Flipz

What did you expect, you have two of the wordiest Heroes ever (one of whom is one of the most over-active in Heroica) in a Quest with a QM who's another of the most active players--and Obelix was amazingly active as well. The only way we could have gotten more pages in that amount of time would be if we had been a Wren Quest. Seriously, though, that was a great, short Quest, Pie. I really enjoyed it, though I have a feeling that we missed a good portion of it by using that compass... Also, I have a feeling I'm about to make Zepher's day...

Arthur noticed De'kra leaving the Marketplace just as he himself entered. He considered stopping to talk to the echo, but decided to leave his diminuitive...ally...to his own thoughts. Is he just that? Can he still be my friend, having Seen what I have seen of his fate? Arthur thought for a moment, and stared into his reflection in Roderick's sword. As per usual, the purple haze that covered it did not mask the string of death and destruction he saw playing across it--memories, he had come to realize, of every foe it had struck, every life it had ended. Something of the Valley still remained in it...something it was time to remove. "Anwyl," he said, taking little notice of the smith's glum mood. "I need a gem out of a sword. Here's 50 Gold. Don't rush; I'll wait, I have...a lot to think about." Arthur strolled through the Marketplace, his mind unsettled. He reached into his money-pouch, still brimming with coin, and let the coins slip through his fingers. He had everything he needed--save a few small supplies, but that could be easily remedied--he had completed another successful Quest, and would soon depart on another...so why did he feel so empty? The Hall was filled with friends...so why did he not wish to talk to them? "Here," a gruff but uncharacteristically gentle and sad voice said, "your purchase." "Thanks, Anwyl. You're a good Friend of Heroica." The 'dwarf' gave him a strange look. "Erm...so are you, I guess." As the blacksmith walked back to his shop, Arthur watched him go. Am I? Arthur stared back to the Hall, thinking of Atramor, De'kra, Byblos...and the friends he'd almost had, but lost: Isabella. Cronk. Haldor. Maybe even Skrall, if the ogre had learned of his past; it was right there in the Library, after all. So few friends...so many ways I could lose them... A man, unfamiliar to Arthur, stepped up beside him, his face obscured by his messy orange hair and dark cloak. "You seem to be troubled. How may this humble Cleric aid you?" "I simply question myself...my path...I wonder if my destiny is worth the friendships I will lose." "But will you lose them at all? There are many in this city with dark fates, and not all walk alone." Arthur thought of Jules, and his place aboard the Magpie. "Yes...you are right. Thank you, stranger. You have done Eubric and Heroica a great service." Arthur walked back to the Hall, unaware of the mysterious man watching him. Slowly, once Arthur was out of sight, he removed his hood. "Do not thank me, Regulus...do not thank me."

Arthur re-enters the hall, the darkness swirling around him like a second cloak. Without hesitation, without even reading the notice, he puts his pen to the parchment, signing up for Quest 53. "There is indeed Chaos in Eubric. But it shall not be shaped to her will." Arthur spots Atramor standing not too far away. "Atramor! Here!" Arthur lobs his Amethyst to the Witch. "Crown's not been much use so far, but it's still worth hanging on to. Thanks." That particular debt paid, Arthur then spins around and heads for the Marketplace.

Great saving throw versus admitting you screwed up. (See link. ) Plus I'll have a class that I can still use Scrolls with, since the Zeigfried story looks like it might be on hold for a while. Incidentally, when I thought Jules was dead I considered trying to take his body to the Zeigfrieds for resurrection. Probably wouldn't have worked, but would have been a neat way to start that plotline up.

"Please accept my Gold as well, the Sentinel was aiming for me when it blew." Arthur hands over 50 gold to Chalvo, and then departs with a bow. Thalion should have my Grand Tonic, and Barur my Holy Bomb.

Really debating whether or not to accept Chalvo's offer...on the one hand, Chi Monk CLEARLY outclasses Bombardier unless a Ranger is using a handcannon already...on the other Bonaparte rep would mean working for a Veteran... Aw, screw it, Arthur hates the Boneys IC, anyway, and the Aoi are cool.

I still know exactly what form Arthur's will take if he gets one, and it will be awesome.

"Operire Shipping--I suspect it's a front for the Bonapartes' smuggling operations--paid a crewmember of the Magpie to smuggle it aboard a shipment to the Babaleth Darklands. The idiot decided to try and put it together and attack us, and in the middle of our fight the thing blew up." Arthur rubs the back of his head where he had hit it against the wall, and he noticed a nasty burn on Barur's arm that rest hadn't quite managed to heal. "Speaking of which, that thing did a fair number to the Magpie, and Captain Illdria risked her own life to help us. I reckon the Ji Pei could do worse than to send some Gold their way, or better yet, work--I can tell you now they have little love for the Bonapartes, especially after this affair. In any event, I strongly suggest you ship the assembly documents for your constructions separately from the components in the future--for the safety of everyone involved. Might decrease the risk of the Bonapartes taking interest, too..." "Anyhow, if there's anything we could do to help repair those components, or if you want us to take 'em over to the customer in person, let us know; I can't speak for the rest of the party, but I at least would be happy to help."

I thought it was Rock Raiders, but it didn't look old or worn enough! ...how the hell did you keep it in such good condition, Darkdragon?!

Agreed. Also, Pie, care to update the party stats? I finally managed to divide the loot. Oh, and off-topic, but: Darkdragon, what piece did you use for the torso of TheBoyWonder's avatar?

Berserker's is definitely weak, not sure about MK being too strong. For Berserker, I'd suggest having a list of positive effects available (chosen at random) and/or having the effect from it last only 3-6 Rounds.

Arthur listened in silence as De'kra explained more of his enigmatic origins. As the alley where Chalvo waited came into sight, Arthur finally spoke up. "We all have a choice, De'kra, no matter our past or our origins. We can choose to let our troubles define us, and let our fear and doubt bring suffering to everyone else around us, causing us to lash out unexpectedly when we least expect it...or we can choose to embrace ourselves, accept who we are, however we are, and trust that we are exactly who we are meant to be, no matter what anyone else thinks. You are meant to be a Hero, De'kra, a Hero and a Sorcerer. You have the potential--you just will not allow yourself to accept it." Arthur appraises De'kra, his fears momentarily quelled. "You may wish that you do not have that power, or the responsibility to use it. So do all who live to experience such things, but it is not for us to decide. All we can do is to decide what to do with the time that is given us. The world is Gray, De'kra--right actions may lead to wrong, and terrible evils yeild great good. We cannot rely on others' perceptions of right and wrong, we must seek our own personal Beacons in the Gray, and follow them unyieldingly to reach our final cause. Some may oppose us in our path, and we may have to fight, or even kill them, sometimes even painfully. But we cannot dwell on that; we have to trust that the cause we have set for ourselves is right, that it will lead us to shape the world as it is meant to be. So long as we do not hinder those in search of their own beacons without need or cause, we will be right in spirit even when we are wrong in action. To trust oneself is the best way to aid others." As the party rounds the final bend, Arthur has one last thought for De'kra: "And De'kra...if you are not meant for shadow...perhaps you are meant for Light." Arthur nods at the shade's gauntlets, before leading the party the last few steps to where they had met Chalvo. Loot Distribution: Thalion- Scepter, 15 Gold Barur- Arthur's Grand Tonic, Guardian Halberd, Lightning Bomb, Water Bomb, Arthur's Holy Bomb Arthur- Scarf of Misfortune, Ether Core Decided to follow Arthur's own advice.

Indeed. Incidentally, I have to thank you for surprising Arthur so much. I really thought that Jules dying would be a major turning point for Arthur, and it has, but in a different way than I expected. Arthur's exerting a will of his own again, and it's a huge relief for me.

Ooh, there it is! Quest 53! This is gonna be good!

I have to ask: why? Preparations for Expert Class, or...?

"Then may your beacons be bright in the Gray, Captain." Arthur leads the party back to Chalvo. Arthur hears De'kra's voice speak to him, but at first he does not answer. At last he speaks. "I don't know. Is there something wrong?" ...wrong with you? he mentally adds. He gives the echo a harsh, appraising look. "I had a vision while we were asleep. I used to have them as a child, but they left me for many years...until Ennon. Until Wren." Arthur continued to stare at De'kra, unsure if it was safe for him to continue. Finally, suddenly, he speaks: "Tell me of the Makuta. Tell me of the one named Krika. And tell me of who exactly you are." In-character, in-character! Arthur keeps surprising me. EDIT: A wave of nausea nearly knocks Arthur off his feet, and he instantly knows why. He hastens forth, increasing his stride and by extension the party's pace. "Quickly! We must move forward." He turns to De'kra, his mistrust temporarily suppressed by haste. "De'kra, there is darkness in this city, and I fear great darkness soon to come. Your Destiny seems to be intertwined with mine, so there are things I must know. If I fall, the fate of my people will rest in your hands. You have the power to defend them--or to destroy them. I must know which will be. Will you embrace the path of a Hero--one of constant fear and doubt and failure, and unpleasant actions taken so that others won't have to--or will you allow your doubts to paralyze you, your fears to strangle your Duty? Our Unity as Heroes will be tested, and soon; I must know that you will stand the test--or at the very least, that you will try." Damn Arthur's surprising me today!

Vuvuzeula (instrument, WP:10, 1/6 chance to inflict Confused-effect on any successful action. Suitable for Minstrels.) (And yes, the Confused-effect would apply to songs that affect the party, as well as to songs that affect the enemy.)

My Telescope is missing, Arthur should still have it since Illdria didn't actually accept the borrowing. Arthur's dreams had been uneasy. He had had another vision in his sleep, one that had disturbed him greatly. Even now, the others could see the nervous glances he kept throwing at De'kra, though he tried not to be too obvious. Stifling a yawn, he nods in solidarity with Thalion. "Indeed, if you ever require my services again, I am at your call--no matter the cause. In fact, is there anything WE can do for YOU in the city? Our delivery should not take long, it would certainly not be any trouble."

"Very well. I think we shall all rest until we return to Eubric." He lowers his voice and speaks solely to the captain. "If you see anything suspicious, wake me up first. Also, if you need to borrow a Telescope, you're free to borrow mine, long as I get it back and Filmore doesn't." With that, Arthur leads the party to the crew quarters.

Oh, hello, Brickdoctor, I didn't recognize you with that new awatar and username.

"And what were your instructions when the Magpie docked in Babaleth?"

"And why would they want you to ship it behind Captain Illdria's back?"

I've decided that the remainder of the loot will be divided after Aveal gets back, so he can have a say in what he wants. "Now THAT is a skill I'd like to master." Arthur looks around. "So, how far ARE we from Eubric right now? Far enough for a nap? Or perhaps for some training? If Filmore's employers are waiting for us when we dock, I'd like us to be prepared..." "Actually, that's a good idea. Filmore, who hired you to take the automaton on board?"

Tentative Loot Distribution (subject to change): De'kra- Reflective Gauntlets, Damaged Advanced Automaton Parts Arthur- Advanced Automaton Assembly Diagrams Everything else to be divided later. Thalion may use the Scepter of Divine Affinity until the loot is permanently divided.

I believe so, yes. Gah, loot distribution! Y U be so hard?