Endgame

I shake my head and sigh. "I've been a bit... Unreasonable, as of late, I think. Sorry. I've let my memories ge the better of me... If you want to keep wearing the dress, keep wearing the dress." I whisper the next part in a low voice, so no one else would hear. "And if you'd like some gold for the ring, I'd be happy to oblige. I don't object to what you're planning to do, Karie." "I have encountered doors that explode and laugh at you when you twist the knob. Tell me, Door, why malovelent tricks do you have up your sleeve? Should I fear you?"

"I've seen several doors. Would you, by any chance, be a benevolent door?"

I do have to commend you for being able to manage the game due to the vastly different timezones, though. Hey, for all I know, the gifts may come up today in my timezone.

Round Two of The Onslaught >Jeaux VS Jetorix (back): Critical Hit (11x2=22+16=38-6=32 damage) >Sarge heals Erdathcath (back): Heal (18+18=36 HP healed) >Erdathcath VS Jetorix: Special Damage Hit (20+13=33x2=66-6=60 damage) >Solon tosses Destructive Light Bomb >Em VS Disciple of Iris (back): Hit (15+7=22+2=24-4=20 damage) (No hexing) >Sarge VS Disciple of Iris (back, double): Critical Hit (18x2=36+18=54x2=108/2=54-4=50 damage) >Erdathcath VS Progg Executioner A (back): Special Damage Critical Hit (13x2=26+20=46x2=92-3=89 damage) (No poison) >Johon VS Disciple of Iris (back): Damage Damage (40/2=20-5=15 damage) (No hex) >Johon VS Progg Executioner A (back): Special Damage Critical Hit (8x3=24+26=50x2=100/2=50-3=47, Sealed!) >Punii makes a Military Grade Light Bomb: Success! Handed to Solon. >Red Oculoid C and D joins the battle! >Blue Oculoid C and D joins the battle! >Disciple of Iris B joins the battle! The party clashes once more with the horde of demons, after letting loose an impressive burst of light. The bomb tears through the lesser minions in the group, reducing them to mere puddles of ink. Johon teeters on the edge, and Jetorix flairs up with fury, but the battle is going smoothly otherwise. "Gah, my eyes!" "Might makes right!" Red Oculoid C, Level 29 Demon HP: 160/160 Specials: Overpower: The Red Oculoid catches the hero who rolled Special Damage by surprise and strangles them, causing that hero to take 50 damage. Soul Siphon: The Red Oculoid beings to nibble at the soul of the hero who rolled Special Damage, reducing their Max HP by 5. Specials alternate. Drops: 6 gold. "We'll wipe your kind off the planet!" Red Oculoid D, Level 29 Demon HP: 160/160 Specials: Overpower: The Red Oculoid catches the hero who rolled Special Damage by surprise and strangles them, causing that hero to take 50 damage. Soul Siphon: The Red Oculoid beings to nibble at the soul of the hero who rolled Special Damage, reducing their Max HP by 5. Specials alternate. Drops: 6 gold. "My brethren!" Blue Oculoid C, Level 27 Demon HP: 200/200 Specials: Dark Blast: The Oculoid releases a burst of dark magic, making 3 random heroes take damage equal to their level. Send In The Cavalry: The Blue Oculoid reduces itself to 1 HP to add two enemies to the "Defeats Needed" counter. Specials alternate. Drops: Remedy "That kind of power from that runt..." Blue Oculoid D, Level 27 Demon HP: 200/200 Specials: Dark Blast: The Oculoid releases a burst of dark magic, making 3 random heroes take damage equal to their level. Send In The Cavalry: The Blue Oculoid reduces itself to 1 HP to add two enemies to the "Defeats Needed" counter. Specials alternate. Drops: Remedy "This is absurd!" Disciple of Iris A, Level 40 Light *Poisoned! 10* HP: 194/350 SP: 4 Specials: Blind And Bind: The Disciple attacks in a flurry of strikes, blinding, binding, and dealing 48 damage to the hero who rolled Special Damage. Dismantle: The Disciple tears the hero's arms out of their sockets, dropping them to 1 HP and removing their positive effects. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Hypnotic Gaze: Any heroes that targets the Disciple has a 1/6 chance of being hexed. Drops: 15 gold, Mead "None may defy our mistress!" Disciple of Iris B, Level 40 Light HP: 350/350 SP: 4 Specials: Blind And Bind: The Disciple attacks in a flurry of strikes, blinding, binding, and dealing 48 damage to the hero who rolled Special Damage. Dismantle: The Disciple tears the hero's arms out of their sockets, dropping them to 1 HP and removing their positive effects. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Hypnotic Gaze: Any heroes that targets the Disciple has a 1/6 chance of being hexed. Drops: 15 gold, Mead "Prepostrous..." Progg Executioner A, Level 45 Beast *Confused! 2 rounds remaining* *Sealed! 3 rounds remaining* HP: 58/450 SP: 3 Specials: Sickening Scythe: A smog covered Scythe tears through the party. All heroes take damage equal to their level, and the hero who rolled Special Damage recieves the Poisoned 8 effect. Execution: The Executioner grapples with the hero who rolled Special Damage, removing their postivie effects. If the Executioner doesn't take 50 damage in the next round, he will instantly knock out the hero who rolled Execution the previous round. Specials decided by random. Passive Specials: Atrocious Aura: The Exectuioner has a poisonous aura around him. Any hero who targets him has a 1/6 chance of recieving the Poisoned 8 effect. Drops: 15 gold, Deadly Venom ". . ." Altered Jetorix, Level 47 Mechanical Humanoid *Confused! 3 rounds remaining* HP: 746/1000 SP: 6 Specials: Concussion: Altered Jetorix bludgeons the hero who rolled Special Damage with brutal force, reducing their max HP by 10 and doing damage equal to his level. Battle Frenzy: In a wide, arcing slash, all heroes take 28 damage. Effective Steal: Altered Jetorix steals the postive effects of the hero who rolled Special Damage (they last for 1 round) and Dooms them. Passive Specials: Bloodlust: Altered Jetorix regains 50 HP for every time a hero rolls Damage against him. Mob Mentality: Altered Jetorix gains 1 level for every enemy destroyed. Drops: Grating Stone x2, 50 gold Onslaught Rules: -There will always be a minimum of 8 enemies on the field. -Whenever an enemy is defeated, they will be replaced. A die will be rolled to determine which enemy will join the fray: 1. White Oculoid 2. Red Oculoid 3. Blue Oculoid 4. Green Oculoid 5. Disciple of Iris 6. Progg Executioner -25 enemies must be defeated for Iris to join the battle. Enemies Defeated: 7 / 25 -White Oculoid x2 (1 stolen from) -Blue Oculoid x2 -Green oculoid x1 -Red Oculoid x2 The Party: Sgt Jon. Mcency (Pyrovisionary) 54 years old male human witch Level 18.5 *Dual Strike* *Immune to blinded* *Hastened!* Power: 37 (18+17+2) Health: 37/38 (7+17+8+3+3) Ether: 9/19 (18+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 (Permanent hastened-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 Druid *Lucky!* *Hastened!* *Encouraged!* Power: 30 Health: 34/34 Ether: 22/23 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 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 x3, 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!* *Nostrum!* Level: 26.33 Power: 38 Health: 6/41 (23+8+1+7+0) Shield Power: (5+1) Ether: ~/0 Positive effects: *Immune to:* (*Fragile*, *Cursed* *Stunned* ), *Natural Respite* Negative effects: (none) Gold: 1502 (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 *Blessed* *Transcended* *Immune to Sealing, Bleeding, and Confused* Power: 27 (Level 15 + WP: 11) Defense: 2 Health: 24/24 (6 + 3 + 15) Ether: 17/17 (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, Phoenix Essence, Remedy x2, 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 "Feeling better." Fydelle Dos, Level 28 Black Knight Power Bonus: 6 SP: 3 Health: 35/35 Equipment: The Patriot (WP: 15), Captain's Carapace (SP + 3, +6 Power) Inventory: Smelling Salts, Remedy, Grand Potion, 6 gold NOTE: Due to previous wounds, if Solon or Fydelle remains Knocked Out for 2 whole turns, they will perish. "...Punii, that was... Wow." Solon, Level 35 Mime Power Bonus: 5 SP: 5 Health: 43/43 Equipment: Psuedo-Gladius (WP: 18), Regent's Carapace (SP + 5, +5 Power) Inventory: Crystal Sovereign, Mead, Military Light Bomb NOTE: Due to previous wounds, if Solon or Fydelle remains Knocked Out for 2 whole turns, they will perish. "On a *cough* roll!" Punii, Beast Bomber Extraordinaire

Best of luck, and I hope you and your family recover from the loss.

"I'll take it, but for some reason I hihgly doubt that I'll be able to put it into use this time around..." I take it in one hand, having to grab my shoulder with the other to prevent my arm from going out of its socket. Even then, a very audible crack can be heard. "Uggh... This thing is heavy... Or I'm just old."

"Don't fear me. Fear the Reaper." "Thank you... It's just... You know what I did to your grandmother. I can't stand harlotry. It's nothing short of dehumanizing. I esepcially don't want you, of all people, just eagerly waltzing down that path. I came home to my fiance, bruised, beaten, crying, every night. I couldn't stand seeing you like that." I pause for a moment. "I hope you know I don't object to what you're planning with that brochure." I wait, trying to gauge her reaction.

"I seem to recall you apologizing just a second earlier..." "Now you feel my pain..."

I cradle my head in my hands. "Trainwreck from start to finish, like I said. Why does it seem that we all resent one thing about the other? It literally forms a triangle..."

"Hrmph. You can drop the "vain and overly self important" act, Heckz. It is only detracting from what is otherwise beauty. And I would prefer if you didn't call my granddaughter useless..,"

"Although that outfit has, in all likelihood, knocked 3 months off my life expectancy," Had she not yet noticed my contempt for it, or was she just tuning me out? "I wouldn't say she was ever remotely close to worthless..."

...Aaaand that's the sound of the time line going up in flames, with Arthur explaining how its possible as the space time continium is cooked to a golden brown.

Yeah, Ella has me on the edge of my seat -I'm interested in what my letter to masson will yeild, as well.

QM Note: If someone could specify an action for Johon within the next hour or so, that'd be great.

Patience - it's the weekend, we may very well see it soon. If not,

I uncap a Pheonix Essence, and allow the crimson flames to engulf him. "Good head on your shoulders, Karie."

""I would much rather save it for a battle where we know it will allow us to decimate our foes... for now, I'll just use a Grand Potion (back) on him, and hope it works."

Although this is the most stumped I've really ever been in Heroica, I wouldn't call the battle unfair. I'll reserve judgement until we finally figure it out.

Liverpool, mostly. I think that there are enough overtly malevolent characters out there - what I think will really make the personalities of heroes shine is when the house factions turly come into play. Then we start seeing the ugly side of some heroes.

Masson doesn't speak with Joker's accent, by the way. (He, like much of my cast, defaults to New England.) Typically, I work backwards, for both Sorrow and other characters: Determine their personality, then determine their mannerisms, then any speech mannerisms, then any accent. For example, Aquos: Generally passive aggressive and snobby, meticulous and cunning, tendency to sound someone eloquent and calm at almost all times, upper crust British accent. Yes, Aquos had a British accent.

QM Note: Johon is now about 400 gold richer, Solon is stunned because of the Black Knight's shield skill, and you are correct about the Disciple, Joeshmoe.