Zepher

I think this is a good and important discussion. Perhaps vaguely tangential to the game, but not really as it's writing and media based (hell, Lego itself still has trouble with gender representation, though they have improved in recent years). This is a debate I have with a lot of my friends. I do think that writing different genders and sexualities and people hailing from different places IS different. Just in the same way that writing a blind person would be very different than writing someone who can see. I believe all people are equal, but that doesn't mean they aren't diverse. I know that it takes more thought to write for a female character for me if I want them to be fully realized, because part of that full realization is to exhibit things I don't experience (again, same with a blind person or someone with a different core ideology or different socio-economical background). So basically we agree, I think, that there is a difference - not a great one, but one that must be recognized at least to fully embrace the character instead of ignoring that portion of their person. It's a hard balance, I agree. Of course, we're modeling Heroica after Europe, which did have a stigma against homo-sexuality (as an example) that did not exist in most older asian cultures. Certain Native American tribes thought there were four genders, and sexuality wasn't a question for them. So "less civilized beliefs" are different all over. But I still agree, exploring those hardships might be something that we can try to handle respectfully, but not ignore. But then again, this is as you said fantasy. So really anything goes!

I second basically everything that Flipz said. It may sometimes seem silly to discuss such a thing on an online RPG, but I think it would vastly sillier to not discuss it. Change only comes when people start to live it. I do have to say that I am proud of the female characters of Heroica for the most part, and that Eubric society seems to be fairly willing to be equal. But it's still something worth discussing.

I have vague general plans to hand out the Regulator class again at some point in my QMing career (there was going to be an option of it in 102 depending on how the heroes handled the Chaomancer) but I don't have specifics right now. I agree with Flipz that it must be earned, but I also agree with JimBee that it's a cool class that could use more players using it (Atramor is the only person to take me up on it so far).

I think I'm going to wedge in all my important Eubric NPCs in Quest #123. I hope. I also hope I'm not forgetting anyone. Nstickney, this quest is partially dedicated to you, by the way. With all the heavy handed seriousness of 102, I figured I owed you and Eubric a bit of a kinder quest.

"I can promise you, they aren't going to leave you alone as long as you're a hero. Or perhaps if you're anyone in the city." A dark cloud passes over Elba's face. "But I suppose that's just the way things are in this world." He shrugs. "A simple sentiment, but a wise one. The trouble, of course, is that the big people always end up affecting the little people. But it appears that you already know that." Elba drly chuckles. "But I imagine that's enough talk about politics. We will deal with them when we must, but never more than that. That's why you're at the Hall and I'm with Guffington, instead of employed by one of the houses." "Yes, yes, the Count is indeed an honorable man, as is his wife. But if I must deal with a house as a whole, I have always found that the Hinckwells have more discipline as a whole. It is nice that you can find enlightenment in your god. I have never found any reverence for the pantheon in Eubric myself. I guess that is one of the things that I lost when I lost when I left Dastan I guess I lost that." U'Or sighs. "Guffington found me when I was very young. He has always been a world traveller. I don't know if you know anything about Dastan, but it has not always been the kindest place for the U'Kin have not always been treated well in Dastan. Recently things have begun to change, but it is still a slow battle. When Guffington visited on one of his trips he became friendly with my father and mother. He offered to give me a better life. It is something I struggle with sometimes, but I believe that both he and my parents made the correct decision." Elba comes to a halt as someone shouts at him from an alleyway. He backpedals a step or two and then returns the greeting. "Samuel Shawe!" he calls out, and the man jogs forward. His face is a little red and the heroes can smell that he too has apparently been doing some light drinking. He gives Elba a firm handshake. "Good to see you, Elba! You too U'Or." Shawe looks the heroes up and down. "Hello, heroes. Good to meet you. Your Hall has got quite a few faces in its repertoire, I was hoping I might run into an old friend, but new friends are good as well. My name is Samuel Shawe. I'll be supplying the fine Captain with some wine today, but I've actually got to ask him a favor before hand." He throw up his hands. "What can I say. I'm sure you were expecting that it wouldn't be free, right Elba? I am a Shawe, after all." "Of course." "See, I've got a little bit of trouble. Every year around this time I meet my pal Johnny Everyman for a drink or two, to bring in the new year, talk some shop. You know how it is. But he's no where to be found. He's never no where to be found. I have to admit I'm getting a little worried, and would really appreciate some help tracking him down. He's usually in the Hovels, so I figured that might be a good place to start?" "Lead the way!" The heroes set off for the gate leading into the Hovels, led now by Samuel Shawe.

"Ah man, I'm just going with the flow. I want to help dudes, you know, but that's about all I got right now. Sorry 'bout your dad though, bro. That's rough."

Agreed with all the above. Sometimes less is more. Besides, that's why we have different words with different connotations for the same thing. Let your personality speak instead of the emotes. As for actual role play, you seem to be pretty on top of stuff. Interaction is generally better than monologues, so keeping posts short is always better in my opinion, unless it needs to be long, and it rarely does (an exception to the rule). You have a nice balance right now of interior and exterior without ever really alienating the other players (problematic if you ever turn entirely interior) but still with a reflection of Karl's inner world (the trouble if you're exclusively exterior... sometimes). My one personal note would be to have a MORE blank slate. He's a thief who wandered in. That's good. That's some back story, and it colors him. He seems attracted to the idea of family and togetherness even as an outsider. That's good too! And even an opinion or two on the houses wouldn't be amiss since he's from Eubric. But one has to be careful about painting one's self into a corner. Don't have quests planned for him. Those don't exist. Maybe keep who his parents are in the back of your mind, but don't set it in stone quite yet, or if you do, just let it happen organically. Almost anyone can tell you, the story of Heroica is collective, and generally your past events will write you, not vice-versa. Look at the Hall right now. Arthur and Tesni talked about Wren (a quest) and their theories on Chaos (something that came out in that quest) in comparison to a bloody revolution in a foreign country one of them previously put down (a quest Tesni went on) and one of them just helped fulfill (a quest Arthur went on). After that Althior, Alexis and Arthur chatted about their relationships - things that were built and torn apart of a couple of quests, and the fall out of which is still evolving at the characters themselves evolve as they continue to grow. Look at Benji and Althior's discussion at the end of 116: Althior is sick because the Wolfgang, a group he grudgingly helped in 100, is killing a little girl. Benji supports the Wolfgang because he met a woman he liked who was part of them in 33, and who was then killed in 66. And look how much fuller those interactions are because they characters had multiple quests to explore them in. That doesn't mean you can't have some stories going in. Look at Atramor or Hybros or Skrall for tips on that. But watch how they don't over power the story they're on, they just color the character in the same way previous quests might.

OoC: I don't think you took me being in the back row into account when calculating damage to the tail. Also, the Right Claw should have been stunned when Daranza the First rolled damage, so he should still be standing. "Royce has got it right. We keep fighting until it dies or we die." Boomingham stares at the beast. "Is this what you truly wanted? To die at the hands of a few mortals? Guess there's no real other way to go out of the world, for you." Hissing out of the side of his mouth: "Barty, any moment you wish to joy us would be just lovely." Raising his voice he addresses his party, "patch yourselves up if need be, folks. I'll hold him off." Boomingham attacks Tail A from the back row, and then Tail B too unless he's damaged in which case he heals himself.

"Yo man, I'm from right outside the hovels. Don't know why I make that distinction though. You know, like, where'd they even build that wall anyway? Who decided that, know what I'm saying?" Bobby shrugs and munches on a cookie. "Crazy, dude. Where are you from?"

It's intentional in that I chose it, but didn't fray it on purpose.

"Our back up plan?" Elba chuckles. "You heroes are our back up plan. Those rats are exactly the sort of reason we hire heroes! It isn't a safe world out there, you need someone to watch your back." "Regardless, it's time to go collect my present. While U'Or may be friendly with the Hinckwells, I've made the acquaintance a bit of a less stuffy house." "An oft unruly one!" "They're good folk. It's a little known fact about Danneka - he doesn't drink much or drink often, but he does have a particular weakness for Charisan Wines. I happen to know a man who can get us a very old vintage. See, his employers hail from the country, and though they have been exiled they still have a contact or two." "House Shadeaux..." "We are to go meet Samuel Shawe near the hovels. He will no doubt ask for something in return, though half the time with him that's simply sitting down, having a drink, and swapping old tales. Nevertheless, we ought to be off!" Elba begins to lead the others away. U'Or and Boris hang back. "Boris, you said you are from this city you said. What do you think of the Hinckwells, or the Shadeaux? I thank the lords in the heavens every day that I was recruited by Guffington and not the others. Especially with my Dastan homeland I may have been taken in by the Shadeaux, considering how close Dastan is to Charis and my Dastan homeland. I do not have anything against the Count of course, and Samuel has always struck me as a kind if... questionable man if not kind, but one hears stories of course." Elba, meanwhile, leads the way with Keliim and Karl. "Damn politics, huh? We're just trying to get a book and we end up cleaning out the Hinckwell cellars. These damn houses. There is a reason I left the Bonaparte fleet, I'll tell you that. Politics, in my opinion, has no winners and many losers. Guffington's a smart man for keeping his distance from them all. He keeps friendly with all of them that way, and I know he loves that. He can rack in gold alongside any house, and be friends with whomever he likes, no strings attached." He glances over at them. "What about you two? Are you from the city itself, or are you only now realizing the horrors of the tit for tat system we've developed here."

I like that too. That'd be a super cool way to give rewards to certain characters within a quest, and could be very much based on RP and choices (much like the Weather Mage and Harlot). It would also give the different Avengers awesome different flavors without any difference to the class itself.

I've thought about it a decent amount. My only question would be how we would include things. It'd be silly, for example, to vote for things that had previously been voted upon, so what would the cap be? Quest 50 (about where we were last time around, at least as far as finished quests went) to 115ish?

I like it a lot. Still don't know if we need more classes, but I definitely like that one.

To the credit of Elba, U'Or and Grady, none of them so much as flinch when the vampire excuses himself with the rat. "I don't think you are." Grady sneers. "U'Or, thanks for the help. I've got some shopping of my own to do at the moment. I'll meet you at Guffington's Mansion at the end of the day with your book. But I think your services are done here." Grady shepherds the heroes and their two employers up the staircases and our of Villa. He gives them a curt wave good bye before locking the door behind them. "Well, then." Elba shakes his head. "What a nasty man. The Hinckwells..." he lets the sentence die off before it begins. "Well, since we're done with obtaining your present, U'Or, are we all prepared to go get mine? Karl, I'm sure your fellow heroes could use some of that gold the rats had with them." Elba tosses Karl a few coins that he apparently took off the rats' corpses.

I think Sandy meant more statistically. Guardian Knights also get a buff when the rest of their party is damaged, so I assume WBD means a similar thing to that, only offensive. Though I'm still of the opinion that most bases seem to be totally covered. Try different builds with different classes! Most people have at least 6 or 7 classes available to them by level 40, which is where the real long term players are about at right now, and they can't have possibly tried them all yet, so I don't think there's a reason to be bored at this point.

Round Nine of the Classical Rat Battle Karl v. Rat - Hit (2 Damage) Boris heals Keliim - Failure (Roll of 5) >Keliim v. Bad Rat B - Hit (KO) Karl kicks the rat over to Keliim's feet, and the barbarian brings his axe down, decapitating it. The Battle is Victorious! The Party Karl (surname unknown) (Bionicle_fanatic) *Party Leader* 18 year old male human Rogue Level 3 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 2/9 Gold: 10 Equipment: Shuriken (Throwing Weapon, WP:3) Inventory: Bedroll Boris Bruhalv (Waterbrick Down) 38 year old male vampire Cleric Level 3 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 2/11 Ether: 5/6 Gold: 10 Equipment: Simple Mace (WP: 3, mace) Inventory: Keliim the cruel (Mencot) Age 35, male human Barbarian Level 3 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 4/10 Gold: 10 Equipment: Rusty one handed battleaxe (WP: 3) Inventory: Mead Loot: 20 Gold 2x Venom Sir Grady finishes off his rats at about the same time. The remaining rats scamper away into the walls, surely not to reemerge again any time soon. "These are the boys you got, U'Or?" Sir Grady grins. "Couldn't do any better? No surprise. The Hall is full of thieves and beggars and not much else."

"Genuine pleasure to meet you, my man. I gotta bit of a sweet tooth, so I am ready to chow on some cookies."

Round Eight of the Classical Rat Battle >Boris uses Remedy >Karl v. Big Rat - Hit (KO) >Keliim stunned Free Hits: Bad Rat B v. Boris (3 Damage) Without the poison's effects clogging his mind, Karl's aim is more true, and he's able to make his shuriken land with a dull thud in the Big Rat's big body, killing the creature. The final rat deals a devastating blow to Boris. The heroes are all alive with one foe, but they certainly feel a little woozy. The Enemies Bad Rat B Level 5 Vermin Health: 3/8 Special: Nasty Bite - The rat flings itself at the hero and bites them, dealing 5 damage ignoring row. Drops: 5 Gold The Party Karl (surname unknown) (Bionicle_fanatic) *Party Leader* 18 year old male human Rogue Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 1/8 Gold: 10 Equipment: Shuriken (Throwing Weapon, WP:3, deals Poison -1) Inventory: Bedroll Boris Bruhalv (Waterbrick Down) 38 year old male vampire Cleric Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 1/10 Ether: 4/5 Gold: 10 Equipment: Simple Mace (WP: 3, mace) Inventory: Keliim the cruel (Mencot) Age 35, male human Barbarian Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 3/9 Gold: 10 Equipment: Rusty one handed battleaxe (WP: 3) Inventory: Mead

I miss Nyx (though understand that Pandora has her hands full). I want to get back that Strivvi team one more time. That really is the most "family-dynamic" sort team I think Heroica has ever seen.

Round Seven of the Classical Rat Battle >Boris v. Filthy Rat - Critical Hit (KO) >Karl retrieves his Shuriken >Keliim v. Big Ugly Rat - Special Damage (Keliim Stunned) Free Hits: Bad Rat B v. Boris (3 Damage) Big Ugly Rat takes 1 damage from poison Karl takes 2 damage from poison The heroes teeter near death, but Boris is able to squash the poisonous rats, and the other two have grown more wary, no longer willing to push their advantage. The Enemies Bad Rat B Level 5 Vermin Health: 3/8 Special: Nasty Bite - The rat flings itself at the hero and bites them, dealing 5 damage ignoring row. Drops: 5 Gold Big Ugly Rat Level 6 Vermin *Poisoned -1* Health: 3/20 Special: Heavy - The rat throws its full weight at it's foe, stunning them. Drops: 10 Gold The Party Karl (surname unknown) (Bionicle_fanatic) *Party Leader* 18 year old male human Rogue *Poisoned -2* Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 1/8 Gold: 10 Equipment: Shuriken (Throwing Weapon, WP:3, deals Poison -1) Inventory: Bedroll Boris Bruhalv (Waterbrick Down) 38 year old male vampire Cleric Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 4/10 Ether: 5/5 Gold: 10 Equipment: Simple Mace (WP: 3, mace) Inventory: Potion, Remedy Keliim the cruel (Mencot) Age 35, male human Barbarian *Stunned* Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 3/9 Gold: 10 Equipment: Rusty one handed battleaxe (WP: 3) Inventory: Mead

Bobby sips his coffee at the bar. A strange fellow, a mage, sits down and orders himself cookies. "Right on, dude. I'm gonna have to snag one of those when they get here," says Bobby with a smile, and then offers his hand. "Bobby Bucks Jr. How's it going?'

"I've also been in tighter spots than dealing with a few rats, believe it or not." Grady is still battling with the rats with verve, though he's got a few scratches. Elba has joined in the effort, though he seems to have less technique and success. U'Or cowers behind the two of them. Round Six of the Classical Rat Battle Boris drinks his potion Keliim v. Bad Rat A - Hit (3 Damage, KO) Karl v. Filthy Rat - Special Damage (Poisoned -2) Free Hits: Bad Rat B v. Boris (3 Damage) Big Ugly Rat v. Keliim (3 Damage) Big Ugly Rat takes 1 damage from poison Karl takes 2 damage from poison Boris takes a turn drinking his potion, and Keliim finally kills one of their foes! Unfortunately Karl is bitten badly, and starts to feel some sewer poison seep through his veins! The Enemies Bad Rat B Level 5 Vermin Health: 3/8 Special: Nasty Bite - The rat flings itself at the hero and bites them, dealing 5 damage ignoring row. Drops: 5 Gold Filthy Rat Level 4 Vermin *Deals Poisoned -1* Health: 3/14 Special: Very Poisonous Tooth - The rat's one VERY poisonous tooth pierces the heroes' skin, dealing poisoned by 2. His other teeth are only slightly poisonous. Drops: Venom x2 Note: On rolls of damage and free hits the Filthy Rat deals poisoned -1. Big Ugly Rat Level 6 Vermin *Poisoned -1* Health: 4/20 Special: Heavy - The rat throws its full weight at it's foe, stunning them. Drops: 10 Gold The Party Karl (surname unknown) (Bionicle_fanatic) *Party Leader* 18 year old male human Rogue *Poisoned -2* Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 3/8 Gold: 10 Equipment: Shuriken (Throwing Weapon, WP:3, deals Poison -1) Inventory: Bedroll Boris Bruhalv (Waterbrick Down) 38 year old male vampire Cleric Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 7/10 Ether: 5/5 Gold: 10 Equipment: Simple Mace (WP: 3, mace) Inventory: Potion, Remedy Keliim the cruel (Mencot) Age 35, male human Barbarian Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 3/9 Gold: 10 Equipment: Rusty one handed battleaxe (WP: 3) Inventory: Mead

I don't know if Alexis actually thinks Arthur is a thief or is just being mean but I like it either way. And I wouldn't call Korra and Asami "disconnected ends" so much as a relationship that grew organically. I don't even think it was in anyway a result of the love triangle which fizzled out mid-season 2.

Round Five of the Classical Rat Battle >Boris v. Filthy Rat - Hit (3 Damage) >Karl drinks potion (+10 Health) >Keliim drinks potion (+10 health) Free Hits: Bad Rat A v. Boris - 3 Damage Bad Rat B v. Karl - 3 Damage Big Ugly Rat v. Keliim - 3 Damage Big Ugly Rat takes 1 damage from poison The party drinks their potions as Boris does his best to hold off the rats. The Enemies Bad Rat A Level 5 Vermin Health: 3/8 Special: Nasty Bite - The rat flings itself at the hero and bites them, dealing 5 damage ignoring row. Drops: 5 Gold Bad Rat B Level 5 Vermin Health: 3/8 Special: Nasty Bite - The rat flings itself at the hero and bites them, dealing 5 damage ignoring row. Drops: 5 Gold Filthy Rat Level 4 Vermin *Deals Poisoned -1* Health: 3/14 Special: Very Poisonous Tooth - The rat's one VERY poisonous tooth pierces the heroes' skin, dealing poisoned by 2. His other teeth are only slightly poisonous. Drops: Venom x2 Note: On rolls of damage and free hits the Filthy Rat deals poisoned -1. Big Ugly Rat Level 6 Vermin *Poisoned -1* Health: 5/20 Special: Heavy - The rat throws its full weight at it's foe, stunning them. Drops: 10 Gold The Party Karl (surname unknown) (Bionicle_fanatic) *Party Leader* 18 year old male human Rogue Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 5/8 Gold: 10 Equipment: Shuriken (Throwing Weapon, WP:3, deals Poison -1) Inventory: Bedroll Boris Bruhalv (Waterbrick Down) 38 year old male vampire Cleric Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 1/10 Ether: 5/5 Gold: 10 Equipment: Simple Mace (WP: 3, mace) Inventory: Potion, Remedy Keliim the cruel (Mencot) Age 35, male human Barbarian Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 6/9 Gold: 10 Equipment: Rusty one handed battleaxe (WP: 3) Inventory: Mead