Endgame

The party forges on, heading to the northern end of the Bazaar. they pass a variety of establishments - stall, kiosks, saleproggs - but the Northern end is, shockingly, dominated by but one shop. For such a small building it had a monstrous line, dozens of Proggs and their larvae lining up at one window. Another window remains open, but vacant. The salesproggs behind the counter run frantically, trying to fulfill the orders. The proggs in line take notice of the heroes. Some glare, others murmur, and some simply don't avert their eyes from their forward look. Two phalanx guards stand at the ready, watching the scene closely. What will the party do?

The 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: 38/38 (7+17+8+3+3) Ether: 19/19 (+1) Gold: 277 (70 owed to Brickington) Equipment: Demonic Scissors (WP:17, dual strike, Light, Darkness, Hollow (Potion) 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 x3 , Potion x4, Grand Potion x5, Remedy x5, Nostrum, 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 Power: 29 Health: 33/33 Ether: 22/22 Gold: 299 Equipped: Tritech Handcannon (WP:13), Satchel of Awesomeness (Causes lucky-effect; bodywear), Mage's Muffler (protects from sealed) 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, 10 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), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; suitable to Erdathcath only; accessory) Elgar Gligin (played by Jedi master Brick) Level 24 2/3 Druid *Immune to Fragile!* Power: 34 Defense: 6 Health: 38/38 Ether: 24/24 Gold:40 Equipment: Mockthril Crossbow (WP:11 Permanently Deadly envenomed), Chainmail (SP: 2, Bodywear: half damage from Fire elemental enemies and double from Electric elemental enemies) Emerald Hood (SP: 4, headwear, protects from Fragile) Inventory: Fauxthril Longbow (WP: 5),Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Topaz,,Opal, Spade, Pickaxe, 3 Potions, Needlessly Large Rod (Non-Artifact Item, Curses a random enemy. Usable once per battle.) Does not prevent free hits. Grand Potion (x3), Fireworks, Remedy (x2), Hide of The Regret (halves damage from undead; suitable for anyone, backwear), Tonic, Grand tonic (x5), Root beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against undead enemies for 20 damage. The Root Beer does not affect non-undead enemies.) , Ambrosia, White Devil Name: Unknown. Most call him "Em," though his real name remains largely mysterious. Unknown age male human ranger Level 14.5 Power: 23 SP: 2 Health: 16/21 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 x5, Remedy x4, , Venom, Ice Bomb, Grand Potion, Mead x2, 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 Jeaux Elmfyre (joeshmoe554) Automaton male, Evoker Level 15.5 *Blessed* *Transcended* Power: 26 (Level 15 + WP: 11) Defense: 0 (-2) Health: 23/23 (6 + 3 + 14) Ether: 16/16 (15 + 1) Gold: 117 Equipment: Divine Cannonade (WP:11; gives blessed- and transcended-effects to user; hollow; handcannon), Handy Suitcase (SP-2, use 2 Items; accessory), Enchanted Ring (Accesory, protects against Sealed) Inventory: Golden Handcannon (WP:9; lightning-elemental), Eminus (WP: 5; bow), Ranger's Quiver (WP+1; backwear), Topaz, Grand Tonic x2, Phoenix Essence, Venom x2, Smoke Bomb, Holy Bomb, Water Bomb, Bedroll, Bone x6, Turdwing (fly familiar; causes confused to one opponent whenever used), Grand Potion x3, Volatile Venom x5 Summons: Thunder Mode "Much appreciated, sir. You're the first person to ever purchase a single vial of that..." The Toxiprogg muses. Will the party head to the North End of the bazaar?

No, it does not make inflicted heroes contagious. it is a double-edged sword, but an inexpesnive one at that.

"You Heroicans have to fix up the human-porgg relations before I can do any of that, I'm afraid. Your organization pulled my hide out of the frying pan once, though, and I have confidence that you can do it again... For all of us, really. Ignore some of the glances you may get, heroes - there is still a lot of friction after the genocide in Luosh. The one Progg I knew who could go to the topside and interact with the humans freely went missing three days ago, poor guy. I wasn't part of it, though, make no mistake. I was on the hero's side! In fact, I've been living off the money I made form venom purchases that one night for the last few months...

"You and everyone else, apparently." The Toxiprogg groans. "The venom market has crashed since we've stopped our warmongering ways. My trade is now an obsolete one..."

Well, first you have to get through the into phase. I apologize how long this initial romp through town is taking. There is only one more store after the stall, then you finally will get to go the Stronghold.

81 will have sidequests... You just have to trigger them

I'd look at that person oddly because I don't have a sister. I honestly think Masson wouldn't dare kill Ulric. He'd probably strike him down, shotgun-slash him into submission, (or atleast try, I have no doubt Ulric is a superior fighter to Masson.) and let Patricia skewer him. I get the feeling Karie was already in agreement with Masson partially after Karie's chat with Masson, so.

I do have a certain love for Noxious Venom, CMP. Is it the only item that can inflict Confused? Either way, thanks for the heads up! Anyway, a recurring character from 36/48 - Huzzah! I love how Masson hardly even had to convince you. Karie pretty much convinced herself after seeing Masson's room.

The Toxiprogg allows the question to slide off his back for a little bit, trying to get his bearings - still shaking off his sleepy fugue. "...I slept through the echoes, announcement, didn't I? Anyway, I deal in benom. Take a look..." Toxiprogg's Venom Stall: Volatile Venom: 10 gold "Hit an enemy with this, and they become Badly Poisoned! It also makes them contagious though, dealing Badly-Poisoned right back on rolls of damage. Use with care." Noxious Venom: 90 gold "Just touching this venom makes someone's head spin. Makes enemies Badly Poisoned for the duration of the battle and Confused for 3 rounds. (The timer for Confused may be reset by another hit.) Not even I enjoy mixing this stuff. Ghastly." Venom: 10 gold "Can't beat the classics." Crumbling Venom: 50 gold "A Toxiprogg specialty! Enemies hit with this begin to Crumble, losing 1 SP and a 3 health per round." Deadly Venom: 45 gold "Many people debate which came first: Deadly Venom or normal Venom. Chicken and the Egg scenario, I guess." Toxiprogg looks glumly at Sarge, realizing that the drunken witch may not have picked up any of what he said. It was clear this progg had a passio for venom. "...So, you aren't alone, are you? I'm assuming Solon recruited more of you lot... I have some experience with Heroica myself. None as hammered as you, however..."

Sarge gives the silver bell a drunken whack, the sound reverbing around the secion of the bazaar. Patrons give Sarge odd loks before they realize it was actually a service bell. Sarge can see the asphalt inside the stall shifting away, four tentacles emerging from the ground. A green crapace begins to emerge from the ground, followed by a black facegrate. The creature yawns a coarse yawn, this Progg more bizarre then anything Sarge had seen thus far. "I'm sorry, valued customer, the stall is currenty closed right now. My brother is attending - Wait... Humans?! Here?! Already?!"

"If none of you are interested in my services, I suggest you people move on."

Thanks for the insight, everyone! Oh, trust me - Prometheus Regret is going to be present for my finale. he'll be trying to throw you offg the rails I've set you for sure. In terms of babysitting NPCs: Can't see it happen on the finale, really. The weakest one is probably going to be a Level 25-30 Alchemist, and you will have Masson Cour along for the ride, now boasting a far more powerful weapon and the same level. I would be incredibly interested with what happens when you place Arthur, Karie, Boomingham, Masson, and The Regret in the same room, however.

Seasonal quests haven't been pulled off before - go for it! It'd be interesting to see, for sure, although the "Kintobor" part seems a bit unneeded. (I am incredibly tempted to make a quest called "Endgame." )

To be honest, I am afraid if I go through with it, I'll have to deal with juggling inventories like poor Zepher had to on 53. May the gods have mercy on my soul. Oh, trust me, I want them to succeed, up until the boss. Then the kid gloves come off. (Though my finale actually does begin with a boss fight. ) On one hand: -Forces strategy and gives absolute meaning to every encounter. -It's stressful, something I don't think a gaming experience should be. Challenging? of course! Frustrating? Tolerable. But I don't play games to get stressed, unless I'm doing a masochist run or somehing. I bleieve the game should be enjoyable, no matter the circumstances.

Oh, of course - Permadeath and Perma-ko are two very different things. My finale is quite frankly going to be a gauntlet and among the hardest challegnes Heroicans will face, so I'm debating on how I should handle Perma-Ko: 3 strikes and you're out, or not having it at all? I'm interested in seeing other people's opinions on the entire concept in general.

Since I'm currently now knee-deep in planning the rest of my arc, a question: For my finale, how would you folks like Perma-KO to be executed, if at all?

The smith looks at the heroes, clutching his ahmmer more tightly. "Oh. Humans. Come here for my services, I take it?" He looks wearily at Elgar. "Do you know who I am, druid?" "Either way, my services." Upgrade equipment (+1 point): Any weapon can be upgraded with this service, adding one point to its power per upgrade. Each upgrade costs the amount of WP the weapon has after the upgrade times ten. For example, when a Sword (WP: 3) is upgraded to a Sword (WP: 4), it costs 40 gold. When an Axe (WP: 6) is upgraded to an Axe (WP: 7), it costs 70 gold. You can also upgrade the SP of shields this way. You can order several upgrades for your weapon or shield, but the costs will stack. For example, upgrading a Mace (WP: 3) to a Mace (WP: 5) will cost {40 + 50 =} 90 gold. Merge equipment with an elemental gem: You need a weapon and an elemental gem for this service. Merging the gem will give the weapon the elemental attribute of the used gem, but the gem itself will not be available to use anymore. A shield can be equipped with a gem as well, granting immunity to the respective element. This service costs 50 gold. The merging can be undone to get the gem back, but it will cost another 50 gold. Multiple gems can be imbued into one weapon or shield, but they all need to be merged separately. Mythrilize equipment (+10 points): You need a weapon or a shield and some Mythril Ore, which is a very rare item, for this service. Forging the equipment with Mythril Ore will increase its power by ten points, but the ore will be expended. This can only be done once to any piece of equipment, and it will be renamed with the "Mythril"-prefix. An adamantine weapon or shield cannot be mythrilized. This service costs 100 gold. Adamantize equipment (+25 points): You need a weapon or a shield and some Adamatite Ore, which is an incredibly rare ancient item, for this service. Forging the equipment with Adamatite Ore will increase its power by twenty-five points, but the ore will be expended. This can only be done once to any piece of equipment, and it will be renamed with the "Adamantine"-prefix. A mythril weapon or shield cannot be adamantized. This service costs 250 gold. Weapon Breakdown: You need a weapon with a WP rating of 8 or above. For a fee of 60 gold I can break down that weapon into a Grating Stone - doing so expends the weapon in question, destroying it.

Waving good-bye to the denizens of the bar (with Chryst not waving back), the party exits the Granite Counter. They walk through more stone catwalks and caverns, getting a few awkward glances from the citizens of the Colony. Finally, they reach the South End of the bazaar. Adults with their young in tow mill around, shopping at more pedestrian stores. However, 2 stores stand out to the heroes here: A forge, the blacksmith standing stoically outside his property. A stall speciailizing in venom. No one appears to be there, but there is a silver bell next to the store... Will the party go to the Forge, the Stall, or head to the North End of the Bazaar.

Special two completely invalidates anything that had happened by that point.

"Wait, this seems familiar..." Syndicate Peon (Rapier), Level 29 Humanoid HP: 300/300 SP: 3 Immune to Jinxing and Frailty! Specials: Acting: Reveals herself to be a random NPC from a random page of a random quest. Fixed it for you. I'm assuming Evil Karie is Alien Karie, then?

Eh, I think he is old enough to be Ancient. But you are right about the Infected thing, so revised version! "En garde." Sorrow, Level 40 Ancient *Hastened!* *Infected!* HP: 999/999 Specials: Triple Shot: Sorrow fires off a round of arrows, three random heroes take 32 damage. Reaper's Scythe: Sorrow analyzes the battle, Dooming the hero who rolled Special Damage with a precise strike. All other heroes have a 1/6 chance of getting Doomed by Sorrow's sweep. Slit The Throats Of The Living: Syntax chokeholds the hero who rolled Special Damage with his glass-barbed hand. That hero has their max HP cut in half and is left Gushing Blood. Nerve Strike: Syntax shoves an arrow into the hero's nerve cluster. That hero is reduced to 1 HP, slowed, and has all of their artifacts dequipped. Passive Specials: Careful Analysis: When in the Sorrow personality, Sorrow is Hastened. Bloodlust: When in the Syntax personality, Syntax is lucky. Note: Sorrow switches personalities every 2 rounds. Black specials/passives are used when Sorrow is active, and Green for Syntax. Drops: Sorrow's Garbs (SP: 5, make the user look exactly like Sorrow. Seriously, nobody knows what he looks like. He's defined by his clothes.)

Question of the random time period: what would your hero look like as an enemy? (Statswise, not appearance - though an evil version of your character would be pretty cool too.) Sorrow, Level 40 Ancient *Hastened!* HP: 999/999 Specials: Triple Shot: Sorrow fires off a round of arrows, three random heroes take 32 damage. Reaper's Scythe: Sorrow analyzes the battle, Dooming the hero who rolled Special Damage with a precise strike. All other heroes have a 1/6 chance of getting Doomed by Sorrow's sweep. Slit The Throats Of The Living: Syntax chokeholds the hero who rolled Special Damage with his glass-barbed hand. That hero has their max HP cut in half and is left Gushing Blood. Nerve Strike: Syntax shoves an arrow into the hero's nerve cluster. That hero is reduced to 1 HP, slowed, and has all of their artifacts dequipped. Passive Specials: Careful Analysis: When in the Sorrow personality, Sorrow is Hastened. Bloodlust: When in the Syntax personality, Syntax is lucky. Note: Sorrow switches personalities every 2 rounds. Black specials/passives are used when Sorrow is active, and Green for Syntax.

Plot twist: This is all a test to create champions worthy of Laticum. It's like MGS2.