Flipz

Agreed. Scrolls cost 50 Gold apiece, cost Ether, and only have a 50-50 success rate for an action that doesn't even prevent Free Hits. Effect bombs would have to be in the realm of Nostrum or Soma or Deadly Venom to balance that out.

"Will do. Who's keeping Zee occupied? Or are you planning to take a hit from her?" Remembering his strategy, Arthur switches to Expert A, still from the Back Row, but this time physically attacking with the Staff of Ennon.

I like this idea. It'd make bombs something for cleaning up the scraps, like they used to be, instead of almost completely useless, like they are now.

I must have screwed up the calculations, Nyx's Power should be 39 (WP:14 + Level 24 = 38 + 1 = 39). "Sir Poletad, please try to heal Zee, it will keep her occupied. Lady Nyx, as it stands you can take out Apprentice A in a single hit. Alexis, shall we attack Apprentice B together?" Arthur casts a Light Spell at the target from the Back Row using Sir Roderick's Sword to channel the elemental energies.

Daaaaaaaang! Quest 50 just got real! Heroes are dropping like flies! ...okay, maybe I'm exaggerating. In all honesty, Q50 is really showing us the importance of remaining active and attentive, even though battles may stretch across days or weeks (or in this case, a month! ). That said, I can understand how it's difficult for that party to try and strategize, since I don't think I've ever seen more than two of the participants online at the same time--ever. We on 53 are fortunate that most of us are in the same hemisphere, so we're naturally online during roughly the same window. I feel kind of bad for Scorpiox and Professor Flitwick, they hardly get to play with the rest of us, especially when we get to fighting amongst ourselves and end up generating page after page of dialogue to have to read through.

I noticed that, too, it's a really nice touch. Also, after the past two hours...we are horrible, horrible people. I suddenly understand why you want to kill us, Zeph. Though to be fair, all those party NPCs don't exactly help matters.

Zeph, please check your PM box before you tally the stats.

Minor changes to the Artifacts trade list, this way everyone is max geared and is ideally suited for their task. "Gnash. I say we should send him after Vonnetate with Skrall's team."

Too late! Atramor (3/3 Artifacts): Witch's Talisman, Etherial Cloak, Jester's Hat Alexis (3/3 Artifacts): Quickdraw Quiver, Loaded Die, Cultist's Hat Cronk (3/3 Artifacts): Paladin's Armor, Counterstrike Gloves, Cloak of Deception Hoke (3/3 Artifacts): Counterstrike Gloves, Lieutenant's Helmet, Warrior's Treads Dyric (2/2 Artifacts): Ring of Sight, Elaborate Helmet Skrall (3/3 Artifacts): Hunter's Quiver, Heavy Armor, Tricorne Haldor (3/3 Artifacts): Lens of Speed-Reading, Heavy Armor, Pugilist's Gloves Thothwick (3/3 Artifacts): Black Knight's Armor, Cultist's Hat, Paper Doll Nyx (3/3 Artifacts): Robe of the Archmagi, High Heels, Amulet of the Court Arthur (3/3 Artifacts): Robe of the Archmagi, Sticky Gloves, Scarf of Misfortune Phil (3/3 Artifacts): Helmet of Dastan, Ancient Crown, Sandman's Parasol Hans (3/3 Artifacts): Armor of the Arena, Cast Iron Haddon Guard Helmet, Aqua Gear Gnash (2/2 Artifacts): City Watch Helmet, Lucky Doubloon I've divided these up based on who wants to be on what team: I've tried to give the desired Vonnetate party as much Blindness protection as I could, while the Zee party gets elemental abilities and/or Cultist Hats. Based on this, here's what we're looking at for teams: Vonnetate: Dyric Haldor Atramor Phil McColt Gnash Zee: Hoke Nyx Alexis Hans Thothwick Poletad Minor Spire: Skrall Arthur I think that's everyone. If we decide not to go after a minor Spire, then Skrall and Arthur should be split between the two teams. Actually, I'd kind of prefer we only split into two groups anyway, just so we don't lose anyone. "Say, shouldn't someone heal Gnash before we go? Poor fellow's covered in wounds, but he hasn't said a word. I salute your discipline, sir." Forgot to mention, if Arthur lends out the Scrolls, he also lends out the Lens, and vice versa. They're a package deal.

Good gods, we have a lot of stuff... FYI, 51-ers, I didn't include weapons because that would have killed me I think most people know their weapons pretty well, so those trades are easier to manage.

"Hmm...what sort of business goes on there, anyway? Anything we could use to our advantage? You've piqued my curiosity." Mmm, here's that feeling of posession Zepher wanted us to have. Nevertheless, it's a sound strategy and might actually make me Gold, so... "As to my Scrolls, Haldor, you're welcome to borrow them, but for maximum effectiveness you'd have to borrow my Lens as well. Since you'll have to put up a different Artifact anyway, perhaps I could borrow that Etherial Cloak of yours?" OK, I've got some time to kill, here's a list of everyone's Artifacts, sorted by type: Headwear: Tricorne (SP: 3, head wear) Cultist's Hat (regular attacks do Damage to Undead) x2 Helmet of Dastan (SP: 2) Jester's Hat (Gains one immunity from targeted enemy) Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from fragile) Ancient Crown (Deals Cursed Effect on First Successful Hit) Elaborate Helmet (SP: 2) Cast Iron Haddon Guard Helmet (SP: 2) City Watch Helmet (SP:1) Shiny Helmet (+1 max health) Backwear: Hunter's Quiver (Bows and Crossbows +2WP, allows Hunters to favor two types of enemies, back wear) Ethereal Cloak (SP:+2, +4 Ether, Blinded Immunity) Quickdraw Quiver (permanent hastened-effect) White Cloak (Suitable for clerics, +3 maximum health, backwear) Bodywear: Heavy Armor (SP: 5, wearer is immune to fragile effect, body wear) x2 Black Knight's Armour (SP:4, protects from stunned-effect) Paladin's Armour (Suitable for Paladins, +5 SP, +2 Max Ether) Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from sealed-effect) x2 Armor of the Arena (SP: 4) Handwear: Pugilist's Gloves (+2 Power, Weakened Immunity) Counterstirke Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level) x2 Sticky Gloves (Increases amount of gold stolen by 50%; handwear) Footwear: Warrior's Treads (SP:2, Health +1) High Heels (+1 Power) Accessories: Lucky Doubloon (Grants "Special Guard") Paper Doll (Hexed immunity) Scarf of Misfortune (Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round, accessory) Aqua Gear (Adds water-element to physical attacks and protects from water-elemental damage, accessory) Ennoc's Gratitude (Artifact, Accessory, User Perma-Blessed, Requires Light Weapon) Loaded Die (permanent lucky-effect; accessory) Ring of Sight (protects from blinded) Witch's Talisman (Suitable for witches, Posioned Hits become Badly Poisoned Hits, accessory) Amulet of the Court (Negative Effects last one round) Sandman's Parasol (Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects) Monkey Bar (all minions, pets, summons etc are Hastened) Cloak of Deception (Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent) Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.) It'll take a while to sort out who'd be best with what, but at least this is a start.

Arthur waves his Scroll of Armor Sundering. "Unless we're missing a Spire, this should be able to take care of the thing's Defense, just like these Scrolls of Weakening and Blindness can handle the thing's Power. I'm trying to save up my Ether just to make sure I can erase its armor completely and still have some left over for Blinding. I mean, I'm fine following orders and all, but really none of these lesser Spires pose a serious risk at this point. Like I said before, visiting the Glass-Blowers' is a personal luxury; sure it'd come in useful for me personally, but it's not critical in the slightest. Unless Haldor here thinks there might be something critically helpful at the Embassy?" Arthur shrugs. "Your call, Boss."

Ah, now I remember why I wanted a stats update; I don't remember how much Ether Arthur should have. He drank a Grand Tonic, but also rested in his Bedroll for a while. And, we have no idea of Nyx's current stats. Arthur listens in wonder. "I have spoken with them, too, they are Abraxas the Proud, Mephisto the Hungry, and the one who called herself your master, Marilith the Vengeful. They are archdemons of Zoot. You have met Abraxas before, as has Cronk; it was he who kidnapped Zelda Zeigfried long ago, on your second (Cronk's first) Quest for Heroica. Thothwick, of course, fought Mephisto at the Temple of Zoot just a few months ago. Marilith, to the best of my knowledge, remains sealed within that Temple, but of course her influence still spreads far further. I, myself, seem to have been favored by Abraxas; of the three who confronted me when I tried to drain the energy of the Spire, he was the one who rewarded me." "And they are why I think backing Wren over Zoot would be a good idea, looking at things from a larger perspective--but, in the interests in not provoking the Witch and the Paladin into saying something I'd never forgive them for, I'll only explain myself to those worth explaining to: those who ask my opinion." "As for Luck, Lady Nyx, I'd be happy to cast it upon you, but we are already running a bit short on Ether, and we still have battles--plural--ahead of us, and the Scroll costs a tremendous amount of Ether to use. Perhaps you would like to use my Scroll of Luck on yourself, and then Sir Poletad could gift you the expended Ether?"

I seriously cannot wait for the end of this Quest--not that I'm in a hurry for it to be over, but my plans, my carefully-laid plans...finally...everything is coming together... Well, that and I went on another Wren binge, and I'm trying to pick up all the threads, to make sure I'm understanding what's going on properly. Because you know. The plot. It's a little complex to try to hold in one's head.

"Yes, yes, think what you want. You do what you have to, and I'll do the same. Whether Wren succeeds or not, her time on the mortal plane has come to a close. And honestly, it's good we disagree about exactly how she leaves; after all, it wouldn't mean anything if we all played nice. Besides, it's more than likely the universe will pull a U'Vires and take the matter out of our hands anyway. Either way, our paths lie together for now, so squabbling about it is a waste of time--save it for the moment of truth. OK?"

"Personal reasons, matters of utility. I by no means believe that we need to go to this Spire; I simply stated that, IF we wanted to defend one of the three weak Spires, I'd prefer to defend that one, simply for the opportunity to do business there. If anything, I would prefer to go after Vonnetate--I owe him for what he did to Triad. I owe all of them that were involved in that affair." Arthur's gaze glowered darkly for a moment, but he took a deep breath and his anger abated. Those who knew him best could tell, he was growing stronger--but also learning control. "We all must fight for what we believe is right. I don't believe Wren is evil. Ruthless, yes, perhaps even beyond what is right or necessary, but, ultimate goal aside, it is hardly ground that Heroes have not trod on before--even some of us standing here now. But my destiny is here, and those I care about. I give you my word I will not interfere with this party's goals until I am assured that this city is safe from the reprecussions of Wren's plan. Fair?"

I was referring to the Harlot's Damage roll, Beatrice.

I shudder to think of what might have happened if a Harlot had been present for the Rhodus fight.

How do you know they want to bust out? Have you asked if any of the Heroes perhaps like the torture?

To me, pelting means throwing objects at someone repeatedly and incessantly. As opposed to tossing, which means to vomit to throw something casually. Objects can be tossed casually, without anyone really noticing. Pelting someone with thrown objects...not so much.

Coming whenever the localization team finally gets around to it Soon from Capcom... Dyric Rone: Ace Assassin: Vengeance For All

Arthur wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life in this moment, but the outside world insisted on barging in. He releases from the embrace, but still holds Alexis tightly next to him, unwilling to let her go completely, especially knowing they would be separated once more in battle. "Fine by me, just try not to get zapped when Wren takes him out." "You didn't hear? Apparently, Zoot's been planning to get summoned to this world, to devour it, since the dawn of time. His demon Abraxas had been working with Zed and Sycamore Zeigfried long before Wren and Roderick ever got involved in Chaos. And don't tell me you've never heard of the Pandemonicon--those books were written ages ago, some of them were written just a couple of decades ago, while others date back before the Orcish Invasion. Zoot's an old, old threat, at the very least we'd be giving him a distraction to keep him occupied. Of course, we'll have to clean up whatever mess Wren leaves behind her in her ascention, but we'll have to do that whether she succeeds or fails. Besides, better the enemy you know than the one you don't...and even counting me, we know so, so very little about the Forbidden One's present activities..." "Just send Skrall, Poletad, and me, no need to waste Thothwick's ability to harm the undead. He should fight Zee." Zeph, can we get another full party summary here, so we can swap things effectively?

Arthur races back to the others, just in time to hear Felton's explanation. "There is not a Spire in the Hall? There must be something there, I know it as surely as I know my own face. Felton, speak to Byblos. Do not mention my name under any circumstances, but you must speak to him alone, and swear to keep his secrets. He will be able to help you. Trust me." "Meanwhile, my studies of the Door that Vonnetate's group opened have proven fruitful: I witnessed a vision of the Lady. Now is not the time to explain all that I have learned, but know this: she holds little love for Vonnetate, and plans to punish him for Triad's death." He turns to stare Atramor in the eye. "We cannot allow his Spire to fall, but so, too, we should be wary not to fall under Wren's punishment of her bloodthirsty lieutenant. I think it would be prudent for those at that Spire to posess the means to Flee. A Smoke Bomb or two at the least." "Neither may we allow Zee's Spire to fall. I have achieved a moment of utmost clarity: Whether Wren's plan succeeds or fails, the Zootists of this age must fall, and foremost among them is Zee. Wren is a far better God of Chaos for this world than Zoot, and his adherents must be dealt with either way if we wish this city to survive." "Of the smaller Spires, the one at the Embassy concerns me most, but I do not feel any of them warrant much attention. Much as I desire to visit the Glass-Blowers' for selfish reasons, these Spires' powers are miniscule compared to that which we face from the others." At last, Arthur spots Alexis' face amongst the gathered Heroes. "Alexis..." He rushes to her, wrapping her in his embrace, and kissing her deeply. He stops for a brief moment to speak. "The Lady offered me her advice...that which she wishes to be remembered by. 'When you want something, you seize it.' Wise words, as ever hers are. You are what I want, Alexis. Let's make the most of it, every moment, like it might be our last one. Because for Heroes like us, it very well might be." Arthur holds the Assassin tightly, his eyes glossy with tears of joy, and care, and love.

When wasn't Johnny an infernal coward? When he refused to join us on Quest 38? Or when he refused to join us at the start of this Quest? It's also worth noting that we already looted Zane, that gift package is probably all that XX has on him, and Johnny's primary character trait is that he's a perpetually-broke gossip, which is the only reason he helped the Wren Hunters in the first place; he needed the cash.

Actually, Darkness doesn't affect damage dealt to Undead; it only affects damage dealt to Demons or Dark creatures; Undead by itself has no elemental resistances. Although, since your Golden Handcannon is imbued with a Diamond, it's still the better choice vs. Undead.