Endgame

"That must be it then, in all likelihood..."

"I'm at a loss... If that scepter isn't the Amethyst, then I don't know what is. Are you sure it wasn't robbed from your wagon, Miss Elphaba?

"Heh... I'll be fine, Karie, no need to worry about your favorite admin. Now... Onwards!" Octavyn staggers to his feet, following the heroes in their chase. They dash through the lab, Octavyn at first lagging behind but eventually overtaking the heroes. They exit out into the cliffside ridge,the burst of fresh air being a wonderful relief. However, they had no time to marvel over nature, the rain from earlier now escalating to a rather heavy downpour. Their every hasty step punctuated by the splash of water, the party ascends the ldder back to the surface, following Doppel's inky trail. The ladder is nearly torn off from the rail by the storm, tearing over the tremendous weight and wind - however, it miraculously endures, carrying the heroes back to the lighthouse. There, they find their target - as well as another familiar face. Augustus, weilding his pristine black corseque, was currently locking blades with his "brother". He hadn't noticed the real Octavyn yet. "Octavyn, listen to me!" Augustus shouts over the howling winds; only to be forced back by one of Doppel's sudden bursts of valor. "What the hell has gotten into you, brother?!" Despite his previous animosity, there was something unmistakable in Augustus's voice... Concern, and lots of it. It seems Octavyn still held a big portion of Augustus's heart, after all... "Augustus! That isn't me!" Octavyn cllas to his elder brother. Both parties whirl around to see the source of the sound, awestruck. "Wha-??" "I told you to STAY OUT OF MY WAY!" Both were awestruck - but Augustus recovered faster. With a quick slash upwards of his corseque, he tears a vertical gash in Doppel's chest. He sends the beast stumbling backwards, pouring out black plasm from the wound. Augustus rushes towards the party, soaked from the rain. "I think we all have some explaining to do... And quick, before that thing gets his balance back." The party can hear Doppel muttering foul vitriol: "My experimentors were right about you humans..." What will the party do?

Wait a second, so Mizuki could theoritically run across the diameter of the Earth in 5 seconds? It just seems... really out of place, I suppose - an otherwise normal human literally being able to run across the world in 5 seconds flat. I mean, we have magic in the game,butwithout magical bent, you really have to begin wondering what Mizuki is.

You should probably specify that - as well as how an assassin does that in the first place.

But Doppel wouldn't even have to fwoosh to do that, he could just change into Karie instantly.

"This is why I have reality issues!!" Yeah, I'd just go with the herb.

Also, from what I've abserved (although I have never drank, too young to drink, and don't plan on drinking) barrel sizes vary massively. Up in the Northeast, every single barrel I've seen only holds about 4-5 drinks; drinking 10 drinks isn't all that odd by Heroica standards.

One thing to keep in mind is that Drake pretty much disregarded pretty much anything resembling logic or the laws of physics - and even the game itself, really.

Skrall's rrow pierces through the cell's stagnant air, plunging through Doppel's right shoulder; and taking the rest of the arm with it! His right arm is torn clean off... Only for Doppel to frantically run over to his detached limb, hanging from the wall, and placing it back on his ink-dripping stump. With a twist, he reattaches it... Good as new. A few severed limbs couldn't hold this monstrosity back. "What... Why did you...?!" The party recalls something: The Oculoids had conditioned him to feel nothing but rage while interacting with humans. With absolutely nothing left, Doppel falls back on the thing the Oculoids had best taught him: How to hate. "You sick, disgusting.... HOW DARE YOU?! Real or not real, I'll..." "Yeah, this is where I step in." Octavyn, clearly disturbed by the creature's sudden change in demeanor, suddenly lunges towards Doppel: and plunges a syringe directly into his neck. However, Doppel doesn't waver. He simply grabs Octavyn by the neck, his inky skin beginning to ripple and morph... It changes colors, sparkles of gold fabric poking out from his pitch-black comlexion. He changed shape, matching Octavyn's frame perfectly... Copy Octavyn's appearance exactly. A slither of flesh even unfurls from around his wrist, morphing into a corseque nearly identical to octavyn's. Octavyn can only watch in horror before Doppel thrwos the admin to the floor. Doppel bolts for the door, running past the heroes, making one final remark: "Those demons... They mad eme feel happy, they mad me feel angry... They taught me not to love, they taught me how to hate. How to kill. I don't know what is what - what's real, what is illusion, and what is in between. I am heading out into the world, and I don't care what I have to do or who I have to hurt to figure everything out. Just... just stay out of my way!" Doppel bolts, running for the exit. Octavyn coughs, ripping off his hood. This is the first time the party had ever seen him unmasked; in fact, Karie had only seen his face for a split second when she first joined the Syndicate. "Figured I'd take off my hood to differentiate myself from that pyscho..." Octavyn coughs before continuing. "We can't allow him to simply linger in Eubric; One way or another, we'll have to stop him! He trembles slightly as he draws himself up, picking up his corseque. "Ready to make chase?"

QM Note: I have to run this round incredibly quickly, so: Round Eight of the Riot Battle! >Erdathcath revives Sarge (back) >Sarge VS Jetorix (back): Critical Hit (17x2=34+18=52x4=204/2=104-5=99 damage) >Sarge VS Mr. M. Opoly (back): Damage (18/2=9 damage) >Erdathcath VS Jetorix (back): Shield: Roots Of Life! >Em VS Siri (back): Special Damage (More Than A Concubine: Sarge and Em are enamored and drop their current weapons) Erdathcath revives Sarge. Both heroes can no longer ignore Siri's beauty, become enamored to the point where they drop their weapons. They wouldn't dare harm her now - she was too gorgeous to die. The Battle Rages On! "Nice one, Siri." Jetorix, Level 48 Humanoid *Badly Poisoned!* *Confused! 3 rounds remaining* HP: 723/999 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. "Like what you see, boys?" Siri, Level 40 Humanoid *Badly Poisoned!* HP: 47/498 SP: 3 Specials: Cloak and Dagger: Using her robes to her advantage in an attack, Siri Confuses a hero and makes Fragile for 3 rounds, as well a reducing them to half HP. More Than A Concubine: With a sway of her hips, all male heroes become Enamored with Siri, as well as causing them to drop their weapons. That hero must spend a turn to pick up that weapon. Drops: Lover's Locket, Love Potion, Blind Fury "Uh oh." Mr. M. Opoly, Level 18 Humanoid HP: 91/160 Specials: Bankrupt: Mr. M Opoly steals 50 gold, healing himself by 50 HP. He adds it into his inventory: Every turn he has it, he stashes 10 gold, prventing the heroes from retrieving it. Drops: 80 gold. Riot Party: Sgt Jon. Mcency (Pyrovisionary) 54 years old male human witch Level 18 *Dual Strike* *Immune to blinded* *Hastened* *Enamored With Siri! 3 rounds remaining* Power: 37 (18+17+2) Health: 38/38 (7+17+8+3+3) Ether: 10/19 (+1) Gold: 277 (70 owed to Brickington) Equipment: Demonic Scissors (WP:17, dual strike, Light, Darkness, 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), Pheonix essence x2 , Potion x4, Grand Potion x5, 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 *Hastened!* Power: 29 Health: 33/33 Ether: 22/22 Gold: 299 Equipped: Tritech Handcannon (WP:13), Satchel of Awesomeness (Causes 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 petrify), Mage's muffler Name: Unknown. Most call him "Em," though his real name remains largely mysterious. *Encouraged!* *Enamored With Siri! 3 rounds remaining* Unknown age male human ranger Level 14.5 Power: 23 SP: 2 Health: 21/21 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)[/font], Syndicate Cowl (SP: 2, Immune to Doomed effect) Inventory: Consumables: Smoke bomb, Grating Stone x2, Nostrum x2, Potion x4, Remedy x4, , Venom, Ice Bomb, Grand Potion, Mead, Quality Cutlass (WP:6, Dagger) 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), Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe,Bow(WP:5), 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), Ambrosia, Crystal Sovereign ----------------------------------------------------------- <He's on this floor, but the room he is in is sealed up reeeaaalll tight. You'd have to go through a hole in the roof to even get near the yellow bugger.>

In fact, it is going to snow in 86 shortly!

A notice is slipped onto the Heroica Quest Board without anyone's notice: Looking for a replacement hero for Quest #81: Home Sweet Home.

I thought we all finally reached the consensus that I am, in fact, the Skynet Jr. I've dabbled with minor programming myself, and I can safely say that it would be absurdly difficult/borderline impossible to code that.

Doppel straightens his posture, but begins to tread towards a corner, as if he was a mouse about to be devoured by a cat. "No... No, you can't help me. This can't be possible... This isn't possible... This is a dream. This a dream, an illusion, and none of you are real. The experimentors used to thrust me into an illusion, a dream, and made me kill all the people inside of it to get out... After that, would give me a nice prick of that yellow potion stuff... It made me feel all warm and happy inside." Doppel's face seems to controt into a growing rage. "I'm right, aren't I?! You aren't real! If you're real, then prove it!" The poor thing had no concept of reality anymore - the Oculoids destoryed everything he had. His name, his memories, his body, his sanity... All gone.

Doppel suddenly lurches around, turning to the origin of the sound. He faces the heroes, still clutching at the wall. "What the - who are you and what are you...?! Are you another one of those experimentors?"

I go up to the witch. The witch herself did not bother me - In fact, I knew a woman of similar talents and complexion during my childhood - But the skeletons in her caravan did. I wouldn't be purchasing one any time soon, that is for sure. "It seems one significant item has been stolen from every store: A warhammer, a shield, a jester's hat, and a toolkit. Is there anything important to your craft that may have been stolen from you, Miss Elphaba?"

Couldn't help notice that they used the same piece, that's all. On the subject of animal companions: I'm ambivalent. Mostly any concept can be excellent or poor... It's all about execution, in my mind.

Hershey is totally on top of Elphaba's wagon right now, guys. I guess that is what she thought Karie meant by a warm place.

Baradock rushes forward through the ink-stained corridor, throwing the door open with a shove from his forearm. It slams open, nearly shattering its weak hinges... But the noise doesn't seem to alert the abomination lurking inside the room... The room is claustrophobia incarnate - it was big enough to hold more than the five people standing in it, but it seemed almost as if the walls were closing in... The stench of death was heavy in the air, a suffocating smell. However, the sights and smells of the tiny chamber were dwarfed by the creature inside of it: His complexion was pitch black, a glassy membrane protecting his chest. He seemed to be composed entirely out of ink and black mist, vague hints of a skeletal system poking through his spindly frame. He leans his head on the wall, clutching to the sides chamber, breathing heavily and quivering - as if trying to get a grip on reality. He has not yet noticed the heroes...

Have Guts dancing shoes become his RP companion and I will give you everything I have.

<Not anything I witnessed.>

Possibly a Grogmas gift or something? Plus, Johon has one, and i get the feeling it'd linger on the aftermarket for quite a while.

Karie literally has 4 different Expert Classes should could go for and it'd make sense... Dragoon, Minstrel, Necromancer, and Harlot, all equally possible. Though I imagine Masson wouldn't be a fan of the last one.

Violetta made constant remarks about Ulric/Copper Fox "made her who she was", and remarked that her werewolf form was the "true power" of the wolfgang - I'm guessing she picked it up from them instead of being born with lycanthropy. WereNewtMinstrelSyndicateWitchAlienApprenticeNecromancerHarlot Karie Prime?