Sandy

I'd hold on to your gold until August, when the new artefact shop will open. You'll find plenty of desirable items there for Guts, and you're one of the few who can actually afford any of them.

There were times where you were close to failing the quest (you certainly would've if you had tried to kill the count), but aside from that, the story was what it was. There was no chance for the count to actually turn out to be a vampire, if you mean that. I find it funny that before the end, you never even attempted to ask the count what he really was. You just came up with these elaborate schemes to use the given items on him. Says he with over 1000 gold and a Mythril Shard in his pocket. Some quests give more items, others give more gold or experience. That's the way this game rolls.

Madame Ladybug let out a tut. "Hmmm, I told you so! Just think of the trouble we've put the poor count and these three gentlement just because of this inane bet, hmmm." "Ah vell, you can't blame a vampire vor having a dream", said Dr. Cula with a sad tone in his voice. "Thith ith not a pleathant thity vor my kind. Jutht rethently my good vriendth Victor and Victoria were merthilessly murdered on their honeymoon. Iv only we had a thpokethperthon in a leaderthip pothition..." "But, my dear Alphonse, aren't you yourself in a high position in the city, hmmm? You're the head alchemist of our guild, after all. Couldn't you become a spokesperson for the rights of vampires and other undead citizens of Eubric?" The vampire alchemist's red eyes lit up. "Thath'th it! U'lalah, you are a geniuth! I, Alphonthe Cula, vill make it my nev miththion to make Eubric a better plathe to live vor the living dead! Thank you, my dear colleague, and my nev vriendth, vor making me thee my true dethtiny! Hahahahaa!!!" The vampire's laughter chilled the spines of the three rogues. "You are welcome, but you still owe me from the bet, hmmm. As for you three, you have the gratitude of the guild for solving this issue for us." "Oh yeth! Letht I vorget, here are the promithed revardth. And a little ekthra for catching that pethky drug dealer." The alchemists showered the party with assorted potions. Dr. Cula even cut his precious Mythril into four parts, keeping one to himself but giving the other shards to the party. 3x Grand Potion – Restores 25 health to the target. 3x Grand Tonic – Restores 15 ether to the target. 3x Elixir – Restores 50 health and 10 ether to the target and removes all negative effects from the target. 3x Remedy – Removes all negative effects from the target. 3x Phoenix Essence – Revives a fallen ally with full health during a battle. 3x Mythril Shard - 1/4th of a whole Mythril ore. THE QUEST IS SUCCESSFUL! Party: Dak Shadeaux (played by Darth Nihilus) Level 15 Rogue *Immune to Badly Poisoned-effect* Power: 25 (20 for ranged attacks) Health: 21/21 Gold: 433 Inventory: Mockthril Knife (WP:10, lightning-elemental), Throwing Knife (WP:5, ranged, retrievable), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Trendy Handbag (protects from whichever bad effect was last inflicted in battle to someone else), Shadeaux Shield (SP:4, unsuitable)Potion, 2 Grand Potions, Grand Tonic, Elixir, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Mead, 2 Venoms, Nostrum, Mythril Shard, Bedroll, Shovel Dyric Rone (played by The Legonater) Level 14 Rogue *Lucky* Power: 24 (18 for ranged attacks) Health: 21/21 Gold: 1048 Inventory: Double Chain Whip (WP:10), Throwing Knife (WP:4, ranged, retrievable), Steel Fan (WP:12), Longsword (WP: 3), Darksteel Crossbow (WP:8, blinded-effect, unsuitable), Loaded Die (permanent lucky-effect), Potion, 2 Grand Potions, Grand Tonic, Elixir, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Mead, Smelling Salts, Mythril Shard Guts Holla (played by Scubacarrot) *Party Leader* Level 18 Rogue Power: 30 (26 for ranged attacks) Health: 24/24 Gold: 1055 Inventory: Lifestealer (WP:12, ice-elemental, attacks restore 3 health), Throwing Knife (WP:8, ranged, retrievable, light-elemental), Beholder's Eye (allows one round of battle to be replayed per quest), 3 Grand Potions, Grand Tonic, Elixir, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, 2 Meads, Mythril Shard, Bedroll, Shovel

Exactly. The people of Charis don't speak French anymore than than the folks in Eubric speak English. The real-world languages are just used to show the difference between the languages of those countries (and give the Shadeaux that extra flair). Don't overthink it, please. EDIT: Phew, both of my quests are done now! Hope you had fun in them!

"If you zink I will be zanking you, you are sadly mistaken. Now I 'ave to go find myself some new guards..." The count disappears into the dark woods of the park, while the party heads to the opposite direction. At the Invision Guildhouse, both Dr. Cula and Madame Ladybug are already waiting for the rogues to return. "Yeth? Tell uth everything you vound out!" "Alphonse, please! Can't you just accept you've lost already, hmmm?" What will the party tell the alchemists?

The perplexed count nods. "You're ze one 'olding ze knife..." Together the rogues and the count make their way to the Fountain of Three Gods, and peer into the water. True enough, four faces can be seen, one much paler than the others. "Iz zis enough to convince you, or du you want to drive a stake zrough my coeur juste tu be sure? Tell me whu your employers are, and I'll make sure zat zey will know what I zink about zese kinds of tests..."

QM Note: You didn't say his hands were bound behind his back. "I said Charis, not cherries! Charis iz ze eastern kindgom where me and ma famille, Le Shadeaux, came from about twenty years ago. You certainly dun't know your géographie, du you? Alors, ze reason I was banished iz related to your otheur questions. Ze truz iz zat I suffeur from a very rare condition zat rendeurs me vulnerable tu several substances zat are commonly 'armless tu 'umans. Sunlight and garlic are but a few of zose zings. I get a terrible rash if I step outside my chateau during the day, zat is why my skin iz zo pale. Zere is non official name four my condition, but I call it Le Malheur. It 'as been transfeurred in my bloodline for generations, alzough not everyone iz affected. My père and frère were not, and neizer are twu of my children. Poor Bellanotte, on ze ozer hand... She shares my fate." The count lets out a deep sigh. "I used to rule a county in Charis, until the dreadful rumours of my vampirism started to spread among ze peasants. One night zey came, wiz pitchforks and torches, and evicted me and ma famille - my first-born Umbra was only a little girl back zen - along wiz all our servants from our castle. I tried to appeal to ze king, but 'is Majesty could not 'elp. Ze king found a new count, and I sailed tu my merchant frère Matinus whu lived in Eubric tu find a new fortune. And zat I have done. Oh, and ze bats, zey are my pets. I 'ave been trained as a dragoon, you see, so I can communicate wiz all dragonine animaux - bats among zem." The count glares at the rogues. "Iz zat enough four you, or are your expecting to find more skeletons in my closet? Trust me, zere are many, but none zat I need to disclose to whoever 'ired you. I realize now zat you are from 'Eroica, so I dun't believe you would cause me any more 'arm zan zis - ozerwise your Veterans would skin you alive. Now, untie me." The count pushed his arms forward adamantly.

QM Note: No, the hastened-effect will last over your next battle, then vanish. Blame Bricksandparts for creating such a complex item. And yes, the quest is over.

The count raises his hands in the air to shield his face from the knife. "You crazy people... What du you zink I am, if not a 'uman being like yourself?! Or iz my pale complexion making you believe zose ridiculous vampire-rumours? Sacré chauve-souris, zis iz like Charis all oveur again..."

Party: Dak Shadeaux (played by Darth Nihilus) Level 15 Rogue *Immune to Badly Poisoned-effect* Power: 25 (20 for ranged attacks) Health: 21/21 Gold: 433 Inventory: Mockthril Knife (WP:10, lightning-elemental), Throwing Knife (WP:5, ranged, retrievable), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Trendy Handbag (protects from whichever bad effect was last inflicted in battle to someone else), Shadeaux Shield (SP:4, unsuitable)Potion, Grand Potion, Mead, 2 Venoms, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel Dyric Rone (played by The Legonater) Level 14 Rogue *Lucky* Power: 24 (18 for ranged attacks) Health: 21/21 Gold: 1048 Inventory: Double Chain Whip (WP:10), Throwing Knife (WP:4, ranged, retrievable), Steel Fan (WP:12), Longsword (WP: 3), Darksteel Crossbow (WP:8, blinded-effect, unsuitable), Loaded Die (permanent lucky-effect), Potion, Grand Potion, Mead, Smelling Salts Guts Holla (played by Scubacarrot) *Party Leader* Level 18 Rogue Power: 30 (26 for ranged attacks) Health: 24/24 Gold: 1055 Inventory: Lifestealer (WP:12, ice-elemental, attacks restore 3 health), Throwing Knife (WP:8, ranged, retrievable, light-elemental), Beholder's Eye (allows one round of battle to be replayed per quest), 2 Grand Potions, 2 Meads, Bedroll, Shovel Count Noctus Shadeaux comes to, lying on the hard pebbled ground of the Stone Garden. He sees his guards lying dead around him, and his rapier kicked out of his reach. Three rogues in dark clothing hover above him. "You... You 'aven't killed me? Mais... why? Why engage my guards in battle four zree nights in a row and zen slowly watch me succumb tu my allergique reaction, and zen leave me alive?! Answeur me, zut alors!" The count stares the party expectantly.

QM Note: Of course, you can use it anytime you want to. You don't need my permission to use your own items...

"I hope that too. I trained as a druid, but haven't yet gotten to use those skills in a real battle", Ellaria says. "Maybe when she's older, I guess. Oh, but it's Elpis's nap time already. This hall is too noisy for her to sleep in, so I'll take her out for a walk. See you again soon, my friends!" Ellaria waves at everyone as she leaves the hall, not yet knowing that when she would return the next time, things would be very different...

For the record, I did ask Scuba's permission to use Patricia, and said that she would only act in the background without getting harmed in any way. I didn't feel the need to negotiate how to roleplay her, though, since I got a pretty good picture from Scuba's earlier quest. I have it easy, since I'm the only person I need to consult about it.

Ellaria smiles sheepishly. "Well, I would, but I haven't yet found one where I could take Elpis with me... I don't dare to leave her with Spriggan for such a long time, for my poor employer is becoming forgetful and absent-minded. I swear, he would feed his clients pidgeon droppings for pills if I weren't around to watch after him. But other than him and you guys, there's nobody I know in this city. So I'm kind of stuck..." She then leans forward so that Althior wouldn't hear. "What about you two? Do you have any plans on... getting stuck, yourselves?" Ellaria gives an impish wink at her friend. Ellaria giggles at the barbarian's oblivousness. "Alf, how good to see you too! Meet Elpis, my beautiful daughter. She is healthy indeed, eats like a little swine." Ellaria tickles her daughter's toes, making her laugh uncontrollably. "You are mommy's little swine, aren't you?"

Coincidentally, at that moment Ellaria walks out of the ladies' room with the freshly changed Elpis giggling happily in her basket. "Lexie!" she shouts upon seeing her friend, and then runs to give her a hug. "How good to see you again! And you too, Althior", she says, smiling to the sage who is tickling Elpis's tummy gleefully. She also nods warily to the ghastly figure she has seen floating around the Hall lately. "So, I heard you were on a quest together. What was it like? Please tell me all about it, I'm tired of only talking about baby stuff." Ellaria winks at Althior. "Maybe you could watch over Elpis while me and Lexie go grab a drink at the Saloon?"

There's actually several of them coming up before I leave for my trip. At least Scubacarrot, Capt.JohnPaul and Zepher will all be hosting in July. Adding to that, Rumble Strike, Flipz, Darth Nihilus, LEGOman and the Legonater are all planning for future quests, although none of their pitches have been officially approved yet. That's one of my upcoming quests, although there's several others pegged before that. I'm actually glad that none of the Wolfgang leaders have been killed yet, despite the option to do so, as it gives me and other QMs more opportunities to flesh out the faction.

68 rounds of intense staring later, Count Shadeaux succumbs to the effects of the poisoning and falls unconscious to the ground. THE BATTLE IS VICTORIOUS! Dak and Guts gains half of a level. The enemies drop 1100 gold and a Shadeaux Shield. Party: Dak Shadeaux (played by Darth Nihilus) Level 15 Rogue *Immune to Badly Poisoned-effect* Power: 25 (20 for ranged attacks) Health: 21/21 Gold: 133 Inventory: Mockthril Knife (WP:10, lightning-elemental), Throwing Knife (WP:5, ranged, retrievable), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Trendy Handbag (protects from whichever bad effect was last inflicted in battle to someone else), Potion, Grand Potion, Mead, 2 Venoms, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel Dyric Rone (played by The Legonater) Level 14 Rogue *Lucky* Power: 24 (18 for ranged attacks) Health: 21/21 Gold: 748 Inventory: Double Chain Whip (WP:10), Throwing Knife (WP:4, ranged, retrievable), Steel Fan (WP:12), Longsword (WP: 3), Darksteel Crossbow (WP:8, blinded-effect, unsuitable), Loaded Die (permanent lucky-effect), Potion, Grand Potion, Mead, Smelling Salts Guts Holla (played by Scubacarrot) *Party Leader* Level 18 Rogue Power: 30 (26 for ranged attacks) Health: 24/24 Gold: 555 Inventory: Lifestealer (WP:12, ice-elemental, attacks restore 3 health), Throwing Knife (WP:8, ranged, retrievable, light-elemental), Beholder's Eye (allows one round of battle to be replayed per quest), 2 Grand Potions, 2 Meads, Bedroll, Shovel Party leader, please divide the spoils of the battle: 1100 Gold Shadeaux Shield - SP:4, suitable to knights QM Note: I'll be away for the next three nights for the Midsummer festivities. I had hoped to conclude this quest before that, but I'd rather do it properly than with haste. So, the quest will continue on Sunday, and you'll find out the truth about Count Shadeaux then. I just have to say that damn you are all filthy rich after this quest!

You're welcome. I know the "trade-off" for failing this quest wasn't as good as the Donny quests, but on the other hand you could've kept the Zirconia if you wanted to. But you did get some experience, unique weapons, a few gems and an improved reputation with two factions, so I guess it does not matter much that you failed.

QM Note: Not a problem, as you'll soon see. With the aid of Alexis's spiritual friends the party disappeared into the night before the watchmen caught up with them, and headed back to the Ziegfried Manor. The Ziegfrieds were amazed to see the Zirconia returned to them. "How did you...? Oh, it does not matter. The most important thing is that the Zirconia is safely back in our possession. A thousandfold thank you, you three are most definitely in our good graces for this." Disappointed that there was no bigger reward to gain, the heroes saw it best to return to Heroica Hall. Outside the hall they ran into none other than Captain Patricia. Oddly enough, instead of fuming with anger, the captain of the Town Watch had a weary expression on her face. "I cannot express the magnitude of my disappointment. If you weren't members of this accursed organization, I'd have all of you hanged. Just so you know, I complained to the Veterans about you three, but they had the gall to ignore my plea, saying that you were free to do as you saw best. This city is fast crumbling to dust... Am I really the only one that sees it?" Shaking her head, the captain left the party at the doors of the Hall. The Town Watch's trust on Heroica was greatly damaged, but perhaps some other group of heroes would be able to restore it. THE QUEST HAS FAILED! Each party member has gained improved reputation among the Wolfgang and the Ziegfrieds. Party: Alexis Fenral (played by Masked Builder) *Party Leader* Level 20 2/3 Evoker *Immune to Fragile* *Hastened* Power: 30 (22 for Flute) Defense: 3 Health: 26/26 Ether: 21/21 Gold: 102 Inventory: Mockthril Longbow (WP:10, ranged), Flute of the Magi (WP:3, asleep-effect), Cat-o'-Nine-Tails (WP:9, damage divided between all enemies, unsuitable), Quickdraw Quiver (permanent hastened-effect), Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from fragile) Opal (Ice), Topaz (Lightning), Ruby (Fire), Aquamarine (Water), Amethyst (Darkness), Mead, Tonic, Grand Tonic, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Pickaxe, Shovel, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Bone Spirits: Skorpios (Amethyst), Ocven the Ice Dragon (Opal), Shalma the Thunderbird (Topaz), Sarp Zarra (Aquamarine), ? (Ruby) Althior Emorith (played by K-Nut) Level 19½ Sage Power: 29 (twin strike) Defense: 4 Health: 29/29 Ether: 25/25 Gold: 90 Inventory: Twin Sai (WP:10, damages two enemies in one hit), Dragoro (WP:8), Robe of the Elven Necromancer (SP:4), Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Garnet (Earth), Opal (Ice), Aquamarine (Water), Emerald (Wood), 2 Potions, Fire Bomb, Ice Bomb, Tonic, Shovel, Bedroll, Skeleton Decoy Benji Carvenhall (played by Flare) Level 18 Warden Power: 29 (28 for ranged attacks) Defense: 0 Health: 33/33 Gold: 54 Inventory: Wave Sword (WP:11, cursed-effect), Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:10, ranged, darkness-elemental, ice-elemental), Armor of the Draugr (max health +2), Diamond (Light), 5 Potions, 3 Venoms, Remedy, 2 Meads, Smelling Salts, 2 Smoke Bombs, Lightning Bomb, Jo-no Tree Seed, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe QM Note: Thank you for the quest! Damn those Wolfgang folks can be persuasive!

Results of Round Five of the Shadeaux Entourage Battle: >Guts (Throwing Knife) vs. Count Shadeaux - Critical Hit/Hit Dyric (Chain Whip) vs. Count Shadeaux - Critical Hit/Miss Dyric (Chain Whip) vs. Count Shadeaux - Special Damage/Damage Dak does nothing Guts throws his light-elemental knife at Count Shadeaux, scoring a critical hit that inflicts 132 damage. Dyric also gets a good hit on the count, dealing 68 damage. However, the count counters the attack and pierces Dyric with his rapier, instantly knocking him out. Dak decides that it's best to sit this round out. The poison continues to work at the count. Only two rogues face the count now. Enemies: Count Noctus Shadeaux *Badly Poisoned* Type: ????? (physical attacks work normally, healing works normally, garlic causes poisoning, weak to light-elemental attacks) Level: 50 Health: 674/953 Special I: Veil of Bats – The count summons a horde of bats to protect him, making him impervious to all attacks for the next round. Used only if there are guards left in the battle. Special II: ENOUGH! – The count surrenders if all his guards are taken out, ending the battle in the heroes' favour. Drops: 1000 gold Note: Count Noctus does not get Free Hits. Party: Dak Shadeaux (played by Darth Nihilus) Level 14½ Rogue *Immune to ?* Power: 24 (19 for ranged attacks) Health: 20/20 Gold: 133 Inventory: Mockthril Knife (WP:10, lightning-elemental), Throwing Knife (WP:5, ranged, retrievable), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Trendy Handbag (protects from whichever bad effect was last inflicted in battle to someone else), Potion, Grand Potion, Mead, 2 Venoms, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel Dyric Rone (played by The Legonater) Level 14 Rogue *Lucky* *Encouraged* *Hastened* *Knocked Out* Power: 24 48 (18 36 for ranged attacks) Health: 0/21 Gold: 748 Inventory: Double Chain Whip (WP:10, poisoned), Throwing Knife (WP:4, ranged, retrievable), Steel Fan (WP:12), Longsword (WP: 3), Darksteel Crossbow (WP:8, blinded-effect, unsuitable), Loaded Die (permanent lucky-effect), Potion, Grand Potion, Mead, Smelling Salts Guts Holla (played by Scubacarrot) *Party Leader* Level 17½ Rogue *Encouraged* *Lucky* Power: 29 58 (25 50 for ranged attacks) Health: 23/23 Gold: 555 Inventory: Lifestealer (WP:12, ice-elemental, attacks restore 3 health), Throwing Knife (WP:8, ranged, retrievable, light-elemental), Beholder's Eye (allows one round of battle to be replayed per quest), 2 Grand Potions, 2 Meads, Bedroll, Shovel Party Leader, choose the order of action. All of you, choose your target and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to flee or if you want to use an item instead of attacking. Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone have acted.

The party decided to exchange Violetta for the Zirconia. Donny left the alley again, and returned soon with the rainbow-coloured gem. "Here, catch!" Zirconia - This rare gem blessed by Ethereth reflects all the colours of the rainbow. The owner can cast spells of any element. The pickpocket throws the gem at Alexis, who in turn releases Violetta from the clutches of her former weapon. "I can't say it's been a pleasure meeting you three, but I guess you were just doing your job like I was doing mine. In the end, this turned out good for both my personal health and the Wolfgang, and for that, I owe you my thanks. It looks like Heroica isn't as much of a devil's advocate as we've thought you were. You can consider yourselves to be in good books with the Wolfgang, at least for now. I sincerely hope you will choose our side when that time comes." "Enough chit-chat with your new pals, Violetta. You've got some explaining to do for Ulric... And as for you three, the watchmen are just around the corner. Better make a run for it!" Donny lead Violetta down the drain, and as soon as they had appeared, the Wolfgang thugs vanished. The three heroes were alone in the alleyway, but they could hear running sounds fast approaching them. What is the party's next course of action? Party: Alexis Fenral (played by Masked Builder) *Party Leader* Level 20 2/3 Evoker *Immune to Fragile* Power: 30 (22 for Flute) Defense: 3 Health: 9/26 Ether: 2/21 Gold: 102 Inventory: Mockthril Longbow (WP:10, ranged), Flute of the Magi (WP:3, asleep-effect), Cat-o'-Nine-Tails (WP:9, damage divided between all enemies, unsuitable), Quickdraw Quiver (permanent hastened-effect), Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from fragile) Opal (Ice), Topaz (Lightning), Ruby (Fire), Aquamarine (Water), Amethyst (Darkness), Zirconia (all elements), Mead, Tonic, Grand Tonic, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Pickaxe, Shovel, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Bone Spirits: Skorpios (Amethyst), Ocven the Ice Dragon (Opal), Shalma the Thunderbird (Topaz), Sarp Zarra (Aquamarine), ? (Ruby) Althior Emorith (played by K-Nut) Level 19½ Sage Power: 29 (twin strike) Defense: 4 Health: 29/29 Ether: 18/25 Gold: 90 Inventory: Twin Sai (WP:10, damages two enemies in one hit), Dragoro (WP:8), Robe of the Elven Necromancer (SP:4), Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Garnet (Earth), Opal (Ice), Aquamarine (Water), Emerald (Wood), 2 Potions, Fire Bomb, Ice Bomb, Tonic, Shovel, Bedroll, Skeleton Decoy Benji Carvenhall (played by Flare) Level 18 Warden Power: 29 (28 for ranged attacks) Defense: 0 Health: 8/33 Gold: 54 Inventory: Wave Sword (WP:11, cursed-effect), Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:10, ranged, darkness-elemental, ice-elemental), Armor of the Draugr (max health +2), Diamond (Light), 5 Potions, 3 Venoms, Remedy, 2 Meads, Smelling Salts, 2 Smoke Bombs, Lightning Bomb, Jo-no Tree Seed, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe

You will never see Ellaria's son. However, she has a daughter called Elpis who is most likely going to be my second character if I ever reach Level 50. And before you ask how it'll be possible, the answer is "magic". I hope you aren't wondering why I'm hesitant to let you host your own quest...

QM Note: Please bold your final choice. You should probably talk about the decision some more, since one of you is strongly opposing it.

Well, since Sealing only blocks ether-based actions, what do you think?

I forbid you to even think of any complex items like that!