Sandy

It was time for Ellaria to cast a spell from the Scroll of Frailty upon the Soul of the Paladins. OoC: You might want to move me up in the battle order for that, Jimmyboy.

~A new quest has been posted on the Quest Board (#116 by Waterbrick Down)!~

It is to make attacks easier for QMs to calculate. I still prefer having WP + Level + Bonuses calculated in the stats (over the "Power Bonus" some QMs use), because it's easy to just add WP to that sum for the Critical Hits, instead of having to calculate everything together every time someone lands a hit. So yeah, it's for convenience's sake.

"I can cast Scroll of Frailty on the Soul of Paladins once we decide to attack it, that should be helpful." Ellaria attacks Light Soul F from the front row.

Your whole sidequest in the end was totally improvised on the go. I didn't plan any of it in advance. I came of rude in my previous comment, I apologize. I did not mean to imply my quest was perfect - nothing is - but my point was to show that those thing you criticized about had a reason to be included in my mind. They were not superfluous or something extra in my thinking. That's all I was trying to say.

Whaaat?! You didn't like the fact that the heroes met Ulric - this being his very first meeting with any heroes, and only his second appearance? I think you're mixing player knowledge with character knowledge - it was absolutely necessary for the heroes to meet Ulric in order to convince them that siding with the Wolfgang could be a good idea. As for the battle in the forest, there hadn't been a battle in the quest for a while, and I kept yammering on how dangerous the wilderness is - so wouldn't it have been odd if the heroes hadn't actually encountered any trouble besides the mutants? Besides, the heroes had a choice to walk along the road (and battle the winged monkeys again) or through the forest - so there had to be a consequence for choosing the other option, too. While I appreciate the feedback, you don't really have to go digging for something negative to say. It's not really that constructive...

Feeling better after the elixir, Ellaria attacks from the back row again.

Thank you for the praises! I'm getting a hang of what works in a quest and what doesn't. Quest#104 already visited the Lost Forest and one of the party members met the archdemon, in case you missed it.

"This is getting tough", Ellaria gasped, falling to her knees. She urgently consumed her Elixir from the back row.

OoC: So if AoE-attacks won't work on other enemies until the user's enemy is defeated, then I reckon Roots of Life won't work on anybody else than Ellaria, either? Practically she needs to get rid of my personal enemy before she can help Hybros or anyone else... Just making sure I've understood it correctly.

No, it only works on the weapon you have equipped. And no, there are no exceptions no matter how many times you ask.

No. Grating stones and blacksmith's services can only be used on weapons.

"'Scuse me, sir, but you can only sell weapons at half price. You get back 65 gold for these beauties." "Ah, good to see you again, Mister Hunkster! Where have you been all these long, grueling months?! Eh, but back to business, that belt seems to only be worth 40 gold in resale, so I can give you 20 gold for it. It has no special properties as far as I can discern."

Going to reply some of your comments now, but first of all thanks for everyone's feedback! It really helps me see what I'm doing right and what I'm not. Glad to hear the story did not suffer due to the open-world style I created for this quest. You really could have been able to visit every location on the map if you had chosen to do so. It was my intention from the get-go to offer a chance to work for the Wolfgang instead, and seeing so many Wolfgang-sympathizers signing up made it work well. With another kind of party, there would have been no chance that they would even listen to Mr. Gaunt's proposition. That's why the Fearsome Four probed the party's morality throughout the way (first in Dim Haven with the mercenaries, secondly at the Ruins of Transmogria with the mutants, and third in Vega by assassinating the tavern keeper - which I admit was quite a brutal thing to do). After the escape from Vega, I was sure what remained from the party was ready to aid the Wolfgang if the reward was good. Walbartan really grew on me too, perhaps because she's like Ellaria if she had been born as a pongcanis. That part was troublesome for me too, since I couldn't get a straight answer from the party about what to do for a long time. It did pave the way for the rest of the quest, though, so I see it as a quite important phase. Funny thing is, you could've returned to Vega just fine. Everyone you met there (Grimelda, Buwakhareen, Periwinkle) were either dead or gone with you - and you met the shopkeeper before the murder so she couldn't have connected you with it. All Roland had was Throlar's vague descriptions, and he wouldn't have expected you to return to the crime scene so soon. I realized too that I hadn't given you any notion that the golem-battle was the last storyline battle, and I apologize for that. The battle came at an unopportune time anyway, coinciding with my vacation and all. 1. You would have been cured either by Elphaba's mother or Baba, depending on your choice. I just wanted to make the demon extra challenging, but I guess I pushed it a little too far. 2. I actually built a vast selection of prostitutes (most of which you could spot walking among the tourists in the pictures of the Main Square). You could've then paid for sex and gotten a little boost to your character. 3. You would've been able to interact with Elphaba and her family more. It was a shame that the scene happened at the time I was really busy, because I would've loved to have built the house. It just wasn't important enough for me to see the trouble in the end. 4. The optional battle would have happened if you had passed through the Strait of Seirenes at some point on your quest. You would have witnessed Blackgull Bonaparte on his way to Eubric get assaulted by the Siren Queen Sterope and her sirens. 5. I advice you to keep a close eye on the Marketplace-topic. You do realize that the quest did not progress on rails, don't you? I could've only planned battles for each location, I couldn't decide the order in which they were fought in. The party was free to roam the Darklands as they wished, and I created something to do for them in each location. I know what you mean, but I don't see it necessarily as a bad thing. The Wolfgang had a so-called "defensive victory" - they managed to keep Baba in their ranks for a good while longer. If the quest had been successful, the Veterans (and through them the Six Houses) would have gotten to know what Baba is and how to defeat her. What else do you think the Wolfgang should have gotten from botching up the quest besides that? Ulric's methods are brutal, taking from the rich and giving to the poor. Most of my quests are from the point of view of the Houses in Power, and of course they see no good in the uprising. Wolfgang is being dragged in two directions, that's totally intentional. If they were purely goody-two-shoes, the whole point of the organization would be nulled. I don't even want everyone to sympathize them, otherwise the ending of the main storyline would have been decided already. Again, is that a bad thing that the plot is rolling towards a certain climax? Why would I allow the Wolfgang to be suddenly decimated and drop the whole basis of my storyline? Then it would be just "everyone lived as they had always lived" type of story... This quest was more about Baba and her influence over the city's politics. Had the quest been successful, she would have been walking on very thin ice and probably died the next time a party would have encountered her. Now she still has time to work her magic. Why should the players be penalized for choosing a side? Especially since some of the Veterans are growing sympathetic to Wolfgang as well. The Veterans know that their members make their own decisions about who they help, there's no list of factions that can't hire Heroica for their aid. Of course Heroica will get in trouble with the Six Houses later on if they canoodle with the Wolfgang too much, but that's left for the future. Thank you. Ulric's plan is being made visible finally. He started conquering Eubric from the bottom up, and who are in the bottom? The scum, the lowlifes and the thieves. Wolfgang has calmed things in the city on that part, eradicating most of the criminal factions, and is moving past that phase to appeal to the common folk on the street. How many people they will convince on their side remains to be seen. Thank you for letting me use him! His involvement made Vega a much more interesting place. Detraehd Loc was the only one of the Four that never joined the heroes' party, so she was obviously left undeveloped due to that - and then she died. Her life had made her truly as "coldhearted" as her name, and there could have been an interesting story in how she managed to leave the Red Assassins and live. I'm glad it showed how much thought I put behind this quest. After #93 which had a lot of content but not a lot of heart, I wanted to give the players NPCs and locations they would actually be interested about (if not care, outright). Thinking about background stories for everything helped a lot. I know it was a risk taking Lord Duvors onto the quest, but I wanted to give him one more chance. I didn't mind what Throlar was doing for the quest, I accepted it as a challenge, but his snide OoC-comments were a bit too much for me... I agree, Babeleth was pretty well covered. I wouldn't mind seeing a quest taking place in Fellcrest, the village of the undead, though, but none of my storylines seem to fit for it. Decamon will certainly make a breakthrough outside Babeleth, though.

OoC: You forgot to deplete Ellaria's health. Possession can't be removed by a remedy, I assume? Ellaria jolted as she felt a surge of pain hit her. The light creature had done something to her without her knowing what. Not succumbing to the pain, Ellaria kept on attacking the Light Soul from the back row.

Sarge and the dwarven alchemist made their way to the Invision Guildhouse. They soon found themselves in front of the secretary of the Masked Man, Miss Victoria Vries. "The guildmaster is busy now. May I know what business you have here?" "Uh, my apologies, but my name is Dain Almight, and I am an aspiring alchemist and bombcrafter from Babeleth Darklands. I have just arrived to your grand city, and wish to join your guild." "Oh really?" Miss Vries looked at the rugged dwarf from head to toes and chuckled. "Do you think you have what it takes?" "Well, I just blew up the Tower of Babel with my bombs earlier today. How's that for credentials?" The secretary's smug smile was instantly wiped out, and she choked on her words. "Err... Umm... It looks like there's an opening at the guildmaster's schedule after all. He will see you shortly, so just make yourself comfortable, Mr Almight. Would you like some coffee or tea?" Dain smiled at Sarge. "It looks like things will look up for me from now on. Let's hope karma does not bite me in the buttocks. Thank you for everything, Sarge!" Sarge now had a new friend among the alchemists, so his reputation with the guild increased. Althior and Nur walked to the Ziegfried Manor with the trembling Bluto between them. The boy did not speak much, but it was evident that there was a nine years old child inside the grown man's body. At the gate in front of the black-and-white house, Bluto suddenly stopped. "What if they don't recognize me? What if they hate me for running away? What if...?" The front door then creaked open, and Schuester, the butler of the family stepped out. "Hyooonggh mhaaasshterrr Bbloohhtooo. Yooohh aaarrrh eksshpeekhteeedh iinsshaaaddh." Bluto swept the tears from his face and practically ran inside the manor. The two accompanying heroes tried to follow him, but the butler stopped them. "Ffhaammlli beesshneessh, ssheerrroooessh." The butler closed the door in front of Althior and Nur, and the two heroes waited outside for a long time before someone came out. It was Goldraum Ziegfried, Bluto's father. His eyes were teary "You have our uttermost gratitude for bringing back our son, heroes of Heroica. You are true friends of the Ziegfrieds." If the heroes expected to get something more out of bringing the boy home, they were disappointed. Goldraum shook both of their hands and returned inside. The family of wizards truly kept to themselves. "Yes, let's get out of here and go someplace to eat before I faint. The sailors that visited Vega often told that there's a tavern called the Merry Mermaid that serves the best fish food. Take me there, sugar!" Indeed, Eric was in for a lot of headache with the harlot. ~EPILOGUE~ Somewhere in the hidden corners of Heroica Hall... "This is preposterous!" shouted the Dragonlord, hitting the table with his metal-covered fist. "Are all our members so enthralled by Ulric and his goons they can't even finish a simple reconnaisance mission?! I should have taken Smaragdea and flown to the Tower myself, demanding answers." "You were close, in Dastan, so why didn't you?" The Dragonlord gave his colleague a murderous glance. "I made a poor choice selecting some of the most ambitious members we have in our ranks. Sadly, they are also some of the most powerful and could have easily gotten the task done. At least Master Wineghilm stayed loyal to us..." "No use crying over a melted glacier, Hestia. The truth about the witch will be revealed to us sooner or later. Have your visions shed any light upon this situation, Semiramis?" The Sand Queen leaned over a shelf with various relics on it. She was lost in her thoughts. "I apologize, but there are great disturbances within this city... Ancient powers are seeping from below our feet, making it difficult to focus. The clearest vision I have is of the Ziegfried boy that Baba enslaved. He is free now, and must be protected. He is the key..." "Hmph, the Ziegfrieds can look after their own. We have bigger problems than the Wolfgang to worry about, anyway." "I'd say the threat of a war within the city is a mighty big problem, my friend! The Wolfgang needs to be stopped!" "Why, if I may ask? They have returned much wealth to the common people that the houses in power have hoarded to themselves over the centuries. Our city is now richer than it has ever been!" "How dare you defend the thieves, Kukulkan?! What fortunes the families have gathered they have earned with hard work!" "Ha! The hard work of countless slaves, yes!" "Stop! Look what this situation is doing to us! If we begin to fight among ourselves, then Heroica is as good as done!" "Jacq is right. We must stay neutral in this affair - and that goes towards the Wolfgang as well. I've heard some of the laws Ulric wishes to install to this city, and they don't sound bad to me." "Eubric has always been free. We have never had a king, and we certainly do not need one now." "Free, my green big behind..." Tension in the room was so thick it could've been cut with a knife. "The future is hazy, but the day of reckoning will come. The lines will be drawn, and Heroica will be divided with the rest of the city. War is inevitable, but we can keep the casualties to a minimum. That is why we need the Eatress out of the picture." The room fell silent. QM Note: You are free to return to the Hall now, and post your thoughts about this quest to the QM's Lounge.

Sorry, I of course meant 40 or above.

It's all about when you train to be a dragoon, ie. which state you first get your pet dragon. If it has grown up without you, it will mistrust you. So if you first become a Dragoon at Level 40 or above, then the Shield-skill has a 1/4 chance to fail. It doesn't count if you have switched to another class and then return to Dragoon beyond Level 40, though, because the pet dragon is still the same. No, but it does count towards the 15 quests you need to participate to get a second character.

Ellaria was surprised she had been able to actually poison the light creature, but that only made things simpler. She repeated her attack. OoC: Boy am I glad poisoning stacks nowadays.

It looks like I'll be hosting two quests at a time again. You'll get to see how the houses of Bonaparte and Ji Pei are faring nowadays. And it looks like I'll be returning to Xu after all, despite saying I wouldn't after Quest#75. I just can't help it when a storyline takes new shapes in my head. Expect to see the pitches on the Quest Board soon.

"I've left my past behind, but you are not wrong in that I hail from the north. My faithful Garmr was born and raised here in Uland, though. I happened unto his territory on my way to Eubric and he challenged me. My bite turned him into a werewolf - or should I say, werehuman." "I WAS NOT WELCOME BACK TO MY PACK AFTER GETTING TAINTED, SO I FOLLOWED ULRIC TO THIS STINKING NEST OF STONE. I MISS THE WILDERNESS, BUT I AM SUBJECT TO ULRIC NOW." "What comes to your reward, you will get it now. I just wanted to satiate my curiosity first. Your words have convinced me that Heroica does not need to be eradicated in order to achieve my vision. Thank you for that." Barbariccia gazed deep into Nur's eyes, as if studying his true intentions. "My powers are multifarious, a true collection of talents, I should say. But you don't want to study under my tutelage, En Sabah Nur, for the price I charge is too heavy for you to bear." "Barbie, you didn't need the Tower of Babel to spill all your secrets, you're doing that just fine yourself. Now, onto the rewards... I promised you aristocratic titles when I establish my rule, but we can work out the details later. You can trust that your wishes will be heard when we get to it, but there is still much work to be done. Just know that your reputation among the Wolfgang has increased greatly. Also, each of you members of Heroica will get the promised 1000 pieces of gold. I apologize to your companions standing back there, but I did not hire them." "It's alright, Mr. Wolfskin, I will share Eric's reward", Periwinkle said, stroking Eric's cheek. "I was promised a new job here in Eubric, that's all. So don't mind me." "Golems have no use for gold. Unless one is a Gold Golem, of course." "Err, everything is settled then. Walbartan, Hodurr, please give these sacks of gold to your travelling companions." Ulric tossed four heavy bags of gold to the floor in front of him, and the Fearsome Two dealt them to Althior, Eric, Nur and Sarge before moving to their leader's side. Mr. Gaunt also crossed the little bridge to stand next to Barbariccia. Bluto Ziegfried followed the scarecrow, but stopped at the bridge. "Ah yes, there was one more reward. Barbie, please deal with it." "Certainly, dear." The witch stepped onto the bridge, standing opposite of the shaking Bluto. He couldn't even look her into the eyes. "Bluto Ziegfried, I hereby release you from all the shackles of enchantment I've cast on you. I cannot restore your youth even if I wanted to, but you are now free to return to your family to spend what time you have left with them. You are no longer bound to my will." Barbariccia's hand glowed ethereal green when she touched Bluto's head with it. "... I..." Bluto jolted when he realized he could talk again. "I... I will kill you!" Bluto tried to grasp Barbariccia by the throat, but Althior was close enough to stop him. The Keeper's advice to protect the boy resounded in his mind. "No hard feelings, eh? You will do well to remember your place, Bluto Ziegfried." "I hate you, witch! I hate you!!!" The man was crying incontrollably as he flailed and thrashed in the heroes' hold. The witch paid him no more attention. "It is time for us to depart. You will find the nearest exit to the surface behind you. Until the next time, my friends." "Looong liiive Kiiing Uuulric!" "Goodbye, and sorry for everything." "I can't WAIT to get a foamin' pint of ALE on me grip! I've DESERVED it after all this RUCKUS." The Wolfgang members disappeared in the shadows of the sewers. Bluto slumped to the ground, crying his heart out. "What now, Eric?" "Will you take me to the Guild of Invision now, Sarge?" "Nur, what are my orders?" "I *sob* want to go *sob* home." What would be each of the heroes' direction? ~THE QUEST HAS FAILED!~ QM Note: Congratulations, you've reached the ending of the quest, with just a few loose ends to tie. Hope your experience was as great as mine, for I am super pleased about the way this hundreth quest turned out to be - much thanks to you guys! Party: Althior Emorith (K-Nut) *Party Leader* 32 years old male human Necromancer Level 42 1/5 *Gain Triple Experience* *Absorbs Earth* *Immune to Petrified* *Unarmed Attacks Absorb Health* Power: 58 (42+16) Defense: 7 (2+5) Health: 53/53 (5+41+5+1) Ether: 57/57 (5+41+5+4+2) Gold: 1040 Equipment: Scepter of Divine Affinity (WP:16, Has ⅙ chance to deal Cursed effect on attacks and ⅙ chance to deal Blessed effect on successful healing, Staff), Metal Claw (Unarmed attacks drain health from the enemy equal to 50% of the strength of the attack (rounded up); handwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max Ether +4, backwear), Medal of Glory (Wearer earns triple experience, accessory), Robe of the Seneschal (SP:5; wearer absorbs earth-elemental damage and is immune to petrified; suitable to clerics, mages, chi monks, necromancers and scholars; bodywear) Inventory: Weapons: Oculoid Claw (WP:13, 1/6 chance of infecting the targeted enemy on successful hits; club), Metasimian Dory (WP:9, pierces defense; spear), Artifacts: Robe of the Elven Necromancer (SP:4, bodywear), The Rat Queen's Cape (Backwear, all Vermin type are Enamored with the wearer for the first three rounds of combat, Suitable for Alchemists, Beast Warriors, Chi Monks, and Witches), Spellbound Gloves (+5 spellpower, Handwear) Spell Items: Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness) x2, Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Garnet (Earth), Opal (Ice), Aquamarine (Water), Emerald (Wood) Consumables: 4 Potions, 8 Tonics, 3 Grand Tonics, 2 Ether Cores, 7 Remedies, 2 Elixirs, Phoenix Incense, Nostrum, Garnet Lamp of Summoning, 2 Grating Stones, Skeleton Decoy, 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 Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.) Tools & Treasure: Bedroll, Pickaxe, 2 Bones En Sabah Nur (Jebediahs) 31 year old male human Evoker Level 31.25 *Immune to Darkness* *Converts Ether to Health* *Reflects Ether-Based Attacks* Power: 49 (31+18) (67 against Humanoids (31+36)) Defense: 1 Health: 48/48 (5+30+3+5+5) Ether: 42/42 (5+30+1+2+4) Gold: 1075 Equipment: Quarterstaff (WP:18/36 against humanoids, staff), Traveler's Cloak (SP:1, backwear), Lichen Armour (The wearer’s ether is counted as additional health if health is depleted, Darkness Immunity, suitable to classes with ether, bodywear), Sedge Hat (+4 Max. Ether, headwear), Magic Mirror (The user reflects all ether-based attacks back to the caster without getting damaged by them, accessory) Inventory: Weapons: Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), Sangriste Dagger (WP:5), En & Sabah & Nur (WP:5, Shurikens 3/3), Poisonous Rod (WP:5, causes poisoned by 5-effect; staff), Wooden Shield (SP:5, immunity to wood) Artefacts: Cobra Nemes (Absorbs poison, recovering health instead of taking damage from poisoning, suitable to clerics, mages, chi monks and necromancers, headwear), Fire Amulet (Makes physical attacks do double damage to all enemies that are weak to fire, accessory), Sealed Heavy Armour of Brilliance (SP:5,Immune: fragile, blinded, sealed effects, suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators, bodywear), Little Jane's Muff (Protects from sealed-effect, accessory), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles, accessory), Lock & Chain (prevents items in the inventory from getting stolen; accessory) Spell Items: Garnet (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), Topaz (Lightning), Ruby (Fire), Scroll of Confusion Consumables: 6 Potions, 2 Grand Potions, Tonic, Grand Tonic, 3 Ether Cores, Milk (restores 15 health and 15 ether upon consumption), 5 Remedies, Phoenix Essence, Phoenix Incense, 2 Meads, Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), 5 Venoms, Deadly Venom, 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 Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Alfred (Nur can call his golem minion once per battle to protect him from all damage and effects for the remainder of the round.) Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass Summons: B.A.S.H. (Aquamarine), Chidoris Obelisk (Topaz), Earthen Shield (Garnet), Emerald the Rockling (Ruby) Decamon Deck: Shy Shell (Aquatic 2), Demon Ray (Aquatic 3), Will-o'-the-Wisp (Fiery 1), Barghest (Electric 2), Automaton (Electric 5), Vampire Bat (Flying 3), Specter (Icy 2), White Widow (Icy 3), Golden Scorpion (Luminous 2), Gold Golem (Luminous 6), Toxic Toad (Plant 1), Tangleweed (Plant 3), Scarab (Rock 1), Mud Frog (Rock 2), Stone Golem (Rock 8) Eric (Khorne) 30 year old Human Nord Level 25 Raider *Natural Respite* *Immune to Fragile and Weakened* *Evasion* Power: 42 (25+15+2) Defense: 5 Health: 43/43 (8+24+7+4) Gold: 1206 Equipment: Conspirator (WP: 15, causes blinded; longsword), Pugilist's Gloves (Power +2, protects from weakened-effect), Boots of Evasion (Wearer takes half damage in front row), Heavy Armor (SP:5, protects from fragile-effect) Inventory: Godricsleif (WP: 22; Ice-, Lightning-, Darkness-elemental; longsword), Drengazuli Grom'az (WP:6; Dual Strike; axe), 6 Silverfish Wings (WP:8, retrievable, throwing dagger), 2 Diseased Silverfish Wings (WP:8, causes cursed-effect, retrievable, throwing weapon), Leather Whip (WP:7, makes target enraged; whip), Small Spiked Club (WP:5, earth-elemental club), Pitchfork of Abomination (WP:1, pierces all defenses but breaks after one use; suitable to all classes), Counterstrike Gloves (after the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level), Crocodile Belt (Max. health +2, immunity to water; accessory), Garnet (Earth), Scroll of Sleep, 6 Grand Potions, Health Core, 3 Remedies, Neutralizer, Phoenix Essence, 6 Meads, 5 Smelling Salts, 4 Nostrum, 3 Mulled Wine, Dragon Scale, Venom, Deadly Venom, Fire Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Bone, 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.) Sgt. Jon McEncy (Pyrovisionary) 54 year old male human Black Knight Level 23 *Gain Triple Experience* *Immune to Blinded and Stunned* *Poisonous Defense* *Permanently Hastened* Power: 48 (23+21+2+2) Defense: 14 (10+4) Health: 47/47 (7+22+9+3+3+3) Gold: 1149 Equipment: Demonic Scissors (WP:21, dual strike, Light and Darkness elemental, Hollow [Potion], dagger), Serpenthead Shield (SP:10, 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), Medal of Glory (Allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, accessory) Inventory: Clockwork Lance (WP:12, has 1/3 chance to cause slowed-effect on the target; lance), Spark Hammer (WP:8, lightning-elemental hammer), Wooden Spear (WP:4, wood-elemental spear), 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), 2 Garnets (Earth), 3 Potions, Health Core, 4 Remedies, 2 Phoenix Essences, 4 Venoms, Deadly Venom, 3 Smoke Bombs, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Business Card, 2 Bones, Gold Ring (worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver), 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.)

"I have come to realize your fickledness, yes. At first I saw Heroica as not much else than a mercenary group, but the past years have proven that you possess great power among your ranks. My methods may turn away some of your more righteous members, but the wealth I have collected just might be enough to sway the others on our side. That time draws nearer, but there is still work to be done before I can claim Heroica my ally. It seems to be beneficial to go at it one member at a time." "I'm sure you are, Sergeant McEncy", the witch said, cocking up an eyebrow. "But do I really look like a Sister of Danab to you? Sure, I have relieved several of their powers over the ages, but that does not make me a lowly healer of the feeble." "Mind your tongue, Barbie. We don't want to hurt our new friend's feelings, do we?" "Of course not, dearie", Barbariccia said with a forced smile. "Ah, Patricia Cousland... I have a bone the size of a greatsword to pick with that woman. But her abrasive attitude has allowed us to convince many people to join our cause. I have no intention of demolishing the Town Watch when I become king, but there will have to be a big switch among the officers. I have to admit, I was dubious when Barbie here demanded that the Tower of Babel needs to be brought down before the Veterans got the information they wanted. But I need to keep her happy for obvious reasons, and this favor guaranteed her continued support of my cause." "Yes, I am your humblest servant", said the witch dryly. "Well, aren't I lucky that I do not need your support. I do what I do to keep myself young and pretty. Trust me, you don't want to see me on a bad day, hehe. Bluto over there has been great company to me over these last few years, but now I feel it's time to let him return to his family. I may be a leech, but cruel I am not. Bluto has learned many valuable lessons from me, haven't you boy?" Bluto shivered from the witch's words. "..." "Without you, I would have not returned to this city, Bluto. You can thank yourself for all of this." Barbariccia winked at the bearded man. "My power does indeed grow by the day. The Hovels are mine already, and most of the sailors at the Harbour district are seeing eye to eye with me about abolishing the Bonaparte tyranny. The merchant families of lesser stature would love nothing more than to see the Hinckwells and the Shadeaux eat each other alive. The Ji Pei and their technology poses a great threat, but they are also mistrusted by many. Not to mention the quirky Ziegfrieds and the secretive alchemists. The Houses in Power are simply not worthy of ruling Eubric. I came to this city with a vision, a dream to liberate its people from the chaos of unrestrained freedom and unite them under the wolf-head banner. If we want a better world, there needs to be law and order. And not six different laws and orders each pulling in different directions, but one that treats everyone fairly and justly. Eubric has the potential to be the hub of the known world, and through me it can someday become just that. And you, my loyal heroes, will be standing by my side when the time comes." "He is such a good orator, isn't he?" Barbariccia let out a little laugh. "Are we done chatting here?"

~Scheherazade has new rumours to share at her Saloon!~

You were rushing?!

"Aaas yooou wiiish", said Mr. Gaunt and began waving his hand in midair to conjure something. "Wait! Won't Orokai and Detraehd be joining us?" "Iii colleeected theeeir remaaains frooom theee Bloood Briiick Roooad haaalfwaaay betweeen Veeega aaand Feeellcreeest. Theee dwaaarf seeems tooo haaave defeeeated theeem aaafter aaall, buuut faaailed to stooop yooou neeevertheleeess." "What if he got to the Tower before us and talked to the Keeper?" "No one came before you", Alfred interrupted. "Oh..." There was a hint of disappointment in Walbartan's voice. "We'll MOURN our fallen comrades when we get BACK to the Wolf's Den. The sewers will be FLOODIN' with wine and ale!" "Eeenough!" Mr. Gaunt's spell was finished, and a swirling portal made of ether appeared on the side of the road. One by one the heroes followed the Wolfgang members through the portal, and when they appeared on the other side, a familiar smell filled their noses. They were in the sewers below Eubric - all of them had been down there enough times to know it for certain. "NOT A STEP CLOSER!!!" growled the huge direwolf that stepped from the shadows ahead. On it's back rode a tall werewolf and an amber-eyed woman followed suite. "Peace, Garmr. We owe our gratitude to these people. Let's not scare them away." The werewolf patted his steed's neck. "I am sorry for not welcoming you at the Wolf's Den. You are not members of the Wolfgang quite yet, and nobody else may set foot there. Not that anybody else would even find it. You could have a map to it and you would still make a wrong turn somewhere. I am Ulric Wolfkin, the head of the Wolfgang. It is a pleasure finally meeting the people who have done so much for our little revolution inside the one organization that alone could prevent it." "I, too, thank you, heroes, although I have a feeling my gratitude means little to you. You can call me Barbariccia Dellamore and I wish to somehow convince you that I only want the best for this city. It has been close to my heart for a thousand years now, after all." A hint of a smile appeared on the woman's lips. "The mighty Tower of Babel has fallen, then. I did not think it possible, but modern science made it so. How ironic." "You will be rewarded richly as promised, but first I need to hear what you think about me and my endeavours. Please, spare no words." "INSULTS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!" "Garmr, let these men speak. Sticks and stones, remember?" "DIREWOLVES HAVE NO NEED FOR PROVERBS!!! WE HAVE OUR FANGS AND CLAWS!!!" What would the heroes respond to Ulric's question? Would they have questions of their own?