Flipz

Say, does anyone remember exactly when Sandy said that Elphaba would return to the Marketplace? EDIT: Also, Zeph, the sign-ups for the final Wren Quest won't be until December, right? (Please say yes, please say yes, please say yes...)

Guess everyone else besides CJP is all "roleplayed out" from Quest 38, huh?

"Arthur is...was...very dear to me, once. We are both from the same village, we grew up together. Just before he left us, though, there were...things said. I'd...it's time they were put right." ----------- Across the Hall, another vaguely familiar face reappears. He scans the Hall, spotting both Alexis and Cronk. "So, he will return soon. The game is afoot. Soon, we will--" The man's gaze suddenly falls upon Caroline. His eyes widen. "Caroline?!? No!! She can't--it's too...! Especially with--did she...?" The man finally spots the small child hiding shyly behind its mother, and he sucks in his breath. "This is...and if...gods...and if he..." The man glances over his shoulder, but his ever-present companion is not there. He begins to pace in the shadows at the edge of the Hall, muttering softly to himself... Captain Vaygas is now available for conversation.

Found the problem; it had to do with my "ignored user" settings.

Is it just me, or are all images in the Heroica Hall topic being hidden (i.e. this image has been resized to -44%) for some reason? Anyone know how I can fix it if it's a problem with my settings?

The doors to the Hall open, and those within expect the return of a Hero, only to be greeted by a face from a memory... "Hello? I was told this is Heroica Hall?" ...followed by a small individual clinging to her leg, whose presence brings ill omens for those who recognize the child's companion. "Ma-ma..." "Shh, sweetheart, mommy will only take a minute. A-hem. Attention Heroes. I am Caroline Kootenai, of the Tribe of the Zut'tau'ri. I am seeking a Mage who has reportedly joined your organization, a Mage by the name of Arthur Justus Regulus VII. Can anyone provide me with information as to his whereabouts?"

Arthur had the least Power and Health of any of us. He only stayed alive because I was mega-cautious and started over-strategizing.

As the "weakling" of the party, I have to say you did an excellent job of balancing the enemies for us. My only battle regret is that I never got to roll a SHIELD against that duplicating Cleric monster; imagine the rain of Gold! Overall, it was a great plot, I really didn't mind the railroading. I liked that you put in time for us to roleplay with the NPCs, that was a ton of fun and something I'd like to see in future Quests.

1. Arthur has a connection to the spirit pools... 2. ...through his biological mother, Valentine Zeigfried.

I'm confused as well. Lemme start a PM thread. I'm shocked no one has commented on the latest Arthur revelation, though.

I've literally been waiting four months to deliver the Norrington line to Wren. But I agree, a lot of great work from everyone!

OOC: Cronk should have Roderick's sword, though I still encourage Alexis to trade Cronk the Sword for the Shard. Oops, I fail reading. "Hans! Sir Poletad! It is good to see you. Felton, I don't believe we had the pleasure of meeting in Dastan, though I have heard much of you." Arthur bends down to Poletad's eye level and attempts to greet the Frog Paladin in the Language of the Frogs. <Mossy items, certain aged tablet! I grapple to obtained bucket speak of notice job we recieve!> After a few moments of sustained, awkward silence, Arthur leans over and whispers to Alexis. "Umm, any chance you could tell him I said "hi"? And, uh, that you could help me learn his language properly?" Arthur blushes, but his expression turns to one of sadness after Cronk begins to speak. He steps forward dutifully to give his report. "I must confess, I had hoped that this Quest would be a failure, a wild goose chase that would lead us to knowlegde but otherwise be a waste of our time. I am...sorrowful to say that I was wrong." "We learned much--about Wren, and about ourselves. Specifically, about me. Several years ago, the Lady Wren, Sir Roderick the Knight, Bal the corageous and loyal Rogue, Triad the wise Acerpusculum Ranger, and Sasha the Barbarian journeyed to this Valley, under the leadership of the Gray Wizard, Party Leader and Cleric. Some time previously, the Gray Wizard had led the Lady Wren and Roderick through the sewers of a city, where they discovered a hidden Temple of Zoot, much like I and my friends did when I was a young boy. I...I will not repeat that story now, but if you wish, later I will recount the tale. The Gray Wizard refused to enter this Temple, but Wren and Roderick went inside, and were greeted with visions from Zoot. Sir Roderick chose to try and summon Zoot, so as to destroy him and become a God of Order, while the Lady's vision was more...trancendental, revealing to her the true beauty of the Chaos she even now seeks. Together, they joined this party, the party seeking the Amulet of Gods, and one by one they betrayed them. Roderick wished to kill them all, but Wren valiantly convinced him to let her seal them instead, preserving them all these years at most of their former vitality. The Gray Wizard was the first to fall, weakened by a Knight of Ennoc and helpless to stop the Lady. Sasha, Northerner and former lover of Roderick, was next to fall, the victim of one of the Last General of Ennoc's foul undead abominations. Next was Bal, who, after saving Wren, Triad, and Roderick from an errant Angel of Ennoc, was repaid for his valiance by being sealed in stone for seven years. Last to fall was Triad, to a rudimentary Chaos Beast Wren summonned unwillingly at the behest of Roderick. Only by her species' natural resilience and unusual physiology was she able to survive for so many years." "Upon reaching the Eye of Ennoc, Roderick and Wren faced the Last General of Ennoc, still posessed by the Splinter of that god that he had so foolishly tried to summon. Despite the powers of fire and darkness that she wielded and the shield and blade of Sir Roderick, the Lady and the Knight were no match for a god, and Roderick fell. When the General's true, remorseful personality asserted control for a moment, the Lady fled, leaving Roderick to become the Splinter's new host." "Years pass. We arrive. We, too, battle the Splinter of Ennoc's minions, and in doing so find the way to free the members of the Lost Party. Along the way, the Flowers of Sybl revealed the memories of these Heroes, trapped in time, first victims to the Lady's schemes. At the last, with the Lost Party complete save for the Lady and the Knight, we faced the Splinter of Ennoc together. We fought a pitched and valiant battle against the broken god, and, when it was weakened and Roderick strong enough to hold it in check, Sasha sacrificed herself to take the Amulet, destroying her, Roderick, and the General. That is when the Lady reappeared, and, after a moment's gloating, she stole the Amulet for her own cause. Once she fled, we returned the way we came, and met you." Arthur remained silent for some while. "Wren Hunters...I must give you warning. The Lady's plan does not make sense. As you know, in Dastan she spoke of needing Sphinx and Ella; Sphinx as a cultist leader who had experience in summoning a god to the mortal realm, and Ella...well, even a marginal study of arcane magicks will tell you that a person already connected to the spiritual realm serves exponentially better as a host for such spirits. The Lady also stole the Spiritus Intendre, a device capable of forcing spirits to submit one's will, while also siphoning off the spirit's energy and transferring it to the user. I'm sure by know you know of the tale of the late Emperor Brunt, who outlawed its use, and of Atramor's encounter with Wren regarding the device." "The thing I don't understand is this: if the Lady already has Sphinx, why would she need the Amulet? My knowledge of the Chaotic Rituals is vast, and yet I cannot divine its purpose in her ultimate plan. She wishes to usurp Zoot, to become the Goddess of Chaos, and I can see the pieces of her plan leading her to that fate, but I know not why she requires the Amulet as well as the cultist. I feel I am overlooking an obvious piece of the puzzle, even though I have gone great lengths to obtain almost all of them." Arthur's brow furrows. He stares off into the distance for a while, as if attempting to summon...something...but there is no effect, and his eyes retain their usual clarity and hue. He shakes his head. "There is but one thing that comes to mind: she repeated that infuriating anagram from your first Quest against her: A Ace Refill, Owlish Ill, Wilt Orzo. Hans and Felton will recognize those words as Heroica will fall, Zoot will rise. I know not why she chose to repeat that message in such an unusual manner, but perhaps there is some clue related to it that will resurface upon closer inspection of the records. Heroica Library is, of course, open to you all if you wish to utilize it, and I myself plan to peruse the records of the Lady's doings once more upon my return to the Hall. We can discover the 'twist' to her plan. We must, unless we all wish to worship 'Lady Wren, God of Chaos'. I may be born of Chaos and strong with it, but I will not suffer the Lady to rule my fate."

Cronk actually believes that?! wow, I never thought I'd say this, but Arthur is actually more optimistic than Cronk if that's the case.

"That is your view. It serves you well, so I am not sad that you disagree with me. I am only sad for those who bind themselves into a rigid moral system that does not suit them, that limits their potential." "Speaking of potential, Alexis, I feel that Cronk would be better suited with the Shard of Ennoc. Would you be willing to accept Roderick's sword in exchange for it?"

To be honest, I think the Splinter was designed for Cronk. I was going to say something in-character, but then Cronk had to go and argue with Arthur.

"Perhaps. But still we are Heroes to our own causes, even if our cause is merely ourself. Regardless of how we define the word 'Hero' for ourself, the point remains; a Hero without a villain--or, at least, an opposing force--is no Hero at all. Objective, obstacle, intention--these are the ingredients of a Hero, someone who does, rather than being someone that others do things to. Your objectives are wealth and power, your obstacle is the Hero's perpetually-empty gold pouch, your intention is to do what you must--whatever you must--to gain the wealth and power you seek. That makes you a Hero, even if your cause isn't precisely 'heroic' in the world's definition of the term. Even if you chose to leave Heroica forever, right here, right now, you'd still be a Hero, because you do instead of let happen. 'Good' is simply what we feel aids us in our cause, 'evil' is that which runs contrary. Does that make sense?"

"I do not say that her way is the best way, but you unduly disrespect the Lady if you refuse to acknowledge the good she has done. People cannot help it; whatever they do, they also do the opposite. People who love order unwittingly cause Chaos, and those devoted to Chaos often bring about new order along the way. Allow me to use a metaphor you, perhaps, will understand; no matter how much evil they try to do, all villains end up doing some good--that is why even the vilest of villains may be redeemed. Likewise, no matter how good we Heroes try to be, we will invariably do things that are wrong, very wrong, things that greatly advance the cause of evil--that means that we are flawed and imperfect, and should not think more highly of ourselves than we are. Is Wren evil? Perhaps. I do not hold a high enough moral position to judge such things; perhaps you, as a follower of Ennoc, consider yourself righteous enough to deliver judgement upon her. But without her, I do not doubt that some of the many people she has touched would have turned to villainy, whether from desire or desperation. She has made all of us better people, even though she intended to cause suffering. Do you understand? We Heroes would not be Heroes if we had no villain to fight."

Are we perhaps seeing a crack in Cronk's holiest-of-holies facade? Or does CorneliusMurdock just want an Amethyst after having to fight all those Holy enemies?

Arthur's eye falls upon Roderick's sword, but he says nothing of it. OOC: I wouldn't mind that sword; Tensi already has a better one, Cronk doesn't seem the type to want it, and Arthur's the only other one in the party who can use it anyway. "Heroica will fall. Zoot will rise. It is a motto of Wren's from the past..."

I actually forgot we were getting gold drops from this battle. Interesting finale, Zeph. As discussed, I'd like--actually, you know what, I'll just PM you. Again. What are we up to, almost three pages now? It's definitely not what I expected. I wasn't expecting Arthur to actually decide he wanted ULTIMATE POWAH, but, there you go. I'm also surprised that he's not begging Haldor for the Plaything, but that's what came out of him. Also interesting to see what you and Masked whipped up as well.

"Those are all great things. Terrible, yes, but great. Surely you can see the imbalance that the Lady's loss would bring to this world? Regardless of what we think of her actions, right or wrong--and make no mistake, I do not agree with all she has done--she is a powerful force in this world, and powerful forces create good and evil equally. For every good action, there is an equal and opposite reaction for evil. Out of every evil, some good comes. It takes great courage, and great strength, to sacrifice oneself to become the 'villain' in the eyes of the world, toward some greater role. The Lady has created Heroes, reawakened true heroism in the hearts of many of Heroica. Surely that is not evil? Remember this, Sir Cronk: good has no meaning, no definition in the absence of evil. Both must exist together, in delicate, beautiful, Chaotic harmony." EDIT: Wren leaves, and Arthur feels himself alone once more. A cold anger enters his eyes even as they turn to mist once more. "Belittle? ...So be it. One day you will see the truth. And we will be equals." Arthur turns to the rest of this party. "Haldor. I would see you unleash the power of the Orb of Chaos that you hold. I wish to see the power of Zoot properly released, by one who thinks not more of themself than they really are. Your words to the Lady were both wise and humble. You are worthy of Zoot's power. As the Lady in her arrogance saw not fit to accept my request for her own future, please instead grant me this: that you now inspire us all with your use of her Plaything. I lay no claim to the Splinter, nor to any other loot aside from a share of the gold."

Does anyone know exactly how much a "qualifying purchase" for these vintage minifig sets would be? I really want the black-box one, but I need to be able to plan my budget (since I'll already be making some larger purchases directly from LEGO thanks to the double VIP points promo).

Xander, humanoids, humanoids, humanoids! Go ahead and replace Demons, as they are rather rare, unless you have a gut feeling you'll be seeing more of them in the Fields. I have no opinion on whether you should favor plants vs. flying enemies, both are relatively common and well-suited to the theme of the Fields.

Arthur gazes upon the Lady, his sister in Chaos. "I never could judge you. Not in fullest truth. For yours is the same path that I walk. My story? It's exactly the same as your story, just one chapter behind. Born of Chaos...bound to Chaos...our paths are intertwined. I seek the knowledge of your travels along your path, because as I do I gain a glimpse of my own." Arthur pauses, lost for a moment in thought, his focus drifting to another realm... "And I can see some of my path. I understand not how, but it reaches the pinnacle of Chaos...and continues on." Arthur blinks, his focus returning to Olegaia, and turns to the Lady. "Dear Lady, I hold you in great regard, just as Sasha did, just as Triad does, even as they continued to oppose you. I wish you to promise me something. You have done great things for this world, even if this world cannot or will not manage to recognize them. I wish you to promise me that you will consider your path, and that you will look beyond your goal of the eternal beauty of Chaos. Do not misunderstand me; the beauty of Chaos is your beacon, just as revealing that beauty to the world is mine. But I fear you may think your journey at its end there, and miss the great potential that will be into this world. I wish for you to, when you come close, or even reach the pinnacle of your achievement, that you look on, to find the next beacon that is on your journey, that you will not lose yourself on the way. You have done great things, my Lady, and I wish you to not be lost to this world. Look not merely to thy original goal, but beyond, to a further future. If my road continues on, then perhaps yours will as well. Please, promise me that, when the time comes, you will seek a future, rather than just an end."

That's just Scuba's style, I like Pie's suggestion just fine. Job traits by no means HAVE to be passive (Flee, anyone?).