Sandy

Neither still finds nothing. There's no hollow noise, just the sound of ground getting stomped on.

"Nothing for me, boss? Despite all this shit I'm shoveling for you people?" Neither Sarge nor Jensen find anything. 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 x2, 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, 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, Health Core, Tonic x2, Grand Tonic, 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

Poking around the haystack, Sarge hits something hard. Digging through the hay, he uncovers a heavy crate. He opens it to find a stash of gold. 150 gold Meanwhile, Jensen attempts to dig below the horse, but runs into a problem. "Boss, the horse won't move." 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: 150 (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 x2, 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: 7 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, 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: 14 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, Health Core, Tonic x2, Grand Tonic, 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

Sham takes a step back, feeling intimidated by Benji. "Y-y-you can't threaten anything out of me! M-m-my backpack is enchanted, it won't open to anyone else! B-but maybe another generous discount is in order, just for you guys this once. Gotta keep the customers happy, they say..." 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. (3 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)

"Sham's sorry, I didn't follow the bandits very closely... All I saw that the blue-skins were all rounded up into one group. But yes, let us finally get down to business! Here's what I have left after you Heroicans rummaged through my wares the last time..." SHAM POO’S LEGIT GOODS (Totally necessary for bandit-ousting business): Grand Potion – Restores 25 health to the target. Costs 18 gold. (3 in stock) Remedy – Removes all negative effects from the target during a battle. Costs 16 gold. (4 in stock) Neutralizer – Removes all temporary effects from all allies and all opponents during a battle. Costs 55 gold. (3 in stock) Phoenix Essence – Revives a fallen ally with full health during a battle. Costs 70 gold. (2 in stock) Smoke Bomb – Allows the party to escape the battle. Costs 10 gold. (3 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 59 gold. (3 in stock) Mythril – A very rare metal. Costs 2002 gold. (1 in stock)

Ellaria bows her head to the hunter. "A pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Vandangant. I am happy to be here to help your kin." Ellaria gives Lawrence a subdued wave and a big smile. With the old paladin on the crew, she feels safe again. The others seem very nice as well, even though she doesn't know them very well. "Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Regulus. I think an extra dose of luck would come in handy for a healer like myself, if you don't mind. I can take the Unlucky Horseshoe as well, to increase our odds."

There is no hollow sound coming from that area. It turns out that what Heckz thought were a letter and a knife, only turned out to be a decorative stone slab and a wooden ornament above the butcher's shop.

QM Note: Yes, both Sarge and Jensen can dig at the same time. Sarge finds nothing. "Let me give a hand as well, boss. Where should I start?" The horse blows his nostrils, covering Jeaux in spittle. "Neeeigghhh! [Nuh-uh, I will never tell where the secret hatch is buried!]"

"Yes, I saw them... Wait, free?! Who told you that?! *phthui*" The half-orcish merchant spits to the ground in disgust and glares angrily at the werepanther elders. "I still have some stock left, so maybe we can negotiate a sizable discount. Everything's duty free, of course!" "My mother won't be happy until I've brought her this backpack full of gold. Poor Sham, always trying to do his best and work his hardest, yet all he gets is accusations of greed and dishonesty! Anyway, after you left me at the dungeons, I made it outside that dreadful pagoda. I stuck around to wait for you - honestly, I did! - but when the airship bombed the place, I had no choice but to flee for my life. I stealthily followed the surviving bandits all the way across the mountains to this valley. You cannot believe the ordeals I've been through! I was almost eaten alive by a herd of ferocious yaks! Finally, I saw the bandits slip into the waterfall, and when I saw this village below me, I ran here to warn these good civilians of the threat that had just moved next door. There isn't many of the bandits left, about thirty, I think, but these farmers are helpess against that kind of warriors! Luckily you arrived before they have done a full-on assault. The Stars are still cowering in those caves, licking up their wounds methinks..." "Oh, you mean the blue-skinned guy? He was with the bandits, along with some other blue-skins. The bandits kept a close eye on them, probably because they were valuable hostages. I heard the blue-skins are the rulers of this strange land, so I imagine they'd want to keep me alive. On the other hand, they kept me alive as well, even though not even my mother would spend a dime on my behalf..." The animal brushes itself against Nagure's hand. It seems to take a liking to the yeti. The owner of the beast looks wary, though. He is probably afraid that the yeti will eat or steal his prized steed.

Totally.

OoC: The bandana just allows Ellaria to speak fluent pirate, yarr! It's a pure roleplay feature, nothing you should worry about. As Ellaria arrives to the meeting place, she hears the elven woman speak proudly of her kind. "I am no elf, Lady Ahvialyn, but I hope a humble druid like me will suffice." She then nods to the others. Nerwen was there as well, and instantly the nervous feeling Ellaria had at the Heroica Hall returned. "Lady Calmcacil, it is an honor to serve by your side. Lawrence spoke so highly of you back at the Hall... Where is he, by the way? I think he was supposed to be with us on this quest."

Sorry, I've been preoccupied with things these past couple of days. Since there's no glaring objections, I'll make the class rule changes official as soon as possible. And yes, the "gold-nerf" is already in effect, even though the rule pages haven't been updated yet. I just wanted to wait for all the other changes too, so I wouldn't have to constantly edit them.

"Aside from ordinary foodstuff, not really. But I hear our visitor might carry something useful, since he said he's a merchant after all. Oh, there he comes." The heroes see a green-skinned figure carrying a heavy backpack running towards them. The man is very familiar to Tesni and Tarn. "By the mercy of the gods, Sham Poo has been saved! I cannot believe that you have returned!"

There's some dirt inside the cart and around it, but nothing pointing out where the body is. Heckz finds that the pitchfork is just a pitchfork - not a secret lever or anything. It could potentially be used in a combat. Pitchfork of Abomination (WP:1, pierces all defenses including SP but breaks after one use; suitable to all classes) Jensen stops Sarge. "Hold your horses, boss. I'm a professional digger, so why don't we do this systematically. We'll divvy up this room into squarefeet and everyone with a shovel will dig around one square at a time. Got that?" Jensen draws lines into the ground with the tip of his shovel, dividing it into squares. Who will dig which square first? QM Note: Yay, the return of the digging puzzle from Quest#14!

"Yes, a few months back, the notorious clan of outlaws calling themselves the Stars of Destiny were seen moving into the caverns behind the Chaochao Falls. It was a great insult to our customs, for we hold that place sacred. Our tradition has been to go up there to listen to our ancestors as they whisper through the curtain of the water. Whoever would banish the bandits would do us a great service." "Yes, a traveller that came to our village soon after the event told us about these Stars and their horrendous actions, and we spread the word further." "Luckily someone listened and sent help. We don't get many visitors from the capital here, and the army is still waging that endless war on the Nagashan border, I hear." "We will do anything in our power to help you face the bandits, but unfortunately we are not much of fighters ourselves. Just common farmers, fishermen and artisans." "The least we can do is to guide you to the entrance of the caves behind the waterfalls." "Oh, and the traveller I mentioned is still staying with us. Would you like to meet him?"

The tracks lead the party out of the cemetery and into the city. They become increasingly difficult to follow, but then they suddenly stop in front of a stable. The door has been left ajar. Bracing themselves for whatever awaits for them inside, the heroes enter. Inside, they find the horse and the cart, but there's no sign of anybody, living or dead. There's a distinct foul odour hanging in the air, though - aside from the one coming from the horse.

Bombs, like all items, ignore row.

Not officially, though. But if implementing actual rows on enemies as well is something that you guys want, we can add it into the system. In that case, a back-row hero with a melee weapon would deal a quarter of the full damage to an enemy in the back row.

The party peeks into the open grave, only to find it devoid of any bodies. "Yup. Dame Lettuce rests in peace no more. Won't we give chase, before they get away? Look at the path, there's cart tracks. Convenient, huh?"

QM Note: I'm sorry, but you can't hold the figures by the shoulders and slap the horse at the same time. I also have a hard time that Sarge is capable of sneaking up on anyone with that pegleg of his. Unfortunately your action fails due to these reasons. Sarge makes an attempt to approach the two figures, but in the silence of the night they can hear his footsteps rustle on the sandy walkway. The taller one throws a smoke bomb at the heroes, making them almost cough their lungs out. Through the fog, they can hear the horse neighing, and when they finally push through the billowing smoke, they find the figures and the cart gone and the grave dug open. They can still hear the cart rolling away somewhere in the darkness, though. "That went well, boss. What now?"

You mean the Blue Hand? Probably a subconsciously made reference, yep. I need to watch Firefly again someday. I still remember how great it was...

When the party approached the paladin's grave, they were surprised to see a cart pulled by a dark horse parked next to it, with two shady figures hard at work with shovels. What will the heroes do?

QM Note: Jun was immune to all effects, not just being pig-headed. "Thank you for the offer, but I cannot use that. It's only suitable for barbarians and beast warriors, and I'm neither." So the remaining days rolled by, and their destination was suddenly in sight. They could hear the roaring of the mighty Chaochao Falls long before they could even see them. And when the cascades finally came to view, the sight was breathtaking. As the airship descended, the party saw a picturesque village at the foot of the mountains, bathing in the auburn light of the setting sun. At the entrance of the village, they were greeted by four formally dressed werepanthers. Looking around, there was no other races even present. "Welcome to Baokun, weary travellers!" said a white-furred werepanther, who was standing tall and proud despite his obviously high age. "We are the village elders. Loremaster Baihu is my name, and these are Mistress Zhuque..." "The village tailor, at your service." "...Master Qinglong..." "Head of the fishermen, at your service." "...and Master Xuanwu." "The blacksmith of the village, at your service." "It is to our knowledge that you are here to eradicate the remains of the bandit clan that is hiding in the Chaochao, am I correct?" 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: 6 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, 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

Lee Long listens to the heroes' stories intently. "Those are some impressive feats of heroism you've performed. My own act of heroism was when I saved a girl from being raped by an aoi general. Of course, I was sentenced to a death penalty for laying a hand on an aoi - for that is the law in Xu. It was Shanxian's kindness that saved me in the end, for she knew what the general was like. He had been promoted to the office when Shanxian's husband Yeong Ji Pei fell in combat, and she was always ashamed that such a man would walk on Yeong's footsteps. Nevertheless, I was banished from Xu for all eternity. I'm grateful that I get to see my beautiful homeland once again, but as you understand, I have to remain covert about it. I doubt we will run into the Blue Hand's officials in Baokun, but it is said that the council has eyes and ears everywhere, and not without a good reason. I firmly believe that I did not do anything wrong by saving that girl, but the law is the law. You are lucky that Eubric knows no such thing." QM Note: I can only apologize for a further delay, but my camera's battery ran out just as I was taking new shots for the quest, and I've got an early wake-up tomorrow so no update today either.

Ellaria smiles sheepishly at Nerwen. Despite their similar appearance, this elven woman seemed totally different from Alexis. She was much more poised, calm and collected, and looking into her eyes felt like looking at one's great-grandmother. "Pleasure to meet your acquaintance... ma'am", Ellaria uttered, feeling lost of words as to how to properly address the elf. ""I, too, am a servant to the gods - or rather to Sylvania of the Forests. My friend Alexis told me that the elves of the woods know her by the name of Ivene."