Sandy

"We are delighted to make your acquaintance", Quintessa said courteously, hiding her disgust over the stench in the room perfectly like only a woman raised in a royal court knows how. "We only inquire about the task you have instilled upon us. You wrote that your people are in dire need of rescuing, yes?"

I have written about Nephilim to the Heroica Wiki ages ago. There's loads of info over at the Wiki nowadays. People should really go read it every once in a while.

Like others said, for balancing reasons. I reckoned nobody would join the faction if they had to forsake all reputation with every other house.

"We do not understand any of this!" Quintessa exclaimed, having had enough listening to the barking and chirping. "Why has the Bonaparte recruited a bunch of street dogs and sewer rats to serve them? Does not that strike anyone else as odd?"

QM Note: At long last, we are here... Periwinkle screamed in frustration and ran to yank the door. "You're intolerable, Eric Northman!" The black knight grabbed Boomingham by the shoulder as well and nodded sternly. "You are a good man, Sir Boomingham. May the gods watch over you!" "HA! No time for sappiness now, old PAL! Besides, did you think I was going to leave all the FUN to you? Let's go hunt some more snakes!" It didn't take long before Sarge spotted Boomingham, Rex and Heckz running towards the temple. "What are y'all waiting for? Let's go IN!" Rex lowered his horn and mighty warhammer and rammed himself through the thick wooded doors. "See?! Why couldn't you do that?!" Periwinkle scolded Eric as the heroes slipped through the hole that the rhinotaur had left. Periwinkle lead them through the temple into the Conclave Hall, where they saw more dead Vindicators and cultists. Inside the hall, the Cobra Priestess Mertseger was dealing out sentences. "So, which one of you cowering old hags was elected as the new leader?" "That would be me. Please, let the others go. They have done nothing..." "Save your pleas for your puny goddess. Anasonya, prove your loyalty and kill her." "I'm sorry, Rev... Verdra. The Serpent God's rule is absolute." The crowd of sisters gasped and cried out as Verdra slumped to the ground, dead. "By the Mother, stop this insanity!" "Step back, Ovelia!" "Let us handle these filthy criminals!" "You insolent wenches! You shall die next!" "Ah, Heckzie! Perfect timing!" The Venomari cultists turned to see the heroes standing behind them. The three sisters from Eubric slipped past to get to them. "Didn't you hear the Revered Aunt?!" Periwinkle shouted, with tears trickling down her face. She had never been this scared in her life, but something was pushing her forward. "This ends here!" "Are you threatening me, the chosen emissary of the Serpent God Venomari, you little whore?" "I am not a whore, no longer. I am Periwinkle McEncy, the chosen emissary of the Grey Angel Ophaniel, and I order you, in the name of humanity, to STOP!" The room was suddenly lit up by a brilliant light emanating from Periwinkle. Her entire attire seemed to change, and wings of pure light appeared on her back. "Mother be blessed..." "She's a... nephilim?!" "This is a miracle! Hallelujah!" "You go, girl!" "I ask of you, Venomari invaders; where is your serpent god now?" PREPARE FOR BATTLE! THE HEROES HAVE INITIATIVE! Enemies: Cobra Priestess Mertseger *Ranged, fights from the back row* *Immune to all negative effects and sudden death* Type: Vermin/Humanoid Level: 62 Health: 973/973 Special I: Curse of the Venomari – Prevents all healing through both magic and items for three rounds. Healing through effects such as blessed is unaffected. Special II: Kiss of the Venomari – Petrifies the target. Used only if the Curse of the Venomari is in effect. Drops: 400 gold, Staff of the Serpent God (WP:31, spells have 1/6 chance to cause petrify to the target; staff; suitable to archmages and prophets) Aunt Anasonya *Absorbs poison* *Immune to sealed, petrified, doomed and sudden death* Type: Vermin/Humanoid Level: 44 Health: 408/408 Special: Blessing of the Venomari – Causes blessed-effect to all allies. Drops: 40 gold, Soma, Phoenix Essence Note: Uses Blessing of the Venomari as a Free Hit if there are allies that are not blessed. Venomari Extremist Mob (x3) *Absorbs poison* Type: Humanoid Level: 117 (39x3) Defense: 6 (2x3) Health: 1098/1098 (366x3) Special: Poisonous Skin – Causes poisoned by 39 –effect to self and to all that attack the Extremist physically. The effect ends if the poison is removed from the Extremist. Drops: 15 gold, Venom Fang Blade (WP:9, causes poisoned equal to WP; longsword), Venomari Helmet (SP:2, absorb poison as health; helmet) Note: The mob will always get a Free Hit if they outnumber the party. Every cultist defeated weakens the mob. Venomari Preacher Mob (x3) *Absorbs poison* Type: Humanoid Level: 114 (38x3) Defense: 6 (2x3) Health: 1035/1035 (345x3) Special: Pandemia – Causes all negative effects that the Venomari have to all opponents as well. Drops: 15 gold, Epidemic Halberd (WP:8, causes all negative effects that the user has to the target when attacking; halberd), Venomari Helmet (SP:2, absorb poison as health; helmet) Note: The mob will always get a Free Hit if they outnumber the party. Every cultist defeated weakens the mob. Venomari Zealot Mob (x3) *Absorbs poison* Type: Humanoid Level: 111 (37x3) Defense: 6 (2x3) Health: 1017/1017 (339x3) Special: Twin Fangs – Causes 37 damage and bleeding-effect to the target and the opponent next in turn. Drops: 15 gold, Twin Biter (WP:7, causes bleeding; dual strike axe), Venomari Helmet (SP:2, absorb poison as health; helmet) Note: The mob will always get a Free Hit if they outnumber the party. Every cultist defeated weakens the mob. Black Snakeman *Attacks cause slowed* Type: Vermin/Humanoid Level: 53 Health: 513/513 Special: Earth Shaker – Causes 22 earth-elemental damage and stunned-effect to all opponents. Drops: 13 gold, Stun Bomb Blue Snakeman *Attacks cause fast asleep* Type: Vermin/Humanoid Level: 48 Health: 437/437 Special: Hypno Ray – Causes confused-effect to all opponents. Drops: 8 gold, Remedy Green Snakeman *Attacks cause poisoned by 7* Type: Vermin/Humanoid Level: 59 Health: 394/394 Special: Poison Bomb – Causes 5 damage and poisoned by 1-effect to all opponents regardless of row, expending one bomb from the drops. If bombs run out, nothing happens. Drops: 19 gold, 4 Poison Bomb Purple Snakeman *Attacks cause bleeding* Type: Vermin/Humanoid Level: 42 Defense: 4 Health: 388/388 Special: Bulk Up – Causes either encouraged-, inspired- or reinforced-effect to self. On consecutive rolls, causes an effect that it does not have. Drops: 12 gold, Mead Red Snakeman *Attacks cause enraged* Type: Vermin/Humanoid Level: 50 Health: 421/421 Special: Fast & Furious – Causes enraged-effect to the target and hastened-effect to self. Drops: 10 gold, Smelling Salts Party: Eric (Khorne) 30 year old norseman Raider Level 30 *Natural Respite* *Evasion* *Immune to Fragile, Weakened, Blinded, Asleep, Water and Earth* *Encouraged* *Hastened* Power: 51 (30+18+2+1) Defense: 5 Health: 53/53 (8+29+7+4+5) Gold: 683 Equipment: Conspirator (WP:18, causes blinded and has 1/2 chance to cause confused with each hit; darkness-elemental longsword), Pugilist's Gloves (Power +2, protects from weakened; handwear), Heavy Armor (SP:5, protects from fragile; bodywear), Boots of Evasion (Wearer takes half damage in front row + Immunity to water, earth, blinded and asleep; footwear) Inventory: Weapons: Godricsleif (WP: 22; ice-, lightning-, darkness-elemental; greatsword), Drengazuli Grom'az (WP:6; Dual Strike; axe), 2 Diseased Silverfish Wings (WP:8, causes cursed-effect, retrievable, throwing weapon), Rakshasa Blade (WP:8 multiplied by the amount of Rakshasa weapons equipped by the party in the battle; greatsword), Rakshasa Flail (WP:7 multiplied by the amount of Rakshasa weapons equipped by the party in the battle; mace), Rakshasa Scimitar (WP:11 multiplied by the amount of Rakshasa weapons equipped by the party in the battle; longsword), Rakshasa Waveblades (WP:5 multiplied by the amount of Rakshasa weapons equipped by the party in the battle; dual strike daggers) Artifacts: Venomari Helmet (SP:2, absorb poison as health; helmet), Redhawk Helmet (Power +12 if the wearer acts first in the battle order; suitable to barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators, vindicators and winged warriors; headwear.), Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.) Consumables: Potion, 9 Grand Potions, 2 Elixirs, 3 Remedies, Neutralizer, 3 Meads, 3 Smelling Salts, 3 Mulled Wine, Ambrosia, Dragon Scale, Venom, Deadly Venom, 2 Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Fire Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Floral Bomb, Aeolus Bomb, Poison Bomb, Seal Bomb, Feather of Lithe (Makes the user nimble for three rounds, giving them a 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits.) Sgt. Jon McEncy (Pyrovisionary) *Party Leader* 54 year old male human Black Knight Level 25 *Immune to Blinded and Stunned* *Poisonous Defense* *Permanently Hastened and Blessed* *Encouraged* Power: 50 (25+21+2+2) Defense: 20 (16+4) Health: 49/49 (7+24+9+3+3+3) Gold: 2077 Equipment: Demonic Greatswords (WP:21, dual strike, has 1/2 chance each to cause sealed and blinded with each hit, Light and Darkness elemental greatsword, Hollow [Potion]), Serpenthead Shield (SP:16, causes poisoned by 2-effect to anyone physically attacking the user, shield), Pegleg of Hastening (Permanent hastened effect to the user; Immune to Blinded, suitable to Sarge only; footwear), Black Knight's Armour (SP:4, protects from stunned-effect; suitable for black knights; bodywear), Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.) Inventory: Weapons: Lilliput Knife (WP:1, wielder’s power is not reduced when under minimized-effect, dagger.) Artifacts: 2x Cloak of the Grand Vizier (SP:1 multiplied by the number of party members; backwear.), Monkey Armor (SP:4, immune to earth and bound; suitable to knights, beast warriors, dragoons, skirmishers and winged warriors; bodywear), Ranger’s Quiver (WP +1 to bows and crossbows, suitable for rangers, beast warriors, infiltrators and winged warriors; backwear), Sterope’s Headdress (Grants the ability to spend a turn to fly out of a battle and return to it later if it is still going; the wearer cannot affect the battle in any way when they are away from it; suitable to winged warriors only; headwear), Encore Plectrum (If the same Battle Song is sung for more than one round in a row, the song’s ether cost for the consecutive rounds is halved; suitable to minstrels; accessory.), Swift Boots (Changes HIDE into STEAL & HIDE, allowing the wearer to steal gold equal to the target’s level if it carries gold in addition to hiding; footwear) Spell Items: “True Love Serenade” (restores 50 health to the rest of the party per round; costs 10 ether; Battle Song) Consumables: Potion, Remedy, 5 Venoms, Deadly Venom, Poisoned Water (Causes poisoned by 1 to the target; consumable), 2 Smoke Bombs, 2 Bones, Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Mythril Shard Tools etc.: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Business Card, Mistarian Grey Panther (quest item), Gold Scorpion Venom (quest item), Tyrant Statue (Increases the holder’s gold by 50% at the end of each quest) Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) 48 years old human Paladin *Party Second-in-Command* Level 36 *Immune to Darkness, Fire, Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness* *Affluence* Power: 55 (36+14+4+1) Defense: 19 (7+12) Health: 56/59 (10+35+11+2+1) Ether: 35/36 Gold: 56 Equipment: Frozen Saber (WP: 14; light-, ice- and wind-elemental; inflicts stunned; great sword), Round Metal Shield (SP:7), Tome of Affluence (+10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle; grants immunity to fragile, asleep, weakened, blinded, darkness and fire; accessory), Counterstrike Gloves (If the wearer is damaged by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level; handwear.), Crimson Suit of Armor (SP:12, allows wearer to pose as Crimson Bear Knight; takes three artifact slots: bodywear, headwear and footwear), Inventory: Weapons: Scupperer (WP:17; darkness-, fire- and earth-elemental; inflicts bleeding and poisoned by 10; has 1/2 chance each to inflict blinded, sealed, weakened and fragile; greatsword), Lullaby Wand (WP:6, inflicts asleep), Silver Sword (WP: 18, Longsword), Artifacts: Redhawk Helmet (Power +12 if the wearer acts first in the battle order; suitable to barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators, vindicators and winged warriors; headwear.), Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (Power +4; Ether -6; headwear), Scarlet Hood (SP:4, grants immunity to stunned), Chains of the Pongcanis Chief (Hero Pierces SP if fighting from Front, Enemies ignore SP if hero fights from the back row, cannot be removed in battle), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; accessory, suitable to Erdathcath only), 2x Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.) Spell Items: Amethyst (Darkness), Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile; costs 5 Ether; 50/50 chance), Emerald Lamp of Summoning (0/3), “True Love Serenade” (restores 50 health to the rest of the party per round; costs 10 ether; Battle Song) Consumables: Potion, Health Core, 2x Remedy, Phoenix Essence, 2x Mead, Nostrum, 2x Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immune to Ice), Fireball Whiskey (Immunity to Fire One Battle OR 20 Fire Damage All Enemies), Hamantasch (Lucky, Blessed), Jinxy Juice, 2x Floral Bomb, Seal Bomb, Poison Bomb, Seth Bomb (Deals 100 darkness-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Hair of the Dog, 2x Grating Stone, Oculoid Miasma, Oculoid Fireworks, Saber Teeth, Mythril Shard, Bone Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, 2 Meat Lumps (quest item), Royal Seal of Salmanda (Grants the holder access everywhere in Salmanda at any time of the day; quest item.) John 'Heckz' Brutenhal, the Ghostbuster, the Super Sleuth and the School Inspector (Cutcobra) 32 year old male human Sorcerer Level 28 *Jinxed Spells at Double Cost* *Darkness Spells Cause Weakened* Power: 40 (28+12) (Spellpower: 50 (28+12+10)) Defense: 0 Health: 17/35 (5+27+4) Ether: 26/44 (5+27+1+5+1+5) Gold: 1195 Equipment: Solemn Dagger (WP: 12, darkness-elemental dagger, 1/2 chance of causing sealed), Magician's Gloves (Spellpower +10; suitable for mages; handwear), Cloak of Blood Magic (+5 ether, attacks made with darkness magic cause weakened; suitable for mages, necromancers and chi monks; bodywear), Bad Luck Charm (Makes the sorcerer’s spells - including Razzmatazz and Sleight of Hand - cause an additional jinxed-effect, increasing their ether cost by 1; suitable for sorcerers; accessory) Inventory: Rawr (WP:9, dagger), Bone Whip (WP:9, damages undead, whip), Assassin’s Crossbow (WP:4, each successful assassination increases WP by one permanently; suitable to assassins; crossbow), Harlot's Outfit (SP: 2, immune to poisoned; suitable for Witches, Sorcerers and Harlots; bodywear/footwear), Buffoon's Hat (Prevents anyone from taking the wearer seriously; protects from Free Hits unless the wearer is the last hero standing; headwear), Watt's Artifact (Makes the user’s attacks and spells three times more effective against demons; accessory), Robe Of The Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether + 5, immune to sealed; bodywear), Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.), Opal (Ice), Garnet (Earth), Amethyst (Darkness), Aquamarine (Water), Remedy, Stun Bomb, Smoke Bomb, 2x Deadly Venom, 7 Bones, Bright Polish, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Compass, Blue Jelly, "Fifty Shades of Bley" (Grants access to Harlot), "Begone With the Winds" (Grants access to Weather Mage), Black Market Insignia (Allows the owner to seek out a black market dealer from any city they visit on a quest, as decided by the QM.), Old Teddy (quest item), Flower-tailed Flying Squirrel (quest item), 2x Meat Lump (quest item), Borrowed All Scrolls Periwinkle (NPC, controlled by Khorne) 19 years old female human Nephilim Level 32 *Light- and wood-elemental attacks* *Divert* *Immune to wood and all negative effects* *Permanently blessed* Power: 33 (32+1) Health: 61/61 (30+31) Ether: 61/61 (30+31) Gold: 18 Equipment: Jaws' Mop (WP:1, double damage against aquatic enemies; broomstick), Narcissus Mirror (User has 1/2 chance to divert direct attacks to the next ally in turn; accessory), Flora Gear (adds wood-element to physical attacks and protects from wood-elemental damage, accessory) Inventory: Periwinkle Ribbon (Grants immunity to stunned, poisoned, bleeding, cursed, asleep, fast asleep, confused and hexed; suitable for Periwinkle only; headwear), Remedy, Neutralizer Rex the Rhinotaur, the Mighty Mercenary (NPC, controlled by Zepher) 35 years old male wererhino Paragon Level 61 3/5 *Initiative* *Restoration* *Aura of Honor* *Gamble* *No Escape* Power: 96 (61+30+5) Defense: 12 Health: 93/93 (8+60+25) Gold: 695 Equipment: Grindoceros (WP:30; halves target's defense with every successful hit; hammer), Mighty Cuirass (SP:12, suitable to paragons only; bodywear), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory.) Inventory: Epidemic Halberd (WP:8, causes all negative effects that the user has to the target when attacking; halberd), Greater Tonic (Restores 30 ether), Soma, Deadly Venom, Meat Lump (quest item) Aunt Zarissa (NPC, controlled by Zepher) 62 years old female gnome Sage Level 33 *Immune to Poisoned and Cursed* Power: 48 (38+10) Defense: 2 Health: 47/47 (9+32+6) Ether: 39/39 (5+32+2) Gold: 376 Equipment: Sense Knocker (WP:20, staff), Sister's Hood (SP:2, immune to poisoned and cursed; suitable to Sisters of Danab only; headwear) Inventory: Opal (Ice), Scroll of Sealing Aunt Hymnessamine (NPC, controlled by Cutcobra) 44 years old female human Minstrel Level 38 1/4 *Hits Restore Ether* *Immune to Poisoned, Cursed, Blinded and Darkness* Power: 48 (38+10) Defense: 2 Health: 57/57 (9+37+11) Ether: 46/46 (5+37+4) Gold: 462 Equipment: Epic Saxophone (WP:10, each successful hit restores 1 ether, instrument), Sister's Hood (SP:2, immune to poisoned and cursed; suitable to Sisters of Danab only; headwear), Blue-rimmed Glasses (Immune to darkness and blinded; suitable to near-sighted people only; accessory) Inventory: Grand Potion, Grand Tonic Aunt Theresa (NPC, controlled by Pyrovisionary) 37 years old female human Witch Level 36 *Permanently Poisoned Attacks* *Immune to Poisoned and Cursed* Power: 50 (36+14) Defense: 2 Health: 50/50 (7+35+8) Ether: 36/36 Gold: 516 Equipment: Merry Whip (WP:14, steals 1 gold upon each successful hit; whip), Sister's Hood (SP:2, immune to poisoned and cursed; suitable to Sisters of Danab only; headwear) Inventory: Scroll of Blindness, Smoke Bomb

Sküld smiled at Petaldan enthusiastically. "Yeah, I saw it two times! First in a vision, then for real. It was so cool!" "Yoooh knooww abooouth Treeffeeed?" "Oh yeah, we found it wandering in the park! It was about to jump at me, but luckily Shaun knew how to tame it!" The zombie boy shouted to the woods. "Cooome heerrre, Treeffeeed!" The heroes' companions tensed as the Triffid leaped down from a tree. "Don't worry, Shaun has it under control! He's dealt with it before, working at the Guild of Invision, so he knows how to treat it." "Eeet liikessh wheeen yoooh huuumm tooo eeet aaand paaat eeet's peeetaaalssh." Shaun started humming surprisingly good for someone whose muscles were so rotten, and reached out his hand to pet the Triffid's head. "Just wait a minute! This monster was raised by the alchemist's guild?! Why?" "We can go ask them about it once we kill it. It's calm now, we should cut it down like the weed that it is!" "Nhooo! Yoooh caaarn't!" "Please don't! Shaun can take it back to the guildhouse safely! We can all go there together." At that moment, Captain Cousland returned with her soldiers and the Ziegfrieds. They had been alarmed by the explosion. The situation was explained to them. "But what if it runs away again? It's dangerous to all mages in this city, and with it's ability to consume powers, it could burn down whole Eubric!" "We Ziegfrieds insist that this creature is destroyed once and for all! For all we know, the alchemists let it out deliberately." "Hummm... hummm humm... hummm hum hummm..." "We will have to go and ask them about it. As an employee of both houses, I cannot make such decisions." The captain turned to the heroes. "You have been hunting this creature the whole day. You decide." Would the heroes slay the monster there and now to please the Ziegfrieds, or would they let Shaun take it back to the Guild of Invision? Party: Ezeran Yavarr (MysticModulus) 42 year old male human mage *Party Leader* Level 9 *Absorbs darkness* Power: 16 (9+7) (Spellpower: 18 (9+7+2)) Defense: 1 Health: 13/13 (5+8) Ether: 13/13 (5+8) Gold: 130 Equipment: Ancient Sapphamber Staff (WP:7, doubled against Ancient enemies, Wind-elemental; staff), Hood of the Elementalist (SP:1, *Absorbs darkness*; headwear, suitable to anyone) Inventory: Trickster’s Baubel (WP:5, each hit causes one random effect: stunned, poisoned by 1, asleep, blinded, sealed or confused; wand), Staff infested with demonic slime (WP 3), Ebony Scorpion Dagger (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; dagger), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory.), Emerald (Wood), Ruby (Fire), 2x Potion, Grand Tonic, 2x Remedy, Bedroll, Level Up Mushroom (Grants one full level when consumed.) Torald Waruelf (Alfadas) 20 year old male human Barbarian Level 8 *Natural Respite* Power: 15 (8+5+2) Defense: 3 Health: 16/16 (8+7+1) Gold: 171 Equipment: Ebony Scorpion Spear (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; spear), Tricorne (SP:3, headwear; suitable to anyone) Inventory: Sludge Glaive (WP:8, pierces defense and causes either fragile or weakened; halberd), Gaia Blade (WP:5, Wood-elemental, ignores defenses of foes weak to Wood, gems cannot be merged into or removed from the weapon; greatsword), Ignis Blade (WP:5, Fire-elemental, ignores SP of foes weak to Fire, gems cannot be merged into or removed from the weapon; greatsword), Old and Rusty Greatsword (WP: 3), Crocodile Belt (Max. Health +2; accessory.), 2 Potions, Mead, Phoenix essence, Tiger Balm, Fire Bomb Paladin Petaldan Parfenius (Palathadric) 5 years old male "wonder" Knight Level 5 Power: 10 (5+5) Defense: 5 Health: 16/16 (10+4+2) Gold: 55 Equipment: Longsword (WP:5, longsword), Shield (SP:5, shield) Inventory: 2x Slimy Sword (WP:4, can be split into several weaker Slimy Swords or combined with other Slimy Swords to increase WP and split apart again at any time, longsword), 2 Potions, Bedroll Dr. Windus (Windusky) 29 years old human Cleric Level 4 *1/2 chance to prevent blinded* Power: 7 (4+3) Defense: 1 Health: 12/12 (9+3) Ether: 4/8 (5+3) Gold: 120 Equipment: Diamond Staff (WP: 3), Pirate’s Eyepatch (SP:1, has 1/2 chance to prevent blinded; headwear) Inventory: Toxic Bow (WP:6, causes poisoned by 1; bow), Potion, Remedy, 4 Fire Bombs, Poison Bomb, Shovel, Raw Meat (Max. health +5 when consumed.) Waldorf (NPC, controlled by MysticModulus) 19 years old male human Mage Level 7 *Immune to wood and poisoned* Power: 12 (7+5) Health: 8/11 (5+6) Ether: 12/13 (5+6+2) Gold: 0 Equipment: Wandrake (WP:5, wood-elemental broomstick), Green Pointy Hat (Max. ether +2, immune to poisoned-effect and wood-element; suitable to mages, clerics, necromancers, scholars and weather mages; headwear) Inventory: Ruby (Fire), Emerald (Wood), Potion, Remedy

QM Note: The first event ended yesterday when the time limit was reached. Boris's votes were the last ones that count. This topic will never be locked because it will be used for future faction events.

QM Note: I seem to have forgotten to write out that if you leave this faction, you will lose all reputation with the Wolfgang. Jebediahs, do you want to cancel your resignation?

Like all new things I've tried with this game, I can see that this Clash of Houses event has it's kinks, too. That is why I always say that everything in this game can be changed if it doesn't work. So, a few clarifications are clearly needed: ~ If you join Sungold/Crescent, you will lose all reputation from the Houses on the other side. Wolfgang rep is not affected, so you can still side with the Wolf King's Followers. ~ If you join the Wolf King's Followers, you will not lose any reputation. ~ However, and this is something I seem to have forgotten to write out, if you leave any faction - including Wolf King's Followers - you will lose all reputation pertaining to that faction. ~ This means if you leave a faction and you have gained an expert job class that requires that faction's reputation, you can no longer train into that job. ~ I will however make a compromise and let you keep your active expert job class even if you lose the corresponding reputation. If you switch out of it, you can no longer train into it again until you've regained the rep. These are questions I should have answered right away, but the holiday celebrations and the four quests I have to keep track of have kept me busy. My apologies!

I'm still exhausted from the New Year's celebrations which got a little out of hand, so I'llget back to you after a good night's sleep.

QM Note: Well, there goes the big surprise boss battle, blown away by a gust of wind! It's all my fault, I should've checked your inventories before finalizing your stats... Round One of the Triad Park Battle: Torald uses Aeolus Bomb - (All enemies: 200 dmg, knocked out) Petaldan vs. Visco Usrain >Ezeran (Fire) vs. Ooz Inorgan >Windus vs. Visco Usrain >Waldorf (Fire) vs. Slea Zygoo Torald suddenly remembers that he is carrying a bomb that will do the trick against the sleazy gang. One mighty explosion of wind later, Trick Lyslime and his repulsive posse are no more. THE BATTLE IS VICTORIOUS! All heroes gain a level. The enemies leave behind the following items: 106 gold Trickster’s Baubel (WP:5, each hit causes one random effect: stunned, poisoned by 1, asleep, blinded, sealed or confused; wand) Poison Bomb (Deals 5 damage and the poisoned by 1-effect to all opponents when used.) Sludge Glaive (WP:8, pierces defense and causes either fragile or weakened; halberd) Toxic Bow (WP:6, causes poisoned by 1; bow) 2x Slimy Sword (WP:4, can be split into several weaker Slimy Swords or combined with other Slimy Swords to increase WP and split apart again at any time, longsword) Once the dust settled, the heroes could hear rustling from the nearby bushes. "Oh gawd, there it comes again! This time it's gonna eat me, I sure of it!" "Calm down, you ditz! We already established that the Triffid only devours mages." Annabelle waved at her boyfriend. "Waldorf, get behind me!" "Yikes!" But their worry was naught, for instead of the Triffid, a strange pair of children emerged below the trees. "See, Shaun? I told you we'd only have to hide and these nice people would go and make the nasty slime men go poof!" "Sshhküüülddh, hoooww yooohh knooowwh?" "I've picked up a trick or two from the Oracle's Shrine after serving there for years. Hi, everyone! I am Sküld Verdandi and this is my bestest friend Shaun. Who might you guys be?" "A Nôrn and a zombie. What an unlikely pair of friends." What would the heroes say to the children? Party: Ezeran Yavarr (MysticModulus) 42 year old male human mage *Party Leader* Level 9 *Absorbs darkness* Power: 16 (9+7) (Spellpower: 18 (9+7+2)) Defense: 1 Health: 13/13 (5+8) Ether: 13/13 (5+8) Gold: 90 Equipment: Ancient Sapphamber Staff (WP:7, doubled against Ancient enemies, Wind-elemental; staff), Hood of the Elementalist (SP:1, *Absorbs darkness*; headwear, suitable to anyone) Inventory: Staff infested with demonic slime (WP 3), Ebony Scorpion Dagger (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; dagger), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory.), Emerald (Wood), Ruby (Fire), 2x Potion, Grand Tonic, 2x Remedy, Bedroll, Level Up Mushroom (Grants one full level when consumed.) Torald Waruelf (Alfadas) 20 year old male human Barbarian Level 8 *Natural Respite* Power: 15 (8+5+2) Defense: 3 Health: 16/16 (8+7+1) Gold: 165 Equipment: Ebony Scorpion Spear (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; spear), Tricorne (SP:3, headwear; suitable to anyone) Inventory: Gaia Blade (WP:5, Wood-elemental, ignores defenses of foes weak to Wood, gems cannot be merged into or removed from the weapon; greatsword), Ignis Blade (WP:5, Fire-elemental, ignores SP of foes weak to Fire, gems cannot be merged into or removed from the weapon; greatsword), Old and Rusty Greatsword (WP: 3), Crocodile Belt (Max. Health +2; accessory.), 2 Potions, Mead, Phoenix essence, Tiger Balm, Fire Bomb Paladin Petaldan Parfenius (Palathadric) 5 years old male "wonder" Knight Level 5 Power: 10 (5+5) Defense: 5 Health: 16/16 (10+4+2) Gold: 25 Equipment: Longsword (WP:5, longsword), Shield (SP:5, shield) Inventory: 2 Potions, Bedroll Dr. Windus (Windusky) 29 years old human Cleric Level 4 *1/2 chance to prevent blinded* Power: 7 (4+3) Defense: 1 Health: 12/12 (9+3) Ether: 4/8 (5+3) Gold: 90 Equipment: Diamond Staff (WP: 3), Pirate’s Eyepatch (SP:1, has 1/2 chance to prevent blinded; headwear) Inventory: Potion, Remedy, 4 Fire Bombs, Shovel, Raw Meat (Max. health +5 when consumed.) Waldorf (NPC, controlled by MysticModulus) 19 years old male human Mage Level 7 *Immune to wood and poisoned* Power: 12 (7+5) Health: 8/11 (5+6) Ether: 12/13 (5+6+2) Gold: 0 Equipment: Wandrake (WP:5, wood-elemental broomstick), Green Pointy Hat (Max. ether +2, immune to poisoned-effect and wood-element; suitable to mages, clerics, necromancers, scholars and weather mages; headwear) Inventory: Ruby (Fire), Emerald (Wood), Potion, Remedy

Yes, it is. Both factions have a candidate on top, so there's really no point to drag it on further. I think the people who wanted to have a say in the matter have already said it... There's still 24 hours to make a change, though.

The founders of the Sungold Alliance gathered to see how the voting for their royal candidate was going. "This is certainly a surprise: two famous heroes of Heroica have hogged all the votes!" "I am glad that it is Sir Lawrence Boomingham who is in the lead, over that ex-pirate. Have you heard the rumours that Sir Lawrence was a king during the Orcish Invasion, resurrected by magic?" "Magical or not, he is old and battle-weary. I would rather see someone young and energetic like Eric as a king. He would not be afraid to lead this city into a new glory." "It remains to be seen, gentlemen. There is still some more time for the heroes to vote..." The first event, Kingmakers, ends in 24 hours!

The leaders of the three houses of the Crescent Union gathered to survey the results of the would-be-king's election. "Ah, it seems my son Jun is in the lead with the famed hero Guts Holla, currently. This could go either way." "Zere is still time four my daugzer Umbra tu rise on top. We agreed tu keep ze voting ouvert until ze turn ouf ze year." "Hmmm, would you rather see another one of the Heroicans, Lind Whisperer, leading our faction? His value has been tested through quests, it has been tested. Hmmm..." "I jutht hope the Mathked Man ithn't too piththed off that he didn't get any thupport..." The first event, Kingmakers, ends in 24 hours!

QM Note: I'd like to point out that vermin-type enemies are immune to wood-elemental attacks, just like plants.

"Then it is settled. Prepare to get wet." Ellaria gathered the hems of her long white coat and opened the wooden door on the right.

Oh, no! I'm not going anywhere near fireworks - I'm way too scared to light them up myself! But there's always the 0,00001% chance one might fly right into my face out of nowhere.

I'll tackle them next. You can expect to see them by the end of the week, if all goes well (and a New Year's fireworks don't blow on my face).

"Why would We do that, when We have three perfectly capable translators at Our disposal. We have never chatted with rodents before in Our lifetime, and We certainly are not going to begin now! ... No offense to our furry guide, of course."

QM Note: I'm going to wait for you all to be together for the grand finale, if you don't mind. Seeing the Venomari disappear inside the Temple of Danab, the heroes ran towards it as fast as they could, but the heavy double doors were slammed shut in front of their face. It wouldn't be easy to get through them. "Eric, all the Sisters are still inside! They will be slaughtered! Do something, do you hear me?!" Party at the Temple of Danab: Eric (Khorne) 30 year old norseman Raider Level 30 *Natural Respite* *Evasion* *Immune to Fragile, Weakened, Blinded, Asleep, Water and Earth* *Encouraged* *Hastened* Power: 51 (30+18+2+1) Defense: 5 Health: 53/53 (8+29+7+4+5) Gold: 683 Equipment: Conspirator (WP:18, causes blinded and has 1/2 chance to cause confused with each hit; darkness-elemental longsword), Pugilist's Gloves (Power +2, protects from weakened; handwear), Heavy Armor (SP:5, protects from fragile; bodywear), Boots of Evasion (Wearer takes half damage in front row + Immunity to water, earth, blinded and asleep; footwear) Inventory: Weapons: Godricsleif (WP: 22; ice-, lightning-, darkness-elemental; greatsword), Drengazuli Grom'az (WP:6; Dual Strike; axe), 2 Diseased Silverfish Wings (WP:8, causes cursed-effect, retrievable, throwing weapon), Rakshasa Blade (WP:8 multiplied by the amount of Rakshasa weapons equipped by the party in the battle; greatsword), Rakshasa Flail (WP:7 multiplied by the amount of Rakshasa weapons equipped by the party in the battle; mace), Rakshasa Scimitar (WP:11 multiplied by the amount of Rakshasa weapons equipped by the party in the battle; longsword), Rakshasa Waveblades (WP:5 multiplied by the amount of Rakshasa weapons equipped by the party in the battle; dual strike daggers) Artifacts: Venomari Helmet (SP:2, absorb poison as health; helmet), Redhawk Helmet (Power +12 if the wearer acts first in the battle order; suitable to barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators, vindicators and winged warriors; headwear.), Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.) Consumables: Potion, 9 Grand Potions, 2 Elixirs, 3 Remedies, Neutralizer, 3 Meads, 3 Smelling Salts, 3 Mulled Wine, Ambrosia, Dragon Scale, Venom, Deadly Venom, 2 Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Fire Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Floral Bomb, Aeolus Bomb, Poison Bomb, Seal Bomb, Feather of Lithe (Makes the user nimble for three rounds, giving them a 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits.) Sgt. Jon McEncy (Pyrovisionary) *Party Leader* 54 year old male human Black Knight Level 25 *Immune to Blinded and Stunned* *Poisonous Defense* *Permanently Hastened and Blessed* *Encouraged* Power: 50 (25+21+2+2) Defense: 20 (16+4) Health: 49/49 (7+24+9+3+3+3) Gold: 2077 Equipment: Demonic Greatswords (WP:21, dual strike, has 1/2 chance each to cause sealed and blinded with each hit, Light and Darkness elemental greatsword, Hollow [Potion]), Serpenthead Shield (SP:16, causes poisoned by 2-effect to anyone physically attacking the user, shield), Pegleg of Hastening (Permanent hastened effect to the user; Immune to Blinded, suitable to Sarge only; footwear), Black Knight's Armour (SP:4, protects from stunned-effect; suitable for black knights; bodywear), Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.) Inventory: Weapons: Lilliput Knife (WP:1, wielder’s power is not reduced when under minimized-effect, dagger.) Artifacts: 2x Cloak of the Grand Vizier (SP:1 multiplied by the number of party members; backwear.), Monkey Armor (SP:4, immune to earth and bound; suitable to knights, beast warriors, dragoons, skirmishers and winged warriors; bodywear), Ranger’s Quiver (WP +1 to bows and crossbows, suitable for rangers, beast warriors, infiltrators and winged warriors; backwear), Sterope’s Headdress (Grants the ability to spend a turn to fly out of a battle and return to it later if it is still going; the wearer cannot affect the battle in any way when they are away from it; suitable to winged warriors only; headwear), Encore Plectrum (If the same Battle Song is sung for more than one round in a row, the song’s ether cost for the consecutive rounds is halved; suitable to minstrels; accessory.), Swift Boots (Changes HIDE into STEAL & HIDE, allowing the wearer to steal gold equal to the target’s level if it carries gold in addition to hiding; footwear) Spell Items: “True Love Serenade” (restores 50 health to the rest of the party per round; costs 10 ether; Battle Song) Consumables: Potion, Remedy, 5 Venoms, Deadly Venom, Poisoned Water (Causes poisoned by 1 to the target; consumable), 2 Smoke Bombs, 2 Bones, Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Mythril Shard Tools etc.: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Business Card, Mistarian Grey Panther (quest item), Gold Scorpion Venom (quest item), Tyrant Statue (Increases the holder’s gold by 50% at the end of each quest) Periwinkle (NPC, controlled by Khorne) 19 years old female human Cleric Level 32 *Wood-elemental attacks* *Divert* *Immune to wood, stunned, poisoned, bleeding, cursed, asleep, fast asleep, confused and hexed* Power: 33 (32+1) Health: 40/40 (9+31) Ether: 27/36 (5+31) Gold: 18 Equipment: Jaws' Mop (WP:1, double damage against aquatic enemies; broomstick), Narcissus Mirror (User has 1/2 chance to divert direct attacks to the next ally in turn; accessory), Periwinkle Ribbon (Grants immunity to stunned, poisoned, bleeding, cursed, asleep, fast asleep, confused and hexed; suitable for Periwinkle only; headwear), Flora Gear (adds wood-element to physical attacks and protects from wood-elemental damage, accessory) Inventory: Remedy, Neutralizer When Boomingham looked to the palace gates, he saw to his relief that the battle was already over and the city guards had been victorious. The Black Scorpion Knight saluted him over the square, pulling his spear out of a dead snakeman. Rex then returned, holding Vipersace's corpse. The merchant was clearly gone, with a gaping hole in his abdomen. "Sorry, boss. He's beyond saving. I tell you I'm NOT gonna lug TWO bodies around the city, though. Shouldn't we go find the REST of these buggers? I really hope Shannon hasn't left the Resort... Gods, I'm gonna hug her REAL tight when this is over, if you catch my DRIFT. Hehehe..." Party at the Floral Square: Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) 48 years old human Paladin *Party Second-in-Command* Level 36 *Immune to Darkness, Fire, Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness* *Affluence* Power: 55 (36+14+4+1) Defense: 19 (7+12) Health: 56/59 (10+35+11+2+1) Ether: 35/36 Gold: 56 Equipment: Frozen Saber (WP: 14; light-, ice- and wind-elemental; inflicts stunned; great sword), Round Metal Shield (SP:7), Tome of Affluence (+10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle; grants immunity to fragile, asleep, weakened, blinded, darkness and fire; accessory), Counterstrike Gloves (If the wearer is damaged by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level; handwear.), Crimson Suit of Armor (SP:12, allows wearer to pose as Crimson Bear Knight; takes three artifact slots: bodywear, headwear and footwear), Inventory: Weapons: Scupperer (WP:17; darkness-, fire- and earth-elemental; inflicts bleeding and poisoned by 10; has 1/2 chance each to inflict blinded, sealed, weakened and fragile; greatsword), Lullaby Wand (WP:6, inflicts asleep), Silver Sword (WP: 18, Longsword), Artifacts: Redhawk Helmet (Power +12 if the wearer acts first in the battle order; suitable to barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators, vindicators and winged warriors; headwear.), Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (Power +4; Ether -6; headwear), Scarlet Hood (SP:4, grants immunity to stunned), Chains of the Pongcanis Chief (Hero Pierces SP if fighting from Front, Enemies ignore SP if hero fights from the back row, cannot be removed in battle), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; accessory, suitable to Erdathcath only), 2x Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.) Spell Items: Amethyst (Darkness), Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile; costs 5 Ether; 50/50 chance), Emerald Lamp of Summoning (0/3), “True Love Serenade” (restores 50 health to the rest of the party per round; costs 10 ether; Battle Song) Consumables: Potion, Health Core, 2x Remedy, Phoenix Essence, 2x Mead, Nostrum, 2x Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immune to Ice), Fireball Whiskey (Immunity to Fire One Battle OR 20 Fire Damage All Enemies), Hamantasch (Lucky, Blessed), Jinxy Juice, 2x Floral Bomb, Seal Bomb, Poison Bomb, Seth Bomb (Deals 100 darkness-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Hair of the Dog, 2x Grating Stone, Oculoid Miasma, Oculoid Fireworks, Saber Teeth, Mythril Shard, Bone Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, 2 Meat Lumps (quest item), Royal Seal of Salmanda (Grants the holder access everywhere in Salmanda at any time of the day; quest item.) John 'Heckz' Brutenhal, the Ghostbuster, the Super Sleuth and the School Inspector (Cutcobra) 32 year old male human Sorcerer Level 28 *Jinxed Spells at Double Cost* *Darkness Spells Cause Weakened* Power: 40 (28+12) (Spellpower: 50 (28+12+10)) Defense: 0 Health: 17/35 (5+27+4) Ether: 26/44 (5+27+1+5+1+5) Gold: 1195 Equipment: Solemn Dagger (WP: 12, darkness-elemental dagger, 1/2 chance of causing sealed), Magician's Gloves (Spellpower +10; suitable for mages; handwear), Cloak of Blood Magic (+5 ether, attacks made with darkness magic cause weakened; suitable for mages, necromancers and chi monks; bodywear), Bad Luck Charm (Makes the sorcerer’s spells - including Razzmatazz and Sleight of Hand - cause an additional jinxed-effect, increasing their ether cost by 1; suitable for sorcerers; accessory) Inventory: Rawr (WP:9, dagger), Bone Whip (WP:9, damages undead, whip), Assassin’s Crossbow (WP:4, each successful assassination increases WP by one permanently; suitable to assassins; crossbow), Harlot's Outfit (SP: 2, immune to poisoned; suitable for Witches, Sorcerers and Harlots; bodywear/footwear), Buffoon's Hat (Prevents anyone from taking the wearer seriously; protects from Free Hits unless the wearer is the last hero standing; headwear), Watt's Artifact (Makes the user’s attacks and spells three times more effective against demons; accessory), Robe Of The Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether + 5, immune to sealed; bodywear), Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.), Opal (Ice), Garnet (Earth), Amethyst (Darkness), Aquamarine (Water), Remedy, Stun Bomb, Smoke Bomb, 2x Deadly Venom, 7 Bones, Bright Polish, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Compass, Blue Jelly, "Fifty Shades of Bley" (Grants access to Harlot), "Begone With the Winds" (Grants access to Weather Mage), Black Market Insignia (Allows the owner to seek out a black market dealer from any city they visit on a quest, as decided by the QM.), Old Teddy (quest item), Flower-tailed Flying Squirrel (quest item), 2x Meat Lump (quest item), Borrowed All Scrolls Rex the Rhinotaur, the Mighty Mercenary (NPC, controlled by Zepher) 35 years old male wererhino Paragon Level 61 3/5 *Initiative* *Restoration* *Aura of Honor* *Gamble* *No Escape* Power: 96 (61+30+5) Defense: 12 Health: 93/93 (8+60+25) Gold: 695 Equipment: Grindoceros (WP:30; halves target's defense with every successful hit; hammer), Mighty Cuirass (SP:12, suitable to paragons only; bodywear), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory.) Inventory: Epidemic Halberd (WP:8, causes all negative effects that the user has to the target when attacking; halberd), Greater Tonic (Restores 30 ether), Soma, Deadly Venom, Meat Lump (quest item)

~A new quest has been posted on the Quest Board (#147 by Endgame)!~

QM Note: My deepest apologies for the long pause caused by the holidays and my hectic social life. I simply had zero time to build the sets for the finale of this quest, but now they're done. It should be smooth sailing from here on to the finish line. Split into three, the heroes and their companions advanced into the Triad Park in search of the Triffid. Night fell upon them, and only the few magic lanterns hung onto the trees illuminated their path. However, they did not see anything before they all arrived to the Fountain of the Three Gods in the middle of the park. Instead of the Triffid, they encountered a gang of phlegmen there. "Well, well, what do I spy with my oogly eyes? Good old Captain Cousland walking alone at night in a shady park with a bunch of civilians!" "Trick Lyslime! I thought you split the scene years ago... literally. Now don't you try anything. These people are heroes of Heroica, and they will hack to you pieces." "Did ya say Heroica?!" "We've gots a score to settle wiv 'em!" "Some Heroicans did away poor Slim Yscum some years ago, they did! He was a phlegm with a heart of goo, victim of this cruel society." "And ours boss before Trick and his no-good brover 'ere oozed along." "Slim dealed some good stuff, I tell ya... I even kept his hat as a memento." "Yeah, yeah, settle down, blobs! We'll avenge Slim, here and now. Maybe then you'll start giving me the respect I deserve! Ain't that right, Dexter and Sinister?" "You're the boss, bro!" Captain Cousland turned to the heroes. "Listen up, these criminal phlegmen are serious business. Not only are they armed and dangerous, each hit they take splits them into two, quickly multiplying their ranks. I will go fetch my men, try to hold them back until I get back!" PREPARE FOR BATTLE! Captain Cousland will return in 10 rounds. The battle will be terminated then, unless it is victorious or lost before that. You will only gain drops from enemies that have been completely defeated at that point. Enemies: Trick Lyslime *Immune to negative effects and sudden death* *Attacks cause stunned, poisoned by 1, asleep, blinded, sealed or confused randomly* Type: Vermin Level: 50 Health: 100/100 Special: Reunification – Merges the weakest two split phlegmen back into one. If more than two phlegmen have the lowest level, they will all be merged together. Drops: 50 gold, Trickster’s Baubel (WP:5, each hit causes one random effect: stunned, poisoned by 1, asleep, blinded, sealed or confused; wand) Note: Every successful hit will split Trick into two, dividing his level and remaining health evenly. Drops are not divided. Slea Zygoo *Wood-elemental attacks* Type: Vermin Level: 20 Health: 44/44 Special: Toxic Thorns – Causes 5 wood-elemental damage and the poisoned by 1-effect to all opponents. Drops: 20 gold, Poison Bomb (Deals 5 damage and the poisoned by 1-effect to all opponents when used.) Note: Every successful hit will split Slea into two, dividing his level and remaining health evenly. Drops are not divided. Ooz Ingorgan *Attacks pierce defense and causes either fragile or weakened* Type: Vermin Level: 16 Health: 32/32 Special: Split Hit – Halves the target’s health. Drops: 16 gold, Sludge Glaive (WP:8, pierces defense and causes either fragile or weakened; halberd) Note: Every successful hit will split Ooz into two, dividing her level and remaining health evenly. Drops are not divided. Visco Usrain *Ranged, attacks from the back row* *Attacks cause poisoned by 1* Type: Vermin Level: 12 Health: 24/24 Special: Rain of Poison Arrows – Causes 6 damage regardless of row six times to random opponents, each hit causes poisoned by 1 -effect. Drops: 12 gold, Toxic Bow (WP:6, causes poisoned by 1; bow) Note: Every successful hit will split Visco into two, dividing his level and remaining health evenly. Drops are not divided. Dribb “Dexter” Lyslime Type: Vermin Level: 4 Health: 12/12 Special: Unison Attack – All remaining Dribb Lyslimes attack the same target physically, combining their power to surpass the target’s defense. Drops: 4 gold, Slimy Sword (WP:4, can be split into several weaker Slimy Swords or combined with other Slimy Swords to increase WP and split apart again at any time, longsword) Note: Every successful hit will split Sinister into two, dividing his level and remaining health evenly. Drops are not divided. Dribb “Sinister” Lyslime Type: Vermin Level: 4 Health: 12/12 Special: Unison Attack – All remaining Dribb Lyslimes attack the same target physically, combining their power to surpass the target’s defense. Drops: 4 gold, Slimy Sword (WP:4, can be split into several weaker Slimy Swords or combined with other Slimy Swords to increase WP and split apart again at any time, longsword) Note: Every successful hit will split Dexter into two, dividing his level and remaining health evenly. Drops are not divided. Party: Ezeran Yavarr (MysticModulus) 42 year old male human mage *Party Leader* Level 8 *Absorbs darkness* Power: 15 (8+7) (Spellpower: 17 (8+7+2)) Defense: 1 Health: 12/12 (5+7) Ether: 12/12 (5+7) Gold: 90 Equipment: Ancient Sapphamber Staff (WP:7, doubled against Ancient enemies, Wind-elemental; staff), Hood of the Elementalist (SP:1, *Absorbs darkness*; headwear, suitable to anyone) Inventory: Staff infested with demonic slime (WP 3), Ebony Scorpion Dagger (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; dagger), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory.), Emerald (Wood), Ruby (Fire), 2x Potion, Grand Tonic, 2x Remedy, Bedroll, Level Up Mushroom (Grants one full level when consumed.) Torald Waruelf (Alfadas) 20 year old male human Barbarian Level 7 *Natural Respite* Power: 14 (7+5+2) Defense: 3 Health: 15/15 (8+6+1) Gold: 165 Equipment: Ebony Scorpion Spear (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; spear), Tricorne (SP:3, headwear; suitable to anyone) Inventory: Gaia Blade (WP:5, Wood-elemental, ignores defenses of foes weak to Wood, gems cannot be merged into or removed from the weapon; greatsword), Ignis Blade (WP:5, Fire-elemental, ignores SP of foes weak to Fire, gems cannot be merged into or removed from the weapon; greatsword), Old and Rusty Greatsword (WP: 3), Crocodile Belt (Max. Health +2; accessory.), 2 Potions, Mead, Phoenix essence, Tiger Balm, Fire Bomb, Aeolus Bomb (Deals 100 wind-elemental damage to all opponents when used.) Paladin Petaldan Parfenius (Palathadric) 5 years old male "wonder" Knight Level 4 Power: 9 (4+5) Defense: 5 Health: 15/15 (10+3+2) Gold: 25 Equipment: Longsword (WP:5, longsword), Shield (SP:5, shield) Inventory: 2 Potions, Bedroll Dr. Windus (Windusky) 29 years old human Cleric Level 3 *1/2 chance to prevent blinded* Power: 6 (3+3) Defense: 1 Health: 11/11 (9+2) Ether: 3/7 (5+2) Gold: 90 Equipment: Diamond Staff (WP: 3), Pirate’s Eyepatch (SP:1, has 1/2 chance to prevent blinded; headwear) Inventory: Potion, Remedy, 4 Fire Bombs, Shovel, Raw Meat (Max. health +5 when consumed.) Waldorf (NPC, controlled by MysticModulus) 19 years old male human Mage Level 6 *Immune to wood and poisoned* Power: 11 (6+5) Health: 7/10 (6+4) Ether: 11/12 (6+4+2) Gold: 0 Equipment: Wandrake (WP:5, wood-elemental broomstick), Green Pointy Hat (Max. ether +2, immune to poisoned-effect and wood-element; suitable to mages, clerics, necromancers, scholars and weather mages; headwear) Inventory: Ruby (Fire), Emerald (Wood), Potion, Remedy

"The stories are truly coming alive... There is no sense splitting up because we have no idea what awaits us beyond those doors. If you don't have a preference, we'll take the creaky, wooden door on the right first. Every good quest starts with a ship battle, after all." Ellaria waited to hear if any of her companions objected before reaching for the door.

I am actually thinking about postponing the end of the voting, because people seem to be just getting in on the ride and I'd like as many people as possible to join and vote. I'll keep you posted. What continuity?! Has this game ever had one? The events in Salmanda take place in one week in the early summer, so the party has had plenty of "time" to get back to Eubric before Grogmas. If you want to keep the continuity in check.

Meanwhile, at the Temple of Danab... "Vindicators, hold them back! Do not let them through these doors!" "Shshahaha! You are outnumbered, White Witch! Just surrender and we will give you a swift death!" "Mother be with us..." "The might of Venomari is unquestionable! These heretics will face the fate they deserve. The Serpent God will reign supreme!" "Cobra Priestess! The guards have been dealt with, but how will we get through those doors? They won't budge!" "What little faith you have! Behold..." "Mertssseger." "How lucky it was you saw the error of joining the Sisterhood in time, Anasonya. Otherwise we would have had to put you down with the rest of them. The Serpent God wishes you back." "At your ssservice, Cobra Priestesss. The Sssisssters are cowering in the conclave hall. Only four more Vindicatorsss guard the doorsss." "They are easy pickings, then. Servants of Venomari, let us proceed inside! These white walls shall be washed red tonight!" ****** Round Six of the Battle for the Palace District: Boomingham vs. Black Snakeman - Hit/Meditate/Meditate/Damage (Black Snakeman: 45 health-(54x4=216 dmg)=0 health) >Heckz (Darkness) vs. Venomari Extremist - Sleight of Hand/Sleight of Hand (Extremist: confused; Heckz: -1 ether) Boomingham vs. Venomari Extremist - Damage/Special Damage/Meditate/Critical Hit (Extremist: 56 health+2 SP-68 dmg=0 health) Rex vs. Venomari Preacher - Critical Hit/Truce (Preacher: 152 health+2 SP-126 dmg=28 health, defense halved) Rex - Blessed (+10 health) Boomingham takes out the remaining snakeman and the extremist while Rex focuses on the preacher, but his strike isn't quite enough to bring him down as well. Round Seven of the Battle for the Palace District: Boomingham vs. Venomari Preacher - Critical Hit/Damage/Hit/Damage (Preacher: 28 health+1 SP-68 dmg=0 health) >Heckz (Darkness) vs. Venomari Preacher Boomingham vs. Venomari Preacher Rex vs. Venomari Preacher Rex - Blessed (+10 health) Boomingham finishes what Rex started, and takes out the remaining cultist with his saber. THE BATTLE IS VICTORIOUS! Rex gains a fifth of a level, Boomingham a fourth and Heckz a third. Boomingham also gains 10 gold. The enemies drop the following loot: 51 gold Epidemic Halberd (WP:8, causes all negative effects that the user has to the target when attacking; halberd) Stun Bomb (Deals 5 damage and the stunned-effect to all opponents when used.) Remedy (Removes all negative effects from the target.) Party at the Floral Square: Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) 48 years old human Paladin *Party Second-in-Command* Level 36 *Immune to Darkness, Fire, Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness* *Affluence* Power: 55 (36+14+4+1) Defense: 19 (7+12) Health: 56/59 (10+35+11+2+1) Ether: 35/36 Gold: 30 Equipment: Frozen Saber (WP: 14; light-, ice- and wind-elemental; inflicts stunned; great sword), Round Metal Shield (SP:7), Tome of Affluence (+10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle; grants immunity to fragile, asleep, weakened, blinded, darkness and fire; accessory), Counterstrike Gloves (If the wearer is damaged by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level; handwear.), Crimson Suit of Armor (SP:12, allows wearer to pose as Crimson Bear Knight; takes three artifact slots: bodywear, headwear and footwear), Inventory: Weapons: Scupperer (WP:17; darkness-, fire- and earth-elemental; inflicts bleeding and poisoned by 10; has 1/2 chance each to inflict blinded, sealed, weakened and fragile; greatsword), Lullaby Wand (WP:6, inflicts asleep), Silver Sword (WP: 18, Longsword), Artifacts: Redhawk Helmet (Power +12 if the wearer acts first in the battle order; suitable to barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators, vindicators and winged warriors; headwear.), Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (Power +4; Ether -6; headwear), Scarlet Hood (SP:4, grants immunity to stunned), Chains of the Pongcanis Chief (Hero Pierces SP if fighting from Front, Enemies ignore SP if hero fights from the back row, cannot be removed in battle), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; accessory, suitable to Erdathcath only), 2x Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.) Spell Items: Amethyst (Darkness), Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile; costs 5 Ether; 50/50 chance), Emerald Lamp of Summoning (0/3), “True Love Serenade” (restores 50 health to the rest of the party per round; costs 10 ether; Battle Song) Consumables: Potion, Health Core, 2x Remedy, Phoenix Essence, 2x Mead, Nostrum, 2x Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immune to Ice), Fireball Whiskey (Immunity to Fire One Battle OR 20 Fire Damage All Enemies), Hamantasch (Lucky, Blessed), Jinxy Juice, 2x Floral Bomb, Seal Bomb, Poison Bomb, Seth Bomb (Deals 100 darkness-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Hair of the Dog, 2x Grating Stone, Oculoid Miasma, Oculoid Fireworks, Saber Teeth, Mythril Shard, Bone Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, 2 Meat Lumps (quest item), Royal Seal of Salmanda (Grants the holder access everywhere in Salmanda at any time of the day; quest item.) John 'Heckz' Brutenhal, the Ghostbuster, the Super Sleuth and the School Inspector (Cutcobra) 32 year old male human Sorcerer Level 28 *Jinxed Spells at Double Cost* *Darkness Spells Cause Weakened* Power: 40 (28+12) (Spellpower: 50 (28+12+10)) Defense: 0 Health: 17/35 (5+27+4) Ether: 26/44 (5+27+1+5+1+5) Gold: 1170 Equipment: Solemn Dagger (WP: 12, darkness-elemental dagger, 1/2 chance of causing sealed), Magician's Gloves (Spellpower +10; suitable for mages; handwear), Cloak of Blood Magic (+5 ether, attacks made with darkness magic cause weakened; suitable for mages, necromancers and chi monks; bodywear), Bad Luck Charm (Makes the sorcerer’s spells - including Razzmatazz and Sleight of Hand - cause an additional jinxed-effect, increasing their ether cost by 1; suitable for sorcerers; accessory) Inventory: Rawr (WP:9, dagger), Bone Whip (WP:9, damages undead, whip), Assassin’s Crossbow (WP:4, each successful assassination increases WP by one permanently; suitable to assassins; crossbow), Harlot's Outfit (SP: 2, immune to poisoned; suitable for Witches, Sorcerers and Harlots; bodywear/footwear), Buffoon's Hat (Prevents anyone from taking the wearer seriously; protects from Free Hits unless the wearer is the last hero standing; headwear), Watt's Artifact (Makes the user’s attacks and spells three times more effective against demons; accessory), Robe Of The Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether + 5, immune to sealed; bodywear), Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.), Opal (Ice), Garnet (Earth), Amethyst (Darkness), Aquamarine (Water), Smoke Bomb, 2x Deadly Venom, 7 Bones, Bright Polish, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Compass, Blue Jelly, "Fifty Shades of Bley" (Grants access to Harlot), "Begone With the Winds" (Grants access to Weather Mage), Black Market Insignia (Allows the owner to seek out a black market dealer from any city they visit on a quest, as decided by the QM.), Old Teddy (quest item), Flower-tailed Flying Squirrel (quest item), 2x Meat Lump (quest item), Borrowed All Scrolls Rex the Rhinotaur, the Mighty Mercenary (NPC, controlled by Zepher) 35 years old male wererhino Paragon Level 61 3/5 *Initiative* *Restoration* *Aura of Honor* *Gamble* *No Escape* Power: 96 (61+30+5) Defense: 12 Health: 93/93 (8+60+25) Gold: 695 Equipment: Grindoceros (WP:30; halves target's defense with every successful hit; hammer), Mighty Cuirass (SP:12, suitable to paragons only; bodywear), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory.) Inventory: Greater Tonic (Restores 30 ether), Soma, Deadly Venom, Meat Lump (quest item)