Flipz

Military Grade bombs, then? (Though bombs in general NEED NEED NEED a buff.)

Sorcerers get no love. The problem is that Sorcerers are hardest hit by the steal nerf, they NEED something to counter that. A non-Gold dropping enemy that is immune to Stun (which is a lot more common than you'd think) makes the existing Sorcerer's SHIELD-skill completely useless. They NEED something to make up for the fact that they're losing Gold AND using more Ether. I do like Sorcerers getting a counterpart to Steal. It makes Raider less of "The Gold-gaining class" and, in combination with the alteration to Ravage, makes it more about offense with gold-earning as a side bonus, which fits with the philosophy behind the steal nerf: "Rogues are outnumbering the other classes just because they earn gold." Raiders do that among the Rogue ACs, so if that was indeed the motivation behind the nerf, I'm happy to see it addressed within the Rogue ACs as well as within the general meta. I also like Sorcerers getting a damage-dealing SHIELD roll; as I said before, enemies with immunity to Stunning make the SHIELD roll useless, especially now that the Gold earnings are no longer guaranteed. Perhaps the randomness factor should be switched to match the other Mage Advanced Classes for consistency, but I don't think it should stay as Magnetic Mojo currently is. (I wouldn't mind it keeping the name, though. ) If I had to pick one, though, I'd go with Sleight of Hand. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: people really, REALLY underestimate how expensive Ether is. Sleight of Hand will help a LOT with that. Also, I like the name of Spellspin--as a soon-to-be Mystic Knight, can I pleeeease ask that it stay?

That's a great idea--it also makes more sense for the Artisan, since their only use for gems would be imbuing or selling. Additionally, it allows them to have a symbiotic relationship with Cannoneers, since it provides an easy source of ammunition for them.

I read it as "number of different tools", personally.

You can use one as a Regulator, too. You, me, and Swils need to go be Dragoons together sometime. Hopefully you can kill the Kraken before Doc's Quest sets out.

Arthur gives the man an appraising look. "How well do you know her, Johon? She told me out of necessity--our latest Quest did a lot to dredge up the ghosts of her past. It was...not an easy process. But who knows? She's with somebody now, someone who's been really good for her. Maybe she'll be more open about things." He shrugs. "I'm the last person to ask about relationships, romantic or otherwise. The man I learned from changed from a lovable loon of a Mage to a brooding, cynical necromancer, the empire I helped save thinks I'm a raving lunatic, half the people I fought Wren with died hating me with all of their being...not to mention my ex-girlfriends, one of whom became a murderous, pathologically lying, psychopathic stalker, and the other of whom was so disturbed by my numerous relationship fumbles that she became a Harlot after just one week of our being together. To put it another way...my best friends are a pint-sized Sorcerer from another universe with incomplete knowledge of our world and an exiled Assassin who was crazy enough to befriend me when I was still a practicing Chaomancer. That should tell you everything you need to know about my relationship skills."

I think the answer was "no". Does anyone remember if this came up in Q53, what with the Regulators and their elemental damage? I can't recall.

In case it gets missed: what does everyone think about the Pickaxe removing one of the enemy's immunities or temporarily disabling all of an enemy's immunities (i.e. for 1-3 Rounds)?

I don't like the new name for the Sorcerer's SHIELD skill...definitely approve of the other changes, though. Makes me think twice about my impending switch to Mystic Knight--and considering the main reason I've been planning to do so has been to prepare for my Expert Classes, that is REALLY saying something. The wording on the Battle Mage skill is a little strange--I understand what it does, but I keep stumbling when I try to read it. This section seems to be the one giving me the most trouble: "first delivering physical attacks with strength equal to their weapon power added to their level, and then spells of the chosen element with the same strength". I honestly think that Berserker's shield needs to attack all enemies. I know single-target focus is their "hat", but... On a different subject: we have Mulled Wine for health and Ambrosia for SP...shouldn't we have something for Ether?

They can't--if they don't have the requisite tool, nothing happens on the SHIELD. Leaves it in the h ARGH. Forum ate my post AGAIN. EDIT: They can't--if they don't have the requisite tool, nothing happens on the SHIELD. Leaves it in the hands of the dice. Frankly, all of the Expert Classes are kinda nuts; most Expert Class players will be dealing upwards of 100 Damage on Critical Hits anyway. Also, since this, like Regulator (though I really, really hope that Hybros, Tarn, and Tensi get a second chance to earn it) is a one-and-done class, it can afford to be a little more powerful than other classes, a la Winged Warrior--though do note that I also agree that the Pickaxe is nuts. (Perhaps it can remove an immunity from the enemy?) Also, to the people complaining about Enhancement: Mystic Knight. Yes, they have to use Ether, but they don't get a level cap on their enhancements, either--and at Expert level, a Mystic Knight can enhance more than an Artisan (particularly if they have Ether-increasing Artifacts and start as a Mage).

To the people complaining about the Critical Hit: Necromancer. My work here is done. I agree that the pickaxe is pretty nuts, but everything else is decent (though I, personally, would tweak it). I know some people don't like the QM having to decide the terrain type, but really that's just a matter of how you imagine the battlefield; if you've built the scene of the enemies attacking the party, then you should have a fair idea of what the ground's like anyway. Bedroll: I'm not sure if it should remove negative effects, but otherwise great. Magic Compass: I'd say give a 1/6 chance of being removed permanently (yes, I know, another die roll ), otherwise it returns in 3 Rounds. Magnifying Glass: As others have said, I think this should either apply one of the 3 at random or else have a 1/2 chance to apply each. Also, PLEASE tell me this class will be the reward for Byblos' Quest.

Arthur wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer to that question, either. What good could possibly come of it? He felt a sense of...was it relief?...as Karie exited the Hall. He was...well, to quote another song, happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time. He sighed. This was not going to be simple. And really, at this point, that's all I want. "And the same to you, Master Gligin," Arthur says, handing over the gold. Arthur opened up his mouth to reply to the dwarf, but before he could the man was wrapped up in a conversation with Haldor. Not wanting to risk yet another fight, he returns back up the stairs to his work. Rifling through the papers, he found mention of a Theatre in Bric'lin, and a number of treasures that party had taken from it. Atramor and Althior...and they're both still breathing? Who would have thought? His attention fell upon a particular coat of armor that would greatly interest Lord Knyghton, when Johon walked up to him. Arthur shakes the Raider's hand. "Good to see you again, Johon. It's been a while, hasn't it?" He pauses. "I'm sorry. It's...not my story to tell." He gazes wistfully toward the Hall doors. "She's been through a lot. I hope Masson remembers that." EDIT because I need to not drag this out: As he waits for Johon's response, Arthur continues making minor notes collating the data from the manuscripts. As he does so, he spots another mention of the armor that had been mentioned before...owned by Ellaria. Interesting...yes, I'll definitely want this. Getting up from his table and nodding to Johon that it was all right to follow him, Arthur walks back to the Quest board where the druid still stood. "Excuse me...Miss Arbour? I believe we've met briefly before." He extends a hand to the druid, before holding up a page of notes. "According to records, you acquired a...'Duke's Coat of Arms' was it? I have a friend who would be very much interested in studying it. Would you accept my Robe of the Archmagi and my Scroll of Sealing in trade for it?"

"Thanks," he says quietly. He wasn't too sure himself if he wanted to talk about it...whatever 'it' really was. "Some days you just feel the need to sing it out, I guess."

Unless you're planning to go Mystic Knight, unfortunately, you can't use it. Wands are suitable for Mages only.

You know what? I say we pull a Lucas and retcon the old Panacea to say it was an Arc Potion (since that's basically what it was), and call the new thing Panacea. Because now that I'm calling my immunity potions "tinctures", it totally rings SUPER well.

So we finally learn why secrets travel so fast in the Hall. Acoustics. Anyway, just need to complete the trade with Elgar, chat up Ellaria (and give Boomers back his Monocle and get my Scroll of Frailty back from him), and sign up for Q77, and then I'll be gone again. If anyone wants to chat me up, now's the time!

Arthur walked into the Hall, an air of sadness hovering over him. He saw Boomingham talking to a friend of Alexis'...Ellaria, was it? And Johon and (sigh) Haldor talking to...was that Karie? She reminds me of...her... The thought dragged him to the past...the day he'd discovered his father's infidelity to his mother. It was funny--back then it had defined him, defined his attitude towards...well, a lot of things, actually. Now, bigger things defined him. Or did they? If I were asked to define 'Arthur Justus Regulus VII'...what would I say? Sorcerer? Scroll mage? Private of the Watch? He pauses, glancing at his portrait on the wall, at the small plaque beneath it with its inscription. "A Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something." Why does none of that seem to matter? Something sparked, deep within his memory. Another name he'd bore...one that he'd despised, one that he'd resisted...one that fit him now. The Scarecrow of Sorrow... But it would not do to dwell in the past...not when he had work to do, and promises to keep. Setting his papers and quill at a back table near the bar, he sets to work, transcribing what details he found relevant and organizing the information into a more coherent narrative. It was long, difficult work, but he didn't mind. As it had been from the first day his mother had taught him of the written word, the books--whether reading or writing--served as an escape, from times of sadness and times of trial...a way not to think of his problems, but to escape them, if only for a few short moments. As he worked, he softly began to sing a traditional melody from his homeland, his voice nonetheless reaching clearly (if quietly) through the Hall to anyone who cared to listen thanks to the building's resonant acoustics. "Mama who bore me, Mama who gave me No way to handle things, who made me so sad... Mama, the weeping, Mama, the angels, No sleep in heaven, or Bet'tau'rem... Some pray that one day their gods will come a callin' They light a candle, and hope that it glows... And some just lie there cryin' for them to come and find them, But when it comes, they don't know how to go... Mama who bore me, Mama who gave me No way to handle things, who made me so bad... Mama, the weeping, Mama, the angels, No sleep in heaven, or Bet'tau'rem..." As he reaches the end, he spots an elven Druid, who seems to be walking toward the Quest board with Haldor and Karie's group. He follows the green-clad man down the stairs, seeing him stop at a list of gear posted on the board along with the two Quest notices and scratch out a few items. Guessing that this was the man offering the items for sale, he extends a hand to the Druid. "Hello," he says, "You must be Elgar Gligin, correct? My name is Arthur. Just...Arthur, for today, anyway. That badge...it appeals to me. I feel that 60 Gold is too low, however, for such a lovely item...would you accept 70? It's still a bargain for me, but it doesn't feel so much like I'm robbing you blind." Of course, that is what everyone expects Rogues to do...guess I'm a pretty crappy Rogue, then, too. I'll add it to the list of things I suck at.

Actually, I'm going to steal that for my resistance consumables.

I like the name, but I have the feeling someone's used it as a consumable name before.

So does this still hold true for Q77? I'm not going to sign up if it means losing Skirmisher, otherwise I will.

Arthur ambled through the doors to the library, undaunted by the lateness of the hour. As he strolled through the deserted structure, he let his fingers run along the dusty shelves, leaving a faint cloud of fine powder floating in his wake. This place needs some serious upkeep. Good, he thought, I could use something to distract myself. Picking up a broom from behind Byblos' desk, he sets to work as quietly as he can, hoping not to disturb the Metasimian from his sleep. He'd noticed his friend retreating to his room more and more often during his most recent visits, but he was mindful not to ask questions--he knew Byblos valued his privacy, and whether his apparent illness had been brought on by nature or Chaos, he knew it was not his place to ask about it. "I just hope he'd trust me enough to ask for my help if it's life-threatening," he says quietly to himself. "Then again, I'm one to talk about not asking for help..." ----Earlier...---- Lieutenant Etenent sat behind her desk, Private Bert standing alertly beside her. Nodding to both Watchmen, Nevron pulls out a seat for Arthur before retreating to his own corner of the room. "Sit down, Private." Unsure of why he'd been summoned, Arthur hesitantly complies. "I'll cut to the chase--you're not sleeping." Arthur says nothing, but shoots a glance at Bert. "Don't look at me like that. You know it's serious. You gotta respect your own health." "I've seen it in your eyes, Regulus. How long has it been since you've slept? Really slept, not those five minute naps everyone takes on wall duty when they think no one's looking." Nevron throws a quick glance toward Lillith, but his true attention remained on Arthur. "Not since that night. At the Albatross." Arthur didn't need to tell him or Lillith which night he meant--his tone said it all--but he hadn't told Bert about what had happened that night, his visit from the Stealer...or the words that had haunted him ever since. "The Albatross? When you met Nevron? But that was--" "Regulus, it's been--" Lillith silenced both Watchmen with a raised hand. "Out." Both exchanged a glance, concerned for their colleague, but they were trained well enough to follow orders. With one last worried look, Nevron closed the door behind him. Lillith wasted no time. "You're not doing this by choice, I take it?" Arthur shook his head. "Why, then?" "Dreams." He had discussed the events of that night with both the Lieutenant and with Nevron, but he was not about to divulge how much Masson's final words had shaken him. "The sad thing here, Arthur? You'll probably find me before you find yourself....Neither of us will be swayed from our paths... Not like you ever had a true path to begin with." Masson had been swayed from his path...but had he been right about Arthur's? The words had echoed through his dreams, along with similar words from others...Nyx...Haldor...Alexis...all the while, haunted by a laugh like the sound of tinkling bells, and an ominous, looming monstrosity, whose power fled before a tall, shadowed figure with a pair of glowing yellow eyes... Lillith's voice jolted him out of his memory. "I see it's not just when you're asleep, then." "...sorry?" Lillith sighed. "Go home, Arthur." Arthur stared at the Lieutenant with some confusion. "You just had Nevron escort me from the Barracks--" "Your real home. Heroica Hall." She paused pointedly. "Don't try and pretend, Private. We appreciate your service. But those of us who've paid attention can tell it's where you belong." Still Arthur hesitated, so she continued. "Look...I'm not really supposed to tell you this, but...the Captain's been asking through the ranks about promotions. Your name's come up. Several times, actually. And frankly, you deserve it." "I'm hearing a 'but' in there?" "But, if you are promoted to Constable, we'll need you in top condition. And right now...you're not. You haven't been since those Heroes left. So now I'm ordering you: go home--to Heroica Hall--and figure out why. When you know what's wrong, fix it--however long that takes--and report back to me." Arthur opened his mouth to argue, but Lillith got there first. "I said--that's an order." Arthur sat for a moment, wondering what to say, before realizing that no words were needed. Standing up with a snappy salute, he whirls and walks out the door, catching his fellow Watchmen so by surprise that he is gone before they even have a chance to follow him. ----Now---- As the first rays of light break across the Library, Arthur surveys his work. The place still needed a lot of work, but at least it didn't look like a gathering place for an arachnid cult of Mercutio--or worse, the warrens over the storerooms of the Cathedral. Sitting down at the desk, he saw a number of disorganized manuscripts, letters, and other records and paraphernalia--the detritus of failed attempts to catalog the enormous number of Quests Heroica had been consulted for. Arthur could not blame Byblos for his lack of progress--even without...whatever he was dealing with...attempting to organize all that information was no small feat, especially as the organization's activity exploded. Leaving a note for the librarian, Arthur takes the most relevant bits and a few empty bindings and heads for the Hall, where his work would not disturb his friend--heedless of the pair of Metasimian eyes that carefully watched him go. OOC: I will post in the Hall in the morning, Sandy, I promise!

Arthur watches the others go. It had been a long two days, but they had finally achieved all they had set out to achieve, and made a major step in securing the future of the city. ...so why did he feel so hollow? Leaving the others to return to the Hall, Arthur makes his way to the Barracks, and from there to his quarters. The room was quiet, unoccupied, leaving him plenty of time to think...and to wonder over all that had happened. His roommates were out--perhaps in a bit he'd go out to join them. Or perhaps a walk out into the woods, maybe even to the Lion Knights' newest outpost. Something...anything...simple. Yes. That's what he needed. Simple. He hoped.

Hey, Doc, I know your Quest would prefer someone who hasn't Quested for the Lion Knights, but I wouldn't lose reputation with the Lions if I went on it, right? I definitely don't want to lose rep with them, since Skirmisher will be my first or second Expert Class. Also, what exactly is the ranking system for the Town Watch? Specifically, what's the next rank above Private?

Pie, if that guy doesn't drop a Thermal Detonator that grants Intimidation, I will be sorely disappointed. @Legonater, RE: 1138: Sorry! I wasn't even here! (And I'm still not, I'll likely be off for a few days again soon.)

Just popping in for a short bit to check up, then I'm off again. RE: Zeph (battle mechanics): Agreed. Though personally, I prefer Level ?? enemies that scale to the Hero's level--I really, really enjoyed them in the first fight. I know that some people don't like them, but I love them. In my opinion, they are better for mixed-level parties than Lust, by a WHOLE lot. Overall, I think the first half of the Quest was just about perfect. I actually would have been pretty happy with the Quest ending there, both thematically and mechanically. That said, it settled down pretty well for the end (though you did miss a fine opportunity to poke fun at me and Arthur at the end--if I had been in your shoes, I would have written something like: "Arthur began a long speech that lasted for nearly fifteen minutes that basically amounted to 'yeah, I trust him'." ), and, of course, I'm very happy I was able to participate. RE: Boomingham as antagonist: YES. I'd been waiting to say that from the moment you mentioned the gleam in Boomers' eye when the party was searching for Masson, and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who saw it that way. I'm going to disagree with you about Masson's actions. While I agree that Nevron's characterization and development was a little stilted...well, let me just address one of Endgame's comments first so I can explain. Endgame pulled this off really, really well. He picked up the way the mind works when it's lashing out against itself immaculately. On a deep, subconscious level, the Stealer wanted to be caught, wanted to be saved the whole time. He may not have planned it consciously, but he put himself in the situation to be redeemed. The method he developed is also a great fit for his brand of hurt--he wants to be loved, and he doesn't want to hurt anymore, so he builds himself something that can do both in one stroke. That is genius villain design. Maybe it's just because I understand that mindset, having lived with it for so long, but I feel that Masson's decision to do the right thing was built up to well in advance, particularly with Karie's side-quest and the journal entries. In this case, some of that development happened offscreen, but if you account for that offscreen time, it was perfectly paced for what was started back in Quest...56, was it? (It's been a while. ) Nevron, however, I agree with. I'm not sure if he was intended to interact with me more (sorry! ) or what, but he kinda felt rushed and stilted. To a certain extent, I think he might have been better suited as an Early Bird Cameo of things to come, rather than trying to shoehorn in his entire past with Briar into this one Quest. Let us see the rivalry and the hatred, but leave the actual development and explanation of it to the future. Boomingham: I liked what I saw of Boomingham this Quest, for the most part. That wasn't to say I like him as a person so much, but it was very interesting (and, at times, legitimately frightening!) to watch. My only negative moment came with that big "work with me or kill me" moment after the warehouse--it somehow seemed too grand and out of character for Boomingham, like he was somehow channeling Arthur for a moment. Like we discussed later, we were both sort of off our games for a couple of days, and it showed--particularly as regards Arthur's response to the moment (seriously, what the hell was I even trying to do there?! Even I have no clue. ). As regards your list of "characters I love to watch but can't Quest with", I think Boomers has managed to join mine, joining Haldor and Atramor, and even Cronk. (If Arthur ever met Pretzel, he'd probably form an Anti-Paladin league--at this point the only Paladin he's met that he hasn't hated is Alexandre, and I don't think they crossed paths while he was a Paladin. ) Karie: You shined here. This Quest was made for you, as was eminently evident when you joined the Syndicate. You made a lot of interesting choices, and I leaned heavily on you to keep my own posts from turning into disjointed nonsense. I'm not really sure what Arthur thinks of Karie at this point--she kept seducing him, but his mind opposed what his body felt. He's protective of her, but at the same a little repulsed in his own way. She hates the Town Watch, but she forgave Arthur. I don't know what sort of dynamic I'd describe them as having, but clearly it'll only get more complicated now that she's become a Witch like his worst enemy, Atramor, did. Arnulf: You started off the Quest really well; you managed to act as a great counter to Karie with hiding and then revealing the past you both shared. But then you sort of disappeared after we entered the base! (I can't really complain much, there, given my own absences, though. ) If it was Arthur's statement to you and Boomingham to shut up that made you talk less, I apologize--I meant it only in-character, I by no means wished to stifle your voice or contributions. I really do hope you can Quest more with Boomingham--you have a great dynamic going, and it deserves more time to develop. Em: Wow. I'm doubly impressed--not only did you manage to maintain a quiet character without just tagging along and checking in for battles, but you also managed to develop him with the few words he said. I'm totally blown away, particularly by the PM interaction with Masson. Great, great job. Self-analysis: This was probably my second least favorite Quest to date in terms of my own performance. I was far less active than I wanted to be, kept having to take breaks (and thus foisting responsibility for my own character onto other people who already had a lot to deal with), and the roleplaying material I put out was pretty much garbage. I'm glad I managed to get to talk to Guts before we left, allowing me to play up Arthur's suspicion of Karie at the beginning--I feel it was the only thing I really managed to succeed at during the Quest. Again, I heavily relied on Karie--if it wasn't for her, I really would have looked even stupider than I did. This becomes immediately apparent after Karie is kidnapped; I can't find a single post of mine after the Octavian battle that I really like, and there isn't much before that point that's not utter bollocks either. I also wasn't as generous as I would have liked to have been. In retrospect, I probably should have given out more Gold, and I should have handed out the Smelling Salts to everyone else instead of using them as well. Finally: the stripping: I find it interesting that both Zeph and I came up with the idea of our characters not being ready for battle the moment the Stealer walked in. The stripping, however, was a combination of "well, logically, he won't put his uniform on OVER his pajamas" and "I wonder if I can out-Dannylonglegs Dannylonglegs". Well, that and realizing that those legs work disturbingly well as undergarments. So yes, I admit, shirtless Arthur is fanservice for the ladies, the rest is fanservice for DLL. (Also, most people missed it, but I actually changed Arthur's pic in my sig to match when he changed in the PM--a nice touch, I thought, hinting at what was going on without giving too much away.) I'll second this.