Sandy

The party has reached a concensus that the first pumpkin from the left in the front row is a good one to start with. Bartholomew places an arrow to his longbow, and shoots the chosen pumpkin. *SQUASH* The pumpkin shatters to pieces, but no monster emerges. Six pumpkins remain.

The butler bows to the heroes. "Ttthhhhssshhh wwwhhheee", he hisses, and opens the front door. The butler leads the party through the foyer with a pair of staircases, through a door in between the staircases, across a long hallway and into the parlour, where six wizards are waiting for them. Each of the wizards have a pointy hat in different color. The male wizard in red hat comes to greet them. "Good, good, you are here! Thank you, Schuester, you are excused", the red-clad man says to the butler. "Ssshhhooossshhhtttrrr...." the butler hisses and leaves. "I am High Conjurator Altair Ziegfried, the one who called you here. Like I said in the notification, a great tragedy has hit our family. Our dearly beloved matriarch, Grand Wizardine Zelda, disappeared mysteriously, and despite our best efforts we have not managed to find a trace of her. Not all my relatives are infatuated with the thought, but we need outside help. That is why I turned to your noble organization. We Ziegfrieds are a proud bunch, but it is time to swallow our pride if we ever hope to find my grandmother." Altair waves his hand towards the other five wizards in the room. "You are free to ask any questions you think are necessary from anyone of us. Just say who you want to approach." The heroes and the wizards stare at each other in tense silence. Who would the party interrogate first?

There is nothing more to see on that wall either.

I'm afraid not, since none of them are so far anything else but simple backdrops, and there really isn't anything else to see besides what you see in the pictures. If I build something as substantial as Heroica Hall again, I will consider presenting it in a topic of its own. Thanks for the compliment, anyway!

Ellaria Arbour returns to the Heroica Hall only to find it almost deserted. Just a few adventurers are still hanging around the saloon. Scheherazade is mopping up the floor in front of the Quest Board. "So, the quests have started, then? I guess this hero-thing was not meant for me after all..." Ellaria said, knowing all too well that she had stalled signing into any of the quests on purpose. Taking such a leap scared the hell out of her. "Hah, don't be so sure, darling!" Scheherazade snorted. "There will be plenty of quests coming up, just mark my words. Trouble is brewing in the town, with the six houses in turmoil and the criminal organizations taking advantage of that. This city will soon be needing all the heroes it can get." "Oh... Thank you." That was all she could muster up. Ellaria turned to leave. Maybe she would return here again after all. It wasn't like she had any other plans...

The third quest has commenced. Yay for multitasking! The Heroica Hall feels eerily quiet all of a sudden...

The wall to the left of the door has a rough sketch of a roguish person and the word "WANTED" written above it. The barrels contain murky water, the bucket is empty save for some left over fish scales, and the chest contains a mooring rope. There is nothing useful in front of the warehouse.

Stanislav, you're pushing it a bit too far, in my opinion. It's beginning to sound as if you're defending Ruxana instead of accusing Donil. Like I said, I do not care if it's Donil we lynch today, as long as it doesn't mean we automatically start thinking Ruxana is a Townie if Donil turns out to be scum. There will be an interesting night ahead of us indeed. I don't like that the Town is split in half with the votes, either, but I cannot make decisions for other people, I can only go with what I believe is right.

~This topic is meant only for the players who have been chosen to participate into this quest. If you wish to join the game, head to the Rules & Discussion topic to learn how to do so.~ Summoned by the mystifying family of wizards, six would-be heroes left Heroica Hall and headed to the Ziegfried Manor. The six were: Althior Emorith (played by K-nut) Level 1 Mage Power: 4 Health: 5/5 Ether: 5/5 Gold: 5 Inventory: Dragoro (WP: 3) ,Topaz (Lightning), Potion, Bedroll Cronk (played by CorneliusMurdock) Level 1 Knight Power: 4 Health: 10/10 Gold: 0 Inventory: Longsword (WP: 3), Shield (SP: 2), Potion (2), Bedroll Signor Bacari (played by Capt.JohnPaul) Level 1 Ranger Power: 4 Health: 6/6 Gold:2 Inventory: Crossbow (WP: 3, poisoned), Potion, Bedroll Namyrra Uq (played by Quarryman) Level 1 Mage Power: 4 Health: 5/5 Ether: 5/5 Gold: 10 Inventory: Bone-staff (WP: 3), Amethyst (Darkness), Potion Nyx (played by Pandora) Level 6 Mage (Party Leader) Power: 10 Health: 10/10 Ether: 10/10 Gold: 17 Inventory: Dawnstar II (WP: 4), Ruby (Fire), Amethyst (Darkness), 2 Potions, Remedy, Tonic, Bedroll, 2 Bones Sylph Solanum (played by Dannylonglegs) Level 1 Cleric Power: 4 Health: 9/9 Ether: 5/5 Gold: 0 Inventory: Staff (WP: 3), Potion, Smoke Bomb, Remedy, Bedroll The elegant manor laid on the outskirts of the city. As the party approached the golden gates, they swung open on their own. At the front door beyond the garden a peculiar figure was waiting for them. He was wearing a formal suit that hinted he was a butler of sorts, but he wasn't of any race the heroes had ever met. His skin was pale green like that of orcs, but his features were more reptilian. "Ssshhherrroessshh?" the well-dressed creature seemed to ask. What would the party answer to him?

I was talking about my private conversations with Yuri. He was also in contact with Ruxana privately, like I told all of you earlier. I'm not following Petr's lead or anything, I don't think he's in the right state of mind to make any smart strategic moves. I'm making my own decisions.

Encouraged by the others, Hybros takes a shot at picking the lock. After inspecting the lock, he sees that it contains both a keyhole and a combination lock. Hybros is certain he can unlock the keyhole, but the combination needs to be solved as well in order for the lock to open. The combination lock has three reels with all letters in the alphabet. Which combination will the party try?

EDIT: Problem solved then. You should get better friends, I reckon.

Trust me, if it was anyone else, I'd be taking the chance too. But it was you, the person Yuri was most suspicious about.

That's the whole point I've been trying to get across: they must both be scum or at least neutral, and Ruxana knows it, otherwise she wouldn't make such a bold accusation. But to me, it doesn't matter if Donil is the one getting voted off today, as long as we don't let Ruxana off the hook if he turns out to be scum.

Sorry, I need verification about this. Lego Pinocchio's account is still working, it isn't deleted or anything. And why would you create a whole new character in your new account anyway? Sorry, I cannot do anything until I know you're speaking the truth. Can someone from the staff help me with this, please? Yes, a big troll is perfectly acceptable as a character, even though I'm used to calling that figure an "ogre".

The nobleman lets out a guffaw. "Oh, you should expect traps at every corner! Those sniveling thieves at Shadeaux are known to resort to any means necessary to enhance their profits. Now, if all questions are exhausted, I'll point you to the Shadeaux Warehouse." Lorcan told the heroes the directions, and soon enough, the party was standing in front of an imposing black-walled building by the pier. There was no-one in sight. The party made their way to the door, only to find it locked. What will the party do next?

The old farmer suddenly jumps. "Ah, sorry! I must've fallen asleep right here on my feet! Silly me... Now, the Pumpkin Patch, you say? I'll take you there." "This is it, my prized giant pumpkin patch. One of these is a monster called Pumpkinhead, but the only way I know of to tell it from the others is trying to squash it. Once you do that, it will attack you. Be careful, though, if you squash four normal pumpkins, this patch will be ruined. You can go on to fight the monster anyway, I know how much your types love experience points and items." The heroes looked at the seven big pumpkins sitting on the dirt. Which one to squash first? They would have to make a bold choice.

There is a similar scale in this game, but it's not about good vs. evil, but it measures loyalty to each faction. As you do quests for the houses in power, you gain reputation among them. Some reputations cancel each other out, though (you can't be in good terms with both the Hinckwells and the Shadeaux, for example). A good reputation will make it easier for you to get on quests pitched by that faction. Yes, for cohesiveness's sake, I wish all characters are minifigs. I'm not opposed to brickbuilt feet or something like that, though. And the Bonapartes, the Guild of Invision and the House of Ji Pei.

Now Ruxana has more votes than Donil, so shouldn't you be a man of your words and vote her? At least in Ruxana's case, I know I wasn't lead on by anyone to vote for her. In Donil's case, it was Ruxana who pointed the finger, and that makes me very uneasy. The passive defense that Ruxana is getting makes me think we're on the right track, but of course nothing is certain in this game of life.

Argh, I can't believe I missed that! I went over the rules one by one, but apparently I didn't read that one to the end. Good call, Irene. I hope that was the only "change", and my previous theory is just ramblings of a distressed mind.

The first two quests are now underway, with the third one starting tomorrow. I now have to go to sleep, but I'll be back bright and early to check the progress of the quests. Unfortunately different time zones restrict the pace of the quests, so I hope patience from all of you.

~This topic is meant only for the players who have been chosen to participate into this quest. If you wish to join the game, head to the Rules & Discussion topic to learn how to do so.~ The harbour of Eubric is not a place for the faint-hearted. Ships from every corner of the world dock there, honest traders as well as smugglers, slavers and pirates. Six figures make their way from the Heroica Hall to the warehouses of the Hinckwells, who are one of the two wealthiest and most powerful merchant families in the whole city. Those six are: Alexis Fenral (Masked Builder) Level 1 Ranger Power: 4 Health: 6/6 Gold: 5 Inventory: Longbow (WP: 3), Smoke Bomb, Potion, Venom Atramor Gibbin (played by CallMePieOrDie) Level 1 Rogue Power: 4 Health: 7/7 Gold: 0 Inventory: Sai-dagger (WP: 3), Venom, Potion, Shovel Eric (played by Khorne) Level 1 Barbarian Power: 4 Health: 8/8 Gold: 5 Inventory: Godricsleif (WP: 3), Potion, Mead, Bedroll Hybros (played by JimButcher) Level 1 Rogue Power: 4 Health: 7/7 Gold: 0 Inventory: Reaper Scythe (WP:3), Potion, Venom, Shovel Lord Lawrence Boomingham (played by Zepher) Level 1 Knight Power: 4 Health: 10/10 Gold: 5 Inventory: Longsword (WP: 3), Shield (SP: 2), Potion Rufindel Galadhras (played by Rufus) Level 6 Cleric (Party Leader) Power: 10 Health: 14/14 Ether: 10/10 Gold: 7 Inventory: Oaken Staff (WP:4), 2 Potions, Remedy, 2 Bones, Pickaxe, Tonic, Bedroll The party was surprised when upon arriving to the Hinckwell warehouses, they found the doors bolted shut. Nobody would answer to knocking. Disappointed and frustrated, they almost turned to return back to the Heroica Hall when they heard someone whispering to them. "Psst, over here! Quickly!" A man in a black cape and a fancy feathered hat was waving at them from a shady alley nearby. The party went to him. "So, you're the ones I chose then? Did you make sure nobody followed you here?" The heroes nodded, even though they had done no such thing. There was not a soul in the area around the Hinckwell warehouse save for them, in any case. "Good, good. I am Lorcan, son of Heinrich Hinckwell, as you probably deduced by now. Now, you must listen carefully. I'm sending you to infiltrate the warehouse of no other than the Shadeaux family, who are our sword rivals in matters of trade. We highly suspect that they were behind the robbery of our cargo last week. After all, they are trying to get their share of the oriental perfume market as well, and that's exactly what was in our cargo. So, when you get into the Shadeaux warehouse, look for crates marked with a crown, my family's insignia. My men have been watching that warehouse since last week, and they have not seen such crates taken out of there, so they must still be there." Lorcan Hinckwell adjusted the feather in his tricorn hat. "Now, and this is of uttermost importance, if you get caught during this stealthy mission, do not under any circumstances reveal who sent you or what you were looking for. You will certainly not be rewarded if you do so, and furthermore none of you will ever be hired by our family ever again. I hope I am making myself as clear as possible. Now, do you have any further questions before I point you to the correct warehouse?"

~This topic is meant only for the players who have been chosen to participate into this quest. If you wish to join the game, head to the Rules & Discussion topic to learn how to do so.~ Six aspiring heroes left Heroica Hall and Eubric Freeport behind and headed to the rolling fields outside the city. They were supposed to meet the spokesperson to the local farmers, Old Mack Donauld, at his farm. These six champions were: Bartholomew Docken (played by Brickdoctor) Level 1 Ranger (Party Leader) Power: 4 Health: 6/6 Gold: 5 Inventory: Longbow (WP: 3), Smoke Bomb, Bedroll Sir Christopher Daggerfall (played by Fred Fred Burger) Level 1 Knight Power:4 Health:10/10 Gold:0 Inventory: Shining Greatsword (WP:3), Shield with Crown Emblem(SP:2), Bedroll, 2 Potions Jess Islanti (played by cralegoboy) Level 1 Rogue Power: 4 Health: 7/7 Gold: 5 Inventory: Longsword (WP: 3), 2 Venoms, Potion Tesni Hightribe (played by Peppermint_M) Level 1 Barbarian Power: 4 Health: 8/8 Gold: 10 Inventory: Cryfder (WP:3), Potion, Mead Thrain Longbeard (played by Lego Pinocchio) Level 1 Knight Power: 4 Health: 10/10 Gold: 10 Inventory: Dwarf Sword (WP: 3), Shield (SP: 2), Potion Tomas (played by Captain Tamamono) Level 1 Cleric Power: 4 Health: 9/9 Ether: 5/5 Gold: 5 Inventory: Gold Staff (WP: 3), Potion, Remedy, Bedroll Upon arriving to the farm, they meet Old Mack in front of his house. The elderly farmer has a worried expression on his face. The pig and the chicken accompanying him make nervous voices as well. "Well met, would-be heroes. So, you're the ones who think they can rid our fields from the beasts plaguing them? Well, it's easier said than done. There are five important fields around this farm here, each infested by different monsters. I need you to save at least three of the five fields in order for us to keep sending resources to the city. Remember that a ruined field can take years to become useful again. A field is ruined if one of these things happens: ~ Any task given fails. ~ A battle lasts more than four rounds. ~ Fire is used during battle. To make it clear as goat's balls, if three or more fields are ruined, you will not get the promised reward, got it?" Then the geezer went on to explain the situation in each field in more detail. "The five fields surrounding the farm are: 1. Sheep Meadow ~ You must find the Direwolf hiding among the twelve sheep. Each time one of you catches a normal sheep, the Direwolf eats another sheep. If six sheep get eaten before the beast is captured, the field is ruined. 2. Corn Maze ~ You must navigate through the corn maze to find the possessed Scarecrow. If you return to the entrance two times before the monster is slain, the field is ruined. 3. Haystacks ~ You must search through nine haystacks to find three Battle Ants. The ants have also hidden three Fire Bombs into the haystacks that will go off if the stack is searched. The ants must be found before the three bombs, or the field is ruined. 4. Apple Orchard ~ You must find the Autumn Dryad hiding up in one six apple trees. Each time you climb the wrong tree, the dryad withers the tree she was hiding in and moves onto another. If the dryad withers four trees, the field is ruined. 5. Pumpkin Patch ~ One of the seven huge pumpkins is a monster called Pumpkinface. They must squash the pumpkins until they find it. If four pumpkins are squashed before finding the monster, the field is ruined. So, now you must choose which field you try to save first. Needless to say, you must move as a group to have any hope in defeating the monsters - they're really tough. So, any questions from you lot?" Old Mack Donauld stares at the party under the brim of his hat expectingly.

Yes, there was the Full Moon Festival last night, and it was said that "people act differently when there's a full moon", so maybe people could do things they couldn't normally do last night. How that knowledge helps us in catching anyone is beyond me, though... Well, I cannot change my vote no matter what. Upon reminiscing this morning, I remember Ivan saying "We must be ever-vigilant today and be careful to look at everything. Our lack of concentration last night could've lead to anything being changed. We are not sure the full effects of the Full Moon Festival until we look around." Then, during the clean-up, I overheard CDCM and Agent Veronica discussing: "I'm not sure they're looking in the right place to find all the changes." The Cross-Dressing Construction Man said. "Well, it's unprecedented so it may take some time." Agent Veronica answered. So, something has changed that has never changed in these games of life before. I looked through the rules (of life) and our professions and personal pictures, and nothing in them has changed, at least. That leaves the option that our alignments and/or night actions have been switched. Maybe my alignment and/or votelessness has been given to Polina, and vice versa. I haven't gotten any notification that I would be a Mafia now, though. But I still can't fathom how that helps us convict anyone any better. It would only mean that whoever was scum yesterday may not be now, and someone you were sure was townie could today be scum. Or maybe I'm just misinterpreting Ivan's words, and something else has changed instead. I just can't think what else it could be... Sorry, it looks like Polina can vote after all. So my votelessness hasn't moved onto her at least...

I apologize the delay, I'm sure you chosen players are all eager to start the quests. I will work my hardest to start at least Quests #1 and #2 in a matter of hours, but unfortunately Quest #3 will be postponed to start tomorrow.