Sandy

Lee Long bows to the party as he joins them. "My fists are at your service! Now, let us depart. The wagon is waiting for us outside to take us to the airship." "Safe travel, my heroes. Remember that the one who brings me the head of the leader of the 108 Stars will get the Qilin Blade, my husband's fabled sword that can cut through anything." The party bids farewell to the ambassador and board the wagon that takes them to a warehouse outside the city. There they are met by Dr. Monalisa Gioconda, Vincent Legonardo's right-hand woman. She escorts them to the mighty airship. "To those of you who have not traveled on it yet, this is the Destiny's Bounty, the fastest and sleekest airship in the world. It should take us to Xu in a few weeks. Did you already hear about our new and improved automata that will support you in the upcoming battle? They have been built upon a gem-based technology, so we call them G.E.M. Automata - quite clever if I say so myself, tehehe! Oh, here comes Vincent with your little army!" The house inventor of the Ji Pei walks up the platform with seven human-shaped robots following suite, and the heroes board the airship to give them space. "Ah, greetings everyone! Please meet the G.E.M supersoldiers we have prepared just for the purposes of this crusade. Automata, in position!" The robots form a line and greet their maker. "Here they are! Aren't they awesome or what?" Party: Atramor Gibbin (CallMePie) 30 year old male human Witch Level 28 *Counterstriking* *Immune to Water, Lightning, and Wood* *Negative Effects Last One Round* *Aura* Power: 48 (28 + 20) Defense: 4 (4) Health: 96/96 (7 + 27 + 8 + 6* x 2) 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, Phoenix Essence, 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 Benji Carvenhall, the Dragonslayer (Flare) 28 years old male half-elven Beast Warrior Level 32.75 *Natural Respite* *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened Effects and Wood Element* Power: 50 (32+15+3) Defense: 9 (3+6) Health: 53/53 (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), Tricorne (headwear, SP:3), 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), 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 Nagure (Costy) 34 year old Male Yeti Berserker. Level 18.5 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Ice, Fire, Fragile and Blindness* *Counterstriking* Power: 33 (18+15) Defense: 22 ( SP: 12+ SP: 10) Health: 35/35 (8+14+10) Gold: 4 Equipment: Stone Hammer (WP: 15, Earth & Darkness-elemental, suitable for barbarians, clerics and alchemists), 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: Axe of the Croise (WP: 10, Light-elemental axe), Helmet (SP:1), Potion x2, Grand Potion x8, Remedy, Tiger Balm, Phoenix Essence x2, Mead x2, Smelling Salts, Deadly Venom x2, Smoke Bomb x2, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Pickaxe Tarn Valco (Rumble Strike) *Party Leader* 22 year old human male Raider Level 23.66 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Weakened* *Counterstriking* Power: 36 (23+13) Defense: 6 Health: 39/39 (7+22+7+3) Gold: 4 Equipment: Lion’s Heart (WP: 13, darkness-elemental, stun-effect; 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 Blade; axe, Grand Potion equipped), 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 Tesni Hightribe (Peppermint_M) Level 30 3/4 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Afraid* Power: 63 (36+20+3+4) Defense: 14 (8+2+4) Health: 49/49 (8+29+10+2) Gold: 1090 Equipment: Fàelàn (Fiery Sawblade (Fire)(WP:20, 8x damage to enemies weak to fire, 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: Mellt (WP:10, ice- and lightning-elemental; hammer), 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, Phoenix Essence, 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 Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-) 213 years old male elf Sorcerer Level 18 *Dual Strike* *Immune to *Magic, Sealed, Healing* Power: 28 (Level 18 + WP 10) Defense: 5 (3 + 2) Health: 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]), Emerald Hood (SP: 4, Immunity to Fragile), 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), Nostrum, Bedroll, Bone Lee Long (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike) 42 years old male human Chi Monk Level 50 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Blinded, Sealed, Confused, Asleep & Weakened* *Dragons cause halved damage* Power: 52 (50+2) Defense: 10 Health: 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

"Sorry, mate, you're out of luck. All three graves are far apart, you can't really see them all anywhere. We have to patrol, there's no way around it." Heckz sees the multitude of graves everywhere, and reconsiders. "While you plan, we should walk through all of the six gates and lock 'em tight. I got some extra chains and padlocks, but I'm afraid they won't be enough to hinder what we're up against." Jensen starts walking the party around the perimeter of the graveyard, locking each gate as they pass them.

"To my recollection the halfling made his fortune by selling chocolates and other sweets. Too much sugar is what probably broke his heart in the end." "As you known, the citizens of Eubric come from numerous cultures and serve a multitude of gods, so there are a plethora of ways the deceased are sent off to their graves. I usually attend only the funerals of those who are either godless or without family. The only god I serve is Death - it discriminates no one, it abandons no one. What comes after we depart this world, I do not know, but it is evident that not all souls leave here, but linger here for one reason or another." "Alright, enough of this religious mumbo-jumbo. We should check out the graves before the clock strikes midnight and the ghostly hours begin." "Hmpf! Very well, off you go then. I'll be heading home now, I will see you in the morning." The priest walks the party out of the church, and then they part ways. Jensen begins to walk the party through the three fresh graves. First they come to a grave with golden ornaments and plenty of flowers. "Here lies Ebenezer Smooch, the sweetest halfling in the world, they said. As the good father told you, he sold candy and kept plenty of dentists happy in his lifetime." The second grave has a shield with the paladin emblem carved on it, and some white lilies laid on the dirt. "This is the final resting place of Dame Frimelda Lettuce, a noble paladin and a defender of the weak and yadda yadda yadda. I've met some paladins, and they're nothing but a bunch of pompous megablocks if you ask me. This one supposedly died up north fighting the vikings, so it took some time to get her body here." Finally they walk to a grave with a single bouquet of roses and a teddy bear on it. "And here's the grave of the stillborn son of Malastor and Drucilla Eldritch, powerful mages both. He would have inherited the family fortune had he been born alive, I hear. Life can be a true bitch at times..." The gravedigger turns to the party. "So, these are the three graves we should be keeping an eye on for tonight. Any plans of action?"

The ambassador wipes her cheeks to the flowing sleeve of her robe, and smiles at the heroes. "That is exactly what I wanted to hear. Mr. Legonardo - our house inventor and head engineer - is waiting for you at his airship, the Destiny's Bounty, which you will use to travel to Xu. To be more exact, you will arrive at the foot of the mighty Chaochao Falls, located at the Wuchao Province. There is a werepanther settlement there, a village called Baokun. The werepanthers told my sources that the bandit clan has abandoned the pagoda and went into hiding to the caves behind the waterfalls. But you do not have to face your adversaries alone. Mr. Legonardo has assembled a squad of highly-advanced automata that will help you lay waste to the enemies. The automata are the reason it has taken us so long to organize this vendetta. It might be too late for my poor Jun, but as long as the bandits stay at the falls, we have got them cornered." Then Shanxian's bodyguard speaks all of a sudden. "With all due respect, Shanxian, Vincent's machinations have proven to be fragile and thus unreliable. I would like to volunteer to join this brave group of champions to ensure our victory. Jun was like a son to me, too, even though he highly resented my presence in your company, and nothing would please me more than to beat the living daylights out of those who killed him. I hate to leave your side, but you have guards here to keep you safe during my absence. I could be much more of an asset at the Chaochao Falls." "Lee... I don't know what to say. You have served me and my son so well ever since my husband passed away. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you, but since you are my bodyguard I know my wish is ridiculous. You are free to journey with the heroes, if they would have you. What do you say, Mr. Valco and company? Would you care to have the finest Chi Monk in history in your party?"

Fred Daniel Yam, you cannot sign into a quest if you're already in one. You've been chosen into Dannylonglegs' quest (#76) - as the party leader on top of that. Did you not notice that?

Counterstriking is a kind of an attack, so why wouldn't it be affected by these effects? This should be self-explanatory, in my opinion.

Good question. To keep things simple, I'll say that treasures do not count as enemy carrying gold. For example, the Shy Shells in the Fields drop Black Pearls, which are worth gold, but it wouldn't make sense for them to carry stealable gold as well (even though they have up until now ).

"Only the earthly remains of those buried recently have gone missing. Seven in total, if I'm not mistaken. They've been from all walks of life, men and women, different races, different causes of death... As for who is behind this, your guess is as good as mine. I truly hope you can shed some light to this grim business." "The cemetery is closed during the night and the gates are locked with a padlock, but in the morning the locks have gone missing as well. It's been rainy this past week, so we haven't found any traces from the ground, either." QM Note: Gloves have now been added to your stats, Eric-Su. "No, not the Ziegfrieds. The stillborn son was from the Eldritch family, who are also old residents of this city. It is always tragic when a life is taken away before it even begins, but our gods work in mystifying ways..."

~A new quest has been posted on the Quest Board (#77 by Brickdoctor)!~

The guards at the Ji Pei Palace let in six heroes who have come to report for duty. Party: Atramor Gibbin (CallMePie) 30 year old male human Witch Level 28 *Counterstriking* *Immune to Water, Lightning, and Wood* *Negative Effects Last One Round* *Aura* Power: 48 (28 + 20) Defense: 4 (4) Health: 96/96 (7 + 27 + 8 + 6* x 2) 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), Shovel, Pickaxe, Amethyst, Diamond, Bomb XX (Deals 30 damage to all enemies and 10 damage to all heroes, all damage ignoring SP/row), Deadly Venom, Elixir, Ether Core, 2 Grand Potions, 2 Grand Tonics, 3 Health Cores, Phoenix Essence, Potion, 3 Smelling Salts, 3 Mulled Wines Benji Carvenhall, the Dragonslayer (Flare) 28 years old male half-elven Beast Warrior Level 32.75 *Natural Respite* *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened Effects and Wood Element* Power: 50 (32+15+3) Defense: 9 (3+6) Health: 53/53 (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), Tricorne (headwear, SP:3), 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), Health Core (8), Grand Potion (14), Potion (2), 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), Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel, Emerald (Wood), Aquamarine (Water), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Skeleton Decoy, Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb 2x, Water Bomb, Bone Nagure (Costy) 34 year old Male Yeti Berserker. Level 18.5 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Ice, Fire, Fragile and Blindness* *Counterstriking* Power: 33 (18+15) Defense: 22 ( SP: 12+ SP: 10) Health: 35/35 (8+14+10) Gold: 4 Equipment: Stone Hammer (WP: 15, Earth & Darkness-elemental, suitable for barbarians, clerics and alchemists), 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: Axe of the Croise (WP: 10, Light-elemental axe), Helmet (SP:1), Potion x2, Grand Potion x8, Remedy, Tiger Balm, Phoenix Essence x2, Mead x2, Smelling Salts, Deadly Venom x2, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Smoke Bomb x2, Pickaxe Tarn Valco (Rumble Strike) *Party Leader* 22 year old human male Raider Level 23.66 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Weakened* *Counterstriking* Power: 36 (23+13) Defense: 6 Health: 39/39 (7+22+7+3) Gold: 4 Equipment: Lion’s Heart (WP: 13, darkness-elemental, stun-effect; 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 Blade; axe, Grand Potion equipped), Bagpipes (WP:8, wind-elemental instrument), Fauxthril Spear (WP: 6, spear), Mead 5x, Nostrum 5x, Smelling Salts 5x, Shovel, Pickaxe, Bucket, 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), Venom 2x, Bone 2x, Potion, Health Core, Phoenix Essence 3x, Grand Potion 3x, Grand Tonic Tesni Hightribe (Peppermint_M) Level 30 3/4 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Afraid* Power: 63 (36+20+3+4) Defense: 14 (8+2+4) Health: 49/49 (8+29+10+2) Gold: 1090 Equipment: Fàelàn (Fiery Sawblade (Fire)(WP:20, 8x damage to enemies weak to fire, 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: Mellt (WP:10, ice- and lightning-elemental; hammer), 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), 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), Ruby (Fire), Scroll of Sleep, Remedy, Neutralizer, Phoenix Essence, 5 Venoms, Deadly Venom, 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, Rebel's Dagger (WP: 5), Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning, Minimizing Dust, Deadly Venom, Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents Fleeing), King's Crown (Headwear, protects against Doom and Petrified, Suitable for all classes) Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-) 213 years old male elf Sorcerer Level 18 *Dual Strike* *Immune to *Magic, Sealed, Healing* Power: 28 (Level 18 + WP 10) Defense: 5 (3 + 2) Health: 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: Amethyst (Darkness), Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Garnet (Earth), Ruby (Fire), Opal (Ice), Sleeper (WP:5, melee/throwing weapon, deals Asleep to enemies it hits, Hollow Upgrade [Potion stored]), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Cloak of Espionage, Emerald Hood (SP: 4, Immunity to Fragile), Snake Eye Charm (Protects from Petrified-effect), Bedroll, Bone, Health Core, Potion, Grand Potion (2), Grand Tonic, Remedy (2), Nostrum A servant leads them to a chamber where the matriarch of the family, Ambassador Shanxian, is observing a model of a building. Without turning, she speaks to the heroes in a calm tone. "I have finally regained the will to work on this structure now that the plans for avenging my son have been finished. In due time, since the Guild of Bakers threatened to take the project to another architect if they would not hear from me soon. But you cannot smother one's maternal instincts. Jun was my only son, and I may never have another in my lifetime, as lengthy as it might be. The blood of the aoi has grown too thin over the passing millennias. We are fading from this world, getting whisked away one by one because of our pride and stubborness. If only I could have raised Jun differently, but he was an aoi through and through, and so much like his father..." As the woman turns to the party they see tears running down her blue cheeks. "These are not tears of mourning, not anymore. These are tears of happiness because now you are here. The weapon of my vengeance. Just look at the six of you, how strong you are... Will you honor my son's memory and slay down every last one of those vile terrorists calling themselves 108 Stars of Destiny?" Shanxian's fierce eyes go through each of the heroes, demanding to answer her plea. QM Note: Welcome to this quest! I can promise you that it will be short, but tough as hell. You are probably the strongest party to date, and I'm going to make you even stronger for the purposes of this quest. You have 35 more "Stars" to beat, and none of the remaining ones are mere cannon-fodder, so prepare yourselves for an ultimate challenge.

It was already dark when three heroes made their way through the Eubric Cemetery towards the source of light that was the Way's End Church. Party: Sgt Jon. Mcency (Pyrovisionary) *Party Leader* 53 years old male human Black Knight Level 16 *Dual Strike* *Immune to blinded and stunned* *Hastened* Power: 33 (16 +17) Health: 34/34 (7+15+9+3) Defense: 24 (20+4) Gold: 0 (70 owed to Brickington) Equipment: Demonic Scissors (WP:17, dual strike, Light, Darkness, Hollow (Phoenix Essence), 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 Jeaux Elmfyre (joeshmoe554) Male automaton Ranger Level 13 Power: 22 (13+9) Defense: 0 (-2) Health: 18/18 (6+12) 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, Potion, Grand Potion, Health Core x2, Mead, Smelling Salts x2, Venom x2, Smoke Bomb, Holy Bomb, Ice Bomb, Water Bomb, Bedroll, Bone x4 Heckz Brutenhal,The Ghostbuster (Eric-Su) 32 year old male human Mage Level 11 Power: 20 (11+9) (Spellpower: 25 (11+9+5)) Health: 15/15 (5+10) Ether: 16/16 (5+10+1) Gold: 14 Equipment: Rawr (WP:9), Spellbound Gloves (Spellpower +5, handwear) Inventory: Opal (Ice), Garnet (Earth), Amethyst (Darkness), Potion, Health Core, Tonic x2, Grand Tonic, Ether Core, Smelling Salts, Elixir, Nostrum, Mead, Bedroll All sorts of noises came from the graveyard, but the heroes decided to ignore them for now. They assumed they would be dealing with ghouls and zombies very soon anyway. As they came to the backdoor of the church, they met two black-clad figures. "There you are. Glad the boogiemen didn't get you on your way here." "Save us from your tired jokes, Jensen. This is serious business! Please, heroes, let us go inside where it's warmer and less sinister. I'll explain everything once we've gotten ourselves a good cup of coffee." The priestly man leads the party and the orcish gravedigger inside to the backroom of the church. "Good to see you again, Misters Brutenhal and Elmfyre. Your help with ousting the ghosts last time was invaluable". The priest then turns to Sarge. "I am Father McCreary, the parson of this church and the keeper of the Cemetery. Your companions helped purging the graveyard just recently, but now a new problem has arisen." "Heh, arisen. Couldn't have put it better myself." Father McCreary lets out an exhausted sigh. "I will let our new gravedigger, Jensen, here to fill you in on the details." "There's not much to tell, except that some fresh graves have been dug open during the last week or so. It's not your garden-variety graverobbers doing it, since the stiffs are gone." "Jensen, be respectful to the dead! Do not refer to them as stiffs, please!" "What do they care - they're dead, aren't they?" "Well, we better hope they are. That's what you three are here to find out. Either the dead have started to walk out of their graves on their own - which wouldn't be new to this cemetery - or someone has been robbing the bodies. There were three burials today, so I reckon you should keep an eye on those three fresh graves tonight. In them rest a paladin slain in battle, a halfling merchant who died of a heart failure, and the stillborn child of a family of mages. Jensen will point them out to you shortly, but let us finish our cups first and I'll answer any questions you might have at the same time." "We wouldn't want anything to happen to good Father and his silken robes, so I'll be your guide for tonight. Any ghouls that come our way will have a taste of my trusty rusty shovel." Jensen the Gravedigger, joins the party! Jensen (NPC, controlled by Pyrovisionary) 36 years old male orc Gravedigger Level 11 Power: 16 (11+5) Health: 20/20 (10+10) Gold: 0 Equipment: Rusty Shovel (WP:5, damages undead) Inventory: Potion QM Note: Welcome to the quest! I took the liberty to go through each of your stats and reorganize and recalculate them for my convenience. If you find any discrepancies, let me know! joeshmoe, unfortunately you can't use Ranger's Quiver with a handcannon, so I've de-equipped it.

Alright, time to put a cap on the gold-gaining discussion. I've read every single post in this topic and listened to everyone's opinions, but my final verdict is this: From this moment on, the heroes with following abilities will only gain gold from enemies that already carry gold as drops. The gold will not be reduced from the drops, nor will the amount of gold be changed to what the skill originally described. Mug (Rogue) Gold Reaper (Assassin) Ravage (Raider) Steal (Raider & Beast Warrior) - Will be changed. Magnetic Mojo (Sorcerer) - Will be buffed otherwise. Dirty Fighting (Infiltrator) These following abilities and items will not be changed: Chrysopoeia (Alchemist) Money Maker (Harlot) Veni Vidi Vici (Paragon) Overkill Gloves (item) There will be no earning caps or banking systems for now. Thank you for your contributions to this discussion, it was really fruitful!

Both of my quests should start later today, unless something cataclysmic happens. So be prepared!

You forget that somebody needs to personally handle all those transactions, since we're not inside a videogame. I didn't create this game to become a full-time bank clerk. But as a suggestion it's not too shabby, since some videogame RPGs use that system. Too bad we have the realities of the human physics and time constraints to take into account.

Byblos feels irritated about the disturbance, although he hasn't seen a soul in the library besides Scheherazade in days. "Ah, err... Umm, Xu, you say? I do have maps here somewhere... Oh bother, they have gone out of order, it seems." In fact, the whole library is in disarray and dusty whereas it used to be perfectly organized and spotless. "Well, I do remember that the great land of Xu is divided into 26 provinces; Ashan, Wuxian, Trema, Hoshin, Kan Tang, and so on and so forth. The capital is Ai Xurong, "the Citadel in the Clouds". The blue-skinned aoi rules the land, with the five-membered Council of the Blue Hand at their lead. Unfortunately the race is dying out, and it's only a matter of time before the power in the land shifts to the members of other races. So far, everyone has been obeying the aoi because of their superior technology and skills in warfare. There's an on-going war between Xu and the nagas of Nagashan, but those two nations have been each other's throats since the dawn of time. Some territorial disagreements, if I remember correctly. Oh yeah, they get around on airships over there. I hope that's enough info for you. I need to... get some rest now. Yes, rest." The Metasimian wobbles to the backroom and slams the door shut. OoC: Sorry for the long wait, I forgot to answer you before this.

Quest #75 is actually a very short one, despite the distance between Eubric and Xu.

Too late now, sorry. Better not leave your decisions to the last minute in the future.

Come the next morning, two new notes have been added to the Quest Board. "Will the following people meet me at the Way's End Church at the Eubric Cemetery this evening at nine, if you please? ~Jensen" Chosen participants to Quest #74: A Grave Problem: ~Jeaux Elmfyre, Level 13 Ranger (joeshmoe554) ~Heckz Brutenhal, Level 11 Mage (Eric-Su) ~Jon “Sarge” Mcency, Level 15 Black Knight (Skyrimguy) *Party Leader* "I would like these six heroes to arrive to the Ji Pei Palace tonight. We have some bandits to hunt down. ~Ambassador Shanxian Ji Pei" Chosen participants to Quest #75: Falling Stars ~Tesni Hightribe, Level 30 3/4 Berserker (Peppermint_M) ~Thalion Dwinlas, Level 18 Sorcerer (-obelix-) ~Benji Carvenhall, Level 32 2/4 Beast Warrior (Flare) ~Tarn Valco, Level 23 2/3 Raider (Rumble Strike) *Party Leader* ~Nagure, Level 18 1/2 Berserker (Costy) ~Atramor Gibbin, Level 27 Witch (CallMePie) QM Note: Both of these quests will launch in a day or two. I just haven't gotten everything prepared yet, sorry.

Fields of Glory are open to all heroes, no matter if they sign-up individually or as a group. There will be no change or special rules to the Fields no matter what the outcome of this discussion is. I'm going to let the discussion go on for a while more, but I have to say i'm beginning to lean towards Endgame's compromise. I have a good feeling that the change would make many things better for this game.

So you're saying other classes should be subservient to rogue classes (and be grateful for every ounce of charity that comes their way)? I know I'm the one who created these classes, but I always wanted to enforce the "everybody's good at something, bad at something else" -kind of balance. I never intended one subclass to get this much power over everything. The players who have been playing as rogues have the best equipment, the largest amount of items, and with that, most power in general. That's the problem we're trying to solve here - and limiting the amount of extra gold rogues can earn is the simplest solution. The big question is how to do that.

That would be an easy solution, but not really a logical one. Besides, there are way less enemies that drop gold than there are humanoid enemies in total, so the rogue income would drop significantly.

I am aware that Scuba has been critical about game mechanics and items, but that gives nobody any excuse to put his opinions down in such as an abrasive manner as Jeb just did. You can disagree with his suggestion, and give alternatives, but you cannot just say "oh, he's only advocating his own superiority again" without any real evidence to back it up. This is exactly the reason why games like these have to remain a certain balance - because people are so quick to get jealous if they feel the mechanics don't treat everyone fairly.

No, you need to stop with your personal vendetta. Scubacarrot made a perfectly relevant suggestion to an issue that's been bothering many people (remember, Scuba has been one of the people that have heavily benefitted from the current status quo). It is not alright for you to answer to that in a demeaning, confrontational manner like that. If you have something constructive to add to the suggestion, please say so. Just saying "he's suggesting it for his own gain" is not constructive at all - especially since it's totally untrue. Oh please, nobody is taking anything away from you. You'll just be earning less in the future (which is still more than most players). Where's your sense of good will now?

I resent the idea of having yet another thing to remember to calculate during battles. You as a QM should know what I'm talking about.

What about the income of other classes? Where do you think they get their money? Maybe this change will make QMs reward more gold in quests. Because rogues certainly haven't turned down any gold rewards before this. It's always been "we'll split everything evenly - except all this gold I've stolen, you can't touch it."