Endgame

Arthur walks out of Masson's room and heads straight to the door adjacent to it, opening it to let the rest of the party in. He is treated to quite the sight: The Stealer's laboratory. The walls transition from a biege to a gray, thick stone walls surrounding the entire corridor. Several vials of chemcials are suspended by a stand, the liquids bubbling softly. Three chromoid heads are plugged into a console, a small terminal apparently able to feed instructions to the work-in-progress bots. A small rack of tools sits on the second table, containing common utilities: wrenches, hammers, tweezers, screwdrivers - everything needed for engineering. And Masson seems to be quite the engineer: a protoype head like that of Magnus's sits on the table, seemingly recently tinkered with. Em, Arnulf, and Karie recognize the odd apparutus at the end of the second table. It was the dock for the Harvester, the heroe spreviously encountering the peculiar machine back when they encountered the Apprentice in the Locunon. In the middle of the impressive set-up sits a small table and stool, a journal on top of the small island.

With the Stealer's room fully swept, the party returns to the foyer. "Where to next?" Two doors remained: the frame with the door and the frame without.

Arnulf goes over to the chest, noticing it is unlocked. he flips open the lid... only to find that the ehcest is simply where The Stealer kept his clothes. Nevron gratefully downs the potion. Straightneing his posture as the brew repairs his body. "Much appreicated, Em. Those were some nasty machines, huh?"

The Party: Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) 46 Years Old, Human, Level 26 Paladin *Immune to Fragile, Sleep and Weakened* *Encouraged!* Power: 40 (+5**) Defense: 12 Health: 48/48 (+3*) Ether: 13/25 Gold: 108 Equipment: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 11, Darkness Fire, causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health, permanently Deadly Envenomed) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Counterstrike Gloves (On Free Hits, Deals damage to enemy equal to Boomingham's level), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immunity to Fragile), Tome of Affluence (Generates 10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle, immunity to sleep and weakened, accessory) ****Pseudo's Blessing's Blessing (Not an Artifact, +4 Power) Inventory: Frozen Saber (Great Sword, WP: 9, Light Ice, stunned effect), Bedroll, Mead, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immunity to Ice), Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile for rest of battle, 5 ether, 50/50 chance), Scroll of Blindness, 1 Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragility, Scroll of Sealing, Garnet, Sapphire, Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (+4 to Power, -6 to Ether), Hamantasch (consumable, lucky + blessed effects upon consumption for the length of one battle), Admantite Shard, Remedy, Seventh Heaven, Tonic, Milk, Emergency Essence, Mead Debts: 128 Gold Arthur, 1 gold Docken, 75 gold Sorrow Arthur Justus Regulus VII (played by Flipz), Level 26 Sorcerer, 21-year-old male Human *Immune to Sealed* [ Currently in: Quest #70: The Syndicate] Power: 39 (25 + WP:13) Health: 38/38 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 25 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*) Ether: 6/36 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 25 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5) Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi) Gold: 1480 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham; owed 50 gold by Grimwald Gjinko; owed 70 gold by En Sabah Nur,) Equipment: Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), Robe of the Archmagi (Bodywear, SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to Sealed), Overkill Gloves, Marksman's Monocle Inventory: Weapons: Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics), Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade, contains an Elixir), Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear; unsuitable) Artifacts: Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent), Ancient Crown (Headwear, First successful strike of battle deals Cursed-effect), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Stingy Gloves, Lens of Speed Reading Gems: Opal (Ice), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Tools: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass Scrolls: Scroll of Blindness, 2x Scroll of Sealing (1x Lent to De'kra), Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, 2x Scroll of Frailty (1x Lent to Nyx), Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the Badly Poisoned effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Luck (Grants target the Lucky-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.), Scroll of Weakening, Consumables: Grand Potion x11, Remedy x10, Elixir x4, Nostrum x 2, Smelling Salts x 3, Mead x 2, Jinxy Juice x2, Ether Core, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the Badly Poisoned effect for the duration of the battle and the Confused effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Zoot's Plaything, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Tesla Bomb, Grand Tonic, Double Rainbow, Bright Polish, Exterlate, Tonic, Emergency Essence, Grand Tonic Arnulf Bishop (Shoker86) *Immune to Fragile!* *Encouraged!* *Inspired!* 30 yrs old male human Rogue Level 12.5 Power: 22 (12+9+1) Defense: 4 Health: 15/18 30/38 (7+11) Gold: 186 Equipment: Chromoid Drill (Dagger, WP: 9, succesful hits drop enemy's SP by 1.), Emerald Hood (SP: 4, Immunity to Fragile), Sticky Gloves Inventory: Leather Armor(SP:1), 4 Potions, 2 Venoms, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, 1 Mead, Smelling Salts, Mulled Wine, Remedy x2, Tricorne (SP:3), Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Topaz Name: Unknown. Most call him "Em," though his real name remains largely mysterious. Unknown age male human ranger Level 12.5 Power: 20 Health: 16/17 Gold: 120 Equipment: Aquabow (WP: 7, Water-elemental), Ranger's Quiver (+1 WP to all Bows/Crossbows), Syndicate Cowl (SP: 2, Immune to Doomed effect), Inventory: Smoke bomb, Grating Stone, Nostrum x2, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion x4, Remedy x4, Gentleman's Hat (SP: 1, suitable for men, headgear. The wearer has a 1/2 chance to not be affected by Asleep.), Venom, Ice Bomb, Grand Potion, Bow(WP:5), Mead x2, White Marksman's Hat - (⅙ chance of Assassination vs. Flying monsters; Headwear) Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round) "It would seem the end is near..." Nevron Utral, Level 14.5 Rogue HP: 20/20 Power: 21 SP: 1 Equipment: Standard Issue Rapier (WP: 7), Gallant Gauntlets (SP: 1, Handwear. User has a 1/6 chance to become Encouraged at the start of every battle.) Inventory: Trial Brew, Soma, 30 gold, Remedy Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintobor) *Inspired!* *Encouraged!* 22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 15 Power: 21 (lvl 15 + WP: 6) Health: 20/21 Gold: 321 Defence: 0 Equipment: Sexy (WP: 6, Rapier, Disregards SP, usable by Knights and Rogues), Lover's Locket (Protects from enamoured effect), Catsuit (Wearer has 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits; suitable to women only; bodywear) Inventory: Mead, Remedy (1), Venom (1), Smoke bomb (1), Telescope (1), Bedroll (1), Heirloom Dagger (WP: 3), Map of Brendenton (1), Spider Coin (worth 1 gp) (1),, Topaz, Scroll of Newtity (costs 10 ether)(usable by ex-Amphibians only), Ethereal Cloak (SP +2, Max. Ether +4), Nostrum, Mulled Wine, Leather Armor (Bodywear, SP: 1), Masson's Photo Will the party move back to the foyer?

"Hm. Most business deals I've witnessed have bursted into flames. That was remarkably smooth. Some shopping can't hurt, I suppose."

The Party: Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) 46 Years Old, Human, Level 26 Paladin *Immune to Fragile, Sleep and Weakened* *Encouraged!* Power: 40 (+5**) Defense: 12 Health: 48/48 (+3*) Ether: 13/25 Gold: 108 Equipment: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 11, Darkness Fire, causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health, permanently Deadly Envenomed) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Counterstrike Gloves (On Free Hits, Deals damage to enemy equal to Boomingham's level), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immunity to Fragile), Tome of Affluence (Generates 10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle, immunity to sleep and weakened, accessory) ****Pseudo's Blessing's Blessing (Not an Artifact, +4 Power) Inventory: Frozen Saber (Great Sword, WP: 9, Light Ice, stunned effect), Bedroll, Mead, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immunity to Ice), Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile for rest of battle, 5 ether, 50/50 chance), Scroll of Blindness, 1 Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragility, Scroll of Sealing, Garnet, Sapphire, Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (+4 to Power, -6 to Ether), Hamantasch (consumable, lucky + blessed effects upon consumption for the length of one battle), Admantite Shard, Remedy, Seventh Heaven, Tonic, Milk, Emergency Essence, Mead Debts: 128 Gold Arthur, 1 gold Docken, 75 gold Sorrow Arthur Justus Regulus VII (played by Flipz), Level 26 Sorcerer, 21-year-old male Human *Immune to Sealed* [ Currently in: Quest #70: The Syndicate] Power: 39 (25 + WP:13) Health: 38/38 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 25 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*) Ether: 6/36 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 25 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5) Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi) Gold: 1480 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham; owed 50 gold by Grimwald Gjinko; owed 70 gold by En Sabah Nur,) Equipment: Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), Robe of the Archmagi (Bodywear, SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to Sealed), Overkill Gloves, Marksman's Monocle Inventory: Weapons: Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics), Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade, contains an Elixir), Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear; unsuitable) Artifacts: Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent), Ancient Crown (Headwear, First successful strike of battle deals Cursed-effect), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Stingy Gloves, Lens of Speed Reading Gems: Opal (Ice), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Tools: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass Scrolls: Scroll of Blindness, 2x Scroll of Sealing (1x Lent to De'kra), Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, 2x Scroll of Frailty (1x Lent to Nyx), Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the Badly Poisoned effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Luck (Grants target the Lucky-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.), Scroll of Weakening, Consumables: Grand Potion x11, Remedy x10, Elixir x4, Nostrum x 2, Smelling Salts x 3, Mead x 2, Jinxy Juice x2, Ether Core, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the Badly Poisoned effect for the duration of the battle and the Confused effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Zoot's Plaything, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Tesla Bomb, Grand Tonic, Double Rainbow, Bright Polish, Exterlate, Tonic, Emergency Essence, Grand Tonic Arnulf Bishop (Shoker86) *Immune to Fragile!* *Encouraged!* *Inspired!* 30 yrs old male human Rogue Level 12.5 Power: 22 (12+9+1) Defense: 4 Health: 15/18 30/38 (7+11) Gold: 186 Equipment: Chromoid Drill (Dagger, WP: 9, succesful hits drop enemy's SP by 1.), Emerald Hood (SP: 4, Immunity to Fragile), Sticky Gloves Inventory: Leather Armor(SP:1), 4 Potions, 2 Venoms, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, 1 Mead, Smelling Salts, Mulled Wine, Remedy x2, Tricorne (SP:3), Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Topaz Name: Unknown. Most call him "Em," though his real name remains largely mysterious. Unknown age male human ranger Level 12.5 Power: 20 Health: 16/17 Gold: 120 Equipment: Aquabow (WP: 7, Water-elemental), Ranger's Quiver (+1 WP to all Bows/Crossbows), Syndicate Cowl (SP: 2, Immune to Doomed effect), Inventory: Smoke bomb, Grating Stone, Nostrum x2, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion x5, Remedy x4, Gentleman's Hat (SP: 1, suitable for men, headgear. The wearer has a 1/2 chance to not be affected by Asleep.), Venom, Ice Bomb, Grand Potion, Bow(WP:5), Mead x2, White Marksman's Hat - (⅙ chance of Assassination vs. Flying monsters; Headwear) Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round) "It would seem the end is near..." Nevron Utral, Level 14.5 Rogue HP: 11/20 Power: 21 SP: 1 Equipment: Standard Issue Rapier (WP: 7), Gallant Gauntlets (SP: 1, Handwear. User has a 1/6 chance to become Encouraged at the start of every battle.) Inventory: Trial Brew, Soma, 30 gold, Remedy Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintobor) *Inspired!* *Encouraged!* 22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 15 Power: 21 (lvl 15 + WP: 6) Health: 20/21 Gold: 321 Defence: 0 Equipment: Sexy (WP: 6, Rapier, Disregards SP, usable by Knights and Rogues), Lover's Locket (Protects from enamoured effect), Catsuit (Wearer has 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits; suitable to women only; bodywear) Inventory: Mead, Remedy (1), Venom (1), Smoke bomb (1), Telescope (1), Bedroll (1), Heirloom Dagger (WP: 3), Map of Brendenton (1), Spider Coin (worth 1 gp) (1),, Topaz, Scroll of Newtity (costs 10 ether)(usable by ex-Amphibians only), Ethereal Cloak (SP +2, Max. Ether +4), Nostrum, Mulled Wine, Leather Armor (Bodywear, SP: 1) Boomingham takes a swig from the bottle of wine, recognizing it as one of the bottles the Albatross Inn put into their guests' rooms. Boomingham picks up and inspects the red vial. It was simply marked "ANTI-DEPRESSANTS" in bold print. Arthur takes out his magnifying glass, inspecting the old photograph intently. It wasn't loaded wiuth traps, but with the magnifying glass's aid Arthur can tell the photograph is more than a decade old. It seems to depict a scene from The Stealer's childhood, the man only about 11 years old in this photograph. His cousin stands beside him, grinning ear to ear. However, Masson serves as a stark contrast, giving only a slight smile. There was a look of knowingness in his eyes, the boy already aloof and detached at this age. It seemed that he had already seen much of the evil in the world. Looking at the young boy was almost tragic - recalling what The Stealer had said earlier, he had already killed several people by this age, forced into the art of murder by the Wolfgang. This may have been one of the few bittersweet moments in his life. His adoptive parents stand behind them, happy despite the poverty they were stuck in.

Did anyone ever manage to beat that console, by the way? It was playable. Or the automatons? (Which, by the way, thanks for the inspiration on the design, CMP.) Besides, I rationalized that Masson used a pinhole camera - basically a bunch of lens that magnify the suns rays, burning an image onto papyrus.

Boomingham walks up to the door on the right of the room, swinging it open. The paladin leads the party right into The Stealer's personal chamber. It is shockingly humble - the party would expect something lavish, but the inn rooms they had stayed in the previous night were far more luxurious. A simple bed sits in the corner of the room, two stools used for seating. A chest sits next to the bed. A small wooden table is pressed up against the wall, 2 objects standing atop it: a bottle of wine and an odd red vial A weathered photograph is tacked up to the wall. What will the party do?

Apologies for the delay, folks! Left for baseball on July 3rd, came back July 4th. Also, Capn: The Mythrogg would approximately be as big as the diamond (maybe a little bigger) and about a story taller than it.

QM Note: Back from the ball game! Huzzah! Spent two hours in gridlock in a single parking lot! Huzzah! Oddly enough, the dorr way wasn't busted. No broken hinges or screw hole were on the frame - it was specifically built to lack a door. Arthur's compass swivels forward and backward incessantly, as indecisvie as ever. However, it soon settles on a straight forward direction - Arthur grins and follows the compass's guidance, only for it to whip the other way around as he reaches the north end of the room. He freezes in his place for a moment, realzing that such fast movement signified that the target was in the room. Or, more specifically, right behind him. Arthur insticntively reaches for his amethyst and cluthces a scroll in his hand, ready to blast the Stealer across the room if need be. He whirls around at lightning speed - only to see the bewildered glances of his party. No Stealer in sight. The ensuing moments almost comical, Arthur pacing and zig-zagging around the room, following the compass unconditionally. The sorcerer is literally walking circles around the room at this point. The cleric chuckles softly, and whispers to the party: "Think we should tell him the compass can't tell the difference between organisms here? Not a complete jam, but it can't tell a moth from a Masson. Then again, this is pretty amusing..." The cleric makes a sweeping gesture. "Pick a door, any door." QM Note: None of these will have consequences when entered.

There was no directories like the other parts of the base... this was an area that wasn't commonly used by most of the Syndicate, it would seem.

I'll be leaving for a baseball game in 45 minutes... and won't be back until 11 PM. (3:00 right now, by the way.) So, I'll probably see you all tomorrow when the clock hits 3:45.

All the doors were unlocked. One was even missing a door altogether, just with an empty frame.

And that escalated rather quickly. Guts, try not to murder Guffington!

Charity seems to relent, considering the words of the heroes. She turns around and stares at the wall for what seems like an eternity, digesting what had been said. She reaches an ultimatum, turning on her heel and sighing to address the heroes. "I couldn't try to stop you folks - Not even if I wanted to." she murmurs slightly, looking down towards the ground. "Eubric doesn't need any more bloodshed, heroes. It seems we were on the same page all along. I trust you to do what is right, heroes. There is no need to end any more lives in this city. About the base - this headquarters is basically shaped like one large U, this room located on the bottom of it. You're halfway through the base. Now, I have care packages to wrap for the hovels. Let us hope I'll get to put them to use soon, eh? Best of luck, heroes." As Charity steps back into the mess hall, closing the door behind her, the Cleric speaks up. "The base seems to be under widepsread lockdown. Most rooms are eitherstripped of supplies or locked, so if we forge onwards, we'll stumble on Masson by simple process of elimination..." The cleric hobbles forward, Boomingham leading his party down the corridors of the Syndicate base. They soon find themselves in a large foyer: What will the party do?

I whip out my bow and look around, my eyes darting around. "What wacky shenanigan will be next to recieve a throrough beating from my bow?"

"So you would bring down the blade on him and end his life, even if he has absolutely no intention of ending yours. It sounds like you are also very accountable here. What would the "Peaceful" option do, anyway? Let him walk out of this building alive, despite the fact that you've already pinned charges on him? I've heard rumors of your accusations against him. How can you be sure that if, he does choose to relent, he simply won't walk out of this building and into the Town Watch's cells? He could easily be thrown onto death row. Tell me, what kind of peace is that?"

The old woman speaks firmly. "See? Or kill?"

On a serious note, though, I wouldn't say that isa good comparison. If there are enough enemies in the room during a Raider's ravage, the Raider can do ludicrous amounts of damage.

...Wow, that one was a bit obvious. Maybe after her youth is gone, the Amazing Carletta Emilia Benita Priscilla Lucia Cecilia Maria Giliana Roberta Consuela Roalina Margarita Puerta joins the Syndicate?

I appear to be missing the joke.

The party exits the Training Room, going around the bend to the next portion of the HQ. The party walks by at least half a dozen doors, all of them locked: supply closests, ration depots, and storage bays, all locke dup tight. It seemed Masson placed much of his headquarters under lockdown while the heroes struggled at the base's entry. With all of the missing weapons, locked doors, and much of their opponents being lifeless automatons, the base was beginning to feel like a ghost town... However, that feeling is quickly broken as they walk pass the Mess Hall. An elderly woman stands in the hallway, a bit surprised and seemingly unpleased with the heroes presne in the base. There is a steel in her eyes that only an elder could possess. "What...? So, you're on your way to Masson, then." Karie recognizes the woman as Charity, the Syndicate chef.

The crate had been emptied as well. There is a thin layer of powder at the bottom -this is where training explosives were stored, it seems.

The door swings open as Karie pushes on it. A rather large training facility sits behind the door, complete with dummies, racks of weapons, boundaries for sparring, and even archery targets. However, the room was stripped of all of its stock, all of the weapons removed from their place.

The door next to the SpaceBattle terminal is the door to the Training Room.