Sandy

Sorry guys, but I don't think I can post the conclusion until tomorrow. I'll try to get the day's results to everyone now, though. So please hold your night actions until the conclusion is up, even if you get the results earlier. Also, it seems I made a small grammatical error with the sentence in Byblos's second challenge. Since there was a distinct way to solve the sentence despite of it, I'm not giving any experience for those that gave the wrong answer, even if it was the grammatically correct one. My apologies!

THE DAY HAS ENDED! Please wait for the conclusion to be posted before sending in your night actions.

Ellaria boldly steps in. "I would love to get me a bite to eat. I'm totally famished! The Pongcanae have been ravaging our wares so there's hardly anything left. It was awful to think that the poor guards watching over these warehouses were butchered so brutally. Any chance you guys would be up for some Pongcanis headhunting any time soon? Me and my friends at the resistance would love to help, if that's in your plans. Oh, I've also been meaning to ask you: what's it like in Patuqun? You certainly have some peculiar names there..."

Maybe no one else is as morbidly interested in corpses as you.

No, nothing was said about the matter. Why do you ask?

The Sand Queen walked in during the heated debate. "Uh, my head... All this negative energy is too much for my psychic senses. Luckily there is just four more hours to go till nightfall."

Two new additions to the rules: - You can discard items at any time to prevent them getting into wrong hands. You cannot sell them to Sham, though, as he's in the Hall to make gold, not spend it. - If you fail to send in your action (or even state that you will do nothing) for two phases in a row, your character will be automatically killed off. On Night Two, there were four people who did not send an action, and I've yet to get any actions from eight players for Day Three. These rules come into effect immediately.

The party leaders have usually been more than happy to give Tesni whatever she wants. She's just got that extra something in her...

Thank you for your honest feedback, it's always appreciated! However, you are forgetting that this quest was actually the second part of #50, which was the very first Ji Pei quest from me. So the two quests were just setting the stage for the Ji Pei storyline, even though some details had been shown in other quests (like #15 with the Tritech Company). Before the two quests, you knew practically nothing about Shanxian, Jun and Lee, but now you know where they come from, what's their position in the family and what they think about each other. I think I already made the characters go through some pretty dramatic stuff despite this being their introduction, with Jun losing his first love, Shanxian losing her legs, and Lee feeling like he failed the woman that once saved her. Isn't that plenty enough for what's practically one quest?

From the rules: So everyone should have known what they were signing into. It's down to a matter of self-confidence: do you honestly believe people who are playing an online game with you truly hate or despise you on a personal level? Or could it be that they are just trying to rile you up intentionally so that you'll fumble in the game? I was bullied throughout elementary school myself, so I do not accept it in any level, but when a fictional roleplaying character calls another fictional roleplaying character names or treats them badly, can you really get offended by it? When roleplaying, you sort of have to step out of yourself, and separate your own emotions and attitudes from the character you are playing as. As the game advances, the stakes get higher and the people get more aggressive. If you accept that as a natural progress of the game, then it should be easier for you to let it slide without letting it get to your head. The only thing I am willing to do as the game host at this point is to encourage everyone to stick to roleplaying your characters. It makes the game that much more immersive, and allows using dirty tactics without getting anyone's feelings hurt.

Shanxian would have kept her legs, but Lee would have died. So there was a big choice right at the beginning as well.

"That sounds a bit steep, good knight, but those items are exquisite enough that I take your offer." Fabian takes the Duplovian Helmet of the Guard and the Unholy Armor, and gives Sarge a total of 400 gold.

I'd actually like to throw the ball back to you guys on this. The Ji Pei storyline will continue in Eubric from here on out, so Xu is free for grabbing, if someone wants to expand the technologically advanced society run by people with blue skin. For the record, the councellors of the Blue Hand are called the Thumb, the Forefinger, the Middlefinger, the Ringfinger and the Littlefinger (GoT reference!).

QM Note: As a final treat, here's the picture with all the 108 Stars of Destiny in front of the Pagoda of Nine Elements, that was supposed to be posted after Quest #50. It was really fun to design all of them, too bad they're all dead and gone now! And if you missed the info, they are based on a group of bandits with the same name from a Chinese classical novel called "Water Margin".

As Flipz pointed out, there was a mistake in Byblos's second challenge. It has now been fixed.

Everyone who gets their answer right gets the reward. On Day Two, Palathadric was the only one to get it right.

Thank you so much for playing, everyone on Quest#75! It wasn't quite as short a quest as I planned, since the battles were so drawn out due to the amount of combatants, but I hope it was fun despite of that. I know everyone else must be grumbling about the excessive loot, but most of it was planned already for Quest #50 as a reward for winning the arduous "continuous battle", so this second party just got to reap the benefits. The Ji Pei storyline was significantly elaborated and advanced in this quest, so I hope you liked that as well! I tried to challenge you with some moral choices at the end, but for once the party stayed true to their original mission and just did what they were told to do in the beginning. My opinion was that it was a successful quest, despite the long battles. I wanted to test out the maximum power that I could give to the enemies when faced with fully-buffed heroes, and found out that there was practically nothing a high-powered party could not face (especially when equipped with the Pheles Rod and artifacts that give a multitude of immunities). It really helps me plan for the "big battles" coming in the distant future, so thanks for experimenting with me.

Lady Shanxian looks at the barbaric woman with curiosity. "So it was you, then? It delights me to see that the strongest person in such a powerful group is the lone woman. You are a testament that we women are capable of so much more than just child-bearing and housekeeping - and even those things we do with pride and diligence. No offense to you gentlemen. Please, show me the head. I want to look upon the bastard who kept my son away from me." "Mother, wait..." But Tesni had already pulled Kai Tsi's head out of the bag. "An aoi? How could this be...?" "That's Master Kai Tsi, my former instructor at the Pagoda of Nine Elements. He turned on the other Tao Warriors and formed the 108 Stars of Destiny. But they weren't a band of robbers, like we heard, but a group of rebels set to end the rule of the Council of the Blue Hand. Kai Tsi had seen enough of oppression from the Aoi, and decided..." "Jun! You stop that treasonous talk right now!" The ambassador's happiness had turned to shock and anger. "We Aoi have always ruled Xu, ever since the dawn of civilization! You call oppression what is our birthright. We are guests here in the Free Islands, so our supremacy does not extend here, but in our own homeland we are the rightful rulers. Do not ever question that!" Jun opens his mouth to argue back, but seeing his legless mother glare at him angrily makes him back down. "I apologize, mother. I should not have upset you." "You are forgiven, Jun. I understand that those people must have put a lot of silly thoughts into your head, but you are still young and easily impressionable. Let us talk about this issue later, if you wish. Now, as for you, Tesni - here is the blade of my late husband that has been passed through generations in the Ji Pei family. I would have liked Jun to have it one day, but without you he would not be here to get it anyway, so you deserve it. Wield it with honor, like Jeung and his forebearers did before you." Tesni took the Qilin Blade from Shanxian's hands. The ambassador then looked at all the heroes. "I do not mean to undermine your efforts, either, gentlemen. You all and Tesni are fast friends of the Ji Pei from here-on out. You did us - and Xu - a great service by vanquishing those rebels and bringing me back my only son - my pride and joy. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." "Yeah, I guess I ought to thank you as well." "As do I. It was a pleasure to see that the G.E.M. automata worked wonderfully in conjuction with living warriors in a real combat situation. I truly hoped they were of use to you in your mission, as I intend to develop them even further. But Lee Long did not say anything to the heroes. Instead, his face was red with shame. He turned to Shanxian once more. "Milady, I have utterly and miserably failed you. I should never have gone along to this mission - these people were more than capable of dealing with the Stars on their own, especially with the machines on their side. My place should have been here with you, to protect you from all harm. I must ask that you release me from my servitude, so I can go drown myself into the Eubric Bay." "My dear Lee, even you could not have prevented the building from collapsing on us. The guards I had with me were killed in the incident, so you could have been too. I am glad that you are still alive to continue to stand by my side. And now I will need you more than ever, after losing my legs..." "Shanxian, I may very well be able to help you with that. You see, I've been developing these ether-induced prostheses..." The heroes saw it best to leave the Ji Pei and their servants alone to discuss their family matters. Tarn and Tesni had gotten retribution from their earlier failure, and they and the others could return to the Hall with their pouches full of wondrous items from the other side of the world. ~THE QUEST IS SUCCESSFUL!~ Party: Atramor Gibbin (CallMePie) 30 year old male human Witch Level 29 *Poisoned Hits* *Negative Effects Last 1 Round* *Immune to Water, Lightning and Wood* *Aura* Power: 49 (29+20) Defense: 10 (4+6) Health: 79/110 55/55 (7+28+8+6+6) Ether: 15/27 (1+29-3) Gold: 1072 Equipment: Pheles Rod (WP: 20, user generates an Aura, doubling health but drawing all attacks to them, fire, ice, earth, wind, light, darkness elemental staff), Galactic Armor (SP:6, Max. Health +6, immunity to light, darkness and doomed; bodywear), Rat's Hide (SP:4, backwear), Amulet of the Court (Negative effects last only one round on the wearer, immune to water, lightning, and wood, accessory), Inventory: Tiger Claws (WP:12/24 against humanoids; dual strike dagger), Conspirator (WP: 15, deals the Blinded effect, darkness elemental, longsword), General's Dagger (WP: 7, pierces SP, cannot be upgraded, dagger), Robust Shield (SP: 8, shield), Counterstrike Gloves (When hit by a Free Hit, immediately deals damage equal to level, handwear), Sylvania's Cowl (Suitable for anyone, grants Animal Talk, headwear), Ruby (Fire), Topaz (Lightning), Potion, 3 Health Cores, 2 Grand Tonics, Ether Core, 2 Elixirs, Remedy, 2 Phoenix Essences, 2 Mulled Wines, Soma, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bomb XX (Deals 30 damage to all enemies and 10 damage to all heroes, all damage ignoring SP/row), Shovel, Pickaxe Benji Carvenhall, the Dragonslayer (Flare) 28 years old male half-elven Beast Warrior Level 35 *Natural Respite* *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, and Weakened Effects and Wood Element* Power: 48 (35+10+3) Defense: 6 (6) Health: 56/56 (6+34+15+1) Gold: 1722 (owes 500 to Alexis Fenral) Equipment: Kusarigama (WP:10, whip), Medal of Glory (gain triple experience from battles, immunity to asleep, blinded, confused, frail, and weakened effects; accessory), Brown Dragon Girdle (Power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors; bodywear), Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (SP:6, suitable for rangers, barbarians and Beast Warriors; backwear) Inventory: Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:15; darkness-, ice-, fire-, wind-, earth-elemental), Grogmas Handcannon (WP:12 + the number of the round of battle), Divine Cannonade (WP:11; gives blessed- and transcended-effects to user; hollow; handcannon), Flagpole (WP:3, +3 SP to the whole party whenever equipped, lance), Unicorn Helmet (SP:1; the wearer can only receive one negative effect at a time, with a new effect replacing the old one; usable by barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, regulators, skirmishers, and winged warriors; headwear), Ratmancer's Cowl (headgear, the wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin), Tricorne (headwear, SP:3), Emerald (Wood), Aquamarine (Water), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Potion (2), Grand Potion (14), Health Core (8),Remedy (6), Elixir, Phoenix Essence (5), Phoenix Incense (2), Dragon Scales (3), Nostrum (3), Smelling Salts (3), Mead (5), Mulled Wine (3), Venom, Smoke Bomb (3), Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb 2x, Water Bomb, Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel,Skeleton Decoy, Bone Nagure (Costy) 34 year old Male Yeti Berserker. Level 20 *Natural Respite* *Avoid ground traps* *Immune to Ice, Fire, Earth, Petrified, Fragile and Blinded* *Counterstrike* Power: 35 (20+15) Defense: 25 (12+10+3) Health: 37/37 (8+19+10) Gold: 205 Equipment: Stone Hammer (WP: 15, Earth & Darkness-elemental, hammer), Shield (SP:10), Yeti Fur Coat (SP:12, immunity to Ice,Fire, Fragile and Blindness; suitable for yetis only, bodywear), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his level; handwear), White Dragon’s Greaves (SP:3, avoid traps on the ground, immunity to earth and petrified; suitable to knights, dragoons, skirmishers and winged warriors; footwear) Inventory: Xiaolin's Bident (WP:16; instantly kills Aoi; ice- and lightning-elemental spear),Tiger Slayer (WP:10/20 against enemies with “tiger” in their name; spear),Axe of the Croise (WP: 10, Light-elemental axe),Helmet (SP:1), Potion x2, Grand Potion x8, Remedy x2, Elixir, Phoenix Essences x2, Phoenix Incense, Mead x2, Deadly Venom x2, Smoke Bomb x3,Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Pickaxe Tarn Valco (Rumble Strike) *Party Leader* 22 year old human male Raider Level 24 2/3 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Weakened* *Counterstrike* Power: 49 (24+25) Defense: 6 Health: 40/40 (7+23+7+3) Gold: 1984 Equipment: Great Blade (WP:25, cannot be equipped with a shield, greatsword),Darksteel Armor (SP:6, Max. Health +3, Immunity to Weakened; bodywear), Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear), Counterstrike Gloves (handwear, after the wearer is struck by a Free Hit they counter with strength equal to their level) Inventory: Helbaerend (WP:10; water-, ice- and lightning-elemental; hollow (Great Potion); axe), Lion’s Heart (WP:13, darkness-elemental, stun-effect; greatsword),Bagpipes (WP:8, wind-elemental instrument), Fauxthril Spear (WP:6, spear), Skull Shield (SP:6; immunity to darkness; suitable to Black Knights only), Amulet of U'Kin Nobility (Grants Diplomacy to wearer when addressing a U'Kin), Death Mask (Increases assassination chances to 1/3 when the target’s health is lowered to 1/3; suitable to assassins; headwear), Horned Hat (SP +1, Power +1, suitable for barbarians and beast warriors; headwear), Opal (Ice), Potion, Grand Potion x2, Health Core, Grand Tonic, Remedy, Elixir, Phoenix Essence x2,Mead x5, Nostrum x5, Venom x2, Smoke Bomb x2, Shovel, Pickaxe, Bucket, Bone x2 Tesni Hightribe (Peppermint_M) Level 31 2/4 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Afraid* Power: 58 (31+20+3+4) Defense: 14 (8+2+4) Health: 36/50 (8+29+10+2) Gold: 1291 Equipment: Fàelàn (WP:20, 8x damage to enemies weak to fire, fire-elemental longsword)),Sir Roderick’s Shield (SP:8, Immunity to afraid), Bone Claws (WP:3, SP:2; handwear), Dragon Bone Armor (SP:4, Max. Health +2; bodywear) Inventory: Ġeofon (WP:20, 4x damage to enemies weak to water, axe), Mellt (WP:10, ice- and lightning-elemental; hammer), Qilin Blade (WP:15, damages undead, ignores row and SP; longsword), Cysgodion (WP:11, darkness-elemental; greatsword), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, light-elemental; longsword), Cryfder (WP:6),Party Maracas (WP:4, user is hastened, instrument), Rebel's Dagger (WP: 5), 2 Shackles of War (prevents all fleeing, accessory), Magic Mirror (The user reflects all ether-based attacks back to the caster without getting damaged by them; accessory), Red Dragon Plume (artifact, accessory, immunity to Weakened and Fire, suitable to Barbarians, Knights, Skirmishers, Winged Warriors), Samurai Helmet (WP:4, suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors), King's Crown (Headwear, protects against Doom and Petrified, Suitable for all classes), Phoenix Dress (Max. Ether +5, full ether restored upon revival, immunity to fire and lightning, suitable only to female mages, clerics, chi monks, minstrels and necromancers; bodywear), Ruby (Fire), Scroll of Sleep, Remedy, Tiger Balm, Elixir, 2 Phoenix Essences, 5 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 2 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Soma, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb, 2x Grating Stone, Bright Polish, Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-) 213 years old male elf Sorcerer Level 19 1/2 *Immune to Sealed and Fragile* Power: 32 (19+13) Defense: 7 (3+4) Health: 27/27 (5+18+4) Ether: 22/29 (5+18+1+5) Gold: 517 Equipment: Batarang (WP:13, darkness-elemental throwing weapon), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from Sealed-effect), Emerald Hood (SP:4, Immunity to Fragile; headwear) Inventory: Veritas/Equitas (WP:10, Dual Strike; daggers), Ratsbane (WP: 10, absorbs 2 health on successful strike, dagger), Sleeper (WP:5, melee/throwing weapon, deals Asleep, Hollow [Grand Potion]), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing, headwear), Cloak of Espionage (allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle; backwear), Snake Eye Charm (Protects from Petrified-effect), Zirconia (Contains all elements; cannot be merged into equipment), Amethyst (Darkness), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Ruby (Fire), Opal (Ice), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Potion, Health Core, Grand Tonic, Remedy, Elixir, 2 Phoenix Essences, Nostrum, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Bone

DAY THREE ~ FALSE HOPE Like the other residents of the Hall, Scheherazade had barely slept a blink during the previous night. The strange noises echoing from the hallways chilled even the hard-boiled matron's spine, and she had kept a crossbow pointed at the door just in case one of the Nephilim decided to burst in. Again she was the first one up. "Alright, time to pick up the mop again. Let's see how many bodies we have accumulated last night..." But much to her surprise, there were no corpses anywhere. Scheherazade shrugged, and started preparing breakfast. Soon others got up as well. The Copper Fox was the first to see the eldricht abomination that suddenly crawled on the Hall's floor. The Veteran immediately hollered for help. "Don't be that way, Foxy-pie - it's just me, Kharybdis!" A little later, Retak Ysp made an appearance, but not with just one undead follower. The shambling corpse of Heron Jujube now followed him as well. "Morning, everyone! Kob, Heron, fetch me a bun and a cup of strong coffee. Chop chop!" Some of the Veterans had gathered at the Saloon to break their fast. "No deaths last night. Could it be that the werelion was the only one under the angel's spell, after all?" "Ha! Don't delude yourself, Hestia. This is calm before the storm, I tell you." "I agree. If we are to find out the rest of the Nephilim, we have to start thinking about how the Nephilim were created. Now that we found one of them, we can start making connections." With new-found determination, the Veterans left to do some investigations of their own. At the Library, Byblos had also made progress with his studies. "Good morning! Yesterday, we found out that Lucifuge was also called the Lightshunner. I think I found a mention of that name, but the reference is written in the ancient language of Lylzuhylzu, so I would appreciate some help in the translation process." ***** BYBLOS THE LIBRARIAN'S CHALLENGE #2: Solve the meaning of the sentence below by replacing each letter with another one. Proper names that do not need to be translated are italized, and the word Lightshunner is somewhere in the text. Send your solution privately to the host. You only get one try. If you get it right, your character will gain bonus experience. RULES: 1. ALIGNMENTS: There are two sides in this game, trying to beat each other. Heroica wins if they manage to find and kill all of the Nephilim. The Nephilim win if they outnumber the heroes loyal to Heroica. The Nephilim know each other, but the others don’t know who the Nephilim are. There are also neutral players, who have their own special victory conditions. 2. PHASES: The game is played in two alternating phases - "Days" and "Nights", both lasting up to 48 hours - during which the players can use their abilities on each other. All players can use one ability per phase. During the Night-phase, the game is played through Private Messages between the host and the players, and all actions are private, revealed only to the target. During the Day-phase, all actions are public, and are shown in the Day-topic to everyone. Ranged attacks and spells are anexception, their performer is never revealed. 3. RESULTS: The results of the abilities are tallied at the beginning (for Night-actions) and the end (for Day-actions) of the Day-phase. When a player’s health is completely depleted, they are killed off from the game. The player who delivered the killing blow will get all of the victim’s gold and items, and gain experience (see Leveling Up). The alignment of each killed player is revealed when they die. Anyone who kills a Nephilim will gain 50 extra gold from the Veterans. 4. STATISTICS: Level signifies the player character’s overall experience. Health is initially equal to level, and attacks reduce it while healing restores it. Ether is equal to about a half of the level, and is used for spellcasting, healing and scroll-reading.Defenseis gained from shields and most artefacts, and it reduces the damage taken. WP means weapon power, while SP means shield power. All statistics except Level are kept a secret from other players. 5. ABILITIES: All player characters have their own sets of 3-6 abilities they can use during the game, related to their job classes. These skills include (but are not limited to) attacks, spellcasting, healing, tracking, stealing items, blocking, buffing, debilitating and using items. To best make use of these varied skills, the players should consider forming alliances. 6. ITEMS: All players start out with 10 gold, a weapon with 2-6 WP and a random array of other items, such as restorative potions, artefacts and tools. Like the statistics, these inventories are kept as a secret from other players. During the Day-phases of the game, upgrades and more items can be bought from Sham Poo in exchange for gold. You are free to trade items with other players, but you need to notify the host whenever you do that. 7. LEVELING UP: Gaining a level increases the player character’s current and maximum health and ether by 1. When a player kills another player, they will gain experience according to this chart: - Level 1-9: a full level - Level 10-19: 1/2 of a level - Level 20-29: 1/3 of a level - Level 30-39: 1/4 of a level - Level 40 onwards: 1/5 of a level 8. ELEMENTS & EFFECTS: There are five elements in the game: fire, ice, lighting, light and darkness. Elemental spells and attacks are twice as effective as normal attacks, but consume ether. They can also be blocked with the right piece of equipment. There are both positive and negative effects in the game as well, including encouraged, enforced, stunned, poison, sleep, blinded, sealed, confused and enamored. These can be inflicted by certain abilities and scrolls. Negative effects last until removed by a Remedy or a suitable ability. 9. BEHAVIOR: When you play this game, you are bound by honor to your alignment – even if it changes mid-game. That is why you must not discuss the game outside of the topics and PMs related to it, under the threat that you are instantly killed off if you do. Sharing information via PMs and forming alliances between the players is allowed, but must be done by knowing the risk that the other might be lying or deceiving you. Things will get brutal and cut-throat in this game, and you can get killed off at any time, but any of that is not to be taken as a personal insult. Please post in-character at all times to ensure that your player persona is separated from your real self. Remember that the dead don't talk, so once you are out of the game, you must not speak of what you know to anyone until the whole game is over. You are free to roleplay with your character, and most of all, have fun!PLAYER CHARACTERS: Brienne Deercourt (Brickdoctor) ~ 29 years old female human Paladin Calico Meatpie (CallMePie) ~ 16 years old female halfling Rogue Capriccia Gianpaolo (Capt.JohnPaul) ~ 123 years old female vampire Cleric Corelin Moordog (CorneliusMurdock) ~ 282 years old female dwarf Warden Cromeo Nightingale (Chromeknight) ~ 22 years old male half-elf Harlot Doranee Grandeur (Dragonator) ~ 44 years old female elf Ranger Ein Surefoot (Esurient) ~ 397 years old male dwarf Cleric Emmanuelle Janus (emjajoas) ~ 33 years old female human Knight Enya Dorgamel (Endgame) ~ 23 years old female human Evoker Fernandu Elysiam (Fred Daniel Yam) ~ 36 years old male minotaur Shaman Fleyra (Flare) ~ 29 years old female Rito Winged Warrior Geosmos Phiephyrphoe (joeshmoe554) ~ 52 years old male cyclops Infiltrator Jeddam Ashenbow (Jedi master Brick) ~ 25 years old female hobgoblin Ranger Jinnipher Buchaire (JimButcher) ~ 71 years old female elf Knight Kharybdis (Kadabra) ~ 26 years old female Octopial Beast Warrior Lorth-Anoob (LordoftheNoobs) ~ 42 years old female Pantanan Witch Luridan Voros (Lord Duvors) ~ 53 years old male gremlin Alchemist Maxi Ebdul (Masked Builder) ~ 35 years old male Asteriad Rogue O’Blix (-obelix-) ~ 27 years old male goblin Regulator Pallas Thaddicus (Palathadric) ~ 103 years old male Lucustoid Druid Panduin Oreheart (Pandora) ~ 148 years old male dwarf Barbarian Percival Montmartre (Peppermint_M) ~ 24 years old male human Ranger Retak Ysp (PsyKater) ~ 2013 years old male Fenarian Necromancer Sir Rubinstein (Rumble Strike) ~ 47 years old male human Skirmisher Scamander Taurros (Scubacarrot) ~ 34 years old male satyr Minstrel Shadir Oswain (Shadows) ~ 466 years old male elf Mystic Knight Swinehurst (swils) ~ 31 years old male porc Berserker Theodor Legion (The Legonater) ~ 73 years old male human Cannoneer Usharnam Madima (UsernameMDM) ~ 38 years old male Naga Chi Monk Werther Brickton (Waterbrick Down) ~ 49 years old male zombie Assassin Weyrdág (Wedge09) ~ 341 years old female Nôrn Hunter Zarissa Curie (Zakura) ~ 58 years old female gnome Sage Zelphie (Zepher) ~ 815 years old female fairy Artisan Zpilf (Flipz) ~ 85 years old male ogre Black Knight DEAD CHARACTERS: Kob (Kintobor) ~ 21 years old male orc Mage ~ Heroica (killed on Day One, raised as an undead on Night One) Pauline Jillian Boyle (Purpearljellyblob) ~ 18 years old female Mopag Mage ~ Heroica (killed on Day One) Heron Jujube (herrJJ) ~ 19 years old male human Cleric ~ Heroica (killed on Night One, raised as an undead on Night Two) Eris (Eric Su) ~ 26 years old female orc Sorcerer ~ Heroica (killed on Day Two) Ezeal (Etzel) ~ 28 years old male werelion Barbarian ~ Nephilim (killed on Day Two) Piro the Visionary (Pyrovisionary) ~ 227 years old male wereturtle Battle Mage ~ Heroica (killed on Day Two) Skrupp Oxstrong (Scorpiox) ~ 30 years old male norseman Raider ~ Heroica (killed on Day Two) U’dargan (Darkdragon) ~ 29 years old male U’kin Dragoon ~ Heroica (killed on Day Two) SHAM POO’S EMERGENCY SHOP FOR HEROES IN NEED: "You can visit my shop any time during the day! Remember that buying stuff only costs you gold, so you won't spend your action by doing business with me." Weapons: Axe (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Bow (WP:1, ranged weapon) – Costs 10 gold Dagger (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Handcannon (WP:1, ranged weapon) – Costs 10 gold Hammer (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Instrument (WP:1, ranged weapon) – Costs 10 gold Spear (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Staff (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Sword (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Whip (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Shield (SP:1, defensive equipment) – Costs 10 goldArtefacts: Flameproof Armor (Artefact: +1 SP, nullifies fire-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Warm Boots (Artefact: +1 SP, nullifies ice-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Conductor Helmet (Artefact: +1 SP, nullifies lightning-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Sunglasses (Artefact: +1 SP, nullifies light-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Shadow Cloak (Artefact: +1 SP nullifies darkness-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Counterstrike Gloves (Artefact: allows you to instantly counter a close-ranged attack if you survive it, damaging your attacker equal to the damage you received.) – Costs 25 goldGems & Scrolls: Ruby (Gem: allows casting fire-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Opal (Gem: allows casting ice-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Topaz (Gem: allows casting lightning-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Diamond (Gem: allows casting light-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Amethyst (Gem: allows casting darkness-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Scroll of Sleep (Scroll: prevents target from taking action and seeing who targets them until woken up by an attack. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 30 gold Scroll of Blinding (Scroll: prevents target from performing attacks and seeing who targets them. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 30 gold Scroll of Sealing (Scroll: prevents target from performing ether-based actions. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 30 gold Scroll of Confusion (Scroll: causes target’s actions to hit a random person with a 1/2 chance. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 30 goldConsumable Items: Potion (Consumable: restores full health to target when used.) – Costs 5 gold Tonic (Consumable: restores full ether to target when used.) – Costs 10 gold Remedy (Consumable: removes negative effects from target when used.) – Costs 5 gold Venom (Consumable: causes poison to the target, depleting it’s health by 1 per every phase when used.) – Costs 15 gold Bomb (Consumable: causes 10 damage to the target from a distance when used.) – Costs 20 gold Phoenix Essence (Consumable: revives a dead person with full health when used.) – Costs 100 gold Grating Stone (Consumable: increases a weapon’s WP by 1 when used) – Costs 25 gold Bright Polish (Consumable: increases a shield’s or an artefact’s SP by 1 when used.) – Costs 25 gold. Level-Up Mushroom (Consumable: gain a level when used.) – Costs 50 goldTools: Bedroll (Tool: restores full health and ether and removes negative effects whenever used.) – Costs 20 gold Telescope (Tool: allows the user to see all actions aimed at the target on the current phase whenever used.) – Costs 40 gold Magnifying Glass (Tool: allows the user to see the target’s alignment whenever used.) – Costs 60 gold

Ariel! Merida! Rapunzel! Cinderella's Castle! So stoked! The different themes don't compete with each other, they compliment each other. Besides, this gives girls who like minidolls a choice as well: are they more into the more modern Friends or the fairy tale-like Princesses? I personally think TLG will make more money on producing e.g. 6 Friends sets and 6 Disney Princess sets than just 12 Friends sets.

Only being able to hope that the aoi leader carries out his promise and leave Baokun's residents in peace, the party heads back to the Destiny's Bounty, where Vincent and Dr. Gioconda are already starting up the machines. Jun gazes up at the flying contraption. "Feels odd to go back home, after all these months. Hell, for the longest time I thought I never had to smell Eubric ever again." The airship ride back to Eubric goes smoothly with no run-ins with rocs or any other sort of creatures. Days go by literally on wings, and sooner than the heroes know it, Eubric Freeport looms ahead of them. Dr. Gioconda then approaches Tarn and Tesni carrying a shiny handcannon on her hands. "I got it finished at the nick of time! Isn't it a beauty? I found a Xuese carving on one of the parts, and Lee told me that it translated as Divine Cannonade, so I guess we'll call it that. But which one of you wants it?" Monalisa lifts up the handcannon, expecting one of the two to take it from her. Divine Cannonade (WP:11; gives blessed- and transcended-effects to user; hollow; handcannon) When they arrive to Eubric, the party bids farewell to Monalisa and the automata. "I hope you realize that even though the Tritech Company uses technology developed partially by the Aoi, we are all citizens of Eubric. So don't be under the assumption that Xu is trying to take over these islands through us, even though it's lead by such pompous figures as the Thumb of the Blue Hand. We only work in the name of progress. Oh, and I'll take back those unused toolboxes now. Thanks for testing out the G.E.M., I'm excited that they worked so well in practice. Something has to be done to their fragileness towards ethereal energy waves, though..." "UH-OH, BACK TO THE OP-ER-ATING TA-BLE WE GO!" "DO NOT BE OF-FEND-ED IF WE DO NOT RE-MEM-BER YOU THE NEXT TIME WE MEET." "LET US FIGHT SIDE BY SIDE AGAIN, NO-BLE HE-ROES." "BUH-BYE!" The heroes then hopped onto a wagon with Lee, Jun and Vincent and travelled to the Ji Pei Palace. The guards on the doors looked sombre. The captain of the guard came up to tell that there had been an accident at the construction site of the guildhouse of the bakers. Jun immediately started to run to her mother's chambers. There they met Shanxian lying on the bed. She hugged her son long and hard. "Jun! My little Jun! I thought I lost you for good! The gods have been merciful to me, at long last... Please tell me, were you hurt?" "Mother, I am alright, but what has happened to you?!" "Tell me the names of the culprits and they will be dead as soon as I catch them!" "No, that can wait. Please, Lee, bring me the Qilin Blade so I can reward these wonderful people that brought joy back to my life." Shanxian looked at the heroes with teary eyes as Lee fetched the legendary blade of the Ji Pei family. Judging by the flatness of the bedsheets, the ambassador had lost both of her legs... "Which one of you brought me the head of the one who took my son away from me? That person will be the new carrier of this blade, one of the finest ever made." Qilin Blade (WP:15, damages undead, ignores row and SP; longsword) What will the party tell Shanxian? Party: Atramor Gibbin (CallMePie) 30 year old male human Witch Level 29 *Poisoned Hits* *Negative Effects Last 1 Round* *Immune to Water, Lightning and Wood* *Aura* Power: 49 (29+20) Defense: 10 (4+6) Health: 79/110 55/55 (7+28+8+6+6) Ether: 15/27 (1+29-3) Gold: 1072 Equipment: Pheles Rod (WP: 20, user generates an Aura, doubling health but drawing all attacks to them, fire, ice, earth, wind, light, darkness elemental staff), Galactic Armor (SP:6, Max. Health +6, immunity to light, darkness and doomed; bodywear), Rat's Hide (SP:4, backwear), Amulet of the Court (Negative effects last only one round on the wearer, immune to water, lightning, and wood, accessory), Inventory: Tiger Claws (WP:12/24 against humanoids; dual strike dagger), Conspirator (WP: 15, deals the Blinded effect, darkness elemental, longsword), General's Dagger (WP: 7, pierces SP, cannot be upgraded, dagger), Robust Shield (SP: 8, shield), Counterstrike Gloves (When hit by a Free Hit, immediately deals damage equal to level, handwear), Sylvania's Cowl (Suitable for anyone, grants Animal Talk, headwear), Ruby (Fire), Topaz (Lightning), Potion, 3 Health Cores, 2 Grand Tonics, Ether Core, 2 Elixirs, Remedy, 2 Phoenix Essences, 2 Mulled Wines, Soma, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bomb XX (Deals 30 damage to all enemies and 10 damage to all heroes, all damage ignoring SP/row), Shovel, Pickaxe Benji Carvenhall, the Dragonslayer (Flare) 28 years old male half-elven Beast Warrior Level 35 *Natural Respite* *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, and Weakened Effects and Wood Element* Power: 48 (35+10+3) Defense: 6 (6) Health: 56/56 (6+34+15+1) Gold: 1722 (owes 500 to Alexis Fenral) Equipment: Kusarigama (WP:10, whip), Medal of Glory (gain triple experience from battles, immunity to asleep, blinded, confused, frail, and weakened effects; accessory), Brown Dragon Girdle (Power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors; bodywear), Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (SP:6, suitable for rangers, barbarians and Beast Warriors; backwear) Inventory: Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:15; darkness-, ice-, fire-, wind-, earth-elemental), Grogmas Handcannon (WP:12 + the number of the round of battle), Flagpole (WP:3, +3 SP to the whole party whenever equipped, lance), Unicorn Helmet (SP:1; the wearer can only receive one negative effect at a time, with a new effect replacing the old one; usable by barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, regulators, skirmishers, and winged warriors; headwear), Ratmancer's Cowl (headgear, the wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin), Tricorne (headwear, SP:3), Emerald (Wood), Aquamarine (Water), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Potion (2), Grand Potion (14), Health Core (8),Remedy (6), Elixir, Phoenix Essence (5), Phoenix Incense (2), Dragon Scales (3), Nostrum (3), Smelling Salts (3), Mead (5), Mulled Wine (3), Venom, Smoke Bomb (3), Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb 2x, Water Bomb, Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel,Skeleton Decoy, Bone Nagure (Costy) 34 year old Male Yeti Berserker. Level 20 *Natural Respite* *Avoid ground traps* *Immune to Ice, Fire, Earth, Petrified, Fragile and Blinded* *Counterstrike* Power: 35 (20+15) Defense: 25 (12+10+3) Health: 37/37 (8+19+10) Gold: 205 Equipment: Stone Hammer (WP: 15, Earth & Darkness-elemental, hammer), Shield (SP:10), Yeti Fur Coat (SP:12, immunity to Ice,Fire, Fragile and Blindness; suitable for yetis only, bodywear), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his level; handwear), White Dragon’s Greaves (SP:3, avoid traps on the ground, immunity to earth and petrified; suitable to knights, dragoons, skirmishers and winged warriors; footwear) Inventory: Xiaolin's Bident (WP:16; instantly kills Aoi; ice- and lightning-elemental spear),Tiger Slayer (WP:10/20 against enemies with “tiger” in their name; spear),Axe of the Croise (WP: 10, Light-elemental axe),Helmet (SP:1), Potion x2, Grand Potion x8, Remedy x2, Elixir, Phoenix Essences x2, Phoenix Incense, Mead x2, Deadly Venom x2, Smoke Bomb x3,Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Pickaxe Tarn Valco (Rumble Strike) *Party Leader* 22 year old human male Raider Level 24 2/3 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Weakened* *Counterstrike* Power: 49 (24+25) Defense: 6 Health: 40/40 (7+23+7+3) Gold: 1984 Equipment: Great Blade (WP:25, cannot be equipped with a shield, greatsword),Darksteel Armor (SP:6, Max. Health +3, Immunity to Weakened; bodywear), Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear), Counterstrike Gloves (handwear, after the wearer is struck by a Free Hit they counter with strength equal to their level) Inventory: Helbaerend (WP:10; water-, ice- and lightning-elemental; hollow (Great Potion); axe), Lion’s Heart (WP:13, darkness-elemental, stun-effect; greatsword),Bagpipes (WP:8, wind-elemental instrument), Fauxthril Spear (WP:6, spear), Skull Shield (SP:6; immunity to darkness; suitable to Black Knights only), Amulet of U'Kin Nobility (Grants Diplomacy to wearer when addressing a U'Kin), Death Mask (Increases assassination chances to 1/3 when the target’s health is lowered to 1/3; suitable to assassins; headwear), Horned Hat (SP +1, Power +1, suitable for barbarians and beast warriors; headwear), Opal (Ice), Potion, Grand Potion x2, Health Core, Grand Tonic, Remedy, Elixir, Phoenix Essence x2,Mead x5, Nostrum x5, Venom x2, Smoke Bomb x2, Shovel, Pickaxe, Bucket, Bone x2 Tesni Hightribe (Peppermint_M) Level 31 2/4 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Afraid* Power: 58 (31+20+3+4) Defense: 14 (8+2+4) Health: 36/50 (8+29+10+2) Gold: 1291 Equipment: Fàelàn (WP:20, 8x damage to enemies weak to fire, fire-elemental longsword)),Sir Roderick’s Shield (SP:8, Immunity to afraid), Bone Claws (WP:3, SP:2; handwear), Dragon Bone Armor (SP:4, Max. Health +2; bodywear) Inventory: Ġeofon (WP:20, 4x damage to enemies weak to water, axe), Mellt (WP:10, ice- and lightning-elemental; hammer), Cysgodion (WP:11, darkness-elemental; greatsword), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, light-elemental; longsword), Cryfder (WP:6),Party Maracas (WP:4, user is hastened, instrument), Rebel's Dagger (WP: 5), 2 Shackles of War (prevents all fleeing, accessory), Magic Mirror (The user reflects all ether-based attacks back to the caster without getting damaged by them; accessory), Red Dragon Plume (artifact, accessory, immunity to Weakened and Fire, suitable to Barbarians, Knights, Skirmishers, Winged Warriors), Samurai Helmet (WP:4, suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors), King's Crown (Headwear, protects against Doom and Petrified, Suitable for all classes), Phoenix Dress (Max. Ether +5, full ether restored upon revival, immunity to fire and lightning, suitable only to female mages, clerics, chi monks, minstrels and necromancers; bodywear), Ruby (Fire), Scroll of Sleep, Remedy, Tiger Balm, Elixir, 2 Phoenix Essences, 5 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 2 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Soma, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb, 2x Grating Stone, Bright Polish, Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning, Head of Kai Tsi (quest item) Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-) 213 years old male elf Sorcerer Level 19 1/2 *Immune to Sealed and Fragile* Power: 32 (19+13) Defense: 7 (3+4) Health: 27/27 (5+18+4) Ether: 22/29 (5+18+1+5) Gold: 517 Equipment: Batarang (WP:13, darkness-elemental throwing weapon), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from Sealed-effect), Emerald Hood (SP:4, Immunity to Fragile; headwear) Inventory: Veritas/Equitas (WP:10, Dual Strike; daggers), Ratsbane (WP: 10, absorbs 2 health on successful strike, dagger), Sleeper (WP:5, melee/throwing weapon, deals Asleep, Hollow [Grand Potion]), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing, headwear), Cloak of Espionage (allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle; backwear), Snake Eye Charm (Protects from Petrified-effect), Zirconia (Contains all elements; cannot be merged into equipment), Amethyst (Darkness), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Ruby (Fire), Opal (Ice), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Potion, Health Core, Grand Tonic, Remedy, Elixir, 2 Phoenix Essences, Nostrum, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Bone

"That's not how this works, sir. You make an offer to me, and I either accept it or make a counter-offer."

Tarn felt the Thumb sizing him up, despite the helmet covering the aoi's face. "That's the kind of humbledness I expect from an inferior being. I don't know what you think you could do to me and my guards if we decided we wanted to hurt the werepanthers, but to your fortune that is not why we are here. The werepanthers are not our enemy. Once we have finished our investigations here in Baokun and at the falls, we will leave the village and it's people to continue their lives as usual." QM Note: If there's nothing more any of you wants to do, I will post the quest's conclusion next.

Ellaria continues smiling, despite the sword pointed at her throat. "Oh good, it turns out I wasn't lost after all, then! I am a member of the resistance, you see, and Sir Isaac Shawe told me to come ask you if there's anything you need. We have to make you boys feel welcome if you are to make a new settlement here." Ellaria feels the men suddenly looking at her funny, and realizes what her white lie had sounded like. She was all too familiar with that look the men got. "Oh, I didn't mean that I was here to cater for your every need! Just... some more food, maybe? Information? Messages to Sir Shawe?" She prayed Sylvania that Alexander and Ahvialyn were still outside, for if the men had gotten the wrong impression, she might be in some deep trouble...

To answer a few questions I got in private, proxying your actions to another player to post is not possible in this game. Everyone is responsible for sending their own actions. And if you ask why, just think about the scum team proxying their actions to a single member who would then post them right at the beginning of each phase. It was a title, and pretty much a direct translation of Lucifuge. Does it matter then that it isn't a word used in common speech? Besides, as a foreign speaker of English, I simply cannot know every little nuance the language has. I figured that if you could say "Dragonslayer", you could say "Lightshunner" too.