Flipz

Actually, I suppose the "Fathers and sons" theme of 88 comes in here; both of the "fathers" were fairly reasonable people, while the sons were militaristic bigots. In both cases, the sons effectively controlled their Kingdoms (Speros through the military, David directly and through the Paladins), which is where the stupid actions generally originated from; Valentino was a prisoner, while King Speros basically had very little control over his own nation's military, to the point where Mint and Prince Speros basically walked all over him until they were killed.

1. Neither side was wholly good. I've said this several times. However, the Kingdoms were MORE BAD. 2a. It doesn't matter if, genetically speaking, they aren't Human; they're still people. 2b. The Orcs' goals changed as a result of Immaelstym. Prior to that, half of them seemed fine with just defending their own turf and that's it; of the two clans that were pushing for war, the Heroes dealt with one and the other was the rallying point for the attack on the bridge post-Immaelstym (i.e. the ones the Baltarok Heroes couldn't get to before said clan was "proven right" in the eyes of the Orcs by the Kingdoms' stupidity). It's only after the most peaceful clan was attacked out of the blue that the entirety of Baltarok decided to go to war. 3. I'm pretty sure it was mentioned on the Baltarok side that those troops specifically wanted to destroy the bridge; one of the "hostile" clans wanted to destroy the bridge, while the other wanted to cross it. 4. I'm not sure where I seem to imply I don't believe this? It still doesn't mean that some Heroes don't want to be heroes with a lowercase "h". 5a. Granted, the party was following their employer's orders. On the bridge, though, the Heroes were allowed to make their own choice; if they believed that their employer was in the wrong, that was the place where the players were given the freedom to act according to that belief. 5b. It should be pointed out that both Baltarok and Dastan ASKED for Heroica's help. Olmystyr and Phil both knew their nation and made the call that Hero help would, in fact, help more than it hurt. That's their call to make, and refusing to answer it is just as much "I know better than you how to handle your culture" as actually answering the call to interfere. 6. Baltarok touched on some really universal themes (namely racism and bigotry), which have only become more relevant over time; the trilogy also handled them in a subtle enough manner that there is room for people to discuss their ambiguities; it's something I like about all three QMs involved, and one reason Baltarok was much more divisive and controversial than the original Dastan trilogy (where at least one QM had a much more straightforward style). I think that would have been Quest Failure, though, since Bastala said she wouldn't free Valentino (though only WBD knows for sure). IIRC, Musalnav was pretty much completely for peace (as much as an entire clan of individual people can be, obviously), Irlaz didn't really care (under Bastala)/had more pressing matters (under Grishnod), and Aj-Kahr and Tarokin were both pushing for aggression. Of the latter two, I seem to recall one wanting the bridge taken out (I want to say Aj-Kahr?) and the other wanted it to stay so they could invade; correct me if I'm misremembering, the clanmeet was a little hard to follow. EDIT: The Kingdoms seemed a lot more united than the Orcs. IIRC the big difference was that Four Boulders was more miliaristic overall, while Red Lizards was peaceful except for the zealot paladins...who happened to be basically ruling the country through David. The Baltarok Heroes seemed to support her (since she was more pro-outside than Grishnod), while the Circus Heroes seemed to prefer Grishnod overall. Mint fought, was beaten, and then got up again to try and fight more, which ended with him being killed by an NPC. When Bastala got up again (with Haldor's help), she didn't immediately resume the offensive, so she was allowed to live. The lesson here is: when someone beats the crap out of you, stay down afterwards and there's a chance you'll live. Unless you fight Hoke, I guess, in which case he'll just straight-up murderate your face or something.

Just because the Kingdoms heroes couldn't get the Kingdoms' act together doesn't mean the Baltarok heroes couldn't get Baltarok's act together--which they basically had before Immaelstym happened. As Legonater said, that's what they were trying to do. It's also kind of hard to "do something about it" when the people who hate you are actively trying to deny you your basic human rights and treat you like you're some kind of subhuman monster, unworthy of respect or consideration. Those Orcs were trying to destroy the bridge, not cross it. Also, how are they any worse than the Boulders troops doing patrols within Baltarok itself, which the Kindgoms Heroes participated in instead of actually cleaning up the Kingdoms' act? Until the viking raid, the Kingdoms party's role was to play along with the Kingdoms' game (which, to be fair, is what their employer told them to do), whereas the Baltarok party's goal was to actually fix Baltarok's problems. And RE: Grishnod vs. Bastala, that's not a real choice, considering that if they hadn't brought back Grishnod, Bastala would have been assassinated anyway; "keep Bastala in power" wasn't an option. (Also, you do realize it was the Kingdoms' employer who put the "one who wants to kill everyone" in place of Bastala, right? ) The Orcs had problems, yes, and racing up to the bridge in a war party did not help matters. Considering the Kingdoms refused to consider a peaceful option at all until post-bridge (again, the Baltarok party WAS Baltarok's attempt at a peaceful option, and it damn near worked), and that the Kingdoms both threw the first punch AND were prepared to war in the name of genocide (as opposed to Baltarok, who wanted to free their enslaved people [good motive] on top of getting their revenge [bad motive]), it's not hard to see why people saw the Kingdoms as more in the wrong than Baltarok. Yes, it was a wrong-wrong, lose-lose situation, but the Kingdoms were well more in the wrong overall. (And I mean, hell, they preferred to try to make peace with the FIRE NORDS, the "we fight because we're Klingons Fire Nords" people who STARTED the whole mess, rather than the Orcs they had enslaved and penned into their country for generations. Not exactly a sympathetic action there.) Actually, the Fire Nords seem to be the sort of people that Sven wanted Dastan to become under his rule, now that I think of it; is that really the direction the Heroes want the nation to go after all the work they've put into it?

I recommend uploading all of your pics to Flickr and just setting them to private until you need them (it's what I've been doing with 141 set pics). Then again, if you can't even boot up in the first place, I'm not sure what to tell you.

Sakurai rolls his eyes. "I already explained it to her once, through Mac here. Mac knows how I operate. If she doesn't want to pay attention, that's her problem." "She probably assumed by 'help' you meant 'help me carry them through the forest', not 'help me kill the monsters for their bones.' I knew you'd want a favor, Sato, but I figured after last time it'd be sane." "Hey. Mac. It's me." "...all right, in retrospect I should have known 'reasonable' is not in your vocabulary." "What is this 'reason' thing you speak of?" Sakurai asks, clearly teasing. Mac shakes his head and looks to Ezeran. "If we're going to trek all the way back through the forest, we might as well get the bones first, even if we have to do it without Sato's help. Kiri can be...impatient. Odds are, if we show up empty-handed she'll just call the whole thing off and find someone else to help her out--especially if she finds out about this man's antics." "Yeah, I'd be pretty annoyed if the Heroes I hired to help me showed up but then failed to actually help me out," Sakurai says pointedly. "You," Mac says to the Sorcerer, "have no room to talk." Sakurai just rolls his eyes again, seeming for all the world like an aged, male mirror of Kiri herself.

Round 4 of Battle 1 >William vs. Scary Crows B - Critical Hit (Scary Crows B: 12*2=24+21=45 damage) Erik vs. Mad Cow - Special Damage (Hexed, attacks Scary Crows B: 20 damage; Warlen: +1 Power) Siercon (Light) vs. Scarecrow B - Spell (Scarecrow B: 17+18+10=45*2=90 damage; Siercon: -1 Ether) Avalanche vs. Scarecrow A - Miss (nothing happens) >Alexander vs. Mad Cows - Hit (Mad Cows: 16+26=42*2*3=252 damage) >Warlen (Wind) vs. Scary Crows A - SHIELD (Spellblade Spin - 4+5=9 hits; Scary Crows A: 12+18+9=39*2/2=39+39=78 damage + no Hexed + no Hexed; Scary Crows B: 12+18+9=39*2/2=39+39=78 damage (KO!); Scary Crows C: 12+18+9=39*2/2=39+39=78 damage + no Hexed + Hexed; Mad Cows: 12+18+9=39/2=19 damage + no Hexed; Scarecrow A: 12+18+9=39/2=19 damage + Hexed; Scarecrow B: 12+18+9=39/2=19 damage + Hexed; Warlen: -1 Ether; QM: Afraid ) Scary Crows C Free Hit vs. William Scary Crows C: 6 damage William shoots a Scary Crow into the path of the Mad Cow, which tramples the unlucky bird to death. Siercon sears another Scarecrow, as Avalance swings at and misses its counterpart. Alexander shoots and nearly kills the Mad Cow, while Warlen whips up another whirlwind, killing one group of Scary Crows outright and Hexing another, along with the two Scarecrows. The QM begins whimpering in the corner. Five targets remain, three of them Hexed. THE BATTLE CONTINUES! The Enemies: Mad Cow *Mob 1* Type: Beast Level: 20 (20*1) Health: 48/343 (343*1) Special: Moo! – Causes the confused- and afraid-effect to the target. Drops (varies by roll): 1-2: Raw Meat (Max. health +5) 3-4: Milk (Restores 15 health and 15 ether) 5-6: Bone Scarecrow A *Hexed (1 Round)* *Darkness-elemental attacks* Type: Demon Level: 15 Health: 14/210 Special I: Murder of Crows – Consume a Scary Crow to restore full health to self. Special II: Shriek – Causes the afraid-effect. Used only if all Scary Crows are gone. Drops (varies by roll): 1-3: Skeleton Decoy (Can be set up to absorb enemy Free Hits for up to 20 points of damage before it breaks.) 4-6: nothing Scarecrow B *Hexed (1 Round)* *Darkness-elemental attacks* Type: Demon Level: 15 Health: 49/210 Special I: Murder of Crows – Consume a Scary Crow to restore full health to self. Special II: Shriek – Causes the afraid-effect. Used only if all Scary Crows are gone. Drops (varies by roll): 1-3: Skeleton Decoy (Can be set up to absorb enemy Free Hits for up to 20 points of damage before it breaks.) 4-6: nothing Scary Crows A *Mob 4* Type: Flying Level: 24 (6*4) Health: 224/252 (63*4) Special: Shriek – Causes the afraid-effect. Drops: nothing Scary Crows C *Mob 1* *Hexed (1 Round)* Type: Flying Level: 6 (6*1) Health: 62/63 (63*1) Special: Shriek – Causes the afraid-effect. Drops: nothing The Party: Warlen Melimane, Eulalia's Knight (The Chosen Minifigure) 23 year old male half-elf Mystic Knight Level 18.5 *Immune to Ether Reduction* *Cursed defense!* *+1 POWER whenever a party member rolls DAMAGE/SPECIAL DAMAGE* *Afraid* Power Bonus: +0 +9 Health: 27/27 (18+1+3+5+7*) SP: 8 (4+4) Ether: 27/29 (18+3+5+1) Gold: 250 Equipment: Darkstar Wand (WP:12; has 1/2 chance of inflicting hexed-effect; darkness-elemental wand) (loaned from Erik), Eulalia Shield (SP: 4, prevents ether reduction), Vorpalis Diremail (SP: 4, enemies that inflict damage on the wearer become Cursed. Bodywear), Vorpalis Purgers (Power +0; goes up by 1 every time a someone in the hero's party/the hero themselves rolls damage/special damage. Resets to zero if the wearer is knocked out or if the battle ends. Legwear), Inventory: Weapons: The Cannonblade (Can be used as a longsword or handcannon, WP: 8. Ignores SP in sword mode, deals Bleeding 1 in cannon mode), Healing Staff (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging), Rusty Dagger (WP:2, poison 10, breaks after 3 uses).[/font] Artifacts: Cloak of Deception (Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent), Counterstrike Gloves, Magician's Glove* (+10 spell power), Locustoid Greaves (+4 ether, suitable for ether users), Lethauros Ring (Health and Ether +5. Suitable for anyone, accessory), Spellbook: Amethyst, Aquamarine, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet x2 Lent to Siercon, Opal, Topaz, Diamond, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Antimagic Must Be RPed: Lightning Ball (25 electric damage to all enemies, bomb), Small Frost Ball (10 ice damage, bomb) Consumables: Potion x2, Grand Potion x3, First Aid Kit (Full Health and remove negative effects for the whole party), Health Core, Tonic x3, Grand Tonic x2, Remedy x7, Banana (Full Health), Smoke Bomb x3, Milk x2 (+15 HP and Ether), Hurricane x3 (Grants *Drunk* effect. If user makes pun every round, the strength of their attack is doubled), Phoenix Essence x2, Phoenix Incense, 2x Mead, 4x Smelling Salts Other Junk: Bedroll, Shovel, Telescope, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass, Bones x6, Shiny Gold Rocks x2 (Worth 1 gold at most stores, 5 at magic stores), 10-gallon Hats x7 (Grants wearer tourist effect, causing no one to take them seriously, headwear), Viper Scale (worth 40 gold to a certain someone) For Sale: Wand of Enamouring (WP:6, deals *Enamoured*-effect, wand), Feathered Cap (SP: 1, headwear, immune to *Petrified*), *+1 to health from Rockapple Fruit, Quest #131 *Name changed from Magicians Gloves. Erik Tyrvarr (Myrddyn) 19 years old male human Battle Mage. Level: 25 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Fragile, Fire, Water,* *Commands dogs* *Party Leader!* Power bonus: +0 Defense: 14 (Heavy Armour 5 + Bright Polish 1 + Dog Fur Coat 5 + Tricorne 3) Health: 41/45 (Barbarian base 8 + Level bonus 24 + Battle Mage bonus 5 + Raw Meat 5 + Vampire Dust 3) Ether: 25/26 (Level bonus 25 + Battle Mage bonus 1) Gold: 566 Equipment: Titanic Axe (WP:12, Earth, fire, Light-elemental, has 1/6 chances of inflicting petrified-effect; axe), Brightly Polished Heavy Armour (SP: 6, immune to Fragile, fire, water, bodywear), Dog Fur Coat(SP:5, Grants Command over dogs, backwear), Tricorne(SP: 3). Inventory: Weapons: Darkstar Wand (WP:12; has 1/2 chance of inflicting hexed-effect; darkness-elemental wand) loaned to Warlen, Silver Cup of Victory (WP:10; has 1/6 chance of causing doomed; club) loaned to Avalanche, Plunger (WP:2; 1/2 chance to cause sudden death to an aquatic enemy with each hit; club), Twin Axe (WP: 5, dual strike-axe), Voltedge (WP: 13, greatsword/longsword). Artifacts: Peacekeepers totem (Grants the "Diplomacy"-job trait; suitable to Erik only; accessory), Talisman of Enlightenment(Protects from hexed-effect; accessory), Sharkskin Armour (SP +1, bodywear), Shamanic Plate (Max. Health +2, Max. Ether +2; Blood Ritual does double damage to the target; suitable for shamans; bodywear), Lighter Armor (SP: 4, immune to Fragile, bodywear) loaned to William, Helmet (Health +1), Barbarian's Boots (Natural Respite>Restoration; footwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max. Ether +4, suitable for mages, clerics, necromancers, scholars and weather mages; backwear.) Gems: Amethyst, Ruby, Topaz. Consumables: Milk (Restores 15 health and ether), Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 4*Tonics, Nostrum, Venom, Ether Core, 3x Potions, Health Core, Mulled Wine, Mead, Smelling Salts, Elixir, Grand Potion, Deluxe Skeleton Decoy, Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.) Other items: Gold Statuette (Worth 100 gold), 3*Torches (WP:2, breaks after one use, suitable to all), Chair (WP:4, club), 2*Crystal Balls (worth 50 gold, except in magic shops where it is worth 100 gold.) Siercon (Siercon and Coral) Male, Age and species unknown (Visual appearance of hollow black smoke in human form.) Battlemage Level 18 *Natural Respite* *Darkness to all Attacks; Immune to Darkness and Asleep* Power Bonus: +10 spellpower Defense: 5 (Dark Phibbian Cloak +5) Health: 28/28 (5 base + 18 lvl + 5 class) Ether: 22/24 (5 base + 18 lvl + 1 class) Gold: 109 Equipment: Giant Spear (WP:17, causes Bleeding, Hollow [Potion]), Dark Phibbian Cloak (SP:5, Immune to Darkness and Sleep, adds Darkness-element to attacks; bodywear, suitable for magic users), Magicians Gloves(Spellpower +10; Handwear, suitable for Mages) Inventory: Weapons/Artifacts: Sylvania's Cowl (grants Animal Talk; headwear, suitable for anyone), Sanctified Rito Spear (WP:4, doubled against Flying enemies, Hollow upgrade [-]), 2x Mithril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mithril) Gems: Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Ruby (Fire), Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth) (loaned from Warlen) Bombs: Cataclysm Bomb 200 (200 damage to all enemies with all elements [except darkness], ignores row and SP), Muddy Bomb (deals blinded and poisoned by 3 to all foes), Confuse Bomb (Deals 5 damage and the confused-effect to all opponents), 5x Bone, Smoke Bomb Consumables: 6 Potions, 3 Remedies, 1 Grand Potion Tools: Magic Compass, Shovel, Magnifying Glass For Sale: (Message if interested): Chain Scythe (WP:6, appliesEnamored), Hood of the Dark Druid (wearer absorbs Wood- and Darkness-elemental damage; headwear, suitable for druids only), Quest: Good Rep: Shadeaux, Rito Alexander Vandangant (Wedge09) 99 years old elf Hunter Level 26.66 *Natural Respite* *Immune to asleep and fast asleep* *Favors Humanoid- and Beast-type enemies* Power: 37 (LVL 22+WP 15) Defense: 6 (Chevalier of Charis armor + Dream Helm) Health: 38/38 (6 + 20 + 6 + 4 + 2 Chicken Drumstick) Gold: 280 Equipment: Fauxthril Crossbow (WP: 14 16 due to Hunter's Quiver, darkness-, ice-elemental, Hollow Blade upgraded [nothing stored]), Chevalier of Charis armor (Artifact, bodywear) (Maximum health +2, SP: 2), Dream Helm (SP: 4, wearer immune to asleep and fast asleep, artifact, headwear), Hunter's Qiver (WP: +2 to bows and crossbows, allows the hunter to favour two typers at the same time) Inventory: •Delfrin Crossbow (WP: 7), Delfrin Master Bow (WP:8, inflicts Jinxed) • Duplovian Helmets of the Guard (SP: 2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Sterile Gloves (Immune to Poisoned and Bleeding; handwear), Ancient Spear (WP:5, Earth elemental), Trickster's Mask of the Gender-Swap • Grand Potion (2), Potions (10), Remedies (2), Tonic (2), Venoms (6), Nostrum, Smoke Bomb, Dirt Bomb, Ice Bomb, Holy Bomb, Fire Bomb (2), Lightning Bob, Elven Bomb, First Aid Kit (Consumable), Meads (3), Weak potion (2), Weak Regeneration Potion (1), Weak Regeneration Tonic (1), Smelling Salt (2), Mithril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mithril), Big Apple, Bones (6), Skeleton Decoy, Charcoal, Phoenix Essence (2), (2) Grating Stone • Bedroll, Shovel, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass Reputation: Ziegfrieds - Great (+2 Quest), Bonapartes - Great (+2 Quest) Name: William Harkenshire *Immune to Light and Fragile* *Counterstriking* *Afraid* Level: 21.6 Warden Power: 33 Health: 35/35 Gold: 559 SP: 14 Equipment: Croise Crossbow (WP: 12), Mirror Shield (SP:10, user is immune to light-elemental damage; shield), Lighter Armor (SP: 4, immune to Fragile, bodywear) (loaned from Erik), Quiver of Homing Arrows (Rolls of AIM become HIT; can only be used with a bow or a crossbow; backwear.), Counterstrike Gloves (If the wearer is damaged by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level; handwear.) Inventory: * Repeating Crossbow (WP: 5 May not be upgraded; Fire; Hastened), Delfrin Sword (WP:3), Chain Whip (WP:7, causes Bound), Hand Cannon (WP: 5; Lightning , Wood), Handy Longsword (WP: 4, 1/6 chance to inflict poisoned), Norgh Shield (SP: 5, Immune to Fragile), Lion Knight Shield (SP: 4, suitable for Knights), Pauldrons (SP +2, suitable to Knights, Dragoons and Skirmishers; accessory), Amulet of the Elven Horse Rider (Power +1 on the front row, doubles movement), Chimera Armor (SP:2, +2 Max Health; bodywear, suitable for Knights and Barbarians), Wave Sword (WP: 11, Darkness-elemental, deals Cursed Effect) * Sapphire, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Skeleton Decoy, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom x3, Elven Bomb, Bomb XX, 4 Fire Bombs, Water Bomb, Elixer, Military Grade Water Bomb, Military Grade Lightning Bomb, Bone x2, Magic Saucepan, Nostrum, Rito Feather (consumable, grants the hastened- and blessed-effects upon use for one battle), 1 fine Montresorian Wine, Mead, (Shard of Wood: WP 1 Dagger), Gold Bar, Mithril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mithril) Avalanche, the Super Sleuth (Dragonfire) 30 years old male yeti Barbarian *Natural Respite* *Immune to Fragile* *Counterstriking* Level 13.5 Power: 21 (13+8) Health: 21/21 (13+7+1*) SP: 5 Gold: 5 Equipment: Silver Cup of Victory (WP:10; has 1/6 chance of causing doomed; club) (loaned from Erik), Heavy Armour (immune to fragile, SP:5), Counterstrike Gloves (after the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to the damage taken) Inventory: Frostbite (halberd, WP:8, damages undead), Trollsbane (club, WP:7, earth-elemental), 4x Potion, Grand Potion, Remedy, Mulled Wine, Smoke Bomb, 4x Venom, 2x Nostrum, Mead, Smelling Salts, Pumpkin Bomb (causes the stunned-, blinded-, poisoned by 1-, asleep-, sealed- and confused- effects to all opponents), Lightning Bomb, Dirt Bomb, Holy Bomb, 8x Bone, Skeleton Decoy, Bumble Fanshirt (SP:1, vermin with less than half of the wearer's level are scared and won't directly attack the wearer, bodywear) (*One Chicken Drumstick eaten) Party Leader, choose the order of action. All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, or if you want to use an item instead of attacking. Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone has acted. Mobs get an extra Free Hit if there are more members of the mob than standing party members.

Hoke hasn't had experience (to my knowledge) of being an outcast, of being the bottom rung of a social ladder that hates you for things about yourself that are impossible to change. Additionally, the Orcs had zero hand in the burning of Carn, while the Kingdoms were directly responsible for the burning of Immaelstym. Carn burned because a bunch of Nords (who had already been dicks by taking Grishnod for no apparent reason--or if there was, it wasn't detailed) got mad about people freeing their prisoner and blamed the Kingdoms--a bunch of dicks got repaid for their dickery and got pissy about it (*cough*internet*cough*), with the Orcs having no hand in the matter (other than existing/one of them being taken prisoner months earlier, I guess?) prior to the bridge battle; Immaelstym burned because King Speros' racist son decided to invade Baltarok to repeat the Nords' dick move, deliberately choosing war with the Orcs over war with the Nords. (Hey, newsflash buddy, if you weren't racist maybe you'd realize that BOTH you and the Orcs have a reason to hate the Nords now, maybe your armies can go bond together in battle. ) And yeah, I'm being a little unfair to Zepher (reading back it's clear he did a tremendous job of dragging through despite the logistical challenges of having a smaller, less active party than he wanted), but basically the overall Orcish sympathy comes down to the facts that 1.) Immaelstym was unprovoked, and 2.) Carn was not the Orcs' fault by any stretch of the imagination. Orcs + Kingdoms = Conflict Racists make a bad situation worse. -------------------------------- Actually, I think I can give a summary of the Orcish side: Orcs: The Kingdoms are gonna attack us and try to wipe us out. Heroes: Don't be ridiculous. The Kingdoms would *never* be stupid enough to start and unprovoked war for no good reason. Orcs: Well...okay, fine, we'll do it your way. *The Kingdoms start an unprovoked war for no good reason.* Heroes: ...well, shit. Orcs: NOW do you believe us?! Heroes: ...yeah, f*ck those guys. UP YOURS, KINGDOMS! Ladies and gentlemen, Quest #89 in a nutshell.

I'd agree with all of those except Fragile; it is a lot more threatening than people give it credit for. I kind of like how our 139 party is slowly falling apart; it's not this big, fiery hostile argument, we're just all stepping on each other's toes with our different viewpoints and personal agendas.

"Hey, now, whoa whoa whoa whoa, easy fella. I think you got this backwards, I--" "I'm not sure what the lady told you, but she clearly doesn't know the intricacies of--" "Oh, for the love of..." Sakurai throws up his hands. "The woman didn't tell you anything, did she? See, this is why I said we should have made the deal in person." "No!" Mac cries, almost comically panicked. "Sheesh, you'd think our meeting is prophesied to bring about the end of the world or something." Mac just stares at Sakurai. The Sorcerer scoffs in indignation and sticks his katana in the ground so he can put a hand on his hip. "It was ONE TIME, Mac. ONE. TIME. And we still had a whole ten seconds before the thing would have gone supercritical, I knew you could handle it." It's Mac's turn to throw up his hands. Sakurai turns his attention back to the party. "Look, I ain't running a charity case here. I told the lady she could have the bones for free if she hired Heroes to give me a little help. You're it." Sakurai reclaims his katana and uses it to point at the downed section of fence they'd passed through. "If it helps you feel better, I'm providing you access and assistance--a two-for-one special--and you get to keep all the bones. You think I carry these things around 'cause they compliment my devilishly good looks?" He punctuates his point by performing a laughably over-the-top demonstration with his staff and sword, before leaning over to Terry to mock-whisper conspiratorily. "I mean, I do, but don't tell that to the ladies." He wiggles his eyebrows at Jinnipher and Kheyli, in a manner that he apparently thinks is seductive. "Yeah! See, this guy, this guy here, he's got it, eh? Listen, friend--big risks, big reward. I'll even let you keep anything extra you find! Well, almost anything." Mac crosses his arms. "Spit it out, Sakurai. I know you. You yourself just said you're not a charity case. What's the 'almost'?" "First names, eh? You are serious. Well..." Sakurai glances at the Heroes for a moment. "Let's just say my opportunities have been running dry here recently, but I still need one more little green crystal to complete my set--already snagged the rest a while back." "...you managed to get three shards of Adamantite?" "I did indeed! Got 'em right here, actually. Originally, I mean--" he quickly adds, with a nervous glance at Boris, "--I found 'em out here a while back and took 'em straight home. They're not on me, so don't even think about it. No offense, but I got a lot of plans in my future, and becoming a Night Walker ain't one of them." Mac rolls his eyes at Sakurai's racism, but chooses to keep focused on business. "Just so we're clear, the terms of you helping us get these bones are...?" "Simple! If we find an Adamantite Shard, it's mine; all other loot, you keep. It's more than fair, and I should point out I'm the only one who has experience in this area." Mac turns back to the Heroes. "What do you say, Heroes? He's right about being the only experienced guide--last I've heard, no one's been out here in at least half a decade, probably more. Do we let him help, or try to get the bones without him?" What will the party decide?

One at a time has served me well--as a MK and Skirmisher I was able to cure myself of negative effects with the Sword of the Vampir, and of course for the latter Sealed is a useful "clear all". You'd have to ask Pie about "only one Round", but from what I can tell it's served him pretty well, too (well, aside from Doomed ).

FM Note: For simplicity's sake, Mob free hits (Free Hits gained by outnumbering the party) still only happen when the mob outnumbers the Hero party, even when said mob is Confused or Hexed.

Where do you think I got the +8 from? Only reason he didn't murderate all the things is because he was forced to Back Row by Afraid and Spellblade Spin is a melee attack.

Warlen's build terrifies me.

FM Note: I'll try to update again during the day, but I may be delayed again, just FYI. Round 3 of Battle 1 >William vs. Scary Crows A - Damage (William: 36/2=18-14=4 damage; Warlen: +1 Power) >Alexander vs. Mad Cows - Hit (Mad Cows: 16+26=42*2*3=252 damage) Avalanche vs. Scarecrow B - Hit (Scarecrow B: 10+13=23 damage + no Doomed) Siercon (Light) vs. Scarecrow A - Damage (Siercon William: 15/2=7-14=0 damage; Warlen: +1 Power) Erik (Lightning) vs. Scary Crows C - Spell Counter (Erik William: 24/2=12-14=0 damage; Scary Crows C: 12+25=37*2=74 damage; Erik: -1 Ether) >Warlen (Wind) vs. Scary Crows A - SHIELD (Spellblade Spin - 4+4=8 hits; Scary Crows A: 12+18+8=38*2/2=38+38=76 damage + no Hexed + no Hexed; Scary Crows B: 12+18+8=38*2/2=38+38=76 damage + no Hexed + Hexed; Scary Crows C: 12+18+8=38*2/2=38 damage + Hexed; Mad Cow: 12+18+8=38/2=19 damage + Hexed; Scarecrow A: 12+18+8=38/2=19 damage + no Hexed; Scarecrow B: 12+18+8=38/2=19 damage + Hexed; Warlen: -1 Ether) Scary Crows B Free Hit vs. William: 18/2=9-14=0 damage Erik's change in Battle Order pays off; while William absorbs damage for himself, Siercon, and Erik, Warlen continues to grow in power, while Erik himself gets the opening he needs to fry one of the Scary Crows. Avalanche and Alexander both land solid hits on their own foes, with the latter finally felling the Mad Cow that had mooed at him earlier. Warlen, however, finishes the round with a bang, unleashing his stored power in a Spellblade Spin that, while weakened from his fear to fight from the front, still manages to Hex two-thirds of the enemies. While Warlen whirls with Wind, William's Aura fades, leaving him at full health. Six targets remain, four of them Hexed. THE BATTLE CONTINUES! The Enemies: Mad Cow *Mob 1* *Hexed (1 Round)* Type: Beast Level: 20 (20*1) Health: 319/343 (343*1) Special: Moo! – Causes the confused- and afraid-effect to the target. Drops (varies by roll): 1-2: Raw Meat (Max. health +5) 3-4: Milk (Restores 15 health and 15 ether) 5-6: Bone Scarecrow A *Darkness-elemental attacks* Type: Demon Level: 15 Health: 33/210 Special I: Murder of Crows – Consume a Scary Crow to restore full health to self. Special II: Shriek – Causes the afraid-effect. Used only if all Scary Crows are gone. Drops (varies by roll): 1-3: Skeleton Decoy (Can be set up to absorb enemy Free Hits for up to 20 points of damage before it breaks.) 4-6: nothing Scarecrow B *Hexed (1 Round)* *Darkness-elemental attacks* Type: Demon Level: 15 Health: 158/210 Special I: Murder of Crows – Consume a Scary Crow to restore full health to self. Special II: Shriek – Causes the afraid-effect. Used only if all Scary Crows are gone. Drops (varies by roll): 1-3: Skeleton Decoy (Can be set up to absorb enemy Free Hits for up to 20 points of damage before it breaks.) 4-6: nothing Scary Crows A *Mob 5* Type: Flying Level: 30 (6*5) Health: 302/315 (63*5) Special: Shriek – Causes the afraid-effect. Drops: nothing Scary Crows B *Mob 2* *Hexed (1 Round)* Type: Flying Level: 12 (6*2) Health: 113/126 (63*2) Special: Shriek – Causes the afraid-effect. Drops: nothing Scary Crows C *Mob 3* *Hexed (1 Round)* Type: Flying Level: 18 (6*3) Health: 140/189 (63*3) Special: Shriek – Causes the afraid-effect. Drops: nothing The Party: Warlen Melimane, Eulalia's Knight (The Chosen Minifigure) 23 year old male half-elf Mystic Knight Level 18.5 *Immune to Ether Reduction* *Cursed defense!* *+1 POWER whenever a party member rolls DAMAGE/SPECIAL DAMAGE* *Afraid* Power Bonus: +0 +8 Health: 27/27 (18+1+3+5+7*) SP: 8 (4+4) Ether: 28/29 (18+3+5+1) Gold: 250 Equipment: Darkstar Wand (WP:12; has 1/2 chance of inflicting hexed-effect; darkness-elemental wand) (loaned from Erik), Eulalia Shield (SP: 4, prevents ether reduction), Vorpalis Diremail (SP: 4, enemies that inflict damage on the wearer become Cursed. Bodywear), Vorpalis Purgers (Power +0; goes up by 1 every time a someone in the hero's party/the hero themselves rolls damage/special damage. Resets to zero if the wearer is knocked out or if the battle ends. Legwear), Inventory: Weapons: The Cannonblade (Can be used as a longsword or handcannon, WP: 8. Ignores SP in sword mode, deals Bleeding 1 in cannon mode), Healing Staff (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging), Rusty Dagger (WP:2, poison 10, breaks after 3 uses).[/font] Artifacts: Cloak of Deception (Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent), Counterstrike Gloves, Magician's Glove* (+10 spell power), Locustoid Greaves (+4 ether, suitable for ether users), Lethauros Ring (Health and Ether +5. Suitable for anyone, accessory), Spellbook: Amethyst, Aquamarine, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet x2 Lent to Siercon, Opal, Topaz, Diamond, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Antimagic Must Be RPed: Lightning Ball (25 electric damage to all enemies, bomb), Small Frost Ball (10 ice damage, bomb) Consumables: Potion x2, Grand Potion x3, First Aid Kit (Full Health and remove negative effects for the whole party), Health Core, Tonic x3, Grand Tonic x2, Remedy x7, Banana (Full Health), Smoke Bomb x3, Milk x2 (+15 HP and Ether), Hurricane x3 (Grants *Drunk* effect. If user makes pun every round, the strength of their attack is doubled), Phoenix Essence x2, Phoenix Incense, 2x Mead, 4x Smelling Salts Other Junk: Bedroll, Shovel, Telescope, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass, Bones x6, Shiny Gold Rocks x2 (Worth 1 gold at most stores, 5 at magic stores), 10-gallon Hats x7 (Grants wearer tourist effect, causing no one to take them seriously, headwear), Viper Scale (worth 40 gold to a certain someone) For Sale: Wand of Enamouring (WP:6, deals *Enamoured*-effect, wand), Feathered Cap (SP: 1, headwear, immune to *Petrified*), *+1 to health from Rockapple Fruit, Quest #131 *Name changed from Magicians Gloves. Erik Tyrvarr (Myrddyn) 19 years old male human Battle Mage. Level: 25 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Fragile, Fire, Water,* *Commands dogs* *Party Leader!* Power bonus: +0 Defense: 14 (Heavy Armour 5 + Bright Polish 1 + Dog Fur Coat 5 + Tricorne 3) Health: 41/45 (Barbarian base 8 + Level bonus 24 + Battle Mage bonus 5 + Raw Meat 5 + Vampire Dust 3) Ether: 25/26 (Level bonus 25 + Battle Mage bonus 1) Gold: 566 Equipment: Titanic Axe (WP:12, Earth, fire, Light-elemental, has 1/6 chances of inflicting petrified-effect; axe), Brightly Polished Heavy Armour (SP: 6, immune to Fragile, fire, water, bodywear), Dog Fur Coat(SP:5, Grants Command over dogs, backwear), Tricorne(SP: 3). Inventory: Weapons: Darkstar Wand (WP:12; has 1/2 chance of inflicting hexed-effect; darkness-elemental wand) loaned to Warlen, Silver Cup of Victory (WP:10; has 1/6 chance of causing doomed; club) loaned to Avalanche, Plunger (WP:2; 1/2 chance to cause sudden death to an aquatic enemy with each hit; club), Twin Axe (WP: 5, dual strike-axe), Voltedge (WP: 13, greatsword/longsword). Artifacts: Peacekeepers totem (Grants the "Diplomacy"-job trait; suitable to Erik only; accessory), Talisman of Enlightenment(Protects from hexed-effect; accessory), Sharkskin Armour (SP +1, bodywear), Shamanic Plate (Max. Health +2, Max. Ether +2; Blood Ritual does double damage to the target; suitable for shamans; bodywear), Lighter Armor (SP: 4, immune to Fragile, bodywear) loaned to William, Helmet (Health +1), Barbarian's Boots (Natural Respite>Restoration; footwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max. Ether +4, suitable for mages, clerics, necromancers, scholars and weather mages; backwear.) Gems: Amethyst, Ruby, Topaz. Consumables: Milk (Restores 15 health and ether), Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 4*Tonics, Nostrum, Venom, Ether Core, 3x Potions, Health Core, Mulled Wine, Mead, Smelling Salts, Elixir, Grand Potion, Deluxe Skeleton Decoy, Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.) Other items: Gold Statuette (Worth 100 gold), 3*Torches (WP:2, breaks after one use, suitable to all), Chair (WP:4, club), 2*Crystal Balls (worth 50 gold, except in magic shops where it is worth 100 gold.) Siercon (Siercon and Coral) Male, Age and species unknown (Visual appearance of hollow black smoke in human form.) Battlemage Level 18 *Natural Respite* *Darkness to all Attacks; Immune to Darkness and Asleep* Power Bonus: +10 spellpower Defense: 5 (Dark Phibbian Cloak +5) Health: 28/28 (5 base + 18 lvl + 5 class) Ether: 23/24 (5 base + 18 lvl + 1 class) Gold: 109 Equipment: Giant Spear (WP:17, causes Bleeding, Hollow [Potion]), Dark Phibbian Cloak (SP:5, Immune to Darkness and Sleep, adds Darkness-element to attacks; bodywear, suitable for magic users), Magicians Gloves(Spellpower +10; Handwear, suitable for Mages) Inventory: Weapons/Artifacts: Sylvania's Cowl (grants Animal Talk; headwear, suitable for anyone), Sanctified Rito Spear (WP:4, doubled against Flying enemies, Hollow upgrade [-]), 2x Mithril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mithril) Gems: Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Ruby (Fire), Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth) (loaned from Warlen) Bombs: Cataclysm Bomb 200 (200 damage to all enemies with all elements [except darkness], ignores row and SP), Muddy Bomb (deals blinded and poisoned by 3 to all foes), Confuse Bomb (Deals 5 damage and the confused-effect to all opponents), 5x Bone, Smoke Bomb Consumables: 6 Potions, 3 Remedies, 1 Grand Potion Tools: Magic Compass, Shovel, Magnifying Glass For Sale: (Message if interested): Chain Scythe (WP:6, appliesEnamored), Hood of the Dark Druid (wearer absorbs Wood- and Darkness-elemental damage; headwear, suitable for druids only), Quest: Good Rep: Shadeaux, Rito Alexander Vandangant (Wedge09) 99 years old elf Hunter Level 26.66 *Natural Respite* *Immune to asleep and fast asleep* *Favors Humanoid- and Beast-type enemies* Power: 37 (LVL 22+WP 15) Defense: 6 (Chevalier of Charis armor + Dream Helm) Health: 38/38 (6 + 20 + 6 + 4 + 2 Chicken Drumstick) Gold: 280 Equipment: Fauxthril Crossbow (WP: 14 16 due to Hunter's Quiver, darkness-, ice-elemental, Hollow Blade upgraded [nothing stored]), Chevalier of Charis armor (Artifact, bodywear) (Maximum health +2, SP: 2), Dream Helm (SP: 4, wearer immune to asleep and fast asleep, artifact, headwear), Hunter's Qiver (WP: +2 to bows and crossbows, allows the hunter to favour two typers at the same time) Inventory: •Delfrin Crossbow (WP: 7), Delfrin Master Bow (WP:8, inflicts Jinxed) • Duplovian Helmets of the Guard (SP: 2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Sterile Gloves (Immune to Poisoned and Bleeding; handwear), Ancient Spear (WP:5, Earth elemental), Trickster's Mask of the Gender-Swap • Grand Potion (2), Potions (10), Remedies (2), Tonic (2), Venoms (6), Nostrum, Smoke Bomb, Dirt Bomb, Ice Bomb, Holy Bomb, Fire Bomb (2), Lightning Bob, Elven Bomb, First Aid Kit (Consumable), Meads (3), Weak potion (2), Weak Regeneration Potion (1), Weak Regeneration Tonic (1), Smelling Salt (2), Mithril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mithril), Big Apple, Bones (6), Skeleton Decoy, Charcoal, Phoenix Essence (2), (2) Grating Stone • Bedroll, Shovel, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass Reputation: Ziegfrieds - Great (+2 Quest), Bonapartes - Great (+2 Quest) Name: William Harkenshire *Immune to Light and Fragile* *Counterstriking* *Afraid* Level: 21.6 Warden Power: 33 Health: 35/35 Gold: 559 SP: 14 Equipment: Croise Crossbow (WP: 12), Mirror Shield (SP:10, user is immune to light-elemental damage; shield), Lighter Armor (SP: 4, immune to Fragile, bodywear) (loaned from Erik), Quiver of Homing Arrows (Rolls of AIM become HIT; can only be used with a bow or a crossbow; backwear.), Counterstrike Gloves (If the wearer is damaged by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level; handwear.) Inventory: * Repeating Crossbow (WP: 5 May not be upgraded; Fire; Hastened), Delfrin Sword (WP:3), Chain Whip (WP:7, causes Bound), Hand Cannon (WP: 5; Lightning , Wood), Handy Longsword (WP: 4, 1/6 chance to inflict poisoned), Norgh Shield (SP: 5, Immune to Fragile), Lion Knight Shield (SP: 4, suitable for Knights), Pauldrons (SP +2, suitable to Knights, Dragoons and Skirmishers; accessory), Amulet of the Elven Horse Rider (Power +1 on the front row, doubles movement), Chimera Armor (SP:2, +2 Max Health; bodywear, suitable for Knights and Barbarians), Wave Sword (WP: 11, Darkness-elemental, deals Cursed Effect) * Sapphire, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Skeleton Decoy, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom x3, Elven Bomb, Bomb XX, 4 Fire Bombs, Water Bomb, Elixer, Military Grade Water Bomb, Military Grade Lightning Bomb, Bone x2, Magic Saucepan, Nostrum, Rito Feather (consumable, grants the hastened- and blessed-effects upon use for one battle), 1 fine Montresorian Wine, Mead, (Shard of Wood: WP 1 Dagger), Gold Bar, Mithril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mithril) Avalanche, the Super Sleuth (Dragonfire) 30 years old male yeti Barbarian *Natural Respite* *Immune to Fragile* *Counterstriking* Level 13.5 Power: 21 (13+8) Health: 21/21 (13+7+1*) SP: 5 Gold: 5 Equipment: Silver Cup of Victory (WP:10; has 1/6 chance of causing doomed; club) (loaned from Erik), Heavy Armour (immune to fragile, SP:5), Counterstrike Gloves (after the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to the damage taken) Inventory: Frostbite (halberd, WP:8, damages undead), Trollsbane (club, WP:7, earth-elemental), 4x Potion, Grand Potion, Remedy, Mulled Wine, Smoke Bomb, 4x Venom, 2x Nostrum, Mead, Smelling Salts, Pumpkin Bomb (causes the stunned-, blinded-, poisoned by 1-, asleep-, sealed- and confused- effects to all opponents), Lightning Bomb, Dirt Bomb, Holy Bomb, 8x Bone, Skeleton Decoy, Bumble Fanshirt (SP:1, vermin with less than half of the wearer's level are scared and won't directly attack the wearer, bodywear) (*One Chicken Drumstick eaten) Party Leader, choose the order of action. All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, or if you want to use an item instead of attacking. Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone has acted. Mobs get an extra Free Hit if there are more members of the mob than standing party members.

QM Note: Noted, I'll fix Jinnipher's stats next time I post them. The party journeys through the forest, eventually reaching a clearing near a dilapidated fence. Just to the other side, a gray-haired, white-bearded man wielding a sapphire-tipped staff and a wicked-looking katana awaits. Even at this distance, given the circumstances his identity was unmistakable. "That's him, Heroes. Sakrai Sato, scheming sorcerer extraordinaire." Mac leads the group up to Sakurai. "Huh. These the Heroes?" "They are. You have the bones, Sato?" "Good group. Strong, but not to where it gets expensive. Lot of rookies, good for low-maintenence, but a few novices with a notch or two on their belt so they're not completely green. Nice work, Mac." "Thanks, Sato, but we're here for the bones, not to chat." "You know, you really get me, Mac--" "Sato," Mac says firmly, "the bones." The man holds out a hand expectantly. There is a brief, awkward pause. "Mac, I don't have the bones." Mac puts his face in his hands in exasperation. "Sato, what are you playing at this time? These are Heroes, Sato, they don't have time to waste on--" Sakurai waves his hands to get Mac's attention. "Hey, hey. Mac. Listen. When have I ever steered you wrong?" Mac's raised eyebrow gives Sakurai pause. "Okay, that one doesn't count, there was a woman involved, you know this. The point is," he continues, expanding his gaze to include the entire party, "I don't have the bones now, but I will. And you're going to help me acquire them." Mac stands in stunned disbelief for a few moments before massaging his temples. "Please tell me it's legal." "It's legal...ish. And I guarantee there's only a slight chance of serious injury and/or maiming." Mac stares at his friend in disbelief. "So wait...you're telling me that you need these Heroes...so they can help you 'acquire' these Ancient Bones..." Sakurai nods, his smirk betraying all the suave confidence in the world. "...manually." Mac is left literally speechless, flabbergasted by the audacity of Sakurai's plan. The Sorcerer turns to the Heroes, a confident smirk on his face. What would the party say?

Arthur nods to Tarn and Mallelio as he steps out of the room. "It has been wonderful getting to catch up with both of you again. Perhaps one day, Miirym and I will return for another visit--this is her homeland, after all. I hope I will be able to see you both then." Finally, Arthur moves to Ella's study, only to find Hoke already in discussion with the Prophet. "Princess Ella, I--oh. My apologies, Hoke, I did not mean to interrupt. I only wished to express my intent to return to Dastan's aid should she once again call. Three years ago, I chose to defend Dastan against the rebels and rogues that threatened to tear her apart. I would be a poor guardian if I failed to maintain that past work." With that, Arthur bows out, leaving to wait with Hybros, Tarn, U'Daras, and Guffington or whoever he needs to wait with so he's not holding anyone up . OOC: Tomorrow will be busy as well, so any time I have will be going to UQ/141; QM has control over Arthur and Miirym until further notice.

It is fortunate for Hybros that Arthur had already stepped inside the room, for otherwise he would surely have something to say about the Marauder giving away the gift Tarn had left the Dragoon to remember him by. OOC: I hope you remember that I originally loaned that stuff to Matthias, it wasn't a gift. Also, Zeph, correct me if I'm wrong about Mallelio and the others not being inside Phil's room. Arthur moves next to the Emperor's bed, unsure of what exactly to say, or if the ailing Emperor could even hear him. 'I'm sorry'? 'Be well'? "Thank you," he finally says. "For everything you've done, for Dastan, for Heroica, for me. I was proud to serve Dastan so long ago, and I'm humbled and grateful that you accepted my aid today. If I become half the man, half the leader you are by the end of my existence, I'll count myself lucky. May the Dragons set fire to your heart and fly it away." OOC: I'll respond briefly to Tarn and Mallelio (and Ella? Are they in the same room?) when I get home.

OOC: Sorry, guys, I am totally wiped. I'll try to write something up in my spare time tomorrow, but odds are it'll be a full 24 hours before I can post in here. If we need to move on without my input, by all means feel free, I'm sure we can manage to retcon something in afterwards if need be. Sorry to be such a dead weight these past couple of days! Hopefully I can improve that a bit soon.

QM Note: I'm so sorry, I am just too tired to finish this update. Assuming nothing else comes up, the Quest will resume in about ~20 hours. Again, my apologies for the delay. I've equipped your weapons for you automatically if they were stronger than what you had; if you'd like to equip a new shield or Artifact, let me know. Party Leader, there is still one more Remedy to distribute. The Party: Terry Yelnats (played by Endgame) *Party Leader!* Male Human Mage Level 7 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 11/11 (5+6) Defense: 1 Ether: 6/11 (5+5) Gold: 23 Equipment: Grumpy's Staff (WP: 10), Leather Cap (SP: 1) Inventory: Ether Lash Wand: (WP 3 Wand, at the cost of 1 ether per WP the Wand becomes dual strike for one attack.), Cattle Prod Staff (WP: 3), 3x Potion, Sapphire (Wind), Opal (Ice), 2x Bat Guano (can be thrown at an enemy to cause the Blind Effect), Bedroll, Robes of the Murine Chieftan (SP:2, Max Ether +2, grants Command over rats; bodywear, suitable to Ether-using classes), Jinnipher Buchaire (JimBee) 76-year-old female Moon Elven Knight Level 7 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 8 Health: 16/16 Gold: 115 Equipment: Brine Blade (WP:5, deals Poison 5; greatsword), Full Moon Shield (SP:5), Moone Mail (SP:3; bodywear) Inventory: The Beheader (WP:15, defies SP; greatsword), Vorpalis Conquerors (Power +0; goes up by 2 for every enemy defeated, drops back down to 0 if the wearer is knocked out or if the battle ends; footwear), 3x Potion, Grand Potion, Greater Tonic, 3x Remedy, Bedroll, Shovel, Letter of Recommendation, Natural Shield (SP:6, bearer deals half damage to and takes half damage from Beasts, Plants, and Vermin; shield), Venom, Boris Bruhalv (Waterbrick Down) 38 year old male vampire Cleric *Immune to Stunned and Poisoned* Level 9 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 2 (2) Health: 15/17 (9+8) Ether: 8/13 (5+8) Gold: 103 Equipment: Simple Mace (WP: 3, mace), Rusty Chainmail (SP: 2, Immune to Stunned and Poison) Inventory: Defender's Ring (Accessory, Rolls of "Heal Less" become "Heal"), Scroll of Sleep (Enables casting the asleep-effect to the target, forcing them to miss its turn for three rounds or until woken up by an attack. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.), 2 Potions, 2 Remedies, Phoenix Essence, 4 Tonics, 1x Sleep Bomb, 3x Blind Bomb, Military Grade Fire Bomb (Deals 10 Fire damage to all opponents when used), Military Grade Dirt Bomb (Deals 10 Ground damage to all opponents when used), Military Grade Holy Bomb (Deals 10 Holy damage to all opponents when used), Military Grade Lightning Bomb (Deals 10 Lightning damage to all opponents when used), Floral Bomb, Bone, Grating Stone, Crimson Scorpion Dagger (WP:5, deals Cursed; dagger), Ezeran Yavarr (MysticModulus) 42 year old male human mage Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 6/6 Ether: 5/6 Gold: 0 Equipment: Ebony Scorpion Dagger (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; dagger), Inventory: Staff infested with demonic slime (WP 3), 2x Potion, Emerald (Wood) Torald Waruelf (Alfadas) 20 year old male Human Barbarian Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 9/9 Gold: 10 Equipment: Ebony Scorpion Spear (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; spear), Inventory: Old and Rusty Greatsword (WP: 3), Potion, Mead, Tiger Balm, Fire Bomb, Kheyli (K-Nut) 327 years old female fairy Barbarian Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 9/9 Gold: 0 Equipment: Rat Club (WP:5, deals Afraid to Vermin-type enemies and Poisoned-by-1 to enemies of all types; club), Inventory: Barrager (WP:3 Greatsword), 3x Potion, Mead, Poison Bomb Mac (takes suggestions) Has a 1/6 chance to grant Inspired Has a 1/2 chance to grant Encouraged Inventory: 3x Tonic, 3x Potion, Note: Mac does not deal or take damage from enemies and cannot prevent Free Hits. Ezeran attempts to sheath his new weapon, but between the pinching claws and poisonous stinging tail it quickly becomes apparent that the complete corpse of a dead scorpion does not come with a convenient sheath. He is eventually forced to settle for tucking the tail into his belt, keeping the creature's most lethal bits from causing too much discomfort. "Ya doing okay there, Ezeran? You and that symbiont of yours seemed to be a magnet for trouble back there. That happen a lot to the two of ya?" "If I had to guess, those critters probably came from the Fields of Glory. We're real close by in these woods, almost on top of the Western Reaches now. Ol' Farmer Donauld's always complaining about the monsters in his Fields, but he refuses to let anyone but Heroes help him. 'Course, if this lot was any indication, Heroes might be the only sort tough enough to handle them monsters--and then just barely--but it still rubs some of the...less Heroic types out there the wrong way." Mac chuckles, shaking his head ruefully. "Sakurai and Kiri both among 'em. Neither of 'em are too keen to admit when they aren't up to somethin', especially if it's put to them as a challenge. What with the way that farmer plays up his problems...well, let's just say that ridiculous schemes tend to be par for the course with the two of 'em. Gods help us if they ever meet face to face."

FM Note: There will be another late update tomorrow, my sincere apologies for the delay. Round 2 of Battle 1 >Erik uses Remedy on Alexander (Alexander: negative effects removed) >William vs. Scarecrow B - SHIELD (Aura - William: Aura) Siercon (Light) vs. Scarecrow A - Greater Spell (Scarecrow A: 17*3=51+18=69+10=79*2=158 damage; Siercon: -1 Ether) Avalanche vs. Scary Crows B - Damage (Avalanche William: 18-14=4 damage; Warlen: +1 Power) >Warlen (Light) vs. Scary Crows A - Special Damage (Shriek - Warlen William: Afraid; Warlen: +1 Power) >Alexander vs. Mad Cows - Aim (Mad Cows: 16*2*3=96 damage) Scary Crows C Free Hit vs. Erik William: 24/2=12-14=0 damage Erik attends to the well-being of his team through the use of a Remedy, while Willaim does the same through a protective Aura. Siercon sears nearly through his Scarecrow with a blazing blast of Light, while Alexander manages to graze one of the rampaging cattle with a well-aimed attack. Avalanche and Warlen nearly suffer the wrath of their opponents, but William steps in to abate their effects; the Mystic Knight seems to soak in the chaos regardless. Six targets remain. THE BATTLE CONTINUES! The Enemies: Mad Cows *Mob 2* Type: Beast Level: 40 (20*2) Health: 590/686 (343*2) Special: Moo! – Causes the confused- and afraid-effect to the target. Drops (varies by roll): 1-2: Raw Meat (Max. health +5) 3-4: Milk (Restores 15 health and 15 ether) 5-6: Bone Scarecrow A *Darkness-elemental attacks* Type: Demon Level: 15 Health: 52/210 Special I: Murder of Crows – Consume a Scary Crow to restore full health to self. Special II: Shriek – Causes the afraid-effect. Used only if all Scary Crows are gone. Drops (varies by roll): 1-3: Skeleton Decoy (Can be set up to absorb enemy Free Hits for up to 20 points of damage before it breaks.) 4-6: nothing Scarecrow B *Darkness-elemental attacks* Type: Demon Level: 15 Health: 177/210 Special I: Murder of Crows – Consume a Scary Crow to restore full health to self. Special II: Shriek – Causes the afraid-effect. Used only if all Scary Crows are gone. Drops (varies by roll): 1-3: Skeleton Decoy (Can be set up to absorb enemy Free Hits for up to 20 points of damage before it breaks.) 4-6: nothing Scary Crows A *Mob 6* Type: Flying Level: 36 (6*6) Health: 378/378 (63*6) Special: Shriek – Causes the afraid-effect. Drops: nothing Scary Crows B *Mob 3* Type: Flying Level: 18 (6*3) Health: 189/189 (63*3) Special: Shriek – Causes the afraid-effect. Drops: nothing Scary Crows C *Mob 4* Type: Flying Level: 24 (6*4) Health: 252/252 (63*4) Special: Shriek – Causes the afraid-effect. Drops: nothing The Party: Warlen Melimane, Eulalia's Knight (The Chosen Minifigure) 23 year old male half-elf Mystic Knight Level 18.5 *Immune to Ether Reduction* *Cursed defense!* *+1 POWER whenever a party member rolls DAMAGE/SPECIAL DAMAGE* *Afraid* Power Bonus: +0 +6 Health: 27/27 (18+1+3+5+7*) SP: 8 (4+4) Ether: 29/29 (18+3+5+1) Gold: 250 Equipment: Darkstar Wand (WP:12; has 1/2 chance of inflicting hexed-effect; darkness-elemental wand) (loaned from Erik), Eulalia Shield (SP: 4, prevents ether reduction), Vorpalis Diremail (SP: 4, enemies that inflict damage on the wearer become Cursed. Bodywear), Vorpalis Purgers (Power +0; goes up by 1 every time a someone in the hero's party/the hero themselves rolls damage/special damage. Resets to zero if the wearer is knocked out or if the battle ends. Legwear), Inventory: Weapons: The Cannonblade (Can be used as a longsword or handcannon, WP: 8. Ignores SP in sword mode, deals Bleeding 1 in cannon mode), Healing Staff (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging), Rusty Dagger (WP:2, poison 10, breaks after 3 uses).[/font] Artifacts: Cloak of Deception (Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent), Counterstrike Gloves, Magician's Glove* (+10 spell power), Locustoid Greaves (+4 ether, suitable for ether users), Lethauros Ring (Health and Ether +5. Suitable for anyone, accessory), Spellbook: Amethyst, Aquamarine, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet x2 Lent to Siercon, Opal, Topaz, Diamond, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Antimagic Must Be RPed: Lightning Ball (25 electric damage to all enemies, bomb), Small Frost Ball (10 ice damage, bomb) Consumables: Potion x2, Grand Potion x3, First Aid Kit (Full Health and remove negative effects for the whole party), Health Core, Tonic x3, Grand Tonic x2, Remedy x7, Banana (Full Health), Smoke Bomb x3, Milk x2 (+15 HP and Ether), Hurricane x3 (Grants *Drunk* effect. If user makes pun every round, the strength of their attack is doubled), Phoenix Essence x2, Phoenix Incense, 2x Mead, 4x Smelling Salts Other Junk: Bedroll, Shovel, Telescope, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass, Bones x6, Shiny Gold Rocks x2 (Worth 1 gold at most stores, 5 at magic stores), 10-gallon Hats x7 (Grants wearer tourist effect, causing no one to take them seriously, headwear), Viper Scale (worth 40 gold to a certain someone) For Sale: Wand of Enamouring (WP:6, deals *Enamoured*-effect, wand), Feathered Cap (SP: 1, headwear, immune to *Petrified*), *+1 to health from Rockapple Fruit, Quest #131 *Name changed from Magicians Gloves. Erik Tyrvarr (Myrddyn) 19 years old male human Battle Mage. Level: 25 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Fragile, Fire, Water,* *Commands dogs* *Party Leader!* Power bonus: +0 Defense: 14 (Heavy Armour 5 + Bright Polish 1 + Dog Fur Coat 5 + Tricorne 3) Health: 41/45 (Barbarian base 8 + Level bonus 24 + Battle Mage bonus 5 + Raw Meat 5 + Vampire Dust 3) Ether: 26/26 (Level bonus 25 + Battle Mage bonus 1) Gold: 566 Equipment: Titanic Axe (WP:12, Earth, fire, Light-elemental, has 1/6 chances of inflicting petrified-effect; axe), Brightly Polished Heavy Armour (SP: 6, immune to Fragile, fire, water, bodywear), Dog Fur Coat(SP:5, Grants Command over dogs, backwear), Tricorne(SP: 3). Inventory: Weapons: Darkstar Wand (WP:12; has 1/2 chance of inflicting hexed-effect; darkness-elemental wand) loaned to Warlen, Silver Cup of Victory (WP:10; has 1/6 chance of causing doomed; club) loaned to Avalanche, Plunger (WP:2; 1/2 chance to cause sudden death to an aquatic enemy with each hit; club), Twin Axe (WP: 5, dual strike-axe), Voltedge (WP: 13, greatsword/longsword). Artifacts: Peacekeepers totem (Grants the "Diplomacy"-job trait; suitable to Erik only; accessory), Talisman of Enlightenment(Protects from hexed-effect; accessory), Sharkskin Armour (SP +1, bodywear), Shamanic Plate (Max. Health +2, Max. Ether +2; Blood Ritual does double damage to the target; suitable for shamans; bodywear), Lighter Armor (SP: 4, immune to Fragile, bodywear) loaned to William, Helmet (Health +1), Barbarian's Boots (Natural Respite>Restoration; footwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max. Ether +4, suitable for mages, clerics, necromancers, scholars and weather mages; backwear.) Gems: Amethyst, Ruby, Topaz. Consumables: Milk (Restores 15 health and ether), Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 4*Tonics, Nostrum, Venom, Ether Core, 3x Potions, Health Core, Mulled Wine, Mead, Smelling Salts, Elixir, Grand Potion, Deluxe Skeleton Decoy, Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.) Other items: Gold Statuette (Worth 100 gold), 3*Torches (WP:2, breaks after one use, suitable to all), Chair (WP:4, club), 2*Crystal Balls (worth 50 gold, except in magic shops where it is worth 100 gold.) Siercon (Siercon and Coral) Male, Age and species unknown (Visual appearance of hollow black smoke in human form.) Battlemage Level 18 *Natural Respite* *Darkness to all Attacks; Immune to Darkness and Asleep* Power Bonus: +10 spellpower Defense: 5 (Dark Phibbian Cloak +5) Health: 28/28 (5 base + 18 lvl + 5 class) Ether: 24/24 (5 base + 18 lvl + 1 class) Gold: 109 Equipment: Giant Spear (WP:17, causes Bleeding, Hollow [Potion]), Dark Phibbian Cloak (SP:5, Immune to Darkness and Sleep, adds Darkness-element to attacks; bodywear, suitable for magic users), Magicians Gloves(Spellpower +10; Handwear, suitable for Mages) Inventory: Weapons/Artifacts: Sylvania's Cowl (grants Animal Talk; headwear, suitable for anyone), Sanctified Rito Spear (WP:4, doubled against Flying enemies, Hollow upgrade [-]), 2x Mithril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mithril) Gems: Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Ruby (Fire), Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth) (loaned from Warlen) Bombs: Cataclysm Bomb 200 (200 damage to all enemies with all elements [except darkness], ignores row and SP), Muddy Bomb (deals blinded and poisoned by 3 to all foes), Confuse Bomb (Deals 5 damage and the confused-effect to all opponents), 5x Bone, Smoke Bomb Consumables: 6 Potions, 3 Remedies, 1 Grand Potion Tools: Magic Compass, Shovel, Magnifying Glass For Sale: (Message if interested): Chain Scythe (WP:6, appliesEnamored), Hood of the Dark Druid (wearer absorbs Wood- and Darkness-elemental damage; headwear, suitable for druids only), Quest: Good Rep: Shadeaux, Rito Alexander Vandangant (Wedge09) 99 years old elf Hunter Level 26.66 *Natural Respite* *Immune to asleep and fast asleep* *Favors Humanoid- and Beast-type enemies* Power: 37 (LVL 22+WP 15) Defense: 6 (Chevalier of Charis armor + Dream Helm) Health: 38/38 (6 + 20 + 6 + 4 + 2 Chicken Drumstick) Gold: 280 Equipment: Fauxthril Crossbow (WP: 14 16 due to Hunter's Quiver, darkness-, ice-elemental, Hollow Blade upgraded [nothing stored]), Chevalier of Charis armor (Artifact, bodywear) (Maximum health +2, SP: 2), Dream Helm (SP: 4, wearer immune to asleep and fast asleep, artifact, headwear), Hunter's Qiver (WP: +2 to bows and crossbows, allows the hunter to favour two typers at the same time) Inventory: •Delfrin Crossbow (WP: 7), Delfrin Master Bow (WP:8, inflicts Jinxed) • Duplovian Helmets of the Guard (SP: 2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Sterile Gloves (Immune to Poisoned and Bleeding; handwear), Ancient Spear (WP:5, Earth elemental), Trickster's Mask of the Gender-Swap • Grand Potion (2), Potions (10), Remedies (2), Tonic (2), Venoms (6), Nostrum, Smoke Bomb, Dirt Bomb, Ice Bomb, Holy Bomb, Fire Bomb (2), Lightning Bob, Elven Bomb, First Aid Kit (Consumable), Meads (3), Weak potion (2), Weak Regeneration Potion (1), Weak Regeneration Tonic (1), Smelling Salt (2), Mithril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mithril), Big Apple, Bones (6), Skeleton Decoy, Charcoal, Phoenix Essence (2), (2) Grating Stone • Bedroll, Shovel, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass Reputation: Ziegfrieds - Great (+2 Quest), Bonapartes - Great (+2 Quest) Name: William Harkenshire *Immune to Light and Fragile* *Counterstriking* *Aura (1 Round)* *Afraid* Level: 21.6 Warden Power: 33 Health: 35/35 66/70 Gold: 559 SP: 14 Equipment: Croise Crossbow (WP: 12), Mirror Shield (SP:10, user is immune to light-elemental damage; shield), Lighter Armor (SP: 4, immune to Fragile, bodywear) (loaned from Erik), Quiver of Homing Arrows (Rolls of AIM become HIT; can only be used with a bow or a crossbow; backwear.), Counterstrike Gloves (If the wearer is damaged by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level; handwear.) Inventory: * Repeating Crossbow (WP: 5 May not be upgraded; Fire; Hastened), Delfrin Sword (WP:3), Chain Whip (WP:7, causes Bound), Hand Cannon (WP: 5; Lightning , Wood), Handy Longsword (WP: 4, 1/6 chance to inflict poisoned), Norgh Shield (SP: 5, Immune to Fragile), Lion Knight Shield (SP: 4, suitable for Knights), Pauldrons (SP +2, suitable to Knights, Dragoons and Skirmishers; accessory), Amulet of the Elven Horse Rider (Power +1 on the front row, doubles movement), Chimera Armor (SP:2, +2 Max Health; bodywear, suitable for Knights and Barbarians), Wave Sword (WP: 11, Darkness-elemental, deals Cursed Effect) * Sapphire, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Skeleton Decoy, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom x3, Elven Bomb, Bomb XX, 4 Fire Bombs, Water Bomb, Elixer, Military Grade Water Bomb, Military Grade Lightning Bomb, Bone x2, Magic Saucepan, Nostrum, Rito Feather (consumable, grants the hastened- and blessed-effects upon use for one battle), 1 fine Montresorian Wine, Mead, (Shard of Wood: WP 1 Dagger), Gold Bar, Mithril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mithril) Avalanche, the Super Sleuth (Dragonfire) 30 years old male yeti Barbarian *Natural Respite* *Immune to Fragile* *Counterstriking* Level 13.5 Power: 21 (13+8) Health: 21/21 (13+7+1*) SP: 5 Gold: 5 Equipment: Silver Cup of Victory (WP:10; has 1/6 chance of causing doomed; club) (loaned from Erik), Heavy Armour (immune to fragile, SP:5), Counterstrike Gloves (after the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to the damage taken) Inventory: Frostbite (halberd, WP:8, damages undead), Trollsbane (club, WP:7, earth-elemental), 4x Potion, Grand Potion, Remedy, Mulled Wine, Smoke Bomb, 4x Venom, 2x Nostrum, Mead, Smelling Salts, Pumpkin Bomb (causes the stunned-, blinded-, poisoned by 1-, asleep-, sealed- and confused- effects to all opponents), Lightning Bomb, Dirt Bomb, Holy Bomb, 8x Bone, Skeleton Decoy, Bumble Fanshirt (SP:1, vermin with less than half of the wearer's level are scared and won't directly attack the wearer, bodywear) (*One Chicken Drumstick eaten) Party Leader, choose the order of action. All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, or if you want to use an item instead of attacking. Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone has acted. Mobs get an extra Free Hit if there are more members of the mob than standing party members.

This is why I shouldn't try to respond hyper-quickly to stuff when I'm busy with IRL stuff. Updates as soon as I can roll them! Fields will probably be first, since it's just dice and numbers.

Can confirm that, by normal rules (as shown in a few Fields runs), throwing weapons are automatically returned to the owner at the end of the battle; it's like Natural Respite. This doesn't preclude specific Quest changes, but it is highly unusual. I'll run updates in a few more hours, sorry for the delay.

FM Note: I will be away most of the day tomorrow; updates will likely resume 6+ hours after my normal update time.

QM Note: I will be gone most of the day tomorrow; updates will likely resume 6+ hours after my normal update time. I'm also waiting on Terry to post an official loot division.

Arthur nods hesitantly. "Yes...she has always had a strong will. I will trust it will lead her back to us soon." The Dragoon seems to be trying to convince himself as much as anyone else, but he soon finds his attention diverted by Phil's condition, the arrival of the soldiers, and the return inside the palace. Arthur stands beside Hybros. "My feelings mirror those of Hybros. If you have need of me, don't hesitate to write." With a bow of farewell to Natasha, Arthur follows Hybros, to Phil's room or elsewhere as he so chooses. "Lead the way," he says simply.