JimBee

"What for? If we leave there is nothing we can do for Tesni, and we have them on the ropes now. Keep attacking." Hybros drinks an Elixer, then attacks the Ten Feet of Blue (and the Whirring Flames) with the Twin Kunai from the back row. Jun repeats his attack. Battle Order: Hybros Hybros Jun Cinna Tarn Namyrra (Tesni)

Someone's dice are broken. :eyestabemoticon: Any hit we roll we slip on, and any damage we roll is not. EDIT: Obviously I'm exaggerating, but that last round was some bad luck.

The heroes brace themselves for what is to come. The heroes share drinks and sharpen their weapons, before leaving Umbra and ascending to the very top of the mountain. It doesn't take longer than thirty minutes for them to reach the peak. They don't have time to admire the view, as a hulking black and crimson winged lizard sits in plain sight. The heroes notice a swelling noxious-green translucent bubble at its abdomen. Thrashing tentacles can be seen inside. Retraga stares at the heroes with open eyes, and they freeze. It's awake! "RRRAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWRRRRR!!!!!" PREPARE FOR BATTLE! Enemies: Retraga the Angry Dragon *Immune to Sudden Death, Stunned, Paralyzed and Weakened* Flying/Fiery Level 38 Health: 1680/1680 Special I: Deafening Screech - Causes the enemy to become fragile for the next three rounds. Special II: Flamethrower – Deals 19 fire-elemental damage to each party member and burns them. Drops: Treasure Horde Note: The Rotten Core must be defeated before Retraga in order for the battle to be victorious. Specials alternate. Rotten Core *Immune to Sudden Death, Poisoned, and Badly Poisoned* Vermin Level 0 Health: 550/550 Special I: Parasite Parricide – Causes an extreme poison to take hold of the Retraga, dealing 300 damage to the dragon each round until either Retraga or the Rotten Core is defeated. Special II: Infect – Deals the Badly Poisoned effect to the target. Used only if Parasite Parricide is already in effect. Drops: Deadly Venom x5 Note: The Rotten Core must be defeated before Retraga in order for the battle to be victorious. Retraga’s Wings *Immune to Sudden Death* Flying Level 25 Health: 311/311 Special I: Aerial Cover – Retraga’s Wings fold in to protect The Angry Dragon and the Rotten Core from all incoming attacks for the next round. Special II: Strong Gust – Retraga’s Wings flap mightily, dealing 15 wind-elemental damage to each party member and stunning them. Used only if Aerial Cover is in effect. Aerial Cover ends if used. Drops: Nothing Note: If Retraga the Angry Dragon is defeated before the Wings, they will automatically be defeated. Party: Monk Pretzel and His 99 Pieces (Palathdaric) 463-year-old male "hermit" Cleric Level 15.5 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 24/24 Defense: 5 Ether: 18/23 Gold: 275 Equipment: Flying Cross [broomstick De Albert (WP:6, darkness-, fire- and wind-elemental)], Tricorn (artifact, headwear, SP:3), Ethereal Cloak (artifact, backwear, SP:2, Max Ether +4) Inventory: Cross [staff of Malbert (WP:10, light-elemental)], Steak (WP:1, instantly kills vampires on successful hits), 2x Potion, 4x Grand Potion, Tonic, 2x Grand Tonic, 2x Ether Core, 3x Remedy, Soma, Phoenix Essence, Neutralizer, 2x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, 2x Paralyzing Venom, 5x Smoke Bomb, Holy Bomb, Commerz Cannonball, Scroll of Sealing, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass, Shovel, Magic Shovel (will always find something when used, limited to three uses per quest), Pickax, Bone (3), Tasty Pretzel (Consumable) - 1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened and encouraged-effects upon consumption, Scrap Metal (worth 25 gold) Maurice Ratibor (Etzel) ***Party Leader*** 51 years old male human Paladin *Immune to Stun and Light* *Guardian Angel* Level 21.66 Power Bonus: 1 Health: 45/45 Defense: 9 Ether: 26/28 Gold: 355 Equipment: Manta Tail Staff (WP:12+50% Stun chance), Paladin Shield (SP:5), Helm of Haroka (+2 health, +1 Power, Immunity to Stun effect, headwear) , White Cloak (Max. Health +3, backwear), Paladin's Armour (SP:4, Max. Ether +2, Immunity to Light, bodywear) Inventory: Emerald Staff (WP:10 wood-elemental), Mace (WP:5), Longsword (WP:5), Diamond, Scroll of Sleep, 3 Potions, Tonic, 3 Ether Cores, 2 Phoenix Essences, 3 Nostrums, 2 Venom, Elixir, Floral Bomb, Water Bomb, 4 Fire Bombs, Torch, Bone, Plume, Helmet (+1 max. health), Mystic Veil (+1 max health, +2 Ether, headwear, suitable for Ether users) De'kra (Tanma) 12 year old "male" "echo" Sorcerer *Immune to Enamored and Confused* Level 20.66 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 30/30 Defense: 4 Ether: 12/20 Gold: 273 Equipment: Chiara (WP:7, lightning-elemental dagger), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP:1), Heart Locket (Protects from enamored- and confused-effects), Reflective Gaunlets (SP:3) Inventory: Dagger (WP:10), Kapura (WP:8, fire-elemental dagger), Dagger (WP:5), Kanohi Mask (artifact, accessory, allows spells to have the effects of the weapon they are cast through; suitable to De'kra only), Cloak of the Elven Spy (artifact, backwear), Ruby Lamp of Summoning (summons a Ruby Jinn for the duration of one battle), Diamond, Scroll of Sealing (loaned by Arthur), 7x Potions, 3x Grand Potions,Remedy, 3x Phoenix Essence, 2x Smoke Bombs, Noxious Venom, Tonic, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Magic Compass Mizuki Kimura (zakura) 21-year-old female human Assassin *Lucky* Level 16 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 27/27 Gold: 460 Equipment: Top Hat (WP: 14. 50% Stun chance, retrievable), Sticky Gloves( Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up)), Magic Viper Skin (accessory, heals 1 health to wearer each round of battle, unless knocked out) Inventory: Sylph Shuriken (WP:12, wind- and light-elemental, retrievable), Fauxthril Hand Cannon (WP:7), Bow (WP:5), Grand Potion, Potion, Phoenix Essence, 2 Venoms, Deadly Venom, 3 Nostrums, 2 Holy Bombs, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Cannonball, Death Progg Claw, Trial Brew William Harkenshire (Fred Daniel Yam) ??-year-old male human Warden Level 17.5 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 32/32 Gold: 215 Defense: 11 Equipment: Croise Crossbow (WP: 12), Chimera Armor (Torsowear, Suitable for Knights and Barbarians, +2 SP, +2 Health), Pauldrons (SP +2, suitable to Knights, Dragoons and Skirmishers; accessory), Fashionable Shield (SP:7) Inventory: Repeating Crossbow (WP: 5 May not be upgraded; Fire; Hastened), Hand Cannon (WP: 5; Lightning, Wood), Lion Knight Shield (SP: 4, suitable for Knights), Amulet of the Elven Horse Rider (Power +1 on the front row, doubles movement), Sapphire, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Skeleton Decoy, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, Elven Bomb, Bomb XX, Wave Sword (WP: 11; Cursed Effect), 4 Fire Bombs, Water Bomb, Amethyst, Elixer, Military Grade Water Bomb, Military Grade Lightning Bomb, Bone, Magic Saucepan, Nostrum Party Leader, please determine the order of actions. All of you, please state your actions.

Hybros noticed Tarn making heart-shaped eyes at the Ten Feet of Blue. "Easy, Tarn. We are here to make war, not love, eheh."

"Well done Tesni." Hybros takes out his Twin Kunai, attacking the Faceless and Touching the Sky from the back row and directing his secondary attacks at the Lion. Jun attacks the Two Spears and Lion from the back row with Jindao and Orochi. Battle Order: Hybros Hybros Jun Cinna Tesni Tarn Namyrra

If by that you mean surprise boss battles, then no. "Oh yeah just splayed on one of the Thresholds, too good for the fields now."

Not possible, unless they backtrack. I know we said the same for the Dragon, but seriously, the outer reaches are beyond difficult. Quest 50 on steroids difficult.

Hybros picks himself up. "Well this is annoying." Hybros and Jun repeat their attacks. Same Battle Order.

Actually I think we already met the 108th Star, towards the beginning.

QM Note: The party might want to prepare. I would like to ask everyone to check in (besides Etzel who has obviously been active). I know that Tanma and Pala have had internet problems, but Fred Daniel Yam and Zakura have not posted in a few days. Please check in within the next 24 hours, thanks.

"Allow me to blind the big one before any of you attack it. Be wary of this icy floor, although our enemies face the same difficulty." Hybros attacks the Double Spears twice from the back row with the Eye-poking Sai. Jun attacks the Ten Feet of Blue and Double Spears from the back row with Orochi and Jindao. Battle Order: Tarn Hybros Cinna Hybros Tesni Jun Namyrra

Hmm I'm thinking of the damage caused by Ratsbane's gems imbued into the Cheesy Dagger while wearing the Ratmancers Cowl. Might as well throw in the new rat cloak that Atramor has, too.

"Zere iz some sort of parasite on it, ze specifics are unknown to moi. Zere is not much else you need to know besides zat it is angry and ferocious."

Hybros retrieves his Bladerang before drinking a cup of tea. Afterwards, he drinks a Grand Potion and leads the party up the stairs. "Doubtful, Tesni. I do not think Fabian offers such a service." Battle Order: Hybros Hybros Cinna Namyrra Tesni Tarn Jun

And that took way too long. The problem with RPGs like this one that take a full day to update rather than a few seconds like video games, is we don't have the patience of things like Death by A Thousand Cuts. And it wasn't "crazy" SP, Scuba had SP:30 enemies in Quest 40. Although that party was a lot more offense based than the one of 59.

Maurice's words seem to have a positive effect on Umbra, as her facial expression softens slightly. "Oui... per'aps you 'ave a point, per'aps you 'eroes are not as bad as I once sought. I will not fight ze dragon, non, but I will trust you to help it get better. You.... you may pass. The dragon is right up zis pas, at ze very peak of ze mountain zat towers over all of Dastan.Just do not hurt it, si'l vous plait. "

Hybros attacks twice from the back row, this time with his Eye-poking Sai. Jun does nothing. Same BO.

Thanks! It does take quite a bit of time to get her accent right and make sure that the post follows it, but I'm glad I could use her for the quest.

Umbra waves away the flask. "What are you trying to du, poison moi?" "Trust me?! I du not expect zuch a sing, non, I du not want it. I did not ask you to trust me, but I will not let ze likes of you interfere wis ze plans of moi. Plan? My 'plan' iz to make sure zat ze dragon gets well." "Maurice... wait, I du not care what your name iz, non! I am not fighting dragons wiz you... nor will I... let you." Umbra seems to pause for a moment, but continues to stare defiantly at the heroes.

Tried. Then we mostly hit things again.

You asked for her, and she's back! Umbra Shadeaux makes an appearance for the first time since Quest #2.

"Oui. It is I, la femme Umbra Shadeaux. Non, I du not know you, zough I am familiar wiz your type. 'Eroes from 'Eroica, I expected zey would zend you sooner or later. Oui, I am 'ere fur zis dragon zat you speak ov. You see, ze Shadeaux 'ave a long 'istory wiz dragons, and I am 'ere to make zure zat it recovers frum whatever zickness it 'as. Without ze interference frum ze likes of you or anozer zource. Oui, I remember ze last time I met wiz 'eroes, not zuch a rezonable bunch, non? And zo violent. Hit zings furst, zen talk."

Good idea, though it won't be an NPC who gets any gold. :P

OOC: Why did the Beard shake off the stun? She never took a turn, so she should still be stunned... "Nicely done, everyone. We have them now." Hybros attacks the Beard and Gentleman from the back row, directing his second attacks to the Count. Jun attacks the Count and Gentleman with Orochi and Yindao from the back row. Battle Order: Hybros Hybros Cinna Tarn Tesni Namyrra Jun

Exactly. All that item does is isolate you in a tier higher than everyone else. If you want a second character sooner, that's one thing, but more experience doesn't necessarily equal a better character. ...Just saying. Not trying to be negative Nancy here.