Flipz

Current Sign-ups for Unlimited Quest: Fields of Glory Ezeran Yavarr, Level 1 Mage (MysticModulus) FM Note: I'll overlook it this time, but do remember to bold your sign-ups in the future.

OOC: Lady Felix should be Hastened and Lucky, U'Daras should be Reinforced because of Hoke and U'Voros (and the latter two should have +2 SP from the same Job Trait of U'Daras'), U'Daras needs the +2 SP granted by her class, and Miirym's Power should be 38. Miirym dismounts U'Daras' shoulder so as not to be a heavy burden in combat, pouncing to the ground in front of the leader and growling menacingly as she spread her wings to make herself appear larger. She and Arthur both scan the foes, and with a nod of solidarity, they both charge Civilian Mob B, Arthur from the front with his Dauntlet Index, Miirym from the Back with her Breath. "U'Voros can you stay to the Back Row this round and make sure U'Or is all right (OOC: do nothing)? I'll try to make an opening so you can join us soon. Lady U'Daras, care to take a swing at Armored Protestors A from the Back Row? Mallelio, if you can heal Lady U'Daras, or someone else who's injured if she's all right, it'd be much appreciated."

It's a common trope in real-world RPG campaigns, and I'd argue has more to do with a combination of overall player freedom with the overall Quest length. I call it "the Skyrim effect". Personally, I'm pretty set for Arthur stats-wise; the only things I'd really be looking for are Bright Polishes (for use on the cloak/armor), some way to Tin-ify the Unicorn Helmet (still one of my favorite Artifacts even though I barely wear it these days ), and maybe some kind of accessory that would let Miirym Fly like a Winged Warrior. Maybe a Letter of Recommendation so I can get 3x out of my cloak finally, but unless something really incredible drops on 138 I'm probably going to try to negotiate a Quest reward swap with Warlen to settle our deal. I mean, don't get me wrong; all of the Lottery stuff is great, but I'm finally at the point where I can focus Arthur's roleplaying over his stats, and it's a curiously comfortable place to be. I guess maybe Level-Up Mushrooms, since I'm not going to be MoG-ing anything up any time soon, but they're not really a priority either.

I don't know if any other people do this, but it popped into my head to mention it, so here it is. I try to think about the structure of languages, and how different characters perceive those structures, when I have my characters use foreign/unnatural dialogue. For example, even though Arthur's Job Trait lets him speak Draconic, he's still (in the form of a) human; thus, his capacity to speak their language is competent, even fluent, but limited by his physical form (human mouth, lips, tongue, cheeks, etc.), whereas Miirym can say whatever the hell she wants in Draconic because she's got the tongue and mouth and teeth of a Dragon, so she can freely speak her native tongue without having to worry about being physically capable of making certain sounds. However, when she's "speaking" through spiritual power (a la Vipera in several of her prior appearances), she'll have a tendency to keep her speech shorter than it usually is, because it's tiring to her to use it and she'd prefer to preserve that strength for battle. Like I said, it's just something that I personally do that I thought I'd share.

Miirym takes to the air, majestically (and eye-catchingly) circling the party twice before coming to rest on U'Daras' shoulder. Arthur nods subtly in approval of her grand gesture--an action clearly intended to show her support for the U'Kin leader, and to imply the same of the rest of her race. Clever girl, he thinks to himself. His face grows grim, however, as the princess imparts the news of Phil's illness. "This is...ill news indeed. Having seen him fight firsthand, it's simply impossible for me to imagine Emperor Phyllus falling to anything other than battle." He furrows his brow. "Given Dastan's past, I can understand the more closed-minded objecting to Lady U'Daras' ascention, as ridiculous as those objections are. What I don't understand is why they would view you as a foreigner simply because you're marrying Tarn." A sense of growing dread begins to bubble up within Arthur, the protestors' arms giving him an inkling of future troubles. Gripping his Dauntlet Index tightly, the Dragoon looks to Hoke and speaks the language of Dragons as best as a non-Dragon can. "<Hoke. I am concerned. We need to circle around the civilians in our party. U'Voros could use an extra shield at his side as well.>" If only I could subtly warn the others this easily, he thinks loudly to himself. "Chin up, Master U'Or. Dastan is a tough land, and you're of her stock. I'm confident you can handle anything life throws at you."

*gets an amazing idea* This...this will take forever to put together, but if it works out it will be amazing. *reads Quest 140* Here, Pie,

I specifically saved a good chunk of my Gold so that I can afford to buy any Bright Polish off of the Lottery winners while still leaving plenty for shopping in Dastan and Xu.

Eurobricks is an adult site. It's literally in the rules that you're supposed to be 18+ to join. That's naturally going to lead to content creators (and thus content) that explores adult themes. Personally, I think the game is better for it. It adds an honesty to the world that can sometimes be lacking in more heavily censored RPG groups, and it alows for the exploration of some stories and concepts that would otherwise be much more difficult to present in a non-mature context.

It's actually a bit daunting how long ago the original Dastan Trilogy was. I'm looking back at the dates and being all, "oh, it was three years ago. Wait, THREE YEARS?!" Quest 17 feels like it was that long ago--Dastan, not so much, perhaps because of how much it spilled over, how much it affected (and still affects!) many storylines and characters who came into contact with it. I'm also stunned by how long it ran. Quest 30 ran from April until August--if I recall correctly, it's still among the longest Quests both time- and post-wise in Heroica. Even as I start to worry about how long Quests in general seem to be getting (particularly as I'm planning some of my own, making them too big is a serious design concern of mine ), it's nice to be reminded that even back then we still managed to have ultra-long Quests that managed to engage and entertain the whole way through. It's definitely reassuring to me, that's for sure!

"<I shall eagerly take wing to the stars with you, once the time presents itself.>" Arthur's hand instinctively goes for his weapon at the sight of the Pongcanis, her(?) appearance a hair too close to that of the hated Vonnetate for his liking. He keeps close to Ella and U'Daras, ready to step in in an instant should any of the protestors turn violent. "So quickly do the masses forget..." he murmurs, shaking his head sadly. "I thought the U'kin had come into higher regard after the war, given the actions of Atramor, Lady Nyx, Tarn, and Sir Thothwick three years ago. What sparked this sudden human superiority sentiment? And who is this 'Tarban' they speak of?" Miirym focuses her spiritual power to privately speak mentally to U'Daras. "I would take your shoulder, if you consent, Lady U'Daras. I would hope the people respect Dragons enough to wish you less ill while I accompany you."

OOC: Oh, right, Arthur drank a Mead as well. Also, Matthias handed off the Staff of Ennon and Noble Mask to Hybros before we split up.

Dangit, Zeph, if I had to keep that blasted accent up so much in 104, I'm going to make you do it now. Also, gods I miss Diana. I need to get back to work on that pair of Quests again so they're both ready before year's end.

OOC: Arthur ate the Level-Up Mushroom he got from Dyric earlier, so both he and Miirym should be Level 38 3/4 now. Arthur smiles at the mention of Ella's engagement--hopefully this time he'd be able to make it to a friend's wedding. "I look forward to seeing him again. It has been too long." Arthur turns and offers a hand to U'Daras. "A pleasure to meet you, Lady U'Daras. I hope the last group of Heroes you met were as true to the name as the ones I travel with now." Miirym, not one to be outdone, leaps unexpectedly to Arthur's shoulder. The Dragoon staggers slightly at her weight--she was, after all, not far from being a youngling--then shakes his head in knowing amusement. Now once again at eye level with Vipera, Miirym feels secure to reply. "<I have known Arthur all my life. From my first scent of sky he has welcomed me into his family, even as he discovered his own. It is a bond that has been tested by time and trial, and come out stronger than before. I do not have the words to describe it, but if in some way I am able to convey my feelings to my brothers and sisters in this land, and if this will be of service to them, then I will count myself fortunate.>" Arthur glances over his shoulder. "I...may have taught her a few of my flaws along the way. Like my penchant for grandstanding and monologuing," he offers apologetically. Miirym resists the urge to cuff her oblivious companion in the back of the head with her wing. She settles for flicking her tail in mild irritation. "<My companion has read every book he could find on the knowledge of Dragons--it is how he deduced my heritage as belonging to both Dastan and Charis. He, too, has spoken of the need to respect the slowness of maturity--a position, no doubt, he has learned from you. He speaks often of the wise and valiant Vipera, after all.>" Arthur blushes, a little embarrassed to hear revealed how much he'd used her example as a guideline in his own guardianship. "<But as the Dragons of Charis learn and grow swiftly, so too shall I. By necessity, if nothing else. I intend to learn to honor my heritage, even in as little time as we have here.>" Arthur clears his throat. "Miirym. Let us not speak of departures so soon after our arrival. We have what time we have. Now is the time to live in it." He looks to Ella. "I, myself, am ready. Are you as well, Master Guffington, Lady Felix?"

On the subject of sides, I'm probably going to go with whichever set of elves doesn't like Star Elves. Every single one we've met so far has been an absolute jerk and/or idiot at one point or another. (Of course, the same could be said of Sun Elves too, but seeing as we've met exactly one that's not really a fair judgment. ) Of course, if it comes down to Houses, then things get a lot clearer; I think everyone has known my (and Arthur's) preferences for a long time now.

Arthur bows deeply before the Princess he'd twice saved. "Princess Ella," he says respectfully before rising. "I have far too many questions for you. How are you and Tarn? It's been nearly a year and a half since he left Heroica and came here with you--what have you gotten up to in that time? And how has U'Voros fared since then? I heard that a team of Heroes was sent here about a year ago--how did they fare? For that matter, how has Dastan itself fared since the Battle of Drakencourt?" Miirym, for her part, is awed. Though Vipera is, by a meagre margin, the smaller Dragon, she can sense her Dastanian counterpart's spiritual power, a power that dwarfs her own along with any she'd felt before. Even more surprising, a similar strength emanated from the woman before her, the woman her companion called 'Princess Ella'. Her attention wavering between the two, she matched Arthur's gesture in her own reptilian way, then turns to face Vipera. "<It is an honor to meet you,>" she says in the tongue of Dragons. "<I am named Miirym. My companion Arthur holds the Dragons of Dastan in great regard. I look forward to learning all that you can teach me in the time we have here.>" Arthur's attention is drawn by Miirym's words. The ex-mage dips his head apologetically and turns to address everyone present. "Forgive my rudeness. Everyone, this is Princess Ella, daughter of Emperor Septrine, one of the three Emperors of Dastan. The Dragon who guided us here is Vipera Callidus the Young, the Empire's Dragon Adviser. Princess, Vipera, may I introduce Master Guffington, Lady Felix, Master U'or, and Captain Elba, along with the Heroes Hybros the Imp, Lady Purpearl Berthadhiell, Hoke Ablesword and his companion Torc. And of course, my own companion Miirym has already introduced herself." Miirym nods respectfully. Arthur's smile is akin to that of an affectionate father.

Aren't they? I guess Arthur did specifically ask for an invitation to the wedding, though he's more recently stated he expects them to be married at this point.

You could say she's a , eh?

Inside, Arthur shudders, for reasons unknown even to him.

Arthur smiles. "Well, now it looks like I will use your own words in saying that the last statement is a lie--the others are too specific to be untrue."

Arthur allows his chest to revert to its unsolid state, the ink rippling and bubbling as Hybros' hand reaches clear through his "body". Uncomfortable, Arthur brushes the hand away and focuses on repairing his solid state. "It's more a reflection of what I wish I could be, rather than what I am. Perhaps in some ways I am the same, but many would call me a monster or a demon. Come to think of it, by nomenclature perhaps there is some truth to the latter--Chaos is and always has been associated with the Void." Arthur sighs, wondering why he'd even brought up the subject. No more drinking games for you, he mentally chides himself. "Regardless, I lost something in the transformation--a...oneness, or commonality with others that I did not recognize until I had given it up. I am...different from humanity, and perhaps not in a good way. One day, I'd like to regain that sense of personhood--or at the very least, come to terms with its loss. I try not to let it affect me as much as it once did, but on some level it's always there--a quiet, nagging feeling in the back of my mind that something's not right, and that something is me." Arthur shrugs and adjusts his hair, his measured exp<b></b>ression belying his discontent. "But I didn't come here to mope, and the three of you didn't come here to hear me do so. As I recall, we're here to play a game--and I do believe it's your turn, Master Guffington." Arthur's tone and poise were more formal than they'd been all night--a transparent but usually accepted ploy he often used to distract others from his own discomfort.

I made my account specifically for Heroica (not sure how I came across it--I think I was looking for a new LEGO community as LU was dying). That ridiculous number of posts you see to the left? The vast majority of them are from this game.

"Let's just say that the halberd is a truer form than my humanoid appearance. When the transformation first occurred, I had some difficulty maintaining this appearance. It's gotten easier over time, but I still can't exactly call myself human anymore."

Arthur slides Hybros' gold back, and slid 10 of his own gold to Guffington before accepting 10 from Zora. "Only managed to meet four of the Veterans so far, though I somewhat doubt I'll be meeting the others any time soon." Something in Hybros' words seems to soothe Arthur somewhat, and the Dragoon leans back in his chair, holding his palm upward and allowing an inky black halberd with a twisting handle to rise from its surface before grabbing it and letting it solidify. "Of course, none of this leaves this room, right?" Arthur asks searchingly.

OMG. OMG. This whole time. This whole time...!

"...I'm going to guess the third as a lie." Arthur seems even more disoriented than he was a few moments before, and he seems to struggle to come up with coherent words. "I suppose I'm up next. I have fought two gods, personally met all the Veterans of Heroica, and am a living weapon of pure Chaos." Arthur seems unusually satisfied with his challenge for the others, if definitely not sober at this point.