Endgame

The miners notice the heroes for the first time, their words piercing through their stupor... But not a massive explosion, apparently. "You simply do not understand!" "We truly desire that you can join us in this state of pure bliss!" The woman walks up to Arthur and plants a hand on each of the Skirmisher's shoulders. She has an odd sway to her, apparently lost in a cloud of happiness. These people seemed legimitmately happy... The woman gives Arthur a dazzling smile. Why such a beautfiul woman would be in the mining industry is a mystery... "Please... it isn't too late! You can join us still! You could feel as we do now! Please, I beg of you..." Another smile. Whether to Arthur, or because of the thoughts going through her evidently vacant mind, is a mystery. "You can join us! You can serve them. They are kind and forgiving. They have made us happier than ever before. Please, say yes."

"Agreed... ugh, and this suit is one-of-a-kind, too... Dammit." The chills of winter and the drafty basement begin to settle in on the heroes. Practically shivering as they trudge through the door, theye nter the deepest depths of the basement, ready to throwdown with their final foe. The fates of dozens of poor and homeleess rested on their shoulders - the hovellers would surely freeze to death in the winter's last hurrah if they didn't succeed. The party expected the worst when they walked into Kos's lair, but not even they could expect something of this magnitude... "Oh... Oh no..." Kos was even bigger than rumored! He was the size of four humans, his fangs looking cold to the touch. His legs looked razor sharp, capable of impaling a hero with a single lash. its eyes were filled to the brim with a gleeful malice, Kos eager to tear into his newest prey. The party steps back, frightened... The beast speaks. <Took you long enough to get here. I bet those poor humans that you're supposed to be saving have already been buried under snow!>

The party chips away at the cave-in, failing to make an actual dent. From the shavings that come off of the pile of rocks, Arthur and Erdathcath identify them as bits and pieces of Amethyst, Opal, and Diamond. "Excercise due caution. I am initiating demolition..." The party steps back as the Minoid's drill pierces the pile of rocks, an explosive slipped in shortly after. It hisses and puffs smoke before blowing up the rock, just like the other two. The party steps inside the cleared out pathway, careful not to stab themselves in the feet with any sharp shrapnel... However, they are greeted by a far more dire sight. The three miners in the room are gathered around a rather crude drawing of some... thing..., practically bowing down and worshipping the portrait. They heap praise upon praise to an unkown source. Their expressions are blissful and their eyes glowing, the miners apparently in a state of euphoria. "Glory to them!" "Praise to them!" "Obedience to them!"

Crowley searches the pottery... even behind the mask, his face begins to contort into a face of disgust. "Gah! Some of these are... Urgh... Chamber pots..." Some bugs fall out of the last pot, tiny maggots skittering around frantically. Crowley stomps them out, clearing out all of the small bugs in the shelter! 13/13 Small Bugs Killed! Full Extermination! "Only Kos remains now. Shall we head inside?"

QM Note: Apologies for the delay! I have nothing planned for the weekend, though, so we should be able to cruise through. The Minoid runs some calculations, inputting Arthur's data into his analysis. "...CONCLUSION: You are correct." The party walks single file through the patch of treacherous ground, weaving carefully through the practical minefield of a cave. The passage curves upwards in a teady spiral, the party eventually merging onto the top of the ridge. Another cave-in stands before the heroes on top of the ridge, although they could progress if they wanted to. "STATEMENT: This appears to be another breakroom. We can likely progress without breaching into it. I am a construction of servitude. Therefore, the decision to go in or forge onwards falls onto you."

Busy day yesterday, updates in half an hour!

I stand back and pull out my bow, attempting to identify which pipe is bursting the most, and the plunger can be used to repair it. Somehow. "Something's on its way! Everyone, get ready... Hopefully it didn't crawl out of the septic tank, or we're in for one filthy foe."

The party, most of the bugs crushed but the gargantuan Kos still lingering in their memory, step out of the wood storage. Tired after their long day, they knew only their strongest foe remained. They returned to the foyer, and ducked under the gap in the stiars. Finding a hatch, they throw it open, and descend into the basement... The basement was damp and the air oppresive, some moldy pottery stacked haphazardly in the corner. Water drips in, mildew and fungus growing from every corner and edge of the dismal room. A door awaits the heroes, Kos likely waiting behind it... Darksten can hear a voice from beyond the door. <So Frostbarb is soundly defeated, then?> <Yessir. Crushed, flattened, disposed of-> <Sir? SIR? You think a being such as myself is going to accept such a puny title? You insult me. Perhaps I should gobble you up, just like your former leader...> <Y-Yessi - yes, master. F-Frostbarb is dead.> <Oh ho ho. Excellent. Marvelous, even. That subzero prick will no longer be a thorn in my side!>

Mine sweeper, anyone?

The Party: Arthur Justus Regulus VII, a Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (played by Flipz), Level 31.5 Mystic Knight, 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!* 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: 198 (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), 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.), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent 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), (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 (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) ) 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, Grand Potion x10, Tonic, Grand Tonic x6, Ether Core, Remedy x8, Elixir x4, Sushi x3 *Status: Nostrum x3, Hurricane, Smelling Salts x 2, Mead x2, Ambrosia x2, Dragon Scales x2, Jinxy Juice x2, *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.), *Permanent Improvement: Bright Polish, 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 Erdathcath Madilinas, 199 years old, Level 21 Druid Power: 36 Health: 35/35 Ether: 21/24 Gold: 407 Equipped: Tritech Handcannon (WP:15, Fire-elemental), Satchel of Awesomeness (Permanent Lucky-effect; bodywear), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; suitable to Erdathcath only; accessory), Overkill Gloves Inventory: Longbow (WP:7), Helmet (+1 max. health), 6 Potions, 3 Grand Potions, 6 Mead, 6 Smelling Salts, 15 Venoms, 3 Deadly Venoms, 1 Super Deadly Venom, 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), Mage's muffler (protects from sealing), Jinxy Juice, Grand Tonic x2, Love Potion, Blind Fury, Grating Stone, Jinxy Juice, Deadly Venom, Mythril Shard, Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), 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 69 year old male gnome Cleric (Immune to Weakened) Level: 13.5 Power: 20 (13 + 6 + permanent boost of 1) SP: 0 Health: 21/21 Ether: 10/17 Gold: 228 Equipment: Knotted Broom (WP: 6), Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), 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), Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round), Splinter Broom (WP: 8, defies SP) "QUERY??" Minoid, Level 19 Drilling Automaton HP: 31/31 Power: 29 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: Ether Core, Health Core, Remedy x3, Grand Potion x3, Ambrosia, Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [remedy]), Quick bow (WP: 6, Suitable to rangers, provides hastened effect for one round each battle) Grimwald heals the party's wounds. Finding the scaffolding to be a hopeless option, the party instead chooses to head down into the cave. The tunnel winds upwards, the path relatively benign compared to what Heroica usually have to brave. No vermin, no ambushes, nothing dangerous of any sort. Until... The party comes to an unstable patch of ground. "CEASE LOCOMOTION. Floor ahead is not stable... Beginning analysis." Minoid looks at the floor foe what seems like an eternity, before sketching a diagram in the pebbles in dirt at their feet. Cavern Floor Confusion "INITIATING EXPLANATION. -We must find a safe path across this floor. -We are at the south end of the floor, and we must reach the northern edge to pass. -We may only move up, down, left and right. -Circled squares represent the only ones I could determine were solid simply by looking. -For the rest of them, the number on the tile represents the number of adjacent (up, down, left, and right) solid tiles. -You must find a single, continous path from one end to the other.

"Much ado about nothing..." I sigh. I knock on the farthest right bathroom door, and if there is no response, open it.

The scaffolding was in bad shape, to say the least. Once a three tiered structure, it had collapsed into one, now a mere pile of rubbish. Using his magnifying glass and a bit of eyeballing, Arthur discovers three vital things- -There was some rope left in the rubble, presumably for bracing together joints. -The largest piece of salvageable wood was about the height of the ridge. -Other than that, what they saw was what was left of the collapsed structure. The party now had a choice: The scaffolding, or the cave. Which will the party choose?

The bugs skitter out of their hiding places, not wanting to face the flames of punishment. Armed with all the information they need, the party stomps out the bugs. 12/13 bugs crushed! "Unless you have anywhere else you want to go, we may want to head to the basement."

Bingo. My quests are tests of character, but literal and figurative. Yeah, well, nothing says "get serious" like a sudden twist in tradition.

The party approaches the bridge, only for a guttaral voice to ring out on the other end... "Leave this place." Suddenly, an electric shock begins to course through the giant's silhouette, the beast seemingly grunting... in pain? The sparks stop when he raises his blade in the air... And swings around the gargantuan blade effortlessly, severing the bridge from his half of the ridge instantly. "STATEMENT: He appears only to be proficient in melee range. We are relatively safe he-" Without warning, two explosives erupt from the shoulder of the giant, aimed perfectly at the heroes' ends at the bridge! They detonate, severing the walkway from both sides. It plunges into the rapids and is sweeped off, breaking into pieces... The party is tossed back by not one blast, but two. They fly through the air for the briefest of moments, colliding with the cold gorund with a resounding thud. They had all taken heavy damage! The Party: Arthur Justus Regulus VII, a Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (played by Flipz), Level 31.5 Mystic Knight, 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!* Power: 42 (31 + WP:11) Health: 1/54 (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: 198 (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), 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.), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent 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), (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 (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) ) 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, Grand Potion x10, Tonic, Grand Tonic x6, Ether Core, Remedy x8, Elixir x4, Sushi x3 *Status: Nostrum x3, Hurricane, Smelling Salts x 2, Mead x2, Ambrosia x2, Dragon Scales x2, Jinxy Juice x2, *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.), *Permanent Improvement: Bright Polish, 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 Erdathcath Madilinas, 199 years old, Level 21 Druid Power: 36 Health: 1/35 Ether: 21/24 Gold: 407 Equipped: Tritech Handcannon (WP:15, Fire-elemental), Satchel of Awesomeness (Permanent Lucky-effect; bodywear), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; suitable to Erdathcath only; accessory), Overkill Gloves Inventory: Longbow (WP:7), Helmet (+1 max. health), 6 Potions, 3 Grand Potions, 6 Mead, 6 Smelling Salts, 15 Venoms, 3 Deadly Venoms, 1 Super Deadly Venom, 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), Mage's muffler (protects from sealing), Jinxy Juice, Grand Tonic x2, Love Potion, Blind Fury, Grating Stone, Jinxy Juice, Deadly Venom, Mythril Shard, Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), 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 69 year old male gnome Cleric (Immune to Weakened) Level: 13.5 Power: 20 (13 + 6 + permanent boost of 1) SP: 0 Health: 1/21 Ether: 10/17 Gold: 228 Equipment: Knotted Broom (WP: 6), Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), 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), Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round), Splinter Broom (WP: 8, defies SP) "QUERY??" Minoid, Level 19 Drilling Automaton HP: 1/31 Power: 29 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: Ether Core, Health Core, Remedy x3, Grand Potion x3, Ambrosia, Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [remedy]), Quick bow (WP: 6, Suitable to rangers, provides hastened effect for one round each battle) The giant vanishes, his work here seemingly done. "STATEMENT-T: He has left... the premises... ...Fighting... Never was... Its intention... NOTE: Giant... has... ranged... weapons. Possibly mortars judging by the projectile's arc and destructive potency... We cannot progress if do not progress to the other side of the cave. We cannot progress from this lower ridge, so we must make our way to the upper. To do that, we must ascend the nearby scaffol-" The party glumly tiwsts their aching necks to see the "scaffolding." Wrecked, likely by the giant. "...STATEMENT: There is another way." "STATEMENT: That passageway will lead to the upper ridge, where we may progress to the other half of this cavern." Will the party attempt to utilize the wreckage of the scaffolding, or see what the cave holds?

"Hmm... Performing a scan now..." The Minoid's inner mechanisms churn as he tries to scan the beast. "RESULTS: ...Inconclusive. 42 feet tall, pulsing heart. Matches all prior data we have collected of the giant. Unable to discern any of its combat abilities, physical appearance, whether it is organic or inorganic, among other things."

Now is where the real fun begins, 99ers.

The Minoid marches into the elvator, grabbing the crank to the elevator. "I will bring down the elevator. My arms do not tire, and I can hold a consistent pace and rhythm. Prepare for descent." The Minoid's arms start churning, causing the elvator to descend at a brisk pace. The sides are mined out, minerals extracted even from the sides of an elevator shaft; it is clear that Cobb runs a tight business. The elevator reaches the bottom, a small puff of dust emitting from the floor as the elvator touches. "CURRENT ELEVATION: 1516 feet under." The party is in a small antehcmaber with nothing of note. They forge into a far large cavern, with far more intersting sights. It wasa huge cave divided into two halves. The cavern was cut in half by a canal of rushing water, a rather sturdy bridge crossing it. Rach half had an upper and lower ridge, the party currently on the low ridge of the left side. Scaffolding leads from the bottom ridge to the top. The party startles back as they see something else was watching them from the other edge of the bridge... Shrouded in a mist of darkness, a massive colossus watches the heroes from across the bridge...

"We can always give the dark room a shot, though I fear my bow will be useless there..."

The bugs chitter in fear as Hoang and Darksten cooperate to move the logs. <You blasted pyro... P-please, spare us! Or atleast let us submit to a stomping!> It seems the party now had a choice - stamp out the bugs, or burn them for the wrongs of their kind?

I already made a statement on this, guys. I just hit the wrong key while typing in defense, but I assure you it was the correct amount of damage.

"I'll say it once, and I'll say it again - not once have you encountered a piece of our main force, druid. The one time you did it was a squadron assembled by an incompetent imbecile, chosen only so our Master could have the benefit of degrading her. Allow me to share a secret, treehugger: You killed, what, 30 Oculoids that day? We made 150 more by the night's end. We multiply. You've been facing us in these petty squabbles, these little one on ones against the table scraps of the Legion... But know this. If you ever dare come to our home turf, you will be dead in a matter of seconds. The Oculoids approach 10,000 strong! 10,00 demons, under the control of one glorious mastermind. Isn't that beatiful?!" "...Obtained... ...My... ...Specifications...?" QM Note: Fixed everything. The dice were downright evil, but Erdathcath did manage to get some extra damage in. Round Five of The Battle Of The Lords! >Arthur VS Bouldlord (back): Special Damage Hit (3+31=34-5=29 damage) >Grimwald drinks a tonic (back) >Grimwald casts Fragility on Bouldlord (back): Success! >Minoid VS Bouldlord (back): Special Damage Critical Hit (6x2=12+18=30x2=60 damage) >Erdathcath VS Bouldlord (back): Hit Aim Critical Hit Shield: Roots Of Life (15+20=35 HP restored to all) >Erdathcath VS Bouldlord (back): Special Damage Aim Damage Critical Hit (15x2=30+20=50x2=100-5=95 damage) Bouldlord is down to his last leg - or, perhaps "last totem" would be more accurate. "Nonnononononoonnononoono..." Bouldlord, Level 42 Rock *Hastened!* *Poison 50!* *Jinxed!* *Stunned!* HP: 4/900 SP: 5 Immune to Sealing and Blindness! Specials: If Scafflord Is Alive: Tremor Drop: Scafflord picks up Bouldlord and throws him up in the air, the rock monster landing with a thud. The resulting quake has a 1/2 chance of Stunning each hero, and has a 1/6 chance of dequipping each hero's artifacts. If Bouldlord Is Alive: Tower Power: Bouldlord crushes the hero, cutting their health and ether in half instantly, defying row and SP. Passive Specials: Collapse: Every single time Bouldlord is damaged, he has a 1/3 chance of toppling on top of the hero. This halves their health, disregarding row and SP. Vengeance!: If Scafflord is defeated, Bouldlord becomes Hastened. Drops: Silver Ore x2 The Party: Arthur Justus Regulus VII, a Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (played by Flipz), Level 31.33 Mystic Knight, 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!* 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: 198 (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), 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.), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent 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), (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 (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) ) 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, Grand Potion x10, Tonic, Grand Tonic x6, Ether Core, Remedy x8, Elixir x4, Sushi x3 *Status: Nostrum x3, Hurricane, Smelling Salts x 2, Mead x2, Ambrosia x2, Dragon Scales x2, Jinxy Juice x2, *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.), *Permanent Improvement: Bright Polish, 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 Erdathcath Madilinas, 199 years old, Level 20.66 Druid *Encouraged!* *Hastened!* Power: 35 Health: 34/34 Ether: 20/23 Gold: 316 Equipped: Tritech Handcannon (WP:15, Fire-elemental *Poison 10*), Satchel of Awesomeness (Permanent Lucky-effect; bodywear), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; suitable to Erdathcath only; accessory), Overkill Gloves Inventory: Longbow (WP:7), Helmet (+1 max. health), 6 Potions, 3 Grand Potions, 6 Mead, 6 Smelling Salts, 15 Venoms, 3 Deadly Venoms, 1 Super Deadly Venom, 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), Mage's muffler (protects from sealing), Jinxy Juice, Grand Tonic x2, Love Potion, Blind Fury, Grating Stone, Jinxy Juice, Deadly Venom, Mythril Shard, Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), 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), 69 year old male gnome Cleric (Immune to Weakened) Level: 13 Power: 20 (13 + 6 + permanent boost of 1) SP: 0 Health: 21/21 Ether: 10/17 Gold: 226 Equipment: Knotted Broom (WP: 6), Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), 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), Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round) "To battle." Minoid, Level 18.5 Drilling Automaton HP: 30/30 Power: 28 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: Ether Core, Health Core, Remedy x3, Grand Potion x3, Ambrosia, Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [remedy]), Quick bow (WP: 6, Suitable to rangers, provides hastened effect for one round each battle) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Round Six of The Battle Of The Lords! >Erdathcath VS Bouldlord (back): Hit Aim Hit Critical Hit (95 damage, 91 gold overkill.) With one final blast, Erdathcath shoots a cannonball through Bouldlord's eye. it tears through his body, a horrific black ink spurting out in a large explosion of Oculoid blood. Bouldlord shivers before collapsing to the ground, dissassembling into battered boulders. Black ink pools at near the corpses of the two fallen constructs, the demons themselves nowhere to be seen... The Battle Is Victorious! All heroes gain their respective amount of EXP. Party Leader, Please Distribute The Loot: Silver Ore x2 Splinter Broom: WP: 8, Broom. A sharp piece of shrapnel from the defeated Scafflord. Defies SP. The Party: Arthur Justus Regulus VII, a Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (played by Flipz), Level 31.5 Mystic Knight, 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!* 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: 198 (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), 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.), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent 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), (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 (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) ) 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, Grand Potion x10, Tonic, Grand Tonic x6, Ether Core, Remedy x8, Elixir x4, Sushi x3 *Status: Nostrum x3, Hurricane, Smelling Salts x 2, Mead x2, Ambrosia x2, Dragon Scales x2, Jinxy Juice x2, *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.), *Permanent Improvement: Bright Polish, 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 Erdathcath Madilinas, 199 years old, Level 21 Druid Power: 36 Health: 35/35 Ether: 21/24 Gold: 407 Equipped: Tritech Handcannon (WP:15, Fire-elemental *Poison 10*), Satchel of Awesomeness (Permanent Lucky-effect; bodywear), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; suitable to Erdathcath only; accessory), Overkill Gloves Inventory: Longbow (WP:7), Helmet (+1 max. health), 6 Potions, 3 Grand Potions, 6 Mead, 6 Smelling Salts, 15 Venoms, 3 Deadly Venoms, 1 Super Deadly Venom, 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), Mage's muffler (protects from sealing), Jinxy Juice, Grand Tonic x2, Love Potion, Blind Fury, Grating Stone, Jinxy Juice, Deadly Venom, Mythril Shard, Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), 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), 69 year old male gnome Cleric (Immune to Weakened) Level: 13.5 Power: 20 (13 + 6 + permanent boost of 1) SP: 0 Health: 21/21 Ether: 10/17 Gold: 226 Equipment: Knotted Broom (WP: 6), Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), 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), Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round) "VICTORY: Achieved." Minoid, Level 19 Drilling Automaton HP: 31/31 Power: 29 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: Ether Core, Health Core, Remedy x3, Grand Potion x3, Ambrosia, Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [remedy]), Quick bow (WP: 6, Suitable to rangers, provides hastened effect for one round each battle) "We appear to be in a last then optimal situation. STATEMENT: Had w enot gotten incredibly lucky in that fight, we would've been crushed several times over. PREDICTION: It is likely there are more of these QUOTE: "Oculoids" END QUOTE in the mine. PREDICTION: Should we get ambushed by more than two, the situation may quickly get dire - especially so if their story of being some of the weakest out of their number of ten thousand is accurate. QUERY: Shall we proceed down the elevator?"

The room is fairly barren, besides the wood piled up haphazardly. Soft chittering can be heard... <Do you think he can get us?> <No way. Like he'd ever risk torching the entire woodstock. He'd have to be a detective to figure out which logs we're holed up in.>