the wearer can only receive one negative effect at a time, with a new effect replacing the old one; usable by barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, regulators, skirmishers, and winged warriors; headwear), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent) Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round) Inventory: Weapons: Zoot's Rebel (WP:20 broomstick, suitable to Arthur only), Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Sword of the Vampir (WP:17, user is Jinxed), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, stuns on successful hits, Hollow [Ambrosia] halberd),Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear), Dauntlet Index (Spear, WP: 8, WP dobuled against humanoids) (Unsuitable weapons: Ammit (Greatsword, WP 6, gains 5 Ether for each kill), Artifacts: Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Stingy Gloves (Handwear, wearable by everybody. Prevents enemies from ever stealing gold from you.), Minoid Card Key, Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent) Zap-Tap Badge (Artefact, Accessory. Has a 1/2 chance to deal Electric damage to an opponent who has dealt damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level.), (Unsuitable Artifacts: Sticky Gloves (Handwear, Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors) (sent to Isaac Shawe) ) Heavy Armor (SP: 5) Gems: Opal (Ice), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Tools: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass Scrolls: All Lent! Consumables: *Healing: Potion, Tonic, Grand Tonic , Ether Core, Remedy x6, Elixir x4 *Status: Nostrum x2, Hurricane, Mead x2, Ambrosia x2, Jinxy Juice, Blind Fury, Love Potion *Venoms: Exterlate, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the Poisoned-by-10 effect for the duration of the battle and the Confused effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Crumbling Venom (-3 HP/-1 SP per round) *Permanent Improvement: Bright Polish x2, Grating Stone, Ella's Pie (Permanently boosts max. ether by 5 but permanently decreases max. health by 5 when consumed.), *Bombs: Smoke Bomb x5, 3 Bones, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used.), *Currency: Scrap Metal x2, Silver Ore x2 Bookmark is hitching a ride. Erdathcath Madilinas, 199 years old, *Hastened!* Level 22 Druid Power: 37 Health: 36/36 Ether: 15/25 Gold: 620 Equipped: Tritech Handcannon (WP:15, Fire-elemental *Poison 10!*), Satchel of Awesomeness (Permanent Lucky-effect; bodywear), Overkill Gloves, Mage's muffler (protects from sealing), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; suitable to Erdathcath only; accessory), Inventory: Longbow (WP:7), Helmet (+1 max. health), 6 Potions, Grand Potion, 6 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, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Saber teeth, Scroll of Weakening, Snake Eye Charm (protects from petrified), , Jinxy Juice, Grand Tonic x2, Love Potion, Blind Fury, Grating Stone, Jinxy Juice, Mythril Shard, Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Silver Ore, Elixir, Emergency Essence, Qlice (WP: 8, permanent Poison 4, Club), Agni Bomb, Sushi 69 year old male gnome Cleric Level: 15 Power: 23 (14 + 8 + permanent boost of 1) SP: 0 Health: 13/23 Ether: 7/19 Gold: 513 Equipment: Knotted Broom (WP: 6), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), Tricorne (SP: 3) Inventory: Shovel, Pickaxe, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sleep, Mead, Remedy x3, Potion x2, Bone x2, Grand Potion, Bunch of Cherries (10/10 cherries that each restore 1 ether when eaten), Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, Ice Bomb, Root beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against Undead enemies for 20 damage (Does not affect non-Undead enemies)), Ambrosia, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the Poisoned 10 effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Luck (Grants target the Lucky-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.), Scroll of Weakening, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Smoke Bomb, Plague Venom, Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics), Tricorne (suitable for anyone, SP: 3, headwear), Grand Tonic x2, Pugilist's Gloves (+2 power/immune to Weakened), Splinter Broom (WP: 8, defies SP), Opal, Amethyst, Diamond, Nostrum, Sushi x2, Smelling Salts, Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear), "This ends..." Minoid, Level 20.33 Drilling Automaton HP: 32/32 Power: 33 SP: 2 Equipment: Minoid Drill Arm (WP: 13), Iron Shell (SP: 2), Scanning Eye (Allows the Minoid to analyze most foes before battle. If in battle, it can spend a turn to analyze the fight) Inventory: Remedy x2, Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [Phoenix Essence]), Quick bow (WP: 6, Suitable to rangers, provides hastened effect for one round each battle), Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), Grand Potion x2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- QM Note: Since you expressed interest in autorolling, I had Arthur default to his next throwing weapon and had the Minoud use the Quick Bow - in case the Minoid needs to use the one shot second turn in a pinch, I only had him take one action. Round Two of the Final Battle! >Arthur VS The Mortar Cannon (Gladiator's Trident) (back): Special Damage Damage Damage Critical Hit (11x2=22+31=53 damage) >Minoid VS The Mortar Cannon (Quick Bow) (back): Miss Shield: Dance of Drills (6+20=26+Enemies's SP x2) >Grimwald VS Needle Cavern Roof (back): Critical Hit (8x2=16+15=31x2=62 damage) >Erdathcath VS Left Hand (back): Damage Hit (15+21=36x2=72 damage) >Erdathcath VS Right Hand (back): Special Damage Special Damage (Slice and Dice: all heroes have their health/ether halved) >Monolith VS Arthur (back): 64/2=32-20=12 damage The round starts well, but takes a turn for the dire. Minoid, Arthur, and Grimwald all cooperate to not only weakn the Mortar Cannon, but also to cause two stalagmites to plunge into Monolith's heart. Erdathcath even manages to knock out one of Monolith's hands. However, with a gigantic slice, Monolith cleaves through the entire party, crippling them. "Not good enough. If you hope to lay a finger on my master, you will have to be nothing short of perfect - and you appear to be unwell, currently. I say this not to boast, but as a warning and an opposer to The RegrrUUUUURRRggggghhhhh..." Another jolt of electricity courses through monolith's impaled heart. "How... unpleasant, to have something lodged in your heart..." Monolith, Level 64 Ancient HP: 328/400 SP: 10 Immune to Blindness and Sealing! Specials: Deadly Discharge: Monolith unleashes a column of light and electricity from his eye, sweeping the battlefield. All heroes receive the Electrified 8 effect, and the hero who rolled Special Damage takes 60 damage. Target Acquired: Monolith fixates on the hero who rolled Special Damage, making them take an automatic free hit from him every round until his head id deactivated. Can stack on multiple heroes. Stalagmite Fright: Monolith slices up the ceiling, causing sharp rocks to tumble onto the heroes. All heroes to 14 damage, disreagrding row and SP. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Major Malfunction: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 25 damage. Drops: Emergency Essence, Topaz Monolith's Heart *UNTARGETTABLE, Invincible?, Immune to all Negative Effects? HP: 1100/1100 Passive Specials: Resurrection: Each body part is resurrected after 3 rounds by the Heart. When the Heart bursts, the battle is won. Endgame Syndrome: Activates when the Heart's HP hits zero... Infection: Any negative effects inflicted onto impaled stalagmites are passed onto the heart. The effects wear off when the stalagmite breaks. Drops: Machine Heart Stalagmite A, Level 0 Ancient Damage Recieved: 0 Turns Remaining: 2 Heroes do not give or recieve damage on rolls of Damage and Special Damage. Stalagmite B, Level 0 Ancient Damage Recieved: 0 Turns Remaining: 2 Heroes do not give or recieve damage on rolls of Damage and Special Damage. Mortar Cannon, Level 48 Ancient *Jinxed!* *Bleeding!* HP: 23/300 Immune to Sleep and Sealing! Specials: Bomb Barrage: Monolith launches off a series of explosives; this does anywhere from 10 to 20 damage disregarding row and SP, decided by a random number generator. Smokescreen: The Mortar Cannon releases some smog, making itself Hastened and Counterstriking for a round. Additionally, the hero who rolled Special Damage recieves the Poison 10 effect. Specials alternate. Passive Specials: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 10 damage. Malfunction: Drops: 150 gold Left Hand, Level 44 Ancient *Under Repair! 3 rounds remaining* HP: 0/250 Immune to Sleep and Sealing! Specials: Slice and Dice: Monolith tears through the party with his massive chainsaw spear. All heroes have their Health and Ether cut in half, and receive the Bleeding 5 effect. Dirt Nap: Monolith slams the hero who rolled Special Damage into the ground. That hero is reduced to 1 HP, becomes Doomed, and has all of their artifacts unequipped. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Brutal Bludgeon: On rolls of damage and Free hits, the hero is made Weakened. Malfunction: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 10 damage. Drops: Neutralizer Right Hand, Level 44 Ancient *Poison 10!* *Confused!* HP: 157/250 Immune to Sleep and Sealing! Specials: Slice and Dice: Monolith tears through the party with his massive chainsaw spear. All heroes have their Health and Ether cut in half, and receive the Bleeding 5 effect. Skewer: Monolith stabs the hero who rolled Special Damage, reducing their max health by 5 for the rest of the battle and doing 48 damage. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Brutal Bludgeon: On rolls of damage and Free hits, the hero is made Fragile. Malfunction: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 10 damage. Drops: Tiger Balm Needle Cavern Roof, Level 0 Ancient (Can only be hit by ranged attacks) Damage Recieved: (150 damage) (2 stalagmites dropped) Immune to Poison, Fragile and Bleeding! Specials: Spike Drop: A spike plummets into the hero's body, making them fragile until it is destroyed. Passive Specials: Controlled Collapse: Every 75 damage the roof recieves, a stalagmite is dislodged that plummets into Monolith's heart. Each stalagmite lasts 2 rounds, and can be attacked. Any damage that each stalamgite recives is passed onto the normally invincible Monolith's Heart. The Party: Arthur Justus Regulus VII, a Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (played by Flipz), Level 32.25 Skirmisher, 22-year-old male Human *Immune to Fragile and all Poisons* *Only Receives One Negative Effect At A Time* [ Currently in: Six Thousand Feet Under] *Party Leader!* *Lucky!* *Blessed!* *Bleeding!* Power: 42 (31 + WP:11) Health: 6/54 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 30 + Class Boost: 15 + Permanent Boost: 4*) Ether: 36/36 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 30) Defense: 20 (Arm Shield: 14 + Duke's Coat-of-Arms: 5 + Unicorn Helmet: 1) Gold: 454 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham) Equipment: Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, Spear, causes bleeding effect), Arm Shield (SP:14), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (Protects against Fragile and all Poisons, SP; 5, suitable for knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators; bodywear), Unicorn Helmet (SP:1; the wearer can only receive one negative effect at a time, with a new effect replacing the old one; usable by barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, regulators, skirmishers, and winged warriors; headwear), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent) Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round) Inventory: Weapons: Zoot's Rebel (WP:20 broomstick, suitable to Arthur only), Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Sword of the Vampir (WP:17, user is Jinxed), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, stuns on successful hits, Hollow [Ambrosia] halberd),Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear), Dauntlet Index (Spear, WP: 8, WP dobuled against humanoids) (Unsuitable weapons: Ammit (Greatsword, WP 6, gains 5 Ether for each kill), Artifacts: Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Stingy Gloves (Handwear, wearable by everybody. Prevents enemies from ever stealing gold from you.), Minoid Card Key, Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent) Zap-Tap Badge (Artefact, Accessory. Has a 1/2 chance to deal Electric damage to an opponent who has dealt damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level.), (Unsuitable Artifacts: Sticky Gloves (Handwear, Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors) (sent to Isaac Shawe) ) Heavy Armor (SP: 5) Gems: Opal (Ice), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Tools: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass Scrolls: All Lent! Consumables: *Healing: Potion, Tonic, Grand Tonic , Ether Core, Remedy x6, Elixir x4 *Status: Nostrum x2, Hurricane, Mead x2, Ambrosia x2, Jinxy Juice, Blind Fury, Love Potion *Venoms: Exterlate, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the Poisoned-by-10 effect for the duration of the battle and the Confused effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Crumbling Venom (-3 HP/-1 SP per round) *Permanent Improvement: Bright Polish x2, Grating Stone, Ella's Pie (Permanently boosts max. ether by 5 but permanently decreases max. health by 5 when consumed.), *Bombs: Smoke Bomb x5, 3 Bones, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used.), *Currency: Scrap Metal x2, Silver Ore x2 Bookmark is hitching a ride. Erdathcath Madilinas, 199 years old, *Hastened!* *Bleeding!* Level 22 Druid Power: 37 Health: 13/36 Ether: 8/25 Gold: 620 Equipped: Tritech Handcannon (WP:15, Fire-elemental *Poison 10!*), Satchel of Awesomeness (Permanent Lucky-effect; bodywear), Overkill Gloves, Mage's muffler (protects from sealing), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; suitable to Erdathcath only; accessory), Inventory: Longbow (WP:7), Helmet (+1 max. health), 6 Potions, Grand Potion, 6 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, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Saber teeth, Scroll of Weakening, Snake Eye Charm (protects from petrified), , Jinxy Juice, Grand Tonic x2, Love Potion, Blind Fury, Grating Stone, Jinxy Juice, Mythril Shard, Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Silver Ore, Elixir, Emergency Essence, Qlice (WP: 8, permanent Poison 4, Club), Agni Bomb, Sushi 69 year old male gnome Cleric *Bleeding!* Level: 15 Power: 23 (14 + 8 + permanent boost of 1) SP: 0 Health: 2/23 Ether: 4/19 Gold: 513 Equipment: Knotted Broom (WP: 6), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), Tricorne (SP: 3) Inventory: Shovel, Pickaxe, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sleep, Mead, Remedy x3, Potion x2, Bone x2, Grand Potion, Bunch of Cherries (10/10 cherries that each restore 1 ether when eaten), Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, Ice Bomb, Root beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against Undead enemies for 20 damage (Does not affect non-Undead enemies)), Ambrosia, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the Poisoned 10 effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Luck (Grants target the Lucky-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.), Scroll of Weakening, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Smoke Bomb, Plague Venom, Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics), Tricorne (suitable for anyone, SP: 3, headwear), Grand Tonic x2, Pugilist's Gloves (+2 power/immune to Weakened), Splinter Broom (WP: 8, defies SP), Opal, Amethyst, Diamond, Nostrum, Sushi x2, Smelling Salts, Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear), "This ends..." Minoid, Level 20.33 Drilling Automaton *Bleeding!* HP: 5/32 Power: 33 SP: 2 Equipment: Minoid Drill Arm (WP: 13), Iron Shell (SP: 2), Scanning Eye (Allows the Minoid to analyze most foes before battle. If in battle, it can spend a turn to analyze the fight) Inventory: Remedy x2, Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [Phoenix Essence]), Quick bow (WP: 6, Suitable to rangers, provides hastened effect for one round each battle), Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), Grand Potion x2

"That's good to hear. And I'm glad you aren't mocking Karie's wedding or groom. Maybe you are figuring out how to be a considerate person."

QM Note: Corrected.

I chuckle. "Trust me, if we were all going to get enough gold to deduct 10,000 from, we'd all be drinking martinis in vineyards instead of strutting through this horrible place. Unless you plan to my granddaughter into crippling debt right before her engagement?"

QM Note: Fixed, although I don't recall Erdathcath's handcannon ever getting poisoned again. "I tried... I tried what I could... But ultimately, I am a slave. Nothing more." "I know. I need no sympathy. Only your mercy - in whatever form you choose to deliver it in. But I cannot defy my Master's order - and I will fight to my last breath, whether I want to or NUUUUuuurgggghhh..." Monolith experiences yet another wave of shock therapy.

"Kyehahahahah! I wish I could see this. Alas, we must depart." "Hmm. So eager to fight to the death, I see. I won't interfere. But know this: This is the last ingredient my little scheme requires. the next time the curtain raises on our saga, Heroes of Heroica, it'll be the final act. I'm eager to see you one last time, should you attend! Farewell, heroes! But before I go, I have one last order to deliver: Monolith, kill them." The Regret, Seerus, and the Zirconia all vanish in a burst of dark light. Monolith creaks and moans, heaving up his massive weapon. He stomps into the path of his heroes, his every motion filled with an unnatural aggression. His spear hums and roars, his single eye sparking with a blue energy. His ribcage ripples, his heart pulsing frantically within his metallic chest. "Heroes of Heroica. I have watched your journey, thus far. I have seen as you progressed through these caverns. I never wanted this, but... We are destined to battle. My master commands it, and try as I might... I cannot defy him." The Minoid speaks... "STATEMENT: His invincibility. I found a way to bypass his invincibility. Direct your attention to the ceiling..." Monolith stands stoically, but some level of fear registers as he figures out the Minoid's plan. The heroes look up, the ceiling of the cavern plastered with lethal spikes. "Should we dislodge one of the ceiling spikes and pierce his heart..." Lynne begins to step back. "I'll be rooting from back here... I would fight, but I'm still recovering from my injuries from our bout. Do me a favor: Give Monolith the peace you gave me. He needs it, desperately; and if you have to do it through murder, give him the death he wants. Good luck, heroes... You especially, Arthur, hon." "The time for pleasantries has passed, I fear. Hear me, heroes. No matter who steps out of these caverns alive - you or me - one thing is certain: your journey ends here! Engarde!" Monolith rushes forward with a surprising agility. The party drawsa their weapons, knowing it was time to... Prepare For The Final Battle! "Let us begin." Monolith, Level 64 Ancient HP: 400/400 SP: 10 Immune to Blindness and Sealing! Specials: Deadly Discharge: Monolith unleashes a column of light and electricity from his eye, sweeping the battlefield. All heroes receive the Electrified 8 effect, and the hero who rolled Special Damage takes 60 damage. Target Acquired: Monolith fixates on the hero who rolled Special Damage, making them take an automatic free hit from him every round until his head id deactivated. Can stack on multiple heroes. Stalagmite Fright: Monolith slices up the ceiling, causing sharp rocks to tumble onto the heroes. All heroes to 14 damage, disreagrding row and SP. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Major Malfunction: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 25 damage. Drops: Emergency Essence, Topaz Monolith's Heart *UNTARGETTABLE, Invincible?, Immune to all Negative Effects? HP: 1100/1100 Passive Specials: Resurrection: Each body part is resurrected after 3 rounds by the Heart. When the Heart bursts, the battle is won. Endgame Syndrome: Activates when the Heart's HP hits zero... Infection: Any negative effects inflicted onto impaled stalagmites are passed onto the heart. The effects wear off when the stalagmite breaks. Drops: Machine Heart Mortar Cannon, Level 48 Ancient HP: 300/300 Immune to Sleep and Sealing! Specials: Bomb Barrage: Monolith launches off a series of explosives; this does anywhere from 10 to 20 damage disregarding row and SP, decided by a random number generator. Smokescreen: The Mortar Cannon releases some smog, making itself Hastened and Counterstriking for a round. Additionally, the hero who rolled Special Damage recieves the Poison 10 effect. Specials alternate. Passive Specials: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 10 damage. Malfunction: Drops: 150 gold Left Hand, Level 44 Ancient HP: 250/250 Immune to Sleep and Sealing! Specials: Slice and Dice: Monolith tears through the party with his massive chainsaw spear. All heroes have their Health and Ether cut in half, and receive the Bleeding 5 effect. Dirt Nap: Monolith slams the hero who rolled Special Damage into the ground. That hero is reduced to 1 HP, becomes Doomed, and has all of their artifacts unequipped. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Brutal Bludgeon: On rolls of damage and Free hits, the hero is made Weakened. Malfunction: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 10 damage. Drops: Neutralizer Right Hand, Level 44 Ancient HP: 250/250 Immune to Sleep and Sealing! Specials: Slice and Dice: Monolith tears through the party with his massive chainsaw spear. All heroes have their Health and Ether cut in half, and receive the Bleeding 5 effect. Skewer: Monolith stabs the hero who rolled Special Damage, reducing their max health by 5 for the rest of the battle and doing 48 damage. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Brutal Bludgeon: On rolls of damage and Free hits, the hero is made Fragile. Malfunction: When deactivated, any hit on any stalagmite impaled in Monolith's heart does an extra 10 damage. Drops: Tiger Balm Needle Cavern Roof, Level 0 Ancient (Can only be hit by ranged attacks) Damage Recieved: (0 stalagmites dropped) Immune to Poison, Fragile and Bleeding! Specials: Spike Drop: A spike plummets into the hero's body, making them fragile until it is destroyed. Passive Specials: Controlled Collapse: Every 75 damage the roof recieves, a stalagmite is dislodged that plummets into Monolith's heart. Each stalagmite lasts 2 rounds, and can be attacked. Any damage that each stalamgite recives is passed onto the normally invincible Monolith's Heart. The Party: Arthur Justus Regulus VII, a Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (played by Flipz), Level 32.25 Skirmisher, 22-year-old male Human *Immune to Fragile and all Poisons* *Only Receives One Negative Effect At A Time* [ Currently in: Six Thousand Feet Under] *Party Leader!* *Lucky!* *Blessed!* Power: 42 (31 + WP:11) Health: 54/54 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 30 + Class Boost: 15 + Permanent Boost: 4*) Ether: 36/36 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 30) Defense: 20 (Arm Shield: 14 + Duke's Coat-of-Arms: 5 + Unicorn Helmet: 1) Gold: 454 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham) Equipment: Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, Spear, causes bleeding effect), Arm Shield (SP:14), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (Protects against Fragile and all Poisons, SP; 5, suitable for knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators; bodywear), Unicorn Helmet (SP:1; the wearer can only receive one negative effect at a time, with a new effect replacing the old one; usable by barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, regulators, skirmishers, and winged warriors; headwear), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent) Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round) Inventory: Weapons: Zoot's Rebel (WP:20 broomstick, suitable to Arthur only), Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Sword of the Vampir (WP:17, user is Jinxed), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, stuns on successful hits, Hollow [Ambrosia] halberd),Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear), Dauntlet Index (Spear, WP: 8, WP dobuled against humanoids) (Unsuitable weapons: Ammit (Greatsword, WP 6, gains 5 Ether for each kill), Artifacts: Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Stingy Gloves (Handwear, wearable by everybody. Prevents enemies from ever stealing gold from you.), Minoid Card Key, Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent) Zap-Tap Badge (Artefact, Accessory. Has a 1/2 chance to deal Electric damage to an opponent who has dealt damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level.), (Unsuitable Artifacts: Sticky Gloves (Handwear, Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors) (sent to Isaac Shawe) ) Heavy Armor (SP: 5) Gems: Opal (Ice), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Tools: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass Scrolls: All Lent! Consumables: *Healing: Potion, Tonic, Grand Tonic , Ether Core, Remedy x6, Elixir x4 *Status: Nostrum x2, Hurricane, Mead x2, Ambrosia x2, Jinxy Juice, Blind Fury, Love Potion *Venoms: Exterlate, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the Poisoned-by-10 effect for the duration of the battle and the Confused effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Crumbling Venom (-3 HP/-1 SP per round) *Permanent Improvement: Bright Polish x2, Grating Stone, Ella's Pie (Permanently boosts max. ether by 5 but permanently decreases max. health by 5 when consumed.), *Bombs: Smoke Bomb x5, 3 Bones, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used.), *Currency: Scrap Metal x2, Silver Ore x2 Bookmark is hitching a ride. Erdathcath Madilinas, 199 years old, *Hastened!* Level 22 Druid Power: 37 Health: 36/36 Ether: 15/25 Gold: 620 Equipped: Tritech Handcannon (WP:15, Fire-elemental *Poison 10!*), Satchel of Awesomeness (Permanent Lucky-effect; bodywear), Overkill Gloves, Mage's muffler (protects from sealing), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; suitable to Erdathcath only; accessory), Inventory: Longbow (WP:7), Helmet (+1 max. health), 6 Potions, Grand Potion, 6 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, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Saber teeth, Scroll of Weakening, Snake Eye Charm (protects from petrified), , Jinxy Juice, Grand Tonic x2, Love Potion, Blind Fury, Grating Stone, Jinxy Juice, Mythril Shard, Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Silver Ore, Elixir, Emergency Essence, Qlice (WP: 8, permanent Poison 4, Club), Agni Bomb, Sushi 69 year old male gnome Cleric Level: 15 Power: 23 (14 + 8 + permanent boost of 1) SP: 0 Health: 13/23 Ether: 7/19 Gold: 513 Equipment: Knotted Broom (WP: 6), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), Tricorne (SP: 3) Inventory: Shovel, Pickaxe, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sleep, Mead, Remedy x3, Potion x2, Bone x2, Grand Potion, Bunch of Cherries (10/10 cherries that each restore 1 ether when eaten), Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, Ice Bomb, Root beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against Undead enemies for 20 damage (Does not affect non-Undead enemies)), Ambrosia, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the Poisoned 10 effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Luck (Grants target the Lucky-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.), Scroll of Weakening, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Smoke Bomb, Plague Venom, Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics), Tricorne (suitable for anyone, SP: 3, headwear), Grand Tonic x2, Pugilist's Gloves (+2 power/immune to Weakened), Splinter Broom (WP: 8, defies SP), Opal, Amethyst, Diamond, Nostrum, Sushi x2, Smelling Salts, Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear), "This ends..." Minoid, Level 20.33 Drilling Automaton HP: 32/32 Power: 33 SP: 2 Equipment: Minoid Drill Arm (WP: 13), Iron Shell (SP: 2), Scanning Eye (Allows the Minoid to analyze most foes before battle. If in battle, it can spend a turn to analyze the fight) Inventory: Remedy x2, Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [Phoenix Essence]), Quick bow (WP: 6, Suitable to rangers, provides hastened effect for one round each battle), Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), Grand Potion x2

It just seems to break the pace and hand out free EXP for little reason. If you like their roleplaying, give them EXP for it and just crush them outside of an actual battle sequence. EXP is one of the most desirable resources out there, so seeing it being handed out on a "gimme" is odd.

I search the Dean for anything else he may use to off himself, and if there is nothing, I wake him up with a remedy if the party doesn't object.

I have to question the point of the snake battle too, to be honest. It's obviously going to be over in a round - sure, it's a free level fro the lower heroes, but why not just make it a roleplaying event? I mean, I'm assuming you're going to wait until everyone's actions and a BO is posted, so it is the equivalent of "Wait 24 hours for free EXP!"

"I don't really see what he can provide us either, to be perfectly honest... We may just want to send him back asleep and with his arms and feet bound. Shall I write a note?"