Sandy

OoC: Martial Hit is physical if no gem is used. If an element is imbued, it becomes magical. Remember the core rule: if an attack uses ether, it is magical. "I can take care of myself just fine, don't you worry about me", Ellaria says to Hybros, pulling back to nurture herself. Battle Order: Thormanil Ellaria Docken Hybros Hybros

It is allowed, since heroes get to meet each other there. Just don't make it the main purpose of that topic. Oh, and everyone who posts in that topic is considered willing to participate to the event, so if you post, you have to buy cards and play, as well.

Bets aren't used in this Tournament, but they can be used eg. if you play against another player later at the Hall. I should've edited the rule picture for this Tournament to remove that notion, sorry. But yeah, the person who wins more in five rounds, wins the match. If there's a tie (eg. you win 2, the opponent wins 2 and one is a draw), then there will be a rematch. Whether you win or lose the match, you get to keep the cards that you beat in each round, and likewise you lose the cards that your opponent beats.

Have you read the rules of the game? A Level 1 Aquatic card can beat a Level 8 Fiery card. And you will pick up any cards you beat in the match, so if you have some luck, you can turn a hand of all 1's into a hand of 8's.

OoC: I wouldn't count it as an effect, but it's up to Flipz.

I hope everyone interested will sign in as soon as possible, but I'll keep the sign ups open at least a couple of days to make sure everyone has seen the event.

"Ah, if you are int'herested in my sp'hecialization, young man, then I must'h rec'hommend you read a t'home c'halled Begone with the Winds. It'h is very informat'hive. I have one c'hopy with me, but it'h is my only one, so I dare not part'h with it'h." The dragon observed that Lady Shanxian was left discussing with Lord Phang Ten in peace - it was forbidden to speak to an Aoi unless spoken to, after all. The discussion seemed to go back and forth, with the ambassador slowly growing fatigued by it. QM Note: Just give me a nod when you've gathered enough information and are ready to move on.

"As you wish. Just... be mindful that the captain does not... err, respond well to people of different races. Good day." The half-orcish maid quickly shut the door to the heroes' faces. It seemed that heading to the famous tavern was their best option. The Merry Mermaid was situated by the seafront at the Harbour District, making it a popular place for weary sailors and captains to spend their gold after days spent at the sea. It was almost always crowded, and that day was not an exception. As the party stepped in, they noticed that many of the patrons were wearing Bonaparte uniforms. A ginger waitress wearing a long skirt and not much else sashay'd to greet them. "How's it going, girls? Oh, you've got a gent with you. Almost couldn't tell with you elves, tehehe! The name's Mariel. How can I be of service?"

"More of these mannequins. Nothing we can't handle, though." Ellaria sprays a Neutralizer upon all the combatants to get rid of some pesky effects. "Go get 'em, boys!" Battle Order: Ellaria Thormanil Docken Hybros

The maid looked embarrased. "This was my own fault. I was clumsy and slow. Please don't let it affect your opinion of the good captain. Is there a message you want to leave him? He should be back from the Merry Mermaid by midnight."

QM Note: Moving things on... The heroes made their way to the adress that Blackgull had given them. Captain Javier "Hooks" Caldera was supposed to live in a large city house near the Fish Market. Not wanting to waste any more time, Annienal knocked on the door. A half-orc maid creaked the door ajar. Despite her lowered gaze, the heroes could see that the maid was badly bruised. "Good day", the maid said timidly. "I am sorry to inform you that the captain is not home right now. You will have to come back later."

"We like to keep westerners out of our politics, thank you very much", the spymaster retorted, looking less amused. "Ah, my sp'hecialization in weather is indeed a rare one, but'h I believe it'h is not'h unheard of in the West'h, either. C'hont'hrolling the c'hlimate through magic'h was originally disc'hovered by the Sun Elves, ac'htually. They worship'h the sp'hirit'hs of nature, you see. Gradually the t'halent'h spread t'ho other nations. Not'h all Circ'hles of Magi t'heach the sk'hill, though."

The spymaster bursts into a chittering laughter. "That's a good one! What would we need a group of foreign mercenaries for? We have all the soldiers, diplomats, spies and technology we need right here in Xu. Our nation has always handled matters itself, and that has allowed us to grow into one of the most powerful countries in Aoshu - or Olegaia, as you of the western religions call it. In ancient maps we have stored here in the council archives, Xu used to be just a fraction of it's current size. The only reason it hasn't expanded further is because of the mighty mountain ranges that surround it from north and south."

It's best just to not think about it. I will be launching the Decamon Tournament tomorrow, and it's going to take place inside a loop in time and space, so you can all continue participating in your quests at the same time that you're in the Tournament. Have fun figuring that out logically.

"I can answer that, if I may. The Aoi have always been in power in the Xu region, as long as any written history can document. Their numbers must have been larger in the past, but nowadays they have dwindled to a mere thousand, if even that. But their rule has always been unquestionable, and people are used to it. It is not to say that there hasn't been attempts to overthrow them - that is why this country is in a state of perpetual war - but the wealth and knowledge and technology the Aoi have gathered to themselves have secured that all those attempts have failed. And the attempters have always met a bloody death as a warning to the following generations. Living in an inaccessible floating island has helped, too. That is the status quo of this land." "Don't get me wrong, all in all Xu has been a decent place to live to the subjects of the Aoi government - until recently, that is. This new Age of Machines that the current Council is promoting just does not fit well in the lifestyle of us commoners. We are fishers and farmers and crafters, we live off the same land that the government is desecrating."

"I question the need to be useful to the government to be allowed to live in our own homeland. We Kappa have been known as expert fishermen and navigators in the many rivers and lakes of Xu, but those things mean little to the Aoi nowadays. The waters are more valuable to them in ethereal form, enabling them to just swoosh over any obstacle with their airships. The ironic thing in this that the Kappa people outnumber the Aoi a thousandfold."

"Greethings, young mist'her", said the old wizard in a wobbly, dry voice. "I am Weather Mage Sun Qui, and I am in charge of the Ether Windmills that churn p'hower t'ho this cit'hy. Recent'hly some of the windmills have been sabot'haged to direct'h the fuel they p'hroduce to somewhere else. I am here to give an official rep'hort on the matt'her to the C'houncil." "Aye, the enemies of Xu are on the move. Raja Serpior of Nagashan has pulled some of his troops from the border, which can only mean he has some ploy we do not know about. If we weren't on a floating city, I would be expecting him to show up at our doorstep any minute now." "Do you think'h there is a c'honnec'htion bet'hween these t'hwo incident'hs, Spymaster Tanooki?" "I bet my tail there is! If only my last spy in the Nagashan court hadn't been caught red-handed, we wouldn't be this clueless. I hate not knowing stuff, don't you?" The wereraccoon nudges the elderly mage with an elbow, almost making him lose his balance. "You can find Chi Monks and our monasteries in all the Xuese Provinces. Our order's history is intertwined with that of the Aoi - in good and in bad. In the countless wars that Xu has fought in this continent, our warrior monks have stood in the front line. But there is also a spiritual side to our teachings, concerning the chi - that you call ether - and its presence in every living thing on this earth. That is what we 'do' - train our bodies and minds to harness the power of chi, and through it maintain the balance of nature." "A balance that the Aoi and their ethertech has overthrown. Their 'windmills' sap ether from the air while their 'pumps' do the same to the waters - such as the lakes of the Kappa. It is killing all the life in our habitats, forcing us to move elsewhere - only to soon find that they are going to install these devilish gadgets there as well! This vicious cycle has to stop!" "I am aware of that, Ambassador Ootaru, but for heaven's sake this is not the right place to speak your mind out loud!" The guru looked around warily to see if anyone had heard them.

"Let's see..." Ellaria inspects the stones to find out how to spell "VITRIFICUS_MING" into them.

The party made a quick exit out of Fogfarer's house, and next they had to decide whether to visit Captain Hooks Caldera or Captain Geor Bullsworth.

The Fogfarer was not in the mood to talk anymore. "What is this interrogation about? If you're after the Wolfgang, get your arses back to the Hovels and stop pestering me. I've already told you more than I should have." "Mel?" Alwyn whispered, woken up by the arguing. "Are you... *cough* in trouble? Because of me? *cough*" "Don't you worry about it, everything's just fine. These people were just leaving." The Fogfarer gave the party a meaningful glare. Where would the party head next?

Miderun's words made the elf furious. "What I did I did out of love! But what would an orc know about love, anyway? This city is willing to neglect those in need and only help those in power, and for that it needs to change. The Bonaparte family have stuck their heads into the past, but the Wolfgang promises a better future. They are not pirates, they do not kill sailors for loot! They just do what is necessary, like me."

"I am not part of Wolfgang, if that's what you think. But I..." The elf paused to find the words. "I have provided them with inside information about shipments and other matters. It was the only way they agreed to give me the medicine Alwyn needs. Short of travelling to Kalma Badlands and picking up the herbs myself, I had no choice! Please, do not say a word of this to anyone. Alwyn is dying, there's nothing I can do about that, but without the medicine it will be a long and painful death." The elf sheds a tear as he adjust the sheets over his lover. What would the party do next?

"Afternoon? Why, it isn't even noon yet! I came here as soon as the doors opened, but still have not gotten a summon inside the Council Chamber." "Har har! You know you could find yourself waiting for days if you're not in the Council's favor, Ambassador Ootaru." The wereleopard bumped his gloves together and bowed at Skrall. "My name is Hei-Ha-Chi, a Guru of the Brotherhood of Chi. If you came with Ambassador Ji Pei, then you must know Brother Lee Long? He is... or rather, was, one of our monastic order's most promising members. What happened to him was unfortunate indeed." "That is what you get for crossing the aoi, Revered Guru. We Kappa have come to learn that lesson the hard way. If we still had our lakes to ourselves, I wouldn't have to live up here to fend for my people." "I advice you to keep your tongue, Ambassador Ootaru. The spymaster is close-by, and whatever he hears, the Council hears" Guru Hei-ha-chi glances at the wereraccoon idly standing some distance away. "The Council knows the distress of the Kappa more than well. My job is make sure they do not forget." "Your persistence is admirable - just as long as they don't make turtle soup out of you." The Guru turns back to Skrall. "As for myself, I am here to ask for the Council's support and donations for the Brotherhood. The Council makes me do this trip every year. They want to make sure we are depending on them. Which we have been, since times untold." Party: Arthur Justus Regulus VII, a Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something (Flipz) 22 year old male human Dragoon *Party Leader* Level 34 *Immune to Magic, Healing, Blind, Confused, Fragile and all Poisons* *Ignores Free Hits from Beasts* Power: 44 (34+10) Defense: 32 (14+5+2+10+1) Health: 57/57 (5+33+15+4) Gold: 944 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham) Equipment: Spider Leg (WP:10/20 against flying enemies, Lightning-elemental; spear), Arm Shield (SP:14, shield), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (SP:5, Protects against Fragile and all Poisons; bodywear, suitable for knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing; headwear, suitable for anyone), Shadeaux Cape (SP:5, Immune to Blind and Confused, suitable to those with reputation among the Shadeaux only; if reputation is great, SP is doubled; if reputation is outstanding, SP is tripled; backwear), Fur Leggings (SP:1, Beast enemies do not deal free hits to the wearer; footwear, suitable for anyone) Inventory: Weapons: Zoot's Rebel (WP:20 "halberd", suitable to Arthur only), Sword of the Vampir (WP:17, user is Jinxed), Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Clockwork Lance (WP:12, has 1/3 chance to cause slowed-effect on the target; lance), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, Spear, causes bleeding-by-5 effect), Stag Antlers (WP:10, grants Intimidation; halberd), Metasimian Dory (WP:10, pierces defense; spear), Dauntlet Index (WP: 10, doubled against humanoids, Darkness-elemental; spear), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, halberd, stuns on successful hits, Hollow [Phoenix Essence]) Artifacts: Unicorn Helmet (SP:1; the wearer can only receive one negative effect at a time, with a new effect replacing the old one; headwear, usable by barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, regulators, skirmishers, and winged warriors), Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear, suitable for anyone), Cloak of Deception (Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent; Backwear, suitable for anyone), Stingy Gloves (Prevents enemies from ever stealing gold from you; handwear, wearable by everybody), handwear, suitable for anyone), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Zap-Tap Badge (Has a 1/2 chance to deal Electric damage to an opponent who has dealt damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Macabre Collar (Provides immunity to Insta-Kill and Doomed; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Scarf of Misfortune (Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (changes the wearer into an elf of the same gender when worn; Accessory, suitable for anyone), Lens of Speed Reading (allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action; accessory, suitable for scroll users), Pointy Hat Spell Items: Opal (Ice), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the Poisoned 10 effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Weakening Consumables: Potion, Grand Potion x7, Tonic, Grand Tonic, Ether Core, Remedy x10, Elixir x3, Hurricane, Jinxy Juice, Exterlate, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the Poisoned-by-10 effect for the duration of the battle and the Confused effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Crumbling Venom (-3 HP/-1 SP per round), Blind Fury, Love Potion, Grating Stone x2, Ella's Pie (Permanently boosts max. ether by 5 but permanently decreases max. health by 5 when consumed.), Smoke Bomb x5, Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used.), Bone x3, Silver Ore x2 Tools: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass Atramor Gibbin (CallMePie) 32 year old male human Regulator Level 34 2/4 *Immune to all elements, poisoned, and doomed* *Negative effects last one round* *Battle Style: Orderly* Power: 54 (34+20) Defense: 26 (4+6+4+12) Health: 56/64 (7+33+12+6+6*) Gold: 656 Equipment: Pheles Kris (WP: 20, wielder has a 1/2 chance to generate an Aura whenever using the weapon, doubling the user's current and max. health but drawing all attacks to them, fire, ice, lightning, earth, wind, light, and darkness-elemental dagger), Robust Shield (SP: 12, shield), Amulet of the Court (Negative effects last only one round on the wearer, immune to water, lightning, and wood, accessory, suitable for anyone), Rat's Hide (SP: 4, backwear, suitable for anyone), Galactic Armor (SP: 6, +6 max health, immune to fire, earth, wind, ice, light, darkness, and doomed, bodywear, suitable for anyone), Helmet of Azzurat (SP: 4, immune to poison, headwear, suitable for anyone) Inventory: - Tiger Claws (WP: 15, double WP against humanoids, fire- and darkness-elemental, dual strike, daggers), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, staff, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd), Staff of Ennon (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, staff, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Healing Staff A (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging), Healing Staff B (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging) - Bracers of Insatiable Avarice (Power +2; user gains 25 Gold for every enemy he kills, handwear, suitable for hunters, berserkers, battle mages, beast warriors, dragoons, marauders, regulators, and skirmishers), Sylvania's Cowl (Grants Animal Talk, headwear, suitable for anyone) - Scroll of Arc Frailty (50/50 chance to inflict the fragile-effect to all enemies for ether equal to the number of enemies), Scroll of Fire Armor (50/50 chance to conjure a layer of fiery armor over the target, giving them a 50/50 chance to deal the burned by 10-effect when hit by Damage or Special Damage at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Ice Armor (50/50 chance to conjure a layer of ice armor over the target, giving them a 50/50 chance to deal the stunned-effect when hit by Damage or Special Damage at the cost of 5 ether) - 2 Grand Potions, Phoenix Essence, Health Core, Nostrum, Jinxy Juice (Deals the jinxed-effect to the target), Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, 3 Bones, Grating Stone - Flint and Steel (Handy for starting fires), Pickaxe, Shovel, Rope, Decamodifier (Transforms an enemy with a quarter or less health left into a Decamon card when used, if there is a corresponding card. The monster will not drop anything if it is modified. Tool.) Decamon Deck: Sylph (Electric 3), Thunderbird (Electric 4), Cloud Gigas (Electric 9) Skrall (Waterbrick Down) 81 year old Male Ogre Hunter Level 36 3/4 *Natural Respite* *Favors Flying and Humanoid enemies* *Immune to Fragile, Blinded, and Confused* *Gains Triple experience* Power: 50 (36+12+2) Defense: 8 (3+5) Health: 50/50 (6+35+6+3) Gold: 138 Equipment: Hunter's Crossbow (WP:12/24 vs. Beasts, fire, ice, wind, and darkness-elemental), Hunter's Quiver (Bows and Crossbows +2WP, allows Hunters to favor two types of enemies, back wear), Tricorne (SP: 3, head wear), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, wearer is immune to fragile, blind, and confused effects, body wear), Medal of Glory (Wearer gains 3x experience from fights, accessory) Inventory: Composite Bow (WP:12, ignores SP, light, lightning, water, wood, and earth-elemental; bow), Oversized Greatsword (WP: 16 - Double damage on targets that are clearly smaller than the hero, greatsword), Lucky Doubloon (Grants "Special Guard"; accessory), Overkill Gloves (Gives the wearer 1 gold for every point of damage they do extra when they defeat an enemy (example: Enemy has 50 HP left, you do 75 damage, you earn 25 gold)), Potion, 1 Grand Potion, Ether Core, Phoenix Essence, 5 Phoenix Incenses, 7 Meads, 2 Nostrums, 4 Remedy, 2 Smelling Salts, 6 Venoms, 1 Deadly Venoms, 8 Smoke Bomb, 2 Dirt Bombs, Fire Bomb, 5 Water Bombs, Lightning Bomb, Rudra Bomb (Deals 100 lightning-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), Minimizing Dust, 4 Bone, Blind Fury, Wolfgang Insignia, Black Goo

The aoi woman narrowed her eyes as Atramor spoke to her, but then she smirked. "What a cheeky guards you have there, sister-in-law. I could have him arrested just for speaking to me with that tone." "Mr. Gibbin, please", Shanxian said, motioning with her hand to silence Atramor. "This little snake is nothing I can't handle myself. Off you go, Maiwei, make someone else's life miserable for a change." "Same to you, Shanxian." The woman struts back to the crowd. The discussion in the hall has quieted down to whispers. Some of the non-aoi present are trying to hide their smiles, but the blue-skinned people do not seem amused. The aoi woman in a red uniform approaches them next. "Is there a problem, Lady Ji Pei?" "Oh, no, Guard Captain Raijin. My dearest sister-in-law just wanted to greet me after all these years we've been separated." "I hope you have informed your guardians about the proper conduct when in the presence of Aoi", the guard captain said, sizing the heroes with her eyes. "As you were." After the woman had walked back to the other soldiers she had been talking to, Shanxian leaned to Atramor and the others. "Raijin is the captain of the Azure Guard. She is zealously loyal to the Aoi supremacy, so you have to watch out for yourselves in her presence. If you want to circulate, you can freely talk to the people that are not Aoi in this room. It might do us good if you can get a sense of the current mood in the court for me before I get dragged in front of the lions." A third aoi, a green-clad lord, then walked to Shanxian. "Lady Shanxian, it is a true pleasure seeing you gracing this city with your beauty again!" "Lord Phang Ten, I wish I could say I shared your pleasure. How are things in the Trema Province?" "Please, let us not bore ourselves with politics. I was rather wondering if I could talk to you about a more private matter." The lord took Shanxian by the hand and stroked it. "See, I still have not found a suitable spouse, and I was wondering..." As the lord blabbered on, Shanxian motioned the words "go, this could take a while" with her mouth.

"You're right, but I did what I had to for Alwyn's sake. Import of the herb in this medicine are prohibited by the harbormasters, due to it being classified as a poison. It is the only thing that can ease Alwyn's symptoms. But why do you care?"