Flipz

"How would one recognize a changeling? And what happened sixty-four years ago to make newer wines less valuable?" Not being a connoisseur, he had no clue how long wine took to age, but "sixty-four" seemed a little too specific. "I doubt we'd have time to do that for the entire collection...but maybe we could switch the absolute most valuable bottles just to ensure their safety?"

OOC: Hoke should have a Healing Staff as well, Guts should have two more Nostrums and my gems. He's gained a total of 23 items from me, for the purposes of Chrysopoeia. Realizing that he forgot to hand it out, Arthur also lends his Unlucky Horseshoe to Alex. "'Easy concealment and resale'? Lady Akrone, how difficult would it be to re-sell the collection? Wouldn't its distinctiveness make it difficult to simply pawn off? Are you certain it is the wine he's after--you don't have anything else in your home that could be considered a "collection", would you?"

QM Note: No, the damage is applied separately each time, so it gets rounded up each time.

OOC: I should be down 50 Gold, and Lind should be up a WP:5 throwing weapon, as per the Marketplace. I should have Guts' Stag Antlers, and he should have my Jester's Hat (Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy; Headwear, suitable for anyone), since we made that trade back in the Hall. Arthur rubs the back of his head, simulating the bumps and bruises he should have gotten from the journey but, as a...whatever he now was...had not. It didn't take much to simulate restlessness, however--three full days enclosed in a carriage with Hoke's Plaything had left his head so full of whispers it was a miracle he'd retained his sanity. "Guts, Thormanil, good to finally be Questing with you. Hoke, good to be Questing with you again. Alex...just like when we were at Lind's level, eh?" Arthur smiles. This was a good crew. But first, some bookkeeping. "Hoke, I think you were just about the only one I didn't lend all this scroll junk to on the Grogmas before last, so here, now's your turn. Oh, and take my Tonic and Grand Tonic, I have no need for them anymore." Arthur lends Hoke his non-duplicate Scrolls, Lens, non-duplicate staves, and Ammit for the duration of the Quest. "Thormanil, you'll make better use of this for now, so as a thank-you to Arx I'd like you to wear this. I still want it back afterwards, though!" Arthur laughs as he lends Thormanil his Shadeaux Cape. "Hmm...Alex, why don't you hold on to my Noble Mask and Zap-Tap Badge for now, unless you want to borrow my Heavy Armor as well." Finally he turns to Guts. "You're by far the strongest among us. You can borrow my Overkill Gloves, long as there's sharing going on. Oh, you might also find these useful," he adds, also lending Guts his Hollow-Blade Dagger, his gems, his spare Healing Staff, the Scrolls he didn't lend to Hoke (Frailty, Weakening, Sleep, 2x Blindness, 2x Confusion), his Nostrums, his Mead, his Ambrosia, and his Tiger Balm. He also lends him Ella's Pie and his Mythril Shard. "That should help us out." Arthur glances around, sure he had heard faint cries of protest, but unable to find a source he simply shrugs, turning his attention to his employer. "Seems simple enough. Do you have a map of the property, and of your house in particular?"

Arthur looks on incredulously. "Those are weapons?" Arthur looks curiously toward Anwyl. "I think I've seen them before, on a previous...erm, 'visit'. Give me a minute." Arthur walks over to Anwyl's smithy, and after a few minutes' heated conversation and a hefty bribe of 50 Gold, Anwyl goes into the back, returning with a pack of cards. Arthur accepts them, still not sure whether to believe the so-called 'dwarf''s claims. "Are these what you're talking about?" Arthur asks. "He called them 'Pentagram Players', whatever that means. Anyway, I can't use them, but if you can actually use cards as a weapon..." Arthur shrugs, passing on the Ethereal Deck ('Pentagram Players' Playing Cards) (WP:5, throwing weapon) to Lind. "We'd best be getting on to our Quest," Arthur remarks, "the others are probably already waiting for us." Waiting a moment for Lind to catch up, Arthur heads out on his newest journey.

Be right there, Kint, making one last-minute purchase and doing a bit of roleplaying to boot.

"'Hailed'? That's a new one, but yes, that's me." Arthur appraises the Rogue, noticing only one glaring omission. "Forgive me for asking, but--where's your weapon?"

Arthur awoke to an unfamiliar man asking for a seat. The night had passed quickly, it seemed, and already the sun marched toward the time of his new Quest. "Not at all, stranger," he replies. Looking over the man's garb, it was clear he was a Hero. "New to Heroica, are we? I don't suppose you'd be the rookie joining us in protecting the winery, would you?"

Hooray, round run in less than an hour! I'm getting faster at this.

QM Note: Yes, Kiray does deal more than 4 damage, you must have caught the post before I'd corrected that error. TheChosenMinifigure, please note that Nicole is a ranger who is using a handcannon, which means she deals full damage even from the Back Row. "ShreeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!" Actaeon decides it's best not to translate that one for the rest of the party. "Eh, you and the frog have it covered, I'd rather take my chances with the big bird." Siercon (Light, Lullaby Wand) vs. Phoenix (front): Damage (Dodged!) Nicole Tesla (Sonic Boom) vs Phoenix (front): Special Damage (Empyreal Flame: 3 Fire-elemental damage to Hero party: Actaeon: 3/2=2 damage; Siercon: 3-1=2 damage; Germ: 3 damage; Warlen: 3/2=2 damage; Daeth: 3 damage; Kiray: 3-2=1 damage; Diana: 3/2=2 damage; Nicole: 3 damage; Stealth Shadow: 3/2=2-2=0 damage) >Warlen Melimane and Quarion (Darkness, Gold-Plated Bat Staff) vs. Phoenix (back): SHIELD - Magic Burst [Darkness] (All enemies: 3+1=4+5=9 Darkness-elemental damage); Warlen: -1 Ether >Stealth Shadow vs. Lesser Roc (back): Special Damage (Heavenly Flight: Lesser Roc: flies out of reach) Kiray Nastayo (Sword of the Kin) vs. Lesser Roc Juvenile Hippogriff (front): Critical Hit (Juvenile Hippogriff: 3*2=6+4=10 damage (KO!)) The Demon Germ (Copper Dagger) vs. Lesser Roc Phoenix (front): Hide (Germ: Hides) >Diana N. Justus (Ace Assassin's Crossbow) vs. Lesser Roc Phoenix (back): Lethal Aim (Phoenix: 3 damage, No Assassination) >Actaeon Artus (Bow) vs. Juvenile Hippogriff Phoenix (back): Hit (Phoenix: 3+1=4 damage) Yuji Daeth (Slightly Sharpened Croaken Staff) heals Warlen Melimane: No Healing (nothing happens) Lesser Roc: Returns from Heavenly Flight (+25 health) The Round goes poorly for the party, with the Phoenix spewing more flames and the Lesser Roc flying out of reach again before the party can deal much damage to it. The Hippogriff falls to Kiray's sword, but Daeth fails to heal anyone, leaving the party at critical health. "Grr...! I'm going to kill these stupid birds if it's the last thing I do. Let me at them first, Actaeon, I'll show you how it's done!" Two enemies remain, but the party is running low on health. Enemies: Phoenix *Immune to Instant Kill* Type: Flying/Fiery Level: 4 Health: 21/64 Special I: Phoenix Pyre – The Phoenix reduces its health to one to bring back all defeated allies with full health. Used only after all allies have been defeated. Special II: Empyreal Flame - Causes 3 fire-elemental damage to all opponents. Used when there are allies standing. Drops: Phoenix Essence, Flameproof Armor (SP:1, immune to Fire) Lesser Roc *Immune to Instant Kill* Level 5 Flying/Rock Health: 49/58 Special: Heavenly Flight – The Roc flies out of reach, avoiding all damage for the remainder of the round, and returns with 25 health restored and all negative effects removed from it. Drops: 2x Potion, 30 Gold The Party: Actaeon Artus (Actaeon) *Party Leader* *Dodgy* 21 year old male human Level 1 Ranger Power: 4 Health: 4/6 Gold: 5 Equipment: Bow (WP:3) Inventory: Smoke Bomb, Potion, Bedroll Siercon (Siercon and Coral) *Dodgy* Male, Age and species unknown Level 6 Mage Power: 14 (6 levels + 8 WP) Defense: 1 (Robe of the Magi) Health: 8/10 (5 base + 5 lvl) Ether: 9/10 (5 base + 5 lvl) Gold: 41 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 *Potion x2, Remedy The Demon Germ (Samurai Turtle) *Dodgy* ??? years old ; Half Demon; Male Level 1 Rogue Power: 4 Defense: 0 Health: 4/7 Ether: 0 Gold 8 Equipment: Wrench (WP:3, decreases the target’s level by 1; throwing weapon), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors) (Loaned by Diana) Inventory: Copper Dagger (WP:3; dagger), Venom, Potion, Bedroll Warlen Melimane and Quarion the floating skull (The Chosen Minifigure) *Dodgy* 17 Year old Male Half-Elf Level 1 Mage Power: 4 (9 for spells) Power Bonus: +5 for spells Health: 3/5 Ether: 2/5 Gold: 5 Equipment: Gold-Coated bat staff (Wp:3), Spellbound Gloves (Power +5 to spells) (Loaned by Siercon) Inventory: Potion, Amethyst (Darkness), bedroll Yuji Daeth (Daeth) *Dodgy* 34 year old male Croaken (Frog based race) Level 1 cleric Power: 4 Defense: 0 Health: 6/9 Ether: 4/5 Gold: 10 Equipment: Slightly Sharpened Croaken Staff (WP:3; staff) Inventory: Remedy, Potion Kiray Nastayo (KingoftheZempk), A Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something *Dodgy* 24 year old female human Level 4 Knight Power: 7 Defense: 2 Health: 12/13 Gold: 5 Equipment: Sword of the Kin (WP:3), Scutum Shield (SP:2; shield) Inventory: Potion, Banana (Restores full health when eaten), Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll Diana N. Justus (NPC, Uncontrollable/takes suggestions) *Dodgy* 17 years old female human Assassin Level 1 Power: 4 Power Bonus: +0 Defense: 0 Health: 10/12 Gold: 230 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 Nicole Telsa, Female Human Ranger (NPC, controlled by TheChosenMinifigure) *Dodgy* Level: 4 Power: 8 Power Bonus: +0 Defense: 0 HP: 6/9 Gold: 0 Equipment: Sonic Boom (WP: 4, Handcannon) Inventory: Toolkit (Repairs one automaton back to perfect conditon once. The robot must have some condition) Stealth Shadow (NPC, controlled by KingoftheZempk) Amethyst G.E.M. Automaton *Immune to all effects and Darkness* *Automatic Dodgy-effect to all allies Level: 4 Power: 4 Element: Darkness Condition: 17/17 Defense: 2 Equipment: Robot Circuitry (Accessory, SP: +2, suitable for G.E.M. Automata only), Stealth Shell (Wearer provides allies with *Dodgy*, having a 50% chance to avoid rolls of Damage, Counter, and Free Hits; suitable for G.E.M. Automata only)) 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.

Psst. Lind Whisperer. Check your PMs.

OOC: I swear, I originally came in here to buy something, but then I realized I didn't want it. Sorry! Arthur wanders through the Marketplace, idly browsing its wares. Once, most of the items in this trove of wealth had held great appeal to him. Now...now they were fascinating trinkets, nothing more. Out of politeness more than anything, he examines Portia's wares, but he had transcended such material needs...at least, for the most part. Does any of this really help me? he wonders. Does it help anyone? Or is it merely a grab for money, preying upon those who would seek power? Arthur continues to loiter, always careful not to provoke any of the shopkeepers' ire by remaining in one place too long. This place does not make me powerful. No, the place that makes me strong is my place at the side of my friends. A stray thought crosses his mind: "Perhaps, then, this is where I should stay." Arthur stops and stands stock-still, at the very center of the square, considering. No, he concludes at last, that is not true. The only place like that for him would be the Library...and to stop now, so close to his encounters with Seerus and the Oculoids, would feel too much like giving up, letting The Regret win. Even if his armies stormed across the face of the earth and ground him into dust, Arthur would not give the being the satisfaction of having had any control over his life--if he died, his legacy would be a gnawing regret that would live past the end of the world. I wonder, though, if I did the right thing. Masson had appeared in the Hall just a few days after Arthur's return, yet he had refused to speak to the man. He had tried to avoid attracting the purple-clad Paragon's attention, but even he knew how silly it would be to believe he had gone unnoticed. A part of him had wanted to talk--to reminisce, to share a drink, to make some good-natured threats about being good to the woman who had somehow become one of his closest companions--but another part, a deeper, older part, knew it was for the best. Because he had seen. He knew what awaited Masson in the citadel, knew what lay at the end of the man's path...knew the pain he was about to face. Arthur knew better than to take his visions at face value, of course--Ella had told him as much. But one thing was clear: Masson Cour and pain trod the same course, and it seemed cruel to relay such to the man with no details to support it...especially not so soon before his wedding day. Arthur still remembered the worry he'd caused Karie when he'd last brought up the Spirit Pools, and he would not put her fiancee through the same thing. Consider it a wedding gift, Karie...seeing as I likely won't be there to witness it. I'm sorry. He wonders who Masson would choose as his best man--probably Octavyn, Arthur thought--but who would Karie select as maid of honor? Em? Arthur chuckles, the thought of Em in a dress amusing him immensely. I'd almost bow out of my Quest to see that. Almost. Arthur sits down next to one of the buildings, a smile on his face. That's what I'll focus on tonight, he decides. The happiness. He would enjoy, if only for a moment, that rare thing that money could not buy, what Masson had spent years of his life chasing but could never find: a quiet world.

Arthur sets 150 Gold on a table for Hybros, along with a note outlining who and what the money was for. "No, I won't. Your master thinks I'm some pawn in his grand scheme? Wrong. Believe it or not, I have bigger priorities than him." Before the Oculoid can get another word in edgewise, Arthur departs from the Hall.

"There's only room for one nightmarish abomination in this Hall, Seerus, and that would be me," Arthur remarks, unable to ignore the situation any further. "Out." Despite the command, it doesn't appear that he'll do anything about it--the command was delivered in a flat tone, and the Skirmisher didn't even bother to turn around to address the Oculoid. Hearing his name called, Arthur stows the package he'd been fiddling with for days, dons his new cloak, and headed for the door, pausing in case anyone had some last words for him.

As much as I appreciate the support, Pala, that ship has sailed--literally. When in doubt, blame mobile device posting.

Arthur absorbed his Zoot's Plaything into his body; that's why he's now inky (and hiding it).

Arthur feels a strange pull, and turns to see Hybros entering the Hall. Of course. Zoot's Reaper would sense me...its brother. And I it. Still drawn by some strange compulsion, Arthur moves over a few seats to sit next to the imp. "Hybros. I haven't spoken with you in a while...not since shortly after Wren, I think." He had, perhaps, spotted the imp briefly after his return from R'klif, but both had left on Quests shortly afterward. "How goes the world?"

That heavily implies that Sentinel does not protect against elemental damage.

QM Note: Given Daeth's absence, I'll just run this now. >Stealth Shadow vs. Cavern Dragonling (back): Elemental Hit (Cavern Dragonling: 4/2=2 damage (KO!)) Kiray Nastayo (Sword of the Kin) vs. Mountain Dragonling (front): Hit (Mountain Dragonling: 3+4=7 damage (KO!)) >Diana N. Justus (Ace Assassin's Crossbow) vs Bird of Prey (back): Lethal Hit (Bird of Prey: 3+1=4 damage, No Assassination (KO!)) Siercon (Lullaby Wand) vs. Phoenix (front): SHIELD - Magic Burst [Light] (All enemies except Gryphon: 8+6=14 Light-elemental damage (Dragonlings KO'd); Siercon: -1 Ether) >Nicole Tesla (Sonic Boom) vs. Phoenix (back): Aim (Phoenix: 4 damage) The Demon Germ (Copper Dagger) vs. Tundra Dragonling Lesser Roc (front): Critical Hit (Lesser Roc: 3*2=6+1=7 damage) >Actaeon Artus (Bow) vs. Marsh Dragonling Lesser Roc (back): Hit (Lesser Roc: 3+1=4 damage) >Warlen Melimane and Quarion (Darkness, Gold-Plated Bat Staff) vs. Enraged Gryphon (back): SHIELD - Magic Burst [Darkness] (All enemies: 3+1=4+5=9 Darkness-elemental damage (Enraged Gryphon: 18 damage, KO'd); Warlen: -1 Ether) Yuji Daeth (Slightly Sharpened Croaken Staff) vs. Tundra Dragonling Lesser Roc (front): Special Guard (Heavenly Flight: Lesser Roc: +25 health, negative effects removed) Free Hits: Negated by Sentinel! Kiray, Diana, and the Stealth Shadow all take out their targets, but their efforts are wasted as Siercon suddenly releases a burst of Light that wipes out all of the dragonlings. Perhaps taking this as a pissing contest, Warlen unleashes a burst of Darkness as well, vaporizing the Enraged Gryphon that Siercon's attack couldn't hit. With their original targets defeated before they can reach them, Germ, Actaeon, and Daeth's attacks carry through to the next enemy in line, in this case the Lesser Roc, Daeth's attack prompting the oversized bird to take a Heavenly Flight to restore its health and erasing the efforts of the other two. Perhaps if the three had prepared for the condition of their targets' fall, they could have chosen new targets instead. Three enemies remain, one of which is badly weakened. The party is no longer protected by Sentinel. Enemies: Phoenix *Immune to Instant Kill* Type: Flying/Fiery Level: 4 Health: 33/64 Special I: Phoenix Pyre – The Phoenix reduces its health to one to bring back all defeated allies with full health. Used only after all allies have been defeated. Special II: Empyreal Flame - Causes 3 fire-elemental damage to all opponents. Used when there are allies standing. Drops: Phoenix Essence, Flameproof Armor (SP:1, immune to Fire) Lesser Roc *Immune to Instant Kill* Level 5 Flying/Rock Health: 33/58 Special: Heavenly Flight – The Roc flies out of reach, avoiding all damage for the remainder of the round, and returns with 25 health restored and all negative effects removed from it. Drops: 2x Potion, 30 Gold Juvenile Hippogriff Level 4 Flying Beast Health: 15/41 Special: Aerial Assault – The Elder Hippogriff flies to the sky for the remainder of the round, avoiding all damage, and lands on the target for 8 damage at the beginning of the next round. Drops: 30 Gold The Party: Actaeon Artus (Actaeon) *Party Leader* *Dodgy* 21 year old male human Level 1 Ranger Power: 4 Health: 6/6 Gold: 5 Equipment: Bow (WP:3) Inventory: Smoke Bomb, Potion, Bedroll Siercon (Siercon and Coral) *Dodgy* Male, Age and species unknown Level 6 Mage Power: 14 (6 levels + 8 WP) Defense: 1 (Robe of the Magi) Health: 10/10 (5 base + 5 lvl) Ether: 9/10 (5 base + 5 lvl) Gold: 41 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 *Potion x2, Remedy The Demon Germ (Samurai Turtle) *Dodgy* ??? years old ; Half Demon; Male Level 1 Rogue Power: 4 Defense: 0 Health: 7/7 Ether: 0 Gold 8 Equipment: Wrench (WP:3, decreases the target’s level by 1; throwing weapon), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors) (Loaned by Diana) Inventory: Copper Dagger (WP:3; dagger), Venom, Potion, Bedroll Warlen Melimane and Quarion the floating skull (The Chosen Minifigure) *Dodgy* 17 Year old Male Half-Elf Level 1 Mage Power: 4 (9 for spells) Power Bonus: +5 for spells Health: 5/5 Ether: 3/5 Gold: 5 Equipment: Gold-Coated bat staff (Wp:3), Spellbound Gloves (Power +5 to spells) (Loaned by Siercon) Inventory: Potion, Amethyst (Darkness), bedroll Yuji Daeth (Daeth) *Dodgy* 34 year old male Croaken (Frog based race) Level 1 cleric Power: 4 Defense: 0 Health: 9/9 Ether: 4/5 Gold: 10 Equipment: Slightly Sharpened Croaken Staff (WP:3; staff) Inventory: Remedy, Potion Kiray Nastayo (KingoftheZempk), A Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something *Dodgy* 24 year old female human Level 4 Knight Power: 7 Defense: 2 Health: 13/13 Gold: 5 Equipment: Sword of the Kin (WP:3), Scutum Shield (SP:2; shield) Inventory: Potion, Banana (Restores full health when eaten), Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll Diana N. Justus (NPC, Uncontrollable/takes suggestions) *Dodgy* 17 years old female human Assassin Level 1 Power: 4 Power Bonus: +0 Defense: 0 Health: 12/12 Gold: 230 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 Nicole Telsa, Female Human Ranger (NPC, controlled by TheChosenMinifigure) *Dodgy* Level: 4 Power: 8 Power Bonus: +0 Defense: 0 HP: 9/9 Gold: 0 Equipment: Sonic Boom (WP: 4, Handcannon) Inventory: Toolkit (Repairs one automaton back to perfect conditon once. The robot must have some condition) Stealth Shadow (NPC, controlled by KingoftheZempk) Amethyst G.E.M. Automaton *Immune to all effects and Darkness* *Automatic Dodgy-effect to all allies Level: 4 Power: 4 Element: Darkness Condition: 17/17 Defense: 2 Equipment: Robot Circuitry (Accessory, SP: +2, suitable for G.E.M. Automata only), Stealth Shell (Wearer provides allies with *Dodgy*, having a 50% chance to avoid rolls of Damage, Counter, and Free Hits; suitable for G.E.M. Automata only)) 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. QM Note: Hooray, another mechanic introduced! As the description stated, if your enemy is defeated before your attack, you'll automatically target the next enemy in the list; however, you can use a conditional action to say "if [enemy you're targeting] is already defeated, I attack [new target] instead with [weapon] from the [row]."

Something that hasn't come up but might later on: since elemental damage bypasses Sentinel, if a Knight is Knocked Out while Sentinel is up, does that mean Sentinel goes down for the rest of the Round?

It almost seems like a Star Wars torso... Actually, on that subject, what are the torso and legs of Hél? I believe I can get the head easily enough.

QM Note: As far as action listings go, it's actually easier on me and less confusing for other players if you list the party members and their actions in order of your Battle Order and then list untargetted enemies separately after that. Please also note that the Stealth Shadow deals Darkness-elemental damage on all successful attacks, just in case that wasn't clear from his rules page.

Usually not; some enemies do use their Special in place of a Free Hit, but that will always be clearly noted in their stats when that's the case; usually it will look something like: Note: Uses Special 2 as a Free Hit

Interesting...I was considering using Hél as mine, actually; I know I want to play a female non-human Rogue, but kept dithering between U'kin, Acerpusculum, and Selkreeth for a while; Nôrns are perfectly non-human, and I don't think we've gotten one since CAT. I'm trying to figure out if Noel's great-aunt (and thus Arthur's) is Zelda or a different Zeigfried--I do want to have that dinner with Valentine and Noel (and that would probably be when he meets Hél), and asking questions about his lineage is obviously going to be part of that.

Loot division is up to you as Party Leader.