Endgame

"Perhaps just a clerical error, then, Arthur? I don't have an explanation for you, really... Patricia seemed like someone who was trying desperately to keep the cracks in this city from expanding. Were some of her choices on that night wrong? Perhaps. I'm biased, of course... I think we all are. I think what my granddaughter was doing last night was nothing short of evil. But I don't think she herself was. If I had known at the time, I would've had her taken into custody instead of killed. Perhaps we could've worked something out. But we'll never know, will we?" I sigh. "Here is the thing, Arthur. Althior told me they were not creatures of the void, but from the Lifespark. Meaning that, perhaps, they are not traditional demons in the sense that they serve Azazot. They must have some sort of creator, in this realm... Which is troubling, to say the last. The Lifespark is quite the relic. A massive ethereal inferno, made from the collective power of the gods - It was a legend that has been passed down in necromantic communities when I was a child. From what I've observed, the ages have taken its toll on the tale, and it has faded into obscurity, nearly erased completely. Of course, being something so powerful, anyone who touched it would've been annihilated instantly. Their mind overwhelmed, their body obliterated. Utterly destroyed, gone, basically. But... If someone of this realm has learned how to temper the flames... It can only be a bad thing. I'm hard pressed thinking of any sorcerers that could've done it, not that I've met. Even Baba seemed more apt to simply pluck demons from the void rather then creating them. What sick, demented monster would create such cruel creatures, willing to twist and break a human like that?" I place a hand on Arthur's shoulder. "Arthur. You are a human being, and I say that with the highest regards. When you are human, memories crumble. When you are human, scars fade. Eventually, you'll be able to escape all that, to be able to live without all that baggage. Hopefully it is sometime soon. But... What, exactly, do you mean by "destruction"?""

I feel incredibly tempted to have a word puzzle that translates to "I PREPARED EXPLOSIVE RUNES THIS MORNING." Then, have it, you know, explode.

Hey, how would you feel if your inner monologue was panicking but every single cell in your body was saying "yes"?

Unlike Guts, he has managed to keep both his stoic facial features and his hair. I am now very tempted to run an arena battle, Masson VS Guts...

To be perfectly fair, I am afraid to go back to reading 48 as well.

86 and 81 share the same purpose: Tie my first two arcs into the final one.

Round Fourteen of the Riot Battle! >Sarge VS Jetorix (back): Hit (17+18=35x4=140/2=70-5=65 damage) >Sarge VS Jetorix (back): Critical Hit (17x2=34+18=52x4=208/2=104-5=99 damage) With two consecutive slashes, Sarge kncokcs Jetorix down to his knees. The battle was won, the heroes heaving a much deserved sigh as they look around at the carnage before them. The three of them had succesfully disbanded Jetorix's small riot crew... And they got plenty of spoils to go around. As Em surveys the scene, looking down at the wounds criss crossing his body, he enters moment of contemplation... He looks at the mighty Jetroix and his concubine, realizing he had just defeated them. This battle was taxing, but it made him feel ready to tackle an Advanced Class. The Battle Is Victorious! All heroes gan their respective amounts of EXP. Party Leader, please divide the loot. QM Note: Pictures coming shortly - my Imgur account is acting wonky. -120 gold -Jinxy Juice -Frost Helemt: SP: 3, headwear. Grants immunity to Ice-elemental attacks. -Military Grade Fire Bomb: Does 10 Fire-elemental damage to all enemies when thrown. -Grating Stone -Lover's Locket: Accesroy, protects against Enamoring. -Love Potion: An odd brew. Can be used on an enemy to make them enamored with that hero for 3 rounds. -Blind Fury: A vitriolic brew. Can be used on an enemy to make them Enraged and Blind for 3 rounds. -Grand Tonic Riot 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: 27/38 (7+17+8+3+3) Ether: 10/19 (18+1) Gold: 277 (70 owed to Brickington) Equipment: Demonic Scissors (WP:17, 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) Inventory: Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, stuns on successful hits, Hollow (-) halberd), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Mythril Shield (SP:20), Phoenix Essence, Potion x4, Grand Potion x4, 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 Erdathcath Madilinas, 199 years old, Level 20 Druid *Lucky!* Power: 30 Health: 34/34 Ether: 22/23 Gold: 299 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, 7 Mead, 9 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) 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: 30 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) Siri stirs. Something falls out of her personage: a bottle of blue perfume, the scent of jasmine oozing out. The smell seemingly awaking her, she staggers up and glares at the heroes with contempt. "Nnnnnrggh... I can't stand you vile things, truly. If my master had allowed me to dip into one ounce of my actual power, instead of forcing me to use this pitiful vessel..." A faint blue shimmer can be seen around Siri's eyes... What was going on here? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeaux grabs the odd bottle, and examines it, its contents swirling in a mesmerizing pattern. Blue Blast Jelly: What in the world is this...? Jeaux, having exchausted the contents of the devestated 3D, treks back down the stairs. he ascends back up a pile of ashy rubble, joining Johon in his investigation of 3B and 3C. Johon checks the drawers, finding various schematics of the of the apartment building they were in: as well as designs for two others. Interestingly, the Blue Apartment Complex they were in had one interesting feature: A crawlspace availible to all Proggs who resided in the building, accesible by the roof. He reads the paper on the desks.

I was under the impression that the Dragonlord was a Dragoon, and the Feathered Serpent a shaman.

I bite my lip as Karie describes the horrid creatures, and what they were doing. What was Heroica against...? Things were starting to look bleaker than ever... I turn to Arthur. "That's... That's horrible, Karie. I'm guessing you are more well versed in the knowledge of demons than I - I haven't fought any. Mind reading, shape changing, cruelty towards humans... Ringing any bells?"

Female redhead. I was going to put "one of" in that sentence, but I figure it'd ruin the alliteration. I use Heroica as a term for the entire game universe, most of the time.

The gentleman from 77 (Sir... Kardzadaph, I want to say?) and Masson are both Paragons. When the latter isn't awkwardly romancing Heroica's one of resident redheads, he is quite competent in battle.

Heroica's two Paragons would like to have a word with Guts.

I open my eyes wide and put down my glass. "You? Fired? Was there any mention of why, Arthur? You helped them take down Dozenhands, for Helvetia's sake..." "Demons - nasty things. Did they seem to be working for Mephisto or the like? I believe Althior told me about them once... Eyeballcloids, right?"

"Gah, political intrigue and deception. Had a big enough dosage of that in Charis, thank you very much. Bloody Fantome... I wonder whether or not he is alive or dead in that cell I threw him in. Paralyzed the poor bastard from the neck down and left him to the - justifiably outraged - populace. Fields, huh?" I think about it, mulling it over. We complimented eachother's skills as well - and maybe I could get my hands on some of those shiny trinkets that the fields contained. "I'm up for it."

"Sarah... Is very unlikely. I found someone I wnated to be with for the rest of my life, and I royally screwed it up. Undead get only one shot at - and I know this is extremely cliched - "true love". You seem to have been lucky enough to get two, at the very least, so I'm happy for you in that aspect. I always wanted to raise a child with the intention that he or she would be a better person then I was. Ridiculous?" I chuckle. "One time I bought a 300 pound box of nothing but castanets at an auction. It was something like 150 gold - ridiculous." I nod. "Agreed - take a seat, Arthur."

"Perhaps I finally may get in contact with my son... Maybe Sarah. Maybe make amends with your sister or something... The afterlife holds so many secrets." "By all accounts, the necromancers in the community said my "father" became a different person when he "adopted" me... A better person. Children change you, I suppose - Though, to be perfectly fair, I wouldn't know." I give a sorrowful chuckle as I take a ginger sip of my water.

Racist, bigoted bastard who has a way with words. He and his concubine, Siri, gather up a group of Eubric's citizens every day and try to break into the Progg settlement, beleieving they are unclean scum/devils. Political reasons forbid a Progg from harming a human (they're already in hot water after what happened in Luosh) so they hired humans to take care of them, as well as the destruction of their construction site. Proggs are dealing with a homelessness problem currently, so they need these apartment buildings up ASAP.

It's me poking fun at myself for making battles that last long. Also, Jetorix's patience is wearing thin. He just wants to walk all over the heroes, pick up any of the rioters that aren't dead, and wreak some havoc.

Round Thirteen of the Riot Battle! >Sarge VS Jetorix (back): Hit (17+18=35x2=70/2=35-5=30 damage) >Sarge VS Jetorix (back): Miss >Em VS Jetorix (back): Miss >Erdathcath VS Jetorix (back): Special Damage Critical Hit (13x2=26+19=45-5=40 damage) Jetorix and the party continue to spar. The Battle Rages On! "JUST DIE ALREADY!" Jetorix, Level 48 Humanoid *Badly Poisoned!* *Confused! 2 rounds remaining* HP: 158/999 SP: 5 Specials: Arc Slash: In a wide swing, all heroes take 28 damage from Jetorix. Bonebreaker: Jetorix crushes the hero who rolled Special Damage with his axe, dropping their level, max HP, and max Ether by 4 each for the rest of the battle. Mob Stampede: The hero who rolled Special Damage is assaulted by the combined strength of the mob, taking damage to all of their levels added together divided by 2. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Defensive Postion: Jetorix has a 1/6 chanc eof Countersriking at the end of every round he is succesfully hit. Drops: Jinxy Juice, Frost Helmet, 40 gold. Riot Party: Sgt Jon. Mcency (Pyrovisionary) 54 years old male human witch Level 18 *Dual Strike* *Immune to blinded* *Hastened!* Power: 37 (18+17+2) Health: 27/38 (7+17+8+3+3) Ether: 10/19 (18+1) Gold: 277 (70 owed to Brickington) Equipment: Demonic Scissors (WP:17, 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) Inventory: Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, stuns on successful hits, Hollow (-) halberd), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Mythril Shield (SP:20), Phoenix Essence, Potion x4, Grand Potion x4, 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 Erdathcath Madilinas, 199 years old, Level 19.5 Druid *Lucky!* Power: 29 Health: 33/33 Ether: 21/22 Gold: 299 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, 7 Mead, 9 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) Name: Unknown. Most call him "Em," though his real name remains largely mysterious. Unknown age male human ranger Level 14.5 Power: 23 SP: 4 Health: 21/21 (6+13+2) Gold: 30 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) ----------------------------------------------------- QM Note: I apologize, Joeshmoe - I'll have Johon and jeaux split up temporarily. The two new heroes split up and continue their search. Jeaux checks the padlocks and sees they are soundly locked, one of them having 5 digits, one 6 digits, and one 4 digits - and only numbers. The other padlocks used letters only. Jeaux descends down a floor and head sback into 2D. He ascends up the steps, and enters into 3D by climbing up. He sees that, for the most part, 3D was destroyed - the floor near the doorway had collapsed entirely. An odd blue jelly sits on the stoop. Meanwhile, Johon peers into 3C, and finds a half baked office of sorts. Next, he peers into 3D's doorway - and nearly steps out. Due to the disastrous state, he would've stepped out onto thin air and plummeted to his death. Thankfully, he catches himself. He sees Jeaux clambering up the steps, the two seperated by a chasm. If the party is done investiagating the building, they could ascend to the roof at any time.

QM Note: Hopefully this is the last round Flipz has to run for me - my schedue has let up signifcantly, so I should be able to take this battle from here. Thanks, Flipz! Guest QM Note: Hmph. You lucked out. Round Twelve of the Riot Battle! >Sarde drinks Grand Potion (back) >"Sarg" revives Em (back) >Em VS Jetorix (back): Special Damage (Confused! Arc Slash: 28-5=23 damage Jetorix) >Erdathcath VS Jetorix (back): Damage Damage (Confused! 48-5=43 damage Jetorix) Jetorix prepares to crush the party with a final blow, but the power of Erdathcath's amulet finally overwhelms him, and he deals significant damage to himself. Sarge decides to forego his healing abilities and instead drinks a Grand Potion. He then revives Em. "Uhh...what just happened?" The Battle Rages On! "Heh...looks like the only one who can hurt me...is me. Ugh..." Jetorix, Level 48 Humanoid *Badly Poisoned!* *Confused! 2 rounds remaining* HP: 238/999 SP: 5 Specials: Arc Slash: In a wide swing, all heroes take 28 damage from Jetorix. Bonebreaker: Jetorix crushes the hero who rolled Special Damage with his axe, dropping their level, max HP, and max Ether by 4 each for the rest of the battle. Mob Stampede: The hero who rolled Special Damage is assaulted by the combined strength of the mob, taking damage to all of their levels added together divided by 2. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Defensive Postion: Jetorix has a 1/6 chanc eof Countersriking at the end of every round he is succesfully hit. Drops: Jinxy Juice, Frost Helmet, 40 gold. Riot Party: Sgt Jon. Mcency (Pyrovisionary) 54 years old male human witch Level 18 *Dual Strike* *Immune to blinded* *Hastened!* Power: 37 (18+17+2) Health: 27/38 (7+17+8+3+3) Ether: 10/19 (18+1) Gold: 277 (70 owed to Brickington) Equipment: Demonic Scissors (WP:17, 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) Inventory: Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, stuns on successful hits, Hollow (-) halberd), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Mythril Shield (SP:20), Phoenix Essence, Potion x4, Grand Potion x4, 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 Erdathcath Madilinas, 199 years old, Level 19.5 Druid *Lucky!* Power: 29 Health: 33/33 Ether: 21/22 Gold: 299 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, 7 Mead, 9 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) Name: Unknown. Most call him "Em," though his real name remains largely mysterious. Unknown age male human ranger Level 14.5 Power: 23 SP: 4 Health: 21/21 (6+13+2) Gold: 30 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) ---------------------------------------- Jeaux and Johon walk into 3B after ascending a mound of black rocks. They step into a spacious room, empty except for some boxes: all of them had padlocks on them.

"I've been considering necromancy since I knew that Copper Fox offered it. Though now I highly doubt I will speak to him again after yesterday's events... What would you like the skillset for? It isn't a laughing matter, you know. I'm doing it to honor my "father". You probably could do nothing to sway Thothwick's opinion; In all likelihood, he was resolute before the battle began. Dyric and Lawrence seem to be because of the circumstances if anything, although Boomingham is indeed very resolute in his morals. It's kind of admirable, really. Oh, and Guts? Nice enough guy underneath all of the stoicism, but messing with him is probably a poor idea. I watched him behead a tyrant or two while questing with him. No, not really. I read the scripts, but I have a really tough time justifying something like 50 gold for a ticket. I would've taken Sarah to some back in the day, but we didn't really have theaters in our town. Nice to see things between you and... Masson, right...? are going well, at least." I take a sip of water and smirk - it could just hardly be seen beneath the blue glow. "Should I expect great x18 grandkids any time soon?"

What where they doing last night, then?

I've been trying for a month now, and for the life of me I can't figure out what that is the abbreviated form of.

"Yes, they did. I have that "Worth Something" title as well..." "Hey, you haven't had your home has been torched yet, so that is always a plus! Helvetia... She gets a bad rap. She is commonly worshipped by necromancers, yes, but she is the goddess of the afterlife. I assume we all have plans to go to that plane at one point or another, so really, what is the harm in praying to her? Might help you get a better start in the afterlife when you kick the bucket, you know? Few truly know what the fterlife is like - I mean, I can't remember anything of my experience there - but it can't hurt to show devotion once in a while." I take a sip, before continuing. "There are some ways to evade the reaper, but they're... Gruesome." "Can't vouch for the Metasimian all that much, but I've met Dyric and quested with Boomingham twice. They seem like dependable enough fellows... Differing opinions doesn't make them bad people. The Metasimian... Err, Woththick, I believe? Has had some very nasty experiences with witches in his Heroica career, or so I heard. Stereotpyes are just awful like that." I shrug before continuing. "Heh, Guts? He can be rough at times, but he knows what he is doing in a battle, as well as why he is questing. What'd you do to tick him off? I imagine the result was that gentle." "But that's enough bad stuff, I sppose. I'm guessing last night went well, then?"

I look up from my glass of water to notice someone familiar approaching me. I give a slight smile, although it is hidden entirely by the blue glow enveloping my face. "I'm a Super Sleuth now, apparently." I say, jerking my thumb towards the hall of heroes. My plaque would be affixed by the day's end. "Also considering getting back into the whole "worshipping Helvetia" thing as well. And how have you been doing?"