Flipz

"Gah!" Arthur glances up in annoyance at the piercing, nasally voice that echoed through the Hall, reaching even the Arena. He quickly removes his glove, unwraps his hand, and wraps the bandage tightly around his head and ears. "I owe Hans and Sir Poletad twice over for this rag, it seems..."

Wow, I never thought Boomingham would actually stoop to selling his weapons. I actually got goosebumps from reading your post. ...what the heck is wrong with me?

"Ah, I'd not part you with that Monocle, I know from experience the value of a good lens...and much as I'd like to get ahold of that Scroll, my Gold's got a future home in a fair stock of Smelling Salts and Nostrum, and a Grand Tonic for good measure. Tell you what, I figure I've got enough Gold that I can spare 79 to loan to you, no security needed--just keep an eye out for me in the future, maybe put in a good word with the gods or something. If you sell that simple Shadeaux Shield you've got there, you'll already be more than halfway to your goal." Arthur rubs his eyes tiredly. "I'd really like to offer you more, I really would, but I'm just now in the spot where I can afford some of these drinks, and I don't want to miss out." Noticing a bit of fabric sticking out of Boomingham's back, he adds, "Say, why aren't you wearing that Dress Uniform? It'd look good on you, and you don't appear overburdened with Artifacts or anything at the moment..."

...ahem. In more on-topic discussion, anyone have any plans for Christmas/Yuletide in Heroica? I'm debating having one of my NPCs come in and sing a Christmas song that's extremely uncomfortable under the circumstances, but I worry it'd be self-indulgent and would detract from that plotline itself as it unfolds (or, more accurately, as it doesn't ).

I think Nerwen would be another good fit with that class.

I can't BELIEVE I didn't realize the Faustian nature of the Rod sooner...and I'm a Theatre major, too! Also, Sandy, is the Carp Pond built on a Paradisa baseplate? More pics, please! ...actually, more pics of the Q50 sets period, please!

Why do I get the feeling this is an already-existing buff you plan to use on enemies...?

I have Arthur's path plotted through five different Expert Classes before his Master Class (and it's actually likely that he'll only keep the Master Class for one Quest before going back through a couple of Expert Classes). But, you know, still a ways away, especially if I'm stupid and forget to account for enemy Specials. Umm...look at the post above you?

Arthur's birthday is not my own. His birthday is the 30th of November, the date I joined EB. Also, thanks for reminding me to update my "About Me" page. Also, yesterday was my year-long anniversary with Heroica! Woo!

Yeah, the Lion Knights need more love, and the Shadeaux could do with a little more as well. Also, change to my sig that should have been done DAYS ago, anyone care to notice the change?

Arthur spots Thormanil asleep in a darkened corner of the Hall. Slipping away from the Arena for a moment, he utilizes his Rogue skills to sneak up beside him and silently drop off a bag of 76 Gold for the Raider. Returning to the Arena just in time to hear Hoke's mention of Vipera, Arthur adds, "Yes, Vipera was an invaluable ally to all of us in Dastan. Of the Dragons, she was the only one willing to go up against the Chimaera, and the only one interested in contact with non-Dragon races. It was her connection to the spirit pools that allowed us to coordinate our actions in the Battle of Drakencourt, and her arguments that finally convinced the Dragons to re-enter the world to protect Dastan once more. Had you not rescued her back in Haddon, the entire Empire would have fallen, Emperor Phil would be dead, and Princess Ella Septrine would be the victim of Wren's plot. In a way, you single-handedly saved a couple dozen Heroes, countless Dastanian lives, and an entire Empire with one single action, Sir Ablesword. It is curious that we suffer so much turmoil and misfortune--or avoid such--at the whims of such seemingly small deeds. That is the Chaos of the universe at work, I suppose; in such things the Lady draws her power." Arthur notices a few stares aimed at him; this had been the longest conversation he'd had since returning to the Hall, and only a few of the Heroes present were familiar with his customary long-windedness. He extends a hand, gloved but still wrapped in the same strip of tattered gauze Hans and Sir Poletad had granted him in Dastan, to the Mystic Knight. "Arthur Justus Regulus VII, Sorcerer of Heroica. I'm a friend of Hans, Felton, Sir Poletad, and the other Wren hunters. From my studies and my experiences, both in my homeland and in Ennon with Captain McColt and the rest of the party, I'm something of an expert on Wren and Chaos."

They do, don't they. You know how "Back In Black" became the theme for Quest 38's party? I think I've found a suitable one for Quest 53: ...I'm inspired to go take some badass pics of the potential party members now. I understand. That's why I'm doing all my prep work early, I'm even prepping for Necromancer at this stage even though it'll likely be my last or next-to-last Expert Class. Though I feel it's important to point out that Skirmishers and Dragoons both have the same weapon proficiencies; thus, if you plan to become one, you're already geared up for the other. Yes, Artifacts that are immune to an element contain the corresponding elemental gem, while Artifacts that are immune to an Effect contain the Scroll for that Effect. Scrolls cannot be unmerged from Artifacts, but elemental gems CAN be unmerged, for the price of 50 Gold.

Go poke Zepher.

...OK, then, what's your opinion on the matter?

Bleargh, I'm getting pummelled by final projects, and Finals week doesn't even start until Monday... Oh, and swils, do you want to be repaid now or can you afford to wait until after Quest 53? It doesn't majorly matter to me either way, it just affects how many consumables I buy.

True. So true. This is actually the main reason why I'd want to have exact "retirement" dates for sets--it'd make it SO much easier to budget, especially on my shoestring budget. I nearly blow a blood vessel every time I try to think about how I'm going to afford all of my Ninjago purchases (including the Ultra Dragon Battle) AND the Kingdoms chess set (you know, the one with all the Lions) AND try to budget for potential Bricklink purchases...

Here's a version of Aquos WITHOUT the final phase, more suitable for soundtrack use. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls9ix-p4rfI For some reason, I imagine the side-quest background music to be up to about 0:56 or so, followed by for the current battle.

You know, I kind of want to see a Progg Hero now.

That's a sign that we need to raise our children better. I understand that TLG responds the way it does, they're a company, they have to do what they have to do to make money. Still, it's disappointing that in today's world, this sort of attitude is still accepted and used by writers. Actually, now that I think of it, this goes back to the ongoing debate of "doing it for the art" or "doing it for the money"; if someone's making a movie or a TV show for the art, they're going to send out the message they want to send out regardless of the profit margin (well, to a degree, anyway), whereas if they're doing it for the money, they'll avoid ideas and plotlines that may cause dissention--or, heavens forbit, intelligent analysis and discussion--among fans. The "rise of the snakes" arc seemed to be more about "doing it for the art", focusing on developing the characters rather than showcasing individual set elements or advancing the plot to rush ahead to the finale; the post-Devourer stuff that came before the Stone Army episodes was even moreso "doing it for the art". After the stone army was introduced, though, all of a sudden we were stuck on immovable plot rails, and characterization was shoved to the side in favor of plot, so we could "hurry up and wait" for the Final Battle; aside from the Bounty and the Ultra Dragon, almost everything focused on the new sets and characters, to "sell toys" instead of "build the world".

"Yes, and it seems she has all the elements she needs for her plan. I wonder what poor soul she has kidnapped to replace Ella..."

"A Tricorne, you say? How much were you selling it for?"

"Oh, great. The Watch. Here's hoping Vaygas hasn't set them against me..." Then again, would he really want to draw attention to himself like that? Especially with Caroline here... "Speaking of what you've heard, what have Felton, Hans, and Sir Poletad been up to since we left them in Ennon?"

"Likely related to Zoot--he is, after all, the master of demons. Bennetton, eh...? What sort of encounters has he had with Heroica in the past? Actually, why don't we take a walk to the Arena and chat--there's someone there I'd like you to meet." Arthur gets up and leads Everyman to the Arena. "Well, it turns out she betrayed her party on her final Quest for Heroica--only three of the six are still alive, not counting Wren, of course. She stole an artifact called the Amulet of Gods from us after we did all the work to take it from the Last General of Ennon, an Amulet that lets the user summon a god into a mortal form. She plans to summon Zoot and then steal his power for herself, so she can experience the beauty of Chaos forever." Arthur pauses. "It's a long story, I'd best start at the beginning--but first, I'd like to introduce you to someone. This is Johnny Everyman, a friend of Felton, Hans, and Sir Poletad. Everyman, this is Skrall, one of the Heroes who served with Tensi and Haldor in Haddon."