Flipz

That's his problem right there.

Great, MORE guilt for Arthur...

Arthur says nothing, but he wonders...had he made the right choice? Still leading the charge into the building, Arthur slots his Mulled Wine into his Hollow Blade Dagger in place of the Elixir already inside.

"Guards. Back." Arthur removes his Garnet and blasts a hole through the wall, into the hallway. "Wigglepike can bill us later." Arthur drinks a Nostrum and Smelling Salts before charging into the gap and trading the Shackles to equip his Lens once more.

"No. That I cannot do. To strike down a foe in battle...that is duty. A sad duty, but duty nonetheless. To strike down one who is defenseless, enemy or not...that's murder. And to murder those bound helplessly to those puppet strings...we would be no better than they. Isn't that what the Houses are, after all? Puppets, helplessly dancing on the strings of tradition, of wealth, of family pride...dancing, but unaware of the strings that control their every movement. The Wolfgang seeks to destroy them for that. Shouldn't we be better than they?" Arthur clenches his Scroll of Sleep behind his back, invisible to all but himself. If the Wolfgang leaders would not talk, he would at least grant them a peaceful death. And if they couldn't talk... "If I don't get a response from them within a minute, I'll give them each a Potion, bind them, and the guards can carry them with us. Captain Patricia gave me a second chance. I would be a hypocrite and a monster if I did not at least offer the same to them."

And again Arthur surprises me. Didn't think he'd refuse to help just to get his way, but I guess he's that desperate. Interesting... For Violetta's sake, I hope she's unconscious and unable to reply...would make it easier to justify giving her a Potion.

"Steerpike is in the Theatre! Gladstone is out, he may be dead. May I introduce you to Violetta the Cat Burglar and Donny Dozenhands, two of the Wolfgang generals. Captain...I hate to say this, but...one of the Veterans is in the Wolfgang's employ, along with a number of sympathizers within the Watch itself. We can discuss it more later but...I don't think I have to explain to anyone the implications. Now, we don't have much time, we need to get in there and rescue the leaders, but first..." Arthur holds out two Grand Potions in front of the Wolfgang generals, but does not open them. "You two said you wanted to make Eubric a better place. If you really mean that, then you'll explain everything that's going on tonight so we can prevent innocent lives from being destroyed. If not...then I can't help you. Make your decision now." Arthur glances to Patricia for confirmation, but keeps his focus on Dozenhands and Violetta.

Maybe he's not that spiritual. That was an awful pun. but I'm not sorry.

That's a really eloquent way of putting that. Also, kill the evil janitor!

Leg, I don't think Sandy's gonna allow a TF gun in Heroica. (If no one else got that, that's OK, it's a webcomic both Legonater and I read. )

Indeed. If I'd realized you guys didn't have a Phoenix Essence, I would have asked Sorrow to lend one of his to Boomers in that initial equipment-switching surge. (Not so much for the kitchen party, since I don't think anyone expected any of them to get KO'd. ) But, hindsight is 20-20.

"Too late...I am the man who should not see the legacy he will leave...but shall anyway." Arthur bows his head, and as he does his journal clatters out onto the street. He quickly picks it up, and sees a new letter from De'kra. "Sorrow...we have to stay strong. We have a Duty to fulfill. We can't let ourselves be caught off-guard, we must do our Duty always--even in our moments of weakness. Private Gnash taught me that."

"Sorrow..." "Nagure. Go. Tell Patricia."

"You won't be alone." "You know, I've never properly thanked you for your service here tonight. You are a steadfast soldier and an honorable man--er, yeti. It has been an honor to have you serve at my side, Nagure." Arthur glances through the window into the hallway, to check on the guard.

...Nyx REALLY needs to get her hands on some Overkill Gloves.

Perhaps Violetta first turned to stealing to provide for her little sister, many years ago?

Loot: Nagure- Sticky Gloves Sorrow- Cat Suit Arthur- Elixir x2, 250 Gold "Nagure, these gloves are yours to do with as you wish, but would you mind if I borrowed them for the remainder of the Quest? Also, consider your debt erased, thanks to Sorrow's generosity." "Before we do anything else..." Arthur walks over to the two Wolfgang generals and checks for a pulse. "If these two are still alive..." Arthur equips the Shackles of War in place of his Lens of Speed Reading and if Nagure agrees, the Sticky Gloves in place of his Jester's Hat. "Sorrow...are you all right? Ah...listen. I know this is hard, but... I need you to go Track Down Captain Patricia and tell her what's going on, bring her back with you if you can. I need to make my own report to her in person, but I can't afford to leave my post." With a feeling of foreboding, Arthur tries to think of someone he knows is dead, but does not know where the body is. Coming up with a memory, he checks his Magic Compass for the location of Lord Leorry before checking it for the locations of Grimwald Gjinko, Kiray Nastay, Arnulf Bishop, Yamsar the chef, Bilbert Wigglepike, Lord Lawrence Boomingham, Lady Nyx, Sir Thothwick, Barbariccia Dellamore, and Steerpike the Poisoner, waiting with increasing dread for the results... OOC: He's checking so he can know what the compass does in reaction to searching for a dead person.

In my case, it actually helped me a lot, since I was able to get a rough Gold value on the cat suit for loot division purposes--it's rather important, since Nagure wasn't getting much of value; once I had an idea of how valuable the stuff is, I was able to discuss with Endgame and Costy who would get what, so everyone's happy. Wait--were we SERIOUSLY the only party to bring along Phoenix Essences?! The Kitchen party I can understand--they're poor and can't afford it. But Nyx and Thothwick not bringing even one?! After 53?!? Come on, guys, you know better than that!

Because Mediq is not free like the regular Genie lamps; he comes at an Ether cost (and a rather steep one at that). Plus he's named, and a really cool character at that, so it'd be a shame to destroy him after just a few uses.

OOC: OK, BO fixed.

I know that I supported unlimited use, since it carries a decent Ether cost.

You forgot to explain what "Afflicted" means. What DOES that mean, anyway, and how did Althior contract it?

I'm having a bit of trouble getting the cover photo feature to work (the picture is selected properly, but I can't get the placement to work the way it should). Other than that, though, LOVING the new changes!

Then why is he friends with Atramor? Also: Thank you, O Random Number Goddess. I grovel at thy feet, and humbly ask that thou continue to layset thy blessing upon me. Incidentally, Sandy, if I'm ever holding up the Quest in battle, just mention it and Endgame can come up with a battle action for me. I'd hate to cause unnecessary problems, and I worry my diminished activity the past few days might do just that.

Battle Order: (and suggested actions) Nagure (Stone Hammer) vs. Candy (Front Row) Nagure (Stone Hammer) vs. Candy (Front Row) >Arthur (Scroll of Frailty) vs. Candy (Back Row) >Arthur (Unlucky Horseshoe) vs. Candy (Back Row) >Arthur (Unlucky Horseshoe) vs. Candy (Back Row) OR (Ice, Sir Roderick's Sword) vs. Candy (Back Row) >Sorrow (Mockthril Longbow) vs. Candy (Back Row) >Sorrow (Mochthril Longbow) vs. Candy (Back Row) OOC: If Candy is somehow still alive, repeat this Battle Order, otherwise put Nagure's turns at the bottom and continue all attacks against Sugar. Arthur will not retrieve his Unlucky Horseshoe once it's successfully thrown.