Sandy

"Like my friend the automaton here said, we are here to look into the murder of one Maggy that occured recently. Maybe we could talk about it over drinks?" Ellaria ordered four glasses of Flame-distilled Brandy and offered three of them to the dwarves and the rockling. "It's alright, Petey", Ellaria whispered to the boy. "Adults are often just close-minded and vary of strangers. They will open up once you get to know them a little better."

QM Note: Sorry, I have another busy weekend ahead of me. It's killing me how little time I have for this game anymore nowadays... The marquis clapped his hands together in excitement. "Right this way, gentle folk! We do have many other guests in the castle, you will surely meet them all at the feast later tonight." The lord of the house led the party upstairs to a room that was well-furnished, but oddly dusty. "Make yourselves comfortable. I will send a servant to fetch you once the preparations are complete!" After the door was slammed shut, Byblos looked at the party. "What now? We kept the madman happy, but we haven't seen even a glimpse of demonic activity yet. Something reeks of rotten bananas here..." There was a queen-sized bed, a wardrobe and a dressing table with a chair in the room. All the windows were on one wall, looking to the surrounding hills.

"Hahaha!" the marquis laughed, a little too loudly. "By all means, no! I live here with my family, as well as numerous servants and guards. We all live a very happy life here, as the Lowcraft family has been living for ages." "By inheritance, of course. Is that not how nobles everywhere get their titles?" The man gave an exaggerated wink. "Now, will you join our feast or not? If you do, I can give you a room where you can freshen up for the celebrations." The guards did not seem to move at all, but just stood there stoically. Their eyes were oddly gleaming from the shadows of their helmets.

Ellaria approached the table with the dwarves and rockling, trying to eavesdrop what they were talking about.

Zoot was created as the personification of chaos and evil. There are many myths and legends about him, and some of them are conflicting in nature - which is great, because that is what makes them myths and not facts. I personally would like to keep the deities as ambiguous and mysterious as possible, not something that can be easily defined and identified. They are certainly not people with minds and bodies residing on another plane of existence (well, with a few exceptions ), but beyond that I'll leave it up to each QM and player to have their own ideas about them. That's what makes this game's story so intriguing - it's not something anyone could write on their own, but a collaborate effort.

The marquis tilted his head and gazed Hybros as if measuring him up. After an awkward pause, he grinned again. "I would imagine most people would be in their beds at this late hour. But we shall not sleep but celebrate instead! We have a lot of guests coming to the feast, and I am sure they will be gagging to meet you all!" The entrance hall was bare and simplistic, apart from the tapestries hanging on the walls. The staircase divided into two after the first landing and continued to a balcony on both sides of the hall.

Ellaria bowed her head in an attempt to appear humble. "Yes, that would be all. We honor your authority, Baron, and promise not to cause any disturbances." Turning to the other two, she said, "Let us go to the tavern called Sluice next, then. Maybe the townfolk will have more details about the incident."

Marquis Lowcraft grinned like a half-wit. "Oh, I do apologize for the weather! It has been absolutely dour as of late. Otherwise things are just fine and dandy in our lovely little town. How nice of you to have paid a visit at this hour! Would you care to join us later tonight for a feast?"

"Ah, now I see. Desperate times call for desperate measures. But let us not be too hasty in blaming the imps - it looks like there are many threats about that could have killed poor Maggie. Our colleagues are looking into the crime scene as we speak, but could either you or the Cardinal point us where else we should go next if we wanted to look deeper into this case?"

"To the castle it is, then." Byblos gazed towards the imposing building basking in green light. "Just be prepared for anything." The party faced no opposition at the castle's gates, nor at the front doors. There wasn't a soul to be seen anywhere. They made it all the way to the entrance hall when a voice from a grand staircase called out to them. "Welcome to Castle Goetia, honored guests! I am Marquis Lowcraft, the master of this humble house. How may I help you?" The marquis descended the stairs accompanied by a few sullen guards. His eyes had a mad gleam in them, and he swung a chalice filled with red wine. He moved with a twitch, and cracked his neck a couple of times. Party: Althior Emorith, The Dragonslayer (K-Nut) 36 years old male (undead) human Prophet *PARTY LEADER* Level 55 2/5 *Clairvoyance* *Glossolalia* *Intimidation* *Permanently Transcended* *Immune to Petrified, Cursed, Bound, and Slowed* *Absorbs Earth* *Immune to Ice and Darkness* *Encouraged* Power: 90 (55+35) (Spellpower: 100 (55+35+10)) Defense: 12 (2+5+5) Health: 77/77 (5+55+15+1+1) Ether: 103/103 (5+55+15+10+10+4+2+2) Gold: 806+762 Equipment: Mythril Scepter of Divine Affinity (WP:35, Has ⅙ chance to deal cursed effect on successful spells and ⅙ chance to deal blessed effect on successful healing, staff), Magician's Touch (Spellpower +10, Ether +10; handwear), Winged Sandals (protects from bound and slowed effects, footwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max Ether +4; backwear), Coat Hanger (allows wearing a second bodywear artifact regardless of the amount limit for artifacts; accessory), Robe of the Seneschal (SP:5; wearer absorbs earth, ice, and darkness- elemental damage and is immune to petrified; suitable to clerics, mages, chi monks, necromancers, scholars, and weather mages; bodywear), Robes of Illumination (SP: 5, +10 Max Ether, wearer is permanently transcended, suitable to prophets; bodywear), Black Hat (wearer is immune to cursed, grants Intimidation) Inventory: Weapons: Artifacts: Tin Helmet (immunity to confused and afraid, headwear), Lieutenant's Helm (SP:3, protects from fragile; headwear), Pink Ribbon (Max Ether +3, grants immunity to sealed, afraid, and doomed; accessory), Lens of Speed Reading (allows one scroll to be used per round in addition to a normal action, suitable for classes that have ether; accessory), Medal of Glory (Wearer earns triple experience; accessory), Counterstrike Gloves (if the wearer is damaged by a free hit, they counter with strength equal to their level; handwear), Sterile Gloves (protects from poisoned and bleeding; handwear), Magician's Gloves (+10 spellpower, suitable to mages; handwear) Spell Items: Ruby (Fire), Aquamarine (Water), Garnet (Earth), Sapphire (Wind), Opal (Ice), Topaz (Lightning), Emerald (Wood), Diamond (Light), Amethyst (Darkness), Scroll of Frailty (Enables casting the fragile-effect to the target, causing it to take double damage for the next three rounds. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.), Scroll of Love (Enables casting the enamored-effect to the target, making it unable to damage the caster for three rounds. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.), Begone With The Winds (Grants the holder access to the Weather Mage expert job class upon reaching Level 30), Geode Consumables: 3 Potions, 10 Grand Potions, 6 Tonics, 4 Grand Tonics, 3 Ether Cores, 6 Remedies, 2 Elixirs, Phoenix Incense, 10 Meads, 5 Smelling Salts, 5 Nostrums, Smoke Bomb, Venom, Garnet Lamp of Summoning, Skeleton Decoy, Feather of Lithe (Makes the user nimble for three rounds), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), 2 Milks (restores 15 health and 15 ether upon consumption) Tools etc.: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, 4 Bones, Deaddy Bear (Causes 45 damage and doomed but has 1/6 chance to break whenever used), Sauce Pan (Tool; Can be used with a Potion, outside of battle, once per quest to restore full HP), Cornucopia (increases the holder's gold by 25% at the end of each quest). Atramor Gibbin, the Fiery and Aquatic Champion of Decamon and the Serpent Skinner (CallMePie) 33 year old male human Rogue Thief Level 42 1/5 *Immune to all elements and doomed* *Steal 50% More Gold* *Kingpin: Lucky* *Nimble* (Soul Link: *Reinforced*) Power: 72 (42 + 30) Defense: 20 ((4+6)x2) Health: 80/80 (7+41+20+6+6*) Gold: 325 Equipment: Living Mythril Claws (WP: 30, double WP against humanoids, double damage against vermin, +1 WP after every successful hit, resets at end of current quest, light elemental, dual strike, daggers), Rat's Hide (SP: 4, backwear, suitable for anyone), Galactic Armor (SP: 6, +6 max health, immune to water, wood, lightning, fire, earth, wind, ice, light, darkness, and doomed, bodywear, suitable for anyone), Order Imperial's Assassin Cowl (Immune to darkness, wearer is nimble, headwear; suitable for assassins, chi monks, infiltrators, rogue thieves, and paragons), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors; handwear.), Soul Link Chain (Allows the user to pair up with another party member, each of them gaining all the effects that the other has. The partner has to equip the chain as well (ie. one chain can be shared by two people); Accessory) Inventory Weapons: Pheles Kris (WP: 20, wielder has a 1/2 chance to generate an Aura while equipped, doubling the user's maximum health but drawing all attacks to them, lightning, fire, earth, wind, ice, light, darkness elemental dagger), Robust Shield (SP: 12, shield), Spinning Bolas (WP: 5 deals Slowed, but the effect is removed when retrieved; throwing weapon), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all; throwing weapon) Artifacts: Bracers of Insatiable Avarice (Power +2; user gains 25 Gold for every enemy he kills, handwear, suitable for hunters, berserkers, battle mages, beast warriors, dragoons, marauders, regulators, and skirmishers), Twitzle the Canary (Remedies poisoned when used on target, bird familiar), Helmet of Azzurat (SP: 4, immune to poison, headwear, suitable for anyone) Spell Items: Scroll of Tongues (Grants the user the Glossolalia Job Trait. Each casting lasts for a limited amount of time and costs 10 ether), Topaz, Ruby, Amethyst, Archangel's Summonstone Consumables: 6 Bones, Dirt Bomb, 2 Elixirs, 3 Ether Cores, Fenghuang Incense (After being consumed, automatically revives all party members with full health once when knocked out; cannot revive targets that are already knocked out.) Fire Bomb, 1 Grand Potion, 11 Grand Tonics, Health Core, 2 Meads, Nostrum, Phoenix Essence, 3 Phoenix Incenses, Potion, 4 Remedies, Smelling Salts, Smoke Bomb, 4 Venoms, Water Bomb, Demon Repellent Tools/Treasure: Decamodifier (Transforms an enemy with a quarter or less health left into a Decamon card when used, if there is a corresponding card. The monster will not drop anything if it is modified. Tool.), Flint and Steel (Handy for starting fires), Pickaxe, Shovel, Rope, Magic Shovel, 2 Mythril Shards Decamon Deck (36): Volt Ant (Electric 1), Tweetybird (Flying 1), x2 Brains-in-a-Jar (Ethereal 2), x2 Barghest (Electric 2), Vampire Bat (Flying 3), Tangleweed (Plant 3), x2 Dune Ghoul (Rock 3), Simsalamander (Fiery 3), Sylph (Electric 3), Succubus (Fiery 4), x2 Holy Cow (Luminous 4), 2x Thunderbird (Electric 4), x2 Death's Rose (Plant 4) Shedu (Rock 5), Automaton (Electric 5), Night Mare (Dark 5), Mushroomhead (Plant 5), Unicorn (Luminous 5), Electriphant (Electric 6), Cave Troll (Rock 6), Dryad (Plant 6), Sandman (Ethereal 6), Woodwose (Plant 7), Tygurah (Electric 7), Carcinos (Aquatic 8), Stone Golem (Rock 8), Storm Elemental (Electric 8), Pegasus (Luminous 8), Cloud Gigas (Electric 9), Phoenix (Fiery 9), Treant (Plant 9), Hydra (Aquatic 9) Hybros (played by JimButcher) 55-year-old male imp Marauder Level 44 4/5 *Permanently Hastened**Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened, Enamored, Slowed, Minimized, Poisoned, Bleeding* *Absorbs all elements* *Steal 50% More Gold* *Triple EXP* *Encouraged* Power: 96 & 77 (44+49+3) & (44+30+3) Defense: 3 Health: 70/70 (7+43+15+5) Gold: 502 Equipment: Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP:49, deals Fragile, darkness-, fire-, wind-, and ice-elemental, causes fragile, gains 1/4 WP every kill made with it; longsword), Mythril Zoot's Reaper (WP:30, deals Cursed and Poisoned by 7; longsword, suitable to Hybros), Golden Armor (user is permanently Hastened and Cursed, fire-, water-, earth-, wind-, ice-, lightning-, wood-, darkness-, light-elemental, immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened; bodywear), Sterile Gloves (immune to Poisoned and Bleeding handwear), Crystal Shoes (Immunity becomes Absorption, immune to Enamored, Slowed and Minimized; footwear), Nondescript Cape (SP:3, immune to Cursed; backwear), Medal of Glory (gain triple XP; accessory), Abilities: First Breath (Hybros may sacrifice a turn of combat to focus and gain +3 power. Power resets at the end of a battle or when the hero is KO'd), Dragon's Heart Flame (Once per quest, Hybros may spend a round reviving a KO'd ally with full health. The ally will also receive the blessed and lucky effects) Inventory: Weapons: Iustitia (WP:12, deals Blinded and Sealed; light- and earth-elemental +sealed; dagger), Heavy Flail (WP:5, deals Fragile; mace), Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike; darkness-elemental daggers), Hollow Dagger (WP:6, hollow [Nostrum], deals Confused, water-elemental +confused; dagger), Skirmisher's Shield (SP:10; shield) Artifacts: Phoenix Emblem (Automatically revives the user with one health if knocked out, once per battle, accessory), Gauntlets of Recklessness (hits become mortal hits, adding lost health to the attack power; suitable to barbarians; handwear), Sticky Gloves (gains 50% more gold, suitable for Rogues, handwear), Baron's Epaulets (Suitable for short heroes, grants Command over short NPCs), Dastan Armor (SP: 3 Bodywear, Immune to Earth and Fire, +2 SP for all other Dastan Equipment, Suitable for Knights, Regulators, Winged Warriors, Dragoons, and Vindicators) Consumables: 20x Potion, 17x Grand Potion, 7x Health Core, Hyper Arc Tonic, 3x Elixir, 2x Arc Elixir, 9x Remedy, 3x Neutralizer, 2x Purging Water, Tiger Balm, Phoenix Essence, 3x Phoenix Incense, Fenghuang Essence (After being consumed, automatically revives the target with full health once when knocked out; cannot revive targets that are already knocked out), 2x Last Resort, 5x Nostrum, 7x Mead, Soma, 5x Mulled Wine, 2x Cloud of Celerity, 2x Bravado Brew, Smile of the Gods, Earthwyrm Fang (Grants the encouraged-, lucky-, reinforced-, and blinded- effects for the duration of one battle), 2x Minimizing Dust, Bad Breath, 2x Wyvern's Breath, Gold Ring (Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver), 4 Smoke Bombs, 2 Holy Bombs, 2x Fog Bomb, Mystic Bomb, 2x Bone, Skeleton Decoy, 4x Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy) Others: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Mythril Shard, Ancient Amber Monk Pretzel and His 99 Pieces, the Super Sleuth (Played by Palathadric) 463-year-old male "hermit" Artisan Level 35 *Permanently Reinforced* *Negative Effects Last One Round* (Soul Link: *Lucky* *Nimble*) Power: 47 (35+10+2) Defense: 72 (6x6x2) Health: 68/68 (9+15+34+3+2+5) Gold: 20 Equipment: Dual Staff (WP: 10; Ice, Lightning, Fire, Wind, Light; Deals *Bleeding 3*; Dual Strike; Staff), Cloak of the Grand Vizier (SP:6 multiplied by the number of party members {=36}; backwear), Marauder’s Mantle (Grants permanent reinforced effect; Suitable to Marauders; Backwear), Soul Link Chain (Allows the user to pair up with another party member, each of them gaining all the effects that the other has. The partner has to equip the chain as well (ie. one chain can be shared by two people); Accessory), Amulet of the Court (Negative effects last only one round on the wearer, accessory, suitable for anyone) Inventory: Weapons: Flying Cross (WP: 11; Darkness; Broomstick), Splinter Broom (WP: 9; 1/2 chance to deal *Stunned*; defies SP; Broomstick), Quarterstaff (WP:4/8 against humanoids, staff), Whip of Savage Overlords (WP: 9; ⅙ chance of inflicting the *Slowed* effect; Whip), Steak (WP: 1, instantly kills vampires on successful hits; suitable for all), Staff of the Necromancer (WP: 12; damages Undead; +1 Level to raised Undead; Staff), Shadeaux Mace (WP: 9; deals *Fragile* effect, Mace) Artifacts: The Good Book (Grants the Convert job trait - the user can turn any allied or neutral NPC to their faith, gaining their respect- ; user gains 10 gold from each conversion; suitable to Monk Pretzel only; accessory), Strategist's Shako (+5 power while in the front row, +5 SP while in the back; Headwear), Duplovian Helmet (SP:2; Immune to Magic and Healing; Headwear), Burning Knuckle Helmet (SP: 10; Wearer suffers Burning -3 effect; Suitable for Anyone; Headwear), Bumble Fanshirt (SP: 1, Vermin with level less than half of the wearers are scared and won't directly attack the wearer; Bodywear), Order Imperial Prophet's Armor (SP: 8; Grants Command; Suitable for Prophets; Bodywear), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (SP: 5, Protects against *Fragile* and all *Poisons*; Suitable for Knights, Dragoons, Skirmishers and Regulators, Bodywear), Cloak of the Barbaric Runecaster (SP: 3; wearer creates and deploys a Skeleton Decoy at the start of every battle; Suitable for Battle Mages, Necromancers, and Scholars; Backwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP: 2, Max Ether +4; Backwear), Rock Gauntlets (Grants the wearer Iron Fist at no ether cost; Suitable for anyone; Handwear), Counterstrike Gloves (Handwear), Soothing Slippers (Meditation restores 5 ether; Footwear), Shackles of War (Accessory), Darksteel Armour (SP: 6; Max. Health +3; Bodywear), Armour of Dark Arts (SP: 10; Takes up: Bodywear, Handwear, Footwear slots; counts as one artifact; Suitable to Knights, Dragoons, and Skirmishers) Spell Items: 2 Amethysts, 2 Emeralds, Garnet, 2 Aquamarines, Diamond, Ruby, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness x 2, Scroll of Confusion x 2, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening Consumables: 8 Potions, 16 Grand Potions, Cherry (Restores 1 ether), 2 Tonics, Ether Core, 10 Remedies, 3 Neutralizers, Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 2 Phoenix Incenses, 5 Phoenix Essences, 4 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, 2 Nostrums, Soma, Mulled Wine, Dragon Scale (lucky & blessed), Titan Heart (encouraged & inspired), Tiger Balm, 5 Venoms, 5 Deadly Venoms, 2 Paralyzing Venoms, 3 Jinxy Juices, 5 Smoke Bombs, 2 Fire Bombs, Holy Bomb, Military Grade Fire Bomb, 2 Blind Bombs, 2 Seal Bombs, 2 Sleep Bombs, 6 Bones, Crimson Haze (Causes a weapon to deal the Poisoned by 7 and Cursed effects permanently), Strong Wasabi (-2 Poisoned permanently), Grating Stone Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Shovel, Magic Compass, Magic Shovel (will always find something when used, limited to three uses per quest) Namyrra Uq (Quarryman) 1337 years old female Fenarian Necromancer Level 51 1/5 *Immune to Sealed, Slowed, Bound, Confused, Fire, Wind, Water, Lightning and Earth* *Ether Defense* *Overkill* Power: 96 (51+45) Defense: 10 Health: 65/65 (5+50+5+5) Ether: 80/80 (5+50+1+5+4+5+10) Gold: 228 Equipment: Crystal Mace (WP: 45 (5*gems imbued); Fire-, Ice-, Wind-, Water-, Lightning-, Earth-, Wood-, Light-, and Darkness-elemental; Mace), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Ether:5. immune to Sealing, Fire, Wind, Water, Lightning and Earth, bodywear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max. Ether +4, backwear), Fanged Helm (SP:5, headwear), Winged Sandals (Immune to bound and slowed, footwear), Overkill gloves (+1 gold for every point of damage done extra when defeating an enemy, handwear), Coat Hanger (Allows for a second body wear; accessory), Lichen Armor (The wearer’s ether is counted as additional health if health is depleted; suitable to classes with ether; bodywear) Inventory: Weapons: Staff of the Supreme Necromancer (WP:25; damages undead; +5 level to raised undead; suitable to necromancers; staff), Mythril Empyreal Staff (WP:28), Nocturne Flute (WP: 6; inflicts the Asleep effect; Instrument), Pongcanis Shield (SP: 7; Shield) Artifacts: Gold Dragon Crown (max Ether +6; immune to Stunned; suitable for anyone; Headwear), Desert Cloak (immune to Fire; suitable for anyone; Backwear), Water Canteen (Carries 3 portions of water; Accessory), Cobweb Cowl (immune to Sudden Death; suitable for anyone; Backwear), Winged Sandals (immune to Bound and Slowed; suitable for anyone; Footwear), Paper Doll (immune against Hexed, Accessory) Spell Items: Amethyst, Emerald, Topaz, Garnet, Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby, Aquamarine, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Naamah's Hourglass (Randomly causes either Hastened or Slowed to the target at the cost of 3 Ether), Jade Lamp of Summoning (summons Mediq, restoring health equal to the level of the summoner at the cost of 5 Ether) Consumables: Potions (10), Grand Potions (4), Health Core, Tonics (9), Grand Tonics (4), Ether Cores (7), Remedies (12), Phoenix Essences (5), Phoenix Incenses (2), Mead (13), Smelling Salts (8), Nostrum (5), Ambrosia, Dragon Scale (lucky & blessed), Titan Heart (encouraged & inspired) (2), Deadly Venom (3), Smoke Bombs (2), Holy Bomb, Water Bomb (14), Lightning Bomb (14), Dirt Bomb (3), Aeolus Bomb, Rudra Bomb, Flash Bomb, Demon Repellant (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons for one battle, unless the user is the last one standing), Soul Cage (Doomed-effect to all combatants), Skeleton Decoys (2), Bones (17) Tools etc.: Pickaxe, Bedroll Byblos (NPC, controlled by K-Nut) 30 years old male Metasimian Scholar Level 32 *Arcane Wisdom* *Well-read* *Multilingual* *Speed Reading* Power: 64 (32+32) Health: 47/47 (6+31+10) Ether: 50/50 (9+31+10) Gold: 250 Equipment: Pandemonicon (WP:32 {equal to user's level}, inflicts hexed on demons and doomed on humanoids; throwing weapon; suitable to Byblos only), Wizened Robe (Max. Health +10, Max. Ether +10; bodywear), Lens of Speed Reading (Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action; accessory, suitable for scroll users) Inventory: Weapons: Clock Cog (WP:14; throwing weapon) Scrolls: Scroll of Arc Blindness, Scroll of Arc Frailty, Scroll of Arc Sleep, Scroll of Armor Sundering, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Disenchantment, Scroll of Elemental Aura, Scroll of Fire Armor, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Ice Armor, Scroll of Luck, Scroll of Minimizing, Scroll of Poisoning, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of the Chasm, Scroll of Weakening

Ellaria tried to hush Petaldan, but it was too late. Ellaria had heard rumors about the Crimson Crown, and none of them were very flattering. From what she knew, the group were a bunch of zealous fanatics. "Forgive the boy, he spoke out of turn", she said appeasingly to the Cardinal, in fear she would lash out at Petaldan. "We alchemists are constantly looking into ways of doing things without magic, so our goals are similar, even if our... ahem, methods are not. So, may I ask what brings you to Zylstra? And did you arrive before the imps or after?"

Ellaria was a little cautious of the odd woman, but greeted her politely nevertheless. "I am Ellaria Arbour, leader of this investigative team. Pleased to meet you too, ma'am. You say you have collaborated with Heroica before? What organization do you represent, then?"

QM Note: The quest will properly continue tomorrow. The same woman spoke again. "Do not listen to these demons! They only speak tricks and lies. Remember what they did to your families and friends. They will give up sooner or later, and leave this town. We just have to weather this out, together, by the mercy of the Mother." Pretzel's conversion failed, for the people inside were not responsive to listen to him.

"Yes, such an unfortunate case. But I am glad to hear you allow Heroica to investigate on this matter. Surely you trust us after all those times we've helped you previously, Baron. We will do our best to keep things impartial and unclouded by prejudice. About this advisor of yours, can we meet her? Also, how have things been between your people and the imps since they arrived?"

Someone inside gasped audibly at the knocking. Then a woman's voice shouted. "Go away, demons! You aren't getting in as long as the Mother guards us!" "It sounds like at least some of the citizens have survived the ordeal. And this confirms the presence of demons. I do wonder why we haven't been attacked yet, though? Do you want to try to convince those inside that we're not spawns of Azazot trying to trick them? I wouldn't bet on our chances of success..."

Monk Pretzel scanned the castle battlements in search for anything interesting. He then spotted something: It was the same bird of prey - a falcon, in fact - that had just passed over them, landing on the arm of a man wearing a wide-brimmed hat. The party made their way to the Temple of Mother Danab - not nearly as large or decorative as the white-washed building in Eubric - and Byblos promptly tried the door. It was locked. "Hmm, usually the temples of the Mother are open for all people so they can come in and be cured of their sickness. But Pandemonicon says that this door is not only locked, but sealed with magic as well. Just bursting through will be tricky, but we could always try knocking." Upon pressing their ears to the door, the heroes could hear suffocated sobbing and whispers from inside the temple. The only windows in the building were narrow ones covered in stained glass that couldn't be seen through. Party: Althior Emorith, The Dragonslayer (K-Nut) 36 years old male (undead) human Prophet *PARTY LEADER* Level 55 2/5 *Clairvoyance* *Glossolalia* *Intimidation* *Permanently Transcended* *Immune to Petrified, Cursed, Bound, and Slowed* *Absorbs Earth* *Immune to Ice and Darkness* *Encouraged* Power: 90 (55+35) (Spellpower: 100 (55+35+10)) Defense: 12 (2+5+5) Health: 77/77 (5+55+15+1+1) Ether: 103/103 (5+55+15+10+10+4+2+2) Gold: 806+762 Equipment: Mythril Scepter of Divine Affinity (WP:35, Has ⅙ chance to deal cursed effect on successful spells and ⅙ chance to deal blessed effect on successful healing, staff), Magician's Touch (Spellpower +10, Ether +10; handwear), Winged Sandals (protects from bound and slowed effects, footwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max Ether +4; backwear), Coat Hanger (allows wearing a second bodywear artifact regardless of the amount limit for artifacts; accessory), Robe of the Seneschal (SP:5; wearer absorbs earth, ice, and darkness- elemental damage and is immune to petrified; suitable to clerics, mages, chi monks, necromancers, scholars, and weather mages; bodywear), Robes of Illumination (SP: 5, +10 Max Ether, wearer is permanently transcended, suitable to prophets; bodywear), Black Hat (wearer is immune to cursed, grants Intimidation) Inventory: Weapons: Artifacts: Tin Helmet (immunity to confused and afraid, headwear), Lieutenant's Helm (SP:3, protects from fragile; headwear), Pink Ribbon (Max Ether +3, grants immunity to sealed, afraid, and doomed; accessory), Lens of Speed Reading (allows one scroll to be used per round in addition to a normal action, suitable for classes that have ether; accessory), Medal of Glory (Wearer earns triple experience; accessory), Counterstrike Gloves (if the wearer is damaged by a free hit, they counter with strength equal to their level; handwear), Sterile Gloves (protects from poisoned and bleeding; handwear), Magician's Gloves (+10 spellpower, suitable to mages; handwear) Spell Items: Ruby (Fire), Aquamarine (Water), Garnet (Earth), Sapphire (Wind), Opal (Ice), Topaz (Lightning), Emerald (Wood), Diamond (Light), Amethyst (Darkness), Scroll of Frailty (Enables casting the fragile-effect to the target, causing it to take double damage for the next three rounds. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.), Scroll of Love (Enables casting the enamored-effect to the target, making it unable to damage the caster for three rounds. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.), Begone With The Winds (Grants the holder access to the Weather Mage expert job class upon reaching Level 30), Geode Consumables: 3 Potions, 10 Grand Potions, 6 Tonics, 4 Grand Tonics, 3 Ether Cores, 6 Remedies, 2 Elixirs, Phoenix Incense, 10 Meads, 5 Smelling Salts, 5 Nostrums, Smoke Bomb, Venom, Garnet Lamp of Summoning, Skeleton Decoy, Feather of Lithe (Makes the user nimble for three rounds), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), 2 Milks (restores 15 health and 15 ether upon consumption) Tools etc.: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, 4 Bones, Deaddy Bear (Causes 45 damage and doomed but has 1/6 chance to break whenever used), Sauce Pan (Tool; Can be used with a Potion, outside of battle, once per quest to restore full HP), Cornucopia (increases the holder's gold by 25% at the end of each quest). Atramor Gibbin, the Fiery and Aquatic Champion of Decamon and the Serpent Skinner (CallMePie) 33 year old male human Rogue Thief Level 42 1/5 *Immune to all elements and doomed* *Steal 50% More Gold* *Kingpin: Lucky* *Nimble* (Soul Link: *Reinforced*) Power: 72 (42 + 30) Defense: 20 ((4+6)x2) Health: 80/80 (7+41+20+6+6*) Gold: 325 Equipment: Living Mythril Claws (WP: 30, double WP against humanoids, double damage against vermin, +1 WP after every successful hit, resets at end of current quest, light elemental, dual strike, daggers), Rat's Hide (SP: 4, backwear, suitable for anyone), Galactic Armor (SP: 6, +6 max health, immune to water, wood, lightning, fire, earth, wind, ice, light, darkness, and doomed, bodywear, suitable for anyone), Order Imperial's Assassin Cowl (Immune to darkness, wearer is nimble, headwear; suitable for assassins, chi monks, infiltrators, rogue thieves, and paragons), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors; handwear.), Soul Link Chain (Allows the user to pair up with another party member, each of them gaining all the effects that the other has. The partner has to equip the chain as well (ie. one chain can be shared by two people); Accessory) Inventory Weapons: Pheles Kris (WP: 20, wielder has a 1/2 chance to generate an Aura while equipped, doubling the user's maximum health but drawing all attacks to them, lightning, fire, earth, wind, ice, light, darkness elemental dagger), Robust Shield (SP: 12, shield), Spinning Bolas (WP: 5 deals Slowed, but the effect is removed when retrieved; throwing weapon), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all; throwing weapon) Artifacts: Bracers of Insatiable Avarice (Power +2; user gains 25 Gold for every enemy he kills, handwear, suitable for hunters, berserkers, battle mages, beast warriors, dragoons, marauders, regulators, and skirmishers), Twitzle the Canary (Remedies poisoned when used on target, bird familiar), Helmet of Azzurat (SP: 4, immune to poison, headwear, suitable for anyone) Spell Items: Scroll of Tongues (Grants the user the Glossolalia Job Trait. Each casting lasts for a limited amount of time and costs 10 ether), Topaz, Ruby, Amethyst, Archangel's Summonstone Consumables: 6 Bones, Dirt Bomb, 2 Elixirs, 3 Ether Cores, Fenghuang Incense (After being consumed, automatically revives all party members with full health once when knocked out; cannot revive targets that are already knocked out.) Fire Bomb, 1 Grand Potion, 11 Grand Tonics, Health Core, 2 Meads, Nostrum, Phoenix Essence, 3 Phoenix Incenses, Potion, 4 Remedies, Smelling Salts, Smoke Bomb, 4 Venoms, Water Bomb, Demon Repellent Tools/Treasure: Decamodifier (Transforms an enemy with a quarter or less health left into a Decamon card when used, if there is a corresponding card. The monster will not drop anything if it is modified. Tool.), Flint and Steel (Handy for starting fires), Pickaxe, Shovel, Rope, Magic Shovel, 2 Mythril Shards Decamon Deck (36): Volt Ant (Electric 1), Tweetybird (Flying 1), x2 Brains-in-a-Jar (Ethereal 2), x2 Barghest (Electric 2), Vampire Bat (Flying 3), Tangleweed (Plant 3), x2 Dune Ghoul (Rock 3), Simsalamander (Fiery 3), Sylph (Electric 3), Succubus (Fiery 4), x2 Holy Cow (Luminous 4), 2x Thunderbird (Electric 4), x2 Death's Rose (Plant 4) Shedu (Rock 5), Automaton (Electric 5), Night Mare (Dark 5), Mushroomhead (Plant 5), Unicorn (Luminous 5), Electriphant (Electric 6), Cave Troll (Rock 6), Dryad (Plant 6), Sandman (Ethereal 6), Woodwose (Plant 7), Tygurah (Electric 7), Carcinos (Aquatic 8), Stone Golem (Rock 8), Storm Elemental (Electric 8), Pegasus (Luminous 8), Cloud Gigas (Electric 9), Phoenix (Fiery 9), Treant (Plant 9), Hydra (Aquatic 9) Hybros (played by JimButcher) 55-year-old male imp Marauder Level 44 4/5 *Permanently Hastened**Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened, Enamored, Slowed, Minimized, Poisoned, Bleeding* *Absorbs all elements* *Steal 50% More Gold* *Triple EXP* Power: 96 & 77 (44+49+3) & (44+30+3) Defense: 3 Health: 70/70 (7+43+15+5) Gold: 502 Equipment: Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP:49, deals Fragile, darkness-, fire-, wind-, and ice-elemental, causes fragile, gains 1/4 WP every kill made with it; longsword), Mythril Zoot's Reaper (WP:30, deals Cursed and Poisoned by 7; longsword, suitable to Hybros), Golden Armor (user is permanently Hastened and Cursed, fire-, water-, earth-, wind-, ice-, lightning-, wood-, darkness-, light-elemental, immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened; bodywear), Sterile Gloves (immune to Poisoned and Bleeding handwear), Crystal Shoes (Immunity becomes Absorption, immune to Enamored, Slowed and Minimized; footwear), Nondescript Cape (SP:3, immune to Cursed; backwear), Medal of Glory (gain triple XP; accessory), Abilities: First Breath (Hybros may sacrifice a turn of combat to focus and gain +3 power. Power resets at the end of a battle or when the hero is KO'd), Dragon's Heart Flame (Once per quest, Hybros may spend a round reviving a KO'd ally with full health. The ally will also receive the blessed and lucky effects) Inventory: Weapons: Iustitia (WP:12, deals Blinded and Sealed; light- and earth-elemental +sealed; dagger), Heavy Flail (WP:5, deals Fragile; mace), Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike; darkness-elemental daggers), Hollow Dagger (WP:6, hollow [Nostrum], deals Confused, water-elemental +confused; dagger), Skirmisher's Shield (SP:10; shield) Artifacts: Phoenix Emblem (Automatically revives the user with one health if knocked out, once per battle, accessory), Gauntlets of Recklessness (hits become mortal hits, adding lost health to the attack power; suitable to barbarians; handwear), Sticky Gloves (gains 50% more gold, suitable for Rogues, handwear), Baron's Epaulets (Suitable for short heroes, grants Command over short NPCs), Dastan Armor (SP: 3 Bodywear, Immune to Earth and Fire, +2 SP for all other Dastan Equipment, Suitable for Knights, Regulators, Winged Warriors, Dragoons, and Vindicators) Consumables: 20x Potion, 17x Grand Potion, 7x Health Core, Hyper Arc Tonic, 3x Elixir, 2x Arc Elixir, 9x Remedy, 3x Neutralizer, 2x Purging Water, Tiger Balm, Phoenix Essence, 3x Phoenix Incense, Fenghuang Essence (After being consumed, automatically revives the target with full health once when knocked out; cannot revive targets that are already knocked out), 2x Last Resort, 5x Nostrum, 8x Mead, Soma, 5x Mulled Wine, 2x Cloud of Celerity, 2x Bravado Brew, Smile of the Gods, Earthwyrm Fang (Grants the encouraged-, lucky-, reinforced-, and blinded- effects for the duration of one battle), 2x Minimizing Dust, Bad Breath, 2x Wyvern's Breath, Gold Ring (Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver), 4 Smoke Bombs, 2 Holy Bombs, 2x Fog Bomb, Mystic Bomb, 2x Bone, Skeleton Decoy, 4x Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy) Others: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Mythril Shard, Ancient Amber Monk Pretzel and His 99 Pieces, the Super Sleuth (Played by Palathadric) 463-year-old male "hermit" Artisan Level 35 *Permanently Reinforced* *Negative Effects Last One Round* (Soul Link: *Lucky* *Nimble*) Power: 47 (35+10+2) Defense: 72 (6x6x2) Health: 68/68 (9+15+34+3+2+5) Gold: 20 Equipment: Dual Staff (WP: 10; Ice, Lightning, Fire, Wind, Light; Deals *Bleeding 3*; Dual Strike; Staff), Cloak of the Grand Vizier (SP:6 multiplied by the number of party members {=36}; backwear), Marauder’s Mantle (Grants permanent reinforced effect; Suitable to Marauders; Backwear), Soul Link Chain (Allows the user to pair up with another party member, each of them gaining all the effects that the other has. The partner has to equip the chain as well (ie. one chain can be shared by two people); Accessory), Amulet of the Court (Negative effects last only one round on the wearer, accessory, suitable for anyone) Inventory: Weapons: Flying Cross (WP: 11; Darkness; Broomstick), Splinter Broom (WP: 9; 1/2 chance to deal *Stunned*; defies SP; Broomstick), Quarterstaff (WP:4/8 against humanoids, staff), Whip of Savage Overlords (WP: 9; ⅙ chance of inflicting the *Slowed* effect; Whip), Steak (WP: 1, instantly kills vampires on successful hits; suitable for all), Staff of the Necromancer (WP: 12; damages Undead; +1 Level to raised Undead; Staff), Shadeaux Mace (WP: 9; deals *Fragile* effect, Mace) Artifacts: The Good Book (Grants the Convert job trait - the user can turn any allied or neutral NPC to their faith, gaining their respect- ; user gains 10 gold from each conversion; suitable to Monk Pretzel only; accessory), Strategist's Shako (+5 power while in the front row, +5 SP while in the back; Headwear), Duplovian Helmet (SP:2; Immune to Magic and Healing; Headwear), Burning Knuckle Helmet (SP: 10; Wearer suffers Burning -3 effect; Suitable for Anyone; Headwear), Bumble Fanshirt (SP: 1, Vermin with level less than half of the wearers are scared and won't directly attack the wearer; Bodywear), Order Imperial Prophet's Armor (SP: 8; Grants Command; Suitable for Prophets; Bodywear), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (SP: 5, Protects against *Fragile* and all *Poisons*; Suitable for Knights, Dragoons, Skirmishers and Regulators, Bodywear), Cloak of the Barbaric Runecaster (SP: 3; wearer creates and deploys a Skeleton Decoy at the start of every battle; Suitable for Battle Mages, Necromancers, and Scholars; Backwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP: 2, Max Ether +4; Backwear), Rock Gauntlets (Grants the wearer Iron Fist at no ether cost; Suitable for anyone; Handwear), Counterstrike Gloves (Handwear), Soothing Slippers (Meditation restores 5 ether; Footwear), Shackles of War (Accessory), Darksteel Armour (SP: 6; Max. Health +3; Bodywear), Armour of Dark Arts (SP: 10; Takes up: Bodywear, Handwear, Footwear slots; counts as one artifact; Suitable to Knights, Dragoons, and Skirmishers) Spell Items: 2 Amethysts, 2 Emeralds, Garnet, 2 Aquamarines, Diamond, Ruby, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness x 2, Scroll of Confusion x 2, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening Consumables: 8 Potions, 16 Grand Potions, Cherry (Restores 1 ether), 2 Tonics, Ether Core, 10 Remedies, 3 Neutralizers, Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 2 Phoenix Incenses, 5 Phoenix Essences, 4 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, 2 Nostrums, Soma, Mulled Wine, Dragon Scale (lucky & blessed), Titan Heart (encouraged & inspired), Tiger Balm, 5 Venoms, 5 Deadly Venoms, 2 Paralyzing Venoms, 3 Jinxy Juices, 5 Smoke Bombs, 2 Fire Bombs, Holy Bomb, Military Grade Fire Bomb, 2 Blind Bombs, 2 Seal Bombs, 2 Sleep Bombs, 6 Bones, Crimson Haze (Causes a weapon to deal the Poisoned by 7 and Cursed effects permanently), Strong Wasabi (-2 Poisoned permanently), Grating Stone Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Shovel, Magic Compass, Magic Shovel (will always find something when used, limited to three uses per quest) Namyrra Uq (Quarryman) 1337 years old female Fenarian Necromancer Level 51 1/5 *Immune to Sealed, Slowed, Bound, Confused, Fire, Wind, Water, Lightning and Earth* *Ether Defense* *Overkill* Power: 96 (51+45) Defense: 10 Health: 65/65 (5+50+5+5) Ether: 80/80 (5+50+1+5+4+5+10) Gold: 228 Equipment: Crystal Mace (WP: 45 (5*gems imbued); Fire-, Ice-, Wind-, Water-, Lightning-, Earth-, Wood-, Light-, and Darkness-elemental; Mace), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Ether:5. immune to Sealing, Fire, Wind, Water, Lightning and Earth, bodywear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max. Ether +4, backwear), Fanged Helm (SP:5, headwear), Winged Sandals (Immune to bound and slowed, footwear), Overkill gloves (+1 gold for every point of damage done extra when defeating an enemy, handwear), Coat Hanger (Allows for a second body wear; accessory), Lichen Armor (The wearer’s ether is counted as additional health if health is depleted; suitable to classes with ether; bodywear) Inventory: Weapons: Staff of the Supreme Necromancer (WP:25; damages undead; +5 level to raised undead; suitable to necromancers; staff), Mythril Empyreal Staff (WP:28), Nocturne Flute (WP: 6; inflicts the Asleep effect; Instrument), Pongcanis Shield (SP: 7; Shield) Artifacts: Gold Dragon Crown (max Ether +6; immune to Stunned; suitable for anyone; Headwear), Desert Cloak (immune to Fire; suitable for anyone; Backwear), Water Canteen (Carries 3 portions of water; Accessory), Cobweb Cowl (immune to Sudden Death; suitable for anyone; Backwear), Winged Sandals (immune to Bound and Slowed; suitable for anyone; Footwear), Paper Doll (immune against Hexed, Accessory) Spell Items: Amethyst, Emerald, Topaz, Garnet, Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby, Aquamarine, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Naamah's Hourglass (Randomly causes either Hastened or Slowed to the target at the cost of 3 Ether), Jade Lamp of Summoning (summons Mediq, restoring health equal to the level of the summoner at the cost of 5 Ether) Consumables: Potions (10), Grand Potions (4), Health Core, Tonics (9), Grand Tonics (4), Ether Cores (7), Remedies (12), Phoenix Essences (5), Phoenix Incenses (2), Mead (13), Smelling Salts (8), Nostrum (5), Ambrosia, Dragon Scale (lucky & blessed), Titan Heart (encouraged & inspired) (2), Deadly Venom (3), Smoke Bombs (2), Holy Bomb, Water Bomb (14), Lightning Bomb (14), Dirt Bomb (3), Aeolus Bomb, Rudra Bomb, Flash Bomb, Demon Repellant (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons for one battle, unless the user is the last one standing), Soul Cage (Doomed-effect to all combatants), Skeleton Decoys (2), Bones (17) Tools etc.: Pickaxe, Bedroll Byblos (NPC, controlled by K-Nut) 30 years old male Metasimian Scholar Level 32 *Arcane Wisdom* *Well-read* *Multilingual* *Speed Reading* Power: 64 (32+32) Health: 47/47 (6+31+10) Ether: 50/50 (9+31+10) Gold: 250 Equipment: Pandemonicon (WP:32 {equal to user's level}, inflicts hexed on demons and doomed on humanoids; throwing weapon; suitable to Byblos only), Wizened Robe (Max. Health +10, Max. Ether +10; bodywear), Lens of Speed Reading (Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action; accessory, suitable for scroll users) Inventory: Weapons: Clock Cog (WP:14; throwing weapon) Scrolls: Scroll of Arc Blindness, Scroll of Arc Frailty, Scroll of Arc Sleep, Scroll of Armor Sundering, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Disenchantment, Scroll of Elemental Aura, Scroll of Fire Armor, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Ice Armor, Scroll of Luck, Scroll of Minimizing, Scroll of Poisoning, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of the Chasm, Scroll of Weakening

Ellaria evaluated her party mates with her eyes. "Hmm... We should definitely split up to cover more ground, but nobody should venture into any dangerous places alone. Kid, Hunkan and Ezeran, search the crime scene for any clues about how and why the murder was done. I myself will go with Petaldan and Goliath to meet the baron and get his insights on the matters of this town. Let's agree that this imp settlement is our rendez-vous place, so return here if you hit a dead end in your investigations. You can count on us to cleanse your tribe's name, Queen Nahzka." The alchemist motioned to the automaton and the child knight to follow her to the Baron's Office.

QM Note: Sorry for the lack of updates and pictures. I've been busy with outdoor activities again. The Finnish summer is short so I have to take everything I can out of it. The king nodded his head, and tossed 10 gold to Pretzel. "Thank you for your wise words, but surely you mean gods, in plural. We here in Heartland like to keep all our bases covered, so we worship a multitude of deities. But yes, praying to them all is what I have done ever since I saw that dreaded storm." "If that is all, we shall be on our way. Stay safe, and we shall see you soon." "Good luck, everyone!" The party continued to follow the road between the hills until they hit the epicenter of the storm - a deserted, shadowy town with a sturdy castle at the center, all bathed in the same sickly green light emanating from the rift above. A pillar of light connected the rift and the castle. Rain and wind kept pounding their faces and cloaks as they walked on the main street. The windows were all dark, with the exception of the castle and another building that looked like a temple. As they approached it, they saw it was dedicated to Mother Danab. "What do you say?" Byblos shouted through the raging storm. "Shall we try our luck with the temple, or continue straight to the castle? That's where the rift is originating from, so I'd imagine we find the Apprentice there." At that moment, a bird of prey swooped above their heads and flew towards the castle.

Ellaria sighed and leaned on her forehead as her rookie party members started bickering with each other right in front of their employer. This wasn't how Heroica used to be like... "We are supposed to be professionals here..." she murmured, and then smiled apologetically at the Queen of Imps. "I can only apologize."

Ellaria smiled warmly at the little boy and leaned down. "A pleasure to meet you too! Such a perfect little gentleman you are! My name is Ellaria. I have to ask though, do your parents know that you are out here adventuring with us?" Ellaria couldn't help but to feel concerned about the boy. She had failed miserably at keeping her own daughter safe, so having another child's safety in her hand made her nervous. Ellaria was a little taken aback by the imp queen, for she was nothing like the meek, kind-hearted Hybros, even after his transformation. But she thought sincerity was the best way to proceed. "Yes, we are here to help you, Queen Nahzka. I am Ellaria Arbour, an alchemist of the Guild of Invision. I come from a small village called Tumpkin in the Low Kingdoms - Billundia, to be exact. I came to Eubric guided by the goddess Sylvania, or so I thought. Nowadays I'm not so sure, I could have been just hearing what I wanted to hear. It has not been easy living in a big city after a childhood spent on the farmlands, but I have coped. Is that all you wanted to know? I do wonder what you need this information for, though."

"I actually just wound up to the vocation, to be honest. I did some quests for the Guild and found their craft intriguing. I was previously a druid of Sylvania, but then... things happened, and I began to doubt my faith. I am glad I have been able to continue healing people through science instead, though." "Oh, so almost all of you have adventured together? That sounds promising. And I do know Dr. Cula, but he usually keeps to himself so we haven't ever really talked one-on-one. And unfortunately I don't have Minimizing Dust on me at the moment, sorry." "Yes, do take us to the imps, Moke!"

"Splendid! We have struck a deal, then! The guards will pass you beyond the safe zone, but after that, you are on your own." "Ahem, what comes to supplies, my wondrous Shammobile is still full of common wares that you may buy at any time. I will stay here with the good king and the pretty queen to observe the situation, if you don't mind." "That was your mother's wish, as well. And no matter what sort of demonic horde awaits us in that storm, it is nothing compared to Scheherazade's wrath should something happen to you. So stay safe, Sham, and don't try to be a hero." Byblos looked at his party mates with an unbecoming determination. "Are we ready to see what lies within Goetia?"

"Sorry, but I'm just a row member in the Guild", Ellaria said, shrugging apologetically. "The higher-ups like to keep their own projects secret from us. Who did you assist, if I may ask, and how?" "Oh..." Ellaria blushed from the sudden praises she received from Ezeran. "I didn't know I had such a reputation... Sure, I've been a party leader several times before, but not all of them were very successful, I'm afraid. What about you, have you been a member of Heroica for long?" "That does seem to pose a problem", Ellaria concurred and tapped the tip of her nose in contemplation. "Maybe you can dismantle yourself, Mr. Goliath?"

Sorry for the late reply, but I have to say I was a bit disappointed that you threw Timothy - quite an original character, and one of the very few "gentle clerics" we've seen - away so suddenly. And for what? For a third male yeti Barbarian we've had in this game? I'm not here to judge you on your choices, but if you had trouble roleplaying your character before, then I do wonder how you're going to manage differentiating Blizzard from Avalanche and Nagure? Surely you don't just want to mimic them?

"It sounds like you know a whole lot more about this ordeal than anyone around here. There have been no reports of any big-hatted men, other than myself, of course. Good for us to happen upon such experts, in any case. But pray tell me, that candy cane... It looks just like the peppermint ones Mother makes. You don't happen to be from Heroica, would you?" "Oh, how exciting! We do have wondered how the old Queen Mother has been faring ever since she left to become a sellsword. Such an odd choice to spend your last days on this world, but dear Quintessa has always had a mind of her own. Have you met her?" "My darling, please don't talk about Mother like that", the king said, clearly embarrassed. "We had to do what we had to do with her, but let's not make a scene out of it." "As you wish, my liege. But do send our warmest greetings to her if you happen to meet her!" Something in the queen's voice didn't make the words sound sincere. "Your help would be most welcome, heroes. How about I gave you 1000 gold to share from the Heartland treasury, should you succeed in making this problem go away? Hopefully some people are still alive below that storm, and you manage to rescue them as well. Marquis Lowcraft and his family have been highly esteemed members of the court for a long time, so it would be a true tragedy to hear they have perished."