Flipz

That's exactly what I'm saying; even if Sandy tries to be neutral, if he can see the hands ahead of time, it could affect his decision-making for the NPCs (either positively or negatively for them, depending on which direction he tries to be neutral). Hidden hands are the way to go. Regarding your scenario: no. Hands are pre-selected before the match, and won cards (as well as the cards you use to win them) go into your deck instead of into your hand.

It does affect things, though; let's say an NPC picks a Dark 2, Plant 2, Fiery 3, Aquatic 4, and Rock 6 deck (totally random off the top of my head). A player picks a Rock 3, Plant 4, Luminous 5, Fiery 1, Ethereal 2 deck (again, just whatever pops into my head). The picks may not have been influenced by each other, but now that the opponents know each others' decks, it affects strategy; for example, in a blind environment, it's utter stupidity to play your strongest cards if you have to go first since you don't know if your opponent has something that beats it, but now the NPC knows that he can play his Aquatic 4 without consequence, and as soon as the player plays his Plant 4 card (which the NPC can force out with his Plant 2 card), he can play his Rock 6 card without fear. ...let me explain. Basically, as the acting player in a Round (playing your card before your opponent), you want to play something you're willing to lose, since odds are your opponent will have something to counter it. As a result, stronger cards get saved for later, but that also means you have less chance to strategize to make sure you can keep said stronger card. However, if you also know your opponent's hand, you can play your big cards as active moves rather than reactive moves, which not only means you can be sure to keep them, but also means that you can significantly shift the power of play to your side (since you can now win more rounds in which you go first AND have the normal advantage of choice when going second). Essentially, playing with visible hands shifts a lot of the strategy into the pick stage, with a winner essentially being decided the moment the hands are revealed.

Let's establish some terminology here, because this is going to get confusing. Unofficial Decamon Glossary Deck - Term for the total collection of all of a player's Decamon cards. Hand - Five (5) cards, chosen from a player's deck in order to be played in a match. Match - A Decamon engagement between two players, played in five (5) Rounds. Whichever player wins more Rounds wins the match. Round - A single portion of play within a match, in which each player plays one card against their opponent. The player with the higher-numbered card wins the Round, unless one card trumps the other. Cup - Term for a set of matches played within a tournament. In an elimination tournament, anyone who loses a match within the cup is eliminated from the tournament. Similar term: "bracket". Tournament - A group of matches organized into cups. There are several different types of tournaments, but the most common to date is the elimination tournament, in which anyone who loses a match within a cup is eliminated from the tournament.

Which sort of makes sense, but at the same time knowing what the opponent has in store changes your strategy. I was going to suggest that we could see the NPCs' decks (from which they'd secretly pick 5 cards for a hand), but even then Sandy will know which 5 cards you've chosen, and no matter how neutral he tries to be it will subtly influence the way the NPCs play. It would almost be better if there was a second Decamon official to handle the individual hand submissions; that way, both players would be blind, but there'd still be someone to keep people honest. (It would have to be instituted alongside the "we get to see NPCs' decks before they choose a hand" suggestion to still be completely fair, though, unless the NPCs' hands were picked from their deck by random draw.)

I'm not sure, it's never been specified. It seems only fair, since obviously both the match-runner and other players will know the cards in the players' decks, but it does change the way one has to think about the game. Incidentally, I've determined that the Ethereal 1 card (Ursa Minor) is absolutely useless; at most, it can force a tie with another Level 1 card, but in any other situation it is automatically beaten. Basically, if you get an Ethereal 1 card and use it in a hand for a match, you are virtually guaranteed to lose at least one round of that match.

Even if you only buy 1 pack (5 cards), the only way to end up with fewer than 5 cards by the end would be if you lost the match (and thus were eliminated anyway); since the winner takes the loser's card each time, the only way to lose more cards than you gain would be to lose 3 or more rounds within the hand, which officially counts as a loss. Example: A (5 cards) vs. B (5 cards) Round 1: A wins A (6 cards) vs. B (4 cards) Round 2: A wins A (7 cards) vs. B (3 cards) Round 3: B wins A (6 cards) vs. B (4 cards) Round 4: B wins A (5 cards) vs. B (5 cards) A and B are tied at this point. If A loses the round, he'll lose the match and also will not have enough cards to play anyway; the same goes for B. Thus, the only way to not have enough cards to play would also be to lose the match and thus be eliminated.

Round 3 of the Apple Ambush (Battle 4, Play Fair): Lind Whisperer (Ethereal Deck) retrieves throwing weapons >Grimwald Gjinko drinks Grand Potion - +25 HP >Darksten (Crossbow) vs. Cheshire Cat A (Back Row) - SHIELD (Tripleshot - Cheshire Cat A, Cheshire Cat B, Bugbear Healer A: 6+14=20 damage) Free Hits: Dryad + Bugbear Healer B vs. Lind Whisperer: 16+7=23-4=19 damage (KO!) Cheshire Cat B vs. Grimwald Gjinko: 13/2=6 damage Bugbear Healer A vs. Darksten: 7-2=5 damage With his comrades busy, Darksten unloads three bolts from his crossbow, but it is not enough to prevent the onslaught of Free Hits, the bugbears in particular proving to be deceptively strong. Lind ends up Knocked Out, with Darksten himself hovering at half health. Five enemies still remain against the three Heroes. THE BATTLE CONTINUES! The Enemies: Dryad *Immune to poisoned* Type: Humanoid/Plant Level: 16 Health: 219/242 Special: Poison Ivy – Causes the bound- and poisoned by 4-effects to the target. Drops: Venom Cheshire Cat A Type: Beast/Ethereal Level: 13 Health: 73/131 Special: Big Grin – Causes the jinxed-effect to the target. Drops: Nostrum Cheshire Cat B Type: Beast/Ethereal Level: 13 Health: 111/131 Special: Big Grin – Causes the jinxed-effect to the target. Drops: Nostrum Bugbear Healer A *Fights from the back row* Type: Beast Level: 7 Health: 76/96 Special: Bear Hug – Restores 30 health to self and all allies. Drops: Potion Bugbear Healer B *Fights from the back row* Type: Beast Level: 7 Health: 96/96 Special: Bear Hug – Restores 30 health to self and all allies. Drops: Potion The Party: Lind Whisperer *Immune to Fire* *Party Leader!* *Knocked Out* 21-year-old male Human of the Munchkin tribe Class: Rogue Level: 13.5 Power Bonus: +3 Defense: 4 Health: 0/23 (7+11+4) Gold: 3 Glory Points: 8 Equipment: Darker Ethereal Deck (Playing Cards) (WP:7, throwing weapon), Anniversary Medal (+3 Health, +3 Power, +3 SP, +3 Ether, Immune to Fire; accessory, suitable for anyone), Akrone Fez (Artefact; SP: 1, Max. Health: +1, Headwear, suitable for anyone) Inventory: • Ethereal Deck (WP:7, throwing weapon) • Mugger's Mask (Protects from loss of gold from gold stealing enemies, headwear.), Trickster's Mask of the Human (suitable for anyone, changes users appearance into a human of the same gender, accessory), • Bedroll, Shovel • Venom, Mead x2, Potion x7, Remedy, Bone, Phoenix Essence • Newspaper with Picture of Lupine (Quest/role-playing item), Alfendi's Cape Grimwald Gjinko 69 year old male gnome Sage Level: 19.5 Power Bonus: +1 permanent, +5 spells SP: 0 Health: 23/32 Ether: 17/28 Gold: 323 (Owes Nerwen 300) Glory Points: 8 Equipment: Shadeaux Mace (Wp:9; deals fragile-effect), Spellbound Gloves (Increases the power of spells by 5, doubled if the enemy is weak to the element), Robes of the Disciple of Ennoc (+5 max. health, +5 max. ether, meditation restores 2 ether, body-wear) Inventory: • Splinter Broom (WP: 8, broomstick, defies SP) • Spellbound hood (Sp: 2, Increases the power of spells by 3, doubled if the enemy is weak to the element, headwear, suitable for Mages, clerics, necromancers), • Shovel, Pickaxe, Bedroll • Opal, Amethyst, Diamond, Topaz • Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sleep • Tonic x6, Grand Tonic x4, Bunch of Cherries (10/10 cherries that each restore 1 ether when eaten, user can choose how many are eaten at a time), Sushi (restores 5 HP and 5 Ether) x2, Remedy x2, Elixir x3, Neutralizer, Phoenix Essence, Mead x4, Nostrum x3, Smelling Salts x4, Mulled Wine x2, Ambrosia, Bone x5, Ice Bomb, Root beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against Undead enemies for 20 damage (Does not affect non-Undead enemies)), Smoke Bomb, Plague Venom, Mythril Shard, Grating stone x2, Darksten (Comrade Commander) *Immune to poisoned, bleeding, cursed, jinxed, and blinded* 35 year old Male Human Ranger Level 14 Power: 19 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 9/19 SP: 2 Gold: 517 Glory Points: 8 Equipment: Crossbow (WP: 6); Sand-Worm Hide (SP: 2), Tribal amulet (Wearer is Immune to poisoned, bleeding, cursed, jinxed, and blinded; acessory, suitable to barbarians, rangers, beast warriors) Inventory: Weapons: Spider String Bow (WP: 4, Darkness Elemental Bow), Artifacts: Safety Blanket (SP: 1, protects from Afraid, backwear), Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Compass, Consumables: Potion x13, Grand Potion x2, Remedy x5, Mead x4, Venom x3, Phoenix Essence x2, Smelling Salts x2, Nostrum x2, Soma, Ambrosia, Root Beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against undead enemies for 20 damage. The Root Beer does not affect non-undead enemies), Floral Bomb, Smoke bomb, Lightning bombs x8, Bone x3, Chicken Drumstick (+1 Max health upon consumption) Roleplay: Utility Knife (roleplay item), Fang of Kos (roleplay item), Fang of Lolth (Roleplay item), Hint Coin (Gives the user a hint about a puzzle or tricky situation. Usable only once. Has no monetary value.) Party Leader, please post the order of action. Everyone, choose your targets, weapon, 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.

"I see. Well, it has been a pleasure speaking with both of you." Arthur nods respectfully to both Sun and the Spymaster before walking past the two individuals in fancy dress, listening to try and overhear the subject of their conversation. OOC: The two people on the right side of the photo, in case I'm being unclear.

QM Note: Hmm...to me it does count as an effect (so someone can't splash a Trial Brew on an enemy that's "immune to effects" in order to halve their HP and SP), but it also specifically states that it cannot be removed once applied except by KO, so Docken will be keeping the Trial. That goes both ways, though; currently, his Scary Hat is currently preventing the SP reduction from the Trial, but if it's de-equipped in the middle of Trial for some reason, re-equipping it won't reverse the reduction. I'll run the Round once I have an action from Thormanil.

Technically, yes, but it's only one round in a hand. Exactly. OMG that gargoyle...not the card specifically, the enemy for it is just really cool.

FM Note: Going to wait on Lordofthenoobs to see whether he chooses to use the potion, heal himself with Ether, or take some other course of action.

Arthur shrugs nonchalantly. "It sounds like a fascinating branch of magic. I used to be a spellcaster myself, but an unfortunate accident led me to rethink my life and take a more martial approach to my problems. I wouldn't mind a chance to read up on the subject, though, if only for nostalgia's sake--are there any books on the subject you can recommend?" Miirym's tail twitches as she listens to the male Aoi feed Lady Shanxian more drivel. The little dragon shivers a little and tucks her body underneath part of the Ji Pei matriarch's headdress. She glances up at the room, watching carefully to see if anyone was approaching to cause the lady harm, and listens to the two Aoi's tones of voice for aural signs of trouble or distress.

Ugh. That battle took way too long to balance. Fortunately, the next few shouldn't be so hard on me (followed by a bunch in a row pretty much guaranteed to kill me one way or another). Also, I literally just got Ecrub's name. Also, obligatory "Heroica is so disharmonious, not a single Hero can use Companionship effectively" joke because of Althior's epic fail at using it in 116.

QM Note: Sorry for the delay! It appeared the monk's suspicion was correct, for with each touch of flesh to stone, a different letter appeared. It took but a few moments to enter the suggested name, and a few moments more for the tell-tale thunk of an unbarring bolt falling away to sound. The door swung open, ushering the party into... As the party of four stepped inside, the grey stone walls seemed to close in around them. The enclosed space felt both spacious and yet confined, some primal fear urging them to stay away, to flee that awful place. Still they stepped forward, their eyes slowly adjusting to the gloomy dim within. The door closed behind them, leaving them in darkness for a few crucial moments. It was then, in the dark, that they heard the sounds. *Scrape*...*Scrape*...*Thud*...*Scrape*...*Scrape*...*Thud*...*Thud*... All was black...nothing was seen...but gradually, agonizingly, their vision returned. Two golems, similar to those they had seen and yet different, stood before them, one advancing slowly across their path while the other pounded away at the opposite door, a sturdy thing of steel and stone. The pair stopped briefly, the sudden silence flooding the room, before the grinding of stone on stone echoed through the room. The two figures swiveled swiftly, then stopped. Seven stood silently in that space for several seconds, before the brawling broke out. PREPARE FOR BATTLE! The Enemies: Golem Clerk *Immune to Blinded* *Back Row* *Ignores Row* Type: Humanoid Level: 32 Health: 360/360 Defense: 1 Special I: Feeble Flailing - Golem Clerk panics, throwing his weapon and hitting the target and the next two targets below them for 31 damage ignoring row and dealing the Blinded-effect. He then becomes Slowed for one Round while he recovers. Used if he is in possession of a weapon suitable for his use. Special II: When In Rome... - Golem Clerk follows the example of the Golem Rogue, stealing a random weapon from the target's inventory. Used when not in possession of a weapon suitable for his use. Drops: Blind Bomb, Quill Pen (WP:1, retrievable throwing weapon), Inkwell (consumable, causes a weapon to deal the Blinded-effect for one battle) Note: Golem Clerk attacks with a throwing weapon; after one roll of Damage or one Free Hit, he will move to the Front Row and will retrieve his weapon on the next roll of Damage or Free Hit. If for any reason he cannot retrieve his throwing weapon, Golem Clerk will attack from the Back Row and his attacks will no longer ignore Row. Golem Rogue *Immune to Darkness and Sealed* *Lucky* *Hastened* *Reinforced* Type: Humanoid Level: 50 Health: 550/550 Defense: 4 8 Special I: Mug - The Golem Rogue beats the target by striking for 55 damage. If the target carries gold, the Golem Rogue steals gold equal to the target's level + 5. Special II: Steal & Hide - If the target carries gold, the Golem Rogue steals gold equal to the target's level + 5. The Golem Rogue then hides for the remainder of the Round, avoiding all action that comes their way. Drops: 90 gold, Swift Boots (Changes HIDE into STEAL & HIDE, allowing the wearer to STEAL gold equal to the target’s level if it carries gold, in addition to hiding; suitable to rogues; footwear), Mercutio's Dagger of Mugging (WP:5, +5 gold stolen; dagger)The Party: Ellaria Arbour (Sandy) 23 years old female human Druid Level 30.25 *Immune to Sealed, Poisoned, Bleeding, and Hexed* *Ignis Fatuus: permanently poisoned by 15* *Party Leader* Power: 42 (30+12) Defense: 7 (3+4) Health: 48/48 (9+29+7+1+2) Ether: 37/42 (5+29+5+1+2) Gold: 223 Equipment: Ignis Fatuus (WP:12, permanently poisoned by 15, fire- and lighting-elemental staff), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max Ether +5, protects from sealing; bodywear), Sterile Gloves (immunity to poisoned and bleeding, handwear), Spider Helmet (SP:4, passes poisoned and bleeding effects to the enemy when the wearer is hit; headwear), Paper Doll (Protects from hexed; accessory) Inventory: Weapons Sylvania's Crossbow (WP:10, wood-elemental crossbow), Pan Flute (WP: 7, instrument), Wizard's Staff (WP:1, fire-, wind-, water- and earth-elemental staff), Skull Shield (SP:6; immunity to Darkness-elemental damage; suitable to Black Knights only; shield.) Artefacts: Ranger's Quiver (WP: +1 to bows and crossbows. Suitable for rangers, beast warriors, infiltrators, and winged warriors), Spirit Robe (Renders wearer invisible to the enemy for the first three rounds of battle so they do not take free hits; backwear), Black Bandana (Power +3, pirate lingo; headwear), Spell Items: Scroll of Inspiration (Inspired for rest of battle, 10 ether, 50/50 chance) Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Serenade of Water (Causes Water damage equal to the minstrel's level to all enemies per round for as long as the song is sung. Costs 10 ether per round. Battle Song), Ruby (Fire) Consumables: 3 Potions, 2 Grand Potions, 4 Health Cores, 4 Tonics, 5 Grand Tonics, Ether Core, Elixir, 3 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, Tiger Balm, 2 Phoenix Essences, Emergency Essence, 2 Meads, Smelling Salts, 2 Nostrum, 2 Soma, Ambrosia, 2 Tasty Pretzels (1/3 chance each of granting Lucky, Hastened and Encouraged-effects upon consumption for the duration of one battle.), 2 Hardtack Biscuits (Grants +10 current and max HP for the duration of one battle), Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, Flash Bomb, 3 Fire Bombs, Ice Bomb, 2 Lightning Bombs, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Holy Bombs, Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used.), Grating Stone, Currency: Gold Ore (worth 80 gold) Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass Quest Items: Tower Key Hybros (played by JimButcher) 53-year-old male imp Chi Monk *Permanently Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements except wood* *Intimidation* *Natural Respite* *Encouraged* Level: 33 Power Bonus: 3 (8 in front row) * Defense: 0 Health: 54/54 (7+32+12+3*) Ether: 28/37 (32+3+2) Gold: 768 Equipment: Golden Armor (user is permanently hastened and cursed, fire-, water-, earth-, wind-, ice-, lightning-, darkness-, light-elemental, grants immunity to Sleep, Blindness, Confusion, Frailty, and Weakening; bodywear), The Black Hat (Suitable for anyone, grantsIntimidation, immune to darkness and cursed, headwear), Fighting Boots (Power +5 on the front row; suitable to barbarians, knights, rogues, beast warriors, chi monks, dragoons, harlots, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators and winged warriors), Metal Claw (Unarmed attacks drain health from the enemy equal to 50% of the strength of the attack (rounded up); handwear) Inventory: • Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 45.25 gains 1/4 WP every kill made with it; longsword), Zoot's Reaper (WP:15; scythe, suitable to Hybros), Clock Cog (WP:14, retrievable), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all, retrievable), Justice (WP:8, causes blinded-effect, dagger), Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike, daggers), Hollow Dagger (WP:6, hollow blade [nothing]; dagger), Spinning Bolas (WP: 5, deals the Slowed effect, but the effect is removed when retrieved; retrievable), Nimbus Broomstick (WP:5, long range, usable by mages and clerics; Broomstick, sells for double usual price), Wrench (WP:3, decreases the target’s level by 1, retrievable), Pan (WP: 1, +1 Health; suitable for all classes) • Sticky Gloves (gains 50% more gold, suitable for Rogues, handwear), Baron's Epaulets (Suitable for short heroes, grants Command over short NPCs), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP:1, suitable to Rogues; backwear), Cloak of the Red Assassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear), Sterile Gloves (grants immunity to poisoned- and bleeding-effects, handwear), • Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Opal, Scroll of Luck (grants Lucky-effect for one battle, costs 10 ether) • 13 Potions, 12 Grand Potions, 16 Health Cores, 11 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, 3 Elixirs, 3 Grand Tonics, Soma, Feather of White, 2 Phoenix Essences, 4 Phoenix Incenses, 2 Deadly Venoms, 4 Smoke Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 5 Nostrums, 3 Meads, 2 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, 3 Pumpkin Bombs (causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used), 2 Gold Rings (Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver), Skeleton Decoy, Bone • Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, 4 Mythril Shards, Crimson Haze (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects permanently), Grating Stone Bartholomew Docken, Dragonslayer (Brickdoctor) 34-year-old human male, Warden Level 47 *Gains Triple Sextuple XP* *Takes Halved Damage from Free Hits* *Scary* *Immune to Defense Reduction, Removal of Positive Effects, Confused, Blinded, Poison, Fragile, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Sudden Death* *Counterstriking* *Asleep (3 Rounds)* *Trial* Power: 57 (Level 47 + WP: 10) (Power Bonus: 0) Defense: 23 11 (SP: 20 + SP: 3) Health: 81/81 40/40 (base HP: 6 + Level bonus: 46 + Class bonus: 8 + permanent boost: 21*) Gold: 521 (1 Gold loaned to Lord Lawrence Boomingham [Zepher]) GP: 27 Equipment: Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10 0; inflicts the Blinded-effect; Crossbow), Mythril Shield (SP: 20; Shield), Dread Hat (permanent Scary effect; immune to Defense Reduction, Removal of Positive Effects, Confusion, Blindness, Poison, Fragile, Fire, Earth, and Wind; suitable for anyone; Headwear), Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3; Damage of all Free Hits is halved; suitable for anyone; Bodywear), Cobweb Cowl (immune to Sudden Death; suitable for anyone; Backwear), Medal of Glory (Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles; suitable for anyone; Accessory), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level; suitable for anyone; Handwear) Inventory: • Pan (WP: 1; +1 Max HP; suitable for all classes), Fishstick (WP: 7; deals double Damage on ships; club), Unlucky Horseshoe (WP: 13; inflicts the Jinxed-effect; Throwing Weapon [borrowed from Arthur Justus Regulus VII (Flipz)]) • Large Water Canteen (Carries 6 portions of water; Accessory), Aqua Gear (Adds Water-element to physical attacks, immune to Water, Accessory) • Potions (4), Grand Potions (11), Health Cores (3), Remedies (10), Phoenix Essences (3), Phoenix Incense, Meads (2), Smelling Salts, Mulled Wine, Feather of Lithe, Feather of White, Smoke Bombs (5), Water Bombs (5), Lightning Bombs (5), Bones (11), Venom (5), Deadly Venom, Skeleton Decoy, Teleportapple, Grating Stone, Adamantite Shards (3/4 Adamantite), Writ of Blacksmith Service (Voucher for one free weapon or shield upgrade at Anwyl's Smithy) • Bedroll, Shovel, Magnifying Glass • Silver Ore (60 Gold) • Incomplete Formula (Quest Item, note, found: Blacksmith), Portia Butcher's Diary Entry (Quest Item, note, found: General Store), Storekeeper's Note (Quest Item, note, found: General Store Cellar), Clerk's Note (Quest Item, note, found: Mayor's Office), Clara Butcher's Letter (Quest Item, note, found: Town Hall Meeting Room) Thormanil Nihai, Dragonslayer, Orc-kin (Played by swils) and Arx the Youngling (Ice) Level 42.4 Dragoon *Immune to Darkness, Light, Water, Fire, Air, Earth, Lightning, and Asleep, Blinded, Bound, Confused, Fragile,Slowed, and Weakened* *Gains Triple Experience* *Reflects physical damage* Power Bonus: +1 Defense: 18 Health: 61/61 Gold: 1636 Equipment: Shishkebab (WP: 16, dual-strike, darkness-elemental, lance), Iris Shield (SP: 15; reflects physical Damage back to the attacker regardless of Row or Defense, if the user survives the attack.), Bright Armor (SP: 3, Null Darkness), Winged Sandals (Wearer is immune to Light, Water, Fire, Air, Earth, and Lightning, and the Asleep,Blinded, Bound, Confused, Fragile, Slowed, and Weakened-effects), Medal of Glory (Wearer gains triple experience, accessory) Inventory: • Dragonsbane Lance (WP: 20, triple damage to enemies with 'Dragon' in their name, lance), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, Spear, causes bleeding-by-5 effect), Tongue on a Stick (WP:1, Miss -> "Aim"), Frozen Saber (WP: 9, longsword, Stuns enemies), Repeater Crossbow (WP: 7, crossbow. Hastened for first round of combat while equipped.), Schoolyard Sword (WP: 8 great sword), Wooden Shield (SP:5, Null Wood), Crossbow (WP:5) • Trickster's Mask of the Gender Swap (Accessory), Trickster's Mask of the Weredog (Accessory), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (Accessory), Fighting Boots (Footwear, Power +5 on the front row, suitable to barbarians, knights, rogues, beast warriors, chi monks, dragoons, harlots, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators, and winged warriors), Sticky Gloves (Handwear, Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up)), Aqua Gear (Wearer deals and is immune to water-elemental damage) • Pickaxe, Shovel, Magnifying Glass • 2x Amethyst (Darkness), Emerald (Wood), Opal (Ice), • Potion, 2x Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Neutralizer, Milk • Mead, 2x Nostrum, Smelling Salts, 2x Mulled Wine, Jinxy Juice, Feather of Lithe, • 2x Fire Bomb, Lightning Bomb, 3x Smoke Bomb, Ice Bomb, 5x Water Bomb • 3x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, • 2x Grating Stone, Bright Polish, Teleportapple

"Even more of a reason to hire them--your enemies would never expect such an unorthodox tactic." Arthur shrugs. "It's just a suggestion--I've had very positive experiences working with them in the past." He looks to Sun Qui. "You say you're a Weather Mage--I've never heard of a mage specializing in such a field. What exactly is it you do? Does your tradition originate here in Xu?"

Actually, we figured out that the Heroica protection spells carry the Timey-Wimey Ball, so everything happens in real-time even when it doesn't.

"I, too, know and loathe not knowing things," Arthur says, thinking back to his difficulties in Dastan. So the Nagas are on the move...I dearly hope they haven't turned their attention eastward. I don't know if my people could repel forces of that magnitude... "This may sound a bit unorthodox, but have you considered hiring Heroica?" Arthur asks Diplomatically. "They can sometimes be a bit peculiar, but I hear they have a great track record with investigations and infiltrations."

Round 2 of the Apple Ambush (Battle 4, Play Fair): >Lind Whisperer (Ethereal Deck) vs. Dryad (Back Row) - Critical Hit (Dryad: 7*2=14+13+3=30 damage; Lind: Ethereal Deck must be retrieved) >Grimwald Gjinko (Ice, Shadeaux Mace) vs. Cheshire Cat A (Back Row) - Spell (Cheshire Cat A: 9+19+6=34*2/2=34 damage; Grimwald: -1 Ether) >Darksten (Crossbow) vs. Bugbear Healer A (Back Row) - Special Damage (Bear Hug - all enemies: +30 health) Free Hits: Cheshire Cat B vs. Lind Whisperer: 13/2=6-4=2 damage Bugbear Healer B vs. Grimwald Gjinko: 7 damage Lind and Grimwald both land solid hits, only for them to be reversed by the healing spell cast by the Bugbear Healer. The remaining Bugbear Healer drops Grimwald to critical health. Five enemies remain against the three Heroes. THE BATTLE CONTINUES! The Enemies: Dryad *Immune to poisoned* Type: Humanoid/Plant Level: 16 Health: 219/242 Special: Poison Ivy – Causes the bound- and poisoned by 4-effects to the target. Drops: Venom Cheshire Cat A Type: Beast/Ethereal Level: 13 Health: 93/131 Special: Big Grin – Causes the jinxed-effect to the target. Drops: Nostrum Cheshire Cat B Type: Beast/Ethereal Level: 13 Health: 131/131 Special: Big Grin – Causes the jinxed-effect to the target. Drops: Nostrum Bugbear Healer A *Fights from the back row* Type: Beast Level: 7 Health: 96/96 Special: Bear Hug – Restores 30 health to self and all allies. Drops: Potion Bugbear Healer B *Fights from the back row* Type: Beast Level: 7 Health: 96/96 Special: Bear Hug – Restores 30 health to self and all allies. Drops: Potion The Party: Lind Whisperer *Immune to Fire* *Party Leader!* 21-year-old male Human of the Munchkin tribe Class: Rogue Level: 13.5 Power Bonus: +3 Defense: 4 Health: 16/23 (7+11+4) Gold: 3 Glory Points: 8 Equipment: Darker Ethereal Deck (Playing Cards) (WP:7, throwing weapon), Anniversary Medal (+3 Health, +3 Power, +3 SP, +3 Ether, Immune to Fire; accessory, suitable for anyone), Akrone Fez (Artefact; SP: 1, Max. Health: +1, Headwear, suitable for anyone) Inventory: • Ethereal Deck (WP:7, throwing weapon) • Mugger's Mask (Protects from loss of gold from gold stealing enemies, headwear.), Trickster's Mask of the Human (suitable for anyone, changes users appearance into a human of the same gender, accessory), • Bedroll, Shovel • Venom, Mead x2, Potion x7, Remedy, Bone, Phoenix Essence • Newspaper with Picture of Lupine (Quest/role-playing item), Alfendi's Cape Grimwald Gjinko 69 year old male gnome Sage Level: 19.5 Power Bonus: +1 permanent, +5 spells SP: 0 Health: 4/32 Ether: 17/28 Gold: 323 (Owes Nerwen 300) Glory Points: 8 Equipment: Shadeaux Mace (Wp:9; deals fragile-effect), Spellbound Gloves (Increases the power of spells by 5, doubled if the enemy is weak to the element), Robes of the Disciple of Ennoc (+5 max. health, +5 max. ether, meditation restores 2 ether, body-wear) Inventory: • Splinter Broom (WP: 8, broomstick, defies SP) • Spellbound hood (Sp: 2, Increases the power of spells by 3, doubled if the enemy is weak to the element, headwear, suitable for Mages, clerics, necromancers), • Shovel, Pickaxe, Bedroll • Opal, Amethyst, Diamond, Topaz • Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sleep • Grand Potion, Tonic x6, Grand Tonic x4, Bunch of Cherries (10/10 cherries that each restore 1 ether when eaten, user can choose how many are eaten at a time), Sushi (restores 5 HP and 5 Ether) x2, Remedy x2, Elixir x3, Neutralizer, Phoenix Essence, Mead x4, Nostrum x3, Smelling Salts x4, Mulled Wine x2, Ambrosia, Bone x5, Ice Bomb, Root beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against Undead enemies for 20 damage (Does not affect non-Undead enemies)), Smoke Bomb, Plague Venom, Mythril Shard, Grating stone x2, Darksten (Comrade Commander) *Immune to poisoned, bleeding, cursed, jinxed, and blinded* 35 year old Male Human Ranger Level 14 Power: 19 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 14/19 SP: 2 Gold: 517 Glory Points: 8 Equipment: Crossbow (WP: 6); Sand-Worm Hide (SP: 2), Tribal amulet (Wearer is Immune to poisoned, bleeding, cursed, jinxed, and blinded; acessory, suitable to barbarians, rangers, beast warriors) Inventory: Weapons: Spider String Bow (WP: 4, Darkness Elemental Bow), Artifacts: Safety Blanket (SP: 1, protects from Afraid, backwear), Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Compass, Consumables: Potion x13, Grand Potion x2, Remedy x5, Mead x4, Venom x3, Phoenix Essence x2, Smelling Salts x2, Nostrum x2, Soma, Ambrosia, Root Beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against undead enemies for 20 damage. The Root Beer does not affect non-undead enemies), Floral Bomb, Smoke bomb, Lightning bombs x8, Bone x3, Chicken Drumstick (+1 Max health upon consumption) Roleplay: Utility Knife (roleplay item), Fang of Kos (roleplay item), Fang of Lolth (Roleplay item), Hint Coin (Gives the user a hint about a puzzle or tricky situation. Usable only once. Has no monetary value.) Party Leader, please post the order of action. Everyone, choose your targets, weapon, 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.

The Treasury and the wiki are both good potential places for such an index.

The fireplace had been used a little more than three days previously--the day of the calamity, based on Miss Persephone's account back at the Guild of Invision. Indoors and out, just four bits of bread had escaped the state of stale rottenness that pervaded the place, turning baked goods into baked bads. How would the Party Leader like to divide the baked goods? 2x Tasty Pretzel (1/3 chance each of granting Lucky, Hastened and Encouraged-effects upon consumption for the duration of one battle.) 2x Hardtack Biscuit (Grants +10 current and max HP for the duration of one battle) The monk noted the broom looked to be a luxury model once imported to Eubric by Elphaba. Nimbus Broomstick – WP:5, long range, usable by mages and clerics. (Broomstick, sells for double usual price) Having combed every corner of every creepy cottage, the perplexed party pondered what awaited them in the Alchemists' Tower. Taking the key they had found on the golems, the Druid inserted it into the lock and turned. A loud *CLICK* resounded, but the door opened not; instead, fifteen stone squares appeared at the bottom of the door's stone plaque. What would the party do?

Round 1 of the Apple Ambush (Battle 4, Play Fair): >Lind Whisperer (Darker Ethereal Deck) vs. Dryad (Back Row) - Hit (Dryad: 7+13+3=23 damage; Lind: Darker Ethereal Deck must be retrieved) >Grimwald Gjinko (Ice, Shadeaux Mace) vs. Cheshire Cat A (Back Row) - Spell (Cheshire Cat A: 9+19+6=34*2/2=34 damage; Grimwald: -1 Ether) >Darksten (Crossbow) vs. Bugbear Healer A (Back Row) - Aim (Bugbear Healer A: 6 damage) Free Hits: Cheshire Cat B vs. Lind Whisperer: 13/2=6-4=2 damage Bugbear Healer B vs. Grimwald Gjinko: 7 damage The battle begins well for the Heroes, but the second bugbear healer deals a nasty hit to Grimwald, taking nearly a quarter of his health in one Free Hit. Five enemies remain against the three Heroes. THE BATTLE CONTINUES! The Enemies: Dryad *Immune to poisoned* Type: Humanoid/Plant Level: 16 Health: 219/242 Special: Poison Ivy – Causes the bound- and poisoned by 4-effects to the target. Drops: Venom Cheshire Cat A Type: Beast/Ethereal Level: 13 Health: 97/131 Special: Big Grin – Causes the jinxed-effect to the target. Drops: Nostrum Cheshire Cat B Type: Beast/Ethereal Level: 13 Health: 131/131 Special: Big Grin – Causes the jinxed-effect to the target. Drops: Nostrum Bugbear Healer A *Fights from the back row* Type: Beast Level: 7 Health: 90/96 Special: Bear Hug – Restores 30 health to self and all allies. Drops: Potion Bugbear Healer B *Fights from the back row* Type: Beast Level: 7 Health: 96/96 Special: Bear Hug – Restores 30 health to self and all allies. Drops: Potion The Party: Lind Whisperer *Immune to Fire* *Party Leader!* 21-year-old male Human of the Munchkin tribe Class: Rogue Level: 13.5 Power Bonus: +3 Defense: 4 Health: 18/23 (7+11+4) Gold: 3 Glory Points: 8 Equipment: Darker Ethereal Deck (Playing Cards) (WP:7, throwing weapon), Anniversary Medal (+3 Health, +3 Power, +3 SP, +3 Ether, Immune to Fire; accessory, suitable for anyone), Akrone Fez (Artefact; SP: 1, Max. Health: +1, Headwear, suitable for anyone) Inventory: • Ethereal Deck (WP:7, throwing weapon) • Mugger's Mask (Protects from loss of gold from gold stealing enemies, headwear.), Trickster's Mask of the Human (suitable for anyone, changes users appearance into a human of the same gender, accessory), • Bedroll, Shovel • Venom, Mead x2, Potion x7, Remedy, Bone, Phoenix Essence • Newspaper with Picture of Lupine (Quest/role-playing item), Alfendi's Cape Grimwald Gjinko 69 year old male gnome Sage Level: 19.5 Power Bonus: +1 permanent, +5 spells SP: 0 Health: 11/32 Ether: 17/28 Gold: 323 (Owes Nerwen 300) Glory Points: 8 Equipment: Shadeaux Mace (Wp:9; deals fragile-effect), Spellbound Gloves (Increases the power of spells by 5, doubled if the enemy is weak to the element), Robes of the Disciple of Ennoc (+5 max. health, +5 max. ether, meditation restores 2 ether, body-wear) Inventory: • Splinter Broom (WP: 8, broomstick, defies SP) • Spellbound hood (Sp: 2, Increases the power of spells by 3, doubled if the enemy is weak to the element, headwear, suitable for Mages, clerics, necromancers), • Shovel, Pickaxe, Bedroll • Opal, Amethyst, Diamond, Topaz • Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sleep • Grand Potion, Tonic x6, Grand Tonic x4, Bunch of Cherries (10/10 cherries that each restore 1 ether when eaten, user can choose how many are eaten at a time), Sushi (restores 5 HP and 5 Ether) x2, Remedy x2, Elixir x3, Neutralizer, Phoenix Essence, Mead x4, Nostrum x3, Smelling Salts x4, Mulled Wine x2, Ambrosia, Bone x5, Ice Bomb, Root beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against Undead enemies for 20 damage (Does not affect non-Undead enemies)), Smoke Bomb, Plague Venom, Mythril Shard, Grating stone x2, Darksten (Comrade Commander) *Immune to poisoned, bleeding, cursed, jinxed, and blinded* 35 year old Male Human Ranger Level 14 Power: 19 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 14/19 SP: 2 Gold: 517 Glory Points: 8 Equipment: Crossbow (WP: 6); Sand-Worm Hide (SP: 2), Tribal amulet (Wearer is Immune to poisoned, bleeding, cursed, jinxed, and blinded; acessory, suitable to barbarians, rangers, beast warriors) Inventory: Weapons: Spider String Bow (WP: 4, Darkness Elemental Bow), Artifacts: Safety Blanket (SP: 1, protects from Afraid, backwear), Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Compass, Consumables: Potion x13, Grand Potion x2, Remedy x5, Mead x4, Venom x3, Phoenix Essence x2, Smelling Salts x2, Nostrum x2, Soma, Ambrosia, Root Beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against undead enemies for 20 damage. The Root Beer does not affect non-undead enemies), Floral Bomb, Smoke bomb, Lightning bombs x8, Bone x3, Chicken Drumstick (+1 Max health upon consumption) Roleplay: Utility Knife (roleplay item), Fang of Kos (roleplay item), Fang of Lolth (Roleplay item), Hint Coin (Gives the user a hint about a puzzle or tricky situation. Usable only once. Has no monetary value.) Party Leader, please post the order of action. Everyone, choose your targets, weapon, 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.

Arthur gestured to Miirym, but the little dragon shook her head, staying perched protectively--if less aggressively--upon Shanxian's shoulder. Arthur sighs--audibly this time--and moves to speak with the man with the flaming staff and the were-raccoon. "Greetings, gentlemen. What brings you here?"

Deals 100 damage of a random element to all enemies.

I, personally, would love to see more of these lovely taller banners.

True, but this would also give a different way for people to plan their builds. Different sets could have different numbers of items, too. I'd like to see a LEGO Universe-style system; wearing a certain number of Artifacts from the set (say, 3-4) would grant a mild bonus, and then each additional piece of equipment from the set would improve the bonus. For example: ...why, yes, I still miss LEGO Universe, why ever do you ask?