Flipz

That's actually one of the things I liked the least about 95, actually--that whole sequence where the party had to spend extra time patting down the corpses for loot (amongst other unrewarding things).

Seeing as the Quest is pretty much over (though in my opinion it's been "over" for about three months now), I'll just voice my thoughts in the QM Lounge.

QM Note: Correct, Heroes do not get Free Hits on the enemies, but rather each enemy left untargeted by the Heroes get a Free Hit on the party. These Free Hits go down the Battle Order starting from the top (see the first Round of the last fight), and if there are more untargeted enemies than there are conscious Heroes, then the Free Hits cycle back around to the top of the Battle Order (see most of the recent battles in the Fields of Glory). This second situation (where some or all Heroes are taking multiple Free Hits) is the only one in which the rule you're quoting is applied. To completely clarify, an attack and a Free Hit are completely separate things: when a Hero attacks an enemy, a die is rolled to determine the result; when an enemy is left untargeted and gets a Free Hit on a Hero, they simply deal damage to the Hero equal to the enemy's Level just as if the Hero had rolled "Damage" but without actually having to roll.

Neither have I, but I'm familiar with most of the . Or just watch Tron: Legacy, he plays basically the same character there.

Today the role of "Skrall" is brought to you by Jeff Bridges The Dude.

QM Note: SP is applied to every attack, reducing the strength of the hit by 2 AFTER row and elemental modifiers. You are correct--Mallelio is a Sage, and is therefore incapable of attacking physically; moreover, without a gem or scroll he is incapable of casting spells, meaning he is only capable of healing. On the plus side, he's got hella Ether, meaning he's pretty sustainable as a healbot. You were also a bit unlucky--I'm drawing these reinforcements randomly from other Quests with Pongcanis enemies, and you just so happened to roll on the high end of the scale stat-wise. Do also note that that "5 damage to all enemies" IS affected by Row and SP, so Siercon in particular would take 5/2=3-1=2 damage from it. You could also just Seal them--the Sealed-effect, when cast on enemies, will render them unable to perform their Special(s) until the effect wears off (3 Rounds), provided they are not immune to Sealing (which these enemies are not). As an added bonus, someone casting a Scroll will not take Damage or Special Damage if their Scroll casting fails (Scrolls have a 50/50 chance of success), though it will still cost Ether either way. Apologies for the infodump, I just wanted to make sure you know all your options--I somehow managed to bundle several of the most common Mage misconceptions into one fight. QM Note: Soontm.

Actually, Battle Mages do more with Healing Staves than Mystic Knights--MKs just heal the allied party, while Battle Mages heal the party AND deal elemental damage to all enemies.

My point was, if you're going to include something, include it, but if you're not, don't; teasing players with a ludicrous challenge is just mean. I guess it didn't come out that way, though. As usual, Doc is better with his words than I am.

QM Note: I'll go ahead and run this a little early; Actaeon, now that you have joined the battle, you may provide the Battle Order; I'll also give you guys time to re-evaluate your strategy for the new enemies that have arrived. >Kiray Nastayo explains herself to U'Voros (back): (U'Voros: no longer Confused) U'Voros (Dastan Halberd) vs. Tarban the Rebel (front): Damage (No Deflection, U'Voros: 12-7=5 damage) >Unarmed Pongcanis Warrior and Pongcanis Axeman join the battle >Heroes and Mallelio join the battle Kiray takes a few precious moments to explain the situation to U'Voros. "Oh! That would explain your actions would be explained by that. You Heroes seem to lead complicated lives seem to be your lot. We should fight directly is how we ought to engage our enemies!" Distracted by the conversation, however, U'Voros takes a claw to the snout from Tarban, though the U'kin's shield absorbs much of the follow-up blow. Despite the setback, Tarban growls and grins as his reinforcements show up...only for Kiray and U'Voros to receive backup of their own. The Enemies: Tarban the Rebel *Immune to Weakened and Fragile* Type: Humanoid/Beast Level: 12 Health: 75/75 Defense: 2 Special I: Angered Slash - Enraged, Tarban swings at his target, pushing the target back as part of the Afraid effect. Tarban's increasing rage raises his Level by 1. Special II: Call for Help — Tarban summons a random Pongcanis warrior to join the battle in 5 Rounds. If the battle ends before the Pongcanis arrives, the Pongcanis will flee instead. Special III: Headbutt - Tarban gets in close and headbutts the target, dealing 3 Damage ignoring SP, but also taking damage equal to the target's Hit (ignoring SP) to himself. The target drops their weapon and shield and must spend a turn picking them back up. Special IV: Defensive Strike – Tarban deals 5 damage to all opponents and is protected from all damage the following round. Passive Special: Leader of Pogs — Every fifth Round, Tarban will summon a random Pongcanis warrior to join the battle. Specials determined by separate die roll Drops: 40 gold, Mediocre Pongcanis Brew Unarmed Pongcanis Warrior *Immune to Weakened and Fragile* Type: Humanoid/Beast Level: 10 Health: 55/55 Special: Unwise to Upset a Pongcanis - The Pongcanis attempts to rip the targets arms off. 5 Damage ignoring Row is dealt, there is a 50% (1/2) chance that such Damage ignores SP as well, a 25% (1/4) chance that the target's weapon, shield, and any Handwear or Accessories are unequipped, and a 12.5% (1/8) chance that the target is instantly Knocked Out. Drops: 5 gold Pongcanis Axeman Type: Humanoid/Beast Level: 10 Health: 40/40 Special: Disarm - The Pongcanis Axeman uses the incredible force of his axe to send the target's equipped weapon flying out of his hand, reducing the target's WP to 0 until the Hero takes a turn to pick up the weapon, unless the target has another weapon to equip. Drops: Robe of the Dastanian Pongcanis Champion The Party: Actaeon Artus (Actaeon) *Party Leader* 21 year old male human Level 2 Ranger Power: 5 Health: 7/7 Gold: 30 Equipment: Bow (WP:3) Inventory: Smoke Bomb, Potion, Dragon Scale, Remedy, Bedroll, Scroll of Frailty Siercon (Siercon and Coral) *Trial* Male, Age and species unknown Level 7 Mage Power: 15 (7 levels + 8 WP) Defense: 1 1 (Robe of the Magi) Health: 11/11 6/6 (5 base + 5 lvl) Ether: 8/11 6/6 (5 base + 5 lvl) Gold: 76 Equipment: Lullaby Wand (WP:8, deals sleep-effect; wand), Robe of the Magi (SP:1), Inventory: *Sylvania's Cowl (Artifact, Head Wear, Animal Talk), *Diamond (Light), Scroll of Sleep, Bedroll, Topaz (Lightning) (borrowed from Mallelio), Scroll of Sealing (borrowed from Mallelio) *Potion x2, Remedy, Dragon Scale, The Demon Germ (Samurai Turtle) ??? years old ; Half Demon; Male Level 2 Rogue Power: 5 Defense: 0 Health: 8/8 Ether: 0 Gold 28 Equipment: Wrench (WP:3, decreases the target’s level by 1; throwing weapon) Inventory: Copper Dagger (WP:3; dagger), Venom, Potion x2, Remedy, Dragon Scale, Bedroll Warlen Melimane and Quarion the floating skull (The Chosen Minifigure) 17 Year old Male Half-Elf Level 2 Mage Power: 5 (10 for spells) Power Bonus: +5 for spells Health: 6/6 Ether: 2/6 Gold: 20 Equipment: Gold-Coated bat staff (Wp:3), Spellbound Gloves (Power +5 to spells) (Loaned by Siercon) Inventory: Potion x2, Amethyst (Darkness), Sapphire (Wind), bedroll Yuji Daeth (Daeth) 34 year old male Croaken (Frog based race) Level 2 cleric Power: 5 Defense: 0 Health: 10/10 Ether: 2/6 Gold: 15 Equipment: Slightly Sharpened Croaken Staff (WP:3; staff) Inventory: Remedy, Potion x2 Kiray Nastayo (KingoftheZempk), A Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something *Immune to Fire* *Secondary Party Leader* 24 year old female human Level 5 Knight Power: 8 Defense: 3 Health: 14/14 Gold: 5 Equipment: Sword of the Kin (WP:3), Scutum Shield (SP:2; shield), Flameproof Armor (SP:1, immune to Fire; bodywear, suitable for anyone) Inventory: Potion, Banana (Restores full health when eaten), Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 elemental damage to all opponents), Phoenix Essence, Bedroll Diana N. Justus (NPC, Uncontrollable/takes suggestions) 17 years old female human Assassin Level 2 Power: 5 Power Bonus: +0 Defense: 0 Health: 13/13 Gold: 259 Equipment: Ace Assassin's Crossbow (WP:3, crossbow), Belt of the Ace Assassin (Successful Assasination rolls on enemies immune to sudden death deal an extra Aim instead. Bodywear, Suitable for Assassins only.) Inventory: Potion x5, Mead x3, Smelling Salts x3, Nostrum x3, Remedy, Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors) Mallelio (NPC, Uncontrollable/takes suggestions) Level 17 1/2 Sage Power: 18 Health: 32/32 Ether: 18/24 Gold: 15 Equipped: Wooden Staff (WP: 1, staff), Inventory: Remedy, Potion x2 U'Voros (NPC, uncooperative/controlled by QM) *listens to Kiray* Level 11.5 Knight Power: 18 Health: 15/20 Defense: 7 Gold: 37 Equipment: Dastan Halberd (WP: 7), Not-so-fashionable Shield (SP: 7), Secondhand Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent) Inventory: Grand Potion Party Leader, choose the order of action. All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, or if you want to use an item instead of attacking. Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone has acted. "I am not one for fighting myself. I will inform the palace of your situation." "Grawgah wroah! Traitor! After her!" Nemor sprints toward the palace before any of the Pogs can bring their weapons to bear. "U'Voros, you are hurt! Please, allow me to heal you." "That is all right, Master Mallelio, I am all right. You do not need to heal me would be unnecessary." "Nonsense. Healing is all I can do. I will heal you, U'Voros." "If you insist, even though it is unnecessary, I will accept at your insistence."

Mizuki's got it made; she's an Assassin with Sticky Gloves, a Loaded Die, and a Quickdraw Quiver, she can farm for days. When she hits Level 30, she can add her Death Mask to that and be a significant killing force. Although I have to admit, I never expected the die to actually be won...

You mean you're saying they shouldn't be? Moreover, I'm fairly certain that there are laws applying to the odds of things like slot machines--I'm pretty sure that at LEAST the odds are required to be posted, and it's possible that there's laws limiting how improbable the odds are allowed to be because of situations exactly like these. If you don't want to drop the thing, don't tease the players with it. They've been through enough on this Quest.

B&P, you do realize that the odds of winning the dice game are 1 in 1,296? Even for such an overpowered Artifact, that's unfair.

QM Note: I'm going to give the rest of the party the normal 24 hours to make their preparations (i.e. switch Artifacts, drink consumables, etc.). Do note that the rest of the party will not arrive until after Round 1 plays out. Daeth should also note that this battle is his last chance to remain in the Quest.

QM Note: Be advised, U'Voros is confused, meaning there is a 1/2 chance he will attack you instead of Tarban. The Confused-effect cannot be removed until a Hero uses their turn to explain the situation to him; for the sake of fairness, I'll clarify that if this is not done before his attack, he will still be Confused when he attacks.

"Just you and me...that might be a plan. You carry it down to the cellar while I grab a couple key books." Arthur removes Love Amidst the Dragons and How to Train Your Dragon from the shelf.

Unfortunately, U'Voros does not quite get the hint. "You plan to assassinate the Emperors?! I cannot allow you to walk free if you plan to assassinate the Emperors!" "Grrraooowww gruhhh! You are a fool, girl, and you will lose." PREPARE FOR BATTLE! The Enemies: Tarban the Rebel *Immune to Weakened and Fragile* Type: Humanoid/Beast Level: 12 Health: 75/75 Defense: 2 Special I: Angered Slash - Enraged, Tarban swings at his target, pushing the target back as part of the Afraid effect. Tarban's increasing rage raises his Level by 1. Special II: Call for Help — Tarban summons a random Pongcanis warrior to join the battle in 5 Rounds. If the battle ends before the Pongcanis arrives, the Pongcanis will flee instead. Special III: Headbutt - Tarban gets in close and headbutts the target, dealing 3 Damage ignoring SP, but also taking damage equal to the target's Hit (ignoring SP) to himself. The target drops their weapon and shield and must spend a turn picking them back up. Special IV: Defensive Strike – Tarban deals 5 damage to all opponents and is protected from all damage the following round. Passive Special: Leader of Pogs — Every fifth Round, Tarban will summon a random Pongcanis warrior to join the battle. Specials determined by separate die roll Drops: 40 gold, Mediocre Pongcanis Brew The Party: Kiray Nastayo (KingoftheZempk), A Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something *Immune to Fire* *Temporary Party Leader* 24 year old female human Level 5 Knight Power: 8 Defense: 3 Health: 14/14 Gold: 5 Equipment: Sword of the Kin (WP:3), Scutum Shield (SP:2; shield), Flameproof Armor (SP:1, immune to Fire; bodywear, suitable for anyone) Inventory: Potion, Banana (Restores full health when eaten), Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 elemental damage to all opponents), Phoenix Essence, Bedroll U'Voros (NPC, uncooperative/controlled by QM) Level 11.5 Knight *Confused* Power: 18 Health: 20/20 Defense: 7 Gold: 37 Equipment: Dastan Halberd (WP: 7), Not-so-fashionable Shield (SP: 7), Secondhand Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent) Inventory: Grand Potion Temporary Party Leader, choose the order of action. All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, or if you want to use an item instead of attacking. Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone has acted. Note: Two more Pongcanis warriors will arrive next Round. U'Voros will remain Confused (1/2 chance he will attack an ally instead of an opponent) until a Hero takes a turn to explain the situation to him. ------------------------ Hearing Tarban roar and seeing U'Voros and Kiray draw their weapons, Mallelio shouts to the party in alarm. "Ms. Nastayo and U'Voros are in danger! We must hurry to their aid!" QM Note: It will take one Round for the rest of the party to reach Kiray and U'Voros. You may take this time to prepare yourselves.

Sometimes I wonder if a Mage's primary gem should be included in their Equipment. Of course, I also wonder if maybe switching gems would then have to take a turn, and then wonder if that wouldn't just nullify the usefulness of Mages.

Like I said, healing as an attack should carry the risk of rolling Damage and Special Damage, while healing to legitimately save someone's life should not.

Tarban grins wider, and U'Voros grows noticeably more nervous. "You're the one who wanted to help, girl, and sitting on the throne would be what helps me." The Pongcanis lets loose another guttural laugh. "I would not expect Heroes to understand true politics. The weak must perish to feed the strong. If you are strong, you will succeed, and I will take the throne, and Emperor Tarban of Dastan will reward you. But you are weak, and so you will not risk defeat, and so you will not even try. In time, my people will grow strong again, and we will succeed, and there will be none to stop us. And you will have no more standing with me than you have right now, which is none. So run away, little girl, and know that no one you tell will believe you and any that do will not remain alive to do so."

WBD, correct me if I'm wrong, but won't the Dual Staff be just as dangerous (if not worse) anyway? I don't really see how dual healing is just as bad, since it only does half as much damage as the staff. (Unless you're talking about being immune to damage and specials, but I've already said offensive healing should carry risk while defensive/protective healing should not as I've already said--it's how I'd run it, anyway.)

Germ thinks back to the books they'd left behind in the building, but he can't recall much detail. "As much as I would like to assist, I'm afraid my personal journals would be of little use to you in this situation. Besides, their contents are...well, personal." Mallelio colors a little. "The entire northern half of the wall has already been torn down, under the supervision of Emperor Phyllius, and Emperor Septrine already ordered the gates of the tower to be kept open at the end of the war. We object to the indignity of our section being the only one still standing--it is not about access to the inner city, it is about the symbolic weight of this insult to our people." "What are you saying? Speak up, I cannot hear what you are saying." "Muahhh... What have we here?" Tarban lowers his voice to match Kiray's. "You do not know much of the Rebellion, do you? We were once proud, strong warriors in that army, but the Lions failed and the others fled. The Heroes broke the rebellion, and we, the ones who took part in it, were left no better than when we started. If it weren't for your kind, you would be speaking to Emperor Tarban now..." Tarban strokes his fur, considering something. "You want to help me? Fine--bring me the head of an Emperor, and the heir to their throne as well. I can handle the situation from there." The massive Pongcanis grins toothily. "I'm sorry, I cannot hear your words, please speak more loudly, for I cannot hear you I am sorry to say." "U'Voros is no representative of his people--Lady U'Daras, successor to the late U'Stus, is the U'kin you're thinking of." "I lost more to the war than most others of my kind--most of my family died from disease shortly before the rebellion began thanks to the Empire's negligence toward our people, and the atrocities my brother suffered at the hands of the Heroes during the war are too terrible to speak of. I suppose I am more of a speaker and less of a pessimist than most of my kind, but that is nothing compared to all I have suffered simply for being born a Tethusial." Mallelio looks to the ground. "There is still much to be improved in Dastan, even if things are looking up. For some, however, the change is not coming quickly enough." "Of course it isn't--how would you feel if it was your race that had suffered generations of mistreatment? But even I will admit, an imminent threat to Dastan is--marginally--more important. For now." "U'Voros would likely join us if asked, but it is better for all of us if he remains here, with other soldiers who can protect the Emperor and the princess. I trust Mr. Tarn, but he will need all the help he can get if something bad happens." "You lot are awfully tight-lipped about what's going on, but I can tell you're worried. If there is danger to Dastan, then my place is with my people, protecting them as best I can." "I am unsure as to how Mr. Tarban was chosen among the Pongcanis, but he has been protesting many of the Empire's decisions recently." "You mean you do not know?" Nemor frowns, her watery eyes troubled. "I was told the Empire had pardoned him, I assumed you would have known. He was the leader of the Pongcanis during the rebellion, after all." "...I did not. The Empire never did discover the Pongcanae leader after the war." "Then that would explain why you did not execute him along with my uncle." Mallelio spreads his arms helplessly. "I'm sorry. Emperor Septrine and I both campaigned for leniency in that case." "I know. That is why we sought you out." An awkward silence ensues. An embarrassed Mallelio finally breaks it. "Knowing now what Tarban is, I am uncomfortable leaving Ms. Nastayo alone with him. Shall we join her, Heroes?"

Thanks to you I keep speaking like a U'kin thanks to the speech pattern you created.

Healing undead should carry the risk, but healing other enemies should not--consider the many situations in which the Heroes have needed to heal enemies to ensure they are knocked out instead of killed; healing in that way with a "benevolent" purpose should be risk-free, just like healing allies, while offensive healing should carry risk. ... ...Zepher, I blame you for making me talk like this.

Exactly. One of the many reasons the plain-text editor is far superior to the rich-text editor.

"Bigger problems? Are...are we in danger?!" "If Dastan is in danger it is my duty to defend Dastan if she is endangered!" "Please, be calm, both of you. I encourage you to trust in the Emperors to seek out your best interests, as they always have." "As they always have for humans, you mean." In spite of her words, Nemor appears to have been pacified. Tarban laughs in Kiray's face. "Wroash uf uf... It is you should be afraid of me, little Knight. But I will speak with you if you insist." "I will remain with you, Miss Knight, I will follow. I do not wish to see you come to harm would be undesirable." Kiray and U'Voros walk a short distance away to speak with Tarban. Nemor seems appeased for now, though it appears he would be willing to speak more if anyone wished it.