Sandy

QM Note: The subquest isn't over yet. Eric ignored Doctor Jiivni, causing the Lucustoid to run after him. "Hey, you! Where are. You going. With my key?!" Rex looked at his wife, who nodded at him with an affectionate smile. Then he hoisted his enormous maul on his shoulder and thumped his mighty chest. "WHY WAIT? I am ready to go now! What are my orders, Sir Lawrence, you big old chum?" Rex the Rhinotaur joined the party! Rex the Rhinotaur, the Mighty Mercenary (NPC, controlled by Zepher) 35 years old male wererhino Paragon Level 60 *Initiative* *Restoration* *Aura of Honor* *Gamble* *No Escape* Power: 95 (60+30+5) Defense: 12 Health: 92/92 (8+59+25) Gold: 625 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 Potion (Restores 50 health), Greater Tonic (Restores 30 ether), Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Mead, Smelling Salts, Nostrum

Boomingham found nothing but sand and seashells by digging. The woman next to him looked at his sweating face, disgusted. "I was enjoying the resort just fine until you showed up. Old creep..." The somber Roroark shrugged. "Who knows what's waiting for us down there. It might take a dozen men to get to that bloody gem for all I know..." "Cheer up, Blackmane! If we fail to get this one, I'm sure the others will get the other two relics. Looks like Mr. Noodlearms here isn't even trying to go after those, haha!" Heckz saw that the werelions kept their weapons closeby. There would be no getting to them without them noticing. If Heckz wanted to get a chance at recuring all three relics, he would have to instruct his party mates to split up, like the Rakshasa did. Party at Luxor Dunes: Eric (Khorne) 30 year old norseman Raider Level 27 1/3 *Natural Respite* *Evasion* *Immune to Fragile, Weakened, Asleep, Water and Earth* Power: 47 (27+18+2) Defense: 5 Health: 50/50 (8+7+26+4+5) Gold: 223 Equipment: Conspirator (WP:18, causes Blinded; 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 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) Spell Items: Garnet (Earth) Consumables: Potion, 10 Grand Potions, Health Core, 3 Elixirs, 3 Remedies, Neutralizer, 7 Meads, 6 Smelling Salts, 3 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, Aeolus 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.), Bone Tools etc.: Grand Library Key (quest item) Sgt. Jon McEncy (Pyrovisionary) *Party Leader* 54 year old male human Black Knight Level 23 *Immune to Blinded and Stunned* *Poisonous Defense* *Permanently Hastened* Power: 48 (23+21+2+2) Defense: 20 (16+4) Health: 47/47 (7+22+9+3+3+3) Gold: 150 Equipment: Demonic Greatswords (WP:21, dual strike, Light and Darkness elemental greatsword, Hollow [Potion]), Serpenthead Shield (SP:16, causes poisoned by 2-effect to anyone physically attacking the user, shield), Pegleg of Hastening (Permanent Hastened effect to the user; Immune to Blinded, suitable to Sarge only; footwear), Black Knight's Armour (SP:4, protects from stunned-effect; suitable for black knights; bodywear), Swift boots (Changes HIDE into STEAL & HIDE, allowing the wearer to steal gold equal to the target’s level if it carries gold in addition to hiding) Inventory: Weapons Wooden Spear (WP:4, wood-elemental spear) Artifacts Monkey Armor (SP:4, immune to earth and bound; suitable to knights, beast warriors, dragoons, skirmishers and winged warriors; bodywear), Ranger’s Quiver (WP +1 to bows and crossbows, suitable for rangers, beast warriors, infiltrators and winged warriors; backwear), Sterope’s Headdress (Grants the ability to spend a turn to fly out of a battle and return to it later if it is still going; the wearer cannot affect the battle in any way when they are away from it; suitable to winged warriors only; headwear), Encore Plectrum (If the same Battle Song is sung for more than one round in a row, the song’s ether cost for the consecutive rounds is halved; suitable to minstrels; accessory.) Spell Items: Garnet (Earth), “True Love Serenade” (restores 50 health to the rest of the party per round; costs 10 ether; Battle Song) Consumables: 3 Potions, 2 Grand potions, Health Core, 4 Remedies, 2 Phoenix Essences, Nostrum, 4 Venoms, Deadly Venom, 3 Smoke Bombs, Sleep Bomb, Gaia Bomb (Deals 100 earth-elemental damage to all opponents when used.)2 Bones, 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.: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Business Card, Mistarian Grey Panther (quest item) Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) 48 years old human Paladin Level 34 *Immune to Darkness, Fire, Fragile, Stunned, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness* Power: 56 (34+17+4+1) Defense: 11 (7+4) Health: 57/57 (10+33+11+2+1) Ether: 30/34 Gold: 70 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.), Scarlet Hood (SP:4, grants immunity to stunned) 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), 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) 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, x6 Mead, x4 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, 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 Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe John 'Heckz' Brutenhal, the Ghostbuster, the Super Sleuth and the School Inspector (Cutcobra) 32 year old male human Sorcerer Level 26 *Jinxed Spells at Double Cost* *Darkness Spells Cause Weakened* *Encouraged* Power: 38 (26+12) (Spellpower: 48 (26+12+10)) Defense: 0 Health: 34/34 (5+25+4) Ether: 37/37 (5+25+1+5+1) Gold: 450 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, Neutralizer, Mead, Demeter Bomb, 2x 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, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Compass, Blue Jelly, Fifty Shades of Bley (Grants holder access to Harlot), Old Teddy (quest item), Flower-tailed Flying Squirrel (quest item), 2x Meat Lump (quest item) 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 Location: Luxor Dunes Time: Afternoon of the Third Day Influence: 6 Subquests:

Ellaria pondered for a while, then nodded. "I agree, the solution is quite simple. Just mark the graves like this, from left to right: Aunt Agatha, you, Helena and Uncle Reynold That way everyone gets their will, no matter how absurd. Now, can we get the line moving?"

Damn my busy life... Quest#135 will launch on Thursday, I simply don't have time before that. My apologies!

Heckz walked to the place that Marmaduc had marked on his map and found two of the Rakshasa hard at work with shovels. "Man, did this pyramid have to be literally buried?! You said this would be the easiest since it was the closest, Roroark!" "Quit your whining, Tontor. Here comes the competition Nalah warned us about." "Hah! It's just one man with barely a muscle on him! Hey, you! The other four of our mates have already gone to the other two locations. How'd you think to beat all six of us all by yourself?" "Tontor Shaggymane! Stop jinxing us and keep digging!" QM Note: Believe it or not, this trading order was planned from the beginning. Goldie took the perfume and gave it a sniff. "It must be my lucky day; a handsome man giving me exactly what I want." She then dug out a small brass key from her bra and tossed it to Eric. "Don't you go losing this, Eric of the North." Grand Library Key (quest item) Doctor Jiivni saw the exchange, and ran to Eric wide-eyed. "Is. that. What I. Think it. Is? Did. That woman. Have it. All along?!"

Ellaria sighed. "I guess that someone would have to be me, then..." She marched to the front of the line to the bickering dwarves. She once again donned the role of the haughty doctor. "What seems to be the hold-up here? I am carrying the ashes of the highly respected citizen of Krumbknob, Mr Thisbe, and his sister would want them to be delivered in a timely manner. So is there something I can do to solve your dispute and allow us all to move on with what is left with our lives?"

Quest#135 will go up tomorrow, because I need to sleep now. Sorry for the minor delay! PS. Be sure to have your statistics updated by tomorrow. You guys have such ridiculously large inventories that I'd hate having to sort through them several times.

~A new quest has been posted on the Quest Board (#139 by Zepher)!~

Ellaria looked around in awe. "A giant diamond... I never could have imagined such a thing. But what did you mean with burial location not fitting the man in front of the line? Are some burial places somehow better than others? And sorry, I did not introduce myself earlier: Doctor Ellaria Arbour from Eubric Freeport. Where is it you are travelling from, err... sir?"

"Ugh, you're impossible!" Periwinkle snapped and walked away. "Good riddance to her. I will let you know, Eric of the North, that I do not share." Goldie shrugged her shoulders and smiled. "I have named my price. Yes, an alluring, womanly perfume would do nicely in exchange for the trouble I've had carrying this heavy key in my bosom for days." Goldie tapped her gilded bra.

For simplicity's sake, effects are always transferred on a successful hit, even if it doesn't cause damage.

The Dragonlord marched to the Quest Board and pinned a list of names on it. It said: "We have chosen the following heroes for Quest#135: Kill Baba ~ Johon, Level 32 3/4 Raider (Bricksandparts) ~ Thormanil Nihai, Level 41 4/5 Dragoon (swils) ~ Namyrra Uq, Level 49 2/5 Necromancer (Quarryman) *Party Leader* ~ Monk Pretzel, Level 33 3/4 Artisan (Palathadric) ~ Nerwen Calmcacil, Level 38 Minstrel (Chromeknight) Meet us at the Chamber of the Veterans first thing tomorrow." QM Note: I have a busy few days ahead of me, but I will try to launch the quest tomorrow.

QM Note: Diplomacy isn't one of Sorcerer's traits, either. QM Note: I'm pretty sure Goldie told about the key to Eric, not Sarge... "Is this gorilla in armor one of your friends?" Goldie asked Eric, hiding her fear behind haughtiness. "If so, tell him that I won't give up the key for free. If he brings me something nice, I'll consider giving it up. Maybe a new fragrance or something like that."

Growing frustrated, Ellaria approached the tentacled person looking at the statues. "Good day. I did not expect there to be such a rush here. Would you happen to know when would be a good time to visit the Glittering if one wished to get served in a timely manner, sir?"

Send him a PM, and if he doesn't respond in a timely manner, do what Kintobor suggested. It can't be addressed enough that players should only sign-up for quests if they know they have the time/interest to play. Otherwise you are just wasting everyone's time.

QM Note: Intimidation is still not one of Heckz's job traits. But I'll give you an "A" for the effort. "Oh, you are with the rhinotaurs? You can find them at the beach. I will permit you entry this one time. Just one hint: the next time you drop names, make sure you pronounce them right. Master 'Marmadoodoo' happens to own this place, and he has specifically instructed me not to practice charity."

OoC: The picture's not showing for me. "I don't suppose we can just dump the ashes out here?" Ellaria asks Dumora jokingly as she sees the line. "I kid of course. You don't happen to know a way past the queue? Being a vindicator should get you to places, shouldn't it?"

Depends on the hosting site. I have a paid Photobucket account, so all my pictures should be intact - save for some temporary hiccups with the site. Photobucket update their programs a lot for some reason, and not all changes are for the better...

The proprietor lifted up his glasses to glare at Heckz. "Which guards are you talking about? 'Cause the only guards guarding this place are working under me." Heckz could feel the Anubian bouncer move behind him. "You may call me Goldie, but don't try to pry anything more out of me. I am here on a vacation, I do not want to be reminded of my dreadfully dull life outside this resort. Let us talk about you, instead. You seem like the man who can entertain a girl." Periwinkle had quietly moved behind the pair. "Sure, for a night", she grumbled. "Then he'll dump you along with the contents of his chamber pot." Goldie glanced at Periwinkle and grinned. "Oh? Do you drag all your conquests behind you, then?"

"What are you talking about? Master Marmaduc, if I may be excused..." "By all means, go! The sooner I get to hold those legendary relics in my hands, the better." Heckz snickered as he passed the werelions arguing with the hulking ogre by the gates. He quickly made his way to the Amenra Beach Resort, where he saw the others at the beach below. He tried to get to them, but the Anubian bouncer blocked his way. The proprietor walked to him. "What's the rush, young man? Looking for a room at our resort, perhaps?" The woman glanced at Eric, sizing him up with her eyes. "I am bored, to put it frankly. There's nothing to do here but watch that dorky insectoid frantically searching for the key he lost. Even his act is becoming so dull I might soon tell him that I found that damned key days ago." A cheeky smirk spread on the woman's face.

"What?! Hey, you there!!!" Heckz snuck inside Marmaduc's office as the ogre began to drag the werelions out of the Menagerie. But he didn't know that there were six members of the Rakshasa until he encountered the last one conversing with Marmaduc - the richest man in Salmanda. "Ah, you must be the valiant hero of Heroica I've kept hearing about. You exposed those pesky animal rights activists, and for that I owe you my gratitude. Let me thank you by telling you what I just told Miss Firemane here." "Err, I am confident we, the Rakshasa, can uncover those relics for you without any trouble, Master Marmaduc." "Now now, Nalah, a little competition will only motivate you further. I believe you are not without allies, either, Mister Brutenhal, so let the best group of treasure hunters win!" Discovered a new subquest! The Great Treasure Hunt Assignment: “I have recently gained new information about three substantial treasures hidden in close proximity to Salmanda. However, my own men have failed to procure those treasures for me, so I turn to you fearless adventurers. I will give you coordinates for the location of each treasure, so all you have to do is go fetch them.” ~Marmaduc, Collector of All Things Rare Reward: “500 gold for each of the treasures brought to me.” Gobbledegook’s Gem (Hidden at the Buried Pyramid in Luxor Dunes) Tyrant Statue (Hidden at the Wreckage of the Titaanic in Shipwreck Shore) Crystal Skull (Hidden at the Beastmen’s Lair in Kalakita Bog) "Now, have you any further questions?" "No, Master Marmaduc. Rest assured that the Rakshasa will not disappoint you!" Nalah Firemane glared at Heckz in disdain. The doctor shook his head sadly. "Nothing. So far. I. Already. Searched. The interior. I just. Hope. It has not. Washed away. With the tide..."

We just went through a major update on the job classes, so now is the time to let those changes sink in. Only in time we will see how the changes affect the balance of the classes in general. The only thing I really agree with you is making ether-based healing more useful. On the other hand, when it succeeds it usually restores full health to the target because the player's power is often equal to their health. So maybe we should consider getting rid of "No Healing" rolls and instead make healing weaker across the board. But this is only food for thought for future's sake.

It's called "imagination". Spiders are considered creatures of darkness just as much as bats and rats are. But kelceycoe is right, the Spider Lady seems to draw inspiration from Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, as well. That's an outdated piece. The Gargoyle will most likely use the wings of the Chima Bats.

Or maybe she's just a vampire who wears a dress with a spider-motif? Sheesh, why make it more complicated than it needs to be?

"Umm, thank you for the free sample, I guess, but I really do not have the gold to spend on dolls." Ellaria turned away from the merchant. "Let us continue to the Glittering, Dumora."