Sandy

Skrall's arrow pins the shady figure's cape to the wall as Nur's spell dislodges the rickety metal staircase leading up. The figure dangles in the air for a while until his cape rips and he falls into the muck. The party has caught up with him by now, and sees that the person fits the description of Donny Dozenhands. The pickpocket raises his hands up. He is holding a nasty-looking katar on his right hand. "Alright, alright, you caught me! Say, you're from Heroica, aren't you? It figures the Town Watch didn't send any of their own into this mission - those corrupted bastards would have only kept the given gold for themselves and claimed I got away with it, haha! But I have to admit, you're good. Our gang could use champions like you in our ranks... What do you say if I return the gold I stole from you, and you let me go? I can pass a good word about you three to the higher-ups. It would do you good to be in good relations with the Wolfgang, I can tell you. Something big is on the way, something that will change this shithole of a city... forever." Donny flashes a gilded smile. "So, have we got a deal?"

Brickdoctor, I have to correct something you said in your quest: The other statements are correct except the last one. There are no elemental strengths in this game, only weaknesses and immunities. So a spell can either be especially effective against an enemy, in which case it deals double damage - or quadruple if an enemy has two types that are weak to the same element -, cause normal damage, or have no effect at all.

The party runs onwards, and at the end of the tunnel they see a caped figure climbing up a ladder. He is too far to catch by running, but perhaps there is something else the party can do to stop him?

Skrall shoots a crossbow bolt into the pipe. He can hear it hit a corner in the pipe with a clank, and drop. Nothing comes out of the pipe but a tiny trickle of filthy water. Meanwhile, En Sabah Nur uses his earthen magic to remove the bricks from their path. It is as easily said as done, so the party are free to continue their pursuit. They return to the intersection where they turned to the trapped tunnel. Which way will the party go now, STRAIGHT AHEAD or RIGHT, back to where they entered the sewers? Party: En Sabah Nur (played by Jebediahs) Level 3 Mage (Party Leader) Power: 6 Health: 7/7 Ether: 3/7 Gold: 145 Inventory: Sangriste Dagger (WP: 3), Garnet (Earth), 2 Potions, Bedroll Haldor Skovgaard (played by Scorpiox) Level 3 Cleric Power: 6 Health: 11/11 Ether: 5/7 Gold: 20 Inventory: Gauricheim (Mace, WP: 3), Potion, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Bedroll Skrall (played by Waterbrick Down) Level 3 Ranger Power: 7 (11 against beasts) Health: 3/8 Gold: 130 Inventory: Hunter's Crossbow (WP: 4/8 against beasts), Boar Bone Longbow (WP: 3), 2 Potions, Smoke Bomb, Ice Bomb

You can get hit by an enemy's Free Hit even if you use an item, but you will still use the item with 100% certainty, since any possible Free Hits will be dealt after every party member has acted. So, in your examples, scenario #2 is correct.

~The list of deities has been updated to the first post with two new entries. You can also see the list below. There are more deities on the way.~

Simply moving the bricks one by one is not fast enough. Donny will get away unless the party comes up with a quick solution.

Like I said, they don't.

The party makes a turn to the left. Ahead of them, they see a faint glow. But in the darkness of the sewers they fail to see the tripwire that has been triggered on their path. As the wire snaps, the heavy bricks on the ceiling fall down upon them, taking away half of everybody's health. The injured party crawls from under the rubble to find themselves trapped between a dead end in the tunnel with only a narrow pipe leading on and the pile of bricks that came down on them. Donny Dozenhands lies somewhere behind that rubble. The source of the glow becomes apparent to the party, as they find a vial of Phoenix Essence lying on the ground below the pipe. Party Leader, who shall receive the found item? 1 x Phoenix Essence - Revives a fallen ally with full health during a battle. What will the party do now? Party: En Sabah Nur (played by Jebediahs) Level 3 Mage (Party Leader) Power: 6 Health: 3/7 Ether: 4/7 Gold: 145 Inventory: Sangriste Dagger (WP: 3), Garnet (Earth), 2 Potions, Bedroll Haldor Skovgaard (played by Scorpiox) Level 3 Cleric Power: 6 Health: 3/11 Ether: 6/7 Gold: 20 Inventory: Gauricheim (Mace, WP: 3), 2 Potions, Remedy, Bedroll Skrall (played by Waterbrick Down) Level 3 Ranger Power: 7 (11 against beasts) Health: 3/8 Gold: 130 Inventory: Hunter's Crossbow (WP: 4/8 against beasts), Boar Bone Longbow (WP: 3), 2 Potions, Smoke Bomb, Ice Bomb

The librarian raises his eyebrow. "I would think a mage such as yourself would be better versed in magic than a simple bookworm such as myself. But I will not turn away those seeking knowledge, if I can help it." "So, magic. What is it? A gift or a curse from gods? A talent that only few possess? Or a force of nature that resides in all of us. Opinions vary greatly, but the truth remains undiscovered. There has been magic in our world at least as long as there has been recorded history, but since the use of magic is not tied to civilization, I believe even primitive people learned how to harness the power of elements. It is a great skill, being able to conjure primordial forces to do your bidding, but luckily for all of our sakes, there are limits and boundaries." "The elements of magic are bound to gems, as you well know. Of course, not all gems are magical, and not everyone can use a gem inherently - it is a talent that must be learned. Even then, the magic-user is limited by his or her own ether, a mysterious energy within them that allows casting spells from the gems. Using magic drains that energy, and it can only be regained by a good rest or special concoctions known as tonics. Oddly enough, ether is also drained by healing, which most think as being separate from the nine destructive elements. But could it be that healing is merely the tenth element of magic, and clerics are but mages specializing in said element? I cannot tell, since I am neither a mage nor a cleric." "Yes, there are nine elements of destruction, all natural forces you can encounter just by venturing outside. Fire, ice and lightning, water, earth and wind, wood, light and darkness... Common occurences that can all cause great damage if concentrated into a single spell. Even excessive light can render you blind and sear your skin. Different creatures are weak to certain elements while totally impervious to others. A fish cannot be hurt by water, but a lightning strike will instantly fry it. Us humanoids are most susceptible to darkness, which ignites the primal fears and instincts within us. It twists our guts and makes us lose our minds. Yes, I would say a mage who reigns over darkness is the most dangerous of all spellcasters." "It is said that the potency of your spells grows the more experienced you get in using them. Also, you can learn to use magic in different ways. There are specialized mages such as evokers who can summon elemental spirits, and battle mages who combine spellcasting with their prowess in melee combat. There is no saying how powerful a mage can grow, and legends tell of wizards who have torn whole nations asunder. Thus you should be careful not to let your lust of power get the best of you." "Would you agree with me on these points, good mage? Please correct humble old Byblos if he has said something erraneous."

Party: En Sabah Nur (played by Jebediahs) Level 3 Mage (Party Leader) Power: 6 Health: 7/7 Ether: 4/7 Gold: 145 Inventory: Sangriste Dagger (WP: 3), Garnet (Earth), 2 Potions, Bedroll Haldor Skovgaard (played by Scorpiox) Level 3 Cleric Power: 6 Health: 7/11 Ether: 6/7 Gold: 20 Inventory: Gauricheim (Mace, WP: 3), 2 Potions, Remedy, Bedroll Skrall (played by Waterbrick Down) Level 3 Ranger Power: 7 (11 against beasts) Health: 6/8 Gold: 130 Inventory: Hunter's Crossbow (WP: 4/8 against beasts), Boar Bone Longbow (WP: 3), 2 Potions, Smoke Bomb, Ice Bomb The party decides to continue through the open sluicegate. Soon the tunnel divides again, this time to the left and right. The footsteps on the muck can still be heard, but the echo makes it indecipherable as to which direction they come from. So, which way will the party turn, LEFT or RIGHT? Or do they wish to TURN BACK?

Results of Round Five of the Sewer Battle: >Skrall vs. Wolfgang Sniper - Special Damage En Sabah Nur vs. Wolfgang Thug (Dagger) - Critical Hit Haldor heals Skrall - Heal More As the battle goes on, the female sniper launches an explosive bolt, causing 2 damage to all party members. The infuriated En Sabah Nur attacks the remaining Wolfgang Thug and takes him down with a forceful stab. Haldor restores full health to Skrall at the cost of an ether. One enemy left. The battle still continues. Enemies: Wolfgang Sniper Type: Humanoid Level: 4 Health: 2/15 Special: Explosive Bolt – Causes 2 damage to all opponents regardless of their row. Drops: Hunter’s Crossbow (WP: 4/8 against beasts) Party: En Sabah Nur (played by Jebediahs) Level 2 Mage (Party Leader) Power: 5 Health: 4/6 Ether: 3/6 Gold: 135 Inventory: Sangriste Dagger (WP: 3), Garnet (Earth), 2 Potions, Bedroll Haldor Skovgaard (played by Scorpiox) Level 2 Cleric Power: 5 Health: 8/10 Ether: 5/6 Gold: 8 Inventory: Gauricheim (Mace, WP: 3), Potion, Remedy, Bedroll Skrall (played by Waterbrick Down) Level 2 Ranger Power: 5 Health: 7/7 Gold: 130 Inventory: Boar Bone Longbow (WP: 3), 2 Potions, Smoke Bomb, Ice Bomb Note, since there is only one weak enemy left, the rest of the battle will be played out automatically. Results of Round Six of the Sewer Battle: >Skrall vs. Wolfgang Sniper - Special Damage En Sabah Nur vs. Wolfgang Sniper - Shield Haldor vs. Wolfgang Sniper - Miss The battle reaches it's climax as the sniper launches another explosive bolt that deals a round of 2 damage to each of her opponents. Nur's powers awaken within him, and in a burst of magic a concentrated earthquake breaks the ground and knocks the sniper out. THE BATTLE IS VICTORIOUS! All party members gain a level of experience. The enemies drop 22 gold, 2 potions and a Hunter's Crossbow. Party: En Sabah Nur (played by Jebediahs) Level 3 Mage (Party Leader) Power: 6 Health: 3/7 Ether: 4/7 Gold: 135 Inventory: Sangriste Dagger (WP: 3), Garnet (Earth), 2 Potions, Bedroll Haldor Skovgaard (played by Scorpiox) Level 3 Cleric Power: 6 Health: 7/11 Ether: 6/7 Gold: 8 Inventory: Gauricheim (Mace, WP: 3), Potion, Remedy, Bedroll Skrall (played by Waterbrick Down) Level 3 Ranger Power: 6 Health: 6/8 Gold: 130 Inventory: Boar Bone Longbow (WP: 3), 2 Potions, Smoke Bomb, Ice Bomb Party Leader, how will the spoils of the battle be divided? 22 gold 2 x Potion (Restores 10 health to the target) 1 x Hunter's Crossbow (WP:4/8 against beasts, suitable for rangers.) After having defeated the thugs, the party hears the distant splashing footsteps echoing from somewhere ahead. There is a big sluicegate in front of them, which is luckily open. Will the party continue onwards or turn back to the intersection?

Alright, the Barbarian's Job Trait is updated according to the feedback. They still don't need bedrolls to rest, though.

If you look in between the pillar of the sea goddess and the big shark, you can just about see yet another familiar character lurking behind there. The other picture reveals it better. Argh, more maths! At first I was thinking the Barbarians could rest without a bedroll, but that would only mean they got 5 more gold than anyone else which didn't seem fair. But the idea of the ability is related the Barbarians' ability to rest just about anywhere. How about if Barbarians recover health equal to their level after every battle? Would it be too hard to remember for hosts?

Results of Round Four of the Sewer Battle: >Skrall vs. Wolfgang Sniper - Damage En Sabah Nur vs. Wolfgang Thug (Dagger) - Miss Haldor vs. Wolfgang Sniper - Hit In the heat of the battle, the sniper managed to get another arrow into Skrall's skin, reducing another 2 health from the ogre. Nur misses his strike, but Haldor connects with his mace and deals a blow on the female sniper, causing 5 damage. Two enemies still remain. The battle drags on. Enemies: Wolfgang Thug (Dagger) Type: Humanoid Level: 3 Health: 2/12 Special: Steal – The target loses gold according to their level. Drops: 12 gold, 1 Potion Wolfgang Sniper Type: Humanoid Level: 4 Health: 2/15 Special: Explosive Bolt – Causes 2 damage to all opponents regardless of their row. Drops: Hunter’s Crossbow (WP: 4/8 against beasts) Party: En Sabah Nur (played by Jebediahs) Level 2 Mage (Party Leader) Power: 5 Health: 6/6 Ether: 3/6 Gold: 135 Inventory: Sangriste Dagger (WP: 3), Garnet (Earth), 2 Potions, Bedroll Haldor Skovgaard (played by Scorpiox) Level 2 Cleric Power: 5 Health: 10/10 Ether: 6/6 Gold: 8 Inventory: Gauricheim (Mace, WP: 3), Potion, Remedy, Bedroll Skrall (played by Waterbrick Down) Level 2 Ranger Power: 5 Health: 3/7 Gold: 130 Inventory: Boar Bone Longbow (WP: 3), 2 Potions, Smoke Bomb, Ice Bomb Party Leader, choose the order of action. All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, 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.

Results of Round Three of the Sewer Battle: >Skrall vs. Wolfgang Sniper - Hit En Sabah Nur vs. Wolfgang Thug (Dagger) - Hit Haldor vs. Wolfgang Thug (Dagger) - Miss As the battle continues, Skrall's arrow flies true and hits the Wolfgang Sniper for 5 damage. Nur likewise scores a hit on the remaining thug for 5 damage. Haldor's attack misses. Two enemies still remain. The battle continues. Enemies: Wolfgang Thug (Dagger) Type: Humanoid Level: 3 Health: 2/12 Special: Steal – The target loses gold according to their level. Drops: 12 gold, 1 Potion Wolfgang Sniper Type: Humanoid Level: 4 Health: 7/15 Special: Explosive Bolt – Causes 2 damage to all opponents regardless of their row. Drops: Hunter’s Crossbow (WP: 4/8 against beasts) Party: En Sabah Nur (played by Jebediahs) Level 2 Mage (Party Leader) Power: 5 Health: 6/6 Ether: 3/6 Gold: 135 Inventory: Sangriste Dagger (WP: 3), Garnet (Earth), 2 Potions, Bedroll Haldor Skovgaard (played by Scorpiox) Level 2 Cleric Power: 5 Health: 10/10 Ether: 6/6 Gold: 8 Inventory: Gauricheim (Mace, WP: 3), Potion, Remedy, Bedroll Skrall (played by Waterbrick Down) Level 2 Ranger Power: 5 Health: 5/7 Gold: 130 Inventory: Boar Bone Longbow (WP: 3), 2 Potions, Smoke Bomb, Ice Bomb Party Leader, choose the order of action. All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, 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 rule of half of the weapon power x10 would probably still stand in those cases, since once sold to the Marketplace, the weapons would be gone forever and the specialities with them, but I imagine you could get a better price from a fellow player. The default worth of selling the weapons would then be: Ice Pick - 50 gold Hunter's Crossbow - 20 gold Staff of Endless Ether - 5 gold Maybe we should set up an item trading topic at one point.

Please, if people would notify me every time they updated their profiles, I'd be swarmed with messages. The players are supposed to edit their signatures as soon as something changes in their profile, so by all means, do so.

Results of Round Two of the Sewer Battle: >Skrall vs. Wolfgang Sniper - Aim En Sabah Nur vs. Wolfgang Thug (Club) - Hit Haldor vs. Wolfgang Thug (Dagger) - Special Damage The battle goes on. Skrall aims his arrow at the sniper, dealing 3 damage. Nur slashes Sangriste at the Wolfgang Thug that wields the club, and causes 5 damage to it, defeating it. The dagger-bearing thug steals 2 gold from Haldor. Two enemies still stand. The battle continues. Enemies: Wolfgang Thug (Dagger) Type: Humanoid Level: 3 Health: 7/12 Special: Steal – The target loses gold according to their level. Drops: 12 gold, 1 Potion Wolfgang Sniper Type: Humanoid Level: 4 Health: 12/15 Special: Explosive Bolt – Causes 2 damage to all opponents regardless of their row. Drops: Hunter’s Crossbow (WP: 4/8 against beasts) Party: En Sabah Nur (played by Jebediahs) Level 2 Mage (Party Leader) Power: 5 Health: 6/6 Ether: 3/6 Gold: 135 Inventory: Sangriste Dagger (WP: 3), Garnet (Earth), 2 Potions, Bedroll Haldor Skovgaard (played by Scorpiox) Level 2 Cleric Power: 5 Health: 10/10 Ether: 6/6 Gold: 8 Inventory: Gauricheim (Mace, WP: 3), Potion, Remedy, Bedroll Skrall (played by Waterbrick Down) Level 2 Ranger Power: 5 Health: 5/7 Gold: 130 Inventory: Boar Bone Longbow (WP: 3), 2 Potions, Smoke Bomb, Ice Bomb Party Leader, choose the order of action. All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, 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.

Ellaria thanks Tarn for the pickaxe. It will surely come in handy if they ever encounter something like a cave-in. (OoC: Are these two swords darkness- and fire-elemental, as their names hint? If they are, it should say so in the description.)

My condolences to you and your family, cralegoboy! That is correct. You have an interesting character, I must say. An elf with a long beard...

Ellaria held the torch over the barrels so her companions could take a better look into them. "Oh look! There seems to be all kinds of items in there. I wouldn't mind having at least one of them..." (Note: My ether should now be 4/7.)

Results of Round One of the Sewer Battle: >Skrall vs. Wolfgang Sniper - Damage >En Sabah Nur (Earth) vs. Wolfgang Thug (Club) - Great Spell Haldor vs. Wolfgang Thug (Dagger) - Hit The battle against the three ruffians commenced. Skrall got hit by the sniper's arrow, losing two health because he was standing in the back row. En Sabah Nur's Earthen Fury hit the thug with the club, causing 8 damage. Haldor hit the other thug for 5 damage. All enemies still stand. The battle continues. Enemies: Wolfgang Thug (Dagger) Type: Humanoid Level: 3 Health: 7/12 Special: Steal – The target loses gold according to their level. Drops: 10 gold, 1 Potion Wolfgang Thug (Club) Type: Humanoid Level: 3 Health: 4/12 Special: Steal – The target loses gold according to their level. Drops: 10 gold, 1 Potion Wolfgang Sniper Type: Humanoid Level: 4 Health: 15/15 Special: Explosive Bolt – Causes 2 damage to all opponents regardless of their row. Drops: Hunter’s Crossbow (WP: 4/8 against beasts) Party: En Sabah Nur (played by Jebediahs) Level 2 Mage (Party Leader) Power: 5 Health: 6/6 Ether: 3/6 Gold: 135 Inventory: Sangriste Dagger (WP: 3), Garnet (Earth), 2 Potions, Bedroll Haldor Skovgaard (played by Scorpiox) Level 2 Cleric Power: 5 Health: 10/10 Ether: 6/6 Gold: 10 Inventory: Gauricheim (Mace, WP: 3), Potion, Remedy, Bedroll Skrall (played by Waterbrick Down) Level 2 Ranger Power: 5 Health: 5/7 Gold: 130 Inventory: Boar Bone Longbow (WP: 3), 2 Potions, Smoke Bomb, Ice Bomb Party Leader, choose the order of action. All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, 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.

You can only change between the five advanced classes derived from your basic class, so there's still ten classes you will not get your hands onto. Like I said, the advanced classes are more than just the powers of two basic classes combined. I'm giving this choice to the players so they won't feel trapped into one play style only. Good to have you back!

A Berserker, that is, then? But hold your horses, since you haven't seen all the options yet. The advanced classes are not mere hybrids of basic classes, they all have some sort of unique twist to them, and you may be surprised to see how hard it is to choose. Luckily you can change your advanced class in between quests.