Sandy

Squabbling amongst themselves, the heroes made their way out of the city and into the Luxor Dunes. It was midday when they made it to the gates of Marmaduc's Menagerie. Boomingham flashed the royal seal he had gotten from the Almagesta to the ogre guard, so the party gained a free entry. At the owner's office, a very unhappy group of werelions were waiting for them. "There the murderers are!" "You will answer for what you did to Roroark", the leader of the Rakshasa hissed. "We were supposed to have a fair race, and you turned your blades on us! You should be disqualified and whipped!" "I will be the judge of that, Nalah Firemane", Marmaduc interrupted. "Have you got the other two treasures for me? You certainly kept me waiting..." Party at Marmaduc's Menagerie: Eric (Khorne) 30 year old norseman Raider *Party Second-in-Command* Level 29 *Natural Respite* *Evasion* *Immune to Fragile, Weakened, Blinded, Asleep, Water and Earth* *Blessed* Power: 50 (29+18+2+1) Defense: 5 Health: 52/52 (8+28+7+4+5) Gold: 0 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) 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.), Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.) Consumables: Potion, 10 Grand Potions, Health Core, 3 Elixirs, 3 Remedies, Neutralizer, 5 Meads, 5 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, 5 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, Agni 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.), 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.) Tools etc.: "Key To Riches" (quest item) Sgt. Jon McEncy (Pyrovisionary) *Party Leader* 54 year old male human Black Knight Level 24 *Immune to Blinded and Stunned* *Poisonous Defense* *Permanently Hastened and Blessed* Power: 49 (24+21+2+2) Defense: 20 (16+4) Health: 48/48 (7+23+9+3+3+3) Gold: 2121 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 [Health Core]), 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: 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: 3 Potions, 2 Remedies, Phoenix Essence, 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 Level 35 1/4 *Immune to Darkness, Fire, Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness* *Blessed* Power: 57 (35+17+4+1) Defense: 19 (7+12) Health: 58/58 (10+34+11+2+1) Ether: 35/35 Gold: 0 Equipment: 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), 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: Frozen Saber (WP: 14; light-, ice- and wind-elemental; inflicts stunned; great sword), 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), Crystal Skull (Makes healing with ether guaranteed, but doubles the ether cost per healed target; suitable to clerics and chi monks; accessory), 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, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, 3x Mead, 3x Nostrum, 2x Ambrosia, 2x 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, 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 27 *Jinxed Spells at Double Cost* *Darkness Spells Cause Weakened* Power: 39 (27+12) (Spellpower: 49 (27+12+10)) Defense: 0 Health: 35/35 (5+26+4) Ether: 21/43 (5+26+1+5+1+5) Gold: 516 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), Ether Core, 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 *Initiative* *Restoration* *Aura of Honor* *Gamble* *No Escape* *Blessed* Power: 96 (61+30+5) Defense: 12 Health: 93/93 (8+60+25) Gold: 655 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), Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Soma, Deadly Venom, Meat Lump (quest item) Periwinkle (NPC, controlled by Khorne) 19 years old female human Cleric Level 31 2/4 *Divert Attacks* *Immune to stunned, poisoned, bleeding, cursed, asleep, fast asleep, confused and hexed* *Blessed* Power: 32 (31+1) Health: 39/39 (9+30) Ether: 35/35 (5+30) 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) Inventory: Remedy, Neutralizer, Phoenix Essence Location: Marmaduc's Menagerie, Luxor Dunes Time: Midday of the Sixth Day Influence: 15 Subquests:

QM Note: Again, I am sorry for not updating every day. I have long days at work and a busy social life nowadays, days just fly by without me noticing. The waitress blushed as the burly barbarian rushed to her aid. She couldn't stop staring at his muscular chest. "Thanksies, mister, but its alright! This happens to me all the time - I'm such a klutz! Tehehe!" "The staircase is behind the kitchen, but I strongly advice you not to disturb the chef. He is an ogroblin, so he has the body mass of an ogre and the short temper of a goblin. Not the easiest combination to get along with." The poodle was sniffing around the kitchen door, when suddenly someone behind it roared. "WHAT THE BLOODY megabluck IS THAT?! GET IT OUT OF MY KITCHEN THIS megablocking SECOND!!!" The door swung open, almost hitting the dog and the child knight, and the plant monster dashed into the dining hall, followed by a hail of flying pans and saucers. It knocked over poor Phoebe's waiting trolley just as she had gotten everything back on it again. "Everyone beware!" shouted the satyr wizard, leaping up from his seat. "That is a Triffid, a vegetation most foul! It can devour people in one gulp and absorb their powers!" The "Triffid" looked like it was calculating its next action, which gave the heroes a split second to react. What would the heroes do?

"Thank you for the mythril shard, Nur, and for the tip. I think I will follow it." Ellaria headed to the Kogs & Company to meet with Boogie Brains, the mindflayer, and presented him with the Alchemist's Adic. "I heard this might belong to you, sir, and I came to return it. I am Ellaria Arbour, friends with the Heroica mage that visited you earlier."

The golem did not seem to take Petaldan seriously. "A dangerous creature, you say? Nothing is as dangerous as our Chef Yasmar when he gets upset, so you better depart immediately if you are not planning to eat here, little boy." Windus saw that most of the tables in the hall were reserved. A young waitress pushed a cart filled with food from table to table, giggling incessantly to the customers. There were a couple of wizards near the window that were eyeing them curiously. "Oh, you are from Heroica? Why did you not say so right away." The golem's whole demeanor changed in a split second. "Your colleagues once saved my life, back at the 400th Foundation Day Ball, so I trust you know what you are doing. You may call me Maître-d'. Let me know if I can be of assistance." At that moment, there was a loud clang and clatter. "Oopsies! Sorry, y'all, it was just clumsy ol' me!" The waitress announced and giggled some more. The Maître-d' sighed. "And that would be Phoebe."

QM Note: You got 200 gold from the Black Market battle, at least. "Thank you, thisss ssshould cover the expensssesss. But pleassse, do not let the Oracle'sss ramblingsss cloud your mind. We weresssnakesss of Kalma are not bad. By Venomari'sss fangsss, there are not even a lot of usss in Sssalmanda to begin with. Jussst me and Aunt Anasssonya, that I know of... Will that be all for you?" Party at the Palace District: Eric (Khorne) 30 year old norseman Raider *Party Second-in-Command* Level 29 *Natural Respite* *Evasion* *Immune to Fragile, Weakened, Blinded, Asleep, Water and Earth* *Blessed* Power: 50 (29+18+2+1) Defense: 5 Health: 52/52 (8+28+7+4+5) Gold: 0 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) 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.), Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.) Consumables: Potion, 10 Grand Potions, Health Core, 3 Elixirs, 3 Remedies, Neutralizer, 5 Meads, 5 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, 5 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, Agni 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.), 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.) Tools etc.: "Key To Riches" (quest item) Sgt. Jon McEncy (Pyrovisionary) *Party Leader* 54 year old male human Black Knight Level 24 *Immune to Blinded and Stunned* *Poisonous Defense* *Permanently Hastened and Blessed* Power: 49 (24+21+2+2) Defense: 20 (16+4) Health: 48/48 (7+23+9+3+3+3) Gold: 1341 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 [Health Core]), 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: 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: 3 Potions, 2 Remedies, Phoenix Essence, 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 Level 35 1/4 *Immune to Darkness, Fire, Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness* *Blessed* Power: 57 (35+17+4+1) Defense: 19 (7+12) Health: 58/58 (10+34+11+2+1) Ether: 35/35 Gold: 780 Equipment: 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), 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: Frozen Saber (WP: 14; light-, ice- and wind-elemental; inflicts stunned; great sword), 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), Crystal Skull (Makes healing with ether guaranteed, but doubles the ether cost per healed target; suitable to clerics and chi monks; accessory), 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, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, 3x Mead, 3x Nostrum, 2x Ambrosia, 2x 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, 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 27 *Jinxed Spells at Double Cost* *Darkness Spells Cause Weakened* Power: 39 (27+12) (Spellpower: 49 (27+12+10)) Defense: 0 Health: 35/35 (5+26+4) Ether: 21/43 (5+26+1+5+1+5) Gold: 316 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), Ether Core, 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.), Henry Award (Can be sold for 200 Gold or to give +1 HP or +1 Power to a character), 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 *Initiative* *Restoration* *Aura of Honor* *Gamble* *No Escape* *Blessed* Power: 96 (61+30+5) Defense: 12 Health: 93/93 (8+60+25) Gold: 655 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), Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Soma, Deadly Venom, Meat Lump (quest item) Periwinkle (NPC, controlled by Khorne) 19 years old female human Cleric Level 31 2/4 *Divert Attacks* *Immune to stunned, poisoned, bleeding, cursed, asleep, fast asleep, confused and hexed* *Blessed* Power: 32 (31+1) Health: 39/39 (9+30) Ether: 35/35 (5+30) 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) Inventory: Remedy, Neutralizer, Phoenix Essence Location: Floral Square, Palace District Time: Morning of the Sixth Day Influence: 15 Subquests:

QM Note: Sorry, I was preoccupied yesterday. "A plant monster? Can't say that I have... There are always a lot of stray dogs loitering around the Kingless Crown restaurant, though." "Ha! My Frau-frau is not a stray!" "Do you mean like the one back at the Guildhouse? Why would something like it be around here?" "I saw it", the smith interrupted. "It climbed up my chimney to the rooftops. I watched it disappear behind the restaurant over there." Following the merchants' clues, the party made their way through the crowd into the fancy restaurant at the edge of the square. Annabelle's poodle was barking in front of the door. "Yip! Yip! Yip!" "Frau-frau, there you are! Gentlemen, this is the Kingless Crown, owned by the world-renowned Chef Yasmar. My father takes our family to dine here from time to time, and the food really is to die for." "What would the plant monster want from a place like this? Well, I guess the only way to find out is to enter... Gulp..." The party pushed open the doors and entered the restaurant. The rhytmic clicking of forks and knives was overladen with a hubbub of talk and laughter. All the customers were obviously upper class citizens. A golem was standing by the door, and it was not pleased to see the rag-tag group dash in. Its voice was dry like a desert. "Excuse me. Do you have a reservation?"

"It is not my custom to turn against my employers", Ellaria said, glancing at her party mates. "But I will make an exception in this case, having seen how fragile your subterranean community down here is. The High Priest's devious plans have been prevented and the mythril business can once again boom, and that was what we were here to do, so I will not give a detailed report to the Bonapartes either. We were promised some mythril as a compensation by the Bonapartes, though..."

As the party left the Sanctuary, they passed the Oracle of Salmanda shouting to the night in front of her shrine, her eyes wild with fervor. She had attracted several onlookers. "Hissing in the night! They are coming! Slithering in the night! Beware of snakes! Beware!!!" The dawn broke as the party strolled back to the Palace District. Vipersace was just opening up his boutique, but he looked distressed. The heroes could see that several windows of his house were shattered. "Prejudiced foolsss... Sssome people believe everything that insssane woman ssspoutsss. Can you believe it, sssomeone ssstoned my houssse lassst night, jussst becaussse of what the Oracle sssaid! Sssalmanda isss my home, I would never want any harm to it! Oh well, I will need gold for the repairsss, ssso how can I help you?" Vipersace's Boutique: Magic Turban (Spellpower +7, Max. Ether +7; suitable to mages, necromancers and weather mages; headwear.) Costs 210 gold. 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.) Costs 240 gold. Pristine Dress (Max. Health +5; doubles all healing done to and by the wearer, including items; suitable to women only; bodywear.) Costs 200 gold. Sheik’s Robes (Power +5, wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; suitable to men only; bodywear.) Costs 200 gold. Cloak of the Grand Vizier (SP:1 multiplied by the number of party members; backwear.) Costs 300 gold. Crystal Shoes (Transforms all elemental immunities into absorbing the element instead; footwear.) Costs 333 gold. Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.) Costs 150 gold.

"Nur?!" Ellaria gasped in shock. Of course the mage would be looking out for his own interests, as always. "Forgive my colleague. You dwarves are free to do as your customs dictate. We are from Heroica, and having now uncovered the truth behind the mythril shortage, and will inform our employer, one Mr. Fromptious, about the events that took place here. We are sorry for deceiving you with our investigations, our intention was only to seek the truth without interference, but unfortunately the High Priest here got a wind of us and ushered his dark dwarf minions and Scarlet Worms on us. I hope the damages done to your great cities can be easily repaired, and I am sure the High Chief will gladly cover all costs from his own pockets." Ellaria gave the wounded dwarf a meaningful look.

When he saw the heroes dash after Annabelle, Waldorf got up quickly. "H-hey, don't leave me behind! Waaait!" The chase took them down the Sungold Hill until it ended at the Marketplace. It was bustling with people in the afternoon rush, so the party lost sight of the monster. "Hmph! Where did it go?" Annabelle is approached by the owner of the fashion boutique. "Can I help you, darling? Looking for a new hat? You do know hennins are out of style this winter season, don't you?" "Don't tease the girl, Fabian!" Another merchant interrupted. "Not everyone wants to dress up like a pompous clown." "Nyeh nyeh, look at that clown, running around like a headless chicken!" laughed another merchant, pointing at Waldorf who was flailing around the square, peeking around every corner. "Where can it be?! I know it's going to jump at me again any moment now!" The mage bumped into the burly smith. "Careful, lad! You'll soon run into one of my blades if you're not careful!" "Nyeh, as if your dull blades could even hurt anyone, Anwyl!" "Watch your tongue, Gnomeo, or our hunky smith will show you that it is hammer time", the tailor smirked. "And Portia, I wouldn't talk anything about fashion if I were in your shoes. Who wears baby blue nowadays, anyway?" "How dare you?!" "Stop your arguing, colleagues!" the bombcrafter interrupted. For some reason the other merchants flinched and obeyed. "These people are obviously from Heroica. I am Dain Almight, a close friend of some of your peers. How can I help you?"

My bad. You actually posted on the FoG topic for the last time on the 20th of October. So that "only" makes it nine days of absence.

"No, Dumora!" Ellaria stepped in front of the vindicator's blade. "That is not the way to deal with this. The High Priest might not answer to us, but he will answer to his people. Let's take him to the other chiefs, guys."

QM Note: You were already successful with that subquest. You will get your reward in due time.

A couple?! Don't you mean thirteen days? This isn't the first time you've left others hanging, either.

"Wow, you were a busy man a few decades ago..." Periwinkle and Sarge kept chatting for a while, before sleep took over them as well. It was the small hours on their sixth day in Salmanda when the party got up, feeling refreshed, warm and fuzzy inside. They had avoided fatigue for two more days. What would they do next? Party at the Sanctuary: Eric (Khorne) 30 year old norseman Raider *Party Second-in-Command* Level 29 *Natural Respite* *Evasion* *Immune to Fragile, Weakened, Blinded, Asleep, Water and Earth* *Blessed* Power: 50 (29+18+2+1) Defense: 5 Health: 52/52 (8+28+7+4+5) Gold: 0 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) 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.), Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.) Consumables: Potion, 10 Grand Potions, Health Core, 3 Elixirs, 3 Remedies, Neutralizer, 5 Meads, 5 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, 5 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, Agni 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.), 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.) Tools etc.: "Key To Riches" (quest item) Sgt. Jon McEncy (Pyrovisionary) *Party Leader* 54 year old male human Black Knight Level 24 *Immune to Blinded and Stunned* *Poisonous Defense* *Permanently Hastened and Blessed* Power: 49 (24+21+2+2) Defense: 20 (16+4) Health: 48/48 (7+23+9+3+3+3) Gold: 1341 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 [Health Core]), 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: 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: 3 Potions, 2 Remedies, Phoenix Essence, 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 Level 35 1/4 *Immune to Darkness, Fire, Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness* *Blessed* Power: 57 (35+17+4+1) Defense: 19 (7+12) Health: 58/58 (10+34+11+2+1) Ether: 35/35 Gold: 320 Equipment: 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), 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: Frozen Saber (WP: 14; light-, ice- and wind-elemental; inflicts stunned; great sword), Lullaby Wand (WP:6, inflicts asleep), Silver Sword (WP: 18, Longsword), Artifacts: 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), Crystal Skull (Makes healing with ether guaranteed, but doubles the ether cost per healed target; suitable to clerics and chi monks; 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, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, 3x Mead, 3x Nostrum, 2x Ambrosia, 2x 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, 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.) Rex the Rhinotaur, the Mighty Mercenary (NPC, controlled by Zepher) 35 years old male wererhino Paragon Level 61 *Initiative* *Restoration* *Aura of Honor* *Gamble* *No Escape* *Blessed* Power: 96 (61+30+5) Defense: 12 Health: 93/93 (8+60+25) Gold: 655 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), Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Soma, Deadly Venom, Meat Lump (quest item) Periwinkle (NPC, controlled by Khorne) 19 years old female human Cleric Level 31 2/4 *Divert Attacks* *Immune to stunned, poisoned, bleeding, cursed, asleep, fast asleep, confused and hexed* *Blessed* Power: 32 (31+1) Health: 39/39 (9+30) Ether: 35/35 (5+30) 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) Inventory: Remedy, Neutralizer, Phoenix Essence Location: Sanctuary, Holy District Time: Small Hours of the Sixth Day Influence: 15 Subquests: Heckz happened upon the Holy District at the same time as the others woke up at the Sanctuary. Would he rejoin the party? Party at Sanctity Street: John 'Heckz' Brutenhal, the Ghostbuster, the Super Sleuth and the School Inspector (Cutcobra) 32 year old male human Sorcerer Level 27 *Jinxed Spells at Double Cost* *Darkness Spells Cause Weakened* Power: 39 (27+12) (Spellpower: 49 (27+12+10)) Defense: 0 Health: 35/35 (5+26+4) Ether: 21/43 (5+26+1+5+1+5) Gold: 316 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), Ether Core, 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.), Henry Award (Can be sold for 200 Gold or to give +1 HP or +1 Power to a character), Old Teddy (quest item), Flower-tailed Flying Squirrel (quest item), 2x Meat Lump (quest item), Borrowed All Scrolls

"Thank you, fellows! But I'm afraid it will strike again if we don't take it down somehow. For some reason it seems to be after me, seeing as it jumped over Annabelle... Not that I would want anything to happen to you, honeypie!" "No offense, dearie, but what makes you so special?" "No way! The patrons would not want an enormous carnivorous plant in their cherished gardens. They want their flowers pretty and still." "Yip yip yip!" Annabelle's poodle began to yap suddenly. It had spotted the fleeing monster. "Good girl, Frau-frau! Come on, gentlemen! Let's chase it down!" The girl and her poodle ran after the monster. Would the heroes follow?

"Phew! Crisis averted! I could take at least one Mythril Shard, the Fire Bombs, and my share of the gold, please." Ellaria then used a Health Core on the High Priest. "Now will you explain yourself?"

I also have a busy few days ahead of me, so please be patient with the updates!

QM Note: You can imbue elemental gems (like a diamond) into your staff once you get one, but unfortunately you cannot start with an elemental weapon. You staff is just a plain melee weapon for now. Results of Round One of the Garden Battle: Torald vs. ??? - Extra Critical Hit (???: 1212 health-19 dmg=1193 health) >Ezeran (Fire) vs. ??? - Great Spell (???: 1193 health-(19x2=38 dmg)=1155 health; Ezeran: -1 ether) >Windus vs. ??? - Special Damage (Cough Up - ??? flees) >Petaldan vs. ??? Torald and Ezeran manage to get some hits on the monster before it coughs up Waldorf and runs away. THE BATTLE IS VICTORIOUS! All party members gain a level! "Phew! Another close call!" Party: Ezeran Yavarr (MysticModulus) 42 year old male human mage *Party Leader* Level 6 *Absorbs darkness* Power: 13 (6+7) Defense: 1 Health: 10/10 (5+5) Ether: 9/10 (5+5) Gold: 25 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), 2x Potion, 2x Grand Tonic, 2x Remedy. Emerald (Wood), Ruby (Fire), Ebony Scorpion Dagger (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; dagger), Bedroll. Torald Waruelf (Alfadas) 20 year old male Human Barbarian Level 5 Power: 10 (5+5) Defense: 3 Health: 12/12 (8+4) Gold: 70 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), Potion, Mead, Tiger Balm, Fire Bomb, Aeolus Bomb (Deals 100 wind-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), Phoenix essence, Crocodile belt (Max. Health +2; accessory.) Paladin Petaldan Parfenius (Palathadric) 5-year-old male "wonder" Knight Level: 2 Power: 5 (2+3) Defense: 2 Health: 11/11 (10+1) Gold: 5 Equipment: Daugslyr (WP:3; Greatsword), Racamia (SP: 2; Shield) Inventory: Potion, Bedroll Dr. Windus (Windusky) 29 yrs old human Cleric Level 2 Power: 5 (2+3) Defense: 0 Health: 10/10 (9+1) Ether: 6/6 (5+1) Gold: 10 Equipment: Diamond Staff (WP: 3) Inventory: 1 Potion, 1 Remedy, Shovel

QM Note: As a cleric, you do not have any destructive spells at your disposal. Your options are attacking (from either front or back row), healing or using an item.

As he dug the ground, Dr. Windus discovered 10 gold among the dirt. "It pays the trouble to dig around an area frequented by the rich folk", Waldorf remarked with a wink. Suddenly something jumped over the brick wall behind Annabelle and her dog. Something with long vines and a gaping mouth. "Annabelle, behind you!" "Eek!" "Treef! Feed!" Before the party could react, Waldorf was already leaping up the stairs to save his girl. However, the plant monster jumped over Annabelle and gulped down the poor mage in one fell swoop. Only Waldorf's face was left visible. "Treef! Help me! Treef!" "Please! Do something!" The party was faced with the terrible monster that was obviously out of their league. PREPARE FOR BATTLE! Enemy: ??? *Absorbs Wood* *Wood-elemental attacks* *Immune to poisoned, bleeding, petrified, doomed and sudden death* Type: Plant Level: 12 Health: 1212/1212 Special: Cough Up – The monster releases its victim and flees the battle. Drops: 2 Wild Vines (WP:6, causes bound-effect, wood-elemental whip), Demeter Bomb (100 wood-elemental damage to all enemies) Party: Ezeran Yavarr (MysticModulus) 42 year old male human mage *Party Leader* Level 5 *Absorbs darkness* Power: 12 (5+7) Defense: 1 Health: 9/9 (5+4) Ether: 9/9 (5+4) Gold: 25 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), 2x Potion, 2x Grand Tonic, 2x Remedy. Emerald (Wood), Ruby (Fire), Ebony Scorpion Dagger (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; dagger), Bedroll. Torald Waruelf (Alfadas) 20 year old male Human Barbarian Level 4 Power: 9 (4+5) Defense: 3 Health: 11/11 (8+3) Gold: 70 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), Potion, Mead, Tiger Balm, Fire Bomb, Aeolus Bomb (Deals 100 wind-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), Phoenix essence, Crocodile belt (Max. Health +2; accessory.) Paladin Petaldan Parfenius (Palathadric) 5-year-old male "wonder" Knight Level: 1 Power: 4 (1+3) Defense: 2 Health: 10/10 Gold: 5 Equipment: Daugslyr (WP:3; Greatsword), Racamia (SP: 2; Shield) Inventory: Potion, Bedroll Dr. Windus (Windusky) 29 yrs old human Cleric Level 1 Power: 4 (1+3) Defense: 0 Health: 9/9 Ether: 5/5 Gold: 10 Equipment: Diamond Staff (WP: 3) Inventory: 1 Potion, 1 Remedy, Shovel

"Wow, you know a lot about plants! I'm especially proud of my Aquilegia formosa. As you see, the color scheme here is bright yellows and fiery reds, according to this autumnal season. The nobles walking around this park want to see flowers blooming no matter what time of the year it is, and that's where I come in. But I can't really tell anything else about the incident, only that it was a huge carnivorous plant that jumped at me yesterday. Are you talking about Doctor Cula from the alchemist's guild? I have no idea..." "I do a lot of digging around here, as do certain other individuals, so by all means, use your shovel if you think it's useful somehow." "On the contrary, I've read that savages - no offense - are much closer to nature than us civi... ehm, city-dwelling people." At that moment, someone called out to Waldorf. "My sweet Annabelle! You must beware, for a monster is lurking around here somewhere! I've hired these heroes to get rid of it, but you must return home." The noble girl smiled at the group and ruffled her poodle's woolly head. "Nonsense, Dorfie! My Frau-frau hasn't made her wee-wee yet."

"You're not going anywhere!" Ellaria consumes her last potion and attacks the Spear Mob from the front row.

It was a brisk autumn day when four rookie heroes of Heroica made their way up the Sungold Hill and into the park known as the Hanging Gardens. Their employer, a young mage, was already waiting for them. "There you are! Is this everybody? I'm Waldorf, the arbormancer gardener of this park. Did you happen to see a man-sized moving plant monster with razor-sharp teeth on your way here? It attacked me yesterday right around here. If it hadn't tripped on my Wandrake, I would've been a goner for sure!" The arbormancer glanced around nervously. Party: Ezeran Yavarr (MysticModulus) 42 year old male human mage Level 5 *Absorbs darkness* Power: 12 (5+7) Defense: 1 Health: 9/9 (5+4) Ether: 9/9 (5+4) Gold: 25 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), 2x Potion, 2x Grand Tonic, 2x Remedy. Emerald (Wood), Ruby (Fire), Ebony Scorpion Dagger (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; dagger), Bedroll. Torald Waruelf (Alfadas) 20 year old male Human Barbarian Level 4 Power: 9 (4+5) Defense: 3 Health: 11/11 (8+3) Gold: 70 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), Potion, Mead, Tiger Balm, Fire Bomb, Aeolus Bomb (Deals 100 wind-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), Phoenix essence, Crocodile belt (Max. Health +2; accessory.) Paladin Petaldan Parfenius (Palathadric) 5-year-old male "wonder" Knight Level: 1 Power: 4 (1+3) Defense: 2 Health: 10/10 Gold: 5 Equipment: Daugslyr (WP:3; Greatsword), Racamia (SP: 2; Shield) Inventory: Potion, Bedroll Dr. Windus (Windusky) 29 yrs old human Cleric Level 1 Power: 4 (1+3) Defense: 0 Health: 9/9 Ether: 5/5 Gold: 0 Equipment: Diamond Staff (WP: 3) Inventory: 1 Potion, 1 Remedy, Shovel QM Note: Here we go! Sorry about the delay.

"I'd like that. I honestly can't see the resemblance between you and me, but maybe I can spot it from them. What are their names? Do they live in Eubric as well?"