Endgame

The party tries left once again, mysterious fog once again flanking the party on all sides. They walk out... Into the same room! The party is completely baffled, and the irritating sign doesn't help a bit: Don't be the poor sap who gets baffled thrice. What will the party do? "We're thinking too inside the box here. If this place can defy all logic, we should too."

Toldja you were out of your tree. The plot thicknes, and Wren seems to have snapped completely and utterly.... She used capslock! :tongue This keeps getting better and better, Zepher - though I wonder how Alexis turned into an assassin, both sotry and gameplay mechanics wise.

Please wait until after 48 is done before you go trying to sell one of my antagonist's soul to an elder god for profit.

The party trudges left, glaring at the mocking sign as they passed by. They found themselves in a desne fog, their vision obscured greatly. They stumble through and find themselves... ...In the same room? The only difference was a cruel one: the sign's contents had changed. Don't be the poor sap that gets baffled twice. What will the party do? Sylph takes a whiff of the Mycelium Tendril, trying to deduce whether or not mucnhing on the precious tendril would help them. His test yeilded no results: they couldn't use it to help them through.

...That technically is within the realm of plausibility, given what our pal Prometheus is up to. It'd also be deep within the realm of stupidity, so pass. Fine, it'd just give her the Afraid effect. We don't want her running off anyway.

That, or a scarecrow that scares off Sorrows. ...Any chance you could get rid of Sorona for us, please?

"Like I said. Maybe at first you had the upper hand, but hwen all the cards are face-up on the table, you and your petty sisterhood are nothing but a longing bunch of pathetic souls. Weaklings. We'll put you out of your misery - or your sorrow, if you prefer."

Flipz, I can't remember the Master of Regret ever giving you your Demon Court name. Are you the "Chaotic Walloftextmancer"?

Hopefully my rain in 48 looks like... rain. Also, Scorpiox, slicked-back hair of evil indifference. Me likey.

QM Note: A bit more decisiveness would be appreciated greatly.

"And they are consistently being reduced to bone dust. Why would give up to someone who is quite clearly going to lose this struggle?"

"Will do." 'The party, with the mycelium tendril in hand,forges onwards. Heading back on their designated route, the sky begins to roar and rumble, black clouds billowing acorss the night sky. Rain falls down in sharp torrents, the party silently sprinting through the mud to reach their destination: Mystrinitri Forest. A few sneezes can be heard as the heroes make their way to the beginning of the perplexing forest, not knowing what to expect from the peculiar place. After about 30 minutes of running, panting, and sneezing from the downpour, they find themselves at a large steel gate. Rain pours down on the heroes as the two imposing stone figures seemingly stare at the party expectingly. Hal speaks. "We're here. A word of warning - this path is usually just a short walk to the manor. Unfortunately, Dini, being the ether-user that he is, has installed a few defense mechanisms into this forest - spells and whatnot, I guess. And when he turns them on, this scenic path turns into a perplexing maze. With the recent Progg invasion, one can only assume that he turned on the spells... Unfortunately, it does nothing for tunneling and flying creatures." The party pushes through the steel gate, the steel door moaning ominously as they did so. A mist of mysticality surrounds the heroes... this forest was not what it seems. It was a place designed to baffle and confuse... and they needed to get through it. Forging onwards, the party finds themselves at an intersection. A foliage covered wall stands in front of te heores, providing them with two pahts: Left or Right. Mockingly, a sign clearly states: Don't be the poor sap that gets baffled. Will the party head left or right?

"This'll be over before long. How does it feel, Sorona? As soon as we knew all of your petty parlor tricks, it was over. Just give up and maybe we'll kill you without too much agony. Oh, and. Hayworth, back row, steel fan."

The Party: Sylph Solanum (Dannylonglegs) *Party Leader!* unknown age, unknown race Druid Level 20 Power: 28 (20+7+1) Defense: 0 Health: 36/36c(20+17+7+1) Ether: 20/23 (5+16+1) Gold: 19 Equipment: Shrapnel Bow (WP: 9, Bow. Every successful hit drops the target's SP by 1) , Ranger's Quiver (WP +1 to bows and crossbows), 20-20 glasses (headwear, +1 turn of effect for scrolls) Inventory: Mockthril Rod (WP:7), Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Confusion, 1 Potions, 1 Grand Potion, Tonic x3, Venom, Smoke Bomb, 2 Fire Bombs, 2 Ice Bombs, 3 Water Bombs, 2 Lightning Bombs, Floral Bomb, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, 8 Bones, Signet Ring, Saber Teeth, Crumbling Venom, Journal of The Bleeding, Sword Fragment (1), Smelling Salts x2, Helmet (Max. health +1), Quartz, Tale of the Invincible King, Psych Documents, Merry Bow (WP:7, ranged, steals 1 gold with each successful hit except Shield-skills), Journal of The Wound, Sword Fragment (2), Grand Tonic, Emerald, Trial Brew, Nostrum, Mycelium Tendril Johon [AKA Alf Gregory] (Bricksandparts) 25 years old male human Barbarian > Raider Level: 21.33 Power: 33 (21+8+4) Health: 36/36 (19+8+1+7+0) Shield Power: (1 + 5) Ether: ~/0 Positive effects: *Immune to:* (*Fragile*, *Cursed* *Stunned*), *Natural Respite* Negative effects: (none) Gold: 449 (186G(1), 0GB(50), 0CB(50), 0GO(80), 0CC(70), 0GC(100), 0M) Equipment: 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.), 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.) Hide of The Bleeding (Backwear, restores 10 HP and 5 ether for every enemy the wearer kills, suitable for anyone) Scarlet Hood (+4 to power, immunity to stunned) Heavy Armour – SP:5, protects from fragile-effect, suitable for barbarians and knights. Extra Artefacts: Helmet (+1 max health), Blessed Amulet – Protects from cursed-effect. Bravado Boots (1/6 chance of being Lucky at the beginning of every battle) Extra Weapons: Greatsword (WP:3), Meteor Blade (WP:8, Light elemental), Focal Staff (WP:5, Focus Fire-Roll a 3 for 5 ether Suitable for clerics and mages) Tools: Shovel (1), Pick-axe (2), Magnifying Glass (1), Magic Compass (1) Consumables: Potion (5), Grand Potion, Venom, Ice Bomb (1), Mead, Phoenix Essences (2), Trial Brew (1), Smelling Salts, Remedy, Nostrum, Dragon Scale (Lucky and blessed effects upon consumption) Elements: Aquamarine (1), Emerald (1) Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep (1), Scroll of Blindness (1), Scroll of Sealing (2), Scroll of Confusion (1) Quest items: (None) Elgar Gligin (played by Jedi master Brick) Level 20.33 Evoker *Immune to Fragile!* Power: 31 Defense: 6 Health: 30/30 Ether: 19/19 Gold: 233 Equipment: Mockthril Crossbow (WP:11), 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, Emerald, Sapphire, Topaz, Opal, (Borrowed) Garnet,3 Venoms, Spade,Pickaxe,3 Potions, Trickster's Mask of the Elf(Accessory, Changes user's appearance into an Elf),Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the badly poisoned effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether) ,Goblin's Wrench(WP:10,retrievable), Needlessly Large Rod (Non-Artifact Item, Curses a random enemy. Usable once per battle.) Does not prevent free hits. Grand Potion x2, Grand Tonic x3, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sealing, Fireworks, Remedy, Tonic x3, Dualis Scepters (WP: 8, Club/Staff, Dual-striking) Alexandre le Chevalier (Played by Capt.JohnPaul) Level 18.5 Paladin, 20 year old elf male Power: 28 Defense: 13 Health: 38/38 Ether: 18/18 Gold: 18 Equipment: Sword of the Elven Blademaster (WP: 10; ignores SP, +1 gold per successful strike), Cross Heater Shield (SP: 10) (Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3; Damage of all Free Hits is halved; suitable for Knights and Barbarians), Dapper Hat (Headwear, wearer has a 1/6 chance of becoming encouraged at the start of each battle) Inventory: Potions (4), Bedroll, Smoke Bomb, Tonic x3, Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, Potion, Grand Tonic, Scroll of Sealing, Elixir, Nostrum Lycan Romulus Dean (played by theBoyWonder) Level 13.5 Rogue *Immune to weakened* *Immune to Stunned* Power: 33 Health: 17/17 Gold: 3 (95 gold owed to Thormanil and 30 to Loreal) Equipment: Combrys (WP: 14, consecutive successful strikes raise Combry's WP by 1, unsuccessful strikes drop it to it's base WP), Scarlet Hood (Headwear, Power +4, Protects from Stunned), Pugilist Gloves(Power +2, protects from weakened) Inventory: Bedroll, Staff of The Frog Paladin (WP:6, 1/6 chance of Amphibianocs Blessing (protects from damage)), Throwing Dagger (WP6), Deadly Venom, Venom x3, Sylvania's Cowl(grants Animal Talk to Wearer), Garnet, Potion, Nostrum Galen Woodward (Fugazi) 36 year old male human Rogue Level 16 Power: 26 (16+10) Defense: 1 (+1) Health: 26/26 (7+15+4) Gold: 889 Equipment: Murkwood Thread (WP: 10), Chimera Headdress (Headwear, Suitable for Rangers and Rogues, +1 SP +4 Health), Stretchy Rubber Band (Accessory, returns thrown weapons immediately) Inventory: Fauxthril Shuriken (WP:5, ranged), Throwing Dagger (WP:4, ranged), Bedroll, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bomb XX, Grand Potion x4, Remedy x3, Nostrum x3, Mead x3, Fire Bomb, Deadly Venom x2, Crumbling Venom, Goblin's Wrench(WP:10,retrievable), Black Katana (WP:8), Smelling Salts x3, Trial Brew, Goblin's Wrench (WP:10,retrievable), Cast, Potion, Leather Armour (SP:1), Soma, Leather Armour (SP:1), Potion, Peculiar Egg, Leather Armour (SP:1), Hide of The Wound (+6 power to throwing weapons), Phoenix Essence x2 "Welcome to the *wheeze, cough* club, Hal!" Punii, 2 month year old Progg Alchemist Jellies: Red x1 "Lets roll." Hal Bohrd, Luosh Guard Captain Level 18 Power: 28 Defense: 3 Health: 35/35 Gold: 50 Equipment: Halberd (WP: 10) Luoshian Armor (SP: 3, Bodywear) Inventory: Phoenix Essence, Remedy, Potion Rolls: 6: Charge! Does damage to the target equal to all conscious party member's WP added together. The special effects in the weapon (such as decay) are not transmitted. 5: Critical Hit: WPx3+Level "To Mystrinitri forest, I presume?"

"It is a potent tendril, yes. Save it for when you or someone else is nearly completely out of their tree. I'm afraid that, because of the health of the mushroom, I can only pluck one tendril off - sorry about that." With that, Gary gingerly plucks one tendril of the gargantuan mushroom, its glow wavering for a second but quickly returning to normal. Mycelium Tendril: A tendril from the endangered Sporecelius Mycelium. Consuming returns one to a normal state of mind. Party Leader, who will get this item? What will the party do?

I had a similar-ish idea, CMP: Basically, you are given a bloody massive map to roam, and you have an overarching objective to complete. Here is the thing: one party of heroes doesn't have top do it. In fact, it is expected that 3-4 parties go in before that objective is cleared, each one continuing where the last one left off. Funky idea and a complete nightmare to host, but I entertain the notion still...

Such a thing would be incredilby difficult to pull off, though, without feeling like you are wasting someone's time. The writing and plot would have to be superb, and you'd have to make mundane chores enjoyable. Though, I do think we should downscale a tad, in terms of direness - not every quest needs to be an amazing blockbusters that decide the fate of Olegaia - though such things do make spectacular ending for series, the stakes don't always need to be so high.

The voice seems to calm down a bit, betraying signs of exhaustion and oldness. He speaks in a much softer and less accusing tone... "Well, against better judgement... The boards over the windows probably weren't going to fool them into thinking this house was abandoned, anyway." The party can hear a latch being undone. and the door swings open. An elderly gardener with grass-stained gloves steps out, his face lighting up when he sees the heroes not pointing their weapons at him. "Oh, thank the lucky stars... This entire mess has made this codger paranoid, I'm sorry about that. I am Gary Reeds. If what you say about a huge battle is true, I may be able to lend you a hand.." Gary smiles as he remember Galen's question. "What is the Sporecelius Mycelium, you ask? Why, only my pride and joy - and the only thing those shelled cretins haven't made off with. Follow me - this goes hand in hand with being able to help you." Gary signals inside the door, and the party heads in. A few feet across from the front door there existed a back door - going through that and going behind the little house, the party finds themselves in an even smaller plot of land. Sylph can tell just by looking at it the soil was as fertile and rich as could be, but something else demanded the attention of the party. A gargantuan luminous mushroom stood in the middle of the garden, having the entire little plot of land for itself. Its cap glowed as it puffed out a gradual stream of of spores, 4 vines hanging from the giant 'shroom's cap. The mushroom stood tall, dwarving the entire party. Gary gently pats its stalk, as the party takes a whiff of the spores - and feel immediately relaxed. "This is the Sporecelius Mycelium, one of the rarest of all Mushrooms. It wanes for most of a year, only waxing, raising its cap, and puffing out a spore a week every one year. Due to such a short cycle, this thing has become coveted... so coveted, in fact, it is now endangered. Poor thing... Anyway. As you may have learned, every year, we harvest spices from all the mushrooms in the garden. Well, the Mycelium outputs something a bit different - cures for the mind. You might have noticed the spores are incredibly soothing - but they are more then therapeutic. You see, anyone who takes a single munch of these vines will have their mind unclouded nigh-instantly - thus, why it is such a coveted fungus. Want one of the vines? I can imagine it being useful." .

Oh boy, Zepher, now you've turned one of your questies into a demon.

The voice continues. "I've... I've heard that one of these Proggs, The Remorse or whatever, can brainwash people effortlessly! How am I supposed to know you just aren't puppets sent to lure me out? You'll never get my Sporecelius Mycelium! Never!" The party will have to reason with the voice if they had hopes of getting to the bottom of this...

"How?? I don't think I should be attacking that undead waste of space any more, they are multiplying. I switch to my Longsword and impale Sorona, front."

Hal walks over to the door and raps his knuckles on it. "Anyone home?" A voice emanates from behind the door, stern but clearly shaken - it doesn't sound like a Progg. "Nobody is home! Scat!"