Flipz

"Yes, it was a parting gift from Tarn himself just before he left to Dastan. He seemed quite happy to be going with Princess Ella...they make a very nice couple. I look forward to seeing them again" Arthur turns to Lady Felix. "Forgive me, Lady Felix, for a rude question so soon after we have met, but I have never met anyone of your species before. Who, and what, are you?"

"They're revered in Xu as well, though they don't quite understand the concept of Dragoons." Arthur turns to Hoke. "It'd probably be best not to mount Torc while we're there, Hoke--the people of Xu might percieve it as a slight against her." "Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Purpearl one of the Heroes of Baltarok as well? Perhaps she will have some helpful connections there as well."

"Dyric!" Arthur exclaims as Dyric enters, Miirym taking flight in alarm as her Dragoon races to see one of his closest companions. Arthur clasps the man's wrists. "I didn't realize you'd signed up. It's good to see you again, brother." Arthur chuckles. "If you'd met me the last time Dyric and I Quested together, your streak would have been broken two and a half years ago. I was a much different man then. I'm glad we didn't have time to come inside when my younger self was here, just as glad as I am to be able to do so now." "<...if this Dyric fellow inspires you to talk this much, perhaps you should be separated,>" Miirym grumbles, settling down next to Torc. Though her tone held no true distaste for the Duplovian, neither did it carry any respect. Arthur blushes and releases Dyric's arms. "Ahh, that's right, you haven't met. Well, you have, but you didn't realize it at the time. Dyric, this is Miirym, Miirym, Dyric, one of my closest companions from my days in Heroica." "Charmed," Miirym projects in the same annoyedly neutral tone as she'd spoken in a moment before. "Well, given that I helped lead the revolution in Xu and the armies in Dastan, I think it's safe to say I have friends in both places; since that's where I wanted to return anyway, I think Miirym and my destination is pretty clear. Hybros, Hoke, Torc, Miirym, and me...seems like a full party in my book." Arthur appears saddened to be separated from his friend so soon, but nods in acknowledgement of the wisdom behind the arrangement. "Before you go, I want you to have this." Arthur pulls his Unlucky Horseshoe from an inner pocket and hands it to Dyric. "It's...a reminder of a certain night--the Foundation Day Ball, actually--but seeing as I can't use it anymore, you'd make better use of it. It's yours." Reaching from the same pocket, he extracts the Noble Mask and lends it to Matthias, along with his Staff of Ennon. "This Mask is a reminder of a old friend who also retired from Heroica. He moved to Dastan some time ago...another reason I want to visit. I'll need that back after our trip, but the staff could be yours, for the right price." Finally, digging through his weapons and usable gear, Arthur finally pulls out an Enchanted Bracelet and a pair of Stingy Gloves he lends to Purpearl. "I unfortunately don't have much gear for you to use, Lady Purpearl, but perhaps these will be useful." Much of his excess gear divvied, Arthur stretches and cracks his neck, warming up for what might lie ahead.

Interesting--one of my two big Quests in the works involves Baltarok as well, though mostly the more remote parts to the north. Hmm... *starts getting evil ideas* Speaking of Quest ideas coming up, I've been working on a short one-off idea for about a week now, aimed towards some of the lower-leveled Heroes left behind in the Hall (since the Fields is not the ideal place for you guys). It only involves four sets and a puzzle, so if anyone is interested in helping me with said sets I'd be much obliged.

"I think death is an occupational hazard for culinary workers in this city. I was at the Foundation Day Ball two years ago, and from what I heard from my companions at the time, the food itself ended up trying to kill them. Maybe it'd be safer to just let my half-brother Noel accidentally animate your dinnerware," Arthur jokes. "In any event, it is a pleasure to meet you as well. It's been a while since Miirym and I helped liberate Xu, and even longer since I was in Dastan. I'm looking forward to seeing how the places have fared." Miirym, rather than exert herself needlessly, merely nods her agreement. "What about you? Anywhere in particular you're looking forward to visiting, Guts, Hoke--" Miirym spots Matthias peeking into the courtyard and gently pokes Arthur's ear with her tail. "Newcomer? Forgive me if we've met, good sir, your face is difficult to make out from the shadows. Why don't you come over and join us?"

I find it interesting some of the details I've accidentally picked up from other players. For example, in looking back I realized that I unconsciously copied Torc's interest in other Dragons to Miirym--and both had their interest triggered by a lack of response from Arx. (inb4 "Arx gets all the ladies" )

Miirym furrows her brow once more. "It pleases me to hear this. I am a Dragon, it is only fitting that my companion be of the finest skill." Arthur rolls his eyes, then smiles a gentle, affectionate smile at Miirym. "Miirym has Dastanian blood, we think. It would explain why she has a connection to the Spirit Pools, despite growing more like a Charisian Dragon than a Dastanian one." He strokes her head as she lays it on his shoulder. "She is still young, though, which is why she usually prefers to use her native Draconic speech rather than speaking mentally--it's much less draining on her." OOC: Just for the sake of clarity, I use <> to indicate when she's using Draconic speech, during which only those with Animal Talk, Dragon Tamer, and Gossolalia--or those who have specific knowledge of Dragon tongue, I suppose, a la "Language of the Frogs"--can understand her. Any other time she's "speaking" in quotes, it's the whole "mental projection" thing that Vipera does. "You're speaking of Torc, correct? It will be good to see her again. I haven't seen her since she was...well, smaller than Miirym here." Miirym perks her head up interestedly, and begins scanning the skies as if to watch for her fellow Dragon's approach.

As Guts pushes open the gate he'd just knocked at, Arthur blushes slightly and follows the Marauder inside the courtyard. Not wishing to interrupt, the Dragoon waits for his apparent traveling companion to finish his piece before offering a hand to U'or, then Lady Felix, and finally to Guffington himself. "Arthur Ziegfried," Arthur says by way of introduction. "You've already met my companion Miirym." At the mention of her name, Miirym claws her way up Arthur's cloak to his shoulders, sniffing gingerly at Guts' fancy hat before eyeing Guffington's bare head intently. Arthur chuckles. "No, Miirym," he chides pre-emptively. "You're a lot heavier than the last time we visited Xu. You're going to have to start asking people before hitching rides." The Dragon gives her guardian a pouty look, but simply vents her frustrations with a smoke ring before settling down on his shoulders, curling her tail languidly around his neck.

The first sight the trio sees is a small golden dragon soaring to the top of the clock tower, searching the area below intently, and then gliding down to the three humanoid figures. She skids a little from the momentum as she lands, but ruffles her scales with an air of self-importance. Miirym stares intently into the eyes of each individual, before furrowing her brow and struggling to project her thoughts. "I am Miirym, hero of Xu. My companion Arthur will arrive shortly." As if on cue, there is a polite knock at the gate, though it does not open. As the Dragoon waits for an answer, he eats a Level-Up Mushroom from his pack and bathes his precious Shadeaux Cloak in his three Bright Polishes. OOC: I'm still fixing my stats, it'll be just a few minutes before I'm done. EDIT: Stats are fixed (including accounting for the Level-Up Mushroom and Bright Polishes used in this post), thanks for your patience, Zeph!

As Thalion returns to Heroica Hall, Arthur spots a third familiar face--but this time, it was one he'd expected. "Hello, Guts," he says, holding out the Scroll of Fear and Scroll of Sloth. "As we agreed, that'll be 300 gold. Enjoy." Arthur is about to speak more, when a pink envelope bursts into existence in mid-air. Miirym climbs further up Arthur's shoulder as he opens it. "<Is this...?>" "It is." Arthur gives Miirym a joyful grin, followed by a serious expression. "Now remember, we have to be careful. We don't have the Veterans' spell to keep us safe--only the Heroes, and each other." Miirym nods solemnly. "<I understand.>" "Good. Then let us go meet our new employer." And with that, the pair departed for Guffington Manor.

"Take care, Hybros." Arthur was about to leave, when another old friend happened to approach. "Thalion!" Arthur calls. "Gods, how long has it been since we've seen each other? You seem well. I hear you're an Artisan now?" Arthur notes the ex-Mage upgrading Hoke's gear. "Say...I wasn't going to do this, but since you're here...would you mind upgrading some of my equipment? I could probably afford to pay you 1800 gold for these upgrades." OOC: If I screwed up the price, let me know and I'll correct it. Miirym looks on quizzically, but doesn't object; rather, she seems to regard Thalion and her guardian's interaction with approval.

Yeah...not sure what we could do to fix the problem. We could hike potion prices, but that doesn't really help late-game. Ultimately, for Clerics to become popular, they need to be able to do something that a Mage with potions can't--particularly since they got hit pretty hard in the Ether nerf.

"Regulus...that was my father's name. Given some of the things I've learned about him in recent months, it's not a name I'm particularly proud to bear--not after what he did to my village, to my mother... To both my mothers, actually--the one who raised me, and the one to whom I was born. My birth mother reached out to me several months ago, and since then I've been living with her and my half-brother Noel, trying to make up for all the years I've lost." Arthur passes over the 80 Gold. "Well, we'd like to get to Xu if we can, see how things have progressed since the coup. If not, we're headed to Dastan, so that Miirym can meet some Dragons that weren't hatched with Heroes--a bit of reconnecting with her heritage as it were." Miirym continues to eye Hybros beadily, but seems to remain otherwise impassive. "Thanks again, Hybros, I really appreciate it. It's not often a Ziegfried can be on such good terms with an Alchemist--let's hope it's a sign for the future, eh?"

Miirym squints cautiously at Hybros, but Arthur beams. "Hybros! I am well. Getting ready for a trip with Miirym, actually, if I can get enough supplies. We'll be traveling overseas for a while, so it's important we're prepared." He coughs awkwardly. "I...er...don't suppose you'd be willing to help an old friend out?" Arthur shows Hybros the list he'd been working from. "I'd originally budgeted 300 gold for all the potions and the like, but I'd forgotten the Guild's markup...not to mention I'm not too popular with them anyways, given their...relationship to my family." He sighs. "One day, maybe, we can sort things out with the Guild. Until then, though, I suppose it's up to Heroes to provide the better example, eh?" Arthur grins apologetically. "<Is this the same Hybros your other friends spoke of?>" Miirym inquires pointedly. "Oh! Yes, right. Pretzel and Althior both gave me some things to hang on to for you. A...flail and a Medal, I believe?" Arthur hands Hybros the Heavy Flail and Medal of Glory. "I went ahead and paid them for you, so you don't have to worry about tracking them down later."

As the sun rises on a new morning, Arthur finds himself wandering near the Marketplace, Miirym close behind him. No word had yet arrived from the Great Guffington, but the Dragoon nonetheless felt the need to prepare for a journey. One way or another, he and Miirym would be departing soon.. "Spare clothes, provisions, repair supplies...even with Mom's help, this stuff won't come cheap for a voyage this long. I may have to dip into my own supply for this, especially if we want to be packing potions." "<Is this such a bad thing?>" "Not really. I'm just used to spending my gold on weapons and armor, not hardtack and jerky." "<Will we have enough to hire a vessel should Guffington refuse our offer?>" Arthur inhales deeply. "I hope so. I'm on good terms with Captain Illdria of the Magpie, hopefully she'd be willing to transport us if it's on her way. Would be good to get to see Melvin and Jules and Knife-Tongue again." Arthur gently touches the Scarf of Misfortune he kept in his pocket, a reminder of the friends he'd made that day. "If she's not in port, there's a good chance we could catch a ride to Dastan directly with the Lion Knights, if we're willing to skip a few of our planned ports of call." "<It would be regrettable...but acceptable.>" Arthur smiles at his Draconic companion. "You're really looking forward to this, aren't you?" Miirym nods. "<I may never have set claw in Dastan before, but you have called it a land of dust and Dragons. That is a kinship I wish to explore.>" "I hear you, Miirym. One way or another, I'll give you that chance. I promise."

Would it be overpowered if a Chi Monk's Chakra affected the heal target instead of the Chi Monk if they're healing with Ether? I'm trying to think of ways to make the class a little more appealing as support without breaking it entirely.

One day, Pie, I'm going to manage to be able to help you before you've already done all the work yourself.

Yes, against those, Zoot's Playthings, and Overkill Gloves.

Long as you use it well within the rules, you should be fine. It's a measure of last resort, not the first answer to all your problems. How do you think I managed to hold onto them for so long without them getting broken? That said, I do think that outright breaking it without recompense is kind of unfair. Even Endgame was going to give me a Level-Up Mushroom and ~200 gold for it in Quest 99. (The majority of the cash Pretzel paid me was for the scrolls and Lens--which he surprisingly hasn't made use of via lending, despite said item being well more powerful than the Healing Staff. )

You can't poison yourself. You can attack yourself with a poisoned weapon you're otherwise immune to.

And that, children, is why you never attempt to abuse a broken item, especially when you've been told multiple times that your use of it is outside the rules.

The description says at the end of each Quest. It's reusable.

You know, that Tyrant Statue is actually more valuable than the reward for both of the other treasures combined...

Anyone have a list of pre order bonuses yet?

It's probably not intentional, Sandy, but I find it amusing that the listing of Namyrra's undead looks like the dragon is vomiting on the rest of the party's stats.