Endgame

"I-it's a lot *wheeze* more than that... She was practically a mother to me. My own mama abandoned me the second i wriggled out of my egg, all *cough* because I was smaller than my siblings. S-she *wheeze* took me in, gave me food, shelter, affection... E-even paid for my dream career, an internship at the *wheeze* *cough* G-guild of I-i-invision. A-and now she's *wheeze*..." Puniii breaks out into another fit of mournful cries, like a lost child missing his mother - because that is exactly what he was. Meanwhile, Fydelle sets to defusing the current situation. "Both of you - Enough! I was set to say "I'm sorry", you know - apologize for being gruff during this whole ordeal. But now I feel as if my behavior was somehwat warranted. You're both talented people. And both of you are passionate men. But that is no excuse to be hotheaded. Johon, I can tell you are adamant about your views in life. Your conviction in your opinions is something a lot of people lack. But to allow it to come to this? is that really worth it? Does it get the point across, or just damage your reputation and your state of mind? And Sarge. I was in the military for centuries - we Proggs can outlive the normal human by a long shot. I went through the same phase as you, you know. Jaded. Cynical. You witness so much bloodshed, so much death, that you begin to think that the individual is meaningless. You look at the big picture, the grand scheme of things, the future. We are small being sin this world. Some people aspire to be greater in the most horrid ways - such as that White Devil we just met - but ultimately, we are all small in our own ways. But that doesn't make us devoid of meaning. Soldiers are meant to be people of the present, Sarge. And, presently, every life taken has had repercussions. Someone has missed, or mourned, over every single life lost is Olegaia. And to an extent, it's kind of beautiful. You can be jaded all you want, but I've lived seven hundred years on the battlefield. Don't make the mistakes I did. Don't take that long to realize this."

"Oh. Erm. I... didn't think of that... I don't see very high priority in it... That's just me, though. My religion states that those who die young are to be cremated, not buried - as burial is the final resting place, while cremation allows another attempt at a long life - so perhaps I'm biased in that aspect. ...What religion re you people, anyway? I never thought to ask."

My personal system was to multiply health by 10, assuming that it ever cropped up. I was unsure whether or not we're allowed to use anything over then the arena rules.

If you want me to run something, arena style, I could.

QM Note: As far as intra-party fights go: I'll let this play out for now. If you want this to come to actual blows, I'd be happy to run it, but not until I'm given the OK. I'll past the final loot distribution/conclusion to this quest later tonight.

"But I don't know what... The artifact, or...?"

It'll make a difference in the finale. Should iris have died, Seerus would've taken over Oculoid production, and you'd have gotten higher-level oculoids. The results of leaving Iris alive will become apparent come Eternal Reaper.

The heroes step up to Punii - or, more specifically, the woman he was looking at. She was a mess from iris's tampering: Blue veins poked through ghostly pale skin, the woamn's healthy face becoming skeletal after the demoness left her body. There was no pulse; she was dead. Despite all of this, the face was far too familiar to Johon, and especially Punii: Ayla Commerz. With the blue face mask pulled off, it was hauntingly obvious: the smell of jasmine perfume still hung over the soul-sucked body. Tears stream down Punii's face, as he reads a note on the back of her mask. Punii. If you're reading this, I can not only assume that Iris has been driven out of her human vessel, but also soundly defeated. Unfortunately, the mere act of taking her as a vessel for this long would've undoubtedly destroyed her and her soul. Your precious Ayla is gone, Punii. Iris needed a female vessel, and an opportunity for a bit of revenge presented itself to me. Why would I sacrifice that chance? It really wasn't any act of overt malice - although your flagrant acts of disobedience proven irritating in the past, this was merely done as a systematic bit of reprimandation. Those who cross me suffer, Punii. It really is that simple. To be honest, to orphan you again is fairly light compared to the wrongdoings you enacted upon me. The fact that it furthered my plans is irrelevant; I allow no one to defy me without being put back in line. I know loss well, Punii. If you mold it -tame it, become the master of your sorrows - you will become powerful beyond belief. I've learned that lesson well. But you? You're weak. Too afraid to embrace the key to true might. So wallow in your sorrows, Punii. We will meet again. ​And next time, but punishment will not be so meager. -The Regret "H-how... How could... *wheeze* anyone be so... H-how? *cough*" ​The young Progg runt breaks down, sobbing silently.

The exchange rate would be even weirder if we, say, face him in a battle, Cutcobra. (Which I suspect we will down the line, for some reason...)

"Still not a single drop of gold to be found here..." I mutter. "Well, that was a quick and easy bout. I'm surprised we even got stronger from that one; you especially, Karie, seem to have been learning a lot from this quest. Any idea which career is coming next? I don't need a Demeter Bomb, just a chunk of gold when we finally come across some." I use a mead, nostrum, and smelling salts.

Still can't see your avatar as anything but Corpse Karie. Seriously, even the facial expressions are the same. It's uncanny. I do that as well, but with Heroica characters instead.

I attempted to change it, and I decided I liked the "page torn in half" icon after the file failed to upload. Speaking of avatars and Heroica, I'm guessing a lot of people here change them to suit the game's current events? Whenever a particularly powerful Progg shows up, for example, my avatar almost always becomes a silhouette of that Progg's eyes.

QM Note: The party listing, for reference. Updates will continue Tuesday. The Party: Sgt Jon. Mcency (Pyrovisionary) 54 years old male human witch Level 19 *Dual Strike* *Immune to blinded* *Hastened!* Power: 38 (19+17+2) Health: 9/39 (7+18+8+3+3) Ether: 8/20 (19+1) Gold: 317 (70 owed to Brickington) Equipment: Demonic Scissors (WP:18, dual strike, Light and Darkness-elemental, Hollow (empty) daggers), Witch's talisman (All attacks Cause the badly poisoned effect), Pegleg of Hastening (Permanenthastened-effect to the user; Immune to Blinded, suitable to Sarge only; footwear) Conspirator (WP: 15, causes Blinded) Inventory: Phoenix Essence, Potion x4, Grand Potion x3, Remedy x5, Venom x3, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying glass, Business Card, Bone x2, 2x Gold Ring (worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver), Counterstrike gloves, Military Grade fire bomb Erdathcath Madilinas, 199 years old, Level 20.5 Druid *Lucky!* *Hastened!* *Encouraged!* Power: 30 Health: 34/34 Ether: 14/23 Gold: 359 Equipped: Tritech Handcannon (WP:13), Satchel of Awesomeness (Permanent Lucky-effect; bodywear), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; suitable to Erdathcath only; accessory) Inventory: Longbow (WP:7), Quick bow (WP: 6, Suitable to rangers, provides hastened effect for one round each battle), Helmet (+1 max. health), 6 Potions, 3 Grand Potions, 6 Mead, 8 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, Grand Tonic, Bone, Skeleton Decoy, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Saber teeth, Scroll of Weakening, Ruby, Snake Eye Charm (protects from petrified), Mage's muffler (protects from sealing), Jinxy Juice, Grand Tonic, Love Potion, Blind Fury Name: Unknown. Most call him "Em," though his real name remains largely mysterious. Unknown age male human ranger Level 15.5 Power: 24 SP: 4 Health: 22/22 (6+14+2) Gold: 70 Equipment: Aquabow (WP: 7, Water-elemental), Anniversary Medal (Artefact/Accessory) (Power +2, SP +2, Max. Health +2, Max. Ether +2. The values will increase by 1 with each passing year), Syndicate Cowl (SP: 2, Immune to Doomed effect) Inventory: Consumables: Smoke bomb, Grating Stone x2, Nostrum x2, Potion x2, Remedy x4, Venom, Grand Potion, Mead, Ambrosia, Crystal Sovereign Weapons: Quality Cutlass (WP:6, Dagger), Bow(WP:5) Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Equipment:White Marksman's Hat (⅙ chance of Assassination vs. Flying monsters; Headwear), Gentleman's Hat (SP: 1, suitable for men, headgear. The wearer has a 1/2 chance to not be affected by (Asleep), Ranger's Quiver (+1 WP to all Bows/Crossbows), Iron Knuckle Armour (Body, foot, and hand wear. Counts as one artefact. Usable by knights and dragoons. SP: 10. Cannot be removed by enemies), Frost Helmet (SP: 3, ice immune) Johon [AKA Alf Gregory] (Bricksandparts) 25 years old male human Barbarian > Raider *Encouraged!* *Hastened!* *Lucky!* Level: 26.66 Power: 38 Health: 14/41 (23+8+1+7+0) Shield Power: (5+1) Ether: ~/0 Positive effects: *Immune to:* (*Fragile*, *Cursed* *Stunned* ), *Natural Respite* Negative effects: (none) Gold: 3043 (0CB(50)) Equipment: Weapon - Sword of Decay (WP:8) - (once the target is inflicted with damage they lose a quarter of the power of the strike each following turn for three turns. the effect cannot be compounded with more strikes. Suitable to Mages, Knights and Barbarians.) Shield - None Artefact 1 (L1-9) - Heavy Armour - SP:5, protects from fragile-effect, suitable for barbarians and knights Artefact 2 (L10-19) - Hide of The Bleeding - restores 10 HP and 5 ether for every enemy the wearer kills, suitable for anyone Artefact 3 (L20-29) - Sticky Gloves - Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors.[ Artefact 4 (L30-39) - Artefact 5 (L40-49) - Artefact 6 (L50+) - Extra Artefacts: Helmet (+1 max health), Blessed Amulet – Protects from cursed-effect. Dog Statuette - (suitable for anyone, SP: 1, once named (Rover), speaking the name summons a dog almost certainly to tag along on madcap adventures and make snippy comments.), Scarlet Hood - +4 to power, immunity to stunned, Bravado Boots - 1/6 chance of being Lucky at the beginning of every battle Extra Weapons: Greatsword (WP:3), Focal Staff (WP:5, Focus Fire-Roll a 3 for 5 ether Suitable for clerics and mages),Gladius (WP: 15, Darkness elemental, 1/3 chance of Fragile on succesful hits), Stalker’s Mallet (WP: 8, usable by Knights, Barbarians, and Harlots. Has a 1/2 chance to seal the enemy),Lullaby Wand (WP: 6, causes asleep-effect), Lovelorn Wand (WP: 6, causes enamored-effect.), Scaridy Wand (WP: 6 causes afraid-effect.), Wand of Wrath (WP: 6, causes enraged-effect.) Tools: Shovel (1), Pick-axe (2), Magnifying Glass (1), Magic Compass (1) Consumables: Potion (2), Grand Tonic (1), Remedy (0), Mead (9), Smelling Salts (19), Nostrum 19), Venom (2), Deadly Poison (1), Trial Brew (1), Ambrosia (1), Ectoplasm (1) Elements: Aquamarine (1), Emerald (1), Garnet (1), Opal (1), Ruby (1), Sapphire (1), Topaz (1), Diamond (2), Amethyst (2) Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep (1), Scroll of Blindness (1), Scroll of Sealing (1), Scroll of Confusion (1), Scroll of Frailty (1), Scroll of Weakening (1) Quest/RP/Misc. items: Blue Rose, Fifty Shades of Bley Jeaux Elmfyre (joeshmoe554) Automaton male, Evoker Level 16.5 *Blessed* *Transcended* *Immune to Sealing, Bleeding, and Confused* Power: 27 (Level 15 + WP: 11) Defense: 2 Health: 10/24 (6 + 3 + 15) Ether: 13/17 (16 + 1) Gold: 97 Equipment: Divine Cannonade (WP:11; gives blessed- and transcended-effects to user; hollow; handcannon), Enchanted Bracelet (protects from sealing; accessory), Automaton Armor (SP:2, immune to bleeding and confused; suitable to automata only; bodywear) Inventory: Eminus (WP: 5; bow), Serpenthead Shield (SP:2, causes poisoned by 2-effect to anyone physically attacking the user), Ranger's Quiver (WP+1; backwear), Topaz, Soma, Tonic, Grand Tonic x2, Grand Potion x3, Venom x2, Volatile Venom x3, Smoke Bomb, Water Bomb, Bedroll, Bone x6, Handy Suitcase (SP-2, use 2 Items; accessory), Turdwing (fly familiar; causes confused to one opponent whenever used), Amethyst and Diamond(Borrowed from Johon) Summons: Thunder Mode

"I'm not dead, am I? And honestly... I'm surprised I even have hair..."

I only pulled the switcheroo once, people. Sandy has done it more times than me, I think.

"I may be old, Heckz, but I'm not that old. You focus on the vine - I'll end this plant.

I imagine 81 has about 1 day left in it.

"...Nobody could possibly be loyal to you after what you've done. Regret. I'm surprised that Seerus, or whatever that devil's name is, is still at your side, to be perfectly honest. Let her live." "Wha-? Solon, she decimated our remaining home, perhpas beyond repair, and you think it just to-" "Now, now, children. No need to bicker in front of your grandfather. The verdict has been passed. Iris will live. The Regret withdraws his scepter, Iris collapsing in tears in front of the monster. She uses what little stumps of her tentacles left to bow down. "Master, please! Please, forgive me! Take me back to the citadel with you! Don't leave me to die here!" The Regret cackles, relishing Iris' terror. "See, heroes? The Oculoid's loyalty is absolute. Yes, you whimpering back, I'll bring you back to base. You break it, you buy it, I suppose. Now, heroes. It has been fun. Truly. I've been working day and night to pull this little plot together, but I think I've wrung every iota of amusement out of this pitiful encounter. Oh, before I leave... Punii?" The young yellow bomber seems afraid to respond. "Y-yes...?" "If you feel you can stomach it... Remove the mask of Iris' vessel. Her soul has been sucked dry, but I suspect you'll recognize the corpse. Now, I bid you adieu, heroes. Til' we meet again... Which, if everything goes according to plan, should be soon. In a burst of black light, the Regret, Seerus, and the damaged Iris vanish. All that is left is to distribute the spoils of war... And to unmask Iris' vessel. Party Leader, please distribute the loot. 338 gold Remedy x4 Potion x3 Mead x2 Smelling Salts Nostrum Ambrosia Deadly Venom Grating Stone x2 Crystal Sovereign Jinxy Juice x2 With the spoils distributed, the party notices Solon was gone. "Our regent - no, with Jr's death, he's now our only ruler- ran ahead to the Stronghold. He's getting your reward... And trying to find his children. He'll be back soon, I hope. Oh, and Puniii looks... unwell, to put it lightly. You may want to check on him.

I repeat my action. "This little skirmish is just about over."

"I'll focus on the rafflesia – My bow will mow it down." I attack Rafflesia, twice, back. "I'll focus on the rafflesia – My bow will mow it down." I attack Rafflesia, twice, back. "I'll focus on the rafflesia – My bow will mow it down." I attack Rafflesia, twice, back.

QM Note: Currently at an airport! Updates and the ultimatum will go up Monday.

Lord Business has been busy with a much bigger Micro-Manager... The Macro-Manager, ready to disassemble our heroes and (possibly) rebuild them into less of an eyesore. Heavily armored and quick moving (or perhaps Lord Business's cellphone hand is a bit wobbly), the Macro-Manager is a huge threat. Four sturdy legs allow it to scurry around, crushing two minifigures with a single foot. It's favorite strategy? Using one sharpened arm to pin down its prey, and another to dissassemble it. The Macro Manager rarely has any interest in rebuilding what it takes apart... It leaves that to Business' lesser office grunts. Will Emmet fall prey to Lord Business' finest manager? The Macro-Manager leading two other custom Micro-Managers into the fray, with the Micro-Manager from Metalbeard's duel tagging along for scale.

"And since when are you the authority figure here, little miss druid? Should you spare her, her allegiance goes where it goes. That is a risk you simply must take, should you let this pathetic inksac live."

"Of course, her choice on whether or not her allegieance wavers is still up in the air..."