Sandy

Well, that brings up my other major storyline, the Pandemonicon Story Arc... I know it hasn't been featured much, but my next quest will shed more light upon the whole deal with the book and the archdemons.

I realized I was lacking a proper villain, so I made Baba one, even though she originally was just a nasty witch living in a bog. Then I tried to insert her into the main storyline in a way that made the faction I most wanted to portray as "shades of grey" as evil, so I needed her to leave one way or another. But I can assure you guys that she will be back to get the whopping she deserves. Late again! Dr. Cula has been advocating vampire rights ever since Quest#34!

Round Three of the Battle at Lodestar Inn: Eric vs. Black Market Guerrilla - Hit/Extra Critical Hit (Guerrilla: 228 health+12 SP-(84x4=336 dmg)=0 health) Eric vs. Ashanti - Shield/Shield (Ravage - Dealer: 133 health-(66x4=264 health)=0 health; Assassin: 192 health-(66x4/2=132 dmg)=60 health+blinded+confused; Ashanti: 188 health-(66x4=264 health)=0 health; Eric: 41+43+55=139 gold) Boomingham vs. Black Market Assassin - Special Damage/Shield (Guardian Angel) Boomingham vs. Black Market Assassin - Hit/Damage (Assassin: 60 health-(57x4/2=114 dmg)=0 health) Rex vs. Black Market Guerrilla >Heckz (Darkness) vs. Black Market Dealer The enemies are quickly dealt with, and Eric even manages to swipe some extra gold from them. THE BATTLE IS VICTORIOUS! Rex gains a fifth of a level, Boomingham gains a fourth, and Eric and Heckz gain a third. The enemies drop the following loot: 450 gold Grand Potion (Restores 25 health to the target.) Assassin’s Crossbow (WP:4, each successful assassination increases WP by one permanently; suitable to assassins; crossbow) Ambrosia (Causes the reinforced-effect, double the target's defense for the duration of one battle.) 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.) Party at the Port: Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) 48 years old human Paladin Level 35 1/4 *Immune to Darkness, Fire, Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness* Power: 57 (35+17+4+1) Defense: 19 (7+12) Health: 58/58 (10+34+11+2+1) Ether: 30/35 Gold: 120 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, x2 Remedy, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, x2 Mead, x3 Nostrum, Ambrosia, x2 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, x2 Grating Stone, Oculoid Miasma, Oculoid Fireworks, Saber Teeth, Mythril Shard, Bone Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, 2 Meat Lumps (quest item), "Key To Riches" (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* 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) 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* Power: 49 (29+18+2) Defense: 5 Health: 52/52 (8+28+7+4+5) Gold: 151 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: Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.) Consumables: Potion, 9 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.: John 'Heckz' Brutenhal, the Ghostbuster, the Super Sleuth and the School Inspector (Cutcobra) 32 year old male human Sorcerer Level 26 2/3 *Jinxed Spells at Double Cost* *Darkness Spells Cause Weakened* Power: 38 (26+12) (Spellpower: 48 (26+12+10)) Defense: 0 Health: 34/34 (5+25+4) Ether: 25/37 (5+25+1+5+1) 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), 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), Opal (Ice), Garnet (Earth), Amethyst (Darkness), Aquamarine (Water), Ether Core, Nostrum, Smoke Bomb, 2x Deadly Venom, Heady Perfume (Makes non-humanoid monsters avoid attacking the party unless provoked. Effect lasts for one section of the day before wearing out.), 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), Old Teddy (quest item), Flower-tailed Flying Squirrel (quest item), 2x Meat Lump (quest item), Borrowed All Scrolls

What agendas might they be, may I ask? I find fantasy settings to be an excellent way to observe the issues we have in our own world from an outsider's perspective. If I were to create a society where women rule by norm, it wouldn't be because I want to push some feministic agenda, but to examine gender roles in a reversed disposition. But to each their own, I guess. Well, I meant to say that of course her actions are evil, but she isn't some megalomaniac archvillain trying to destroy the world for the giggles. Besides, what seems evil to us is just normal living for a mindflayer. You can't scold a cat for eating a mouse if she catches it, after all.

Actually, there's no LEGO theme called "Wolfgang". You are thinking about the Wolf Pack.

But I like it that way. Good guys vs. bad guys is such a tired trope, especially since we all know that there is potential for both good and evil in all of us. I guess I just like my NPCs more humane... That's why I wanted to show flashbacks to Baba's past in Quest#135 (they were originally planned for Quest#100) - she's a monster, sure, but she also has her own desires, motivations and fears.

I don't know how that can be, since I can't even count how many quest ideas starting with "The Wolfgang wants to steal/murder/kidnap this item/person, and the heroes have to stop them" I've rejected over the years.

He doesn't only plan it, Ulric already did away with most of the crooks back in Quest#66. Remember how he allowed his top three generals all die? Alfendi Lupine and his ilk have long since abandoned Wolfgang, and the Sewer Wolves slipped under my radar, since I've been forbidding QMs to portray members of Wolfgang as mere thieves and killers for a long time now. Sure, the Fearsome Four resorted to dubious means in Quest#100, but they were all more misundertood than wicked (well, except Detraehd, she was a cold bitch). Except that the Crescent Union isn't exactly egalitarian. They have a family of Aoi - probably the most priviledged races on Olegaia - and a guild of alchemists who practically form a secret society that persecutes those that try to practice their trade outside their watchful eye. These people already have power over Eubric, and they haven't really seen necessary to intervene with orcish slavery before this - so why would they begin now?

OoC: Could you please add two Henry Awards to Ellaria's inventory, WBD? Thanksies! "Tesni, I could put those bombs to good use, if you'd be kind enough to give me them as my share of the loot."

Again, there are no laws in Eubric, so how can anyone be deemed criminal?

"Fine! I'll leave you big boys to play your games, then." Periwinkle disengaged from the battle and rushed to the fallen black knight's side. Round Two of the Battle at Lodestar Inn: Black Market Dealer - Encouraged (Bargain rejected) Boomingham heals Eric - Shield/Meditate (Guardian Angel) Eric does nothing Eric does nothing Rex uses Smelling Salts on Boomingham - (Boomingham: hastened) Boomingham heals Eric - Heal/No Healing (Eric: +57 health; Boomingham: -1 ether) >Heckz (Darkness) vs. Black Market Dealer - Spell/Special Damage (Dealer: no damage, weakened and jinxed; Heckz: -2 ether) Black Market Assassin - Free Hit vs. Boomingham (no effect) Black Market Golem - Free Hit vs. Eric (no effect) Ashanti - Free Hit vs. Rex (no effect) The dealer is aggravated by Heckz rejecting his offer. Barty decides to stick around to keep the party safe for another round. Eric stands still as Boomingham heals him, hastened by Rex's drink. Heckz blasts the dealer with debilitating curses. All enemies are still left, but the golem guerrilla is no longer deflecting damage for them. Enemies: Black Market Dealer *Encouraged* *Weakened for 3 rounds* *Jinxed* Type: Humanoid Level: 41 Health: 133/233 Special: Bargain – The trader will offer 50 gold to the target if they allow him to flee. If they refuse, the trader will become encouraged for the remainder of the battle. Drops: 100 gold, Grand Potion Black Market Assassin *Ranged, fights from the back row* Type: Humanoid Level: 43 Health: 192/292 Special: Grim Reaper – The assassin has 1/6 chance per opponent to cause sudden death. She will steal up to 100 gold from each opponent she knocks out. Drops: 50 gold, Assassin’s Crossbow (WP:4, each successful assassination increases WP by one permanently; suitable to assassins; crossbow) Black Market Guerrilla Type: Humanoid Level: 46 Defense: 12 Health: 228/316 Special: Sentinel – The Black Market Gang is impervious to all damage for the duration of the following round. Drops: 50 gold, Ambrosia Ashanti, Black Market Merchant *Attacks cause bleeding* *Immune to doomed and sudden death* *Blinded for 2 rounds* Type: Humanoid Level: 55 Health: 188/624 Special: Double-edged Sword – Ashanti steals the target’s equipped weapon and adds its WP to her own attack power. If this skill is rolled again, she will drop the previous weapon which can then be retrieved. She will also drop the stolen weapon when she is knocked out. Drops: 250 gold, 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.) Party at the Port: Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) 48 years old human Paladin Level 35 *Immune to Darkness, Fire, Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness* *Encouraged* *Lucky* *Hastened* Power: 57 (35+17+4+1) Defense: 19 (7+12) Health: 58/58 (10+34+11+2+1) Ether: 30/35 Gold: 110 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, x2 Remedy, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, x2 Mead, x3 Nostrum, Ambrosia, x2 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, x2 Grating Stone, Oculoid Miasma, Oculoid Fireworks, Saber Teeth, Mythril Shard, Bone Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, 2 Meat Lumps (quest item), "Key To Riches" (quest item) Rex the Rhinotaur, the Mighty Mercenary (NPC, controlled by Zepher) 35 years old male wererhino Paragon Level 60 4/5 *Initiative* *Restoration* *Aura of Honor* *Gamble* *No Escape* Power: 95 (60+30+5) Defense: 12 Health: 71/92 (8+59+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) Eric (Khorne) 30 year old norseman Raider *Party Second-in-Command* Level 28 2/3 *Natural Respite* *Evasion* *Immune to Fragile, Weakened, Blinded, Asleep, Water and Earth* *Encouraged* *Hastened* *Lucky* Power: 48 (28+18+2) Defense: 5 Health: 51/51 (8+27+7+4+5) Gold: 12 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: Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.) Consumables: Potion, 9 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.: John 'Heckz' Brutenhal, the Ghostbuster, the Super Sleuth and the School Inspector (Cutcobra) 32 year old male human Sorcerer Level 26 1/3 *Jinxed Spells at Double Cost* *Darkness Spells Cause Weakened* *Immune to Magic for one battle* *Lucky* Power: 38 (26+12) (Spellpower: 48 (26+12+10)) Defense: 0 Health: 34/34 (5+25+4) Ether: 25/37 (5+25+1+5+1) 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), 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), Opal (Ice), Garnet (Earth), Amethyst (Darkness), Aquamarine (Water), Ether Core, Nostrum, Smoke Bomb, 2x Deadly Venom, Heady Perfume (Makes non-humanoid monsters avoid attacking the party unless provoked. Effect lasts for one section of the day before wearing out.), 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), Old Teddy (quest item), Flower-tailed Flying Squirrel (quest item), 2x Meat Lump (quest item), Borrowed All Scrolls

The topic for the Wolf King's Followers is now up. Sorry for the wait! After contemplating on it, I decided to keep the faction restricted to those with Wolfgang rep only. But you can trust that there will be more reputation for them offered in the future, at least on my quests.

~This topic is for in-character interaction only, and only open to those joining the faction. Questions and out-of-character discussion should be posted into the General Discussion topic.~ EQUALITY. JUSTICE. REVOLUTION. Fallen leaves of autumn swirled on top of the sewage as Kukulkan, the head of the Orcish Liberation Movement, made his way through the sewers under Eubric Freeport. He followed illuminated engravings on the wall that only appeared to those who had been granted access to the Wolf’s Den, the secret hideout of the notorious Wolfgang. Once he got there, Kukulkan was greeted by Ulric Wolfkin himself. The orc had made an agreement to join the Wolf King's Followers. “I have to say I was pleased when you contacted me, Kukulkan. I have been trying to get the greenskins on my side for a long time now.” “I have had my reservations towards you and your organization, but with the situation of my kind being what it is, the Wolfgang is our best bet. The Wolfgang is not what it used to be – especially now that the witch is gone.” “Ah, yes. Dear Barbie left us not long ago. I’m not surprised you knew about it, given your companionship with the Oracle. We got into a little quarrel over ethics with Barbie, and she flew off to ruin some other civilization. I admit it was stupid of me to think I could benefit from her.” “The witch was nothing but trouble, boss. I learned as much during the mission in Babeleth.” “Yarr, good RIDDANCE to HER!” “Kukulkan, I’d like you to meet Walbartan and Hodurr Thornback. They’ve proven to be loyal followers, so I have appointed them as new Wolfgang Generals. I have weeded out most of the thieves and murderers from my followers, including the old generals, so that my final goal would not be corrupted.” “Your final goal is becoming the First King of Uland, isn’t that right?” “No, in fact my final goal is to install law and order to this place. You know the history this island bears. It is crucial to the future of Olegaia and all the people that live on it. It must be cherished and protected, something the old Houses are inept to do.” “I’d like to hear what makes you think you are any more capable.” “HA! He’s got some BALLS, that one!” "I would watch my words if I were you, orc!" “I appreciate your honesty, Kukulkan. Like you have your calling to save your people, I have mine. I may come from a foreign country, but I was lead here by a higher power to do good – just like you.” “I was shipped here by a bunch of slave traders, but I get your point. And I’m willing to give you the benefit of a doubt. You have the orcs. Better not let us down, or we will show you the wrath of Tarok.” “I will not. I now have two out of the six Veterans of Heroica on my side, so I trust it will make it easier for me to get in contact with the mighty heroes you have gathered under the roof of your Hall, right?” “I suppose so. The Houses will be pissed off, of course, but with their division to Crescent Union and Sungold Alliance, they will desperately try to get heroes on their side as well. War is inevitable, and Heroica will be divided due to it as well, but nothing lasts forever. At least we orcs do not mind war.” “That is exactly why I wanted you on my side so much, Feathered Serpent.” That day Ulric’s reach over both Eubric and Heroica grew greatly, and thus choice members of Heroica were sent letters of invitation into the Wolf King’s Followers. JOINING THE WOLF KING'S FOLLOWERS: ~ If a player character has reputation with the Wolfgang, they can opt to join the Wolf King's Followers by posting a "letter" where he or she expresses their will to this topic. ~ The character's reputation with other Houses is not affected. However, they cannot join the Sungold Alliance or the Crescent Union as long as they belong to the Wolf King's Followers. ~ If the player character leaves the Wolf King's followers, they will lose their reputation with the Wolfgang. ~ By joining the faction, the player character has access to the faction-specific shop, as well as any future events held by the faction. ~ Some future quests will be geared towards a certain faction, while members of the opposing faction may be locked out of them. So please consider your options before joining! MEMBERS: Calamity (Scubacarrot) En Sabah Nur (Jebediahs) Kiray Nastayo (KingoftheZempk) Keliim (Mencot) Monk Pretzel (Palathadric) Purpearl Berthadhiell (Purpearljellyblob) Skrall (Waterbrick Down) WOLFGANG CONTRABAND: Bright Polish (SP +1 to one shield or armor upon use.) Costs 250 gold. Grating Stone (WP +1 to one weapon upon use.) Costs 250 gold. Phoenix Incense (Revives all knocked out party members to full health during a battle.) Costs 150 gold. Mythril (A very rare metal that can be forged into weapons, adding 10 WP.) Costs 1000 gold. Scroll of Magic Disguise (Changes the appearance of the target to anything the caster desires for 1 ether per minute of duration (actual duration dictated by the Quest Master).) Costs 500 gold. FIRST FACTION EVENT: SPREAD THE WORD ~ All members of the Wolf King's Followers are urged to spread the word about the coming of the Wolf King during their quests. ~ For every influential individual or group they successfully persuade to support the Wolf King, they will gain a more prominent standing within the faction (see Ranks below). This ranking can be increased by doing other favors for Ulric as well. Those with higher reputation with Wolfgang will automatically start from a higher rank. ~ The success of persuasion is dictated by the Quest Master of each quest. Utilizing job traits like diplomacy, intimidation and promiscuity will aid the persuasion. ~ This event lasts for the time being. Ranks Esquire (equals good reputation among the Wolfgang) - Kiray, Purpearl, Skrall, Keliim Knight (equals great reputation among the Wolfgang) - Calamity, Nur, Pretzel Baronet (equals outstanding reputation among the Wolfgang) Baron Viscount Count Margrave Duke Grand Duke Viceroy

"Let's move on. We have to find out where those dark dwarves came from."

QM Note: Does it say anything about effects in the description? So no, Sentinel does not protect from effects.

This came as a surprise to you? Even though I repeatedly said that choosing a side would have lasting effects, and the nature of this game would change? Of course you can't gain reputation with a faction if you openly support their rivals! Some quests will be faction-locked, as well. But it doesn't mean you can't ever go on a quest with people from opposing factions, there are plenty of "neutral" quests that have nothing to do with the houses.

QM Note: You forgot to post the turn order, Khorne, so I'll just have you act in the order you posted in. "Sure thing, but I won't be able to participate in the battle if I'm on nursing duty." Being a veteran of the battle fields, Boomingham could discern in one glance that the knight was still alive - mostly because he was still throwing curses at Ashanti. "It's not over til it's over, old man. As always, I just have to make sure to leave no witnesses." Initiative Round of the Battle at Lodestar Inn: Eric uses a Nostrum on himself - (Eric: lucky) Periwinkle does nothing Boomingham does nothing Rex does nothing Heckz uses Demeter Bomb - (Dealer: 233 health-100 dmg=133 health; Assassin: 292 health-100 dmg=192 health; Guerrilla: 316 health+12 SP-100 dmg=228 health; Ashanti: 624 health-100 dmg=524 health) Round One of the Battle at Lodestar Inn: Eric (Conspirator) vs. Black Market Dealer - Special Damage/Damage (Eric: 51 health+5 SP-(41/2=21 dmg)=35 health) Eric (Conspirator) vs. Ashanti - Extra Critical Hit/Damage (Ashanti: 524 health-(84x4=336 dmg)=188 health+blinded) >Periwinkle does nothing Boomingham (Scupperer) vs. Ashanti - Shield/Special Damage (Guardian Angel) Rex vs. Black Market Guerrilla - Special Damage (Sentinel) >Heckz (Darkness) vs. Black Market Dealer - Special Damage/Special Damage (Bargain) Black Market Assassin - Free Hit vs. Eric (Eric: 35 health+5 SP-(43/2=22 dmg)=18 health) The black market dealer wounds Eric, while the viking lands a blinding blow on Ashanti. Barty returns to protect the heroes, while the guerrilla sets up a sentinel to block damage for the enemies. The dealer tries to bargain for his life with Heckz, while the assassin shoots the already injured Eric. Will Heckz agree to the dealer's bargain or not? All four enemies remain, all of them impervious to damage for the next round. Enemies: Black Market Dealer Type: Humanoid Level: 41 Health: 133/233 Special: Bargain – The trader will offer 50 gold to the target if they allow him to flee. If they refuse, the trader will become encouraged for the remainder of the battle. Drops: 100 gold, Grand Potion Black Market Assassin *Ranged, fights from the back row* Type: Humanoid Level: 43 Health: 192/292 Special: Grim Reaper – The assassin has 1/6 chance per opponent to cause sudden death. She will steal up to 100 gold from each opponent she knocks out. Drops: 50 gold, Assassin’s Crossbow (WP:4, each successful assassination increases WP by one permanently; suitable to assassins; crossbow) Black Market Guerrilla *SENTINEL* Type: Humanoid Level: 46 Defense: 12 Health: 228/316 Special: Sentinel – The Black Market Gang is impervious to all damage for the duration of the following round. Drops: 50 gold, Ambrosia Ashanti, Black Market Merchant *Attacks cause bleeding* *Immune to doomed and sudden death* *Blinded for 3 rounds* Type: Humanoid Level: 55 Health: 188/624 Special: Double-edged Sword – Ashanti steals the target’s equipped weapon and adds its WP to her own attack power. If this skill is rolled again, she will drop the previous weapon which can then be retrieved. She will also drop the stolen weapon when she is knocked out. Drops: 250 gold, 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.) Party at the Port: Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) 48 years old human Paladin Level 35 *Immune to Darkness, Fire, Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness* *Encouraged* *Lucky* *GUARDIAN ANGEL* Power: 57 (35+17+4+1) Defense: 19 (7+12) Health: 58/58 (10+34+11+2+1) Ether: 31/35 Gold: 110 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, x2 Remedy, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, x2 Mead, x3 Nostrum, Ambrosia, x2 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, x2 Grating Stone, Oculoid Miasma, Oculoid Fireworks, Saber Teeth, Mythril Shard, Bone Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, 2 Meat Lumps (quest item), "Key To Riches" (quest item) Rex the Rhinotaur, the Mighty Mercenary (NPC, controlled by Zepher) 35 years old male wererhino Paragon Level 60 4/5 *Initiative* *Restoration* *Aura of Honor* *Gamble* *No Escape* Power: 95 (60+30+5) Defense: 12 Health: 71/92 (8+59+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, Smelling Salts, Soma, Deadly Venom, Meat Lump (quest item) Eric (Khorne) 30 year old norseman Raider *Party Second-in-Command* Level 28 2/3 *Natural Respite* *Evasion* *Immune to Fragile, Weakened, Blinded, Asleep, Water and Earth* *Encouraged* *Hastened* *Lucky* Power: 48 (28+18+2) Defense: 5 Health: 18/51 (8+27+7+4+5) Gold: 12 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: Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.) Consumables: Potion, 9 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.: 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* 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 John 'Heckz' Brutenhal, the Ghostbuster, the Super Sleuth and the School Inspector (Cutcobra) 32 year old male human Sorcerer Level 26 1/3 *Jinxed Spells at Double Cost* *Darkness Spells Cause Weakened* *Immune to Magic for one battle* *Lucky* Power: 38 (26+12) (Spellpower: 48 (26+12+10)) Defense: 0 Health: 34/34 (5+25+4) Ether: 27/37 (5+25+1+5+1) 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), 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), Opal (Ice), Garnet (Earth), Amethyst (Darkness), Aquamarine (Water), Ether Core, Nostrum, Smoke Bomb, 2x Deadly Venom, Heady Perfume (Makes non-humanoid monsters avoid attacking the party unless provoked. Effect lasts for one section of the day before wearing out.), 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), Old Teddy (quest item), Flower-tailed Flying Squirrel (quest item), 2x Meat Lump (quest item), Borrowed All Scrolls

Quintessa, the Queen Mother of Heartland strolled to the Marketplace with a big smile on her face. During the weeks she had spent in Eubric she had grown accustomed to not being surrounded by a throng of servants and guards wherever she went. The freedom was exhilarating, and she was all the more excited when she found that three gilded statues had appeared on her nightstand that morning. After all, the gold she had been given by her son had all been splurged on the rent of the luxurious room in Eubric's finest inn. She immediately decided to spend the day shopping. "Say, good sir", she said to the first merchant she encountered. "What would you pay Us for these golden statuettes?" Quintessa ended up gaining 600 gold for the three Henry Awards she had been given. (10+600=610 gold) With the gold, she bought a Heavy Armor for 230 gold, a set of five tools - a Shovel, a Pickaxe, a Magnifying Glass, a Telescope, and a Magic Compass - for 150 gold, two Smoke Bombs for 10 gold, four Potions for 20 gold, three Remedies for 30 gold and a Phoenix Essence for 50 gold, as well as some Smelling Salts for 25 gold and Nostrum for 35 gold, leaving her with 60 gold. (610-230-10-20-30-40-50-(2x5=10)-(4x5=20)-30-50-25-35=60 gold) "Aaah! That pleased Us greatly!"

Ellaria used a Greater Potion on herself before repeating her attack. Rummaging through her sack, she noticed that two gilded statues had magically appeared there. Determining them useful, she decided to save them for later. Henry Award (Can be sold for 200 Gold or to give +1 HP or +1 Power to a character, Consumable, Soul-bound)

~Scheherazade has new rumors to share!~

QM Note: Here are Monk Pretzel's corrected stats. He got a point of experience from the last battle, and the amount of gold he has was wrong due to a typo. Monk Pretzel and His 99 Pieces, the Super Sleuth (Palathadric) 463-year-old male "hermit" Artisan Level 34 2/4 *Immune to Magic and Healing* *Lucky* *Hastened* *Triple Exp* Power: 45 (34+10+2) Defense: 12 (10+2) Health: 59/59 (9+33+15+2) Gold: 2205 Equipment: Dual Staff (WP:10; Ice, Lightning, Fire, Wind, Light; Dual Strike; Staff), Armour of Dark Arts (SP: 10; Takes up: Bodywear, Handwear, Footwear slots; counts as one artifact; Suitable to Knights, Dragoons, and Skirmishers), Duplovian Helmet (SP:2; Immune to Magic and Healing; Headwear), Soul Link Chain (Allows the user to pair up with another party member, both of them gaining all the effects that the other has. The partner has to equip the chain as well (ie. one chain can be shared by two people); Accessory), Medal of Glory (Wearer gains triple experience, accessory) Inventory: Weapons: Splinter Broom (WP: 9; Broomstick; defies SP), Flying Cross (WP: 11; Darkness; Broomstick), , Whip of Savage Overlords (WP: 9; ⅙ chance of inflicting the Slowed effect; Whip), Staff of the Necromancer (WP: 12; damages Undead; +1 Level to raised Undead; Staff), Shadeaux Mace (WP: 9; deals Fragile effect, Mace), Steak (WP: 1, instantly kills vampires on successful hits; suitable for all), Mythril Shield (SP: 20) Artifacts: Marauder’s Mantle (Grants permanent reinforced effect; Suitable to Marauders; Backwear), Darksteel Armour (SP: 6; Max. Health +3; Bodywear), Strategist's Shako (+5 power while in the front row, +5 SP while in the back; Headwear), Burning Knuckle Helmet (SP: 10; Wearer suffers Burning -3 effect; Suitable for Anyone; Headwear), Bumble Fanshirt (SP: 1, Vermin with level less than half of the wearers are scared and won't directly attack the wearer; Bodywear), Order Imperial Prophet's Armor (SP: 8; Grants Command; Suitable for Prophets; Bodywear), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (SP: 5, Protects against Fragile and all Poisons; Suitable for Knights, Dragoons, Skirmishers and Regulators, Bodywear), Cloak of the Barbaric Runecaster (SP: 3; wearer creates and deploys a Skeleton Decoy at the start of every battle; Suitable for Battle Mages, Necromancers, and Scholars; Backwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP: 2, Max Ether +4; Backwear), Cloak of Necrotic Shielding (SP: 3; Provides Special Guard against Undead enemies; Backwear), Rock Gauntlets (Grants the wearer Iron Fist at no ether cost; Suitable for anyone; Handwear), Counterstrike Gloves (Handwear), Soothing Slippers (Meditation restores 5 ether; Footwear), Shackles of War (Accessory), Lens of Speed Reading (allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action; accessory, suitable for scroll users), Spell Items: 2 Amethysts, 2 Emeralds, Garnet, 2 Aquamarines, Diamond, Ruby, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness x 2, Scroll of Confusion x 2, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Minimizing (Has 1/2 chance of causing the minimized-effect on the target; costs 10 ether.), Scroll of Arc Sleep Consumables: 5 Potions, 15 Grand Potions, Cherry (Restores 1 ether), 2 Tonics, Ether Core, Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 8 Remedies, 3 Neutralizers, Tiger Balm, 5 Phoenix Essences, 2 Phoenix Incenses, 4 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, 2 Nostrums, Soma, Mulled Wine, Dragon Scale (lucky & blessed), Titan Heart (encouraged & inspired), 5 Venoms, 5 Deadly Venoms, 2 Paralyzing Venoms, 3 Jinxy Juices, 5 Smoke Bombs, 2 Fire Bombs, Holy Bomb, Military Grade Fire Bomb, 2 Blind Bombs, 2 Seal Bombs, Sleep Bomb, 6 Bones, Raw Meat (+5 max. health upon consumption), Crimson Haze (Causes a weapon to deal the Poisoned by 7 and Cursed effects permanently), Strong Wasabi (-2 Poisoned permanently), Grating Stone (Increases WP of any weapon by 1.) Tools etc.: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Shovel, Magic Compass, Magic Shovel (1/3 uses) (will always find something when used, limited to three uses per quest)

Right. All past, present and future reputation with the opposing faction is nulled when you join a side. I'm about to post the Wolf King's Followers topic, so stay tuned.

I concur, and I've been doing my best to offer them. #130 rewards heroes with access to Vindicator, #135 would have rewarded the Veteran classes, and my next quest will reward access to the Scholar class. All my other recent quests have offered faction reputation. So, I throw the ball to the other QMs. Make quests that feature NPCs hailing from the Rito, Town Watch, the Marketplace etc. and have them offer expert job classes. Of course the heroes should make some sort of effort to gain them, just handing them out isn't really the idea of expert job classes.

Well, I know there are plenty of them already, but I just wanted to showcase my idea and get some feedback just in case it was implemented some day. It wouldn't be any time soon, anyway...

Great to see the Henry's up! Hearty congratulations for the winners, I feel really bad for not having the time to vote this time due to my messed-up life. A huge thanks to WBD & co for organizing this, the "production values" are through the roof.