Flipz

OOC: Pronunciation note: "Car" is a nickname, it's pronounced "Care". As Arthur wrapped his hand in the bandage, he winced as the fabric slipped against his blistered palm. This Quest has been so different, he thought. So much happening at once, and so little time to... Arthur finished wrapping the palm, then tied the end around the bottom strip. Somehow, no matter how he tried to secure it, the end of the bandage hung loose, the short ribbon of material blowing softly in the rare breeze that had come out of nowhere. I can't fix it...but it's doing its job. Why try if if doesn't need to be fixed? He reaches into his robe and pulls out the Amethyst Skrall had returned to him. Though the effect was greatly diminished, Arthur could still feel its dark power pulsing, and could feel the darkness within him calling out for it. The greatest threat is the one you can't see--yourself. He makes to put the gem away, but stops momentarily. Why is that? Why must darkness be so difficult to control, bringing me to the edge of true evil? It's not inherent to the power itself--Cinna is one of the nicest people I know, and so is Althior, and both use Darkness often. Arthur notices a few droplets of smoky, black, etherial liquid on the surface of the gem, where he had grasped it for so long before. Why could I not control it, as my people once controlled the Chaos? He allowed his memories to take him back... ------------- "Zut'tau'ri sore Tok'zu, Zuk'kara Navahiin. It is our most basic oath. And you have betrayed it!" "And you are a traitor to the world's natural order, yet how long have I kept that secret for you?" "That...it isn't my fault. It's not a choice, Car. Not like..." "This?" The woman laughed. "Don't you see? We all so it. One way or another. We were birthed to Chaos, and raised in Chaos, and it permeates every step we take. All I chose to do was to acknowledge who I truly am--who we truly are." "But this...Car bear, the Zut'tau'ri shun such things. We may not always succeed in our efforts, but the important thing is that we fight--" "HA! Are you really going to deny to me the truth? I know you. Your curiosity, your thirst for knowledge. And I can see your innermost desires, your secret longing. You don't fear what I've become. You want it." Arthur couldn't respond. While the mage struggled with his thoughts, the woman slides behind him, taking him into her embrace, as she had many times before. But this time, something was different. The caring, comforting touch gone, replaced by desire, maniplulation...yet something of the old was there, a strange connection and certainty, one that had always been there. One that had been magnified with her change... Arthur pushed his way out of the embrace. The feelings were too confusing, exascerbating his own conflicted state. He turned to face her. "Car...don't do this. We can get help." Both of us. "I'm sure when he gets back, my father can--" The woman snorts derisively. That response, at least, had not changed. "Car, I...please don't make me go to the Elders. I...I love you." Tears streamed down his face as he realized the futility of his plea. The woman turned her back to Arthur. A single tear dropped down her face, though she managed to keep it otherwise blank. "I don't need help. Not yours, not anyone else's. If anything, it's you who needs mine." She looks over her shoulder, the tear-stained half of her face still hidden. "I just want you. Join me." "You won't give it up?" "No." "Even for me?" The hesitation was palpable. "...No." Arthur buried his face in his hands for a moment, then steeled himself. "Then you know what has to happen." He opens the door and, with one last look of regret at the woman he had once loved, he disappears into the night. The woman's sorrowful gaze follows him. "Yes...I do." Gathering a few of Arthur's belongings, she reads from a scroll, and vanishes in a wisp of black smoke. ------------- Arthur's attention returns to the present, and he sees Hans staring curiously at him. He responds to the Wren Hunter's unspoken question. "Her name is Caroline."

Bleaahh and this is why you figure out all of your backstory BEFORE major plot elements come up for it. Zeph, WBD, Doc, and all involved, I apologize for my subpar roleplay these last few posts, I failed to work out the consequences of Arthur's backstory with his sudden turn away from darkness. It's kind of messy right now, but when I get back from my graduation ceremony tomorrow, I'll see about straghtening things up with him a bit. Also, the Quest 28 roleplay is EPIC.

"Yes, thank you, I'll take that back. Hopefully, the insulation will help with things." It certainly won't hurt. Darkness increases one's own darkness, no more, no less. The danger is not from the gem, it's from oneself. And if that is what's within me... "I'm not going to try and ninja your kill. Gods know I can't stand it myself." Arthur moves closer to the two Wren Fighters so they can hear. "I'm worried that, because of my heritage--and a few other things that are...difficult to explain, at best--she may try to take me on one-on-one or something crazy like that. Chaos works in chaotic ways, and its users are impossible to predict. I want you to promise me--if I'm not acting like myself, don't hesitate to strike me down to prevent her from using me." returning to his normal voice, he asks, "What of Emperor Alandri? Is he all right? And have you heard any word of the Pedestal in which the ancient Chimaera was formed? If one of the Emperors is a traitor, then it may have made its way into the Cult's hands, and we may have a mythical monstrosity on the loose."

Isn't it obvious what Ninjago's replacement will be? They're bringing back Clutch Powers! ...actually, now that I think of it, that WOULD be kind of awesome...

"I...don't think so. But let me explain..." "I think Wren's power is what started all this in motion. You remember that my homland houses a temple of Zoot, that my village elders were once practicioners of Chaos? My...my grandfather was one too. And my father, though he kept it to a mimimum, especially after I was born. Well, that sort of magick...doesn't play well with other spells like itself. There's a reason most Chaos users are rivals. Anyway...Wren's power is...probably wreaking havoc with my own. If she was trying to manipulate someone...it probably spilled over to me. After all...I've been steeped in Chaos since birth. Even though we rejected it, it doesn't just go away. And I have no clue what that means if we meet her." Arthur is clearly holding something back, but it's not clear exactly what or why. Arthur resumes speaking normally. "One thing I do know: letting Wren run free is dangerous for everyone, especially me. If we can remove that threat, our mission here will have a much greater chance of success." Turning to Hans, he adds, "A real pleasure to meet you. I've read all about your past run-ins with Wren, and I must say I am a BIG fan of your work. Erm...this may be an odd request, but...do you have a pair of plain leather or silk gloves I could borrow? Even a cloth wrap would be a help."

Arthur, meanwhile, tries to use his telescope to aid Skrall in his search. "Master Skrall? Was I speaking too quietly before?"

With a sudden, cold conviction, Arthur speaks up suddenly. "Wren must be found. I know the power of Chaos, and I know it cannot be let free. We must go after her." Pulling Skrall aside, he adds, "Master Skrall, there are some things you...and the Wren Hunters...need to know about me. Things that are not meant for the ears of the innocent. But given that a known Chaos-user is in Dastan..." he pauses, swallows. "That Amethyst was not the cause of my...behavior. It's...complicated. I'm still not touching the blasted thing until I can properly insulate myself, but...you may be in greater danger than I thought." "Count Knyghton, Lion Knight Engineer. I heard ya mention this Wren character talkin' ta a Lion Rebel? Did ya hear a name, by any chance?"

@ Myrddyn: That's missing the point of what a spoiler is for, but then again I'm tired and that might be a joke and I'm grouchy after a week of finals and recognize it, so I won't launch into an angry tirade that will roast your ears and make your eyes shrivel. And stuff. This time. Also, I think I'm channeling Tanma. ...Yeaaaaah, I need to go to sleep. 'Night, all!

Any word on this? I was just getting ready to connect my LDD computer back up to the web and check for updates, but obviously I don't want to do that if they're having problems. Any progress reports or indications on when we might see a solution?

For the record: I gave hints. They spoiled, but since they used spoiler tags, I still think it's OK; they can look if they want to, or not. That's what spoiler tags are for, right? I can go put my hints in spoiler tags if you'd like. Also: blame a long, slow day. It's the weekend, and yet posting was slower than on a weekday?

"Thanks, Master Skrall, I really appreciate it. Keep the Amethyst--for now--I...need a good pair of gloves before I'm willing to touch that thing again." "I agree with Count Knyghton, we should check on the palace, but we also want to catch up with Russel, as I don't think the others even tried to follow him. If you think we can do both, then by all means we should, but if not, we may have to split up." "Isabella--I owe you an apology. You're shifty as ever--but you're a Rogue, blast it, you're supposed to be shifty and self-centered." Reflecting on Luke words, he adds, "And I'm more like you than I'd care to admit. I have no ground to stand on when it comes to my grudge with you, and I'm sorry." He extends a hand. "Friends?"

"I dinnae. P'raps we ought ta split up? Luke an' I'd be willin' ta go with Arthur after Russel, while tha rest o' ya check up on tha palace."

"Say, Master Skrall, mind if we give his Opal back? Migh' be useful, an' I don't think it'd hurt 'im."

Knyghton walks up to Alexandre. "Fer what it's worth, I don't think yer goin' evil. Not like..." he trails off. Both parties knew he meant Arthur. "What I AM sayin' is that all this? It's likely a bad influence on ya. Heck, it's a bad influence on all of us. But I know you. Ye're good at heart, and strong of spirit. Ye'll have ta be careful, really think things through, ta make sure ya aren't slippin'. But I think ya can pull through this, and be an even better person for it." He claps his friend on the shoulder. OOC: Still waiting on the results of Arthur drinking the purple potion.

"I'm just sayin', tha Alexandre I know wouldn't have suggested hirin' hit men ta take out Arthur. Ya don' seem ta have it as bad as tha mage or tha Rogue, but it is somethin' darker than I'd expect out o' you," Knyghton explains, his voice revealing his concern.

Count Knyghton notices Skrall and Luke talking and decides to eavesdrop. He nods along in agreement with Luke. "I agree. There was somethin' up there on tha' tower, it made me Miss tha elf-Rogue." He pauses to consider. "Ya know, I'm beginnin' ta wonder if all o' those Elven artifacts were cursed. Miss Isabella's been wearin' that cloak o' tha Elven Rogue Leorry, an' look how eager she was ta retaliate agains' Arthur when we fought Leofwena. An' even Alexandre's been actin' a bit diffrent than normal, after handlin' tha sword from Davril. I think all o' tha' stuff needs ta be locked up, no matter how useful it migh' be." "Oh, an' I think we ought ta follow tha traitor tha other Party told us about, Russel was it? I think he'll lead us to tha rebel base."

Slow day in Heroica...

OK, I'll give a big hint (aren't I nice? ) : EDIT: Because apparently the hint itself is too spoilery.

It was your suggestion that made me realize it! ...well, that and seeing an ad for a certain LEGO set released early this year. Oh, fine, I'll give you a hint: Don't feel Bat if you don't get it, relatively few people remember the villain's true name.

Arthur shoots a glance at Luke, as he slowly realizes what happened. "You shouldn't have done that. I am a liability to this party, and a danger to all. I was attempting to end my life, and you have saved it." His scowl evaporates, and he claps the Sage's shoulder. "Thank you." He glances at Isabella. "I owe you an apology, but I still don't trust this place. I'll wait until Luke patches you up before I start yammering at you." Seeing Luke look to him, he waves him away. "Worry about yourself and the others first, I'm fine, I have potions." Stepping away for a moment, Arthur reaches for a normal potion but mistakenly grabs the purple potion and drinks it.

Oh god. I just got Kayla's name. Nice one, Sandy! VERY subtle. Speaking of Kayla, what face do you use for her?

Arthur coughs a bit as he gingerly taps Isabella with the healing staff. Why on Olegaia was I so angry with her before? he wonders to himself. OOC:

Great MOC, I like how the shape of the ship itself evokes the suit--I really wouldn't be that suurprised to see this suddenly transformt into a giant mecha. And on that note... "Yo dawg! I put an Iron Man suit in your Iron Man suit, so you can fight evil while you fight evil!"

It's kind of hard not to; less would make it less unique compared to the basic classes. Anything specific that should go? The extra effects of Puny Hit, perhaps? Double-damage to Mechanical enemies?

Old Engineer info (for reference): Inspired by Sandy's second bit of advice, I've re-engineered ( ) my concept. Here's my initial improvements: And here's (I think) something that works a bit better: