Sandy

As far as I remember, I haven't seen, let alone approved, such an artifact... Who has it and where did they get it? QMs, always run your "Artifacts of Immense Creativity and Endless Complexity" through me first before adding them to the quests, please. That way we'll be saved from much confusion and rule-bending. Yes, the ruling HAS to stand. The artifact itself is not much of a problem, though. I can live with one artifact giving two turns in a round to a summon, as a means to boost it. At least it takes up an artifact slot...

QM Note: Christopher has the "special guard" ability, which gives him 1/2 chance of avoiding any effects from special skills (and the die was favorable to him). Like was discussed in the R&D-topic, stunned-effect applies to the next turn the hero takes, which in Tarn and Namyrra's case was on this round. As for the final matter, I stand corrected.

Some time off from work can do wonders for creativity, I notice. I finally have the time to make plans for the future quests (I've got 9 of them currently in progress), as well as invent new ways to make this game more exciting in general. Oh, as a response to an issue with the summoned spirits in Quest#50, I've made a ruling that the spirits cannot be inflicted with any effects, neither positive nor negative. I've edited the rule page to reflect this as well:

QM Note: I think I need to add to the rules that summoned spirits are immune to all effects (both negative and positive). That's the simplest solution... Results of Round Twenty-Six of the 108 Stars of Destiny Battle: >Hybros uses Remedy on himself - (Hybros: badly poisoned removed) Hybros vs. Double-headed Serpent - Shield/Shield (Gold Reaper - Hybros: 31+20+23=74 gold) >Cinna (Ice) vs. Forest Dragon - Enchantment (Cinna: not enough ether) >Cinna (Ice) vs. Forest Dragon - Spell (Forest Dragon: 1162 health-(41x4=164 dmg)=998 health; Cinna: -1 ether) Tesni vs. Forest Dragon - Special Damage (Dragon's Tail - All party members (except Christopher): stunned) Tarn (Helbaerend) vs. Long-armed Ape is stunned Xut vs. Forest Dragon - (Forest Dragon: 998 health-(23x2=46 dmg)=952 health; Namyrra: -1 ether) Christopher vs. Forest Dragon - Defended Damage (Christopher: 33 health+9 SP-20 dmg=22 health) >Namyrra (Fire through Pheles Rod) vs. Long-armed Ape is stunned - (Namyrra: aura) Long-armed Ape - Free Hit vs. Hybros Namyrra (Namyrra: 60 health+8 SP-(23/2=12 dmg)=56 health) Hybros drinks a remedy to get rid of the nasty poison, and then reaps some more gold from the enemies. Cinna casts an icy spell at the Forest Dragon, who subsequently stuns all the heroes with his Dragon's Tail move. Only Christopher manages to avoid it, being forewarned by the angel guarding him. Tarn and Namyrra recover from the stun as Xut attacks the Forest Dragon. The dragoon responds by assaulting Christopher with his halberd. The Long-armed Ape is left unattended during all the commotion, so he manages to take a swipe at Namyrra, who draws in the attack due to her aura. Christopher, Namyrra and Tarn are in fighting condition, the others spend their next turn getting back to their feet. 23/108 Stars Defeated! Enemies: Double-headed Serpent (34th Star) – Location: Wooden Room Type: Vermin/Humanoid Level: 31 Health: 917/987 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 2 more rounds* Type: Humanoid/Plant Level: 40 20 Health: 952/1504 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. Long-armed Ape (71st Star) – Location: Wooden Room Type: Beast Level: 23 Health: 329/517 Special: Wide Swing – Deals 23 damage to all opponents. Drops: Grand Potion, Star Coin Party: Sir Christopher Daggerfall (Fred Fred Burger) – Location: Wooden Room 27 years old male human Paladin Level 17 *Immune to Weakened* *Encouraged for 5 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 1/3 *Immune to Fire and Earth* *Hastened for 4 rounds* *Encouraged for 5 rounds* *Stunned* 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, 5 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, 11 Star Coins Hybros (JimButcher) ***Party Leader*** – Location: Wooden Room 50-year-old male imp Assassin Level 23 *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed* *Lucky for 4 rounds* *Encouraged for 5 rounds* *Stunned* Power: 29 (23+6) Defense: 0 Health: 35/35 (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 1/3 *Immune to Sealing, Bound and Slowed* *Encouraged for 5 rounds* *Aura* Power: 43 (23+20) Defence: 8 (5+3) Health: 56/30 (5+22+3) Ether: 16/34 (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 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Fragile* *Encouraged for 5 rounds* Power: 30 (19+10+1) Defense: 11 (5+5+1) Health: 5/35 (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 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Afraid* *Encouraged for 5 rounds* *Stunned* 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.

I knew it. Unfortunately you can't have it. The Scholar is Byblos's own job class, it is not the upcoming expert job class.

Byblos had avoided Arthur ever since he came to inquire about the Pandemonicon. For multiple times now he had sent the young mage away with a few grunts of "being busy", fully aware those were just excuses. The book was his to study, he couldn't let anyone take it away from him! Oh, the wonders the tome had already taught him... Summoning the spawns of Azazot was foolish, Byblos was very aware of that, but the Pandemonicon contained much more than just demonology. It was like a door to the ancient world, when magic ran free and wild, and power belonged to those wise enough to use it. Rubbing his exhausted eyes, the librarian tore his eyes away from the pages of the book. That was enough for tonight... He was already too deprived of sleep and nutrition. He knew he had to take a break from the book, maybe go out of the city for a while... And leave the Pandemonicon behind?! The very thought of that made the Metasimian shudder. It would find a new keeper in the instant Byblos would leave it. No, the Veterans had entrusted the book to him. He had to make sure it did not fall into the wrong hands. Byblos looked outside. Chaos was raging there, he could feel the book's rejoice. The word was that Wren had returned to Eubric, and brought the followers of Zoot with her. If she found out that Heroica had the tome in their possession, she would certainly come and take it. He coudn't let that happen. Closing the book, Byblos took it with him to bed. The whispers lulled him to a nightmare-ridden sleep. OoC: Just something for the Byblos-fans out there. Here's also a look at his unique job class, coming up in a future quest.

"Grumplings? I'm unfamiliar with their kind... If we don't find who we're looking for from among the Grumplings, there's still the gnomes, the goblins, the gremlins and the bugbears to go to. Please, Teresa, show us the way - but only after you've dealt out all the soup. " Ellaria had heard that another party of Heroica champions had fought off a riot at the Hovels earlier, and looking at all the hungry faces she didn't think the possibility of another riot too farfetched, should they take Teresa away from her business.

With minifigs, who can really tell the difference?

"I recognize that sssmell... My wife'sss perfume! What have you done with her, you two-legged pigsss?!" "Calm yourself, Doublehead! We will avenge White Flower together!" Results of Round Twenty-Five of the 108 Stars of Destiny Battle: Xut vs. Forest Dragon - (Forest Dragon: 1504 health-(23x2=46 dmg)=1458 health; Namyrra: -1 ether) >Namyrra (Fire through Staff of the Necromancer) vs. Long-armed Ape - Great Spell (Ape: 517 health-(47x4=188 dmg)=329 health; Namyrra: -1 ether) >Cinna (Ice) vs. Forest Dragon - Enchantment (Cinna: not enough ether) >Cinna (Ice) vs. Forest Dragon - Spell (Forest Dragon: 1458 health-(41x4=164 dmg)=1294 health; Cinna: -1 ether) Christopher vs. Forest Dragon - Hit (Forest Dragon: 1294 health-(31x2=62 dmg)=1232 health+weakened) Hybros vs. Double-headed Serpent - Critical Lethal Hit/Special Damage (Doublehead: 987 health-(35x2=70 dmg)=917 health; Forest Dragon: 1232 health-(35x2=70 dmg)=1162 health) Hybros vs. Double-headed Serpent - Special Damage/Special Damage (Double Danger - Hybros: badly poisoned) Tesni moves up the stairs Tarn moves up the stairs Hybros - Badly Poisoned (35 health-10 dmg=25 health) Xut, Cinna and Christopher all strike the Forest Dragon, while Namyrra blasts the Long-armed Ape with a powerful fireball. Hybros wields his twin kunai, striking both Double-headed Serpent and Forest Dragon, but then the naga's pet viper manages to bite him, making the assassin badly poisoned. Tesni and Tarn rush upstairs to join the fight. 23/108 Stars Defeated! Enemies: Double-headed Serpent (34th Star) – Location: Wooden Room Type: Vermin/Humanoid Level: 31 Health: 917/987 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 more 3 rounds* Type: Humanoid/Plant Level: 40 20 Health: 1162/1504 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. Long-armed Ape (71st Star) – Location: Wooden Room Type: Beast Level: 23 Health: 329/517 Special: Wide Swing – Deals 23 damage to all opponents. Drops: Grand Potion, Star Coin Party: Sir Christopher Daggerfall (Fred Fred Burger) – Location: Wooden Room 27 years old male human Paladin Level 17 *Immune to Weakened* *Encouraged for 6 rounds* Power: 31 (17+11+2+1) Defense: 9 (5+4) Health: 33/37 (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 1/3 *Immune to Fire and Earth* *Hastened for 5 rounds* *Encouraged for 6 rounds* Power: 41 (22+18+1) Defense: 12 (9+2+1) Health: 38/40 (5+21+7+1+6) Ether: 6/28 (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, 5 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, 11 Star Coins Hybros (JimButcher) ***Party Leader*** – Location: Wooden Room 50-year-old male imp Assassin Level 23 *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed* *Lucky for 5 rounds* *Encouraged for 6 rounds* *Badly Poisoned* Power: 29 (23+6) Defense: 0 Health: 35/35 (7+22+5+1) Gold: 1138 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, 9 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 1/3 *Immune to Sealing, Bound and Slowed* *Encouraged for 6 rounds* Power: 35 (23+12) Defence: 8 (5+3) Health: 30/30 (5+22+3) Ether: 17/34 (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 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Fragile* *Encouraged for 6 rounds* Power: 33 (19+13+1) Defense: 11 (5+5+1) Health: 5/35 (7+18+10) Gold: 8 Equipment: Lion’s Heart (WP: 13, stuns target on successful hits; greatsword), 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: Helbaerend (WP: 10; water-, ice- and lightning-elemental, Hollow Blade: Grand Potion; axe), 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 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Afraid* *Encouraged for 6 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.

Really? He's running barechested all the time... But mostly to burly, muscular barbarian-types.

OoC: It's nice to see some familiar faces from previous quests. Thanks for including the Metasimian mother, too! Ellaria smiles at the women. "This is important work you do here. The people of the Hovels have had it much worse off ever since they built those damned walls around this place. Now, what comes to the person we pursue, he or she was said to be short of stature, smelly, and carrying grime on his or her boots. I hate to admit that the description must fit many people in this part of the city, but which of them could carry a fine cloak such as this?"

Results of Round Twenty-Four of the 108 Stars of Destiny Battle: Hybros retrieves throwing weapons Hybros moves up the stairs Cinna investigates tan barrel Cinna moves up the stairs Namyrra moves up the stairs Xut moves up the stairs Tesni investigates bottles Tarn investigates brown barrel Christopher moves up the stairs Hybros takes time to fetch back his throwing weapons before ascending to the third floor of the pagoda. Namyrra, Xut and Christopher follow quickly, and Cinna rushes after them after finding nothing but hot water and soap in the tan barrel. Tarn makes the same discovery for the brown barrel. Tesni takes a close look at the various bottles scattered around the room, but only finds oils, scents and soap inside. Nothing useful for a battle-hardened warrior like herself. On top of the stairs there's a wood-paneled room with many tall pillars that can be stood on top of. There are also staves with cushioned ends, evidently used for balance training. Unsurprisingly, there are also more bandits rushing to fight the heroes. 23/108 Stars Defeated! Enemies: Double-headed Serpent (34th Star) – Location: Wooden Room Type: Vermin/Humanoid Level: 31 Health: 987/987 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 Type: Humanoid/Wood Level: 40 Health: 1504/1504 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. Long-armed Ape (71st Star) – Location: Wooden Room Type: Beast Level: 23 Health: 517/517 Special: Wide Swing – Deals 23 damage to all opponents. Drops: Grand Potion, Star Coin Party: Sir Christopher Daggerfall (Fred Fred Burger) – Location: Wooden Room 27 years old male human Paladin Level 17 *Immune to Weakened* *Encouraged for 7 rounds* Power: 31 (17+11+2+1) Defense: 9 (5+4) Health: 33/37 (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 1/3 *Immune to Fire and Earth* *Hastened for 6 rounds* *Encouraged for 7 rounds* Power: 41 (22+18+1) Defense: 12 (9+2+1) Health: 38/40 (5+21+7+1+6) Ether: 7/28 (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, 5 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, 11 Star Coins Hybros (JimButcher) ***Party Leader*** – Location: Wooden Room 50-year-old male imp Assassin Level 23 *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed* *Lucky for 6 rounds* *Encouraged for 7 rounds* Power: 29 (23+6) Defense: 0 Health: 35/35 (7+22+5+1) Gold: 1138 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, 9 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 1/3 *Immune to Sealing, Bound and Slowed* *Aura* *Encouraged for 7 rounds* Power: 43 (23+20) Defence: 8 (5+3) Health: 38/30 (5+22+3) Ether: 19/34 (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: Snake Staff (WP:12), Staff of the Necromancer (WP:12; damages undead; +1 level to raised undead; staff), 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: Hot Baths 22 year old human male Berserker Level 19 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Fragile* *Encouraged for 7 rounds* Power: 33 (19+13+1) Defense: 11 (5+5+1) Health: 5/35 (7+18+10) Gold: 8 Equipment: Lion’s Heart (WP: 13, stuns target on successful hits; greatsword), 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: Helbaerend (WP: 10; water-, ice- and lightning-elemental, Hollow Blade: Grand Potion; axe), 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: Hot Baths 22 years old female human Berserker Level 27 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Afraid* *Encouraged for 7 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. QM Note: Contrary to the picture, Tarn and Tesni are still downstairs, so they cannot participate in the battle until they've climbed up.

Fabian wrinkles his nose at the sight of the amulet. "It really is a trinket, I'll say! I give you 10 gold for it, take it or leave it."

I did as Endgame suggested, and marked the quests in the Index with the story archs they belong to. If any of you QMs wish to add or change something in the list, just say so. Sorry, it must've slipped by my eyes. I'll do it immediately.

Phew! I managed to reformat everything in the Marketplace, and updated some of the weapon and artifact suitabilities to reflect the expert job classes while I was at it. I just hope that someone will come up with a solution to this quirky problem soon, so I won't have to do what I just did ever again. I'm amazed that even in this age of technology, we still have to suffer from this sort of unpredictable lapses...

Uh oh, the Marketplace opening post got all jumbled up with code tags! Please tell me it is fixed automatically...

I'll update Anwyl's services to include Adamantite asap, but to answer your questions, the two ores cannot be forged into the same piece of equipment, and forging adamantite will cost more than forging mythril. Good suggestion. I'll see what I can do.

Because this is the season of giving, I've added a few things to the rules: 1. There's now a new enemy type: ethereal enemies. They are automatically immune to all elemental damage, so a mage (and especially a sage) is pretty much helpless against them. 2. Mythril is so 2012, next year Adamantite is all the rage! Who wouldn't want a +25 bonus to their weapon or shield, anyway? If you can't find Adamantite anywhere, you can always settle for some Scrap Metal or Pearls, they're worth something at least. 3. There's going to be three more expert job classes: the dual-sided Regulator (created by Zepher), the soaring Winged Warrior (created by JimButcher) and one other created by myself which will be kept under the wraps for now. Something to look forward on the upcoming year, eh?

That's not quite accurate. Summons cost 1 ether on the turn they attack. They don't expend ether on the rounds they are summoned, dismissed or when they perform a Summon Burst. They also don't expend ether in the rare situations when they do not attack (such as is the case in Quest#50 now).

"I'm afraid I currently don't have the funds to buy anything from you, but perhaps another time, Swisshopper." Ellaria then pauses, and looks the merchant in the eyes. She just had to get it out of her chest... "If I were you, I would consider how I treat my employees. Your business might be thriving right now, but the if the Rockling riots continue, you will find a shortage of customers very soon, methinks. If you would just talk to the Rocklings, I believe you could negotiate a deal that would be for the best of both parties. That is all I wanted to say about the matter. Thank you for your time." She then followed Boomingham out of the store.

In-character or out-of-character, either one is fine. Of course! I'm not going to buy anyone an Arkham Asylum or a Bag End set, so don't even think about that. Since these are only suggestions, you may suggest as many presents as you like. I will handpick the best ones and fulfill them. You don't have to stress yourself by figuring out how to get your character into the Hall. Just post out-of-character if you like.

Ellaria looked at Boomingham. "I guess we have our next destination, then." She then turned back to Mr. Swisshopper. "May we talk to your assistant over there? Maybe he knows something more about the matter..."

To properly celebrate this "Grogmas", a new event has begun! Everyone can participate in suggesting gifts for those players they consider worthy of giving gifts to. Kudos to Skyrimguy for inspiring me to come up with this event!

One winter morning when the champions lingering in Eubric stepped into the Heroica Hall, they were met with a peculiar sight: all the Veterans were there to greet them, dressed in red. A large conifer tree had been brought inside and decorated. "Ho ho ho! Have you been naughty or nice, heroes? Well, it doesn't matter because on Grogmas Day everything is forgiven and forgotten, so Merry Grogmas to each and every one of you!" The heroes just stared at the bearded orc in puzzlement. "Not familiar with Grogmas, are you? Can't blame you, it's an orcish tradition stemming from the days of Grog the Red, a tribal chieftain known for his extraordinary generosity. Once a year, he gave away valuable treasures from his hoard to all the members of his tribe, as well as the chieftains of some neighbouring tribes. But he did this in the dead of the night, so that nobody knew it was him. Not until he was murdered by a greedy rivalling chieftain. Since were talking about orcs of olden days here, war and bloodshed ensued, but the memory of the good will of Grog still lingered. Even now, for one day in the year, orcs everywhere forget their feuds and anger, and give gifts to their loved ones through me, Father Grogmas, the spirit of the generous chieftain." "We Veterans - and... ahem, Father Grogmas here - thought that we should spread this tradition of generosity and kindness forward as well. So on this day, let us remember those important to us with nice thoughts, forgive their misdeeds and forget all quarrels. I'm not sure how the tree fits the picture, though... Maybe you can shed some light on that, Feath... I mean, Father Grogmas?" "Trees are a rare sight on Baltorak, so it became a habit to bring one into each household, decorate it on Grogmas Day and then chop it for firewood on the next day. It is also customary to eat and rest well on Grogmas Day, since in the days of yore it was the only day when you could be certain that nobody would kill you for food or in your sleep." "Eh... How charming..." ~*To celebrate this Grogmas Day, all players can suggest a gift related to Heroica RPG to give to some other player. All you must do is to state what gift you wish to be given to who, and why. The best suggestions will be fulfilled, as judged by myself. You have until the end of December to suggest gifts.*~

But I just did, not many weeks ago... Here's the blurb from the FAQ (which everyone should read regularly): Q: How do weapons with a "dual strike" effect work, exactly? And can a shield be carried with "twin weapons"? A: "Dual strike" deals damage to either the targetted enemy and the enemy next in the order OR double damage to one enemy upon a successful hit. A shield can be wielded with any weapon that doesn't specifically negate its use.