Zepher

Looks like we'll need to test drive it a little to iron out some of the minute details, but it looks awesome to me.

I went ahead and did it! Remember how I said that I liked those old days, years ago, where people posted some of the NPCs of upcoming quests (remember what a big deal it was when Sandy first posted the images of the houses?!). Well, here they are. These are quite a few of the final NPCs you heroes have yet to meet in Zepher quests... and a few old faces, if you can spot them. This dangerous crew of treasure hunters: This fearsome trio of Warrior Priests: and these two surviving Old Gods: Add to that the enormous number of NPCs still left alive from previous quests... well, let's just say I keep telling Sandy to kill off characters (or at least change up the status quo), but I realized I haven't killed off anyone major since the final Wren Quest! And I expect my final few outings to be a little bloodier.

I am not particularly excited to see the current Master classes in game - barring Mine they all strike me as far too powerful and near impossible to balance for. I do think heroes should be rewarded for their strong builds and hard work, but a class with all pluses and no downsides doesn't seem fun to me, both as a player and QM. I want to see them in practice first of course, but I'd like to see more built in negatives to go along with the absurd positives. In that vein, I can promise you I would never QM or play alongside a hero who can revive the whole party to full health, then damage all enemies, then make gold. That's like resetting the battle in the heroes favor, and giving them gold for it. What's the point at that point? Again, I'm more than willing to see how they do, and theres already a prophet out there (and all three of the current Master Classes seem weaker than the Victuiso, which I'm particularly not loving [sorry Pie]) but I do hope they get de-buffed, or at the very least that I don't end up dealing with them. And I do like the way that Truce seems like it could be both help and a hindrance. That's sort of the sort of roll I'd lobby for.

OoC: Very afraid of raising expectations for update speed too high. This is a particularly open day for me, generally it will be closer to 24 hours. Round Four of the Classical Rat Battle >Karl v. Big Ugly Rat - Critical Hit ([3*2]+2=8 Damage, -1 poison) >Keliim v. Bad Rat B - Damage (3 Damage) >Boris v. Filthy Rat - Miss Free Hits: Bad Rat A v. Karl - 3 Damage Big Ugly Rat takes 1 damage from poison The battle continues! Karl finally gets a chance to throw his weapon, which deals a nasty blow to the Big Ugly Rat, poisoning it slightly in the process. Keliim receives another nasty bite, and Boris can't seem to connect a blow this time around. The party is weak, and worse, they have yet to down a single one of their foes! 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: 6/14 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: 6/20 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: 2/8 Gold: 10 Equipment: Shuriken (Throwing Weapon, WP:3, deals Poison -1) Inventory: Potion, 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 Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 1/9 Gold: 10 Equipment: Rusty one handed battleaxe (WP: 3) Inventory: Potion, Mead

Round Three of the Classical Rat Battle >Karl is stunned >Boris v. Filthy Rat - Hit (3 Damage) >Keliim v. Bad Rat B - Miss Free Hits: Bad Rat A v. Karl - 3 Damage Big Ugly Rat v. Boris - 3 Damage The party continues to hang on for dear life. Boris sweeps back a rat with a swing of his mace, and a bite from a different rat snaps Karl back to attention. None of the rats have died yet, but the party still stands. 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: 6/14 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 Health: 15/20 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 *Stunned* Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 5/8 Gold: 10 Equipment: Shuriken (Throwing Weapon, WP:3, deals Poison -1) Inventory: Potion, 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 Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 4/9 Gold: 10 Equipment: Rusty one handed battleaxe (WP: 3) Inventory: Potion, Mead

I actually really like WBD's suggestion, especially since the Dragoon can prepare against those possibilities. My other suggestion, and I'm not sure if this has been tossed out already but I feel like it might have been: maybe downgrade some attacks severely if the dragon is downed. I think making the dragon separate will make the class a whole lot better, but I think without a downside it will end up making it TOO much better.

The mystery prize is 1000 dollars real world cash.

Yes, that's the ruling I stick by. I'm sorry if I've been unclear about that in the past. Any class that can use axes can utilize it to give them duel-strike, they don't need an axe in the other hand.

Round Two of the Classical Rat Battle >Boris v. Filthy Rat - Shield >Karl v. Big Ugly Rat - Special Damage (Karl Stunned) Keliim v. Bad Rat B - Damage (5 Damage) Free Hits: Bad Rat A v. Boris - 3 Damage Boris heals the whole party, and its a good thing he does because the rats are here in force. Karl gets body slammed by the Big Ugly Rat, and he feels the wind go out of his chest. Boris and Keliim, meanwhile, both get relatively vicious bites. Sir Grady, still drawing a bulk of the hoard and holding them at bay with nothing but his fists, gives the heroes an incredulous look. 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: 9/14 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 Health: 15/20 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 *Stunned* Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 8/8 Gold: 10 Equipment: Shuriken (Throwing Weapon, WP:3, deals Poison -1) Inventory: Potion, 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: 4/9 Gold: 10 Equipment: Rusty one handed battleaxe (WP: 3) Inventory: Potion, Mead

"Alright Royce, put that weapon to good use." Boomingham huffs and puffs at the tail end of the enormous monster, trying to keep on the move. It is like fighting a mountain. He heals himself, and then swings his Frozen Saber at the Right Claw A from the back row.

Round One of the Classical Rat Battle >Boris v. Filthy Rat - Special Guard >Karl applies venom to his Shuriken Keliim v. Bad Rat A - Shield (2+3=5 Damage All Foes) Free Hits: Bad Rat B v. Boris - 3 Damage Big Ugly Rat v. Karl - 3 Damage The new heroes start off their career the right way. Boris is bitten by the rat, but his vampiric nature apparently rejects the poison. Karl preps for battle, and Keliim sweeps his axe, chopping off a tail or a limb or two. The rats are too numerous, however, and get in a good bite or two, drawing some blood from Karl and whatever it is vampires bleed from Boris. 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: 9/14 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 Health: 15/20 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: Potion, 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: 9/9 Gold: 10 Equipment: Rusty one handed battleaxe (WP: 3) Inventory: Potion, Mead

My goal is to keep catering my quests towards Atramor so that I can keep luring him back in. And I know you got rid of Ratsbane, but it doesn't matter to me, you'll always have it in my heart. Strange that Skrall and Atramor never got Zoot's playthings, I really see them as two who were incredibly tied to that arc. And I know I bring it up so often, but I really do love it when previous Wren questers talk to each other. It's a bond that's always well utilized by the players, and I haven't had to write any of it for a long time. The rat hoard was hilarious. Impossible battle to run, but totally worth it.

OoC: Guardian Angel doesn't kick in until the following round regardless.

Though I think my time as a Paladin is just about coming to an end (as soon as I can find Baba and have her kill Barty, or meet another creature of sufficient regard [in Boomingham's mind, sorry Perfect Regret]) I have to say it has grown on me greatly. The ability to heal yourself if things go badly is great, AND rolling Guardian Angel has only gotten to be more fun as enemies have become progressively more ludicrously strong. I used to not love it, but I do now. Just don't get too married to the idea of causing damage too often (though I've been pretty lucky on that front in 105). Paladin is also particularly fun because they are, for whatever reason, the only Expert Class with a "faction" association that you get to play with.

Before we all start complimenting Sandy on the latest set of quests, I'm like to commend you on a well done quest, Legonator! I think we're really starting to get a feel for Duplovia and Delfrin, and I thought the quest evolved extremely organically once the heroes were down in the mines. The situation spiraled out of control in a very believable way, and I think you did a nice job balancing out all the sides so that neither Delfrin nor Duplovia seemed at fault. The actual natives too seemed to be perfectly reasonable in siding with the big bads - they have been caught in wars again, and they're tired of it. That makes sense, and did just come out naturally. The shifting allegiances of various characters made sense as more information was revealed to them, and allowed them to serve as both heroes and then allies believably. I'll have to give it a little re-read and take a look at the characters - I'd say if you were to improve anything it would be to maybe make them more different and stand out, because none (beyond the archer, who I actually really enjoyed) stand out an enormous amount. It's only our second visit to Duplovia, and I'm very excited to go back, but I do hope we get to see more sides of Rone and Co. Other than that, I thought you did a really nice job, and plan to give it a reread because there was a bit in the middle where I got too busy to really follow along exactly.

Bobby signs up for Quest #124.

The heroes flip through the mother's journal to Henry's childhood... and find some mentions of a certain Grogmas... many years ago... "Let me see that!" Grady says as he snatches the journal from the heroes and brings it to a nearby table. U'Or wanders over as well. "I was so close!" Elba affectionately shakes his head so only the heroes can see, and Grady starts to read the piece aloud. His voice is halting, and he falters with some of the tougher words, but he makes it through alright. Grady clears his throat. "Well, there you have it." Before the heroes can react to the stories they hear the sound of small feet rushing towards them! All their activity in the oft dormant sub-basement has bothered its residents. Rats swarm forward, and one hops on the table. U'Or cries out in shock. "Get them!" cries Grady as he starts to kick the rats at his own feet. The Enemies Bad Rat A Level 5 Vermin Health: 8/8 Special: Nasty Bite - The rat flings itself at the hero and bites them, dealing 5 damage ignoring row. Drops: 5 Gold Bad Rat A Level 5 Vermin Health: 8/8 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: 14/14 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 the Filthy Rat deals poisoned -1. Big Ugly Rat Level 6 Vermin Health: 20/20 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: 8/8 Gold: 10 Equipment: Shuriken (Throwing Weapon, WP:3) Inventory: Potion, Venom, Bedroll Boris Bruhalv (Waterbrick Down) 38 year old male vampire Cleric Level 2 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 10/10 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: 9/9 Gold: 10 Equipment: Rusty one handed battleaxe (WP: 3) Inventory: Potion, Mead

OoC: Someone else will simply find the right book if you guys don't. This is just for XP. "We're not leaving until we find this answer," says Elba as he rifles through Henry's journal, still sure there must be a missed clue. The heroes can see through the bookshelves to U'Or, now has a large pile of shipping logs stacked next to him one aisle over.

The heroes all crowd around the journal and flip to the beginning, remembering that Henry's sadness in the holiday season started at a young age. But as they flip through the journal they come to realize that there is no mention of anything that would cause sadness. The first few years of the journal are sketchy, but seem mostly happy or are written with a taciturn tone. The only mention of the holidays are some vague and meandering holiday wishes and hopes for certain presents on Grogmas. It appears that Henry has always been too proud to document any sort of disappointment, sadness, or even failure. The heroes flip through the journal a little more, but it's all in vain. They've picked the wrong book. -Haymitch Hinckwell's Journal, Henry's Father -Harriet Hinckwell's Journal, Henry's Mother -Heinrich Hinckwell's Journal, Henry's Brother -Henry Hinckwell's Journal -Mary Sue Hinckwell's Journal, Henry's Wife -Roderick Hinckwell's Journal, Henry's Son -Lorcan Hinckwell's Journal, Henry's Nephew OoC: You each have one guess left!

Then they wouldn't get to use that artifact.

"I know it. That's why you're grabbing this wonderful sword from me now and putting on the offensive next bout." Looking over at Em he rolls his eyes with great showmanship. "Old folks."

I know you had him show it off, I remember enjoying it. I don't imagine Henry as someone who understands a hell of a lot about weaponry, but I believe he would have probably at least somewhat recognized it. I think even if he did, though, he would block the thought. I was re-reading 84, and he said that he and Roderick did not end on great terms (which is probably because Roderick was driven violently insane, but also probably before that they didn't see eye to eye). I think that itself was a lie too, or at least purposeful mis-remembering for the same reason that he lost his only son while they were in a "rough patch", but long story short: no, not really. I have to say that Henry is a fun character for that reason for me. I have been having a good time coloring events from the Wren Saga with backstory told after the fact. I just told JimBee recently that we're due for some more retro-active back story... the Court of Demons may be coming around some time soon with their only survivor. EDIT: Remember when people used to release pictures as teasers before quests? I miss that. I think I might be doing that again soon.

Can you explain what a "Tailitzer" is? "So let's put the big boy down. Only father ghostly can survive an attack by the big boy, so, Mr. Cour Sr., I think that's where you'll have to be. For the time being, you can take this sword off me - aim for the eyes next round." Boomingham tosses his Darksteel Greatsword at Royce Cour, and then, facing the beast, swings at the the Reaper's Tail A from the back row with his Frozen Saber.

Flare's first quest is one of my very favorite quests of Heroica history for it's sheer bizarreness. I really hope I get back for the Zeigfried quest!

Having received his coffee from the barkeep in the Hall, Bobby made his way to the Marketplace. Bobby's first goal is to recoup the money that he lost in the Decamon Tournament. His father always taught him about good spending habits, and how you should always be making money, not losing it. So Bobby first goes to Dain and sells the two bombs he received in the tournament, making himself 100 gold in the process. He next drops off his Dope Dagger, garnering 15 gold, and sells the soiled small clothes too, gaining another 15 gold. He grins as he sells those, but the strange man at the forge makes no comment. He then asks for the man to work his magic with his whip, and goes off to sell his venom and pick up an extra potion and remedy, putting him down a total of 18 gold. When he returns his whip has been improved quite a bit. He gives it a few experimental cracks, shakes the man's hand, and heads back to the Hall. -Bombs (100 damage version) x2, venom, dagger (WP: 3) throwing weapon (WP: 3) +Potion, Remedy, Upgraded Whip from WP: 7 to WP: 10 204 gold+100+15+15+2-10-10-80-90-100=46 gold