Endgame

"I'm perfectly fine putting an innocent in harms way if it means I get a good meal. Happy to, really."

"Hah! I'll split you in two, Necromancer!" Erick spits before continuing. "When it comes to souls, this squad's policy is "Killers Keepers"... I haven't had an undead's souls in ages. Such a bitter delicacy... Gluttonous, but absolutely divine." The possessed nord was practically drooling at the thought of a good meal. This Oculoid was quite the glutton...

I am doing all this hexing and special mirror business correct, right?

QM Note: Aw, crap. Since you're hexed, you'd actually mirror it to one of your own heroes... or, yourself, as I just rolled. What. (It says hexes and halves the health of a random hero... I rolled you again, so your health is going to be halved again.) This is not the eventuality I had planned, I assure you!

Okay, the odds of that happening were about 1 in 216, I believe. I have no clue how that happened.

Round One Of The Taurost Battle! >Althior downs a Dragon Scale (back) >Karie VS Oculoid Chief (back): Special Damage Special Damage (Mind Warp: Karie is Hexed for 3 rounds, HP halved.) I megabluck you not, and this time the odds were staggering it wouldn't happen! (Special Mirror: Halves her own health again) >Johon VS Oculoid Chief (front): Hit Critical Hit (8x3=24+25=49x2=98-5=93 damage, No Sealing) >Johon VS Possessed Fisherman Silver (front): Special Damage Steal (15 gold earned) >Undead Iron Scorpion A VS Possessed Fisherman Silver: 28x2=56-4=52 damage >Undead Iron Scorpion B VS Possessed Fisherman Seymour: 28x2=56-4=52 damage >Possessed Erick VS Althior (back): 30/2=15-6=9 damage The battle begins. Althior crushes a Dragon Scale in his palm, ingesting the resulting powder. He feels the strength of the dragons course through him, giving him their luck and blessings. Karie decides to tangle with the Oculoid Chief, with the most horrible result possible. In her rush Karie made the fatal mistake of allowing the demon to make eye contact. For only a moment their eyes lock, and that is all the time the Chief needed. With a demented chuckle he forces Karie to go rigid, placing her into the same trance as Margaret. The Chief points at the heroes, addressing his second thrall: "They are the enemy. Kill them as your last act." The witch unsheathes her rapier, ready to comply - even hexing herself deeper and harming herself with her new witch abilties. Johon gets good hit on the Chief, hoping that a hard smack to the head with a mallet would break his control over the two; but it didn't work, unfortunately. The two scorpions stab the fisherman, Erick getting a chance to attack Althior. He dodges for minor damage, the axe only grazing his shoulder and his blessings reparing some of the damage. "I was expecting a bit more challenge, for someone who was so afraid of losing control. Then again, i've come not to expect much of your kind..." Oculoid Chief, Level ??? Demon HP: 657/750 SP: 5 Immune to Hexed and Decay! Specials: Dark Choke: Grabs the hero in a choke hold and throttles them, suffocating them with dark magic. The hero takes damage equal to their level and has their Max HP drop by 5. Mind Warp: With a haunting stare, the Chief Oculoid takes control of 1 random party member. That party member has their current HP cut in half and is Hexed for 3 rounds. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Mind Reader: The Oculoid's level is equal to the assaulting hero's level times 1.5, rounded down. Dark Harvest: If not targetted by a hero every round, The Oculoid Chief kills Margaret and devours her soul, raising his level multiplier to times 2 instead of 1.5. Drops: Ectoplasm, Emergency Essence "Does that make up for Ciretako, boss? That hit I just pulled off?" Possessed Erick, Level 30 Dark Humanoid HP: 300/300 SP: 2 Specials: Chopping Block: Erick deals 16 damage to all heroes, disregarding SP. Blade Breaker: Erick damages the hero's weapon with his axe, cutting its WP in half for the rest of the battle. Specials alternate. Drops: Mead, Ambrosia "Wait a sec..." Possessed Fisherman Silver, Level 15 Humanoid HP: 173/225 SP: 4 Specials: Hook, Line, and Sinker: Being a fisherman, Silver casts his line at the hero who rolled Special Damage, Binding and Weakening them for 3 rounds. Passive Specials: Ranged Fighter: Silver defies row. Drops: Tasty Fish, 30 gold "...Aren't those Scorpions the remains of Yellow...?" Possessed Fisherman Seymour, Level 22 Humanoid HP: 173/225 SP: 4 Specials: Cast Off: Using his fishing pole, Seymour steals the weapon with the weakest WP in the hero who rolled Special Damage's inventory. The WP is added to Seymour's level for the rest of the battle, and the weapon is put into his inventory. If the hero only has one weapon, nothing happens. Drops: 60 gold, Grating Stone The Party: Althior Emorith (And Finnegan) *Lucky!* *Blessed!* Level 34 1/4 Necromancer *Earns triple XP* Power: 46 (51 for spells) Power Bonus: +5 Spells Defense: 6 (4+2) Health: 19/44 (5+5+Chicken Drumstick (1)+33) Ether: 39/47 (5+5+33+4) Gold: 55 Equipment: Scepter of Divine Affinity (WP:12, Has ⅙ chance to deal Cursed effect on attacks and ⅙ chance to deal Blessed effect on successful healing, Staff), Spellbound Gloves (+5 power when casting Spells, doubled if target is weak to Element, Handwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max Ether +4, Backwear), Medal of Glory (Wearer earns triple experience, Accessory), Robe of the Elven Necromancer (SP: 4, Body Wear) Inventory: Dragoro (WP:8, Wand), Skeleton Decoy, Potion x6, Tonic x10, Grand Potion x4, Grand Tonic, Ether Core x3, Bedroll, Remedy x8, Mead, Smelling Salts, Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Garnet (Earth), Opal (Ice), Aquamarine (Water), Emerald (Wood), Skull Shield (SP: 6, immune to darkness elemental damage), Bone x3, Elixirs x3, Phoenix Incense x2, Dragon Scales, Garnet Lamp of Summoning, Deadly Poison Undead Iron Scorpion, Level 28 Undead Iron Scorpion, Level 28 Johon [AKA Alf Gregory] (Bricksandparts) 25 years old male human Barbarian > Raider *Hastened!* *Lucky!* *Encouraged!* Level: 25 Power: 36 (24+8+4) Health: 13/40 (24+8+1+7+0) Shield Power: (5+1) Ether: ~/0 Positive effects: *Immune to:* (*Fragile*, *Cursed* *Stunned* ), *Natural Respite* Negative effects: (none) Gold: 2718 (1726(1), 0GB(50), 0CB(50), 0GO(80), 0CC(70), 0GC(100), 0M) 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) - Bravado Boots - 1/6 chance of being Lucky at the beginning of every battle 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.), Hide of The Bleeding - restores 10 HP and 5 ether for every enemy the wearer kills, suitable for anyone, Scarlet Hood - +4 to power, immunity to stunned 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) Tools: Shovel (1), Pick-axe (2), Magnifying Glass (1), Magic Compass (1) Consumables: Potion (2), Venom (2), Mead (3), Smelling Salts (12), Nostrum (13), Trial Brew (1), Grand Tonic, Remedy Elements: Aquamarine (1), Emerald (1), Topaz (1) Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep (1), Scroll of Blindness (1), Scroll of Sealing (1), Scroll of Confusion (1) Quest items: Blue Rose Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintobor) *Party Leader!* *Lucky!* *Hexed! 3 rounds remaining* 22 year old Human Rogue Witch, lvl 16 Power: 21 (lvl 15 + WP: 6) Health: 6/22 Ether: 18/20 Gold: 92 Defence: 2 Equipment: Sexy (WP: 6, Rapier, Disregards SP, usable by Knights and Rogues), Ethereal Cloak (SP +2, Max. Ether +4), Catsuit (Wearer has 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits; suitable to women only; bodywear) Inventory: Grand Tonic (2), Mead (1), Remedy (1), Venom (7), Nostrum (1), Mulled Wine (1), Smoke bomb (1), Pixie Dust (1), Phoenix Essence (1), Grand Potion (3) Telescope (1), Bedroll (1) Quest Items: Entry 11, Grating Stone, Map of Brendenton (1), Spider Coin (worth 1 gp) Aretefacts/Weapons:Heirloom Dagger (WP: 3), Scroll of Newtity (costs 10 ether)(usable by ex-Amphibians only), Paper Doll (Accessory, Protects from the Hexed effect), Lover's Locket (Accessory, Protects from enamoured effect), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (Accessory, changes user's appearance into an Elf) The Rat Queen's Cape (Backwear, all Vermin type are Enamored with the wearer for the first three rounds of combat, Suitable for Alchemists, Beast Warriors, Chi Monks, and Witches) Gemstones: Topaz

Simply wonderful. I watch as the others tend to the soldier's wounds, asking him a question: "Sir, were you kidnapped? And have you heard anything about mind-altering chemicals?"

QM Note: Correct, as would stolen weapons. "Try me, raider. Your natrual response seems to be anger. Let us see just how furious you'll get when I break you and your comrades, shall we?"

"Hm hm hm... If you're just so concerned with saving the lives of these pawns, then lets make things a little bit more interesting, shall we? I don't need to pilot some sorry shell to beat you three." The black aura surrounding Margaret resonates and seems to bubble, gradually sihfting away from the possessed alchemist. Before long four inky tentacles shoot out of her back, finding leverage on the ground and pulling itself out of the alchemist. Margaret nearly collapses, completely unaware of what was going on. The Oculoid that was controlling her seemed larger then the rest, apparently the leader of the paclk: the Oculoid Chief. Although the Yellow Oculoid seemed a bit feeble, this demon seemed anything but, well built and plenty able of dealing some pain. It crackles with dark magic, its tentacles sprouting bristling, lethal barbs and razor. This demon was built to kill. Its eye glows a vicious pink, ready for battle. Margaret stirs. "Uggghnn... What's...?!" "Hush, my puppet." With a single stare the Oculoid gains some control over her mind, forcing her to her knees. Her eyes beg for help before the Chief snuffs that out as well, the alchemist kneeling rigid and empty. She'd be fine... but only if they managed to defeat the Chief. "The girl's life is in your hands. One misstep and her soul is mine." It was time to see just how good of a fighter an Oculoid was hand-to-hand. Prepare For Battle! "This will be easy." Oculoid Chief, Level ??? Demon HP: 750/750 SP: 5 Immune to Hexed and Decay! Specials: Dark Choke: Grabs the hero in a choke hold and throttles them, suffocating them with dark magic. The hero takes damage equal to their level and has their Max HP drop by 5. Mind Warp: With a haunting stare, the Chief Oculoid takes control of 1 random party member. That party member has their current HP cut in half and is Hexed for 3 rounds. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Mind Reader: The Oculoid's level is equal to the assaulting hero's level times 1.5, rounded down. Dark Harvest: If not targetted by a hero every round, The Oculoid Chief kills Margaret and devours her soul, raising his level multiplier to times 2 instead of 1.5. Drops: Ectoplasm, Emergency Essence "We'll end this quickly." Possessed Erick, Level 30 Dark Humanoid HP: 300/300 SP: 2 Specials: Chopping Block: Erick deals 16 damage to all heroes, disregarding SP. Blade Breaker: Erick damages the hero's weapon with his axe, cutting its WP in half for the rest of the battle. Specials alternate. Drops: Mead, Ambrosia "Hopefully this rickety old body will hold up." Possessed Fisherman Silver, Level 15 Humanoid HP: 225/225 SP: 4 Specials: Hook, Line, and Sinker: Being a fisherman, Silver casts his line at the hero who rolled Special Damage, Binding and Weakening them for 3 rounds. Passive Specials: Ranged Fighter: Silver defies row. Drops: Tasty Fish, 30 gold "Heh heh heh..." Possessed Fisherman Seymour, Level 22 Humanoid HP: 225 SP: 4 Specials: Cast Off: Using his fishing pole, Seymour steals the weapon with the weakest WP in the hero who rolled Special Damage's inventory. The WP is added to Seymour's level for the rest of the battle, and the weapon is put into his inventory. If the hero only has one weapon, nothing happens. Drops: 60 gold, Grating Stone The Party: Althior Emorith (And Finnegan) Level 34 1/4 Necromancer *Earns triple XP* Power: 46 (51 for spells) Power Bonus: +5 Spells Defense: 6 (4+2) Health: 25/44 (5+5+Chicken Drumstick (1)+33) Ether: 41/47 (5+5+33+4) Gold: 55 Equipment: Scepter of Divine Affinity (WP:12, Has ⅙ chance to deal Cursed effect on attacks and ⅙ chance to deal Blessed effect on successful healing, Staff), Spellbound Gloves (+5 power when casting Spells, doubled if target is weak to Element, Handwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max Ether +4, Backwear), Medal of Glory (Wearer earns triple experience, Accessory), Robe of the Elven Necromancer (SP: 4, Body Wear) Inventory: Dragoro (WP:8, Wand), Skeleton Decoy, Potion x6, Tonic x10, Grand Potion x4, Grand Tonic, Ether Core x3, Bedroll, Remedy x8, Mead, Smelling Salts, Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Garnet (Earth), Opal (Ice), Aquamarine (Water), Emerald (Wood), Skull Shield (SP: 6, immune to darkness elemental damage), Bone x3, Elixirs x3, Phoenix Incense x2, Dragon Scales x2, Garnet Lamp of Summoning, Deadly Poison Undead Iron Scorpion, Level 28 Undead Iron Scorpion, Level 28 Johon [AKA Alf Gregory] (Bricksandparts) 25 years old male human Barbarian > Raider *Hastened!* *Lucky!* *Encouraged!* Level: 25 Power: 36 (24+8+4) Health: 13/40 (24+8+1+7+0) Shield Power: (5+1) Ether: ~/0 Positive effects: *Immune to:* (*Fragile*, *Cursed* *Stunned* ), *Natural Respite* Negative effects: (none) Gold: 2703 (1726(1), 0GB(50), 0CB(50), 0GO(80), 0CC(70), 0GC(100), 0M) 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) - Bravado Boots - 1/6 chance of being Lucky at the beginning of every battle 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.), Hide of The Bleeding - restores 10 HP and 5 ether for every enemy the wearer kills, suitable for anyone, Scarlet Hood - +4 to power, immunity to stunned 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) Tools: Shovel (1), Pick-axe (2), Magnifying Glass (1), Magic Compass (1) Consumables: Potion (2), Venom (2), Mead (3), Smelling Salts (12), Nostrum (13), Trial Brew (1), Grand Tonic, Remedy Elements: Aquamarine (1), Emerald (1), Topaz (1) Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep (1), Scroll of Blindness (1), Scroll of Sealing (1), Scroll of Confusion (1) Quest items: Blue Rose Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintobor) *Party Leader!* *Lucky!* 22 year old Human Rogue Witch, lvl 16 Power: 21 (lvl 15 + WP: 6) Health: 22/22 Ether: 18/20 Gold: 92 Defence: 2 Equipment: Sexy (WP: 6, Rapier, Disregards SP, usable by Knights and Rogues), Ethereal Cloak (SP +2, Max. Ether +4), Catsuit (Wearer has 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits; suitable to women only; bodywear) Inventory: Grand Tonic (2), Mead (1), Remedy (1), Venom (7), Nostrum (1), Mulled Wine (1), Smoke bomb (1), Pixie Dust (1), Phoenix Essence (1), Grand Potion (3) Telescope (1), Bedroll (1) Quest Items: Entry 11, Grating Stone, Map of Brendenton (1), Spider Coin (worth 1 gp) Aretefacts/Weapons:Heirloom Dagger (WP: 3), Scroll of Newtity (costs 10 ether)(usable by ex-Amphibians only), Paper Doll (Accessory, Protects from the Hexed effect), Lover's Locket (Accessory, Protects from enamoured effect), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (Accessory, changes user's appearance into an Elf) The Rat Queen's Cape (Backwear, all Vermin type are Enamored with the wearer for the first three rounds of combat, Suitable for Alchemists, Beast Warriors, Chi Monks, and Witches) Gemstones: Topaz

The alchemist's eyes flash a ghostly purple, and the Oculoid meets the gaze of each and every hero. He appeared to be sifting through their minds like the Yellow Oculoid before him. His probe seemed to reach far deeper into their minds, the heroes feeling sick and exhausted just from meeting the demon's gaze. This demon was a frightful one, not to mention formidable. "The Raider is quite right, shockingly enough. We're simply using these sad humans like the tools they are. Now, could you bring yourself to hurt innocents, even possessed ones? Is that an invitation, Witch? Did you decide losing control really does it for you? Either way, we can only morph into what we kill and devour the soul of... Other than that, possession is our weapon of choice. I must say, I am severely lacking in female human souls... The things that you fools do is disgusting, but I cannot deny the many utilities of having one." The Oculoid Chief chuckles, a sinister laugh.

I've always imagined the Town Watch/Syndicate relationship to be a bit rocky.

Seymour recoils as Althior points out the flaw in his words, at a lost for them. In his consternation his eyes flash red momentarily... "...!" And with that one logical slip, the charade is shattered. "Silver" and "Erick" stare at their comrade silently, dissapointment in their eyes. Only Margaret speaks, her eyes glowing pink like Jack, Jill, and Geoffrey described... Her voice is calm and collected, but underneath were sinister tones that showed the word's true meaning. "And our tactical advantage, shattered in a single sentence." "Sir, I'm sorry, I -" "I do not need to hear your pathetic whining, Red. You're far more likely to give me a headache than to gain any mercy from me with that. And you'd think you'd be adept by now, considering this is yet another resounding failure to add to your alarmingly poor track record." "..." "Silence. Perhaps you do have a few brain cells in you, Red - a wise decision. Now, let us review your sad past. First, you quite nearly crush an entire battalion on duty while carrying a piece of the Citadel. Next, a single day after securing the trust needed to enter my squad, you ruined the entire Ciretako operation in the course of 15 minutes. That incident has not been forgotten by the Master, nor by me. And, rest assured, Red, the Master doesn't blame me nor your comrades for that fiasco." "...*gulp*." Margaret was practically showing an aura of pitch balck at this point, every word causing it to amplify and gorw more and more visible. Having whatever demon was inhabiting you mad at you might as well as been signing your own death warrant. "I hope you understand me here, Red. I was this close to personally tearing out your retina and recycling your plasm, so a being that is at least partially compotent could use the resources your puny mind is so happily wasting. The Master even gave me the clearance on the operation, you know. But against all better judgement, I chose to spare you. And yet.... Here we are. You compromising us yet again due to your own staggering idiocy. Your oppurtunity to save your sorry self is fleeting, Red. I expect you to give it your all in this upcoming battle. And if you fail - or your "all" isn't enough, which I suspect it is - I will personally run you through for good, Red. And I'm sure I'll have The Master's blessing while doing it." "Red" stammers nervously, terrified of his superiors' wrath. "Y-yes, s-sir..." Margaret straightens her posture and leans away from "her" lackey, looking satisfied with "her" subordinate's answer. "Very good, Red. Do not fail me."

The Syndicate is not really that major of a faction, and I will not personally be hosting a Syndicate centric quest, but their efforts will be mentioned and members cameo'd. it's like what I did with the Proggs: Their fate was kind of vague at the end of 48, but then we had the hatchlings in 70 talk about what they're up to underground.

"What reason would we have to lie?"

"Well then, "hero", you can help by showing these three the gate they came through, at the very least. We don't need their kind here." "What are you talking about, Margaret?!" "You may have managed to fool these heroes for maybe a minute or two, but I witnessed it, Jack. You, Jill and Geoffrey... You were in your cabin, summoning a yellow-eyed demon! I exited as soon as I saw it, went back to my hut to get something to knock you out, and rallied the rest of the villagers. By the time we knocked you out cold and threw you out, that disgusting, inky thing was already running amuck in the forest. "It must've been that Giant Scorpion you fought, heroes." "Margaret, Erick, Silver, Seymour... Have you all gone mad?" "Demons? What?! I had no clue about any demons, let alone brining one here!" It seems the heroes would have to choose who to believe...

You asked me to keep the number of Syndicate members low, and I did - they were only 14, and several of them were killed. And the amount of help the Wolfgang provided to the Hovels was never really defined, so I had no way of knowing if their aid was outclassing them or not. However, in no way would the Syndicate be able to dismantle the Wolfgang head on. They win their battles and do their busts from what basically equates to guerilla warfare. As a whole they do not have nearly as much firepower as the Wolfgang, so they are forced to be tactical. The Stealer Of Senses/Masson Cour may be a paragon, he'd never be able to take Ulric or Baba 1 on 1, considering how the power of the Wolfgang has been escalating quest from quest.

C and E 6 give no results, Johon simply succeeding in scooping up a small mound of dirt. Howeve,r his shovel clunks on something while digging up D7 - getting down to his knees and sorting through the excavated dirt, he finds an old silver key, caked in dirt - the spare key to Taurost! Picking up the key and wiping off any spare bits of plasm from the Oculoid that might've gotten on it, the part heads Northwest, back to the locked gate. Jack, Jill, and Geoffrey perk up upon their appearance, their eyes instantly darting to the key they held. "The... key!" "You three are heroes - thanks a ton!" The irony occurs to you that you never actually identified yourself as heroes of Heroica. "Thank you, Althior, Johon, Karie. We can get to the bottom of this because of your efforts - I hope retrieving this old thing wasn't too hard." The party hands the key over to Geoffrey. The older man goes over to the sturdy gate, slotting the key in. With a twist and a click, the door swings open, granting the six people entry to Taurost after a handful of trials. "Let use see what is going awry in our little settlement..." The six travel down a short wooden path, only walking for a couple of minutes before arriving in a clearing. A well stands front and center, looking pristine and better than new - whoever this Mr. Cour was, he knew his way around things like that. Hooked fish sit on a rack to the side, four people sitting around a campfire in the corner of the clearing. They hear the footsteps of the six coming towards them, sitting up at a brisk pace. menacingly, the nord among them picks up his axe as the four people approach the party. They regard the heroes with mere curiosity, but seem hostile to Jack, Jill, and Geoffrey. The conversation gets heated, fast. "Back with friends, you three?" "Yes, thanks to them we managged to un-evict ourselves - and we demand an explanation!" "That's odd, lad; Because we demand one as well!" "What are you blabbering on about, Erick? Were you among the people who threw us out?" "We all were, you demon summoners!" "Demon summoners... What?! I have no idea what you're talking about? What is going on here?" "Don't even bother lying, Geoffrey! We know that it was you who summoned that demon to our woods!" What was going on here?!

With its eyes shattered, it gives one more malignant look to the party before the Oculoid dies. With its eye gone the beast is reduced to black plasm, now just an inky blotch on the turf. It begins to dissolve, the gelatinous mass soon fading away to nothing. The demon was dead. Which spot will the party dig up next?

"And betray... what I was made to do? Not likely. Two oculoids will probably take my place soon enough - in the grand scheme of things, I am useless. Do your worst, Raider!"

QM Note: You just have to deal the fatal blow to the Oculoid, and then you can continue digging. The key is in a space adjacent to D6.

It would seem the Oculoid required one more stab to kill it. "Heh... I'll be seeing... you folks there too, I suppose."

Hey, leading some bad people is one thing. Using them as pawns and not really giving half a damn is like a cardinal sin, only being topped by Ether Cores.

And we want a guy like that at the helm?! "You guys did what you needed to, so thank you for your service. Barbie, dear, please roast them while I work on some legislation."