Sandy

No, but the connection has to already be established (storywise) when he arrives. He can't just bump into, say, Monk Pretzel at the door and be connected to him that way. Can we put an end to this discussion now? This shouldn't be rocket science that we're dealing with here, so please don't make it sound that hard.

Then that someone can continue to stretch in some other game. I hear you, and I thank you for being a concerned citizen, but let's just tackle this beast when someone actually hits the required level, okay?

Results of Round One of the Rat Battle: Sarge vs. Lab Rat A & B - Shield (Arrogant Prick - Lab Rat A: 84 health-119 dmg=0 health; Lab Rat B: 84 health-119 health=0 health; Sarge steals nothing) Sarge vs. Lab Rat C & D - Critical Mortal Hit (Lab Rat C: 84 health-51 dmg=33 health; Lab Rat C: 84 health-51 dmg=33 health) >Jensen vs. Lab Rat E - Critical Hit (Lab Rat E: 84 health-(21/2=11 dmg)=73 health) >Jeaux uses Smelling Salts on himself - (Jeaux: hastened) >Jeaux vs. Rat G - Special Damage (Mutation - Jeaux: blinded, sealed, poisoned) >Heckz uses Smelling Salts on himself - (Heckz: hastened) >Heckz (ice) vs. Rat F - Damage (Heckz: 9 health-(12/2=6 dmg)=3 health) Lab Rat D - Gnaws chains (1/6) Lab Rat H - Gnaws chains (2/6) Lab Rat I - Gnaws chains (3/6) Lab Rat J - Gnaws chains (4/6) Jeaux - Poisoned (-1 dmg) Sarge starts strong, taking out two of the lab rats immediately. He then damages two other rats, while Jensen takes on another. Jeaux hastens himself, but doesn't notice how a rat has managed to get close and bite him. His senses are numbed as a horrible mutation distorts his leg. Heckz also spends some Smelling Salts only to get attacked by a rat. Four unattended lab rats rush to gnaw at the wererat's chains. Jeaux loses health due to the poison in his system. Eight rats remain. Enemies: Lab Rat C Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 33/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Lab Rat D Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 33/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Lab Rat E Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 73/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Lab Rat F Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 84/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Lab Rat G Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 84/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Lab Rat H Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 84/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Lab Rat I Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 84/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Lab Rat J Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 84/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Party: Sgt Jon. Mcency (Pyrovisionary) *Party Leader* 53 years old male human Black Knight Level 17 *Dual Strike* *Immune to blinded and stunned* *Hastened* Power: 34 (17 +17) Health: 35/35 (7+16+9+3) Defense: 24 (20+4) Gold: 50 (70 owed to Brickington) Equipment: Demonic Scissors (WP:17, dual strike, Light, Darkness, Hollow (Remedy), Daggers), Mythril Shield (SP:20), Black Knight's armour (SP:4, Immune to stunned), Pegleg of Hastening (Permanent hastened-effect to the user; Immune to Blinded, suitable to Sarge only; footwear) Inventory:, Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, stuns on successful hits, Hollow), 2x Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Potion x4, Grand Potion x5, Remedy x3, Phoenix Essence x2, Nostrum, Venom x3, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying glass, Business Card, Bone x2 Jeaux Elmfyre (joeshmoe554) Male automaton Ranger Level 14 *Hastened* *Poisoned* *Blinded for 3 rounds* *Sealed for 3 rounds* Power: 23 (14+9) Defense: 0 (-2) Health: 15/19 (6+13) Gold: 57 Equipment: Golden Handcannon (WP:9; lightning-elemental), Handy Suitcase (SP-2, use 2 Items; accessory) Inventory: Eminus (WP: 5; bow), Ranger's Quiver (WP+1; backwear), Topaz, Grand Potion, Health Core x2, Neutralizer, Phoenix Essence, Mead, Smelling Salts, Venom x2, Smoke Bomb, Holy Bomb, Water Bomb, Bedroll, Bone x7 Heckz Brutenhal,The Ghostbuster (Eric-Su) 32 year old male human Mage Level 12 *Hastened* Power: 21 (12+9) (Spellpower: 26 (12+9+5)) Health: 3/16 (5+11) Ether: 15/17 (5+11+1) Gold: 64 Equipment: Rawr (WP:9), Spellbound Gloves (Spellpower +5, handwear) Inventory: Pitchfork of Abomination (WP:1, pierces all defenses including SP but breaks after one use; suitable to all classes), Opal (Ice), Garnet (Earth), Amethyst (Darkness), Potion, Grand Potion Health Core, Tonic x2, Grand Tonic x2, Ether Core, Elixir, Nostrum, Mead, Bedroll, Bone x3, Crystal Ball (worth 50 gold/100 gold at magic shops) Jensen (NPC, controlled by Pyrovisionary) 36 years old male orc Gravedigger Level 11 1/2 Power: 16 (11+5) Health: 1/20 (10+10) Gold: 0 Equipment: Rusty Shovel (WP:5, damages undead) Inventory: Potion Party Leader, post the order of action. Everyone, post your actions.

I can reveal that whether you get reputation or not is up to your choices made in the quest.

Look, if you really think this limitation is too much for people to handle, then we can just cancel anyone getting a second character altogether. The whole concept was initially made to reward people who have dedicated their time and energy to this game. Looking a gift horse in the mouth is considered quite rude in my opinion...

Having my hands full with preparations for the Second Anniversary events, this Photoshoot will now be officially over. Thanks to everyone who participated, hope you had some laughs and kicks out of this event, and that the pictures were useful to you! Here are the last few requests: Pyrovisionary Eric Su The photos on the first post of the Heroica Hall -topic have also been updated, so go check them out!

Then they knew each other as infants! Or in the womb! Come on!!!

Well, even long lost siblings have known each other at one point in their life, haven't they? Let's put it this way: the connection has to have been formed before the second character is introduced as a player character, but the two characters don't have to be in contact with each other right at that exact moment.

Haha, aren't you ever the rebel? So you're saying that you'd happily have the second character know Skrall IF it wasn't mandatory? Yes, they have to know each other. What would be the point otherwise?

The beast's voice is high-pitched squeaky, but full of anger. "Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! [Hate! Shame! Fear!]" At that moment, something starts to rattle against the floor. Looking down, the heroes see eerily glowing rats pouring out of a hole near the beast. Some of them start to nibble at the chains on the beast, while others aim for the heroes' legs. The party attempts to retreat, but the door is suddenly slammed shut and locked right behind their backs. The face of the zombie boy peaks in through the small window. "Shaaauunn sorreeehh..." The heroes have no other option but to face the rats head-on. PREPARE FOR BATTLE! QM Note: The rats will use their Free Hits on the wererat's chains instead of on the heroes. If the rats haven't been defeated within six Free Hits, the wererat will be freed and join the battle. After that, all Free Hits will be directed towards the heroes again. Enemies: Lab Rat A Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 84/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Lab Rat B Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 84/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Lab Rat C Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 84/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Lab Rat D Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 84/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Lab Rat E Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 84/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Lab Rat F Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 84/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Lab Rat G Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 84/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Lab Rat H Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 84/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Lab Rat I Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 84/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Lab Rat J Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 84/84 Special: Mutation – Causes the blinded-, sealed- and poisoned-effects to the target. Drops: nothing Party: Sgt Jon. Mcency (Pyrovisionary) *Party Leader* 53 years old male human Black Knight Level 17 *Dual Strike* *Immune to blinded and stunned* *Hastened* Power: 34 (17 +17) Health: 35/35 (7+16+9+3) Defense: 24 (20+4) Gold: 50 (70 owed to Brickington) Equipment: Demonic Scissors (WP:17, dual strike, Light, Darkness, Hollow (Remedy), Daggers), Mythril Shield (SP:20), Black Knight's armour (SP:4, Immune to stunned), Pegleg of Hastening (Permanent hastened-effect to the user; Immune to Blinded, suitable to Sarge only; footwear) Inventory:, Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, stuns on successful hits, Hollow), 2x Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Potion x4, Grand Potion x5, Remedy x3, Phoenix Essence x2, Nostrum, Venom x3, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying glass, Business Card, Bone x2 Jeaux Elmfyre (joeshmoe554) Male automaton Ranger Level 14 Power: 23 (14+9) Defense: 0 (-2) Health: 16/19 (6+13) Gold: 57 Equipment: Golden Handcannon (WP:9; lightning-elemental), Handy Suitcase (SP-2, use 2 Items; accessory) Inventory: Eminus (WP: 5; bow), Ranger's Quiver (WP+1; backwear), Topaz, Grand Potion, Health Core x2, Neutralizer, Phoenix Essence, Mead, Smelling Salts x2, Venom x2, Smoke Bomb, Holy Bomb, Water Bomb, Bedroll, Bone x7 Heckz Brutenhal,The Ghostbuster (Eric-Su) 32 year old male human Mage Level 12 Power: 21 (12+9) (Spellpower: 26 (12+9+5)) Health: 9/16 (5+11) Ether: 15/17 (5+11+1) Gold: 64 Equipment: Rawr (WP:9), Spellbound Gloves (Spellpower +5, handwear) Inventory: Pitchfork of Abomination (WP:1, pierces all defenses including SP but breaks after one use; suitable to all classes), Opal (Ice), Garnet (Earth), Amethyst (Darkness), Potion, Grand Potion Health Core, Tonic x2, Grand Tonic x2, Ether Core, Smelling Salts, Elixir, Nostrum, Mead, Bedroll, Bone x3, Crystal Ball (worth 50 gold/100 gold at magic shops) Jensen (NPC, controlled by Pyrovisionary) 36 years old male orc Gravedigger Level 11 1/2 Power: 16 (11+5) Health: 1/20 (10+10) Gold: 0 Equipment: Rusty Shovel (WP:5, damages undead) Inventory: Potion Party Leader, post the order of action. Everyone, post your actions.

But just because your second character knows your original character, doesn't mean he or she cannot be whoever from where-ever (within the confines of the setting). I still stand behind the thought that the second character will be much more purposeful if he or she is not a loner coming to the Heroica Hall without knowing anybody. We already had plenty of those in the original characters (well, practically everyone), so I want the second characters to have a slightly different starting point. That way they are instantly tied to the world of the game, and don't have to start building the connection from the ground-up. It allows them to know a great deal about the organization and what it does through the first character, as well. Trust me, this limitation will add to the cohesiveness of the world, not take anything away from it. And in my opinion I'm exactly nourishing creativity by having this one single limitation to the second character. It makes you think ahead and plan to fit the character to the world, whereas the original character came almost out of a void and shaped the world itself. Future first characters will continue to do that, so again, I want the second characters to be more connected from the get-go.

The chained beast growls. It doesn't seem to understand Sarge.

Thanks for the laughs. The Crown of the Sea Kings stays at it is, though. It's one-of-a-kind.

The heroes cross the hallway, and enter through the door on the opposite side. The room is pitch-dark, but the light emitting from the doorway allows them to see a bestial figure sitting against the far wall. He has been tightly chained to it, and his two red eyes stare at the heroes intently. "What a creepy fellow. But unlikely to be our perpetrator, wouldn't you say?"

I am willing to reconsider allowing the second character to be taken into play when the first one hits Level 40, but since nobody is even near to that point yet, I won't make that decision now. I want to keep the world as cohesive as I can, and like Scuba said, it forces everyone to be creative with their second character, and not just have another "I'm a nobody aspiring to become somebody"-type of character. The two characters don't need to be related by blood, but there needs to be some sort of bond between them, so that their personal stories intertwine and are not completely separate. I'm sure you all can cope with the rule, even though it might feel limiting right now. You are ignoring the fact that the second character doesn't need to be someone from Karie's past - she's perfectly capable of making new acquaintances despite being in Heroica, isn't she? It's totally alright for everyone to create their potential second character right now, you just cannot start playing as them until the designated level is reached. For example, Professor Flitwick's second character could be Hoptet, if he so wishes (although he would have to start from Level 1).

It seems I omitted one of the Stars that got slain during Quest#50 from the final post collage. The Fair-skinned Gentleman was missing, so the number of already-dead Stars is 73 (the Flagbearer not counted), and currently there are 26 Stars being battled, so that leaves 9 more at large.

As Heckz read the papers, he learned that the notes were written by an early alchemist, Dr. Paracelsior, some 200 years ago. He had been keenly interested in eternal life, and had done research on various related phenomena, including phoenixes and the undead. The notes are however too detailed and cryptic for Heckz to really understand them. Party: Sgt Jon. Mcency (Pyrovisionary) *Party Leader* 53 years old male human Black Knight Level 17 *Dual Strike* *Immune to blinded and stunned* *Hastened* Power: 34 (17 +17) Health: 35/35 (7+16+9+3) Defense: 24 (20+4) Gold: 50 (70 owed to Brickington) Equipment: Demonic Scissors (WP:17, dual strike, Light, Darkness, Hollow (Remedy), Daggers), Mythril Shield (SP:20), Black Knight's armour (SP:4, Immune to stunned), Pegleg of Hastening (Permanent hastened-effect to the user; Immune to Blinded, suitable to Sarge only; footwear) Inventory:, Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, stuns on successful hits, Hollow), 2x Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Potion x4, Grand Potion x5, Remedy x3, Phoenix Essence x2, Nostrum, Venom x3, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying glass, Business Card, Bone x2 Jeaux Elmfyre (joeshmoe554) Male automaton Ranger Level 14 Power: 23 (14+9) Defense: 0 (-2) Health: 16/19 (6+13) Gold: 57 Equipment: Golden Handcannon (WP:9; lightning-elemental), Handy Suitcase (SP-2, use 2 Items; accessory) Inventory: Eminus (WP: 5; bow), Ranger's Quiver (WP+1; backwear), Topaz, Grand Potion, Health Core x2, Neutralizer, Phoenix Essence, Mead, Smelling Salts x2, Venom x2, Smoke Bomb, Holy Bomb, Water Bomb, Bedroll, Bone x7 Heckz Brutenhal,The Ghostbuster (Eric-Su) 32 year old male human Mage Level 12 Power: 21 (12+9) (Spellpower: 26 (12+9+5)) Health: 9/16 (5+11) Ether: 15/17 (5+11+1) Gold: 64 Equipment: Rawr (WP:9), Spellbound Gloves (Spellpower +5, handwear) Inventory: Pitchfork of Abomination (WP:1, pierces all defenses including SP but breaks after one use; suitable to all classes), Opal (Ice), Garnet (Earth), Amethyst (Darkness), Potion, Grand Potion Health Core, Tonic x2, Grand Tonic x2, Ether Core, Smelling Salts, Elixir, Nostrum, Mead, Bedroll, Bone x3, Crystal Ball (worth 50 gold/100 gold at magic shops) Jensen (NPC, controlled by Pyrovisionary) 36 years old male orc Gravedigger Level 11 1/2 Power: 16 (11+5) Health: 1/20 (10+10) Gold: 0 Equipment: Rusty Shovel (WP:5, damages undead) Inventory: Potion

QM Note: You misunderstood. This is a three-pronged battle only for the enemies, you guys are still one big party. You have been flanked on three sides, so your multi-hit skills can only hit one side at a time. The enemy multi-hits will hit all of you, and the Free Hits will be delivered in the order of action, as usual. The Knife-Wielding Demon can indeed steal your effects to himself, but since they are permanent as long as the automatons stand, you won't lose them yourselves.

QM Note: IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! Sorry, but you guys have to start this battle over. The Jade Kraken is supposed to be accompanied by eight Krakentacles and be of Aquatic-type (the stats currently shown were WIP). I trust CMP will fix this issue that was merely due to a minor miscommunication.

Yes to both.

The left-side door leads to a small storage with shelves full of mostly empty bottles, vials, tubes and pipes. There are some usable concoctions in there, as well. Grand Potion – Restores 25 health to the target. Grand Tonic – Restores 15 ether to the target. Remedy – Removes all negative effects from the target. Neutralizer - Removes all temporary effects from all allies and all opponents. Phoenix Essence – Revives a fallen ally with full health during a battle. There's also a stack of papers lying haphazardly on the floor, as if someone had dropped them there. On the front leaf reads "STUDIES ON IMMORTALITY by Dr. Theophrastus Paracelsior".

~Two new quests have been posted on the Quest Board (#78 by Kintobor and #79 by Endgame)!~

Yes, let's make that official. I'll add it to the FAQ.

Before anyone could do anything, they heard a terrible roar echoing from the tunnels, as if an army of bloodthirsty orcs were approaching. Then over two dozen Stars of Destiny burst into the cave, surrounding the heroes on three fronts. This was it! After months of planning and preparation, Shanxian's retribution was at hand! PREPARE FOR THREE-PRONGED BATTLE! QM Note: In this battle, you are faced with three groups of enemies. That means all attacks and items that affect "all enemies" only affect the group that the target is on. Good luck surviving this! Enemies coming from straight on: Demon King of Chaos (61st Star) *Immune to all negative effects and sudden death* Type: Demon Level: 51 Health: 2163/2163 Special: Chaos Reigns – Causes doomed, cursed, badly poisoned, fast asleep, blinded, sealed, confused, weakened, fragile, jinxed, slowed and minimized effects randomly among the opponents. Drops: 6 Remedies God of Death (60th Star) *Immune to doomed, petrified, blinded, sealed and sudden death* Type: Undead Level: 36 Health: 949/949 Special: Doomsday – Causes doomed-effect to all opponents. Drops: Death Mask (Increases assassination chances to 1/3 when the target’s health is lowered to 1/3; suitable to assassins; headwear) Knife-wielding Demon (81st Star) Type: Demon Level: 24 Health: 463/463 Special: Effective Thievery – Transfers all the target’s temporary effects to himself Drops: 12 gold Living King (31st Star) *Immune to all negative effects and sudden death* Type: Undead Level: 44 Health: 1304/1304 Special: Ghosts of the Past – Summons the ghost s of three random defeated Stars of Destiny to join the battle. The ghosts will have the same stats as their living counterparts except having only 1 health and an additional undead-type. The ghosts drop nothing. Drops: Skull Shield (SP:6; immunity to dark-elemental damage; suitable to Black Knights only.) Pilgrim (14th Star) Type: Humanoid Level: 29 Health: 486/486 Special: Teleport – The Pilgrim changes the party he fights in randomly. Drops: Magical Compass Note: Pilgrim fights from the back row, so all non-ranged attacks will do half damage to him, while his attacks do full damage to heroes in back row. Strategist (37th Star) *Lucky* Type: Humanoid Level: 37 Defense: 5 Health: 1009/1009 Special: Mastermind – Reorganizes the allied parties again to even the odds. Drops: 6 Smoke Bombs Twin-tailed Scorpion (35th Star) *Immune to poisoned and badly poisoned* Type: Humanoid/Vermin Level: 22 Health: 448/448 Special: Twin Stingers – Causes badly poisoned-effect to the target and the opponent next in turn. Drops: 2 Deadly Venoms Yakshini (103rd Star) Type: Dark/Humanoid Level: 27 Health: 629/629 Special: Shadow Stitch – Causes 25 darkness-elemental damage and blinded and sealed to the target. Drops: Batarang (WP:13, darkness-elemental throwing weapon) Note: Yakshini fights from the back row, so all non-ranged attacks will do half damage to her, while her attacks do full damage to heroes in back row. Enemies coming from the left: Conqueror (87th Star) *Immune to blinded and sealed* Type: Humanoid Level: 39 Health: 1357/1357 Special: Command & Conquer – Uses the target’s Shield-skill against the opponents, ignoring row. Drops: 39 gold Divine Physician (56th Star) *Immune to sealed, confused and hexed* Type: Humanoid Level: 42 Health: 1357/1357 Special: Miracle – Restores 84 health to all allies in all parties. Drops: Cannon Parts (quest item) Note: Divine Physician uses his Free Hits to restore health to an ally equal to his level. Faceless (98th Star) *Immune to all effects (negative and positive)* Type: Humanoid/Icy Level: 33 Health: 1205/1205 Special: Ice to Eyes – 33 ice-elemental damage and blinded-effect to the target Drops: 33 gold Hundred Victories (42nd Star) *Immune to stunned, blinded and sealed* Type: Humanoid Level: 100 Defense: 100 Health: 100/100 Special: 101 Victories – All opponents are instantly ousted from the battle and returned outside the waterfall. Drops: 100 gold Life-taking Judge (96th Star) Type: Humanoid Level: 32 Health: 644/644 Special: Final Judgment – Causes sudden death to the target. Drops: Phoenix Incense Lonely Star (63rd Star) *Immune to all negative effects* Type: Humanoid Level: 30 Health: 505/505 Special: Duel of Destiny – The Lonely Star challenges the target to a duel. The loser will be instantly knocked out. The challenged hero must choose one of three strikes, each of which beats one but loses to the other. The moves and their order are: High>Low>Mid>High Drops: 1 gold Sacred Water (44th Star) *Immune to sealed, petrified and sudden death* Type: Aquatic/Holy Level: 40 Health: 1426/1426 Special: Waves of Undying Dread – Deals 20 water-elemental damage and afraid-effect to all enemies. Drops: Aquatic Labrys (WP:20, deals 4x damage to enemies weak to water, axe) Short-lived Second Brother (29th Star) Type: Humanoid Level: 21 Health: 242/242 Special: Brotherly Bravado – Deals 42 damage to the target, but also suffers 21 damage. Drops: 50 gold Touching the Sky (83rd Star) *Blessed* Type: Humanoid Level: 29 Health: 683/683 Special: Celestial Connection – Restores 100 health to all allies and gives them the blessed-effect. Drops: Soma Note: Touching the Sky fights from the back row, so all non-ranged attacks will do half damage to him, while his attacks do full damage to heroes in back row. Enemies coming from the right: Daredevil Third Brother (33rd Star) Type: Humanoid Level: 18 Health: 195/195 Special: Brotherly Bravado – Deals 36 damage to the target, but also suffers 18 damage. Drops: 25 gold Note: Daredevil Third Brother cannot be defeated until Short-lived Second Brother has been slain. Before that happens, the Third Brother has a minimum of 1 health. Double Spears (15th Star) *Immune to sudden death* Type: Beast/Icy Level: 45 Health: 1874/1874 Special: Double Skewer – Causes 45 damage regardless of SP to the target and the opponent next in order. Drops: Big Surprise (A surprise for someone big) Note: Double Spears always damages the target and the opponent next in order. Fiery-eyed Lion (49th Star) *Immune to confused* Type: Humanoid/Fiery Level: 35 Health: 864/864 Special: Whirling Flames – Deals 35 fire-elemental damage and confused-effect to all opponents. Drops: Kusarigama (WP:10, whip) Jade Flagbearer (70th Star) *Immune to all negative effects* Type: Humanoid Level: 19 Defense: 3 Health: 396/396 Special: Raise the Flag – Rallies all allies, giving everyone on his side +3 SP (effect is cumulative) Drops: Flagpole (WP:3, +3 SP to the whole party whenever equipped, lance) Rainbow Leopard (51st Star) *Immune to asleep, blinded, sealed and confused* Type: Icy/Electric/Fiery Level: 46 Health: 1511/1511 Special I: Triple Rainbow – Deals 45 ice-, lighting- and fire-elemental damage to all opponents regardless of row. Used only when Rainbow Tiger is alive. Special II: Rainbow Aura – Grants encouraged-, hastened- and lucky-effects to self. Used only when Rainbow Tiger is dead. Drops: Opal Rainbow Tiger (50th Star) *Immune to asleep, blinded, sealed and confused* Type: Fiery/Electric/Icy Level: 46 Health: 1536/1536 Special I: Rainbow Aura – Grants encouraged-, hastened- and lucky-effects to self. Used only when Rainbow Leopard is alive. Special II: Triple Rainbow – Deals 45 fire-, lighting- and ice-elemental damage to all opponents regardless of row. Used only when Rainbow Leopard is dead. Drops: Ruby Sick Tiger (84th Star) *Poisoned* Type: Humanoid Level: 21 Health: 281/281 Special: Wave of Nausea – Causes poisoned-effect to all opponents. Drops: Tiger Balm Tiger Slayer (86th Star) Type: Humanoid Level: 40 Health: 1608/1608 Special: Feral Strike – Attacks members of the opposing party 1-6 times, dividing the hits as equally as possible. Drops: Tiger Slayer (WP:10, double against enemies with “tiger” in their name; spear) Tigress (101st Star) *Immune to negative effects and sudden death* Type: Humanoid Level: 50 Health: 2064/2064 Special: Eye of the Tiger – Restores 500 health and grants encouraged- and hastened-effects to self. Drops: Tiger Claws (WP:12, double against humanoids; dual strike dagger) Note: Every enemy named “Tiger” killed halves Tigress’ max. health. Party: Atramor Gibbin (CallMePie) 30 year old male human Witch Level 28 1/3 *Poisoned Hits* *Counterstriking* *Immune to Water, Lightning, and Wood* *Negative Effects Last One Round* *Aura* *encouraged* *transcended* *lucky* *inspired* *hastened* *reinforced* *blessed* Power: 48 (28+20) Defense: 8 4 Health: 192/192 48/48 (7+27+8+6) Ether: 26/26 (1+28-3) Gold: 82 Equipment: Pheles Rod (WP: 20, user generates an Aura, doubling the user's maximum health but drawing all attacks to them, fire, ice, earth, wind, light, darkness elemental staff), Amulet of the Court (Suitable for anyone, negative effects last only one round on the wearer, immune to water, lightning, and wood, accessory), Counterstrike Gloves (When hit by a Free Hit, immediately deals damage equal to level, handwear), Rat's Hide (Suitable for anyone, SP:4, backwear) Inventory: Conspirator (WP: 15, deals the Blinded effect, darkness elemental, longsword), General's Dagger (WP: 7, pierces SP, cannot be upgraded, dagger), Ratsbane (WP: 10, absorbs 2 health on successful strike, dagger), Robust Shield (SP: 8, shield), Sylvania's Cowl (Suitable for anyone, grants Animal Talk, headwear), Amethyst, Diamond, Potion, 2 Grand Potions, 3 Health Cores, 2 Grand Tonics, Ether Core, Elixir, 2 Phoenix Essences, 3 Smelling Salts, 3 Mulled Wines, Deadly Venom, Bomb XX (Deals 30 damage to all enemies and 10 damage to all heroes, all damage ignoring SP/row), Shovel, Pickaxe, Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once) Benji Carvenhall, the Dragonslayer (Flare) 28 years old male half-elven Beast Warrior Level 33 2/4 *Natural Respite* *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened Effects and Wood Element* *encouraged* *transcended* *lucky* *inspired* *hastened* *reinforced* *blessed* Power: 51 (33+15+3) Defense: 20 10 (4+6) Health: 108/108 54/54 (6+31+15+1) Gold: 1335 (owes 500 to Alexis Fenral) Equipment: Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:15; darkness-, ice-, fire-, wind-, earth-elemental), Medal of Glory (accessory, mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, immunity to asleep, blinded, confused, frail, and weakened effects), Emerald Hood (SP:4, Immunity to Fragile), Brown Dragon Girdle (bodywear, power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors), Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (SP:6, backwear, suitable for Ranger and Barbarian Oriented Classes and Beast Warriors) Inventory: Grogmas Handcannon (WP:12 + the number of the round of battle), Ratmancer's Cowl (headgear, the wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin), Tricorne (headwear, SP:3), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Potion (2), Grand Potion (12), Health Core (8), Remedy (7), Phoenix Essence (4), Phoenix Incense (2), Dragon Scales (3), Nostrum (3), Smelling Salts (6), Mead (6), Mulled Wine (3), Venom, Smoke Bomb (2), Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb 2x, Water Bomb, Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once) Nagure (Costy) 34 year old Male Yeti Berserker. Level 19 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Ice, Fire, Fragile and Blindness* *Counterstriking* *encouraged* *transcended* *lucky* *inspired* *hastened* *reinforced* *blessed* Power: 29 (19+10) Defense: 44 22 ( 12+10) Health: 72/72 36/36 (8+14+10) Gold: 4 Equipment: Axe of the Croise (WP: 10, Light-elemental axe), Shield (SP:10), Yeti Fur Coat (Artefact, bodywear, SP:12, immunity to Ice, Fire, Fragile and Blindness; suitable for yetis only), Counterstrike Gloves (Artefact, handwear; After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level) Inventory: Stone Hammer (WP: 15, Earth & Darkness-elemental, hammer), Helmet (SP:1), Potion x2, Grand Potion x8, Remedy, Tiger Balm, 2 Phoenix Essences x2, Mead x2, Smelling Salts, Deadly Venom x2, Smoke Bomb x2, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Pickaxe, Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once) Tarn Valco (Rumble Strike) *Party Leader* 22 year old human male Raider Level 24 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Weakened* *Counterstriking* *encouraged* *transcended* *lucky* *inspired* *hastened* *reinforced* *blessed* Power: 34 (24+10) Defense: 12 6 Health: 80/80 40/40 (7+23+7+3) Gold: 0 Equipment: Helbaerend (WP: 10; water-, ice- and lightning-elemental, Hollow Blade; axe, Grand Potion equipped), 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: Lion’s Heart (WP: 13, darkness-elemental, stun-effect; greatsword),Bagpipes (WP:8, wind-elemental instrument), Fauxthril Spear (WP: 6, spear), Amulet of U'Kin Nobility (Grants Diplomacy to wearer when addressing a U'Kin), Horned Hat (SP +1, Power +1, suitable for barbarians and beast warriors; headwear), Potion, Grand Potion 3x, Health Core, Grand Tonic, Phoenix Essence 3x, Mead 5x, Nostrum 5x, Smelling Salts 5x, Venom 2x, Smoke Bomb, Shovel, Pickaxe, Bucket, Bone 2x, Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once) Tesni Hightribe (Peppermint_M) Level 31 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Afraid* *encouraged* *transcended* *lucky* *inspired* *hastened* *reinforced* *blessed* Power: 48 (31+10+3+4) Defense: 28 14 (8+2+4) Health: 100/100 50/50 (8+29+10+2) Gold: 1090 Equipment: Mellt (WP:10, ice- and lightning-elemental; hammer), 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: Fàelàn (Fiery Sawblade (Fire)(WP:20, 8x damage to enemies weak to fire, longsword)), Cryfder (WP:6), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, light-elemental; longsword), Cysgodion (WP:11, darkness-elemental; greatsword), 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), King's Crown (Headwear, protects against Doom and Petrified, Suitable for all classes), Ruby (Fire), Scroll of Sleep, Remedy, Neutralizer, 2 Phoenix Essences, 5 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 2 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Soma, 2x Grating Stone, Bright Polish, 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), Cannon Parts, Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning, Minimizing Dust, Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once) Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-) 213 years old male elf Sorcerer Level 18 1/2 *Dual Strike* *Immune to Magic, Sealed, Healing* *encouraged* *transcended* *lucky* *inspired* *hastened* *reinforced* *blessed* Power: 28 (18+10) Defense: 10 5 (3+2) Health: 52/52 26/26 (5+17+4) Ether: 28/28 (5+17+1+5) Gold: 0 Equipment: Veritas/Equitas (WP:10, Dual Strike, twin sais), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from Sealed-effect), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Inventory: Sleeper (WP:5, melee/throwing weapon, deals Asleep to enemies it hits, Hollow [Potion]), Cloak of Espionage (allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle; backwear), Snake Eye Charm (Protects from Petrified-effect), Amethyst (Darkness), Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Garnet (Earth), Ruby (Fire), Opal (Ice), Emerald (Wood), Aquamarine (Water), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Potion, Grand Potion (4), Health Core, Grand Tonic, Remedy (2), Phoenix Essence, Nostrum, Bedroll, Bone, Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once) Lee Long (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike) 42 years old male human Chi Monk Level 50 1/5 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Blinded, Sealed, Confused, Asleep & Weakened* *Dragons cause halved damage* *encouraged* *transcended* *lucky* *inspired* *hastened* *reinforced* *blessed* Power: 52 (50+2) Defense: 20 10 Health: 124/124 62/62 (12+50) Ether: 53/53 (3+50) Gold: 0 Equipment: Chi Facepaint (protects from blinded-, sealed-, confused- & asleep-effect; suitable for Lee only; accessory) Long Changbao (SP:10, halves damage done by enemies named "dragon"; suitable for Lee only; bodywear), Pugilist's Gloves (Power +2, protects from weakened-effect; handwear) Inventory: Diamond (Light), Amethyst (Darkness), Phoenix Essence Rubio (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike) Ruby G.E.M. Automaton Level 29 1/3 *Immune to all effects and Fire* *Automatic encouraged-effect to allies* Power: 29 Element: Fire Condition: 100/100 Defense: 10 Opalix (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike) Opal G.E.M. Automaton Level 28 1/3 *Immune to all effects and Ice* *Automatic transcended-effect to allies* Power: 28 Element: Ice Condition: 100/100 Defense: 10 Topazor (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike) Topaz G.E.M. Automaton Level 27 *Immune to all effects and Lightning* *Automatic lucky-effect to allies* Power: 27 Element: Lightning Condition: 100/100 Defense: 10 Emeray (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike) Emerald G.E.M. Automaton Level 26 1/3 *Immune to all effects and Wood* *Automatic inspired-effect to allies* Power: 26 Element: Wood Condition: 100/100 Defense: 10 Sapphiraz (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike) Sapphire G.E.M. Automaton Level 25 1/3 *Immune to all effects and Wind* *Automatic hastened-effect to allies* Power: 25 Element: Wind Condition: 100/100 Defense: 10 Garnetic (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike) Garnet G.E.M. Automaton Level 24 1/3 *Immune to all effects and Earth* *Automatic reinforced-effect to allies* Power: 24 Element: Earth Condition: 100/100 Defense: 10 Aquamarq (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike) Aquamarine G.E.M. Automaton Level 23 1/3 *Immune to all effects and Water* *Automatic blessed-effect to allies* Power: 23 Element: Water Condition: 100/100 Defense: 10 Party leader, post the battle order. Everyone, post your actions.

The group had come to a ledge next to the waterfalls. There seemed to be a path leading into the surge of water. "We're here! You just walk right through the veil of water, and you're inside the cave. Just remember, it's slippery as heck! Go on, but be back as soon as you can. I won't wait around forever, remember that." The heroes nodded, then braced themselves. Drawing their weapons, they one by one slid into the waterfall. For a moment they could barely see in front of them, and the cascade was strong enough to sweep them down with it if they lost their footing, but out of a sudden they were through the water and inside a glistening cave. There was a peculiar grid in the middle of the floor, with a pool of water beneath it. Three tunnels lead from the cave further inside the mountain. QM Note: The battle will begin in just a moment.