JimBee

"Okay, let us return upstairs." Hybros activates the Gate Viajra and teleports the party to the Library, then leads them up the stairs. Battle order Xut Namyrra Cinna Tesni Tarn Jun Hybros Hybros

Atticus Ziegfried was named after Atticus... Finch? from To Kill a Mockingbird. I think Roland Emeraldo was a combination of something from The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and Princess Esmeralda from Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Gottfried, the cultist from the Dastan trilogy, was named after a character in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. My latest NPCs, the trio of mercs in Quest 59, were named after Scrooge McDuck's three nephews in the Disney cartoon Ducktales. I think all of the other names were made up/based on very common names. Don't ask why these particular films, books, and names came into my head at the time, because I have no idea. They just pop into my head and I write them down for characters. Bonus: Hybros was actually named after a location from the Artemis Fowl books. Hybras is a demon colony in spacetime limbo. I would say that the imps and demons in the books are similar to how I characterized Hybros, but still, he's not a devil like Guts seems to think.

"Don't tell me you haven't heard of Triple Magic! Ah well, here's how you play..." ~ The betting board contains six squares, each assigned with a different colour but referred to as their corresponding elements. Fire Water Wind Earth Light Darkness ~ Each player places the desired amount of gold on the element or elements they wish to bet on. ~ Three coloured dice are then thrown. ~ The player wins or loses their bet depending on which colours the three dice shows. ~ If the colour the player bets on turns out once in the dice, the player will get their gold back. ~ If the colour shows up twice, the player will win double the amount of bet, and if all three dice show the same colour that the player bet on, triple the amount. ~ If none of the dice show the colour that the player bet on, they lose their gold. QM Note: Credit for the game and rules goes to Sandy, of course. "So, wanna place any bets?" "Er, well, it's a sort of all or nothing deal. Wouldn't want to leave anyone out, would we?" The man with the black hat, Dewey, glared at Louie.

QM Note: Sorry, but he'll have to state that for himself. I know it makes sense for him to equip it, but rules are rules. The party heads below decks to encounter a trio of grubby-looking sellswords, presumably the mercenaries that Whales spoke of. They laughed around a makeshift table as they drank and played games. It isn't long before they take notice of the heroes. "Look boys, it's those stowaways we heard about!" "They're not stowaways if they're allowed on board, Huey... " "Yeah, yeah, you're just mad because you lost all your gold, Louie. Haha!" "Enough, you two drunkards. You'll scare away the company!" The third man looked Mizuki up and down with approving eyes. "Name's Dewey, by the way," he said with a grin. "Yeah, you must be those 'heroes'... so it won't be a while 'til we're at our next port, whaddye say to a game of Triple Magic?" "Or some sparring... it's been forever since we've seen some action. Old man Whales is paranoid, if you ask me. But hey, gold is gold." How will the party reply?

The party boards the ship, and The Mercutio sets sail. The heroes watch as Uland shrinks to a tiny speck on the horizon, and De'kra plays his instrument. It will be a while before they arrive at the port of Dastan, so they must find a way to pass the time. Will the party venture below decks, continue talking with each other and their guides on the deck, or simply wait until they arrive at port?

"Ouch..." Hybros grunted as he brushed some embers off of his cloak. He was now covered with soot, but his eyes gleamed at the sight of the treasure chest. "Go ahead, Cinna, open it." Battle Order: Xut Cinna Hybros Hybros Tesni Tarn Namyrra Jun

Denerii opened her mouth to say something, but Captain Whales answered instead. "Hoho! Word has it that them Dastanese be rebuildin' their empire on the inside! Not a whole lot a' security at the border. That's why I hired me some protection. Ye can never be too careful these days. Slavers on the way to Strivvi, mad wizards cooped up on an island... it's to much for an old sailor like meself. Bwahaha! Them bodyguards be below deck if ye wish to speak to 'em. They be a rather friendly bunch for mercenaries, if ye ask me. Ha!" "...Always a pleasure ter meet an esteemed Hero. ...We've been doin' the usual tradin', fine smithy work from Eubric for loads a' lumber from the forests around Shelbric. It be cold season, ye know, the fires ain't gonna feed themselves."

"Well, I suppose we head down the chimney now, to see what is below... then we can open that Golden Chest in the basement, eheheh..." Hybros looked forward to what treasures the chest had to offer. Same BO

OOC: I'm not attacking it, just using my Kunai to hit it. It works like the Bladerang, and I won't trigger the special.

"You're very welcome, little one. I had almost forgot about it! It is a replica of an ancient relic of the Rito clan. Playing it connects you to our spirit, our ceremony. One as brave and generous as you are deserving to have this part of Rito culture." "As for Flavius, you can ask him yourself! He is alive and well, and he will be waiting for us in Dastan!"

"Eughk, disgusting humans... let us take of these fools quickly and get out. Perhaps we can use that Golden Key for the chest downstairs..." "Namyrra, can Xut hold the Leopard off? If so, we can focus on the Small Sun." Unsheathing his Twin Kunai, Hybros swung at the Small Sun twice from the back row, also engaging the Coin-spotted Leopard with his other blade. He twirled between the two, blades clanging as the imp moved with great speed. Battle Order: Xut Tesni Cinna Namyrra Tarn Hybros Hybros Jun

Party: Monk Pretzel and His 99 Pieces (Palathdaric) 463-year-old male "hermit" Cleric Level 15 Power: 25 Health: 24/24 Defense: 5 Ether: 23/23 Gold: 25 Equipment: Cross [staff of Malbert (WP:10, light-elemental)], Tricorn (artifact, headwear, SP:3), Ethereal Cloak (artifact, backwear, SP:2, Max Ether +4) Inventory: Flying Cross [broomstick De Albert (WP:6, darkness-, fire- and wind-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, 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 Maurice Ratibor (Etzel) ***Party Leader*** 51 years old male human Paladin *Immune to Stun and Light* Level 21 Power: 34 Health: 45/45 Defense: 9 Ether: 28/28 Gold: 175 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, 2 Tonics, 3 Ether Cores, 1 Remedy, 2 Phoenix Essences, 3 Nostrums, 2 Venom, Elixir, Floral Bomb, Water Bomb, 2 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 20.33 Power: 26 Health: 30/30 Defense: 4 Ether: 20/20 Gold: 21 Equipment: Kapura (WP:8, fire-elemental dagger), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP:1), Heart Locket (Protects from enamored- and confused-effects), Reflective Gaunlets (SP:3) Inventory: Chiara (WP:7, lightning-elemental dagger), Shadeaux 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), Diamond, Scroll of Sealing (loaned by Arthur), 7x Potions, 3x Grand Potions, 3x 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 Level 15 Power: 25 Health: 26/26 Gold: 2 Equipment: Dagger (WP:10), 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: Top Hat (WP: 14. 50% Stun chance, retrievable), Sylph Shuriken (WP:12, wind- and light-elemental, retrievable), Fauxthril Hand Cannon (WP:7), Bow (WP:5), Grand Potion, 2 Potions, Phoenix Essence, 2 Venoms, 5 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 Power: 28 Health: 32/32 Gold: 75 Defense: 8 Equipment: Croise Crossbow (WP: 11), Chimera Armor (Torsowear, Suitable for Knights and Barbarians, +2 SP, +2 Health), Pauldrons (SP +2, suitable to Knights, Dragoons and Skirmishers; accessory), Lion Knight Shield (SP: 4, suitable for Knights) Inventory: Repeating Crossbow (WP: 5 May not be upgraded; Fire; Hastened), Hand Cannon (WP: 5; Lightning, Wood), Fashionable Shield (SP:7), 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), Fire Bomb, Water Bomb, Amethyst, Grating Stone, Elixer, Military Grade Water Bomb, Military Grade Lightning Bomb, Bone, Magic Saucepan, Nostrum Denerii gave a hard stare to the monk. "No, holyman, we Rito are born like this. It's not easy, having this natural magnificence, you know. " Denerii turned to the echo and smiled. "It's possible, though our shamans have not determined the cause of her sickness. It could be a result of her slumber, but that's what you're going to find out. As for the cultists who resided in Dastan before, we have not seen head nor tail of them since the Battle." Denerii edged away, repulsed by the monk already. "I'll determine that for myself, thanks...." "Again, we do not know the origins of the sickness. As for it's contagion, we know that it can't be spread to other species. Or at least, our shamans haven't gotten sick... yet." "Other factions? Not that we know of... you're the only ones we have hired, and I doubt the Dastanese know or care about the dragons." "If you're all ready to head out, I've arranged a meeting with our captain at the Fishmarket. He will lead us to his ship and we can be on our way to Dastan. You can ask me any more questions you have on the way. Come on, let's go!" Denerii opened the Hall doors, flapped her wings, and took flight, soaring southeast to the Fishmarket. The heroes had to run after her, without wings to fly themselves. Soon they looked down on a bustling street of commerce. "Oops! I forgot you hatchlings can't fly!" Denerii giggled a little. "No matter, our captain is here. Hail, Whales!" "Ahoy! Heroes from Heroica, eh? They ain't nothin' but trouble, I tells ye... bwahahaha! Just pullin' yer oars, heroes be great shipmates when travelin' to far off ports like Strivvi. Anyhow, me ship, The Mercuito, is on it's way back from Shelbric. Now, our headin' be Dastan, and I hear tell that ye heroes be lookin' fer a ride. Well, ol' Cap'n Whales will be glad to help the likes of ye out -- for the lowly price o' 1000 gold, group discount! What'ye say?" "Nah-ah, sailor man! We had a deal!" Denerii put a hand over the bow strapped to her back, but with a small smile on her face. "That we did, ahah. Ye can't blame an old sailor fer tryin', at least. And them Rito Feathers do fetch a nice bit o' gold in Eubric..." Whales eyed Denerii's wings. "You'll get your shinies once this is over, sailor man." "Ah. Ahah! There she blows! Ladies an' gentlemen, The Mercutio makes port!" Whales pulled a telescope from his belt, aiming it at the waters of Eubric Cove. Whales led Denerii and the party down to the docks, where The Mercutio was docking. Whales' dwarven first mate, Thimlin, tossed a rope to his captain from the deck of the ship. "...Ahoy, cap'n!" "Ahoy, yerself. I assume the tradin' went as planned? Of course it did, bwahah. Anyhow, we got a coupla heroes along fer the ride. Pack the cargo, and then we set sail!" Will the heroes converse with Whales, Thimlin, or Denerii, or will they board the ship an prepare to set sail?

Sandy, how many languages do you speak?! the weregators' Spanish is gramatically correct as far as I can tell, so you didn't use an online translator, did you?

Five heroes wait in Heroica Hall, wondering where their employer was going to meet them. These heroes were... Monk Pretzel and His 99 Pieces (Palathdaric) 463-year-old male "hermit" Cleric Level 15 Power: 25 Health: 24/24 Defense: 5 Ether: 23/23 Gold: 45 Equipment: Cross [staff of Malbert (WP:10, light-elemental)], Tricorn (artifact, headwear, SP:3), Ethereal Cloak (artifact, backwear, SP:2, Max Ether +4) Inventory: Flying Cross [broomstick De Albert (WP:6, darkness-, fire- and wind-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, 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), Bone (3), Tasty Pretzel (Consumable) - 1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened and encouraged-effects upon consumption., Magic Viper Skin (accessory, heals 1 health to wearer each round of battle, unless knocked out), Fashionable Shield (SP:7) Maurice Ratibor (Etzel) ***Party Leader*** 51 years old male human Paladin *Immune to Stun and Light* Level 21 Power: 34 Health: 45/45 Defense: 9 Ether: 28/28 Gold: 175 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, 2 Tonics, 3 Ether Cores, 1 Remedy, 2 Phoenix Essences, 3 Nostrums, 2 Venom, Elixir, Floral Bomb, Water Bomb, 2 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 20.33 Power: 26 Health: 30/30 Defense: 4 Ether: 20/20 Gold: 21 Equipment: Kapura (WP:8, fire-elemental dagger), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP:1), Heart Locket (Protects from enamored- and confused-effects), Reflective Gaunlets (SP:3) Inventory: Fauxthril Hand Cannon (WP:7) Chiara (WP:7, lightning-elemental dagger), Shadeaux 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), Diamond, Scroll of Sealing (loaned by Arthur), 7x Potions, 3x Grand Potions, 3x 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 Level 15 Power: 25 Health: 26/26 Gold: 2 Equipment: Dagger (WP:10), Sticky Gloves( Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up)) Inventory: Top Hat (WP: 14. 50% Stun chance, retrievable), Sylph Shuriken (WP:12, wind- and light-elemental, retrievable), Bow (WP:5), Grand Potion, 2 Potions, Phoenix Essence, 2 Venoms, 5 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 Power: 28 Health: 32/32 Gold: 75 Defense: 8 Equipment: Croise Crossbow (WP: 11), Chimera Armor (Torsowear, Suitable for Knights and Barbarians, +2 SP, +2 Health), Pauldrons (SP +2, suitable to Knights, Dragoons and Skirmishers; accessory), Lion Knight Shield (SP: 4, suitable for Knights) Inventory: Repeating Crossbow (WP: 5 May not be upgraded; Fire; Hastened), Hand Cannon (WP: 5; Lightning, Wood), 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), Fire Bomb, Water Bomb, Amethyst, Grating Stone, Elixer, Military Grade Water Bomb, Military Grade Lightning Bomb, Bone, Magic Saucepan, Nostrum The heroes did not have to wait long, however. A winged humanoid, familiar to De'kra, stepped into the Hall to collect the heroes. "De'kra! It is good to see you again, little one! For those of you don't know me, I am Denerii, of the Rito clan in Dastan. As you already know, we need your help. Retraga, an old dragon of Dastan, has woken up from her slumber after the Battle of Dastan. However, she hasn't come out of her cave, and has been wreaking havoc on our tallest peak. If she decided to leave, we are sure that she would cause much damage to the Rito settlements and to the Dastanese down below the mountains. Our shamans have determined that she is infected somehow, and believe that this is the cause of her anger. We need you heroes to investigate and try to help her, as our efforts so far have been fruitless." "I have arranged for one of the many merchant sailors to take us across the Crystalline Sea to Dastan. But before we depart, are there any questions about your mission?" QM Note: Hello and welcome to the quest! I hope you will all have fun. Please check your stats, I have rearranged some of them to make it easier for me to keep track of.

"Well these are some interesting items, eheh. Namyrra, perhaps this Jinn would be more useful under your command." Hybros hands the lamp over. "Jinn, I release you to a new master." "Now, I think we should go back and search that third door in the Sky Room before we go upstairs. Agreed?" Hybros begins to lead the way back to the Sky Room and through the third door, unless there are any objections. he also waits for Namyrra to receive the lamp before moving on. Battle Order Xut Hybros Namyrra Hybros Tesni Cinna Tarn Jun

Lovely review, Masked Builder. After reading, I agree with you that this set is definitely more than meets the eye, and a lot bigger than I first thought. There are lots of useful parts it seems, which is always a plus. It's interesting to note that this building is no longer standing, as well. If I'm not mistaken this is the first Architecture set to be based off a building no longer in existence. It's important to remember those, in addition to all the great architecture we have today.

Hybros used a Phoenix Essence on Tarn, and tried to help him up. It wasn't much use since Tarn was three times the size of the little imp. "No time for naps, Tarn, eheh. You will turn into a phoenix yourself if you don't stop falling down!" Hybros then walked over to the shelf with the lamp and red books on it, checking over for anything useful. "Can you reach the scrolls on the top shelves, Jun?" Battle Order: Xut Namyrra Cinna Tesni Tarn Hybros Hybros Jun

Apologies to Quest 59ers, I just need one more day to make some final preparations. The quest will begin tomorrow!

Hybros continued his attack on the Dragon with his Eye poking Sai, this time front the front row. Same BO.

Hybros tried his attack again. "Everyone behind me, perhaps I can blind this Dragon." Battle Order Xut Hybros Hybros Cinna Namyrra Tesni

Chosen Heroes for Quest #59: Monk Pretzel (palathadric) Maurice Ratibor (Etzel) *Party Leader* Mizuki Kimura (zakura) William Harkenshire (Fred Daniel Yam) De'kra (Tanma) You have a little more than 24 hours to prepare, the quest will begin tomorrow.

"Let us finish the scholar, hehe..." attacked the Single-horned Dragon twice from the back row, with the Eye-poking Sai. Battle Order: Xut Tesni Tarn Hybros Hybros Cinna Namyrra

"Again!" Same BO. OOC: Sandy, Bound only lasts one round, correct?

@Quest 53: "The abyss stares back"... has the whole Wren saga been a metaphor for Frederick Nietzche's philosophy? Very cool Chaos Beasts of Life and Death, Zepher, probably my favorite enemies from you (so far).

"Hmm... Okay, Namyrra, have Xut hold off the Single Horned Dragon. We will deal with him last. Tarn, take the Prodigal Brother, and the rest of you should focus on the Scholar." Hybros attacks the Little Marquis from the front row with the Twin Kunai, directing his second blade at the Prodigal First Brother. Jun meditates, saving his strength. Battle Order: Xut Cinna Namyrra Tesni Hybros Hybros Tarn Jun