Endgame

A letter flutters in from the sky. "Another one, huh..." I sign up for it, and allow the letter to return to the Hall with a satisfying "poof".

"Don't have to tell me. Never really seen another undead in my life before I came here; damn shame to come to fellcrest and see it with a crisis on its hands on this. Any suspects thus far?"

"Agreed. Going to have to add alcohol to my list of dislikes, right below promiscuity... Anyway. No info on Lyudmilla, but we still have the guard to speak to - he may offer some help." I go to the skeletal guard. "Any news on the Countess, sir?"

I realize I have a habit of taking Levwl 1 Heroes and putting them through horrific experiences, but I think you're speaking a bit pre-emptively here.

"He was drunk. Told me his name was Martin and ran right by."

Now I can't get the word "Bar-fairy-ian" out of my head.

My mistake.

"I'm... afraid I don't know who you are, sir." I step back and remain silent, but watch where the hook handed drunkard was stumbling off to. Vindsval has won the fight, Kinto. If he does nothing for the next 2 turns, the Sniper is dead and Vind isn't.

Enemy's level, unless specified otherwise.

"This is not an argument worth having right now. And your idea of Warlen's crowd control would kill those civillians." "I can also say pretty much the same thing about your position, Skrall. Time will tell... This, unfortunately, is a scenario where might makes right."

QM Note: Fixed. Also, that was a consumable I never ever wanted to see again.

Yeah, I had an "oh snap!" reaction too.

"Yes. I remember him. Do you expect me to be mad? He died how he wanted to, and judging by the ring, he died at your hand. In fact - I recognize you, Mystic Knight. We've met before, haven't we - before you ever set foot on Moone! So I beat you, if memory serves, but you killed Lethauros, eh. You gave him the death he wanted - and for that, I thank you. But now I'll return the favor." Prepare For The Massacre of Mermont! North Front: "Fall!" Restrained Vorpalis, Level 80 Ancient *Immune to all Negative Effects and Instant Kill!* HP: ???/??? (Damage will be tallied and applied to a later event...) Specials: Death Roar: With an earsplitting roar, Vorpalis reduces 2 random heroes to 1 HP. Tail Strike: Vorpalis pierces the hero who rolled Special damage with his tail, halving their max HP for the rest of the battle. Claw Crush: Vorpalis crushes the hero who rolled Special damage with his claw, doing 90 damage and Stunning them. Specials decided randomly. Drops: ??? Mermont Spearman A, Level 50 Humanoid HP: 130/130 Specials: Vengeance!: The Mermont Guard does damage equal to his level plus the number of fallen enemies. Parry: The Spearman counterstrikes for the next 3 rounds. Specials alternate. Drops: 20 gold Mermont Spearman B, Level 50 Humanoid HP: 130/130 Specials: Vengeance!: The Mermont Guard does damage equal to his level plus the number of fallen enemies. Parry: The Spearman counterstrikes for the next 3 rounds. Specials alternate. Drops: 20 gold Mermont Swordsman A, Level ?? Humanoid HP: 150/150 Specials: Slice and Block: The Swordsman does damage equal to the heroes level x2, and puts up his shiled so the next attack on him does 0 damage. Jab Flurry: The Mermont Swordsman slashes all of the heroes, making them all take damage equal to their level. Specials decided randomly. Passive Specials: Mirroed Potnetial: The Swordsman's level is equal to the attacking hero's x1.5 Drops: Potion Mermont Mage, Level 15+Hero's Level Humanoid HP: 170/170 Specials: Fiery Jinx: The Mage jinxes the hero who rolled Special Damage and inflicts the Burning 3 effect on all heroes. Scorcher: The Mage inflicts Burning 10 on two random heroes. Specials alternate. Drops: Tonic Southern Front: Mermont Fanatic, Level 20 Humanoid *Confused!* HP: 200/200 Specials: Praise The Moon!: The Fanatic gives a rousing speech on the merits of Vorpalis's rule, encouraging one random foe on the Northern Front. Drops: 40 gold Panicked Citizen A, Level 10 Humanoid *Confused!* HP: 20/20 Specials: AAAAAAAHH!: The panicked citizen runs away at the sight of battle. Drops: Nothing Panicked Citizen B, Level 10 Humanoid *Confused!* HP: 20/20 Specials: AAAAAAAHH!: The panicked citizen runs away at the sight of battle. Drops: Nothing Panicked Citizen C, Level 10 Humanoid *Confused!* HP: 20/20 Specials: AAAAAAAHH!: The panicked citizen runs away at the sight of battle. Drops: Nothing Guillotine Front "You'll die TONIGHT, Faust..." Aeolus, Level 0 Humanoid *Immune to Negative Effects!* *Can only be hit by ranged attacks!* HP: 1200/1200 Distance To Guillotine: 3 Note: Aeolus is dragging Faust to the guillotine. Every turn Aeolus goes without taking damage, his distance to the guillotine decreases by 1 - if the distance hits 0, Faust is executed and the quest fails. Killing Aeolus saves Faust. Massacre! -Hell has broken loose in Mermont. You need to cause a big enough bloodbath to convince Vorpalis to move your bout outside of Mermont; to do that, you must kill 20 enemies between all three fronts. -Killing an enemy in the North Front spawns either a Spearman (1/2 chance), a Swordsman (1/3 chance) or a Mage (1/6 chance) -Killing an enemy in the South Front spawns another Panicked Citizen. -Area of effect attacks are restricted to whatever front you're attacking. Confused enemies can only attacks enemies on their front or heroes. -Will you slaughter citizens to bring the fight to a quicker end, or leave them alone and take on the guard force...? Enemies Killed: 0/20 The Party: 81 year old Male Ogre Hunter Level 43 *Natural Respite* *Favors Humanoid and Beast enemies* *Immune to Fragile, Blinded, Confused, Weakened, and Hexed* *Encouraged!* Power Bonus: +2 WP for bows and crossbows, +2 power Defense: 8 Health: 57/57 Gold: 3312 GP: 3 Equipment: Hunter's Crossbow (WP:12, double WP against beasts, fire, ice, wind, and darkness-elemental), Hunter's Quiver (Bows and Crossbows +2WP, allows Hunters to favor two types of enemies, back wear), Tricorne (SP: 3, head wear), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, wearer is immune to fragile, blind, and confused effects, body wear), Paper Doll (Immunity to Hexed) Pugilist's Gloves (+2 Power, Immunity to Weakened), Giant Hammer (WP: 13, deals Confused) Inventory: Oversized Greatsword (WP:16, double damage on targets that are clearly smaller than the hero, greatsword), Composite Bow (WP:12, ignores SP,light,lightning,water, wood, and earth-elemental; bow), Medal of Glory (Wearer gains 3x experience from battles, accessory), 3x Potion, Phoenix Essence, 3x Phoenix Incense, Fenghuang Incense (After being consumed, automatically revives all party members with full health once when knocked out; cannot revive targets that are already knocked out.), 8 Meads, 5 Nostrums, 3 Remedy, 5 Smelling Salts, 7 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 9 Smoke Bomb, 2 Dirt Bombs, Fire Bomb, 5 Water Bombs, Spyglass (Reveals if there are spies and eavesdroppers in the vicinity when used; tool), 6 Bone, Blind Fury, Wolfgang Insignia, Black Goo, Grating Stone, 1 Grand Potion, Level-Up Mushroom, 2 Neutralizers, Nostrum, Lucky Doubloon (Grants "Special Guard"; accessory), Warlen Melimane, Eulalia's Knight (The Chosen Minifigure) *Immune to Darkness, Fire, Ether Reduction* Physical attacks pierce SP! *Encouraged!* *Hastened!* *Lucky!* *Drunk!* 23 year old male half-elf Mystic Knight Level 17.5 Power: 28 (17+8+3). Health: 31/31(5+17+1+3+5+7*) SP: 10 (3+3+4) Ether: 32/36 (5+16+4+3+5+1) Gold: 126 Equipment: Sean Cole's Sword-Cannon (Can be used as a longsword or handcannon, WP: 8 - defies SP in sword mode, deals Bleeding 1 in cannon mode), Eagle Shield (SP: 4, prevents ether reduction), Fenarian Robes of the Vampire (SP:3, Max. Ether +4, Immune to Darkness, backwear), Lethauros Ring (Health and Ether +5. Suitable for anyone, accessory) Inventory: Weapons: Plasma Shield (SP: 3, absorbs electricty, belongs to Lind), Healing Staff (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging), Artifacts: Magician's Glove* (+10 spell power) Counterstrike Gloves, Locustoid Grevaes (+4 ether, immune to Earth Class, can be used by any ether user), 7 10-gallon Hats (Grants wearer tourist effect, causing no one to take them seriously), Moone Greaves (SP: 3) Spellbook: Amethyst, Aquamarine, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet, Opal, Topaz, Diamond, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Antimagic Must Be RPed: Lightning Ball (25 electric damage to all enemies, bomb), Small Frost Ball (10 ice damage, bomb) Consumables: Potion x3, Grand Potion x3, Health Core, Tonic x2, Remedy x3, Mead, Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Banana, Smoke Bomb, Milk x2 (+15 HP and Ether) 4x Hurricane (Grants Hilariously and Luckily Drunk - if wearer makes pun every round, the strength of their attack is doubled.) Viper Scale (worth 40 gold to a certain someone), Phoenix Essence, Phoenix Incense, Deadly Venom Other Junk: Bedroll, Shovel, Telescope, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass, Bones x6, 2 shiny gold rocks (worth 1 gold at most stores, 5 at magic stores). Karie Alderflask-Cour, A True Hero (Kintobor) *Encouraged!* 24? Year Old Human Female Witch Level 32 *Permanently Nimble* *Immune to Sealed* Power Bonus: 0 Health: 49/49 Defense: 2 Ether: 37/37 Gold: 2083 GP: 36 Equipment: Blazing Palm (WP: 14, Fire Elemental whip, successful hits lower the target's level by 1), Catsuit (Wearer becomes nimble and has a 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER, DAMAGE, and FREE HITS, suitable for women only, body wear), Ethereal Cloak (SP: +2, Max Ether: +4, back wear), Mage's Muffler (Provides immunity to sealed, accessory, suitable for anyone) Inventory: *Weapons: Oculoid Palm (WP: 11, successful hits lower the target's level by 1, whip) Spring Staff(WP: 12, healing someone else through this staff also heals the user by the same amount, water elemental staff), Grumpy's Staff (WP: 10, staff), Sexy(WP: 11, disregards SP, longsword), Heirloom Dagger (WP: 3, dagger), Rusty Dagger (WP: 2, deals the poisoned by 10, breaks after 3 uses) Skull Shield (SP:6; immunity to dark-elemental damage; suitable to Black Knights only; shield.) -Minstrel Weapons: Angelic Trumpet (WP: 5, user is blessed, instrument), Vagrant's Guitar (WP: 5, user is lucky, instrument), Fine-tuned Guitar (WP:15, user is lucky; instrument) *Artefacts: Glittering Dress (The users job traits are replaced by those of a Harlot: Promiscuity, Flee, and Money Maker, suitable for women only), Skull Mask (SP: 1, wearer can pose as undead, headwear), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (changes user's appearance into that of an elf of the same gender, accessory), Snake Eyes Charm (Provides immunity to petrified, accessory, suitable for anyone) Paper Doll (Provides immunity to the Hexed effect, accessory), *Minstrel Artefacts: Encore Plectrum (If the same song is sung for more than one round of combat in a row, the song's ether cost for the consecutive rounds is halved; suitable for minstrels, accessory) *Gems: Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind) *Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Newtity *Battle Songs: True Loves Serenade (restores 50 health to the rest of the party, costs 10 ether, Battle Song), Murder on the Dancefloor (Has 1/6 chance of instantly knocking out each opponent (unless immune to sudden death) when sung; costs 30 ether per round; Battle Song)*Consumables: Grand Potion x11, Tonic, Grand Tonic x10, Remedy x8, Phoenix Essence x5, Phoenix Incense x2, Nostrum x3, Smelling Salts Pumpkin Bomb (causes poisoned by 1, asleep, blinded, sealed, and confused to all opponents when used), Fire Bomb, Neutralizer x3, Herbal Infusions x3 (Removes Negative Effects and causes Blessed and Transcended effects), Oculoid Miasma, Elixir x2, Tiger Balm, Ether Core, Health Core, Potion x2, Mead, 16 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, Jinxy Juice, Love Potion, 2x Bone *Tools: Magic Compass, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Decamodifier *Sheep: Baaffy (Pet Sheep; whenever unleashed deals the fast asleep effect to one random opponent once per battle, unlimited use) Quest/Roleplay Items: Masson's Journal Entry #11, Map of Brendenton, Spider Coin (worth 1 gp), Forest Journal, Blue Syndicate Outfit, Kayla's Mask, Ulric's Letter Flynn Flisperer? *Encouraged at half health* *Double Experience* *Immune to Fire* *Hastened!* *Lucky!* *Deceptive!* 21-year-old elf male Human of the Munchkin clan Class: Assassin Level: 20.5 Defense: 7 Health: 29/36 (7+20+5+4) Gold: 87 Glory Points: 14 Equipped Gear: Ethereal Deck (Playing Cards) (WP:7, throwing weapon), Invader's Armour (SP: 3, wearer is encouraged when their current health is at half or below the wearer's maximum level), Anniversary Medal (+4 Health, +4 Power, +4 SP, +4 Ether, Immune to Fire; accessory, suitable for anyone), Medal of Valor (This pendant is awarded by the Bonapartes to those who show their heroism in the battle against piracy. The wearer gains double experience in battle. Accessory), Steel Knife (WP: 12, throwing weapon) Cloak of Deception (Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent; Backwear, suitable for anyone) Unequipped Gear: Plasma Shield (SP: 3, user absorbs electric attacks), Cloak of Deception (Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent; Backwear, suitable for anyone), Trickster's Mask of the Human (suitable for anyone, changes users appearance into a human of the same gender, accessory), Mugger's Mask (Protects from loss of gold from gold stealing enemies, headwear.), Akrone Fez (Artifact; SP: 1, Max. Health: +1, Headwear, suitable for anyone) Unequipped Weapons: Darker Ethereal Deck (Playing Cards) (WP:7, throwing weapon) Gems: Ruby Potions: x3 Potions, Mead, Remedy, Bone, Military Grade Firebomb x2 Tools: Bedroll, Shovel Quest/Role-playing Items: Newspaper with Picture of Lupine, Alfendi's Cape, Alfendi Lupine's Blank Calling Cards Decamon Deck: Tweetybird (Flying 1), Mud Frog (Rock 2) Loaned Out Gear: ________ Loaned Gear: Phoenix Incense x1 ~ Loaned by Skrall Medal of Valor (This pendant is awarded by the Bonapartes to those who show their heroism in the battle against piracy. The wearer gains double experience in battle. Accessory) ~ On loan from Karie Alderflask Jinnipher Buchaire (JimBee) 76-year-old female Moon Elven Knight Level 4 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 13/13 Defense: 5 Gold: 100 Equipment: Brine Blade (Greatsword, WP: 5, deals Poison 5), Full-Moon Shield (SP: 2), Moone Armor (SP: 3) Inventory: Potion, Bedroll, Phoenix Incense, , Crescent Sword (WP:3; longsword), Grand Potion, Military Grade Firebomb "Damn..." Gabriel Cour, Level 30.75 Sniper *Immune to Sleep/Deep Sleep* HP: 24/45 SP: 4 Gold: 300 Lethality: 1/6 Equipment: Somnamblast (WP: 13, 1/6 chance of inflicting Sleep on succesful hits, handcannon), Sandblasted Helmet (SP: 2, immune to sleep/deep sleep), Sandblasted Robes (SP: 2) Inventory: Grand Potion x3, Sleep Bomb, Old Guitar (WP: 0), Phoenix Incense

All according to plan.

She hasn't even got the Pink Dres on yet. Well, yes, but that had very very bad results. ...Masson too, actually.

"Dictators are the bastion of change, heroes. The only ones who can get anything significant done. Some of the greatest leaders and the most horrible monsteres were dictators. In my thousands of years, I have been both - but as I have said before, I regret nothing of this conquest." "The road to Hel is paved with good intentions, Vorpalis." "So it is, Sandman - Gabriel. So it is." Vorpalis stares piercingly at Gabriel. "There is something discordant in your heart and mind, sniper, and much of it seems to be centered around the Moon Elf at your side." "...What are you saying?" "You make an observation, and so can I - although I normally don't wax philosophical like this. It's rather... dross. But enough prattle!" Vorpalis throws back his head and lets out a deafening, earth quaking howl, his guards beginning their charge, the crowd descending even further into confusion... QM Note: I'm updating from mobile right now, so only expect some dialogue snippets for the next few hours. By tonight, though, battle time!

I go over to the hook handed man. I carefully offer the hand he'd be able to shake without impaling me with that hook of his. "My name's Sorrow - yourself?"

Sorrow hasn't even raised a single undead yet, at least give him a chance to use the current Critical.

Gabriel glances towards Jinnipher, nods, and then retrains his sights on the potential battle. "A patriot to the end I see, young one. You and the masked man... Quite the pair." "That is correct. I have my regrets. But this conquest is not among them. Skrall. If the party decides to fight, I expect you to stand with them. A leader must never abandon their people, no matter the circumstance. That.... And it would be an honor to fight one such as yourself."

"Whose to say I'll retain even a percent of what the fog has done as soon as I step out? If I break contract, my career is over. Nobody hires a hitman that bails out on the job. If I do that, I lose my humanity and my job, and the latter was all I had before this mission. At least if we complete this and I do revert back to what I was, I still have my reputation to fall back on. I lived in Moone for four months before Vorpalis came. And it wasn't too bad. He's a liar, he's a deciever. But Moone was... functional. More so than Eubric." "Whether or not you fight me - This is a decision you must make amongst yourselves, heroes. I will be perfectly clear with you, though, that if I live, I will do what it takes to either kill or jail the other three who were supposed to be here; Eloen, Rydel, and Merlay. Perhaps even that scientist who designed that mist machine I destroyed.. That is fact I will not hide from you. You mistake me for a republican or monarch. I am a dictator and conqueror by trade, hunter. And although th end result is worth it, the road of a conqueror is paved with blood. Blood I do not always relish spilling, but blood nonetheless. Make your choice. All of you. Now."

It's a situational item. With the right build, it's devastating, but there are certain items that are just like that. I'd leave it as is.

"You will have to forgive me for jumping to conclusions - you murdered two of my associates and impersonated them to infiltrate the city. And it appears that some of your compatriots have already drawn their swords..." The dragon's voice softens. "I loved Mercution, you must understand. It was home. And Faust's recklessness and greed only cemented its fall from grace. Moone is really all that remains of its culture. And it pained me to see Faust taint it. But you are correct. When Faust's rule is fully wiped away - I know there is a few stragglers that will still cling to him, despite the disgrace he is, and my work here is not yet done. Mermont is done with Faust. But the other towns, spreading the news may incite rebellion. Some towns laid low if only because they thought Mermont would drive me out and slaughter me. The news of Faust's confession may only incite more rebellion, panic, and crime, a tragic fact of conquest. Faust's reign is over, and his supporters in Mermont are nearly gone. But there is other factors that need to be dealt with. But, yes - Moone will have to rebuild. And when all is said and done, I will ensure that that is the case." If you truly wish to cooperate, drop your weapons, I will detain you, and I will send you back to Eubric on the next boat." "Or his master..."

Could anyone point me to said mask?

"Lyudmilla's Manor seems as good a place as any. Her absence has the entire town on their heads - we should see what they need, and maybe earn ourself a little reputation in this city. We can only hope Makepeace isn't connected with this or the Countess may be in very real danger..."