Endgame

I wpnder what will happen when Sorrow meets Beast Warrior Benji... "Hey, I murdered your griflriend. And I'm stacked to massacre you too."

He is Syndicate now. LDD has very few holding opoints for bows, unfortunately.

"I would say the poor has gone through enough struggles to gain security in their homes, but I digress. I have a schedule to adhere to, heroes - and altough I would enjoy sitting down over a glass of wine and sicuss philosophy, I simply lack the time. You've made it very clear and this point you intened to obstruct me by any means neccasary... You fight for your ideals, heroes, and I fight for mine. It is simple. Perhaps the victor in the coming game of cat and mouse will decide whose philosophy shall win... All that remains undetermined is who will be the hunter, and who will be the prey. I don't think your mission is over yet, heroes, despite you reaching the Armory - far from over. Do try to get as many Town Watch resources as possible, Arthur. Keep things interesting in the future." The Stealer of Senses removes a Smelling Salts from his bag, placing it under the nose of each and every Wolfgang -- now Syndicate -- member. He grabs their hand and helps them up to their feet, dusting them off and patting them on the back. He hands each member a mask as he reinvigorates them, each of them donning it. As they place the masks on their heads, The Stealer removes two bombs from the Armory, mixing and shaking them rapidly. He speaks to the woman he was negotiating with before, her loyalties now with him. "Samantha, are you in a position to fight? Or would you prefer retreat?" "Plenty capable, sir." "Good. Lead your troops well, okay?" "Heh. Don't have to tell me twice." "Excellent. Wolfmire, Gregor, Alfred, Lythor?" "Yes, sir?" "Only attack those who wish to fight. If somebody steps out, let them step out without consequence. Best of luck to you all." "Thank you, sir." "Got it, boss." "You can trust me, sir." "This is gonna be good!" The Stealer nods at his troops and throws his concontion, blowing another hole into the Armory. He casually strolls out, saying this as he exits: "Heroes, I bid you adieu." Now only the Syndciate members and the heroes remained. "This should be good, heroes!" PREPARE FOR BATTLE! "Let's begin!" Syndicate Elite Samantha, Level 40 Humanoid HP: 540/540 SP: 2 Immune to Weakened, Frailty, Blindness, and Sealing! Specials: Double Slash: Hits the hero who rolled Special Damage for 25 damage (disregarding SP) this round, and hits him for another 25 damage (disregarding SP) at the end of the next. Bloodshed: Samantha slashes in a wide arc, all heroes having a 1/2 chance to Bleed. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Cut and Bleed: Rolls of damage make the hero Gush Blood (1 damage the first round, 2 damage the next, etc.) Drops: 50 gold "Heh heh..." Syndicate Peon (Blade), Level 21 Humanoid HP: 250/250 SP: 1 Immune to Frailty and Blindness! Specials: Defensive Stance: Goes into a defensive stance, Counterstriking next round. Lethal Wound: The Peon shoves his blade into the hero who rolled Special Damage's chest, Dooming them. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specils: Lust: This Peon seeks his master's favor, defying the SP of those who have a higher level then him. Drops: 10 gold "First fight as a Syndicate member, huh..." Syndicate Peon (Bow), Level 18 Humanoid HP: 275/275 SP: 2 Immune to Blindness and Sealing! Specials: Triple Shot: Hits the hero who rolled special damage, as well as the hero above and below him in the battle order, for 12 damage each. Predator and Prey: Marks the hero who rolled special damage, dealing 10 damage to them at the end of every round. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Lust: This Peon seeks his master's favor, defying the SP of those who have a higher level then him. Back-Row Fighter: This Peon fights from the back row, taking half damage from all non-ranged attacks. Does full damage to heroes in the back row. Drops: 10 gold "Stand down." Syndicate Peon (Bomb), Level 21 Humanoid HP: 200/200 SP: 5 Immune to Frailty and Sealing! Specials: Cryo Blast: Throws a ice bomb at the party, exploding upon impact. All heroes have a 1/3 chance of becoming Fragile for 3 rounds from the firigid blast. Pyro Blast: Throws a fire bomb at the party. All heroes take damage equal to their level from the seering blast. Specials alternate. Passive Specials: Lust: This Peon seeks his master's favor, defying the SP of those who have a higher level then him. Drops: 10 gold "Boss man says you gotta go, heroes." Syndicate Peon (Club), Level 22 Humanoid HP: 280/280 Immune to Weakening, Blindness, and Sealing! Specials: Brutal Bludgeon: Deals 22 damage to the hero who rolled Special Damage, disregarding SP. All other Syndicate members boost this attack's power by 3. Concussion: Smashes his club into the skull of the hero who rolled Special Damage, making them Fragile and Confused for 3 rounds. Specials decided by die roll. Passive Specials: Lust: This Peon seeks his master's favor, defying the SP of those who have a higher level then him. Drops: 10 gold Weapons Rack, Level 0 Mechanical HP: 160/160 SP: 3 Immune to Frailty, Blindness, and Sealing! Specials: Raid: All of the Syndictae goons switch their weapon for a better model, boosting their level by 1 permanently. Passive Specials: Pilfer: Special Damage is triggered on free hits. Drops: Grating Stone Shield Rack, Level 0 Mechanical HP: 100/100 SP: 10 Immune to Frailty, Blindness, and Sealing! Specials: Gear Up: All of the Syndicate goons get another piece of armor, permanently boosting their SP by 1. Passive Specials: Pilfer: Special Damage is triggered on free hits. Drops: Shiny Polish Potion Rack, Level 0 Mechanical HP: 300/300 Immune to Blindness and Sealing! Specials: Rations: All Syndicate Goons chug a Grand Potion, resotring 25 HP to themselves. Pilfer: Special Damage is triggered on free hits. Drops: Pheonix Essence Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) 46 Years Old, Human, Level 24 Paladin *Immune to Fragile, Sleep and Weakened* *Encouraged!* Power: 37 (+4**) Defense: 12 Health: 17/45 (+2*) Ether: 22/23 Gold: 113 Equipment: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 10, Darkness Fire, causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health) 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, 2 Meads, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immunity to Ice), Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Marksman's Monocle, 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, Everlasting Venom. Remedy, Seventh Heaven, Pixie Dust Debts: 128 Gold Arthur, 1 gold Docken, 75 gold Sorrow Arthur Justus Regulus VII (played by Flipz), Level 24 Sorcerer, 21-year-old male Human *Immune to Sealed* [ Currently in: Quest #70: The Syndicate] *Encouraged!* *Lucky!* *Hastened!* Power: 37 (24 + WP:13) Health: 34/36 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 23 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*) Ether: 26/34 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 23 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5) Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi) Gold: 1029 (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), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), Overkill Gloves 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 [Mulled Wine]), 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, Sticky Gloves 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 x4, Remedy x8, Elixir x3, Nostrum x 3, Smelling Salts x 4, Mead x 3, 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 Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintobor) 22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 11.5 *Encouraged!* Power: 17 (lvl 11 + WP: 6) Health: 17/17 Gold: 217 Defence: 0 Equipment: Sexy (WP: 6, Rapier, Disregards SP, usable by Knights and Rogues), Catsuit (Wearer has 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits; suitable to women only; bodywear. ), Lover's Locket (Protects from enamoured effect) Inventory: Potion (4), Mead (2), Remedy (2), 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), Leather Armor (Bodywear, SP: 1) Arnulf Bishop (Shoker86) 30 yrs old male human Rogue *Encouraged!* Level 10 Power: 19 (9+9+1) Defense: 3 Health: 16/16 (7+9) Gold: 144 Equipment: Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Tricorne (SP:3), Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round) Inventory: Leather Armor(SP:1), 4 Potions, 3 Venoms, Remedy, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, 1 Meads, Smelling Salts Name: Unknown. Most call him "Em," though his real name remains largely mysterious. Unknown age male human ranger Level 10 Power: 16 Health: 13/15 Gold: 98 Equipment: Bow(WP:5), Ranger's Quiver (+1 WP to all Bows/Crossbows), White Marksman's Hat - (⅙ chance of Assassination vs. Flying monsters; Headwear) Inventory: Smoke bomb, Grating Stone, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion x5, Remedy x3, 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

I don't think the Town Watch operates on a satirical version of the Japanese judicial system.

"First of all, I would appreciate it if you had your facts correct. I never attempted rape in any way. Secondly, planning a revolution is a bit hard when you have no true government - half of Eubric would be jailed by now. Third, you heroes literally smelt the powers of elements into life-draining elements as you please... The Harvester is hardly a misdemeanor. Finally, however, you still do not understand. It is not about taking choice away. It is about providing it. How many poor people do you think wish could escape from the danger of Eubric, Arthur? How many would love to leave the city's perils behind and live simply? I wish to provide to those what i never had. An actual childhood. Safety in your own home. Being able to walk the streets of your neighborhood without the fear of being stabbed in the back. Those who wish to live quietly can. That is all I am trying to achieve here."

So you're admitting your entire division are a bunch of hacks. If being related ot the criminal makes it your crime, then I'm afraid the Ziegfrieds would be shot dead by now.

Arthur is immediately disbarred due to pressing false rape charge.

On the bright side, I don't snore.

And just when I was planning to go to bad...

4 battles, 1 two-phaser. I'm being honest on this one. Besides, it'd be hard not to host a quest short then 48.

Endgame? 2 battle quest where the boss is reached in a week?

Completing the next battle in the quest marks its halfway point, 70ers, by the by. Then proceeds to curb stomp entire party via QM powers.

The Stealer heaves a curt sigh, keeping his composure. "Yes, Karie, I'm well aware of what he did to you, and I'm also unfortunately well aware what he would have done to you if you had lost that battle. And I feel legitimately bad over what transpired in the Locunon. But your enemy isn't the Harvester - it is The Apprentice. He only wanted to hurt people, Karie. I have no desire to hurt anyone that I don't need to."

"Besides the last 3 points you listed, that world sounds quite nice - but not the one I'll be creating. I never mentioned any sort of collective consciousness, nor silence. Just quiet. Just a quiet world where a man or woman could get a job, get married, have kids, without living in constant fear of the world around them. Without spending every free moment fretting about future trials, terrified of the corruption and deception among them. I have more finesse with this blade then my cousin, Karie. Far more. These peoples' personalities, memories, emotions will all remain intact. I am essentially just switching their employers. And I'm not using The Harvester to attain my vision, for the most part. I am simply siphoning off of the biggest source of "noise" in Eubric, to start. And when The Syndicate has gotten large enough, then we can truly begin to change Eubric."

...And there you have it. The Stealer is a former child soldier, turned into a Well-Intentioned Extremist when he lost his family one by one. And all he wants is for people to be able to live simply if they so choose.

The party can hear something resembling a chuckle from The Stealer. "I do believe I said no more questions, but I suppose I could entertain a few. I think your sorcerer will be quite vexed to learn that he actually has nothing to convict me on... unless defeating criminals is an act worthy of getting one behind bars. I have lived in Eubric for most of my life, heroes. The bustling streets, flooded with people... people of every ethnicity and race mingling in one place. Some had it better then others, but overall, many would say this hive of activity would be lively. I disagree. There is no life in this corrupt city. There are people going about their business, yes, wandering these Ennoc forsaken streets, but there is no life. Only noise. Unending, unrelenting noise. There is no place in this city where one can live without being effected by the quarrels of the houses, the bickering of the wolfgang and the town watch. All would eventually get tangled into one web of deceit or another. I lost my entire family to the noise... my parents got tangled into the Wolfgang's web, and my aunt and uncle followed suit. Even my cousin, better known as The Apprentice, went mad because of all of the noise. For somet ime, it consumed me too. I worked under my parents in the Wolfgang... my kill count was in the double digits before I was even seven. After those I loved were eventually crushed under the noise of this city, I realized something. I realized that happiness lives in a quiet world. That one truly prospers living a simple life, free from all of the corruption and greed Olegaia. Free from the noise, so to speak. It is all I ever wanted... but I'm too far beyond that point now. The simple life is too far out of my grasp, I fear - though that doesn't mean I cannot give it to someone else." The Stealer gets on one knee, looking at the scattered wolfgang before them. "Some might say I have something of a vendetta against the Wolfgang. Perhaps I do. But the majority of the Wolfgang is not to blame... their ideals are twisted by someone higher up on the chain of command, abused by the higher ups." The Stealer removes the Harvester from his cape, gently placing it on the foreheads of the knocked out goons. Beads of light shimmer up the blades, seemingly harvesting one of their senses - common sense. "Of course, I cannot complete my endeavor alone. A quiet world is something that could only be achieved with unity. Thus, seeing the Wolfgang, most of its chain of command a tangled mess of ideas and fear, I decided to step in. I am building something, Arthur. Call is a mafia, a mob, an army, whatever you shall choose. You may paint me as a criminal. But know this. I am fighting simply so others can live more peaceful lives then I. I am taking these Wolfgang, and I am taking them away from the corruption. It doesn't matter if they agree with my ideals or not in the end, it seems... I suspect many Wolfgang don't subscribe to their leader's ideas. The defining difference between the Wolfgang and the organization I'm building is simple. The Wolfgang is constructed on fear and disorder. I will build a group where people are treated with respect. Referred to be their first names, and not their ranks. Fed well, trained, advised, helped. I am building the Syndicate, heroes. And we will achieve a quiet world."

He also just disarmed 5 deadly criminals, and Is making a motive speech that hasn't appeared yet because I'm typing it!

The Stealer has done nothing wrong!

Silence fills the room as Karie's words bounce off the walls. The Stealer wasn't even going to acknowledge that.

"A bit rude, I see. What mental picture did your fellow heroes paint in your mind of me, I wonder? Pity you're trying to convict one of the few people in Eubric who want to help the city. In a roundabout way, sorceror, we are here for the same reasons. I fear I'm the one who asks the questions here, not you. So, if you would be so kind, I would prefer if you didn't try to clumsily probe my brain. It isn't going to work."

"Their memory of the last four years of their lives is almost nonexistent. I essentially wiped out all memories of their career as a Town Watchmmen. Their intelligence and personalities are intact, and they know who their family is. I wouldn't be surprised if they are already back to work someplace else in Eubric." "Born in Charis, spent the first few years of my life in Charis. Didn't last too long. So nice to see you Karie. So nice to see all of those returning faces from that night... New faces are welcome as well, I suppose. Now, what are you doing here?" The Stealer's voice seems to be calm enough, but has a hint of an edge to it...

"Ask away."

The party's resolve varies from hero to hero, but nonetheless they are ready to confront whatever lurked in the Armory. Swallowing their fears and doubts they reach for their weapons, arming themselves for whatever brawl was before them. The Armory Door was heavy, and the giant steel door required the entire party to push. They throw the door open, stepping inside of the armory. The walls were bristling with all types of equipment. Racks of weapons, kiosks of shields, shelves of potions, bags of bombs, treasure chests of loot... they all cluttered every wall of the Armory, giving the Wolfgang plenty of material to work from. Two tables sat in the middle of the room, empty bottles of beer and rum discarded on them. The room was kept surprisingly neat, but they had no time to admire their adversary's organizational skills. Mostly because they didn't know who was their adversary yet. Standing in the center of it all was The Stealer of Senses. Those who had encountered him before choked back the screams, too well aware about the power he wielded. He held the Harvester in one hand, the blade glistening in the moonlight. The blade seemed more powerful then ever, the light at the base of its dual-scimitar like blades glowing an eerie blue. The entire device seemed to hum and pulse, as if it was living. The man wielding it demanded more attention. He wasn't a hulking giant, but he was still a formidable figure. He seemed to be in peak physical condition, his entire body protected by layers of armor and purple robes. His eyes were concealed by a face mesh, but Karie could still recall their chilling blue hue. He had with him an authoritative aura, a serene presence that seemed to unsettle everyone in the room. He speaks to the Wolfgang woman, the woman apparently the strongest of all the goons here. The other Wolfgang mooks stood at the outskirts of the Armory, seeing the situation unfold. She seemed intimidated, but her voice or words didn't betray that. "I take it you refuse." Notes the Stealer nonchalantly. The heroes had walked in on a conversation, it seemed. "Like hell we do! What did you expect, coming here in the dead of night? Hospitality?!" "Perhaps not, but I was hoping I could appeal to your reason. So we can't do this peacefully, I take it?" "You lost hope of "peaceful" when you stepped into Sceleris Alley. Surround this maniac, boys." The four Wolfgang goons skulk out from the corners of the Armory, all armed. They surround and corner The Stealer of Senses, having him beat in numbers and position. You had to feel bad for them. The goons, that is. The Armory erupts into a brawl, and the party's doubts on the victor quickly evaporate... though they wish they hadn't. The club wielding goon springs off of his table, attempting to smash The Stealer from above. Without hesitation The Stealer simply grabs the hilt of the club - right above the goon's hand - and flings him to the floor. An archer lets loose an arrow, but The Stealer deflects it away effortlessly and closes in on the Archer in a flash. The Archer runs and fires behind him, frantically trying to shoot The Stealer... but the Harvester had brushed him as he bolted back, robbing him of his sight. The Stealer dodged or deflected every arrow, jabbing the archer's solar plexus when he got close enough. The bomber ignites a bomb, but his scheme is quickly ruined when The Stealer steals his hearing. Unable to hear the hiss of his own bomb, the bomber snuffs it out and foolishly rushes The Stealer for hand to hand. The purple-clad fighter knocks him out cold in a single blow. The minion wielding a butcher knife rushes him, slicing frantically. One chop to the windpipe sent him toppling to the floor. The elite Wolfgang puts forth a valiant effort, but The Stealer was not to be beaten. He jumps out of the way of her lunge, but the Wolfgang henchwoman quickly swings down with another blade. He catches it between the prongs of the Harvester, wrenching the blade out of her hand with a flick of the wrist. She sputters in disbelief. "B-but... how...?!" The Stealer does not mince words, hitting her on the skull with the blunt end of The Harvester. The five wolfgang goons lay knocked out on the floor around him. Unconsciousness, but no fatal attacks - no injuries, in fact. It occurs to the party that he just took on a 5 versus 1 battle and won effortlessly. Without a single scratch. The Stealer of Senses was a force to be reckoned with - he was even better of a fighter then the heroes had imagined, this being the first time heroes had seen him in combat. As if on cue, his line of sight switches to the heroes in the doorway, some with their mouths agape. "Ah. Hello." He says dryly. He notes Karie and her new attire, the hero hanging in the back of the party. "La petite mort, ma chère." he says flatly. The phrase "la petite mort" had two meanings, and both were probably equally appropriate in this situation...