Sandy

The woman is seemingly amused. "You du realize you are ze intruders 'ere, dun't you? 'Owever, I am a reasonableu femme. I see you are from 'Eroica, and my family wishes non troubleus wiz your organization. Alors, let me introduce myself. My name is Umbra Shadeaux, the daughter of ze venerableu Noctus Shadeaux. I will make you an offeur: in exchange for 1200 gold, you name the person whu 'ired you, and you will walk out of 'ere free and intact, and wiz improved relations wiz my family. You can even keep ze bottle." Umbra winks, and slashes her rapier in the air. "Refuse, and we fight."

The Shadeaux woman looks at them with a raised eyebrow. "You du know I can 'ear everyzing you say? I am standing right 'ere, after all. So, you 'ave taken somezing from us, non? Zis bottle you mentioned?"

I felt that "what did I click now?" feeling for a second, then I was all "ah, a theme month!". It's always fun to have one of these, even if this particular theme does not feel that close to me. I do have a suggestion for a theme-related activity, though: why won't someone host an underwater-themed quest for Heroica RPG? If you ask how the players would be able to breathe underwater, the answer is simple: a wizard did it (most likely a Ziegfried)!

Results of Round One of the Bathroom Battle: Cronk vs. Yellow Toad - Special Damage >Bacari vs. Green Toad - Critical Hit >Nyx (Wood) vs. Beth the Bath - Shield (Wood) >Althior (Wind) vs. Grey Toad - Great Spell >Namyrra (Ice) vs. Red Toad - Miss Sylph vs. Brown Toad - Spirit Guard The battle starts with the yellow Toxic Toad licking Cronk with its poisonous tongue, causing the orc knight to be poisoned. Signor Bacari scores a critical hit on the green toad, causing 10 damage to it. Nyx's magical powers overflow again in a Magic Burst of the wood-element. All enemies are weak to the element, so it causes a whopping 26 damage to them all, ending the battle before it really began. Cronk suffers from the effects of the poison, losing 1 health before the poisoning fades away. THE BATTLE IS VICTORIOUS! All party members gain a level of experience. Nyx reaches Level 10, so from now on she will only gain half a level per battle. The enemies drop one Water Bomb and five Venoms. Party (after the battle): Althior Emorith (played by K-nut) Level 5 Mage Power: 8 Health: 9/9 Ether: 7/9 Gold: 5 Inventory: Dragoro (WP: 3) ,Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Aquamarine (Water), Sapphire (Wind), Grand Tonic, Bedroll Cronk (played by CorneliusMurdock) Level 5 Knight Power: 8 Health: 13/14 Gold: 0 Inventory: Longsword (WP: 3), Shield (SP: 2), 2 Potions, Remedy, Bedroll, Bone Signor Bacari (played by Capt.JohnPaul) Level 5 Ranger Power: 8 Health: 10/10 Gold:2 Inventory: Crossbow (WP: 3), Potion, Tonic, Fire Bomb, Bedroll Namyrra Uq (played by Quarryman) Level 5 Mage Power: 9 Health: 7/9 Ether: 6/9 Gold: 10 Inventory: Lullaby Wand (WP: 4, sleep-effect), Bone-staff (WP: 3), Amethyst (Darkness), Ruby (Fire), Garnet (Earth), Opal (Ice), Potion, Tonic Nyx (played by Pandora) Level 10 Mage (Party Leader) Power: 14 Health: 12/14 Ether: 12/14 Gold: 17 Inventory: Dawnstar II (WP: 4), Sandman's Parasol (protects from sleep-effect), Ruby (Fire), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Emerald (Wood), Diamond (Light), 2 Potions, 2 Tonics, Remedy, Bedroll, 2 Bones Sylph Solanum (played by Dannylonglegs) Level 5 Cleric Power: 8 Health: 13/13 Ether: 8/9 Gold: 0 Inventory: Staff (WP: 3), Potion, Tonic, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Bone Party Leader, how will the spoils of the battle be divided? 1 x Water Bomb - Causes 5 points of water-elemental damage to all enemies, doubled if the target is weak to water. 5 x Venom - Use on a weapon to make it cause a poisoned-effect on any enemy it hits for the duration of one battle. A poisoned enemy loses 1 health each turn. The bathtub changes back to the General Sourceress Beth. "My, that was fast! I am impressed, I must confess. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to check on the children. Oh, and I guess my husband as well." Now the party has only one more room to search, but two wizards still missing...

The party decides to take one bottle, but (apparently) they will not open it. Instead they head to the back door on the fourth aisle. Just as they are about to open it, a woman enters through it. The black-clad woman is carrying a fleuret and a shield with the Shadeaux motif, the bat. "Sacre Chauve-souris, what du we 'ave 'ere? Intruders? What du you want? Are you per'aps looking fur somezing?" What will the party answer?

The party turns right, and after going around a corner they come to a dead-end. Waiting for them there is a demonic Scarecrow with five sinister Scary Crows. The possessed Scarecrow swings its scythe and attacks the party. PREPARE FOR BATTLE! Enemies: Scarecrow Type: Demon Level: 5 Health: 21/21 Special I: Murder of Crows – Consume a Scary Crow to restore full health to self. Special II: Caw – Causes the afraid-effect, which makes the target flee to the back row in terror and stay there until the effect is remedied or the battle is over. Used only if all Scary Crows are gone. Drops: 1 Dread Hat (lower level enemies will not directly attack the wearer) Scary Crow A Type: Flying Level: 3 Health: 13/13 Special: Caw – Causes the afraid-effect, which makes the target flee to the back row in terror and stay there until the effect is remedied or the battle is over. Drops: nothing Scary Crow B Type: Flying Level: 3 Health: 13/13 Special: Caw – Causes the afraid-effect, which makes the target flee to the back row in terror and stay there until the effect is remedied or the battle is over. Drops: nothing Scary Crow C Type: Flying Level: 3 Health: 13/13 Special: Caw – Causes the afraid-effect, which makes the target flee to the back row in terror and stay there until the effect is remedied or the battle is over. Drops: nothing Scary Crow D Type: Flying Level: 3 Health: 13/13 Special: Caw – Causes the afraid-effect, which makes the target flee to the back row in terror and stay there until the effect is remedied or the battle is over. Drops: nothing Scary Crow E Type: Flying Level: 3 Health: 13/13 Special: Caw – Causes the afraid-effect, which makes the target flee to the back row in terror and stay there until the effect is remedied or the battle is over. Drops: nothing Party: Bartholomew Docken (played by Brickdoctor) Level 4 Ranger (Party Leader) Power: 7 Health: 10/10 Gold: 5 Inventory: Longbow (WP: 3), Fang Dagger (WP: 4, unsuitable), Smoke Bomb, Bedroll Sir Christopher Daggerfall (played by Fred Fred Burger) Level 4 Knight Power:7 Health:13/13 Gold:0 Inventory: Shining Greatsword (WP:3), Shield with Crown Emblem(SP:2), Bedroll, 3 Potions, Tonic, Bone Jess Islanti (played by cralegoboy) Level 4 Rogue Power: 8 Health: 8/10 Gold: 5 Inventory: Fang Dagger (WP: 4), Longsword (WP: 3), 2 Venoms, Potion, Tonic Tesni Hightribe (played by Peppermint_M) Level 4 Barbarian Power: 8 Health: 11/11 Gold: 10 Inventory: Cryfder (WP:3), Fang Dagger (WP: 4, unsuitable), 2 Potions, Mead Thrain Longbeard (played by Lego Pinocchio) Level 4 Knight Power: 7 Health: 11/13 Gold: 10 Inventory: Dwarf Sword (WP: 3), Shield (SP: 2), 2 Potions Tomas (played by Captain Tamamono) Level 4 Cleric Power: 7 Health: 12/12 Ether: 6/8 Gold: 5 Inventory: Gold Staff (WP: 3), Potion, 2 Remedies, Tonic, Bedroll, Bone 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. Note that the battle may not last more than four rounds, or the field will be ruined.

The party continues straight ahead until they hit a wall. LEFT or RIGHT?

The party turns right. Ahead is another intersection. STRAIGHT or LEFT?

Moving on, the party comes to another crossing. STRAIGHT or RIGHT?

The party has already passed the point where the rustling was heard. It came from behind the corn hedge, in any case. The party continues left, and walks straight to another dead-end. They spin around and return to the previous crossing. STRAIGHT or RIGHT?

The party turns left, and come to another corner turning left. They hear ominous rustling somewhere nearby. Four paces later they find themselves at a crossing. LEFT or RIGHT?

The party turns around, and comes to the previous intersection. STRAIGHT or LEFT?

The party decides to open the crates with the Ziegfried insignia. Inside, they find numerous bottles in a stack of hay. Upon closer inspection, they see that the bottles are filled with some sort of smoky, swirling liquid. A faint humming echoes from the bottles, bringing chills to the heroes' spines. Would the heroes dare to open one of the bottles? There are no other interesting crates within the aisle.

The party decides to check the bathroom. Inside, they find a peculiar bathtub with a protruding head, and five frogs jumping around it. The tub talks to them in a strange gurgling voice. "*gurgle gurgle* There you are! *gurgle* It is I, General Sourceress Beth! *bubble bubble* Will you make yourself useful already and help me?! *gurgle gurgle* Oh, and watch out for those frogs, they're quite toxic. *bubble*" The party draws their weapons, pleased to solve matters in a more direct way again. PREPARE FOR BATTLE! Enemies: Beth the Bath Type: Aquatic, Mechanic Level: 5 Health: 21/21 Special: Splash – makes the environment wet for the next three turns, during which lightning-elemental spells will damage everyone in the battle. Drops: Water Bomb Toxic Toad (Yellow) Type: Vermin, Aquatic Level: 3 Health: 14/14 Special: Poison Tongue – Causes poisoned-effect to the target, making it lose 1 health each turn until the effect is remedied, the target is defeated or the battle is won. Drops: Venom Toxic Toad (Brown) Type: Vermin, Aquatic Level: 3 Health: 14/14 Special: Poison Tongue – Causes poisoned-effect to the target, making it lose 1 health each turn until the effect is remedied, the target is defeated or the battle is won. Drops: Venom Toxic Toad (Red) Type: Vermin, Aquatic Level: 3 Health: 14/14 Special: Poison Tongue – Causes poisoned-effect to the target, making it lose 1 health each turn until the effect is remedied, the target is defeated or the battle is won. Drops: Venom Toxic Toad (Grey) Type: Vermin, Aquatic Level: 3 Health: 14/14 Special: Poison Tongue – Causes poisoned-effect to the target, making it lose 1 health each turn until the effect is remedied, the target is defeated or the battle is won. Drops: Venom Toxic Toad (Green) Type: Vermin, Aquatic Level: 3 Health: 14/14 Special: Poison Tongue – Causes poisoned-effect to the target, making it lose 1 health each turn until the effect is remedied, the target is defeated or the battle is won. Drops: Venom Party: Althior Emorith (played by K-nut) Level 4 Mage Power: 7 Health: 8/8 Ether: 6/8 Gold: 5 Inventory: Dragoro (WP: 3) ,Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Aquamarine (Water), Sapphire (Wind), Grand Tonic, Bedroll Cronk (played by CorneliusMurdock) Level 4 Knight Power: 7 Health: 13/13 Gold: 0 Inventory: Longsword (WP: 3), Shield (SP: 2), 2 Potions, Remedy, Bedroll, Bone Signor Bacari (played by Capt.JohnPaul) Level 4 Ranger Power: 7 Health: 9/9 Gold:2 Inventory: Crossbow (WP: 3), Potion, Tonic, Fire Bomb, Bedroll Namyrra Uq (played by Quarryman) Level 4 Mage Power: 8 Health: 6/8 Ether: 5/8 Gold: 10 Inventory: Lullaby Wand (WP: 4, sleep-effect), Bone-staff (WP: 3), Amethyst (Darkness), Ruby (Fire), Garnet (Earth), Opal (Ice), Potion, Tonic Nyx (played by Pandora) Level 9 Mage (Party Leader) Power: 13 Health: 11/13 Ether: 11/13 Gold: 17 Inventory: Dawnstar II (WP: 4), Sandman's Parasol (protects from sleep-effect), Ruby (Fire), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Emerald (Wood), Diamond (Light), 2 Potions, 2 Tonics, Remedy, Bedroll, 2 Bones Sylph Solanum (played by Dannylonglegs) Level 4 Cleric Power: 7 Health: 12/12 Ether: 7/8 Gold: 0 Inventory: Staff (WP: 3), Potion, Tonic, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Bone 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 at the end of the round.

That reminds me I need to add a page about the battle effects to the rules. Sleep-effects puts the enemy target into sleep, meaning they cannot act unless they are woken up by an attack. It works a bit differently on the heroes, though, since their allies can use a remedy to wake them up. The affected player can also try to wake themselves up by throwing a specified number in the die (see the armchair battle for an example).

The party searches the smaller bedrooms. The first one belongs to Altair and Beth (with two separate beds), the second one to Goldraum and Mabel, and the third to Zed. None of them contain anything interesting, though. Only the bathroom and the master bedroom remain to be searched, while Chesterine, Beth and Zed are all still missing. Which one will the party enter first?

The party heads straight from the intersection, but after a left-turning corner they find themselves in a dead-end. However, there is no map nor a monster in sight. How far does the party wish to backtrack?

Results of Round Three of the Three Stooges Guards Battle: Rufindel vs. Shadeaux Guard (Sword) - Hit Eric vs. Shadeaux Guard (Axe) - Damage >Alexis vs. Shadeaux Guard (Axe) - Shield >Boomingham vs. Shadeaux Guard (Sword) - Hit The battle moves onto the third round, and Rufindel scores a hit on the sword-wielding guard, bringing it down. The axe guard manages to damage Eric, taking 5 health from him. Alexis puts three arrows to her bow and Tripleshots the remaining guard. THE BATTLE IS VICTORIOUS! All party members except Rufindel get a level of experience, while Rufindel gets half of a level. The enemies drop three potions. Party (after the battle): Alexis Fenral (Masked Builder) Level 6 Ranger Power: 9 Health: 8/11 Gold: 10 Inventory: Longbow (WP: 3), 2 Potions, Venom, Smoke Bomb Atramor Gibbin (played by CallMePieOrDie) Level 6 Rogue Power: 10 Health: 12/12 Gold: 19 Inventory: Chain Whip (WP: 4), Sai-dagger (WP: 3), Potion, Shovel, 2 Bones Eric (played by Khorne) Level 6 Barbarian Power: 9 Health: 13/13 Gold: 10 Inventory: Godricsleif (WP: 3), Potion, Venom, Mead, Bedroll Hybros (played by JimButcher) Level 6 Rogue Power: 9 Health: 9/12 Gold: 6 Inventory: Reaper Scythe (WP:3), 2 Potions, Shovel Lord Lawrence Boomingham (played by Zepher) Level 6 Knight Power: 9 Health: 7/15 Gold: 40 Inventory: Longsword (WP: 3), Shield (SP: 2), 2 Potions, Venom Rufindel Galadhras (played by Rufus) Level 10½ Cleric (Party Leader) Power: 14 Health: 18/18 Ether: 13/14 Gold: 7 Inventory: Oaken Staff (WP:4), 2 Potions, Tonic, Remedy, Bedroll, Pickaxe, 2 Bones Party Leader, how will the spoils of the battle be divided? 3 x Potion - Restores 10 health to the target.

Party: Althior Emorith (played by K-nut) Level 4 Mage Power: 7 Health: 8/8 Ether: 6/8 Gold: 5 Inventory: Dragoro (WP: 3) ,Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Aquamarine (Water), Sapphire (Wind), Grand Tonic, Bedroll Cronk (played by CorneliusMurdock) Level 4 Knight Power: 7 Health: 13/13 Gold: 0 Inventory: Longsword (WP: 3), Shield (SP: 2), 2 Potions, Remedy, Bedroll, Bone Signor Bacari (played by Capt.JohnPaul) Level 4 Ranger Power: 7 Health: 9/9 Gold:2 Inventory: Crossbow (WP: 3), Potion, Tonic, Fire Bomb, Bedroll Namyrra Uq (played by Quarryman) Level 4 Mage Power: 8 Health: 6/8 Ether: 5/8 Gold: 10 Inventory: Lullaby Wand (WP: 4, sleep-effect), Bone-staff (WP: 3), Amethyst (Darkness), Ruby (Fire), Garnet (Earth), Opal (Ice), Potion, Tonic Nyx (played by Pandora) Level 9 Mage (Party Leader) Power: 13 Health: 11/13 Ether: 11/13 Gold: 17 Inventory: Dawnstar II (WP: 4), Sandman's Parasol (protects from sleep-effect), Ruby (Fire), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Emerald (Wood), Diamond (Light), 2 Potions, 2 Tonics, Remedy, Bedroll, 2 Bones Sylph Solanum (played by Dannylonglegs) Level 4 Cleric Power: 7 Health: 12/12 Ether: 7/8 Gold: 0 Inventory: Staff (WP: 3), Potion, Tonic, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Bone The party heads to the other end of the hallway, greeting the joyous and thankful wizards on the way. The study proves to be full of strange devices, mystical artefacts and uncomprehensible notes. The room is also empty of any signs of life, so the party decides it would be safest not to touch anything. Where will the party head to next?

You can call me hypocrite all you want, but that doesn't change the fact that you're our only option to vote for today. Or does someone want another Full Moon Festival thrown upon us?

The teddy bears are only amping up the rounds, so the party goes through great effort to get them back into the beds. But as they are placed in the order Namyrra suggested, they seem to finally calm down. Slowly the stuffed bears change back into four smiling children. "That was fun!" Merlyn cheers. "Can we do it again?" "No!" the exhausted nanny barks. "And tomorrow morning when you wake up, you will have a great big clean-up project ahead of you." Then the nanny turns to the party. "Thank you for saving the children. I am sure their parents will be ever-grateful to you as well. Here, have these two items as my thanks. I use them to get the children to sleep, but I can always get new ones." Party Leader, how will the reward items be dealt? 1 x Lullaby Wand (WP: 4, sleep-effect to physical attacks, suitable to mages) 1 x Sandman’s Parasol (protects from sleep-effect)

Now two of the teddy bears calm down for a split second, but soon all four are jumping up and down again.

Not to my knowledge, at least. I have noticed we've been shown together a lot in the photos, but if we have a connection, it's not something I know of. I was happily married to my Sarah until the poisoner came and put an end to that. What are you people trying to do, anyway? Repeat Day 5 all over again? Things have changed since then, as Dmitri has become responsible for the conviction of an innocent townie. I know I had my doubts, but we simply cannot look past that.

"Everything?! I wouldn't know where to begin... I've been taking care of these children ever since Merlyn was born, after all." Only one of the teddies seems to relax a bit, but then all of them bounce off the beds again.

But there are two rivaling families here. And it's not just Denis's statement that speaks against Dmitri. Besides, who else is there to vote for? Me? For what reasons? Of course I don't claim that, but I refuse to be single-handedly blamed for that mistake. :hpmf: