JimBee

But there's a greater chance that the actions won't get in on time with more players, and it's a lot more to keep track of. Not to mention balancing enemies.

QM Note: Yes, I wrote it as 7 but calculated it as 8. And yes, using your potion on yourself or another player would take your turn but giving a potion during battle would take both your turn and the other player's.

Results of Round 3 of Battle of Betrayal Cronk - Stunned De'kra vs. Soldier B - Damage Sarick vs. Emeraldo Mage - Special Damage Special Damage Nerwen vs. Xander - Heal More Xander vs. Emeraldo Lancer - Miss (Aim) Galen vs. Emeraldo Soldier A - Damage Mounted Emeraldo Elite - Free hit on Cronk Emeraldo Archer - Free hit on De'kra Emeraldo Swordsman - Free hit on Sarick The battle takes a turn for the worse. Cronk lies helpless on the ground, and De'kra is hit with Soldier B's ax (8). The Emeraldo Mage's sapphire glows, and huge gusts of wind send Galen, De'kra, Xander, and Cronk to the back row for the next round. Luckily Nerwen patches Xander up with a powerful healing spell while the barbarian practices his new double-sided ax on the Lancer. On his horse, Xander takes a swing at the foe's head, but he quickly ducks. However, Xander uses the weight of the other end of the staff to spin it around and strike his leg for 8 damage. The two mounted men turn their steeds around for another round. Galen, now confident in the front row, faces the wrath of Soldier A, who deals 8 damage with his ax. The Elite, Archer, and Swordsman all get free hits on Cronk, De'kra, and Sarick, respectively. With much of the party low on health, the battle starts to look grim. Enemies: Emeraldo Soldier A Level: 8 Type: Humanoid Health: 29/80 Special: Defend Takes a defensive stance, preventing all damage to it for the next round. Cannot deal free hits while defending. Drops: Nothing Emeraldo Soldier B Level: 8 Type: Humanoid Health: 5/80 Special: Defend Takes a defensive stance, preventing all damage to it for the next round. Cannot deal free hits while defending. Drops: Nothing Emeraldo Mage Level: 10 Type: Humanoid Health: 60/111 Special: Gust Uses wind elemental power to push all opponents in the front row to the back row for the next turn. Drops: Sapphire Emeraldo Lancer Level: 12 Type: Humanoid, Beast Health: 61/120 Special: Shield Buster Charges at opponents with high speed, allowing his lance to bypass the enemy's shield and prevent the use of it for the rest of the battle. Drops: Lance (WP: 12, Suitable to Knights) Mounted Emeraldo Elite Level: 14 Type: Humanoid, Beast Health: 66/160 Special: Trample Deals 7 damage to target and inflicts the Stunned effect for the next round. Drops: 50 gold Emeraldo Archer Level: 6 Type: Humanoid Health: 11/62 Special: Tempest Sends a rain of arrows down on all enemies, dealing 6 damage regardless of row/SP. Drops: Nothing Emeraldo Swordsman Level: 10 Type: Humanoid Health: 49/100 Special: Parry Expertly blocks the opponent's incoming attack and counters with strength equal to the opponents WP (regardless of SP/row) Drops: Nothing Party: Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) Level 8 Cleric Power: 14 Health: 15/15 Ether: 4/12 Gold: 35 Inventory: Peace (Hammer, WP: 6), Wooden Staff (WP:3), Bedroll, Shovel, Potion, 2x Tonic, Remedy, 2x Nostrum, Elixir, Grand Tonic, Venom, Red Potion, Bone, Tonic, Fire Bomb De'kra (played by Tanma) Level 14 Rogue Power: 19 Health: 6/20 Gold: 112 Inventory: Kapura (WP:5, Fire), Pongcanis Dagger (WP:5, Lightning), Shadeaux Dagger (WP:5), Fauxthril Hand Cannon (WP:5, unsuitable), Cloak of the Blue Assassin(SP: 1), Cloak of the Elven Spy, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, 6x Potion, 2x Remedy, Ice Bomb, Water Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Phoenix Essence, Bone Galen Woodward (played by Fugazi) Level 8 Rogue Power: 13 Health: 2/14 Gold: 17 Inventory: Sword of Bashing (WP: 5, Ice), Throwing Dagger (WP:4), Potion, Remedy, 2x Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll Sarick Lanse (played by Xarrzan) *Party Leader* *Lucky* Level 9 Mage Power: 15 Health: 8/13 Ether: 7/13 Gold: 38 Inventory: Dragon's Wrath (Staff WP: 6), Healing Staff (WP:5, healing effect), Opal(Ice), Topaz(Lightning) Potion, Tonic, Blue Potion, Bone, Fire Bomb Cronk (played by CorneliusMurdock) Level 19 Paladin *Stunned* Power: 31 SP: 9 Health: 34/39 Ether: 19/20 Gold: 49 Inventory: Zoot's Bane (WP:12, Light), Healing Staff (WP:5 Healing effect), Bloody Pointy Stick (WP:1), Ennoc's Blessing (Shield, SP:7), Elaborate Helmet (SP:2), 2x Potion, Holy Bomb, Bedroll, Paralyzing Venom, Blacksmith Writ, Bone, Cultist Documents, Lightning Bomb Xander Unth'or (played by posades) Level 13 Barbarian Power: 21 Health: 20/20 Gold: 299 Inventory: Pongcanis Club (WP: 8), Double-Sided Battle Ax (WP:6, Aim), Enigmatic Hammer (WP: 3), Robe of the Pongcanis Champion (WP: 1 Front Row)(SP: 1 Back Row), Potion (2), Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence, Horse (WP: 1 Front Row), Fire Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, 2x Venom, Elven Bomb, Green Potion

Patricia Ziegfried and Patricia of the Town Watch. Or Gurnam and Miguel, or Atticus and Zelda. EDIT: Elphaba and Baba, definitely.

QM Note: Correct, I just didn't realize that you were in the back. Fixed.

Results of Round 2 of Battle of Betrayal Cronk vs. Emeraldo Mounted Elite - Special Damage Xander vs. Emeraldo Lancer - Damage De'kra vs. Soldier B - Miss Sarick vs. Emeraldo Mage - Magic Burst (Lightning) Damage Galen vs. Emeraldo Soldier A - Damage Nerwen vs. Swordsman - Miss Archer - Free hit on Cronk Cronk is trampled by the Mounted Elite. Luckily his shield absorbs the damage, but the impact leaves the orc stunned for the next round. The Lancer charges at Xander, dealing 12 damage. Soldier B dodges Kapura, but Sarick manages to summon lightning again, on all enemies (15). Galen swings at Soldier A but he dodges and brings his ax down on the Rogue for 4 damage. Nerwen is still too far away to strike the Swordsman. The Archer sends another arrow Cronk's way, but it lodges itself in the ground next to where he fell. The battle continues. Enemies: Emeraldo Soldier A Level: 8 Type: Humanoid Health: 29/80 Special: Defend Takes a defensive stance, preventing all damage to it for the next round. Cannot deal free hits while defending. Drops: Nothing Emeraldo Soldier B Level: 8 Type: Humanoid Health: 5/80 Special: Defend Takes a defensive stance, preventing all damage to it for the next round. Cannot deal free hits while defending. Drops: Nothing Emeraldo Mage Level: 10 Type: Humanoid Health: 60/111 Special: Gust Uses wind elemental power to push all opponents in the front row to the back row for the next turn. Drops: Sapphire Emeraldo Lancer Level: 12 Type: Humanoid, Beast Health: 69/120 Special: Shield Buster Charges at opponents with high speed, allowing his lance to bypass the enemy's shield and prevent the use of it for the rest of the battle. Drops: Lance (WP: 12, Suitable to Knights) Mounted Emeraldo Elite Level: 14 Type: Humanoid, Beast Health: 66/160 Special: Trample Deals 7 damage to target and inflicts the Stunned effect for the next round. Drops: 50 gold Emeraldo Archer Level: 6 Type: Humanoid Health: 11/62 Special: Tempest Sends a rain of arrows down on all enemies, dealing 6 damage regardless of row/SP. Drops: Nothing Emeraldo Swordsman Level: 10 Type: Humanoid Health: 49/100 Special: Parry Expertly blocks the opponent's incoming attack and counters with strength equal to the opponents WP (regardless of SP/row) Drops: Nothing Party: Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) Level 8 Cleric Power: 14 Health: 15/15 Ether: 5/12 Gold: 35 Inventory: Peace (Hammer, WP: 6), Wooden Staff (WP:3), Bedroll, Shovel, Potion, 2x Tonic, Remedy, 2x Nostrum, Elixir, Grand Tonic, Venom, Red Potion, Bone, Tonic, Fire Bomb De'kra (played by Tanma) Level 14 Rogue Power: 19 Health: 20/20 Gold: 112 Inventory: Kapura (WP:5, Fire), Pongcanis Dagger (WP:5, Lightning), Shadeaux Dagger (WP:5), Fauxthril Hand Cannon (WP:5, unsuitable), Cloak of the Blue Assassin(SP: 1), Cloak of the Elven Spy, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, 6x Potion, 2x Remedy, Ice Bomb, Water Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Phoenix Essence, Bone Galen Woodward (played by Fugazi) Level 8 Rogue Power: 13 Health: 10/14 Gold: 17 Inventory: Sword of Bashing (WP: 5, Ice), Throwing Dagger (WP:4), Potion, Remedy, 2x Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll Sarick Lanse (played by Xarrzan) *Party Leader* *Lucky* Level 9 Mage Power: 15 Health: 13/13 Ether: 7/13 Gold: 38 Inventory: Dragon's Wrath (Staff WP: 6), Healing Staff (WP:5, healing effect), Opal(Ice), Topaz(Lightning) Potion, Tonic, Blue Potion, Bone, Fire Bomb Cronk (played by CorneliusMurdock) Level 19 Paladin *Stunned* Power: 31 SP: 9 Health: 39/39 Ether: 19/20 Gold: 30 Inventory: Zoot's Bane (WP:12, Light), Healing Staff (WP:5 Healing effect), Bloody Pointy Stick (WP:1), Ennoc's Blessing (Shield, SP:7), Elaborate Helmet (SP:2), 2x Potion, Holy Bomb, Bedroll, Paralyzing Venom, Blacksmith Writ, Bone, Cultist Documents, Lightning Bomb Xander Unth'or (played by posades) Level 13 Barbarian Power: 21 Health: 8/20 Gold: 280 Inventory: Pongcanis Club (WP: 8), Double-Sided Battle Ax (WP:6, Aim), Enigmatic Hammer (WP: 3), Robe of the Pongcanis Champion (WP: 1 Front Row)(SP: 1 Back Row), Potion (2), Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence, Horse (WP: 1 Front Row), Fire Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, 2x Venom, Elven Bomb, Green Potion

My dad and uncle used to collect Lego (yes it runs in the family! ), so I have a box sets/pieces from the 70s, including this beaut.

I meant mug-wise. Yes, I do like Assassin (even though I haven't played with it yet). The only Rogue AC I don't like is the Witch, but that's just me.

It is the only Rogue advanced class that retains the same mugging capabilities as the Rogue basic class (which are much better than that of Assassin or Sorcerer), plus it gets a health bonus and Extra Critical Hit and Natural Respite. Definitely the class I would be if I could fit into Hybros' roleplaying. Same with Black Knight.

I think Hybros might have the most weapons: 6 total.

Cronk tries to calm the battle, but the soldiers just look to each other and grin. Results of Round 1 of Battle of Betrayal: Cronk vs. Mounted Emeraldo Elite - Critical Hit Xander vs. Emeraldo Lancer - Battle Frenzy De'kra vs. Emeraldo Soldier B - Critical Hit Sarick vs. Emeraldo Mage - Magic Burst (Lightning) Miss Galen vs. Emeraldo Soldier A - Miss Nerwen vs. Emeraldo Swordsman - Miss Emeraldo Archer - Free Hit on Cronk The battle begins well for the heroes, as Cronk swings Zoot's Bane at the Elite's horse (43). Xander goes into a Battle Frenzy, hitting all enemies with his new double-sided ax for 23 damage each. De'kra stabs Soldier B with Kapura (24) while Sarick overflows with magic, sending lightning bolts down on all enemies (15). Both Galen and Nerwen miss their targets. The Archer gains a free hit on Cronk, but the arrow bounces off his shield. The battle continues! Enemies: Emeraldo Soldier A Level: 8 Type: Humanoid Health: 44/80 Special: Defend Takes a defensive stance, preventing all damage to it for the next round. Cannot deal free hits while defending. Drops: Nothing Emeraldo Soldier B Level: 8 Type: Humanoid Health: 20/80 Special: Defend Takes a defensive stance, preventing all damage to it for the next round. Cannot deal free hits while defending. Drops: Nothing Emeraldo Mage Level: 10 Type: Humanoid Health: 75/111 Special: Gust Uses wind elemental power to push all opponents in the front row to the back row for the next turn. Drops: Sapphire Emeraldo Lancer Level: 12 Type: Humanoid, Beast Health: 84/120 Special: Shield Buster Charges at opponents with high speed, allowing his lance to bypass the enemy's shield and prevent the use of it for the rest of the battle. Drops: Lance (WP: 12, Suitable to Knights) Mounted Emeraldo Elite Level: 14 Type: Humanoid, Beast Health: 81/160 Special: Trample Deals 7 damage to target and inflicts the Stunned effect for the next round. Drops: 50 gold Emeraldo Archer Level: 6 Type: Humanoid Health: 26/62 Special: Tempest Sends a rain of arrows down on all enemies, dealing 6 damage regardless of row/SP. Drops: Nothing Emeraldo Swordsman Level: 10 Type: Humanoid Health: 64/100 Special: Parry Expertly blocks the opponent's incoming attack and counters with strength equal to the opponents WP (regardless of SP/row) Drops: Nothing Party: Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) Level 8 Cleric Power: 14 Health: 15/15 Ether: 5/12 Gold: 35 Inventory: Peace (Hammer, WP: 6), Wooden Staff (WP:3), Bedroll, Shovel, Potion, 2x Tonic, Remedy, 2x Nostrum, Elixir, Grand Tonic, Venom, Red Potion, Bone, Tonic, Fire Bomb De'kra (played by Tanma) Level 14 Rogue Power: 19 Health: 20/20 Gold: 112 Inventory: Kapura (WP:5, Fire), Pongcanis Dagger (WP:5, Lightning), Shadeaux Dagger (WP:5), Fauxthril Hand Cannon (WP:5, unsuitable), Cloak of the Blue Assassin(SP: 1), Cloak of the Elven Spy, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, 6x Potion, 2x Remedy, Ice Bomb, Water Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Phoenix Essence, Bone Galen Woodward (played by Fugazi) Level 8 Rogue Power: 13 Health: 14/14 Gold: 17 Inventory: Sword of Bashing (WP: 5, Ice), Throwing Dagger (WP:4), Potion, Remedy, 2x Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll Sarick Lanse (played by Xarrzan) *Party Leader* *Lucky* Level 9 Mage Power: 15 Health: 13/13 Ether: 7/13 Gold: 38 Inventory: Dragon's Wrath (Staff WP: 6), Healing Staff (WP:5, healing effect), Opal(Ice), Topaz(Lightning) Potion, Tonic, Blue Potion, Bone, Fire Bomb Cronk (played by CorneliusMurdock) Level 19 Paladin Power: 31 SP: 9 Health: 39/39 Ether: 19/20 Gold: 30 Inventory: Zoot's Bane (WP:12, Light), Healing Staff (WP:5 Healing effect), Bloody Pointy Stick (WP:1), Ennoc's Blessing (Shield, SP:7), Elaborate Helmet (SP:2), 2x Potion, Holy Bomb, Bedroll, Paralyzing Venom, Blacksmith Writ, Bone, Cultist Documents, Lightning Bomb Xander Unth'or (played by posades) Level 13 Barbarian Power: 21 Health: 20/20 Gold: 280 Inventory: Pongcanis Club (WP: 8), Double-Sided Battle Ax (WP:6, Aim), Enigmatic Hammer (WP: 3), Robe of the Pongcanis Champion (WP: 1 Front Row)(SP: 1 Back Row), Potion (2), Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence, Horse (WP: 1 Front Row), Fire Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, 2x Venom, Elven Bomb, Green Potion

"Now he's selling it..." mumbled Hybros. "Alright, Johon, I'll pay 80 gold for that scroll."

"Well I have no use for it personally right now, but I just figured that as long as you're training for Raider, you might want to get rid of the scroll. I was hoping to get it for the long term, but it's fine if you will be using it in the future, eheh..."

The parties part ways again as Sarick's group leaves the fort in pursuit of Russel. There are no horses available besides Xander's, so the party has to go on foot. They sprint with the weapons to where the carriages were, but instead of finding Emeraldo or Russel, a group of various types of soldiers await them. "No one's getting through to the emperor. Prepare yourselves!" Prepare for Battle!! Enemies: Emeraldo Soldier A Level: 8 Type: Humanoid Health: 80/80 Special: Defend Takes a defensive stance, preventing all damage to it for the next round. Cannot deal free hits while defending. Drops: Nothing Emeraldo Soldier B Level: 8 Type: Humanoid Health: 80/80 Special: Defend Takes a defensive stance, preventing all damage to it for the next round. Cannot deal free hits while defending. Drops: Nothing Emeraldo Mage Level: 10 Type: Humanoid Health: 111/111 Special: Gust Uses wind elemental power to push all opponents in the front row to the back row for the next turn. Drops: Sapphire Emeraldo Lancer Level: 12 Type: Humanoid, Beast Health: 120/120 Special: Shield Buster Charges at opponents with high speed, allowing his lance to bypass the enemy's shield and prevent the use of it for the rest of the battle. Drops: Lance (WP: 12, Suitable to Knights) Mounted Emeraldo Elite Level: 14 Type: Humanoid, Beast Health: 160/160 Special: Trample Deals 7 damage to target and inflicts the Stunned effect for the next round. Drops: 50 gold Emeraldo Archer Level: 6 Type: Humanoid Health: 62/62 Special: Tempest Sends a rain of arrows down on all enemies, dealing 6 damage regardless of row/SP. Drops: Nothing Emeraldo Swordsman Level: 10 Type: Humanoid Health: 100/100 Special: Parry Expertly blocks the opponent's incoming attack and counters with strength equal to the opponents WP (regardless of SP/row) Drops: Nothing Party: Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) Level 8 Cleric Power: 14 Health: 15/15 Ether: 5/12 Gold: 35 Inventory: Peace (Hammer, WP: 6), Wooden Staff (WP:3), Bedroll, Shovel, Potion, 2x Tonic, Remedy, 2x Nostrum, Elixir, Grand Tonic, Venom, Red Potion, Bone, Tonic, Fire Bomb De'kra (played by Tanma) Level 14 Rogue Power: 19 Health: 20/20 Gold: 112 Inventory: Kapura (WP:5, Fire), Pongcanis Dagger (WP:5, Lightning), Shadeaux Dagger (WP:5), Fauxthril Hand Cannon (WP:5, unsuitable), Cloak of the Blue Assassin(SP: 1), Cloak of the Elven Spy, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, 6x Potion, 2x Remedy, Ice Bomb, Water Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Phoenix Essence, Bone Galen Woodward (played by Fugazi) Level 8 Rogue Power: 13 Health: 14/14 Gold: 17 Inventory: Sword of Bashing (WP: 5, Ice), Throwing Dagger (WP:4), Potion, Remedy, 2x Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll Sarick Lanse (played by Xarrzan) *Party Leader* *Lucky* Level 9 Mage Power: 15 Health: 13/13 Ether: 7/13 Gold: 38 Inventory: Dragon's Wrath (Staff WP: 6), Healing Staff (WP:5, healing effect), Opal(Ice), Topaz(Lightning) Potion, Tonic, Blue Potion, Bone, Fire Bomb Cronk (played by CorneliusMurdock) Level 19 Paladin Power: 31 SP: 9 Health: 39/39 Ether: 19/20 Gold: 30 Inventory: Zoot's Bane (WP:12, Light), Healing Staff (WP:5 Healing effect), Bloody Pointy Stick (WP:1), Ennoc's Blessing (Shield, SP:7), Elaborate Helmet (SP:2), 2x Potion, Holy Bomb, Bedroll, Paralyzing Venom, Blacksmith Writ, Bone, Cultist Documents, Lightning Bomb Xander Unth'or (played by posades) Level 13 Barbarian Power: 21 Health: 20/20 Gold: 280 Inventory: Pongcanis Club (WP: 8), Double-Sided Battle Ax (WP:6, Aim), Enigmatic Hammer (WP: 3), Robe of the Pongcanis Champion (WP: 1 Front Row)(SP: 1 Back Row), Potion (2), Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence, Horse (WP: 1 Front Row), Fire Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, 2x Venom, Elven Bomb, Green Potion

Sitting alone in the hall, Hybros watches as a slew of heroes rush to the board in hopes of going on a quest. Hybros had once felt like that, but for some reason he needed to wait. Perhaps for the Ji Pei, or for his old allies. He sidled up to Johon, one of his companions on the Quarry Clean-Up, who was stepping away from the questboard. "Excuse me, I couldn't help but overhear that you're considering advanced training, hehe. If you choose a path that does not use magic, I would be interested in buying that Scroll of Luck that you received from the dragon we defeated together..."

QM Note: It seems like the parties are going to split up again, in which case Quest 31 players can return to their own topic, Brickdoctor should update it shortly. And I will update mine as well in a little while. Sorry Flipz, but it would just be easier to split the heroes into their original parties rather than have one character change. Hope you understand.

Agreed with the others, great job QMing Rumble Strike. I just wanted to add that the whole quest had a very eerie feeling to it, while Quest #13 had a sort of depressing mood. I love how you can bring out these moods in your quests, and I'll be looking forward to what you have in store for the final chapter.

Nikolai stands valiantly, with one knee raised on the edge of the wall. The Sun outlines his silhouette and as he takes off his helmet to allow his hair to blow dramatically in the wind. Skrall realizes that they've already been talking to the commander...

Just listening to some 90s.

De'kra uses his Cloak of the Elven Spy, but no enemies are nearby and it does not have an effect. The battle has ceased for the moment, but soldiers are bustling about making quick repairs and preparing for a follow-up attack. Skrall takes out his telescope and points it in the direction that Russel exited the fort. He doesn't find the soldier, but instead sees a cloud of dust rising in the distance, at the spot where Quest 29 heroes could identify as where the carriages was parked. "If you heroes wouldn't mind helping hold off this fort... I can't imagine the rebels could've gotten too large of a force behind our front lines. Then again, if pursuing this Russel character seems more important, please investigate. The whole situation seems fishy to me." What will the heroes do? Will they pursue Russel, help defend the fort, or split up? (PLs please state your decisions in bold.)

A few things, starting with the most defensive: It's okay to have your own opinion, but how dare you blame us, the QMs, for what you view as annoying by the players. "It was a bad idea to put Arthur and De'kra together..." One, it is not our doing that two players seem to annoy you. And two, we thought it would be cool to crossover quests but from all this complaining it seems like that was a bad idea after all. Also, this is Heroica RPG. Role-Playing Game. The purpose of the game is to have fun, yes, but not just through battles. I understand if role-playing isn't your thing, but IMHO you shouldn't be singling out players because they choose to do something included in the game. It's very easy to just scroll past walls of text that you don't feel like reading, anyway. And I have been updating the thread regularly, more often than daily, have I not? I don't think their role-playing is hindering the quest in any way. If you read any mafia game, the day treads are fraught with sexual humor and other posts that you might consider "spammy". I'd suggest you be a little more open-minded and considerate of how others play the game, but that's just my two cents.

"This is very interesting... mo, I was not informed that anyone should be taking these weapons, but I did just arrive a few days ago. And no, this Russel character did not speak to me about anything. I was busy fighting off the rebels".

"I am mostly associated with Emperor Septrine, but yes, the Emperors, mainly Alandri, are working with the Lion Knights to help keep out the rogue Lions." "A nuisance that has recently become more of a problem. We're not sure if they're allied with the rebellion, but they've been causing trouble." Skrall uses his Hunter skills to try to tack down Russel. Only encountering the soldier for a brief period, Skrall has a hard time recognizing the scent, but soon picks it up. Faint footprints lead out the door of the armory that was open, spaced far apart as if the prey were running. Luke tries his hand at identifying the potion, but also fails. It is obviously a foreign concoction that was perhaps a custom recipe. The only way to know the effects is to drink it.

All twelve party members and the soldier head upstairs. The battle seems to have ceased for the moment, but soldiers are running about preparing for another attack. A man shouting orders can be seen near the center of the great fort, so the parties approach him. The soldier explains the situation to him. "As I understand it, you are all heroes sent from Eubric. I'm sorry we all had to meet like this, but welcome to Dastan. My name is Nikolai, and I'm in charge here. I've recently been sent from the city of Dragonclaw, but even I wasn't expecting an attack so quickly, and so close to our capital... Is there something I can assist you with?" Meanwhile Count Knyghton inspects the weapons, which include swords and spears, but they don't seem to be suitable to him, either. They are probably intended for Dastanian soldiers.

Sarick helps gather up the weapons and closes the door they came through. Will both parties confront the commanding officer, or will they split up?