JimBee

"My intention was never to argue with a delusional child." Jinnipher notes the purple goo and waves her hand dismissively. "Exactly right, this is a waste of our time. We need to get to Eschaton, now."

151 will get an update later tonight!

"So you're placing all our bets on a girl? Pfft, love is fickle, especially for a kid. We should just leave him here." Jinnipher frowned. "Then you truly are as delusional as I thought."

The window appeared normal, absent of any interesting marks. "I found her in the morning after she hadn't come downstairs. I was probably asleep when it happened..." Shelby was still visibly upset at the recollection of the memories. There were a number of scrolls with various things written on them - recipes, random notes, store orders... There was even a small novelty item buried in the stack, an ancient scripture in an old language. Scroll of Blindness – Enables casting the blinded-effect to the target, making it unable to use a physical attack for the next three rounds. Each casting has a 50% chance of success and costs 1 ether. Lord of the Things is incredibly boring and consists of pages upon pages of scenery descriptions. How to Train a Dragon has a few mildly interesting diagrams of dragon anatomy. "Oh, um, thanks." She takes the bottle and sets it down on a nearby shelf. "...If you are all quite finished I would like to get back to work..."

What Zepher said makes sense to me. Dragons can commonly use telepathy, though sometimes can speak with their mouths (I think the Dragonlord's dragon and Volumniix from 129 could). The fact that some don't know a particular language makes sense, and draconian is it's own language.

Jinnipher placed one hand on her hip and jabbed a finger into Arthur's chest with the other. She put her face close to his. "Do not lecture me, boy. Given the chance I would have done the same thing again. Like the Falconer said we can't predict the future; only prepare for it and accept the consequences. The right decision was made by the proggs, whether liked it or not. Be thankful that they're still here to complain about it." She strode off. Jinnipher caught up with the Thormanil and looked on approvingly as Arx confronted Lind. "There's one dragon I could get to like. You're not bad, the two of you." As Jinnipher strode alongside Thormanil she spoke over to Karie, once her conversation with Arthur was finished. "Look, Karie. I know what you're trying to do, and I admire you for it. I really do. Keeping the party together is important, but..." She shot a glare in Lind's direction, not really caring if she was overheard. "How much longer are you going to baby that brat?" Her usual high-and-mighty attitude gave way to a more serious and sincere one. "He's young, he's arrogant, and he needs to learn from his own mistakes. This quest is too important for him to continue to jeopardize it. How many more timeouts and apologies do you think he - we - have left before we truly do fail? And it's not just his stupidity. He is truly delusional. Do you hear him speaking over there, about how Immortalis has been right all along? What happens when we get to the dragon and he turns on us? He's not mentally fit for this mission. I am committed to stopping Immortalis. I have been from the start. But I will not roll over and die for this one's mistakes. And I will certainly not be stabbed in the back. Not again."

So she can only speak to one person at a time? And other characters shouldn't be responding to her when she's not addressing them?

Yeah, just mentioning in italics whether the dialog is in draconian, common, or telepathic would be easiest IMO.

"This is what I mean when I say things like 'incompetent' and 'doomed'. Let's get out of here. The little boy can deal with the problem he just created."

Jinnipher rolled her eyes. "I am well aware of this, Karie. I even said so before we made the decision. Again, they still have their lives. I suppose you would rather have them angry and dead? That'd be much easier to deal with I imagine."

Ezeran scrawls down the rough size and shape of the marks, but a closer inspection and perhaps some expertise would be needed to identify what they came from. "Yes. I couldn't just leave the blood to soak into the floor. Woe is me, having to clean up my own friend's blood... She was face up on the floor, and I guess... she wasn't really pointing in any particular direction." Various titles filled the shelves, from classics like Lord of the Things to informative manuals such as How to Train a Dragon. Books, clothes and myriad other objects are strewn across the floor. "The Sluice is no place for a kid, much less one from Heroica," the bartender replied gruffly. "-which is just ridiculous! I tell you, if this problem doesn't go away, mark my words this city will be empty by the end of it, just like last time." "Last time we came back." "..." The dwarf with the tricorne indicated to Ellaria and Goliath. It was fairly obvious they were listening in, as the Sluice was quite small to suit its patrons. The conversation fell silent as the patrons took stock of the heroes. "Oh, erm, ye must be from Heroica. What can we help ye with?" "The menu's right there," he replied rather coldly. "And all drinks will be had here in the Sluice - no to-go's." The Sluice Flame-distilled Brandy - Grants the encouraged- and the immune to ice-effects for one battle upon use. Costs 11 gold. Myrrh - Causes the transcended-effect for the duration of one battle.) Costs 50 gold. Mountain's Punch - Gives the drinker the lucky and inspired effects, as well as all the job traits of a Barbarian Chieftain for the duration of one battle. Costs 60 gold. Miracolada - Gives the drinker the blessed effect, as well as the job traits of a High Cleric for the duration of one battle. Costs 36 gold. Gold Dragon - Gives the drinker the job traits of a Guardian Knight for the duration of one battle. Costs 19 gold.

"Clearly they have no grasp on how to run a business. Homeless proggs won't be buying any overpriced venom. Supply and demand." "A few raised prices and some public discontent are more than a fair trade for their lives." "Let's keep moving. So long, Aenemos."

Hybros shrugged. "It seems the only way forward at this point. We will accept the invitation."

More from the actions of 82.

This exactly.

"She had bite marks all over. There are no wild animals running around here, but those imps have sharp teeth, along with everything else where they come from, I reckon." Ezeran's investigations turn up some claw and bite marks on parts of the floor and furniture. There is also a faint crimson tint in spots on the floor - it appears that the blood had been cleaned up. "We've never needed security before, at least not from thieves or murderers. Our city is rather inconspicuous and we only receive a few visitors." There is nothing under the wooden tub. "How should I know?" The box contains several miscellaneous supplies that have clearly been rifled through - a few candles, some cleaning supplies, and some first aid items, including a Remedy. Remedy (Removes all negative effects from the target.) --- "Pah! I have known differently." The heroes head to the Sluice two doors down from the Baron's office. They enter to a crowded and lively tavern with a good amount of people talking and drinking, though all of them take pause to examine the newcomers. After a moment of cold silence they return to their conversations. The bartender converses with a dwarf, and two more dwarves and a rockling share a table to the side. What will the heroes do?

"Interesting choice of words... One more question, Mister Lowcraft. How did you become head of this castle?"

QM Note: Please bold your actions, and be specific about what you want your character to do. "Searching the room" will not get you very far. Hunkan finds one window that looks out into Zylstra. It has no glass nor frame and is more of a hole in the wall, which would seem to suffice seeing as they were underground and impervious to weather. Kid opens the chest on the floor - the lock appeared to be broken. It is empty, save for one scrap of paper with a scribbling on it: M - Shelby stands in the doorway watching the heroes. "Did I not just tell you to be careful? Put that pickax away at once! I was the one who found her, as the only other person who lives here. She was a bloody mess... Oh!" Shelby buried her face in her hands to hide her sobs. "I told the Baron and she was given a proper funeral." --- "That is none of my concern." "You are welcome to investigate whatever it is you need to, but that does not mean you have any authority down here. You are here because we allow it, and breaking the rules will not be tolerated. Just keep this in mind. Otherwise, you are free to go where you wish. You may ask the townspeople at the Sluice if they saw anything, or the imps for guidance. I doubt you will find anything." "If that is all, I do have much work to attend to."

"Ehem... I do not know if you have noticed but your city seems rather empty. Where are all the people? And who would be joining us at this feast?" Hybros looks around to take stock of the room. He tried to determine what was at the top of the staircase.

Hybros eyed the man suspiciously. "Erm, hello. Interesting weather you are having here. I do not suppose this is normal for Goetia? Is there anything else that is out of the ordinary lately?"

Jinnipher turned her nose up at the venom. "There's nothing worth the cost here. Let's go."

Shelby unlocks the door left of the counter and the party ascends the stairs behind it. They find themselves in a room with all sorts of clutter; boxes, chests, clothes and books were strewn across the floor and wood from broken furniture was piled up at the back. It appeared that Maggie's home was ransacked. What will the party do? --- "Thy friend wilt beest oblivious to damageth thy magicks cause. Yond is the nature of such people and things, yet ign'rance shall not saveth us from destruction." "Ah, an alchemist. Such a respectable profession. As i hath said I am h're to off'r mine own counseleth and s'rvices to the Baron and his ilk." "Ahem, as I believe Moke here already told you, Zylstra has been experiencing more than its fair share of the unnatural recently. An ordeal with the Moon Elf ghosts of Mercution nearly wiped this town out. Clearly Dr. U'Reeka was out of his depth when he decided to mix his 'science' with ancient magic. And the tunnel that was dug from here to an ancient library. Somehow the ancient paladin spirits were awoken. And now a mysterious death has fallen upon our city without rhyme or reason. The imps, I know where they came from and what that leads to. I have even heard rumors of them trying to open portals and bring more of their kind down here! It is clear to me that tampering in such matters puts my people at risk. I will not let it happen again! As an expert in these matters The Cardinal has been advising me. She arrived sometime after the imps, and since then we have banned magic and all of those mechanical gizmos that seem to be appearing in Eubric. Any items relating to these things are considered contraband. If we find that the imps' use of magic led to the death of our dearly beloved Maggie, inadvertently or otherwise, mark my words all favors owed will be rescinded and the imps will leave Zylstra forever."

I think you'd still roll for every hit, unless I'm mistaken. 151 will be updated after Thrones!

QM Note: Oops, that was supposed to say Shelby. Maggie is the victim.

"Interesting theory... though have you considered that your words may have just fallen on deaf ears, Monk? I do not suppose it was the first time, heheh..."