Flipz

Stupid grammar, making things take way longer than they should to write.

"And so, knowing little of why or by whom they were attacked, the bewildered party ventured onwards into further unknown. The morning sun accompanied them on their journey, and it was midday when they finally reached the village of Towr." "Towr was, by all accounts, a very small town. A quiet place, the sort of village where everyone knows everyone and secrets are merely predecessor to rumor. The skyline, if one could call it that, was dominated by the towering spire of the Alchemists' Tower, a monolithic structure surely compensating for its architect's shortcomings, and a single glance down the lone road leading to it showed everything of importance the place had to offer: from the blacksmith to the butcher's shop to the bakery, from the General Store to the Town Hall to the Inn, all was as would be found in any small village, save for one important thing." "The Heroes, when they first undertook their journey, had of course considered what might await them in this beleaguered village. Even now, this crew contemplated what might lie in store for them, what might be worth an attempt on their lives. None of them were prepared for what awaited them in the town of Towr... "...absolutely nothing." "Standing alone in the center of an empty, utterly desolate village, some variant of the same thought surely passed through all their minds:" What would they do now? Act I: The Empty Village

Personally, I don't know what those guys on 102 were thinking going on a Zepher Quest without at least twelve Phoenix Essences.

QM Note: Apologies for the delay! I'm feeling a little under the weather today and haven't been able to word this update quite the way I'd like to. I'll try to get it out later tonight.

FM Note: Welcome, Comrade Commander! I've updated Darksten and Lind's stats (and did some minor re-formatting). Soon as I hear from Grimwald and the three of you choose a location, I'll send you guys off. The Party: Lind Whisperer *Immune to Fire* **Party Leader!* 21-year-old male Human of the Munchkin tribe Class: Rogue Level: 12 Power Bonus: +3 Defense: 4 Health: 22/22 (7+11+4) Gold: 3 Equipment: Darker Ethereal Deck (Playing Cards) (WP:7, throwing weapon), Anniversary Medal (+3 Health, +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 x8, Phoenix Essence • Newspaper with Picture of Lupine (Quest/role-playing item), Alfendi's Cape Grimwald Gjinko 69 year old male gnome Sage Level: 18 Power: 28 (18 + 9 + permanent boost of 1) SP: 0 Health: 31/31 Ether: 27/27 Gold: 323 (Owes Nerwen 300) 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 • Potion, 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 x2, 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 12.5 Power: 18 Health: 17/17 SP: 2 Gold: 517 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, Pheonix 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 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.)

I take it no one here has ever heard of Spelljammer, then. Yes, please.

See, this is why the x10 health system is so much easier.

The obvious solution, Sandy, is to put all of the people who signed up on both Quests, and let them duke it out over which one actually sets out. Seriously, though, I find it hilarious that you have the same five people signed up for both Quests, with no preferences given whatsoever, making it impossible to even send one off while keeping the other delayed.

I guess you're probably a little young to remember Polaroids.

...I literally just got what the picture of the Decamodifyer is. Fantastic depiction, Sandy, I may have to steal that design for other things in the future.

"Oink! Oink oink. Oink oink oink! [Oh! I'm sorry, my eyesight isn't the best. Still, if you're interested in riches and glory, we'd love to have you!] FM Note: Ah, I hadn't seen you remove your sign-up. If you're still willing, though, I'd like for you to come along--it's much easier to balance for similar Levels than dissimilar ones, and I think we'll have a lot of fun together.

QM Note: As the remaining three gathered and checked their belongings, they found that only the monk's and the druid's had been substantially disturbed, the bottles of their Grand Tonics bearing telltale scratches of an aborted attempt at opening them. To the group's general surprise, the druid's Magic Compass was the only true casualty among the party, its magical energy completely drained by an unknown source. A simple repair for a trained mage--but where would they find one in this place, so far from civilization? Meanwhile, the flying Dragon and those reading the map soon came to the same conclusion: the town of Towr was merely a few hours' journey away, along a fairly clear path, with the path back obscured by torn edges and twisted forest. It seemed the sole path was forward, unto the breach.

Three Heroes arrive in the Fields of Glory, preparing to encounter a very different challenge than their predecessors... The Party: Lind Whisperer *Party Leader!* 21-year-old male Human of the Munchkin tribe Class: Rogue Level: 12 Power Bonus: +3 Defense: 4 Health: 22/22 (7+11+4) Gold: 488 Equipment: Darker Ethereal Deck (Playing Cards) (WP:5, throwing weapon), Anniversary Medal (+3 Health, +3 SP, +3 Ether.), Akrone Fez (Artefact; SP: 1, Max. Health: +1, Headwear) Inventory: • Ethereal Deck (WP:3, throwing weapon), Indescribable Pole (WP: 8, Staff) • 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), Alfendi's Cape (Provides immunity to fire, backwear, suitable for anyone) • Bedroll • Venom • Newspaper with Picture of Lupine (Quest/role-playing item), Grimwald Gjinko 69 year old male gnome Sage Level: 18 Power: 28 (18 + 9 + permanent boost of 1) SP: 0 Health: 31/31 Ether: 27/27 Gold: 628 (Owes Nerwen 300) 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: •Shovel, Pickaxe, Bedroll •Opal, Amethyst, Diamond, Topaz •Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sleep •Mead x4, Remedy x2, Potion , Bone x2, Grand Potion, 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), Bunch of Cherries (10/10 cherries that each restore 1 ether when eaten, user can choose how many are eaten at a time), 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)), Ambrosia, Smoke Bomb, Plague Venom, Grand Tonic x2, Nostrum x3, Sushi (restores 5 HP and 5 Ether) x2, Smelling Salts x4, Mythril Shard, Phoenix Essence, Mulled Wine x2, Grating stone x2, Splinter Broom (WP: 8, broomstick, defies SP) Darksten (Comrade Commander) *Immune to poisoned, bleeding, cursed, jinxed, and blinded* 35 year old Male Human Ranger Level 12.5 Power: 18 Health: 17/17 SP: 2 Gold: 1037 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: Consumables: Potion x3, Grand Potion x2, Ambrosia, Mead x4, Venom x3, Soma, 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 Weapons: Spider String Bow (WP: 4, Darkness Elemental Bow), Equipment: Safety Blanket (SP: 1, protects from Afraid, backwear), Roleplay: Bedroll, 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.) "Welcome, Heroes! 'S been a while. The Fields have gotten even wilder now, but if'n ya think you still want a greater challenge, ya'd best check the revised list. Don't see why ya'd want that, though, with the giant serpent on the loose to the east. He's a nasty feller, he is." "Cock-a-doodle-doo! [Forget not, my dear humanoids, the Laws of the Fields of Glory--they have changed slightly since our last visitors departed.]" "Baa! Baa baaa? Baaaaaah! [Hello there! Where would you like to go first? Choose a destination from my map!]"

Chosen Heroes for Unlimited Quest: Fields of Glory: Lind Whisperer, Level 12 Rogue (Lind Whisperer) Darksten, Level 12.5 Ranger (Comrade Commander) Grimwald Gjinko, Level 18 Sage (LordoftheNoobs) QM Note: I'll get the topic updated with your stats shortly.

1. Not a whole lot of people "get" the niche the class fills, 2. We don't have that many spellcasters, especially active ones, 3. Zeigfried rep is hella rare these days. I actually can't think of the last time we had a Quest that was directly centered around the Ziegfrieds...from the Archives it was 57 (79 doesn't count since it was about the Oculoids, not the Zeigfrieds). And holy crap my Quest is the first since 63 to offer Guild of Invision rep (at least in the pitch, anyway). I guess that whole segment of the House conflicts has basically evaporated from Heroica amidst the Lyren-Nuitan love story and the compelling progress-vs-tradition East-versus-West conflict between Bonapartes and Ji Pei? ...aaand the Hinckwells haven't pitched a Quest offering rep since 76, and given that Quest was cancelled, that means the last time Hinckwell rep was awarded prior to 93 was Quest 65. Moral of the story: more Quests need to offer reputation (and Gold, gold is good ).

Beneath the tree, the curious Chi Monk found a Schoolyard Sword, likely the same one belonging to their resident Dragoon. Likewise, the sword imbedded in the nearby tree stump was his own Sword of Ancestral Hatred. The worried Warden took stock of his belongings. Bartholomew Docken, Dragonslayer (Brickdoctor) 34-year-old human male, Warden Level 46.4 *Gains Triple 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* Power: 56 (Level 46 + WP: 10) (Power Bonus: 0) Defense: 23 (SP: 20 + SP: 3) Health: 78/78 (base HP: 6 + Level bonus: 45 + Class bonus: 8 + permanent boost: 19*) Gold: 511 (1 Gold loaned to Lord Lawrence Boomingham [Zepher]) GP: 27 Equipment: Mythril Shield (SP: 20; Shield), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level; suitable for anyone; Handwear), Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3; Damage of all Free Hits is halved; suitable for anyone; Bodywear), Medal of Glory (Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles; suitable for anyone; Accessory), Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10; inflicts the Blinded-effect; Crossbow), Cobweb Cowl (immune to Sudden Death; suitable for anyone; Backwear), 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), Inventory: • Teleportapple, Grand Potions (11), Skeleton Decoy, Health Cores (3), Unlucky Horseshoe (WP: 13; inflicts the Jinxed-effect; Throwing Weapon [borrowed from Arthur Justus Regulus VII (Flipz)]) • Phoenix Incense, Large Water Canteen (Carries 6 portions of water; Accessory), Smoke Bombs (5), Mulled Wine, • Magnifying Glass, Potions (4), Remedies (10), Phoenix Essences (3), Meads (2), Smelling Salts, Water Bombs (5), Deadly Venom, Pan (WP: 1; +1 Max HP; suitable for all classes), • Bedroll, Lightning Bombs (5), Bones (11), Venom (5), Aqua Gear (Adds Water-element to physical attacks, immune to Water, Accessory), Shovel, • Silver Ore (60 Gold), Fishstick (WP: 7; deals double Damage on ships; club), Grating Stone, Adamantite Shards (3/4 Adamantite)

I always die a little on the inside when people forget that Necromancers are basically walking Ether-powered Phoenix Essences.

The Warden's caution was well served, for as soon as he touched it a wood-elemental bolt was launched. Upon closer inspection, the crossbow appeared to be the same one Ellaria had carried the previous day. The monk, likewise, found his fellow party members' gear, albeit completely disorganized, as though someone had already been digging through it.

The hand was just a hand, severed from its owner in the previous night's fight, feminine in appearance.

"Miss Persephone is not a member of our Guild, no. Her father, Mayor Persephone, was our primary contact in town. There were a few alchemists working in the Alchemists' Tower around which the town was built, but they are third-party contractors, not official Guild members." The Party: Ellaria Arbour (Sandy) 23 years old female human Druid Level 30 *Immune to Sealing, Poisoned and Bleeding* *Ignis Fatuus: permanently poisoned by 15* *Party Leader* Power: 42 (30+12) Defense: 7 (3+4) Health: 46/46 (9+29+7+1) Ether: 42/42 (5+29+5+1+2) Gold: 193 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) 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), 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), Paper Doll (Protects from hexed; accessory) 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, 2 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, Tiger Balm, 2 Phoenix Essences, 2 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, 2 Nostrum, 2 Soma, Ambrosia, 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.) Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass 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: 32.75 Power Bonus: 1 (6 in front row) * Defense: 0 Health: 53/53 (7+31+12+3*) Ether: 34/34 (31+3) Gold: 724 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), Wrench (WP:3, decreases the target’s level by 1, retrievable), • 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, 2 Phoenix Essences, 4 Phoenix Incenses, 2 Deadly Venoms, 3 Smoke Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 5 Nostrums, 4 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 46.4 *Gains Triple 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* Power: 56 (Level 46 + WP: 10) (Power Bonus: 0) Defense: 23 (SP: 20 + SP: 3) Health: 78/78 (base HP: 6 + Level bonus: 45 + Class bonus: 8 + permanent boost: 19*) Gold: 511 (1 Gold loaned to Lord Lawrence Boomingham [Zepher]) GP: 27 Equipment: Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10; 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, 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) • Bedroll, Shovel, Magnifying Glass • Silver Ore (60 Gold) Thormanil Nihai, Dragonslayer, Orc-kin (Played by swils) and Arx the Youngling (Ice) Level 41.8 Dragoon *Immune to Darkness, Light, Water, Fire, Air, Earth, Lightning, and Asleep, Blinded, Bound, Confused, Fragile,Slowed, and Weakened* *Gains Triple Experience* Power Bonus: +1 Defense: 18 Health: 60/60 Gold: 1626 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), • 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 • 2x Fire Bomb, Lightning Bomb, 2x Smoke Bomb, Ice Bomb, 5x Water Bomb • 3x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, • 2x Grating Stone, Bright Polish, Teleportapple "I agree, Mister Hybros, but the locals insist on their privacy. It has kept our competitors out of the village, at least, but the disadvantages are obvious, particularly in light of recent events." Noting that the party appeared ready, Miss Barton retreated through the wooden door to minister to poor Miss Persephone. It took some time, but soon the once-weeping woman emerged, cleaned and dressed for travel, though still avoiding all eye contact with her escorts. "...Heroes," she said, her misty voice subdued, a glassy glaze across her gaze. Though no longer crying, she appeared even more frail and weak than she had before. "Here are your letters of transit, they will take you as far as Gull. Show them to the stable keeper, he will provide the five of you with horses. Miss Persephone will guide you from there." [color-#4b0082]The alchemist took one last look at the woman in black, the faintest hint of compassionate concern betrayed through her pause.[/color] "Best of luck, Heroes, Miss Persephone." ********* "Their journey out of Gull and through the forests of southern Leland was brief, even boring. Throughout the trip, their guide spoke in singular syllables, morosely, monotonously monosyllabic." "Right." "Left." "There." "Whatever Miss Barton had given her, it was certainly potent--and perhaps the Heroes would soon come to regret it." ********* Night began to fall. The Heroes passed out of the woods and into a spacious clearing, but after their guide's third fall from her mount, they decided to set up camp. As the embers died down, darkness crept across the camp--and so too did other things... Blades clashed, blood flowed, steel glinted beneath the dim light of the autumn moon. But soon--too soon--all faded to black for the unlucky losers... ********* The next morning, four figures awakened on the path to the village, heads and pride both bruised from the previous night's beating. They stood up and looked around--carnage surrounded them, the aftermath of a furious battle. Curiously, however, their assailants had taken nothing from them--save for their mounts, and their guide, vanished like the misty memory of a dream. A chill wind blew down the road, causing them to shiver. Seeking shelter within the slashed shreds of their tent, they found but one sign of the woman's existence: a mangled map, half-missing, its wrinkled remnants holding only the portion of their route still remaining. Even if they wanted to, there was no going back now. The breeze died, leaving behind it a stifling stillness. Amidst the silent stillness, a single, unspoken question hovered above the quiet quartet: "What would the Heroes do?"

Docken needs to go on an Endgame Quest.

"That is a fair assessment. We do not receive a lot from them, but what we do receive tends to be both unique and valuable. If one were feeling poetic, one might describe Towr's primary export as 'ideas'. The locals are constantly experimenting, creating new things for us that might prove marketable. It is another reason we cannot be sure of what you might be dealing with--the ingredients of alchemy can be volatile enough, but if an experiment has gone wrong the outcome could have been literally anything. Alternatively, they may have been attacked by bandits or jealous competitors, looking for something to sell on the black market, or they may have simply been overrun by monsters from the nearby woods. There is simply no way of telling." The weeping woman--to her discredit--did not answer Hybros, but instead was wracked by a new wave of sobbing. "As far as contacts within the village--you are looking at her. The only other individual we kept in regular contact with was her father, the mayor, and we have no guarantee he is still alive." At this, the weeping woman jolted to her feet and flung herself through the nearest door, slamming it behind her. Despite the separation, however, the Heroes could still hear her sobbing through the polished mahogany. "Do not worry--we will give her something before your departure to help her remain calm. We would not be sending her back with you, but the path from Gull to Towr is virtually unnavigable without a guide familiar with the area. Unfortunately, Miss Persephone may be the only such individual left." From the sounds emanating through the door, the poor woman sounded nearly hysterical, in stark contrast to Miss Barton's calm, even tone. "Are there any further questions, or shall I make the arrangements for your and Miss Persephone's departure?"

Question: a shield's 1/6 chance to completely deflect damage is also applied to Free Hits, correct?

Nodding in acknowledgement, Miss Barton extracted a sheet of parchment from a drawer. "Unfortunately, much of Miss Persephone's statement is...disorganized, to put it kindly. I will summarize it as best I can." "From what we could gather, two days ago her village--one of our lesser-known suppliers--fell under some sort of serious misfortune. Unfortunately, the nature of this incident is somewhat unclear; it seems Miss Persephone was simply told by her father, the town's mayor, to flee here and seek help, and apparently she only just made it out of the village in time. According to this report, her exact words were 'the screams, everyone running...surrounded by terror, by darkness'." At these words, the weeping woman behind them began wailing, her fearful sobbing muffled somewhat by her hands covering her face. After waiting a moment for the sobs to subside, Miss Barton continued speaking. "There is little else for us to go on, unfortunately, and this lack of information makes it difficult--even foolish--for us to send our own alchemists to deliver aid. This is why we have hired Heroes; we'd like the four of you to travel with Miss Persephone back to her village and find out what exactly has happened. If possible, we'd like you to resolve the situation yourselves, but it is more important that you bring back a detailed explanation of the current situation and the circumstances leading up to it. Do you have any questions?"

Update in about an hour, folks! Sorry for the delay.