Sandy

I'd love if people could just go with common sense on this matter, but apparently that's not possible. The two examples I quoted are harmless, yes, but totally irrealistic. In Arthur's case, he instantly made a connection between a Mopag soldier and a farmer some other people met two years ago. If the man had said his name, it would be slightly more possible to make that connection, but not this time. And Sarge saw a zombie boy, and immediately coined him as the zombie boy from a quest he wasn't on. Like there was only one boy who had ever been turned into a zombie. Again, it's relatively harmless, but sucky roleplaying. Imagine a situation where a QM has put a villain from an earlier quest to pose as friendly towards another party of heroes, and they instantly go "Oh, you're not fooling us - you're the bad guy from the quest my friend went on! I recognize that nose from his description!" That's where the problem lies.

Will the party first check out the room on the left? Or the room on the right?

"Whatever you want, boss. I'm ready to return that zombie kid and any pals he might have back to their final resting places, though."

PLAYER KNOWLEDGE VS. CHARACTER KNOWLEDGE!!! Seriously, what you are doing is piss-poor roleplaying. You can't possibly recognize people who have been on quests that you weren't on, especially not before they have even introduced themselves. The Library does not provide illustrated guides to each past quest, so saying you read about someone there is not an excuse. No harm done this time, I guess, but this is not the first time I've seen this happen, and it's getting quite annoying. Your characters cannot be walking encyclopedias, that's just not plausible. EDIT: Sorry to burst like this, but I'm tired and cranky.

Ellaria blushes as she realizes her mistake. She hastily strikes out the two factions from the list. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I guess I wasn't paying close enough attention."

There's the Armageddon Dragon residing there now. Just kidding. Once the Threshold Monsters are killed, their locations will "vanish" from the maps, replaced by an entrance to the farther regions.

"Oh! Nians are tall, grey, horned, reptilian-like beasts people raise as steeds around here. Really agile and fast, despite their size. They're usually docile, but their bite hurts like hell!" QM Note: FYI, the name of the beast is a reference to this mythical Chinese monster.

Ellaria takes out her notebook once again, and makes a list of all the groups the sergeant mentions. "So there's the Mopags, the Pongcanae, the Brobric Elves, the Lion Knights and the Hinckwells, as well as drunken citizens, all aiming to take control of this area. Anything to add to that, good sergeant?"

QM Note: Sorry for the delays! I'll let you off the hook now and move the quest forward. The horse struggles back, and the others need to rush to Sarge's help before they get the stubborn horse out of the stall. Jeaux distracts it while Jensen and Sarge quickly dig around the stall until they find a hatch. They open it to find a winding staircase leading down. There's a strange blue light emitting below. "After you, boss." The stairs lead into a corridor lit by rows of blue lanterns. Walking around a corner, the heroes bump into a short figure. Much to their surprise, they have encountered a zombie boy. "Uwaaahhh!!!" The scared boy limps as fast as he can back towards the end of the corridor, and enters a pair of doors there, slamming them shut behind him. The party can either follow the boy, or examine the other two doors along the corridors. What do they want to do?

Lucky- and jinxed-effects only affect battle skill rolls, unless otherwise specificied.

The night was restless for the anxious heroes, but the relaxing boom of the nearby waterfall eventually lulled them all to sleep. The whole village of Baokun slept, with the exception of one soul astride a tall beast. Silently the figure left Baokun, vanishing into the darkness. When the whole village gathered to the central square at dawn, nobody even noticed that there was one werepanther missing from their ranks. Everyone were so focused on sending off the noble heroes who would save their village from the threat posed by the group of bandits. Vincent Legonardo, Monalisa Gioconda and Sham Poo were standing with the elders, bidding their farewells to the party. "Take care now! I hope you now know how to use the automatons to their full extent." "Don't forget to use the toolboxes before the automatons get destroyed. Better be safe than sorry!" "Come back with lots of gold - I'll be keeping this Mythril reserved for you guys!" Then Loremaster Baihu calls forth a young werepanther. "This is Gau, your guide to the Falls. He has been on numerous ill-adviced adventures up there, so he knows the fastest routes." "You betcha! Y'all just follow my footsteps!" After some final good luck wishes and goodbyes, the party was finally ready to leave. The climb was arduous and long, but by noon the mighty Chaochao Falls were in front of them, spouting mist on the trail, making the rocks even more slippery. "Almost there! Don't take long in there, for I need to get back down before dusk. Climbing down these cliffs in the darkness is a suicide. You'd need a nian to guide you down - those buggers can see in the dark and climb rocks like lizards. We had one in the village, but I couldn't find it this morning. Maybe it ran away..." 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

QM Note: Update tomorrow. Just been too damn busy today.

Ellaria is flustered by the gravity of the situation they are in. "But wait! If whoever the Pongcanis are afraid of see us here, they will think that we committed this heinous crime. Let us hide once more until we see who is coming, and then if it's plausible, explain the situation to them so that they won't jump into hasty conclusions. How does that sound, Lady Ca... Uh, Nerwen?"

The horse shakes his head. "Neigghh! Whinny? [Yes! I have my orders. My master doesn't eat food anyway, so what would he do with a bucket-full of carrots?]" The horse stays put. It still has reins on it, though, since it's owner left it in a hurry. QM Note: Sorry, but reversed psychology is lost on horses.

"One of our own will guide you to the caves. However, the night is falling upon us, and the cliffs to the waterfalls are perilous to travel even during daylight, let alone in complete darkness. Would you not rest here for tonight? Or are you really ready to go right away?"

Copper Fox turns to see Thormanil Nihai, the vertically-challenged giant, at the door of the Training Hall. "Ah, yes. Your experience and reputation among the Shadeaux family has allowed you to learn the secrets of becoming a Dragoon. Remember, this is not a transition to take lightly - you will become a companion of a dragon, one of the proudest and most capricious creatures in the entire world. How well you two will come along all depends on your devotion and caretaking. You will have to form a bond of trust and dedication with your pet dragon, he or she is not a spirit or a mindless undead corpse you can control with magic to do your every whim. You have to earn the dragon's respect, and likewise he or she will have to learn to respect you. If you are willing to accept all this, Mr. Nihai, then follow me." The Copper Fox takes the giant out of the Training Room and downstairs to the cellars. He then puts a blindfold on him. "Do not peek, now. You'd make the Dragonlord very angry if you did, and you don't want to make him angry at least until you have a full-grown dragon on your side as well." The Veteran leads Thormanil through several more corridors, doors and stairs, until they come to what feels a vast, open space with a very hot climate. The Copper Fox instructs Thormanil to take off his blindfold, and much to his surprise, the giant sees that they have arrived to the lair of a great, green dragon, who is lying on a pile of gold. "Welcome to my lair, noble hero. I am Smaragdea. Don't be touching any of this gold here, you hear?" "Now don't be getting any wrong ideas, Mr. Nihai. This is The Dragonlord's companion, not yours. What we seek has been given for Smaragdea to take care of." The dragon moves a bit to reveal a bunch of colorful eggs that she kept under her. "Yes, these little babies were transported from Charis by Count Shadeaux as a token of gratitude for those Heroicans who have served his family well. I've kept them nice and warm, but they will hatch as soon as a potential companion is found. Now, come hither, warrior, and choose carefully. Which one of these little ones are you drawn to?" "Remember my words. Once you choose, you're stuck with it for life." There are seven eggs nested in the pile of gold, in the colors of red, green, blue, black, white, brown and gold. Which one would Thormanil take?

The horse steps around nervously. The poor creature is even more confused than before. "Neigh? [A deal of a lifetime? Is it like getting a bucket-full of carrots?]"

Ellaria nods. "Yes, the task seems daunting, but the sooner we depart for R'kilf, the sooner we can start."

Akkaba and Amphibiannoc will be added, for sure! Any requests for their minifig representations?

The horse looks confused. "Whinny... [i won't betray my master. He ordered me to stay put and guard this secret hatch I'm standing on. Nobody is supposed to get in.]"

"No, don't force me to go there! I don't want to get caught again!!! These werekittens can surely take you, can't they?" The trembling merchant makes glances at the elders desperately. "Our tribe has lived segregated in this valley for centuries. We do not concern ourselves with the matters of Xu proper, even though traders and tax collectors do come our way every once in a while. But from what I know, the land of Xu expands far and wide, containing many wonders. The floating ships like the one you arrived on is but one of those wonders. Have you seen the windmills churning ethereal energy? Or the fortresses-on-wheels rolling on the plains, leaving wide tracks behind them? Or the mountaintop capital of Ai Xurong, perched high above the clouds? I have heard but stories, but those stories alone strike awe in me. So once your mission is over, please go and explore Xu. And return to me with all the stories of your travels. As the Loremaster of this village, it is my bound duty to spread them forward." "That'll be six gold, please! Pleasure doing business with you again, Mr. Valco! Ten more purchases and you get a VIP Customer Card!" SHAM POO’S LEGIT GOODS (Heavily discounted!): Grand Potion – Restores 25 health to the target. Costs 11 gold. (3 in stock) Remedy – Removes all negative effects from the target during a battle. Costs 9 gold. (4 in stock) Neutralizer – Removes all temporary effects from all allies and all opponents during a battle. Costs 51 gold. (3 in stock) Phoenix Essence – Revives a fallen ally with full health during a battle. Costs 53 gold. (2 in stock) Smoke Bomb – Allows the party to escape the battle. Costs 6 gold. (2 in stock) Deadly Venom – Use on a weapon to make it cause the badly poisoned-effect on any enemy it hits for the duration of one battle. A poisoned enemy loses 1 health each turn. Costs 52 gold. (3 in stock) Mythril – A very rare metal. Costs 1635 gold. (1 in stock)

The horse whinnies, and makes a huge dump on the ground below him. "Neigghh! [Dig that!]" The horse does not move.

Again, I'm trying to keep the religions in this game realistic, in that the gods aren't actual corporeal beings living on some mountaintop to gaze upon the mortals, but they are concepts created by the people of Olegaia. People might have made up myths about Mother Danab having an argument with Helvetia (explaining some phenomenon), but it's not a real historical event. That's why you are free to make up any kind of myths you yourself want. The religions in Eubric are like Hinduism - everyone worships their own god (or gods), but do not deny the existence of other gods (at least aggressively). Hope I make sense with this. Related to this topic, I've actually recreated the images of the gods for the Library, and I will write more in-depht articles for them. I've also included Thoric, Pseudos, Legovia and Orang Pendek among the deities.

Ellaria felt a bit intimidated at the scope of their task. "Deciding who to give the control of an entire town over to? I didn't know we in Heroica had that kind of power... But everything is possible when you put your mind into it, isn't that how the saying goes?"

"N-n-no more discounts, you beastly man! Sham does not negotiate with s-s-savages!" The merchant retreats behind Tesni.