Flipz

I like both of these ideas. It adds flexibility without adding complexity, which is ideal from a design perspective for an open game.

"Whatever you'd prefer. Don't hold back." Arthur smirks.

I, Arthur Justus Regulus VII (Flipz), would like to challenge Karie Alderflask (Kintobor) to a duel! Arthur loans his Scrolls and Lens of Speed-Reading to Kintobor for the duration of the fight. His equipped Artifacts will be: Duke's Coat of Arms, Unicorn Helmet, and Zap-Tap Badge. His currently equipped shield and weapon will be: Arm Shield and Sword of the Vampir.

"I can agree to that. Heck, I'll even lend you my Scrolls and Lens--I'm trying not to be so reliant on them, and I need to see if I can handle enemies who can incapacitate me that way anyway."

"Actually, I wouldn't mind a quick round in the Arena, Karie. Unless you don't want to, of course."

(Ugh, double post--can't be helped.) Sandy, are Earth and Rock enemies the same thing, the way Dark and Demon are?

I approve of this message.

Completely undoes the QM's entire encounter.

"Honestly? He's made his mistakes, a string of ill-conceived decisions, actually. But not nearly as many as, say, you or me. He's young--and I mean that in spirit, he's probably a year or two older than me, if anything. But he's somehow managed to walk past some of the worst of the world despite its attempts to drag him down into it. He's innocent, if a bit naïve for it, but that means he's dedicated--if he believes in something, he'll go for it whole-heartedly. In this case, that means Karie. You couldn't ask for someone more devoted to her than he is. If that doesn't make for good 'significant other' material, I don't know what does."

Relevant inspiration.

(For clarity, mathematically speaking rolling "a 6 and then a 1" will have that same 1/36 chance of likelihood--it's just that you're no longer seeking the favor of the Dice Gods with that style of thinking. )

If you've already rolled a die, then it's a flat 1/6 chance of rolling any given number, regardless of whether or not it's the number you just rolled. However, if you're about to roll a die, there's only a 1/36 chance you'll roll the number 6 twice in a row. (It's still an overall 1/6 chance that your two rolls will be the same, since the first roll is statistically insignificant other than to set the number you're gunning for; in other words, specifically selecting which number you're examining (in this case, the number 6 because it's the number of Special Damage) AND linking the two events into a single scenario [two dice rolls in a row instead of just two unlinked dice rolls] affects the probability, whereas just examining the odds of the second roll will not.) It's not really changing the odds of the rolls--just changing the way you're evaluating them. Nonetheless, dice superstition is an important part of any RPG.

QM protip: when making enemies that have multiple specials determined by die roll, put the worse special at the back of the list (i.e. corresponding to "6"). You're somewhat less likely to roll 6 twice in a row, so you should put your more diabolical specials in a position where they're statistically more likely to be rolled.

"That's the thing...I don't really know. I do know they represent a deep spiritual connection to things beyond this world...and they make you a valuable target for those who want to twist magic to their own ends. Vipera could use it to telepathically connect minds...Ella saw the future...and Passion...well, he was an Old God, so I don't know if he counts, but he could sense the presence and movement of beings of great power. More than that, though...well, it seems like it's a magnet for trouble. A great power...with a great ability to get hurt." Arthur looks on with concern. "I wish we could go to Dastan, speak to Ella and Vipera. They could tell us for sure." "Even so, it's a weakness, and it's one he'd exploit in a heartbeat. Why risk being delayed or defeated when he can lure in opponents he can wipe out with the slightest of ease?"

"Not so much the Harvester, Karie...but with you." "Yes, the Regret was able to break into my mind without a second thought, like it was nothing, and yes he'd have the magic necessary to temper this 'Lifespark.' But more importantly..." He stares into Karie's eyes. "Karie, have you ever had particularly bad dreams as a child? More than mere nightmares--the sort of dream where you somehow know there's a sliver of something real behind them?" He looks nervously to Sorrow; he wasn't going to like this bit. "Stealing the Harvester designs might not have been purely for its ability...it could also have been done to reinforce the scars, both mental and physical, it's left on you. If you have ties to the Spirit Pools as well, Karie...it's likely you're a target. That he's counting on you to fight them. And maybe me as well." He pauses, then stands up. "I'll be right back." Barely a few minutes pass before Arthur returns bearing two large volumes. "Have either of you two seen Byblos lately?" he asks, turning through pages at a rapid rate. "He didn't answer when I called. Anyway, I wanted you to see for yourselves what happens to the vessel in a Chaotic ritual." He opens the book to a particular page and slides it over before opening and paging through the other--this one more slowly, carefully. "You deserve to know the sort of thing you could be up against." He raises the book, the Quest record of the battle for Luosh, to hide his face. His own betrayal of his party was just a few pages further in. Would they be able to look past it, when they saw the truth? Could they? Should they? He didn't know. All he knew was that he couldn't fail them again--fail them as he did Passion, and Hans, and Gnash, and all the others. He had to protect them, and, this time, he would stand loyally by their side, if they would have him...or sacrifice himself, if necessary, if they would not.

Ahhhh, that makes sense. In any case, Pie, you should probably bookmark this site for use as both QM and player: http://rumkin.com/tools/cipher/ It won't auto-solve for you, but it reduces the legwork somewhat (i.e. you only have to replace one letter in order to replace all instances of it in the message). This one in particular seems to be the best to use on substitution ciphers--I used it a lot in CAT. Still working out the last of the message, but what I've seen so far seems rather ominous...

Sandy, your new and improved puzzle is not any different than the previous incarnation. I think I've solved most of it, but I'm totally stuck with the second and third words of the first sentence, and the first word of the second. You may want to check them for errors as well. EDIT: never mind to the second, I accidentally put in two substitutions for the letter 'u'. Carry on!

"The Harvester...that...thing is back?" Arthur bows his head. "This is bad, bad, bad...okay, let me tell you about The Regret." "Last Grogmas, just before we went out to fight Wren, I had a...well, a vision. I guess I should point out that I've had them since I was small, but for the most part they left me as I grew up. Until Dastan, when my mind was temporarily bound to that of several other Heroes with the aid of a Dragon named Vipera...until I helped rescue Princess Ella Septrine of Dastan, a potent seer thanks to her connection with the Spirit Pools. I...don't really know much about them, other than they seem to be a sort of magic far deeper than Ether could ever be, allowing one to see things in visions beyond any other method known to humankind. Anyway, it's Grogmas Eve, and I have a vision. At first it took the form of my father, but that was just an illusion--it morphed into this...giant, scorpion-like creature. From what I've heard from other Heroes, it was some form of Progg. He called himself 'The Regret'--we monologued at each other for a bit, and then we fought. I was brimming with Chaos energy at the time, and when he told me I had a connection to the Spirit Pools...well, it was a strange fight to say the least. He was clearly a master of Orderly arts, and we were equally matched--until he suddenly increased his power and snapped the connection. Later on, while Sorrow and I were fighting Baba's minion, he appeared to me again, and set me and two apparitions against..well, I'm not sure what they were, but they looked like the beverages Portia sells in the Marketplace and fought like hell. I still don't understand the purpose of that one, nor his goal, but...he's been menacing my dreams ever since. I've never seen him in the flesh, and I was beginning to doubt he was real, but...I don't know. I just don't know."

Only in your case it's the Heroes dropping bones. You know. As you're killing them.

I really like the idea of bone weapons/armor/artifacts. It's something unique and unusual, and it could be a system I save for my second character (especially since I don't think Arthur has ever received a Bone as loot ).

Here's a hint: I already have a Scroll of Armor Sundering that takes off 5 SP from an enemy; let's call the new effect "Vulnerable" instead.

We can use candles spiked with soporific agents to induce a trance state in which we're all present at the same hallucinatory table. Time travel has always been possible in dreams.

That's the trouble with you and Kinto--you manage to multiply the length of conversations exponentially.

"Doesn't matter. They're still creatures of Chaos--all life is inherently Chaotic to some degree or another, and from what Karie's implied of their abilities, they seem to be so more than most. I haven't heard of a 'Lifespark' as such, but it sounds like a powerful Chaoric artifact, and if tempered with some of the more powerful aspects of Orderly magic, it could likely produce chaotic organisms that would be under their creator's control--essentially Chaos Beasts with an extraordinary amount of free will. They can occur naturally, actually--one of the best men I ever knew was such a being of Chaos, though he took human form and fought alongside us against Wren. He served the Balance." Arthur mused to himself. "I can't possibly think of anyone that evil and that accomplished in Orderly magic who wouldn't just resort to planetwide Hexing, or some other form of simple mind control, rather than engaging in such a complex scheme. Maybe...nah. There's this being--well. Nah. I'm beginning to doubt he's even real. And even if he is...well, I don't think his influence could extend back to this realm enough to cast the spells he'd need to cast. He'd need a vessel--someone connected to the Spirit Pools, and preferably someone he'd already marked. Wish I could talk to Vipera, or to Ella Septrine--they know more about it than I, could probably tell us if there was anyone nearby who'd fit the criteria." He shakes his head. "Then again, last time I tried to guess the big Chaotic villain's plan, I decided she was right and tried to worship her. Thank gods that didn't last." "Wasn't of your--like hell it wasn't of your concern! You live with the damned Temple underneath your feet, and the murderous backstabber Atramor is a member of Heroica who could turn on you or abandon you in a Quest any moment! I think that's officially in 'need to know' territory!" "Baba--better known nowadays as 'Barbariccia Dellamore'--was the Witch of Kalakita Bog on one of Thothwick's earlier Quests. I know a few of the other Heroes who went with him, but I doubt you would--most of 'em are the quiet sort, and I haven't seem them in the Hall since you joined, with the exception of Thormanil, who seems to be out on a Quest right now. I might have seen Cinna leaving as well, but I'm not sure--we've sort of lost touch over time. Anyway, they were on a mission to save Zelda Zeigfried from an ailment brought on by Abraxas, but one of the children, Bluto stowed away and joined them. Baba...well, she tricked the party and forced them to leave him with her. Bluto hadn't been heard from again until the Foundation Day Ball, accompanying Baba, who's now used her magic to enchant the heads of the Houses to remain in conflict with each other--just when it looked like they might have been starting to get along. My feeble words weren't enough to reverse the enchantment. She's a monster--and I have no doubt we'll have to go through her to kill Ulric." "Wren...she's..." He shakes his head. "Another time, maybe. It's a...complicated...story, and it deserves a proper telling. She was...simultaneously ally and enemy, pawn and player, kin, rival, and most dangerous foe. Out of all of us who faced her, I think our relationship was one of the more...complex. We had a lot of respect for each other...fitting, since we were both monsters, both...well..." "It's a Zoot's Plaything. It's...well, it's got a few uses. All of which bind it to its owner, to the point where it's impossible to get rid of it, but I haven't done that yet. It can be transformed into an unusually faithful weapon, for example, among several other things. Mostly, though, I keep it around as a reminder. Of who I once was, of the mistakes I made. Of the people I got killed." "Not...exactly. And certainly not anymore. I've turned away from that path--at least, as much as one actually can turn from it. Maybe Sorrow can tell you sometime about the cult of extremist Helvetia-worshippers known as the Cold Circle. I once knew a man who left their number...even with his sacrifices, as he could tell you, it never really leaves you. Not completely. Some things...some things can stain a soul for life. Chaos is one of those things." Screw it. Might as well say it. "Actually...that's not entirely true, Sorrow. Not anymore." "I never told you about my homeland, did I? We were--generations ago, mind you--an ancient culture, bound to the rituals and service of Zoot. I won't say we were the first to worship Zoot, but we were definitely one of the oldest. Many years back, though, we decided to rebel, purging Zoot and all things related to him from our society. Our Temple of Zoot was sealed, and all knowledge of Chaos was forbidden. That was when we took our current name--Zut'tau'ri, 'Zoot's Rebels'. But Chaos, being as it is, never truly left us. We tend to live longer, resist disease, and survive disaster better than the average human, and we tend to be cunning and keen-witted. We also experience an abnormally strong pull toward power--even though on the surface we shun it." "It's minor things, really. A residual amount of pure Chaos--like what's in that Plaything--running through our veins. But it's still Chaos." "When I was little--really little, before the scandal with Valentine, before Dad disappeared on his trip, mind you--some friends and I found our way into the Temple. That's when I got the knowledge of Zoot burned into my mind, from our local copy of the Pandemonicon. And I was imbued with another layer of Chaos--the layer that keeps my memory pristine. Oh, I forget minor things from time to time, but it's a lot better than most--and some things, my blackest days, my worst experiences, get preserved in the most crisp, pristine detail. And they never go away." "Then I pulled my little stunt with the Spire at Guffington Manor. I drew that Chaos into myself--imbued myself with yet another layer. I have the favor of an archdemon--it takes a special breed of stupid to impress the Archdemon of Pride. But that's not the worst part." "That night, last Grogmas? I had given up the protection of the Veterans of Heroica. I became the Scarecrow of Sorrow, member of the Court of Demons. In that moment, I became vulnerable to every single curse Chaos could lay upon me...and lay them down it did. I was vulnerable, and between the Spire, the Chaos Beasts, the Temple, the goddess Wren..." "I'd wager I'm at least a third Chaos now. Probably more; it tends to corrupt what it touches, and I ended up speaking rather glowingly of it in R'klif during a philosophical argument with Boomingham and Nerwen. Chaos...doesn't die. It consumes and destroys, and in the end is torn from this world back to the Void from which it came, leaving an echo, a scar in its wake. But that process is never natural. It is always violent, and always painful. Dying? I can be destroyed in battle, sure. But I'm not sure if there's enough human left--especially on the inside--to consider it death. And as far as old age or decay? Nothing. Chaos can survive for aeons. The Chaos Beast created at the dawn of time will 'live' to witness the end of it, so long as no one took the sword to it. I'm effectively immortal--and I have to live with the memories and failures of all that time." "So now you know why I carry so much regret for what I've done. Because not only did I do it, but I will have to carry the burden of it forever. And nothing, save the end of my existence, can end that. And if it means stopping these Oculoids and their master, I'm willing to give up even that relief--even if I end up bleeding the same ink as those we're slaying." "Heh. You remind me of Dyric when you act tough like that." He smiles, the expression, for once, genuine. "Oh, I don't doubt people like us can stick around, keep living. It's just really, really hard." "Always." He nods to Althior and Thalion. "Please, let's speak more later. I'm sure the two of you have more questions of me--and I'm sure Sorrow would appreciate the two of you bringing him up to speed on your own encounters with Zoot's archdemons. If I may take my leave..." Arthur stands up, bows, and unsummons his chair, waiting for Karie and Sorrow to rise from theirs.