Sandy

I apologize for the bad wording. I merely wanted to say that you shouldn't use the Grogmas Gifts topic to equip the items you got. Of course they are yours to keep for as long as you like!

Grating Stones only work on weapons (although I do wonder how they can affect bows and such...), it's the Bright Polish you want to increase your shield points further.

Yes, the Grogmas Gifts have now been given - one to each player mentioned. I tried to be fair in deciding which gifts to give, but some of you did get pretty awesome stuff while others got scraps, but in the end, the suggestions all came from you guys. Some items I had to modify to make them fit the game mechanics, but I tried to keep the purpose of each item as suggested. Anyway, enjoy your gifts! My holiday vacation is now over, and I need to go to work again in a matter of hours, so now I'm off to catch some z's.

"I am so sorry to hear about your brother, Plud. If there is anything we can do as champions of justice, please let us know." OoC: Ellaria got an Elixir as a Grogmas Gift, so it can be added to her inventory. Thanks!

"Ho ho ho! Great job spreading the spirit of Grogmas, everyone! Now let me see if I have something for each of you in my sack..." ~You may add whatever gift was chosen to you into your inventory immediately, but you can only use or equip the item in the quest topic you're on (or Heroica Hall, if you're not on a quest). No complaints or refunds, thank you very much!~ To Alexander Vandangant for being supportive: First Aid Kit (Consumable) - Completely restores health and removes all negative effects for the entire party once. To Alexandre le Chevalier who is always short on cash: Mercutio's Blessing (Consumable) - Can be applied to one weapon to give it the following effect: gain 1 gold upon every successful hit. To Alexis Fenral for sensual reading: "Fifty Shades of Bley" - Grants access to the Harlot expert job class. To Althior Emorith so that he can get over his heartbreak: Mulled Wine (Consumable) - Causes the inspired-effect, doubling the target's current and maximum health for the duration of one battle. To Arthur Justus Regulus VII so that he remembers what being a mage is all about: Garnet - Enables earth-elemental spells. To Atramor Gibbin as a reminder of what chickens are really for: Chicken Drumstick (Consumable) - Max. health +1 upon consumption. To Bartholomew Docken as a reminder that there's more to life than just shields: Grating Stone (Consumable) - WP +1 to one weapon upon use. To Benji Carvenhall to put to good use: Grogmas Handcannon - WP:12 + the number of the round of battle. To Cinna the Dark to lessen her troubles: Amethyst - Enables darkness-elemental spells. To Cronk because he likes to keep his wares shiny and bright: Bright Polish (Consumable) - SP +1 to one shield or armor upon use. To Dak Shadeaux so that he can actually hit something: Grogmas Throwing Knife - WP:12, retrievable, grants lucky effect when equipped. To De'kra for better understanding as to where he came from: Kanohi Mask (Artefact) - Allows spells to have the effects of the weapon they are cast through; suitable to De'kra only; accessory. To Dreyrugr to remind him that all of his kind are not his friends: Pseudos Hood (Artefact) - Allows damaging undead with physical attacks; headwear. To Dyric Rone, in case he finds himself late for a quest again: Winged Sandals (Artefact) – Protects from bound- and slowed-effects; footwear. To Elgar Gligin something he would surely love: Greasy Sausage (Consumable) - Max Health +2 upon consumption To Ellaria Arbour to replace at least one thing she lost: Elixir – Restores 50 health and 10 ether to the target and removes all negative effects from the target. To En Sabah Nur so that envy would no longer bother him: Scroll of Luck - Enable casting the Lucky-effect to the target, causing attack dice to be rolled twice, taking the better effect of the two for the duration of one battle. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 10 ether. Usable by mages, clerics, chi monks, minstrels, and necromancers. To Erdathcath Madilinas for always being positive: Amulet of Optimism (Artefact) - Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; suitable to Erdathcath only; accessory. To Eric to bring him back to the good booze: Mulled Wine (Consumable) - Causes the inspired-effect, doubling the target's current and maximum health for the duration of one battle. To Erik Tyrvarr for being really friendly: Peacekeeper's Totem (Artefact) - Grants the "Diplomacy"-job trait; suitable to Erik only; accessory. To Galen Woodward so that he may never be annoyed again: Rubber Band (Artefact) - Returns throwed weapons immediately without having to be retrieved; suitable to Galen only; accessory. To Guts Holla in hopes that the word "ape" is deleted from his vocabulary: Metasimian Ale (Consumable) - Has a 50% chance to give the user the Poisoned-effect or Encouraged-effect. To Haldor Skovgaard to cheer him up during the festivities: Mulled Wine (Consumable) - Causes the inspired-effect, doubling the target's current and maximum health for the duration of one battle. To Hoke Ablesword so that his sword would be more able: Grating Stone (Consumable) - WP +1 to one weapon upon use. To Hybros in hopes that he one day gets what he covets for: Certificate for a Cloak of the Red Assassin (Consumable) - Forces the next Red Assassin Hybros meets to give up his or her cloak to Hybros. To Janek of Salmanda from a secret admirer: Ethereal Cloak (Artefact) – SP:2, Max. Ether +4, suitable for mages, clerics and necromancers; backwear. To Johon to help turn his luck around: Dragon Scale (Consumable) - A scale pried from the hide of a dragon. Grants the lucky- and blessed-effects upon use. To Sarge Jon Mcency for a brilliant idea: Pegleg of Hastening (Artefact) - Grants a permanent hastened-effect to the user; suitable to Sarge only; footwear. To Lord Lawrence T. Boomingham because wherever he is, he probably needs a drink right now: Flame-distilled Brandy (Consumable) - Grants the encouraged- and the immune to ice-effects for one battle upon use. To Lycan Dean to close a gap: Level-Up Mushroom (Consumable) - Raises level by one full level upon use. To Maurice Ratibor so that he can spread the light further: Diamond - Enables light-elemental spells. To Mizuki Kimura something that goes well with milk and cookies: Trial Brew (Consumable) - Halves the drinkers max HP, max ether, and max SP for the duration of one battle. These effects are irremediable. Surviving a battle without getting knocked out in this state nets you double EXP. Being revived after being knocked-out removes these effects. To Monk Pretzel for reasons known to everyone: Tasty Pretzel (Consumable) - 1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened and encouraged-effects upon consumption. To Nagure just for the sake of it: Yeti Fur Coat (Artefact) - SP:12, immunity to ice; suitable for yetis only; bodywear. To Namyrra Uq something nice to help her magic: Ethereal Cloak (Artefact) – SP:2, Max. Ether +4, suitable for mages, clerics and necromancers; backwear. To Nerwen Calmcacil thanks to her great battle plans: Rito Feather (Consumable) - Grants the hastened- and blessed-effects for one battle upon use. To Nessa Anárion so that she can find what she really wants: Magic Compass - Allows the hero to know the right direction. To Nyx something she always talks about for reasons unknown: High Heels (Artefact) - Power +1, suitable for women only; footwear. To Rufindel Galadhras so he knows he can definitely heal at least once: First Aid Kit (Consumable) - Completely restores health and removes all negative effects for the entire party once. To Skrall in hopes that he shall never get stuck in a doorway: Minimizing Dust (Consumable) - Inflicts the minimized-effect, reducing maximum power/level, HP, and ether to 10% of the normal for three rounds. To Sorrow because of a bandwagon: Ether Core (Consumable) – Restores full ether when consumed. To Stigveladi Kötturin so that she wouldn't be so grumpy: Scroll of Inspiration - Enables casting the inspired-effect to the target, doubling their current and maximum health for the remainder of the battle. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 10 ether. Usable only by mages, clerics, Necromancers, Chi Monks, and Minstrels. To Sylph Solanum for his great leadership: Emerald - Enables wood-elemental spells. To Tarn Valco to protect his big heart: Darksteel Armor (Artefact) - SP:6, Max. Health +3; bodywear. To Tesni Hightribe so that she is always ready for action: Grating Stone (Consumable) - WP +1 to one weapon upon use. To Thalion Dwinlas for knowledge that allows him finish his fights faster: Cloak of Espionage (Artefact) - Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle; backwear. To Thormanil Nihai so that he might someday face Docken again in the Arena: Grating Stone (Consumable) - WP +1 to one weapon upon use. To Thothwick because he is an ape a Metasimian: Banana Saber - WP:12, heals Metasimians when used on them; longsword. To William Harkenshire in hopes that he stays out of the stomachs of demons in the future: Demon Repellant (Consumable) - Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons during one battle. To Xander Un'thor for being left behind once in the past: Level-Up Mushroom (Consumable) - Raises level by one full level upon use. ~*~*~*~*~*~ "That seems to be everything I have to give! Be kind to everyone and remember to save the world whenever it is in danger, and I might come back to you next year! Ho ho ho!" And so Father Grogmas left the Hall, leaving everyone to admire their new presents.

"Actually, dragons with fiery breaths are usually classified as fiery and flying. Ancient-type monsters usually hail from primeval times, so I'd imagine the titans could be classified so."

The sealed-effect prevents all magic spells and healing. If a SHIELD-skill contains both spells and physical attacks, the effect only blocks the spells, not the other attacks.

"Don't be silly, little Grumpkin! We aren't assosciated with Spad's employer - otherwise we wouldn't be asking these questions, would we? We are heroes of Heroica, we can help you avenge your brother by bringing justice to his murderer. My name is Ellaria, and these are my companions Sir Boomingham and Master Harkenshire. Would you kindly tell us your name, and everything you know about Spad's employer? You say he lived down at the harbour?"

The goblin entry already says that hobgoblins are the offspring of a goblin and an orc. I don't really have anything more to say about them, so you can either move the sentence under the hobgoblin picture, or the picture over the goblin text. If you, Scorpiox, or someone else wants to write more elaborate texts for the races, by all means send them my way.

"They sound like formidable monsters. Let me see if any of the bestiaries here have information about them..." Byblos goes to get some thick books from one of the shelves, and opens one so that Benji can see it as well. "This one has a chapter about titans in general. Hear this: 'Even the giants pale in size to these enormous monstrosities. In the ancient times, entire cities were destroyed by a titan on a rampage. Titans are elemental creatures, roused up from their natural environment by some cosmic power. Rock Titans are the most common, but there are records of Ice Titans, Lava Titans and even Cloud Titans.' It would seem that the titan you are asking about is a gigantic monster comprised of crystals, then." Byblos opens another tome. "Sea Monsters and other Nautical Creatures of Lore, written by Otho Bonaparte, a famous sea explorer who lives a hundred years ago. He tells that krakens are among the largest and most vicious of sea creatures, ensnaring whole ships with their tentacles and crushing them into their maws that are filled with hundreds of razor-sharp fangs. Sounds menacing, doesn't it?" The rest of the books allude to dragons in their titles. "As for your final request, the Dastanese have extensive records of dragons of every shape, size and color. This one should have a list of them... Neon Dragon, Night Dragon, Obsidian Dragon, here it is! 'Also known as the Onyx Dragon, it is a breed of black dragon distinguishable from its shiny black scales, large size and immensely hot fiery breath. It originates from the Babeleth Darklands, where it nests in scorched wastelands.' Is that enough to satiate your thirst for knowledge?"

Happy New Year, everyone! Or as they say here in Estonia, "Head uut aastat"! It's generally true, actually, but I don't drink alcohol. ;) We just wanted some variation to our New Year's celebration (last year we went to Venice), and the Old Town of Tallinn is quite charming, actually.

QM Note: The quest will have a few days' break since I'm leaving to the neighboring country of Estonia to celebrate the New Year.

With the awesome LotR and Hobbit-sets around, I have a hard time getting excited about this return of Classic Castle. I'm fully aware that it is aimed for the little kids who will experience that sort of sets for the first time, but as someone who has seen three decades of LEGO Castle sets, it's just same old, same old. There's really zero inspiration on these sets - they even reuse the old lion-logo! But I guess every generation needs to have their own "king's castles" and "wagon ambushes"... I will get that set, for one. Too bad the print on the dress isn't a new one (although the torso is).

~Portia's Potion Shack now stocks Neutralizers and Mulled Wine!~

Results of Round Twenty-Eight of the 108 Stars of Destiny Battle: Christopher heals Hybros - No Healing Xut vs. Forest Dragon - (Forest Dragon: 188 health-(23x2=46 dmg)=142 health; Namyrra: -1 ether) Hybros vs. Double-headed Serpent - Critical Lethal Hit/Special Damage (Doublehead: 589 health-(35x2=70 dmg)=519 health; Forest Dragon: 142 health-(35x2=70 dmg)=72 health) Hybros vs. Double-headed Serpent - Critical Lethal Hit/Lethal Hit (Doublehead: 519 health-(35x2=70 dmg)=449 health; Forest Dragon: 72 health-(35x2=70 dmg)=2 health) >Cinna (Ice) vs. Forest Dragon - Damage (Cinna: 38 health+12 SP-(20/2=10 dmg)=38 health) >Cinna (Ice) vs. Forest Dragon - Shield (Spellspin of Ice - 6 hits; Forest Dragon: 2 health-(41x4=164x3=492 dmg)=0 health; Doublehead: 449 health-(41x4=164x3=492 dmg)=0 health) Tesni vs. Forest Dragon - Extra Critical Furious Hit >Namyrra (Darkness through Pheles Rod) vs. Double-headed Serpent - Special Damage Christopher tries to heal Hybros, but fails. Xut and Hybros continue to strike the enemies, but it is once again Cinna who finishes them with a spellspin. Cinna gets a Deadly Venom, a Brown Dragon Girdle and two Star Coins! At the end of the round, Namyrra switches her staves once again. Tarn concentrates on seeing the stars as he lies on the floor unconscious. The heroes take a look around the wooden room. There is only one door in the room, on the opposing wall from the stairs. 26/108 Stars Defeated! Enemies: N/A Party: Sir Christopher Daggerfall (Fred Fred Burger) – Location: Wooden Room 27 years old male human Paladin Level 17 1/2 *Immune to Weakened* *Encouraged for 3 rounds* Power: 31 (17+11+2+1) Defense: 9 (5+4) Health: 22/37 (10+16+11) Ether: 18/19 (1+16+2) Gold: 5 Equipment: Sunspear (WP:11, light-elemental, weakened-effect; halberd), Mockthril Shield (SP:5), Pugilist's Gloves (Power +2, protects from weakened-effect), Paladin's Armor (SP:4, Max. Ether +2) Inventory: 3 Potions, Grand Potion, Remedy, 2 Rums, Smoke Bomb, 2 Fire Bombs, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe Cinna the Dark (darkdragon) – Location: Wooden Room 19 years old female human Mystic Knight Level 22 2/3 *Immune to Fire and Earth* *Hastened for 2 rounds* *Encouraged for 3 rounds* Power: 41 (22+18+1) Defense: 12 (9+2+1) Health: 38/40 (5+21+7+1+6) Ether: 5/28 (5+21+1+1) Gold: 46 Equipment: Mauryl (WP:18, ranged), Turtleshell Shield (SP:9), Aurora Helmet (SP:2, immune to fire), Black Dragon Robe (Max. Health +6; immunity to earth; suitable to mages, rogues and chi monks; bodywear), Anniversary Medal:Y1 (+1 to all stats per year; accessory) Inventory: Naginata (WP:10; halberd), Silver Katana (WP:8, longsword), Healing Staff (WP:5), Pointy Hat (Max. Ether +2, suitable for mages and clerics; headwear), High Heels (Power +1, suitable for women; footwear), Blue Dragon’s Cape (Immunity to slowed and water; suitable to knights, rangers and dragoons; backwear), Brown Dragon Girdle (Power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors), Seductive Perfume (Adds enamored-effect to all attacks; suitable to females only; accessory), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Opal (Ice), Ruby (Fire), Emerald (Wood), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Scroll of Sleep, 6 Grand Potions, 2 Grand Tonics, 6 Remedies, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, 5 Meads, Smelling Salt, Soma, 3 Deadly Venoms, Fire Bomb, Bedroll, 3 Bones, 2 Big Pearls (worth 150 gold), Iron Key, Golden Key, 14 Star Coins Hybros (JimButcher) ***Party Leader*** – Location: Wooden Room 50-year-old male imp Assassin Level 23 1/3 *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed* *Lucky for 2 rounds* *Encouraged for 3 rounds* Power: 29 (23+6) Defense: 0 Health: 4/35 (7+22+5+1) Gold: 1212 Equipment: Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike, dagger), Golden Armor (user is permanently hastened and cursed; bodywear), Blessed Amulet (protects from cursed-effect; accessory) Inventory: Zoot's Reaper (WP:15, earth-elemental), Clock Cog (WP: 14, retrievable), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all, retrievable), Lumber Axe (WP: 8, wood-elemental axe), Throwing Knife (WP:8, retrievable), Throwing Knife (WP:8, retrievable), Ancient Throwing Dagger (WP: 8, retrievable), Shuriken of Mercutio (WP:5, retrievable), Emerald (Wood), Aquamarine (Water), 15 Potions, 16 Grand Potions, Grand Tonic, 22 Health Cores, 8 Remedies, Elixir, 3 Phoenix Essences, 2 Deadly Venoms, 2 Smoke Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 13 Nostrums, 2 Meads, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, 3 Iron Keys, 10 Star Coins Namyrra Uq (Quarryman) – Location: Wooden Room 1337 years old female Fenarian Evoker Level 23 2/3 *Immune to Sealing, Bound and Slowed* *Encouraged for 3 rounds* *Aura* Power: 43 (23+20) Defence: 8 (5+3) Health: 44/30 (5+22+3) Ether: 14/34 (5+22+1+1+5) Gold: 54 Equipment: Pheles Rod (WP:20; grants permanent Aura, doubling the user’s max. health but making all enemy attacks hit the user; staff), Fanged Helm (SP:5, headwear), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, immune to Sealing, bodywear), Winged Sandals (Protects from bound- and slowed-effects) Inventory: Staff of the Necromancer (WP:12; damages undead; +1 level to raised undead; staff), Snake Staff (WP:12), Shiny Dagger (WP:10), Oriental Crossbow (WP:7; crossbow), Bone Staff (WP:3), Amethyst, Opal, Emerald, Topaz, Garnet, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Sealing, 4 Potions, Tonic, 2 Grand Tonics, 3 Remedies, 2 Phoenix Essence, Phoenix Incense, 2 Meads, 3 Smelling Salts, 2 Nostrums, Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, Holy Bomb, Flash Bomb, Bedroll, 1 Star Coin Spirits: Xut the Daemon (Darkness), Battle Angel (Light), Raiju the Raiju (Lightning), Ni the Shrubbery (Wood), Mark the Ice Cube Tray (Ice), Clay Golem (Earth), unknown (Fire), unknown (Wind) Tarn Valco (Rumble Strike) – Location: Wooden Room 22 year old human male Berserker Level 19 1/2 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Fragile* *Knocked Out* Power: 30 (19+10+1) Defense: 11 (5+5+1) Health: 0/35 (7+18+10) Gold: 8 Equipment: Helbaerend (WP: 10; water-, ice- and lightning-elemental, Hollow Blade: Grand Potion; axe), Shield (SP: 5), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, suitable for Barbarians and Knights, protects from fragile-effect; bodywear), Horned Hat (SP +1, Power +1, suitable for barbarians and beast warriors; headwear) Inventory: Lion’s Heart (WP: 13, stuns target on successful hits; greatsword), Fauxthril Spear (WP: 6), Sand Worm Hide (SP: 2; bodywear), Scroll of Weakening, Smelling Salts, Shovel, Pickaxe, Bucket, Amulet of U'Kin Nobility (Grants Diplomacy to wearer when addressing a U'Kin) Tesni Hightribe (Peppermint_M) – Location: Wooden Room 22 years old female human Berserker Level 27 1/3 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Afraid* *Encouraged for 3 rounds* Power: 45 (27+11+3+4) Defense: 12 (6+2+4) Health: 24/46 (8+26+10+2) Gold: 805 Equipped: Cysgodion (WP:11, darkness-elemental; greatsword), Sir Roderick’s Shield (SP:6, 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), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, light-elemental; longsword), Iron Katana (WP:8), Spiked Club (WP:8), Cryfder (WP:6), Potion, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, 5 Venoms, Deadly Venom, 2 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Soma, Smoke Bomb, Holy Bomb, Minimizing Dust, 1 Star Coin Jun Ji Pei (NPC, controlled by JimButcher) – Location: Stone Garden 26 years old male aoi Tao Warrior Level 15 1/2 *Immune to Fire, Ice, Lightning, Water, Earth, Wind, Wood and all Effects* *Knocked Out* Power: 30 & 30 (15+15 & 15+15) Defense: 5 Health: 0/39 (25+14) Gold: 0 Equipment: Jindao (WP:15, lightning-elemental longsword), Yindao (WP:15, ice-elemental longsword), Huanglong Pauldrons (SP:5; immunity to all effects; bodywear) Inventory: Grand Potion, Remedy, Phoenix Essence Xut the Daemon (Summon, controlled by Quarryman) Element: Darkness Power: 23 Party leader, post the order of action. Everyone, post your actions and targets.

Ellaria crouches down to be on the same level with the little Grumpkin. "What on earth are you talking about, little friend? Put an end to what? Have you been mixed up into some shady dealings?"

The Jinxed-effect lasts the remainder of the battle, as usual. You can't have "doubly light-elemental" attacks, I thought this was a given. The attacks have just the usual multiplier in the case of your example.

Here they are, the two new expert job classes created by Zepher and JimButcher! Both of them are now posted on the Training Room, and they become available to any character with 30 or more levels who also fulfil the special requirements.

You should update your Stats every time you leave a quest, and after every visit to the Marketplace.

Umm, at their own homes? The heroes are citizens of Eubric, after all (or immigrants who have moved there at some point), they should have houses of their own. It's up to everyone to figure out where their character lives, anyway. As an example, my character Ellaria helps out an old pharmacist in exchange for a room above the apotechary.

The minifigs are true masterpieces, especially the natives. I think I spot a female native on top of the mine, too... The beautiful stagecoach is the only set I must get, though, the figs in other sets I'll probably buy separately from Bricklink.

QM Note: The official rules stated that stunned heroes who are hastened lose both of their turns, but I decided to change the rule about that, seeing how unfair it is in action. "Who are you calling a monkey, Three-eyes?! Hubba hubba hubba!!!" Results of Round Twenty-Seven of the 108 Stars of Destiny Battle: Xut vs. Forest Dragon - (Forest Dragon: 952 health-(23x2=46 dmg)=906 health; Namyrra: -1 ether) Cinna is stunned >Cinna (Fire) vs. Long-armed Ape - Shield (Spellspin of Fire - 12 hits; Ape: 329 health-(41x4=164x4=656 dmg)=0 health; Doublehead: 917 health-(41x4=164x2=328 dmg)=589 health; Forest Dragon: 906 health-(41x4=164x4=656 dmg)=250 health) >Namyrra (Fire through Staff of the Necromancer) vs. Long-armed Ape Double-headed Serpent - Damage (Namyrra: 30 health+8 SP-(31/2=16 dmg)=22 health) Christopher vs. Forest Dragon - Hit (Forest Dragon: 250 health-(31x2=62 dmg)=188 health+weakened) Tarn vs. Long-armed Ape Double-headed Serpent - Damage (Tarn: 5 health+11 SP-31 dmg=0 health) Hybros is stunned Hybros vs. Double-headed Serpent - Damage/Damage (Hybros: 35 health-31 dmg=4 health) Tesni is stunned Xut strikes the Forest Dragon again. Cinna recovers from being stunned, and immediately blasts the enemies with a full-powered spellspin, taking out the Long-Armed Ape and severely damaging the other two. Cinna gets a Grand Potion and a Star Coin! THE PARTY LEVELS UP! Namyrra switches her weapon again, which is enough for the naga to get a hit on her. Christopher lunges his glaive at the Forest Dragon while Tarn gets knocked out by the Serpent. Hybros takes his time to get up, and the lightning-fast naga is at him, reducing his health to a critical point. Tesni also gets into a fighting condition. Five heroes and a dark spirit now stand against two bandits. 24/108 Stars Defeated! Enemies: Double-headed Serpent (34th Star) – Location: Wooden Room Type: Vermin/Humanoid Level: 31 Health: 589/987 Special: Double Danger – Causes badly poisoned- and cursed-effects to the target. Drops: Deadly Venom, Star Coin Note: Immune to poisoned- and badly poisoned-effects. Forest Dragon (90th Star) – Location: Wooden Room *Weakened for 3 more rounds* Type: Humanoid/Plant Level: 40 20 Health: 188/1504 Special: Dragon’s Tail – Stuns all opponents. Drops: Brown Dragon Girdle (Power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors), Star Coin Note: Immune to sudden death and stunned-effect. Party: Sir Christopher Daggerfall (Fred Fred Burger) – Location: Wooden Room 27 years old male human Paladin Level 17 1/2 *Immune to Weakened* *Encouraged for 4 rounds* Power: 31 (17+11+2+1) Defense: 9 (5+4) Health: 22/37 (10+16+11) Ether: 18/19 (1+16+2) Gold: 5 Equipment: Sunspear (WP:11, light-elemental, weakened-effect; halberd), Mockthril Shield (SP:5), Pugilist's Gloves (Power +2, protects from weakened-effect), Paladin's Armor (SP:4, Max. Ether +2) Inventory: 3 Potions, Grand Potion, Remedy, 2 Rums, Smoke Bomb, 2 Fire Bombs, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe Cinna the Dark (darkdragon) – Location: Wooden Room 19 years old female human Mystic Knight Level 22 2/3 *Immune to Fire and Earth* *Hastened for 3 rounds* *Encouraged for 4 rounds* Power: 41 (22+18+1) Defense: 12 (9+2+1) Health: 38/40 (5+21+7+1+6) Ether: 5/28 (5+21+1+1) Gold: 46 Equipment: Mauryl (WP:18, ranged), Turtleshell Shield (SP:9), Aurora Helmet (SP:2, immune to fire), Black Dragon Robe (Max. Health +6; immunity to earth; suitable to mages, rogues and chi monks; bodywear), Anniversary Medal:Y1 (+1 to all stats per year; accessory) Inventory: Naginata (WP:10; halberd), Silver Katana (WP:8, longsword), Healing Staff (WP:5), Pointy Hat (Max. Ether +2, suitable for mages and clerics; headwear), High Heels (Power +1, suitable for women; footwear), Blue Dragon’s Cape (Immunity to slowed and water; suitable to knights, rangers and dragoons; backwear), Seductive Perfume (Adds enamored-effect to all attacks; suitable to females only; accessory), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Opal (Ice), Ruby (Fire), Emerald (Wood), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Scroll of Sleep, 6 Grand Potions, 2 Grand Tonics, 6 Remedies, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, 5 Meads, Smelling Salt, Soma, 2 Deadly Venoms, Fire Bomb, Bedroll, 3 Bones, 2 Big Pearls (worth 150 gold), Iron Key, Golden Key, 12 Star Coins Hybros (JimButcher) ***Party Leader*** – Location: Wooden Room 50-year-old male imp Assassin Level 23 1/3 *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed* *Lucky for 3 rounds* *Encouraged for 4 rounds* Power: 29 (23+6) Defense: 0 Health: 4/35 (7+22+5+1) Gold: 1212 Equipment: Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike, dagger), Golden Armor (user is permanently hastened and cursed; bodywear), Blessed Amulet (protects from cursed-effect; accessory) Inventory: Zoot's Reaper (WP:15, earth-elemental), Clock Cog (WP: 14, retrievable), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all, retrievable), Lumber Axe (WP: 8, wood-elemental axe), Throwing Knife (WP:8, retrievable), Throwing Knife (WP:8, retrievable), Ancient Throwing Dagger (WP: 8, retrievable), Shuriken of Mercutio (WP:5, retrievable), Emerald (Wood), Aquamarine (Water), 15 Potions, 16 Grand Potions, Grand Tonic, 22 Health Cores, 8 Remedies, Elixir, 3 Phoenix Essences, 2 Deadly Venoms, 2 Smoke Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 13 Nostrums, 2 Meads, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, 3 Iron Keys, 10 Star Coins Namyrra Uq (Quarryman) – Location: Wooden Room 1337 years old female Fenarian Evoker Level 23 2/3 *Immune to Sealing, Bound and Slowed* *Encouraged for 4 rounds* Power: 35 (23+12) Defence: 8 (5+3) Health: 22/30 (5+22+3) Ether: 15/34 (5+22+1+1+5) Gold: 54 Equipment: Staff of the Necromancer (WP:12; damages undead; +1 level to raised undead; staff), Fanged Helm (SP:5, headwear), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, immune to Sealing, bodywear), Winged Sandals (Protects from bound- and slowed-effects) Inventory: Pheles Rod (WP:20; grants permanent Aura, doubling the user’s max. health but making all enemy attacks hit the user; staff), Snake Staff (WP:12), Shiny Dagger (WP:10), Oriental Crossbow (WP:7; crossbow), Bone Staff (WP:3), Amethyst, Opal, Emerald, Topaz, Garnet, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Sealing, 4 Potions, Tonic, 2 Grand Tonics, 3 Remedies, 2 Phoenix Essence, Phoenix Incense, 2 Meads, 3 Smelling Salts, 2 Nostrums, Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, Holy Bomb, Flash Bomb, Bedroll, 1 Star Coin Spirits: Xut the Daemon (Darkness), Battle Angel (Light), Raiju the Raiju (Lightning), Ni the Shrubbery (Wood), Mark the Ice Cube Tray (Ice), Clay Golem (Earth), unknown (Fire), unknown (Wind) Tarn Valco (Rumble Strike) – Location: Wooden Room 22 year old human male Berserker Level 19 1/2 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Fragile* *Knocked Out* Power: 30 (19+10+1) Defense: 11 (5+5+1) Health: 0/35 (7+18+10) Gold: 8 Equipment: Helbaerend (WP: 10; water-, ice- and lightning-elemental, Hollow Blade: Grand Potion; axe), Shield (SP: 5), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, suitable for Barbarians and Knights, protects from fragile-effect; bodywear), Horned Hat (SP +1, Power +1, suitable for barbarians and beast warriors; headwear) Inventory: Lion’s Heart (WP: 13, stuns target on successful hits; greatsword), Fauxthril Spear (WP: 6), Sand Worm Hide (SP: 2; bodywear), Scroll of Weakening, Smelling Salts, Shovel, Pickaxe, Bucket, Amulet of U'Kin Nobility (Grants Diplomacy to wearer when addressing a U'Kin) Tesni Hightribe (Peppermint_M) – Location: Wooden Room 22 years old female human Berserker Level 27 1/3 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Afraid* *Encouraged for 4 rounds* Power: 45 (27+11+3+4) Defense: 12 (6+2+4) Health: 24/46 (8+26+10+2) Gold: 805 Equipped: Cysgodion (WP:11, darkness-elemental; greatsword), Sir Roderick’s Shield (SP:6, 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), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, light-elemental; longsword), Iron Katana (WP:8), Spiked Club (WP:8), Cryfder (WP:6), Potion, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, 5 Venoms, Deadly Venom, 2 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Soma, Smoke Bomb, Holy Bomb, Minimizing Dust, 1 Star Coin Jun Ji Pei (NPC, controlled by JimButcher) – Location: Stone Garden 26 years old male aoi Tao Warrior Level 15 1/2 *Immune to Fire, Ice, Lightning, Water, Earth, Wind, Wood and all Effects* *Knocked Out* Power: 30 & 30 (15+15 & 15+15) Defense: 5 Health: 0/39 (25+14) Gold: 0 Equipment: Jindao (WP:15, lightning-elemental longsword), Yindao (WP:15, ice-elemental longsword), Huanglong Pauldrons (SP:5; immunity to all effects; bodywear) Inventory: Grand Potion, Remedy, Phoenix Essence Xut the Daemon (Summon, controlled by Quarryman) Element: Darkness Power: 23 Party leader, post the order of action. Everyone, post your actions and targets.

"Great job, Lawrence, I think you got us through! Now I see where the grime and the stench came from, though... I wonder what it was that Teresa tried to warn us about. Bi...cycles? Bi...stros? Bi...sexuals?" Ellaria gazes ahead at the grumpkin settlement, although there isn't much to see there.

Looks great! It's just that Heroica Hall is not a hotel, the heroes don't actually live there. But you couldn't have known that, really, so it's totally alright.

Oh... It still doesn't mean I have seen or approved it, though. But the artifact can stay, like I said.