Zepher

We just got it today, so I guess it's sweeping up to you guys.

Well I guess it's about that time, huh? I've been putting off commenting on the quest, because as you may imagine, I have a lot to say, and I know I won't say all of it. As early as the invasion of Chauncey's house I felt that I should have been keeping running notes, but felt it was too late at that point... even though that must seem a really long time ago now. I will be including character analysis after I get a chance to reread some of the quest, so let me just talk the quest and some ideas on story/game. I will also not be quoting the specific replies above, but I've read them all and promise they are on my mind as I reply. Firstly, as with all stories, I feel I should start with intention (and answer Flipz' main complaint). This quest was meant to a) highlight all the great things people have done before me - I believe/hope we saw a lot of what has come up in the last few years of this game. I hit a lot of my own stories, but we also got Red Assassins, Syndicate, Town Watch, Witches (maybe not everyone, but Purpearl did at least ) Wolfgang, Direwolves, Crimson Crown, C.A.T., the Cold Circles, Stirlance, Hinckwells, Shadeaux, Pongcanis, R'Klif, Bric'Lin, the Paladin Order... probably more. These are all stories that various QMs (WBD, CallMePie, Sandy, Endgame, Brickdoctor, the list goes on) have introduced, and I believe we are all indebted to each other for building a world like this. It's a ton of fun, and it really couldn't have been done by any one of us. So this was my celebration of all that. The second Debts was Flipz' complaint. There is a big world out there that the heroes don't relate to, and it keeps moving without them. We saw some of that: The Chaomancer, the Frog and Snake, Samuel, the Hinckwell Shadeaux rivalry, the continued issues in R'Klif, the pubs, etc. BUT I also wanted to discuss something that rarely comes up in the game, even when revisiting places: the heroes leave very permanent effects on people's lives, and then get to go home to their homes. They DON'T have to stick around to see the consequences, but there must always always be some. The heroes just parade off to the next adventure - but really they are part of that big moving world. They are protected from it, however, and so the consequences never catch them. When XX claimed his last few jobs had been ruined by heroes, that's the truth of it (time-wise there really hasn't been a chance for him to get a substantial job). But who the hell talks about that ever? The heroes saved Loush, sure, but did they help rebuild? The heroes murdered Raguel, but are the Paladins going to just lie down and let the Orcs go unpunished? Who has stuck behind to help actually pick up the pieces. The heroes serve very much as "cause" so perhaps it is time for the effect to catch up to them, even in microcosm form. And still not everything related back. So, the quest. The side-quests were just ways to introduce and build a few story lines and relationships. In "A Cult or Two" Thistlethorp was attacked by a member of the Crimson Crown (who was totally in the right by the way, GO CRIMSON CROWN!!!!! ). Matthias helped him and they were friends. The second cult was of course the Cold Circles, but Matthias didn't ever ask about that (probably because in character he couldn't read the title). Alexis met Sam in "Girl Power" and Keith, as pathetic as ever, asked for Purpearl's help with a rat infestation in "Rats!!!!". These characters were intentionally introduced as lame comic relief - if I could have I would have had the heroes kill off Jacob and Christian, but I feel that I'd receive more complaints than I already did if I went with that route. It's the same idea though - Jacob and Christian are tolerated by the heroes, but are they really doing good? Who knows. We never see the consequences of their odd jobs. Who says they aren't working for villains in their "off screen" times. "Crabby Bacon" saw Nerwen meeting Russel and Pigley and Bert. The toxic monster she dealt with was just for me to have a bit of fun beforehand. Johnny Everyman is one of my favorite NPCs in the game. He's an amoral bastard, but hey, that's who he is! He's friends with everyone, and can help you out or stab you in the back. Almost a "hero" in his own right, huh? Aventine and XX were then encountered. Aventine was a weasel, sure, but I wonder what people will think of him when we explore more of Chauncey. I really didn't have a preference as to who survived, though it has a massive massive impact on my finale. They were just two people who valued different things. Taking Aventine away was a bit of a misstep, but it was what it was, and by the time I realized just how long you'd be without him before rejoining him it was too late. Sorry about that. I can't think of a good fix without making the quest unnecessarily longer or changing it entirely, but it still wasn't the best. I don't apologize for the amulets. Sorry. They were totally necessary, in my opinion. Cheap, yes. Aventine was cheap. He didn't want to die anymore than Chauncey. But it created the whole question: where do the ideals stand in this game. The heroes are FINALLY being punished for taking action, so do they still? We see them take action all the time and then walk away before they see the fall out - what if they had to see the fallout? It's not too shocking that they weren't happy about it, because they're not really ever held accountable for their actions, and it's shocking to learn that sometimes those tough choices have tough consequences. The first battle was just me having some fun too. Direwolves are my favorite foes ever because they were impossible to beat in Quest 1 and were easy as hell to beat in quest 102. Evel McGuffin was just a pretty evil ex-Wolfganger. I loved including Everstien (who talked about Thistlethorp stealing the bodies, by the way) because I like him as a character, but he's sort of lost in the universe - I don't know what to do with him now that Hoples was introduced immediately afterwards. The Watch and Syndicate hanging out was just so you'd meet them, and to put their presence in Eubric. Thanks to 68 Russel knows to go to Bric'Lin. We run into a pompous actor pal, get some drinks. Really XX should have known all this too - I sort of forgot for stretches that he and Chauncey should tangentially know each other because in 68 Everyman said that Zane and Chauncey and XX all chilled for a while. Lots of story lines - there are a few other goofs along the way you'll see (XX should have recognized Nerwen immediately too, and I don't think he did, because they fought against each other in the finale battle of Dastan). Frog and Snake were to introduce the moral theme after Evel, and the consequences. I'm sorry that the camaraderie effect wore off too, Chrome, but that was because you chose that fight instead of the Frog Fight post-mansion. I had characters buy you drinks throughout to make up for it a bit (and because I think it's a thing nice NPCs would do). Interior fight was what it was. I liked Ragnar. Zelphie was fun to play with in that scene too, what with her hero past. Back to Eubric. I agree that the Inn part was a bit of a slow down, but I really wanted to test out guest QMing. It worked far better in 107, but I only knew it would work because I tried it here. Very much a geuina pig sort of deal, and I'm sorry about that, but it's gotta happen sometimes. Eubric was a bit of hit or miss. The bar fight was a little silly - why would you run into Bors? Also, strangely no one looked for the artifact he said Aventine gave him post-battle. That whole story line felt forced on my part, but only because you never picked up on the hints (which is on both of us, I imagine). Midge leaned down to take the artifact to return to Aventine (he "checked Bors pulse after the battle), and if anyone had looked for it afterwards they might have gotten something out of Midge, but they simply didn't. So when it popped back up later it seemed random, in my opinion, and convoluted because I ended up packing a lot of info into a little space. The fight with Bors also seemed strange because it was all over the artifact once he gave you the information on the Armored Reaper, but you never looked for the artifact. Whatever, it is what it was. I'm sorry to see Bors go. If you hadn't fought him you would have skipped a huge portion of the quest. The Watch is a problematic in the game. They can't punish heroes because the game makes it impossible, but what should happen when the heroes break the law? They walk away without an injury and without a care in the world, and are automatically allowed back into Eubric - once again, no consequences, no debts. Anyway, when Purpearl resisted (highly unexpected) I ran with it. I'll let Purpearl speak for herself on that side quest, but I had fun with it. I'd like to publish it, but if she wants to keep it secret, that's her call. The Avery battles were clearly a mess, no point belaboring that point. She was built to fight Guts and Nyx and Docken and Assassin Hybros, and I can never wrap my head around leveling down enemies (doesn't make any sense to me, really). But the complaints were valid. Sorry guys. There was also experience to be gained if you had patched up the safe house, and that would have made the resultant battles far easier, but no one seemed even remotely interested in that. Thistlethorp was indeed connected to Aventine, Flipz, but only really tangentially, same way Zane and XX have worked together before but aren't really united NPCs. Thistlethorp wasn't punished because of his tie to Aventine, too, but because he was targeted by the Crimson Crown. How's that for a independently spinning Olegia? His relationship to the actual "plot" of the quest wasn't what got him killed. "the Heroes were on a mission, and along the way they stopped a necromancer, because if they hadn't he would have helped the Big Bad of the Quest and then had nothing else to do with his life." - That's not true. He had already helped Aventine. That part of his story, the part of his life where he actually met and worked with Aventine, was done before the heroes even met him. I was actually pretty happy with that - he was involved with Plot A, but then sort of left it, but then the heroes found him and the Plot B, and he died there because of reasons exclusive to that. Also, Stick/Chrome, let's talk railroading real quick. Yes, I railroad. No, I'm no longer sorry for it (though I used to be). I'm taking video game writing this semester, and one of our textbooks very explicitly talks about the complaints against railroading and how unfounded they are. The textbook says this (paraphrased - a few paragraphs boiled down): yes, any story can have any ending, but no, most stories can't have more than one or two satisfying endings. That's why we craft stories. So, yes, my characters told you to do A or B, and no, you never had to do that. You could have sailed to Charis, or sat around Eubric for seven days. But those stories would suck. So my characters shepherd you. But there are tons of choices: Purpearl had a few weeks of totally independent plot in Eubric, Samuel was never supposed to leave that alleyway (he and Nerwen were supposed to have a very brief chat as a character moment for Nerwen - more debts she had to repay, and yes, I should have built in more for others but Nerwen was on my previous quest, so it was easy for me [Purpearl got lots of personal debts in her side quest too, and Alexis had a few with XX]). As I said above, not fighting Bors would have been a significantly different path, and the chaomancer didn't have to be confronted (and he could have told you about M, but he didn't because of his execution method). I'm willing to roll with the punches a bit, but I'd still like to point you in the right direction. Out of Eubric, in R'Klif. We avoid not one but two fights with diplomacy (nice job Nerwen!). The first one was meant to be avoidable, the Armored Reaper was not meant to be avoidable, but after we got a bit into it and characters started to talk to her, it felt stupid to continue it - she was more than willing to give away Chauncey's location: in my plans she was defeated first, but why should that happen when she has no loyalty to employer? This was also a goof - I originally implied that the guardians were gifts from Aventine (being a necromancer) but then realized after a day of thinking that Armored Reaper was hired by Chauncey, so I just quietly retconned it in the next post. Even I get lost sometimes (oh yeah, and Eran wasn't meant to be alive! whoops!). I enjoy the Pongcanis, and felt that they should be discussed - they really are oppressed, more often then not by heroes. Even after 102, though, no one seems to consider them anything less than barbarians. Ah well. M, as Malty now, meets up with the heroes (they are heading to the same place, after all) and everyone runs into Mac. A quick meeting with a Chaos Beast (for XX and Alexis' benefit) and then a chaomancer who calls the heroes on a lot of the crimes they've committed/witnessed and done little to actually kill the ghosts of. He meets an end. Zelphie greets the heroes. Now that Chauncey is unable to stop them and prevent their involvement, he wants to play with all his cards on the table. Zelphie raises the most important question of the quest, and the one I'll delve a little bit into now: Are we still heroes? Or are we just monsters who walk in, CAUSE, and leave without seeing the effect? I don't know when we started calling heroes mercenaries. My personal earliest memory of it was Constance in 30, and that was a slur. She did it because NO ONE called heroes mercs. They were HEROES at that point in the game. And if we start to look back at the history we've built as a group (that debt I was talking about to other QMs earlier) in C.A.T. they probably were heroes, because they did good or got killed. But now they don't have that fear. They are GODS now, our heroes, but without any punishment for any action, they are just mercs now. They confirm to Aventine's quest for relentless and total power. Zelphie thinks the only way to learn good from bad is to see that bad action yield bad effects, and good actions yield good effects. But the "heroes" now just cause, and since they and their real friends and allies can't die, they lose that conditioning. Matthias actually misunderstood Zelphie: when he says that she thinks the strong should prey on the weak, he was wrong. What Zelphie actually outlined is that (if consequences still exist, pre-C.A.T. era essentially) the strong will, in their path to becoming strong, also learn to be good. Essentially great power teaches you great responsibility, because they go hand in hand. Without that learning period though, where you can screw up and see you've screwed up, you end up with great power... and that's it. The strong should help the weak, she believes (though she followed it through incorrectly that the weak should therefore not act at all, because they haven't learn how to do "good" yet and are therefore doing "bad". But I guess no one's perfect, and she's dead now anyway). The final battle fell out because it HAD TO. The heroes couldn't stop it because it was a EFFECT of a CAUSE that happened seven years earlier. I think the real "right" choice would have been to step aside and take no hand in it, but the world is of course more complex than that, and the heroes had a personal CAUSE that led to the EFFECT of them intervening. They, for once, were faced with TWO effects: reaction instead of action, the more challenging of the two, I think. The decision is easy if you don't have to stick around to see the fallout. But the fallout is tough if you suddenly get sucked into it, and that's what happened to the heroes for once: they got sucked into someone ELSE's fallout. Imagine what Olegia will look like in seven years when a new crop of heroes are punished for the fallout of our heroes. Lots of debt, huh? So, that's my ramblings. Thoughts welcome, hopefully it hasn't been so long that no one wants to talk 102 anymore. Overall, I have to say too, I'm proud of it. Probably too proud. It was not a perfect quest, but I think it was a great quest. There were some sidesteps, but I think that the party was fabulous and complex, and I don't think it would have been so complex and fabulous if this had been a shorter quest (I'll talk more about this when I oat party analysis). So thank you, guys, for making my dream come true - I think that a complex party dynamic arises only if you're locked in with the same characters for too long (and all have DEBTS to each other... haha ha, have I used that word enough yet to drive home some sort of meaning? CAUSE! EFFECT! Blammo). Now that I'm done writing a novel, I will go take a nap! Thanks, as always, for playing with me.

OoC: Should be lucky and encouraged, and down a mead and nostrum. I also asked for my frozen saber back, but maybe Masson stole it. "I think our little lady friend has an invisibility cloak, doesn't she? How about it, Alice? Care to give that to Masson?"

Boomingham opens his mouth theatrically, drawing in air, preparing a long speech for the inky octopus above, but then he shuts his mouth just as dramatically - clearly he has little interest in playing back and forth with the creature.

Boomingham cleans out his ear with his pinky. He then uncorks a nostrum and drinks it.

Boomingham grins. "He'll be a walk in the park. But you stay by me anyway."

Boomingham nods to Karie. "I've got your back, girl. We'll make it through this monster." He turns to Em. "Ready whenever you are. And we keep an eye on Punii, got it?" With a glance down at the little progg: "You stay near me at all times, chap."

Boomingham eyes the pieces cautiously and stands near the door. "I'm more of a poet than a technician," he says with a shrug towards Johon.

I believe after the events of 100 she is gone for good. EDIT: I would really like to make an commentary on 102, but am swamped this week! I will talk about it at some point, pinky promise. Not that I imagine anyone is holding their breath for it.

"I refused the Regret." Boomingham waves his sword at the Oculoids. "I'm with Karie, let's move."

Boomingham crosses his arms and stares coldly at the Oculoid.

That's pretty good too! It mostly just boils down to what works. (It may not show in my scenes because I usually don't take the time to light them super well, but what I usually do on set is lighting. ) EDIT: As for most quests, we could try to tally up Everyman's appearances. I think he's been in a ton.

Phew. That's it! Quite a few missteps, but over all I really enjoyed hosting 102. Thank you guys for coming along. I have notes upon note upon notes, but really I like to let you go first. Most importantly, however, I want to thank you guys. It was an incredible quest to host, and that's almost entirely because of you. I can say confidently that this party was my favorite to host so far, and that you guys really got in-depth with the relationships between the characters. I always though that was the benefit of longer quests, and you guys took it to the extreme. Very nuanced interactions throughout. I really can't thank you enough.

OoC: I survived! Final stats explanation: Nerwen lost 5 health due to the medal. Alexis lost 7. Matthias and Purpearl both lost 2. Purpearl gains 4 power from Aventine, and 4 ether as well. Nerwen and Matthias gain 8 power from Chauncey. Alexis gains 12. It may be lazy, but I generally allow you to simply return items to your inventory yourself. There's not really a reason for me to list them out. As the heroes talk, the medals fall from their necks, and dissolve as they do so, blowing away in a quiet breeze. It seems that their mission is done. It's strange to no longer have the weight - it has been on them for seven days now. Enough at least to feel natural, and to feel unnatural now without it. XX calls over Alexis and Nerwen once more, with a meek wave of his hand. "Look like that's it, huh," he shrugs. "Way back when, you ladies gave me some bombs to look after. They didn't all survive the trip, but that's sort of the point, isn't it?" He places a few bombs in front of him, and the ladies pick up their stuff. Nerwen - 2 Ice Bombs, 2 Lightning Bomb, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Dirt Bombs, 1 Air Bomb Alexis - 2 Lightning Bomb, 7 Water Bombs, 3 Dirt Bombs The heroes then strip Aventine of anything useful. A little ways off, Chauncey and The Master of Regret watch. The four heroes stand with Russel and Pigley. XX leans up against the tree. In a flash, Purpearl lights the body on fire, and the companions all watch as it burns. By the time its done, Chauncey and the Master of Regret are gone. There's nothing left to do but to head back to Eubric. The Quest has Failed. The Party Alexis Fenral, Orc-kin (Party Leader) *Counterstriking* *Blessed* *Hastened* 22 year old female elven Harlot Level 47 Power Bonus: 12 Defense: 0 Health: 63/68 Gold: 1639 GP: 9 Equipment: Steel fan (WP:20, ice-, lightning-, and darkness-elemental), Counterstrike Gloves, Inventory: • Cat-o'-Nine-Tails (WP: 20, damage divided between all enemies, Suitable For Rouges), Death's Whip (WP:11, on successful hits there is a 1/6 chance to cause double damage), Healing Staff (WP: 5; healing effect), Staff of Ennon (WP: 5, light-elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4; staff), Fang Dagger (WP: 4), Town Watch Halberd (WP: 6), • Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory), Smelly Hide (Suitable for barbarians and beast warriors, half damage from beasts and humanoids on Damage, bodywear), Winged Sandals (artifact; footwear; protects from bound and slowed effects), Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from fragile), Ring of Sight (protects from blinded), Medal of Glory (Artefact/Accessory - Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles), Magnar's Smaller Axe (Grants User Dual-Strike, User Cannot Wield a Shield, Handwear, suitable for classes capable of using axes), Regret's Cape (Backwear, grants immunity to first negative effect afflicted each battle), Aventine's Cape (SP:1, immunity to darkness and water) • Aquamarine (Water), Diamond (Light), Sapphire (Wind), Topaz (lightning), Fifty Shades of Bley, • Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Shovel, Venom, Bedroll, • 2 Somas, 5x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Health Core, 6x Potion, Grand Potion, 9x Meads, Smelling Salts, Nostrum, 9x Remedies, 7x Grand Potions, Skeleton Decoy, 8x Bone, Deadly Venom, Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), Mulled Wine, 2x Grating Stones, Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle), Red Death Blood (If applied to a weapon the Doomed effect is dealt on first blow), Zoot's Cookie, 2 Lightning Bomb, 7 Water Bombs, 3 Dirt Bombs Russel Ruffers & Sir Pigley Level 22 Rogue *Hastened* Power Bonus: 4 Health: 32/32 Defense: 4 Gold: 303 Equipment: Crabspirator (WP: 16, deals the Blinded effect, darkness elemental, longsword), Pigley (+4 Power, +4 Max Health, Hastened, Not an Artifact), Crab Shell Armor (Body Wear, +4 Max Health, 4 SP) Inventory: Rebel's Sword (Longsword, WP: 11), Venom, Smelling Salts NOTE: KOing Russel and Pigley will lead to their death. If Russel and Pigley's health drops below 10 they will be 'incapacitated'. Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) 263 year old female Elven Paladin *Immune to Fragile* Level 32 Power bonus: 8 Defense: 16 Health: 49/49 Ether: 30/37 Gold: 249 Equipment: Sword of the Warrior of the Light (WP: 14, Light Elemental, Meditate becomes hits, longsword), Orc Barbed Shield (SP: 11), Heavy Armor (SP:5, Immune to Fragile, bodywear), Sylvania's Cowl (Permits Animal Talk, Headwear), White Cloak (Max. HP +3, back wear) Inventory: • Sword of the Red Lizard (Longsword, WP:10, fire-elemental), Mourning Star (WP: 10, Inflicts Fragile, Fire-Elemental), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer), Axe of the Minotaur Champion (WP: 30; user is Slowed and Immune to Hastened; cannot be equipped at the same time as a shield; axe), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2, Immune to Blind), Hammer (WP:6) • Seal of the Warrior Priestess (At the beginning of the battle the user has a 1/6 chance to be Transcended, a 1/6 chance to be Blessed, and a 1/6 chance to be Inspired, Accessory, Suitable for Paladins), Helm of the Lord of Light (Headwear, Immunity to Light and Jinxed, Suitable for Knights), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3, Immunity to Ice and Water, Bodywear, Suitable for Barbarians, Regulators, and Beast Warriors), Medal of Valor (Double experience from battles, accessory), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to Sealed; body wear), Counterstrike Gloves • Topaz, Amethyst • No Scrolls • Grand Tonics (3), Potions (3), Elixirs (2), Remedies (6), Tiger Balm, Essence of Sorrow (50% assassination chance on non-immune target), Venom (4), Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Ether Core (2), Grand potion, Ambrosia (4), 2x Red Death Blood (If applied to a weapon the Doomed effect is dealt on first blow), Fire Bomb, 2 Ice Bombs, 2 Lightning Bomb, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Dirt Bombs, 1 Air Bomb • Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass, Telescope Purpearl Berthadhiell, the Carnival Crusader (Purpearljellyblob) *Party Leader* 180 Years Old Female Elven Mage *Evasive* Level 17 Power: 30 Power Bonus: 4 Health: 11/25 Ether: 24/25 Gold: 338 (Owes Karie 25 gold) Equipment: Crimson Arcanon (Wand WP:3), Tunic of Elven Acrobat (+4 HP, Provides Evasion Effect with 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER, DAMAGE and Free Hits, torso wear), Inventory: Thorny Rose (WP: 17,wood-elemental, deals the poisoned by 3 effect, mace), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, immune to fragile, suitable for suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators), Bedroll, Potion (x3), Grand Tonic, Raw Sushi (Consumable, Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether), Tasty Pretzel (x2) (1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened and encouraged-effects upon consumption), Mead, Ambrosia, Bone, Tinyshroom, Level Up Mushroom, Venom (x2), Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; accessory), Remedy (x2), Muddy Bomb (deals blinded and -3 poisoned to all foes), Tiger Balm, Chaotic Whip (WP: 5, Light/Darkness Elemental), Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Scroll of Confusion, Zelphie's Staff (WP: 20, cannot be imbued with elements, damages undead), Aventine's Tricorne (SP: 3, Immunity to Fire) Gemstones: Ruby (Fire), Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Opal, Diamond, Garnet, Sapphire, Emerald, Aquamarine Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion, Magical Staff (WP: 15; Water-,Darkness-elemental; staff) Matthias the Carnival Crusader (nstickney) Level 16 Ranger *Hastened* Power Bonus: 10 Defense: 0 Health: 21/21 Gold: 76 Equipment: Peashooter (WP: 2, deals burning by 2 effect), Quickdraw Quiver (permanent hastened-effect, suitable to Rangers), Inventory: Steel Cutlass (Sword, WP:5, suitable for Knights or Rogues), Grimmau's Clothespin (Headwear, prevents the first negative effect inflicted on the wearer during a battle), Winged Sandals (Footwear, protects from Bound and Slowed effects), Grating Stone, 2x Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Fang Dagger (WP: 4), Ball and Chain (Chain, WP: 4), Staff (WP: 4), Elixir, Magnar’s Unreasonably Cruel Axe (WP: 12, Deals the Bleeding -3 Effect, axe), 2x Red Death Blood (When applied to weapon Doomed is dealt on the first blow), Dapper Hat (wearer has a 1/6 chance of being Encouraged at the start of any battle), Remedy, Magic Compass, 2x Remedies, Conductor Helmet (SP:1, immunity to Electricity), Ruby Reputation Bonuses Purpearl gains reputation with the Shadeaux and Wolfgang Nerwen gains reputation with the Hinckwells Matthais gains reputation with the Hinckwells Alexis gains reputation with the Hinckwells OoC: That's it from me. Stick, I believe Kinto talked to you about RPing something where you get the Cannon back, you can feel free to do it in thread - Russel and Pigley would accompany you in that case! Everyone else, if you'd like to RP how you get back to Eubric (can't imagine you'd travel together at this point, but who knows!) feel free. PM me if you want to tie up any other threads, but I imagine you want to get out of here and on to the next adventure. Thank you, guys!

LED bricks are super useful, and will light a scene well. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/857246-REG/genaray_led_6200t_144_lamp_variable_clr.html It depends on how much you want to spend (that's a very expensive option as far as LED bricks go, I think, I know there are ones for 30 or 40 bucks as well). Also, the sun! I know that's not a viable option year round, but it's a oldie and goodie.

Correct! And Whip. I'm going out for the evening! It's my 21st (and I'm American), so I assume updating the quest when I get back would be ill-advised. But I have no classes tomorrow, so I'll update/finish it up tomorrow morning assuming Alexis has divided the loot by then!

"I say we blow it. Punii, stick close to me." Boomingham draws Scupperer, drinks a mead, and stands close to Em. "We're almost done here, chappo."

"Oh, I don't doubt you'll keep tight lips except for her. You're trustworthy, Nerwen, and I'm not sure who saved my life, exactly, but if I had to guess Aventine didn't do it out of the kindness of his heart. You, Matthias and Purpearl are pretty a-okay in my book, and Hel, Alexis too - we're used to fighting on opposite sides. But really all I need for Nyx to know is that you guys left me alive." "No, I'm staying here." XX grins cockily. "Until I can get onto my two feet myself. Not joking, and no argument. This ain't a model day for me. Lost another contract. My track record isn't one to brag about at this point. What have I done over the last few years. Couldn't kill Nikolai or any of my other contracts, couldn't keep U'Vires alive, couldn't get you heroes to save Sphinx, couldn't save Aventine. Maybe I've completed an odd job from time to time, but it's nothing to be proud of. I'm going to assume that the world ain't treating me unfairly and that I got to be better. So I'm going to give myself a trial by fire. I'll either get up, or I won't." He shrugs. "But if I do, I'll find you, Matthias, and take my turn with that cannon of yours. And we can buy each other a drink." "It's back to Eubric with us! There is always good to do in that city!" "And perhaps then to Bric'Lin, back to Chauncey's manor. I would like to see what the man we saved is really up to." "And the Frog Paladins are stationed near-by there- maybe. I don't remember if we're supposed to reveal that to humans. So... pretend you didn't hear that!" Purpearl and Alexis, while the other two heroes talk to their companions, stroll through the battle field, checking for anything they can salvage. Loot for Alexis to Distribute Magical Tricorne (SP:3, Immunity to Fire), Aventine's Cape (Immunity to Darkness and Water) Ruby Amethyst Loot for Purpearl to Distribute Zelphie's Staff (WP: 20, Cannot be imbued with gems, damages Undead) Counterstrike Gloves (Counter Free-Hits) Conductor Helmet (Artefact. SP:1, Immune to Lightning) Hammer (WP:6) Scroll of Confusion Bedroll Venom 2 Remedies Fire Bomb Shovel Pickaxe Magic Compass Telescope Magnifying Glass OoC: Final addresses to those characters you're leaving behind (XX, Chauncey, Master of Regret) if you have them, distribute loot, and then I think we can make moves to wrap this up. Hopefully we can wrap it up tomorrow - that's my birthday, and I like ending quests on important days!

People often use the "aren't you a film student" exclamation every time I admit not seeing any film. It would be like if you found out someone was a lit major and then was shocked to discover a book they hadn't read . Not that I shouldn't take movie recommendations, it's just always funny to me (and something I would/totally still do). I will watch Donnie Darko ASAP... as soon as I finish up a quest and get some free times on my hands.

OoC: We're all doing lots of writing here. "I have a love of words, but I never feel that I am capable of wielding them as I like - I am no Stirlance. Yes, I mean just that. There is no love brick or fear brick, yellow or black or red or any color. They only exist because you and I and Matthias and Aventine and Zelphie all felt them. But they do not exist as when we say love or fear. They are, as I think you may believe, there but not there, more than just the words that we speak. When we say love, what do we mean? It is a force that we feel, that flows, that is in flux, not a measurement that we can take." "As for intent - you again are with me and against me. I killed Aventine because of what I intend to do - give - as opposed to what I believed he intended to do - take. But you say that we are more than force, we are our intent as well, and that is not true. We are only a force. What makes mortals different than the fish, or the grass, or the sun? Intent? No. That distinguishes you from me, perhaps, but we still only act upon the world by that which we do. If I intend good but kill, the effect is still death. The intention does not change the impact. How you and I interpret the death after that is little matter - just as fear and love only exist within us, so too does the intention of that action. To the grass, to the sun, that force - the mortal force - is still gone. It means nothing but the force was there and is no more. Intention is not in the now, it is in the past, and the past is not there at all. Aventine may have intended to do great goods, and Zelphie great evils, or perhaps vice versa, but what good is that? None. It is meaningless, those intentions." "I give my gift with no strings. I am not done with the Master of Regret, but my business with him from now on is as private as my business before. Aventine brought you into his sphere, not I. My people were told to stop you on every turn until I could not stop you any longer. So I grant you my gift." "I ask only that you use it for what you deem good, not for that which you are blind to or that which you see as evil. I cannot know your intent, but I can hope." Chauncey gently places the palm of his right hand on Zelphie's head. She feels stronger. Nerwen gains 8 power. "I could not take Nerwen's endorsement of you, but I need hear no more. If you speak with truth, and I must hope you do, then I have high hopes for you, Matthias. I hope we can meet as allies some day." Chauncey places his palm on Matthias' head. Matthias gains 8 power. "And for you, Alexis. Thank you." He hands Alexis three 3 Amethyst Lamps of Summoning before pressing his palm to her forehead. Alexis gains 12 power. XX coughs meekly. "That bastard got me good. Don't think he'll be coming over here to press his hand onto my head, huh?" He scowls. "Tell Matthais I need that gold or that gun. I assume you'll all be heading back to your Hall once blabber mouth over there stops giving out blessings. I don't think I'll be making the trip home with you. Think I'll stick around here for a while," he tries to get to his feet, and then falls back against the tree. "Right around here, I guess. Gods be damned. I hate wizards." He props his hand cannon up across his legs. "Tell Nyx I say hello, okay? And that Heroica killed another one of my clients. And tell her you left me somewhere better than this, and that I said something good. I dunno, you're better with words than me."

Boomingham shrugs after Masson is done with his whole speech about making decisions in the future or something. What a bunch of words. ​He looks equally perturbed, after having missed the conversation about Alice's loyalty earlier, when Em cuts her hand. "Looks like this was just another tour spot." He looks around. "Pretty strange that they have to stop in every room of the entire Citadel to get to the top. The Regret may be a lot of things, but he isn't the best architect, far as I can tell."

He actually weirdly had one health. It was a bizzaro situation, but incapacitated was basically a way to knock them out of the battle without killing the NPCs. And I've sadly never seen Donnie Darko.

It's alright, you have another finale to get through! And XX almost bit it in this one... literally survived by the skin of his teeth - would have been way cooler if he'd died, I had a whole speech planned for him.

"I would strive to abandon the duality that you accuse me of, but I am but mortal, I will admit. I do not believe in good or evil, and do not believe in fear or love, but that does not mean I do not feel them. Words are only so much, ideologies only so much. I fought for my life, and it is something that I will have always done." "I say only one more word in my defense. I do not believe that good and evil exist out there, beyond our own heads. Out there, we are but actions - no, less than that. Forces. We are but forces such as the clouds and the sun. The sun, when it shines, is not good nor evil. So when we act we act neither good nor evil, unless we decide for ourselves. Yet we act. We do. And just as the sun, when it shines, causes plants to grow, so do we, when we act, cause death and decay or life and prosperity. We do what we do. It is not a question of the individual, but of the collective. How will we all choose how to act as a group. What will be the effect that we mortals have on the world?" "But who am I to judge you? I myself just acted out of fear for my own death, though I know little of what I may do for or against the world in the future. Shouldn't I have just let the universe take it's course with me? You fought for your friends lives, and I did indeed notice your willingness to leave when they were in danger. I cannot speak for the universe, but I am of the belief that that is only good. Whatever I may think of some of your friends... I can respect that. If you would have it, I would like to enable you. You are a warrior of light, I know. I ask you not to serve another god, but to serve mortals as a whole. If we continue to empower the forces that choose to serve instead of those that choose to take, we can lead ourselves to a greater future. What say you, Nerwen? Can you accept an enemies blessing? Can you choose love over fear?"

"But have you yourself not presented a compelling reason? If you are not one to judge us two, then why should you interfere? What gives you the right? Are you but a wandering elf without cause? You say you have done great things, surely, but if I asked your organization to kill Aventine, would you have done that as well? Surely protecting him and killing him both cannot be right. Your organization does accept missions of murder. Should you follow them blindly? How many men and women do you think Heroica has struck down? Surely more than Aventine and myself? And every one of them has earned their death, what, because a piece of parchment has asked you to do such? You say that on other quests you have been asked to make the distinction between what you held good and what you held evil. Don't you make that in every action you take, everything you do? I asked not for your hand on my side, only that you step aside. How then can you stand by a man you do not know and attempt to kill another man you do not know? What gives you the right?"