JimBee

Hybros' eyes widened, more and more as the Paladin spoke. It was almost funny, looking into a mirror. "Hehehehe... Monk, it seems we are more alike than you ever thought possible. My story is the exact same as yours, if you wish to believe it. I came from... somewhere, too, though I am not sure exactly where. I do not remember it, or the people that lived in it. But I am here, and I have traveled Olegaia with the same questions in my head. How many like me have you seen in your travels? Not one, I am almost sure, eheh. I must find this place where I am from, though. Or else I would not be here, in Heroica, looking for it. I think you are here for the same reason." He poked Pretzel's arm. "...Have you found any sign of your people?"

Of course, I totally agree. But if a player just disappears for an extended period of time without warning... I dunno, I think that's probably reason enough to find a replacement. People's lives get busy unexpectedly, but if they're too busy to check in regularly or even just say that they'll be out for a while, it'd be worse to have a party member just along for the ride. Let them join another quest when they find the time to. I don't mean that to be directed at anyone in particular or to sound mean, I just think it's the fairest thing to do. I do like the compromise you made in your quest, Zeph, I'm just saying that if that's what it takes to get people to play the game, that it'd be better for them to just take some time off rather than struggle to participate and hold up progress of the quest in the long run.

What happened to the good old days of booting a player for inactivity? Maybe it sounds harsh but as QM I'd be pretty peeved if half of my party was consistently absent without warning.

Hm, good point. And agreed on all of those. I would really like to see Cannoneer in action more. We've seen some NPC classes briefly before, but I'm anticipating an actual hero that goes Cannoneer and tries to minmax or work out some cool strategies. I want to say that the class is relatively weak or simple compared to the other Expert Classes but at the same time we haven't seen it's true potential yet.

"Good? Well have you not learned anything? I have wandered the western part of this world for over half of a century, and there is much to be gained simply by traveling. I have even made it as far east as Xu once. Where do you come from?" Hybros looked over to the young human, Arthur, who he initially thought to be a little strange. He waved and answered. "There is not much else to do around here, eheh. I will train with you in a little while."

Aha. I do remember that strategy now, from the second or third Wren quest. On that note, Jinxy Juice needs to make a comeback. Maybe only as drops from enemies because having them available at Portia's might be too much... but the price should be hefty either way. They're super powerful, much more so than Nostrum are, so I think something like 75 gold would be fair if they were regularly available.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but I've never understood why people have wanted the Sword of the Vampir so much. WP:17 is decent, but being Jinxed just throws it off. What strategy involves being unlucky?

As Tarn departs, Hybros looks up briefly from his cup of tea to give one last tip of his hat to the Raider. He let out a soft sigh and went back to staring into his mug. "Wonder when I will get out of here..." he mumbled to no one in particular. He nodded to Monk Pretzel, the superstitious Paladin he had quested with in the Fields of Glory. "Ehem, Monk. Remember me?" Hybros flashed his pointed teeth. "Do not worry, I am not here to curse or taint your, erm, holiness. I was just wondering, because you seem old for a human... where have you been before coming to Heroica?"

See Quest #85. This example even has two simultaneous Auras, and it does start the round of and continues through the end of the next round. Edit: And here's an example with just a Warden's Aura, not from the Pheles Rod. Docken absorbs damage for Namyrra the same round that Aura was rolled.

Hybros' eyes narrowed. "...What?... Never?" Hybros shook his head. "Hm. Well it seems you have found something else to do. Unlike the rest of us..." It had been a matter of several years now since coming to Eubric Freeport for Hybros and many other heroes. "Well, I... Ehehm, good luck then. I am sure you will serve the royalty there nobly." Hybros grabbed a cup of tea from the tray and proceeded to stare into its black depths, sulking. Hybros mumbled something about nobility and raised his cup halfway.

"Ehem, leaving, you say? With a Princess? Pah, I always took you for the kind of warrior to do something like that Tarn. When are you coming back?"

Hybros winces at Arthur's shout in the silence of the Hall. "Hello, Arthur. What do you mean, Dastan? Going somewhere? I thought you just returned from a quest, eheh..." "Yes, but I must remind you again, heheh. Where would you be if I had not?"

Hybros waited for Docken to respond, but he appeared to be staring blankly into space. "Must be AFK..." Hybros mumbled. "Hm?" He snapped out of his otherworldly stupor to notice Tarn pulling up a stool at the bar. Another familiar face. "Oh Noble Tarn, still not dead or at the mercy of the prisoners you let go? Heheheh..." The words were biting, but he said them with a sincere grin.

Yes please.

I do agree! I can't fathom having to start all over with a new character after two and half years with the same one, but it's good to recognize when a good time to do that is. I like how Tarn's story developed over time, with his past revealed in the form of the building contest and his coming to terms with that through Heroica. He's now become a noble warrior, but his story still doesn't end with him not being an NPC, which is also really cool. I'm sure going to miss him though.

I hate to be the one to ask this time, but are the Grogmas letters ever going to be answered? I know life is busy, Sandy, but I'd rather just know if we're ever going to get a reply than sit waiting for one. It has been over two months...

Hybros entered the Hall with the brim of his hat pulled down over his eyes. He had been wandering the streets of Eubric after his meeting with the two Tritech scientists at their headquarters following the completion of his last quest. After countless hours in the Library looking at books about caves around Olegaia, there were no hints as to where he should start. There were thousands upon thousands of caves, tunnels and underground lairs to read about, which didn't give much more insight than before there was the possibility of drilling underground. He would need the help of an expert. Worse, Jun Ji Pei had still not answered his letter from Grogmas. There was still snow on the ground outside so Hybros knew it couldn't have been more than a few months since he sent it, but even that was a long time. He wondered if the young aoi had simply forgotten about it, or was ignoring the imp. He brushed some snow off his crimson cloak before choosing a seat next to Docken, the quiet and strange archer who he had known since one of his first quests in Heroica. "Hello there, Bartholomew. It has been quite a while, eheh... What have you been doing in this time?" A new notice was also posted on the board: For Sale: Dastan Dual Axes (WP:7, 1/6 chance to seal Dragons, dual-strike, axes) - see Hybros for negotiations.

Er... Going on a quest shouldn't be dependent on what reputation you can negotiate with the QM to include.

I think a Regulator's Wild Mind deals a normal hit (WP+level), so yes the Dual Strike and darkness-elemental would be considered. Encouraged does not affect Counterstriking, though.

You let him die?!? You do realize that that will ruin everything in a long, convoluted way, don't you? A rare occasion where American English's nuances are a good thing - the Grey Plague is something much more sinister than the Gray Plague. Chi Monk?

Let me guess, because the Salarian Lucostoid doctor has been picking off Batarians werewolves from his clinic? I kid, but seriously, 96 looks awesome so far. Very cool build for Strivvi, the atmosphere is great.

Now that it's finally wrapped up completely, thank you for the quest Kintobor. You already know where you can improve, but I will agree with my questmates who have said that it was dragged on for only two battles. It would have been nice to have some other sort of dialog or something to keep it interesting (the puzzle and encounter with your NPC were very brief). I liked the character interaction between the party, even if it was sparse. Some sort of situation to keep that going would have been nice as well. There wasn't a whole lot of plot either, and that would be totally fine if the quest took only a month or so. I like short quests and you don't need a big plot to make them happen, but you do need punctuality. I'm guilty of this too, for having been gone for over a week in January and sometimes forgetting to post my actions otherwise. However, it also helps if the QM is engaged to get the players engaged. Maybe that had to do with the quest consisting mainly of dice rolling, because I haven't seen such a problem with your other quests (Grim Grinning Ghosts was a great read, and I've casually followed your newest one so far). Overall, I think better planning and punctuality would have resulted in a much better quest, but I was glad I went on it. I'm also very grateful for the NPC interaction for Hybros at the end. Hopefully if you continue planning your Bonaparte quest you will take this experience into account.

"Hm yes, that will do." Hybros tried not to look disappointed, but found himself staring at the ground anyway. "I will return to the Heroica Library, maybe Byblos can tell me where some of the deepest caves in Olegaia are... Then once I find a suitable place, I will send you a letter. I am hoping to speak to Jun Ji Pei as well." Hybros nodded to the two scientists. "We will be in touch, eheh. And... thank you." With that, Hybros set down his teacup, tipped his hat, and was on his way back to Heroica Hall. OOC: A bit anticlimactic for a five-day wait, sorry for the delay Kinto. Thank you again for this opportunity and the quest as well!

That also makes it important to either have a balanced party of similar level, or if the QM is able, balance the enemies to accommodate characters of varying levels. The enemies in 88 were pretty hard to beat with level 7's. EDIT: Left the posting window open while other people said the exact same thing. Sorry.

There's still the fact that having less characters standing in your party makes the battle inherently harder for everyone else, and the quest harder to succeed with. I don't see a problem with the way the KO system is now.