Zepher

OoC: Since Purpearl is down, I will use Nerwen's battle order. Also, Masked, no worries, I know it's a lot to keep track of. The darkness minion will be attacking XX instead of Aventine because Aventine will not take damage from darkness and that is the next person Chauncey would target. "Alexis and I have fought before. I'm sure she won't mind." Round Three Wizard's Duel Undead Lord v. Ruffers - 2 Damage, -1 ether, Russel and Pigley Incapacitated > Nerwen uses Neautralizer (All Effects Stripped) > Avertine v. Chauncy - Meditate (+1 ether) > XX v. Alexis - Damage (57/2/7=5 Damage) > Matthias v. Zelphie - Aim (1 Damage) > Matthias v. Zelphie - Aim (1 Damage) Undead peasant v. Zelphie - 3 Damage (-3 ether) Undead paladin v. Zelphie - 6 Damage (-3 ether) Undead pirate v. Zelphie - 7 Damage (KO) (-3 ether) Alexis vs. Aventine - Critical Hit (([11*2]+46)*2[roll of 1 results in double damage]=10 Damage) Light Minion v. Aventine - 11 Damage, -1 ether Darkness Minion v. XX - 11 Damage, -1 ether, XX Incapacitated >Chauncey vs. Aventine - Hit (10 Damage, -1 ether) Nerwen & Matthias v. Alexis (20+42/7=9 Damage, Alexis Fragile) Matthias v. Chauncey - ([2+2+16]-4=3 Damage) All heroes regain 3 health The undead descend on Zelphie, who watches almost dispassionately as her leg is torn off and one of her wings is ripped bloodily off her body. She purses her lips. "So be it," she says. The rest of the heroes continue to exchange blows, and they still find themselves unable to see through the carnage quite clearly enough to avoid hitting each other. XX crumples to the floor, a towering dark man in robes standing over him triumphantly. "I've still got some tricks up my sleeve, Alexis. We can save the fairy, or make a few new friends-" his lamps rattle. "I will not act yet, but should my life become further in peril, I may have no choice." He looks over at Aventine. "If you will leave the bomber out of this, I will leave the crab and pig. They may rest. No more than one person need die." The Aventine Party Lord Aventine Level 56 Necromancer *Immune to Fire, Darkness, Water, Sealed, Blinded, Asleep, Stunned, Confused and Instant Kill* Health: 85/160 Power Bonus: 10 Defense: 3 Ether: 23/40 Gold: 1000 Equipment: Magical Tricorne (SP:3, Immunity to Fire), Regret's Necklace (Immune to Sealed, Blinded, Asleep, Stunned, and Instant Death, For an additional 2 ether undead can attack with any element [as opposed to darkness], Suitable for Aventine), Aventine's Cape (Immunity to Darkness and Water) Inventory: Tonic, Ruby, Amethyst Undead Lord Level 10 Undead Element: Darkness Undead Peasant Level 20 Undead Element: Darkness Undead Paladin Level 45 Undead Element: Darkness Undead Pirate Level 50 Undead Element: Darkness XX Level 35.2 Cannoneer/Alchemist *Blessed* *Incapacitated* Health: 9/51 Defense: 0 Gold: 392 Equipment: XX Hand Cannon (WP: 12, Ignores SP), XX Ammo Belts (As an Alchemist, XX can only receive rolls ending in "Bomb", excluding Bravado Brew and Explosion, as a Cannonner Bomb XX and Bomb XXX are added to possible creations), Cannoneer's Sashes (The damage output of bombs consumed are added to the WP of the Cannoneer's weapon before damage calculation) Inventory: Dangerous Dagger (WP: 20, Fire-Elemental), Phoenix Essence, Mead x3, Ruby, Military Grade Fire Bomb x4, Bomb XX (Deals 30 Damage to all foes and 10 to all allies, ignoring row/SP) x2, Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bombs (4), Water Bombs (9), Dirt Bombs (5), Air Bomb, Venom (x5), Nostrum, Peashooter (WP: 2, deals burning by 2 effect) NOTE: KOing XX will lead to his death. If Aventine is killed, XX will flee the battle. If XX's health drops below 10 he will be 'incapacitated'. Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) 263 year old female Elven Paladin *Immune to Fragile* *Blessed* Level 32 Power bonus: 0 Defense: 16 Health: 35/54 Ether: 37/37 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), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), 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) • 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) • Topaz • No Scrolls • Grand Tonics (3), Potions (4), Elixirs (2), Remedies (6), Tiger Balm, Neutralizer, 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), Smelling Salts, 2x Red Death Blood (If applied to a weapon the Doomed effect is dealt on first blow) • Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass Purpearl Berthadhiell, the Carnival Crusader (Purpearljellyblob) *Party Leader* 180 Years Old Female Elven Mage *Evasive* *Blessed* *KO'd* Level 17 Power: 30 Health: 0/25 Ether: 21/21 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), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed) 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 (x2), 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, Neutralizer, Chaotic Whip (WP: 5, Light/Darkness Elemental), Shovel 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 *Blessed* *Hastened* Power Bonus: 2 Defense: 0 Health: 11/21 Gold: 176 Equipment: Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), 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, Zoot's Cookie The Chauncey Party Lord Chauncey Level 70 Evoker *Immune to Blinded, Sealed, Asleep, Stunned, Confused, and Instant Kill* *Immune to darkness and light elemental damage* Health 202/205 SP: 4 Ether: 41/45 Equipment: Hood of the Black Mage (SP: 4, Immunity to Darkness and Light Elemental Damage), Summoning Ring (Summons get +4 levels, suitable for Evokers), Regret's Gloves (Immune to Sealed, Blinded, Asleep, Stunned, Confused and Instant Death, Permits 2 Summons, Suitable to Chauncey) Inventory: 3 Amethyst Lamps of Summoning, Amethyst, Diamond, Tonic, Phoenix Essence Dark Minion Level 74 Darkness Summon Light Minion Level 74 Light Summon Alexis Fenral, Orc-kin (Party Leader) *Counterstriking* *Blessed* *Fragile (3 Rounds)* 22 year old female elven Harlot Level 46.8 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 56/74 Gold: 1639 GP: 9 Equipment: Steel fan (WP:20, ice-, lightning-, and darkness-elemental), Counterstrike Gloves, Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed) 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) • Aquamarine (Water), Diamond (Light), Sapphire (Wind), Topaz (lightning), Fifty Shades of Bley, • Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, • 2 Somas, 5x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Health Core, 6x Potion, Grand Potion, 9x Meads, 2x Smelling Salts, 2x Nostrum, 9x Remedies, 7x Grand Potions, Skeleton Decoy, 8x Bone, Deadly Venom, 2x Kraken Fangs (grants hastened- and reinforced-effects when consumed), Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), 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 Zelphie Level 45 Artisan *Immune to Lightning* *KO'd* Health: 0/45 SP: 1 Gold: 20 Equipment: Staff (WP: 20), Counterstrike Gloves (Counter Free-Hits), Conductor Helmet (Artefact. SP:1, Immune to Lightning) Inventory: Hammer (WP:6), Scroll of Confusion, Bedroll, Venom, 2 Remedies, Fire Bomb, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magic Compass, Telescope, Magnifying Glass Russel Ruffers & Sir Pigley Level 21.66 Rogue *Hastened* *Blessed* *Incapacitated* Power Bonus: 4 Health: 8/34 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), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), 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'.

Hosting is tough. Play lots of games first! Great game, Speedy (whoever the hell that is ). I enjoyed following along, and seeing your hand make a cameo! It was a classic Dr. def sort of set up and story! Well played to lots of new comers - I only followed along on the sidelines. Stickfig vibes scum pretty clearly to me on the last few days, but he's one of the players I was keeping an eye on because I know him, so maybe it was just me. Glad to see Mafia still kicking around! When I have time on my plate I'd love to return to it one day.

I agree with both MDM and StickFig. EDIT: I'm also glad I'm taking a break from QMing for a little after 102. I think I need it. I want to focus on my PCs for a bit now, and also clear my head and prepare the final few stories I want to tell. And maybe give everyone a break from me too.

"I believe you wanted to be my partner, Cardiac?" asks Boomingham, squaring up against the Bleeding, his Frozen Saber drawn. He looks so brave and proud it takes a second for anyone to realize he is at a safe distance.

OoC: Chauncey was not in your battle order, so I put him in at the end, Masked. I also picked a second target for Russel, as he would not allow for that many free hits. I'd appreciate it if you picked actions for all of the NPCs on your side, and listed rows for them. I don't want to play against anyone, just to QM, but I also don't want to have my NPCs sit out because you forget to list them - that would not be in character. That being said I understand you were left to manage one side all alone. Round Two Wizard's Duel Alexis v. Aventine - Shield (All Aventine's Party Badly Poisoned) Zelphie v. Aventine - Hit ([[65-3]/2]/7=5 Damage) Minion v. Aventine - 11 Damage, -1 ether Ruffers v. XX - Shield ([([16*3]+21)/2]/7=5 Damage, XX Blinded) >Ruffers v. Purpearl - Hit (([16+31]/2)/7=4 Damage, Purpearl Blinded) >Chauncey v. Aventine - Hit ([70/7]=10 Damage, -1 ether) Free Hits Nerwen v. Alexis - 42/7=6 Fire-Elemental Damage, Alexis Fragile Matthias v. Zelphie - [18/7]=3 Damage Matthias v. Ruffers - [18/7]=3 Damage Undead Pirate v. Russel - ([(10-4)/7]=2 Damage, -1 ether) Undead Peasant v. Russel - ((20-4)/7=3 Damage, -1 ether) Undead Paladin v. Russel - ((45-4)/7=6 Damage, -1 ether) Undead Pirate v. Russel - ([50-4]/7=7 Damage, -1 ether) Nerwen v. Chauncey - Meditate (+1 ether) >Aventine v. Chauncey - Special Damage (Summon Dark Minion) >Matthias switches Dapper Hat for Quickdraw Quiver >XX hands Matthias Peashooter >Matthias receives Peashooter >Purpearl v. Russel - Critical Hit (([15+17]-4)/7=3 Damage) Alexis v. Nerwen - ([45+11-16]/7=6) Zelphie v. Aventine - (65/7/2=5 Damage) Ruffers v. Matthias - (37/7/2=3 Damage) All Aventine Party Poisoned by 10 (Purpearl KO'd) All heroes healed by 3 The battle continues to be brutal. Chauncey's party zeros in on their foe, and as the heroes are surrounded some of them shove back their foes. Matthias, overwhelmed, whacks anything near him, trying to get room to breath, and hits the hard shell of Russel, which hurts quite a bit. The crab glances over, surprised, but not angry. He nods and he and Pigley trot away from Matthias. Nerwen is likewise shocked that her swing at Chauncey is intercepted, entirely accidentally, by Alexis. Alexis attacks back on impulse, and the two woman stumble back from each other, shocked. It is difficult to navigate a dirty battle such as this. The Undead descend on Russel and Pigley, who fight them off best they can, but they are clearly beat. A little too late, Aventine's party feels poison seeping into their veins, making them sleepy. Alexis, it appears, has decided to quietly end the battle as peacefully as she possibly can. It hits Purpearl particularly hard, and she falls to the floor. "I have a little something to help us if the numbers should turn against us," says Chauncey with a tight grin, flashing his lamps. "I'd like to save them as a thank you to you if I can, but I'd also like very much to live." The Aventine Party Lord Aventine Level 56 Necromancer *Immune to Fire, Darkness, Water, Sealed, Blinded, Asleep, Stunned, Confused and Instant Kill* *Poisoned -10* Health: 116/160 Power Bonus: 10 Defense: 3 Ether: 32/40 Gold: 1000 Equipment: Magical Tricorne (SP:3, Immunity to Fire), Regret's Necklace (Immune to Sealed, Blinded, Asleep, Stunned, and Instant Death, For an additional 2 ether undead can attack with any element [as opposed to darkness], Suitable for Aventine), Aventine's Cape (Immunity to Darkness and Water) Inventory: Tonic, Ruby, Amethyst Undead Lord Level 10 Undead Element: Darkness Undead Peasant Level 20 Undead Element: Darkness Undead Paladin Level 45 Undead Element: Darkness Undead Pirate Level 50 Undead Element: Darkness XX Level 35.2 Cannoneer/Alchemist *Blessed* *Blinded (3 Rounds)* *Poisoned -10* Health: 25/51 Defense: 0 Gold: 392 Equipment: XX Hand Cannon (WP: 12, Ignores SP), XX Ammo Belts (As an Alchemist, XX can only receive rolls ending in "Bomb", excluding Bravado Brew and Explosion, as a Cannonner Bomb XX and Bomb XXX are added to possible creations), Cannoneer's Sashes (The damage output of bombs consumed are added to the WP of the Cannoneer's weapon before damage calculation) Inventory: Dangerous Dagger (WP: 20, Fire-Elemental), Phoenix Essence, Mead x3, Ruby, Military Grade Fire Bomb x4, Bomb XX (Deals 30 Damage to all foes and 10 to all allies, ignoring row/SP) x2, Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bombs (4), Water Bombs (9), Dirt Bombs (5), Air Bomb, Venom (x5), Nostrum, Peashooter (WP: 2, deals burning by 2 effect) NOTE: KOing XX will lead to his death. If Aventine is killed, XX will flee the battle. If XX's health drops below 10 he will be 'incapacitated'. Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) 263 year old female Elven Paladin *Immune to Fragile* *Blessed* *Poisoned -10* Level 32 Power bonus: 0 Defense: 16 Health: 35/54 Ether: 37/37 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), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), 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) • 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) • Topaz • No Scrolls • Grand Tonics (3), Potions (4), Elixirs (2), Remedies (6), Tiger Balm, Neutralizer, 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), Smelling Salts, 2x Red Death Blood (If applied to a weapon the Doomed effect is dealt on first blow) • Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass Purpearl Berthadhiell, the Carnival Crusader (Purpearljellyblob) *Party Leader* 180 Years Old Female Elven Mage *Evasive* *Blessed* *KO'd* Level 17 Power: 30 Health: 0/25 Ether: 21/21 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), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed) 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 (x2), 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, Neutralizer, Chaotic Whip (WP: 5, Light/Darkness Elemental), Shovel 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 *Blessed* *Hastened* *Poisoned -10* Power Bonus: 2 Defense: 0 Health: 11/21 Gold: 176 Equipment: Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), 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, Zoot's Cookie The Chauncey Party Lord Chauncey Level 70 Evoker *Immune to Blinded, Sealed, Asleep, Stunned, Confused, and Instant Kill* *Immune to darkness and light elemental damage* Health 205/205 SP: 4 Ether: 41/45 Equipment: Hood of the Black Mage (SP: 4, Immunity to Darkness and Light Elemental Damage), Summoning Ring (Summons get +4 levels, suitable for Evokers), Regret's Gloves (Immune to Sealed, Blinded, Asleep, Stunned, Confused and Instant Death, Permits 2 Summons, Suitable to Chauncey) Inventory: 3 Amethyst Lamps of Summoning, Amethyst, Diamond, Tonic, Phoenix Essence Dark Minion Level 74 Darkness Summon Light Minion Level 74 Light Summon Alexis Fenral, Orc-kin (Party Leader) *Counterstriking* *Blessed* *Fragile (3 Rounds)* 22 year old female elven Harlot Level 46.8 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 65/74 Gold: 1639 GP: 9 Equipment: Steel fan (WP:20, ice-, lightning-, and darkness-elemental), Counterstrike Gloves, Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed) 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) • Aquamarine (Water), Diamond (Light), Sapphire (Wind), Topaz (lightning), Fifty Shades of Bley, • Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, • 2 Somas, 5x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Health Core, 6x Potion, Grand Potion, 9x Meads, 2x Smelling Salts, 2x Nostrum, 9x Remedies, 7x Grand Potions, Skeleton Decoy, 8x Bone, Deadly Venom, 2x Kraken Fangs (grants hastened- and reinforced-effects when consumed), Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), 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 Zelphie Level 45 Artisan *Immune to Lightning* Health: 16/45 SP: 1 Gold: 20 Equipment: Staff (WP: 20), Counterstrike Gloves (Counter Free-Hits), Conductor Helmet (Artefact. SP:1, Immune to Lightning) Inventory: Hammer (WP:6), Scroll of Confusion, Bedroll, Venom, 2 Remedies, Fire Bomb, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magic Compass, Telescope, Magnifying Glass Russel Ruffers & Sir Pigley Level 21.66 Rogue *Hastened* *Blessed* Power Bonus: 4 Health: 10/34 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), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), 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'.

OoC: I need actions, please.

OoC: Caught a mistake! Aventine does not have any gems - I have given him an amethyst and a ruby. "I've never heard of heroes digging up the dead bodies of innocents, but you know more about your organization than I do." "I don't care that he's a necromancer, though that does give me the heeby jeebies! And I don't like the fairy at all..." he looks at her side long. "I wouldn't want people to judge Aventine based only on Purpearl and XX, so I won't judge Chauncey on the fairy. The choice was simple, though. Pigley explained it to me, and I agree whole heartedly! When we talked to these two yesterday, Chauncey kept saying the word good. The fairy said strong, weak, and Aventine said similar things, but only Chauncey talked about trying to do good! That's all that it boils down to for the two of us! And he hasn't lied to us. And lying is a personal pet peeve!" Russel looks at the approaching undead and at Purpearl. "But I guess the time for talking is over."

"Yes, Aventine keeps much better company," says Pigley, pointing with his snout towards the undead. Russel too looks a little worriedly at the undead... and also at Lady Purpearl, though he stays silent on that front. "I will not harm either you nor the Lady Nerwen! And it was not an easy choice. But I will fight and you shall fight! As long as we both do what is right, I am certain everything will be okay!" "Matthias, enough snorting at the animals, let's finish this."

OoC: I know, I'm just saving some work for myself the following round since you always (rightly so) change them out. And thank you! I thought you did eat it, but just couldn't find it! "I do not think this is something that should be finished quickly." "You are working for a bad man, Matthias!" cries Russel, seemingly concerned that Matthias has unknowingly stepped onto the wrong side of the battle. "I believe he has made a choice, Ruffers." "Oh..." Russel looks down at the grass. "Maybe I'm just confused."

Boomingham rubs his forehead. "You keep saying that we're playing into your plan, but this isn't so much a plan as you throwing obstacles in our way and us killing them. If you really want us to get to the top of the tower, you'd stop throwing stuff in our path. So I'm gonna call bull shit on that being your plan, and just say we're doing the right thing. Because, and I don't know if anyone's ever told you this chap, but actions speak louder than words. Alright, let's fight." Boomingham drinks a mead and then tosses the bottle over his shoulder..

PvP stresses me out like no one's business. Also sorry if I'm being a bit of a downer at the end of this whole thing, 102. I'll talk a little bit about it when it's all over. It's totally my fault, but I put myself in a position to love the whole quest but this last little stretch. Hopefully it isn't ruining anything.

Hm, you're smarter than me! That solves the issue I was seeing - and let me also state I'm not trying to rig the battle either way, I just foresaw a problem on that front, not even in this specific situation but using it as a technique in general. I actually think that works against people with 1 or 2 SP, though, since damage is rounded up. But what the hay, we got to get this started. I'll do it better next time, hopefully, by simply starting with the multiplier for health. I'm sorry for all the OoC. I know it's not particularly fun, but I thank you for baring with it. I think it will result in a better battle. Masked, I don't fully understand why you're attacking the Undead as they cannot be killed and don't have free hits. I won't change your action for the round, but Russel would not attack someone he cannot put down. Also, please post rows for the NPCs. They will pick their own for now, but I'd really prefer if you did it. ONE FINAL NOTE: For free hits, the hero will use the last weapon used. For example, in this round since Russel and Pigley act with Crabspirator, they deal their free hit with it as well. Round One Wizard's Duel Undead Pirate v. Zelphie - ([10/7]=2 Damage, -1 ether) Undead Peasant v. Zelphie - (20/7=3 Damage, -1 ether) Undead Paladin v. Zelphie - (45/7=5 Damage, -1 ether) Undead Pirate v. Zelphie - (50/7=6 Damage, -1 ether) Nerwen v. Chauncey - Special Damage (Elemental Burst [Roll of Die Darkness Spirit Bursts] 74/7=11 Damage All Aventine Party [9 Damage Nerwen, Aventine Immune], -1 ether Chauncey) >Aventine v. Chauncey - Shield (Raise the Dead [No Dead]) >XX v. Zelphie - Aim (12/7=2 Damage) >Purpearl - Scroll of Sleep v. Russel (Failure [Roll of 5], -1 ether) Matthias joins the party (Roll of 2, Not Encouraged by Dapper Hat) Free Hits Alexis v. Nerwen - [66-16]/7=6 Damage Russel and Pigley v. Aventine - Aventine Immune to Darkness/Blinded Russel and Pigley v. XX - [21+16]/7=6 Damage, XX Blinded 3 Rounds Alexis v. Undead Pirate - Special Damage (50/7=6 Damage) Zelphie v. Aventine - Damage (56/7=8 Damage) Light Minion v. Aventine - (74/7=11 Damage, -1 ether) Ruffers v. XX - Damage (No Effect, XX Blinded) Ruffers v. Purpearl - Shield (([16*3]+21)/7/2=5 Damage, Purpearl Blinded for 3 rounds) All heroes healed by 3 The battle erupts. The Undead converge on Zelphie, who beats them back, her glasses resting peacefully on her nose as the rest of her body is torn into. She makes no noise or complaint as blood starts to leak freely. One of Chauncey's summons walks forward, and just as the heroes attempt to turn on it, it explodes! Darkness billows forth, up noses, down throats, blocking vision for a few brief seconds. XX fires a wildly shot as his vision is obscured. Matthias strides forward, prepared to enter the fray. Russel and Pigley neatly avoid attacking Nerwen or Matthias, but are less afraid to deal some decisive blows to XX and Purpearl. As the fairy takes to the skies Aventine fires at her, bringing her crashing back down to the ground. The Aventine Party Lord Aventine Level 56 Necromancer *Immune to Fire, Darkness, Water, Sealed, Blinded, Asleep, Stunned, Confused and Instant Kill* Health: 149/160 Power Bonus: 10 Defense: 3 Ether: 36/40 Gold: 1000 Equipment: Magical Tricorne (SP:3, Immunity to Fire), Regret's Necklace (Immune to Sealed, Blinded, Asleep, Stunned, and Instant Death, For an additional 2 ether undead can attack with any element [as opposed to darkness], Suitable for Aventine), Aventine's Cape (Immunity to Darkness and Water) Inventory: Tonic, Ruby, Amethyst Undead Lord Level 10 Undead Element: Darkness Undead Peasant Level 20 Undead Element: Darkness Undead Paladin Level 45 Undead Element: Darkness Undead Pirate Level 50 Undead Element: Darkness XX Level 35.2 Cannoneer/Alchemist *Blessed* *Blinded (3 Rounds)* Health: 37/51 Defense: 0 Gold: 392 Equipment: XX Hand Cannon (WP: 12, Ignores SP), XX Ammo Belts (As an Alchemist, XX can only receive rolls ending in "Bomb", excluding Bravado Brew and Explosion, as a Cannonner Bomb XX and Bomb XXX are added to possible creations), Cannoneer's Sashes (The damage output of bombs consumed are added to the WP of the Cannoneer's weapon before damage calculation) Inventory: Dangerous Dagger (WP: 20, Fire-Elemental), Phoenix Essence, Mead x3, Ruby, Military Grade Fire Bomb x4, Bomb XX (Deals 30 Damage to all foes and 10 to all allies, ignoring row/SP) x2, Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bombs (4), Water Bombs (9), Dirt Bombs (5), Air Bomb, Venom (x5), Nostrum, Peashooter (WP: 2, deals burning by 2 effect) NOTE: KOing XX will lead to his death. If Aventine is killed, XX will flee the battle. If XX's health drops below 10 he will be 'incapacitated'. Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) 263 year old female Elven Paladin *Immune to Fragile* *Blessed* Level 32 Power bonus: 0 Defense: 16 Health: 48/54 Ether: 37/37 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), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), 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) • 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) • Topaz • No Scrolls • Grand Tonics (3), Potions (4), Elixirs (2), Remedies (6), Tiger Balm, Neutralizer, 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), Smelling Salts, 2x Red Death Blood (If applied to a weapon the Doomed effect is dealt on first blow) • Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass Purpearl Berthadhiell, the Carnival Crusader (Purpearljellyblob) *Party Leader* 180 Years Old Female Elven Mage *Evasive* *Blessed* *Blinded (3 Rounds)* Level 17 Power: 30 Health: 12/25 Ether: 21/21 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), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed) 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 (x2), 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, Neutralizer, Chaotic Whip (WP: 5, Light/Darkness Elemental), Shovel 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 *Blessed* *Hastened* Power Bonus: 1 Defense: 0 Health: 21/21 Gold: 176 Equipment: Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), 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, Zoot's Cookie The Chauncey Party Lord Chauncey Level 70 Evoker *Immune to Blinded, Sealed, Asleep, Stunned, Confused, and Instant Kill* *Immune to darkness and light elemental damage* Health 205/205 SP: 4 Ether: 43/45 Equipment: Hood of the Black Mage (SP: 4, Immunity to Darkness and Light Elemental Damage), Summoning Ring (Summons get +4 levels, suitable for Evokers), Regret's Gloves (Immune to Sealed, Blinded, Asleep, Stunned, Confused and Instant Death, Permits 2 Summons, Suitable to Chauncey) Inventory: 3 Amethyst Lamps of Summoning, Amethyst, Diamond, Tonic, Phoenix Essence Light Minion Level 74 Light Summon Alexis Fenral, Orc-kin (Party Leader) *Counterstriking* *Blessed* 22 year old female elven Harlot Level 46.8 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 71/74 Gold: 1639 GP: 9 Equipment: Steel fan (WP:20, ice-, lightning-, and darkness-elemental), Counterstrike Gloves, Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed) 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) • Aquamarine (Water), Diamond (Light), Sapphire (Wind), Topaz (lightning), Fifty Shades of Bley, • Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, • 2 Somas, 5x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Health Core, 6x Potion, Grand Potion, 9x Meads, 2x Smelling Salts, 2x Nostrum, 9x Remedies, 7x Grand Potions, Skeleton Decoy, 8x Bone, Deadly Venom, 2x Kraken Fangs (grants hastened- and reinforced-effects when consumed), Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), 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 Zelphie Level 45 Artisan *Immune to Lightning* Health: 19/45 SP: 1 Gold: 20 Equipment: Staff (WP: 20), Counterstrike Gloves (Counter Free-Hits), Conductor Helmet (Artefact. SP:1, Immune to Lightning) Inventory: Hammer (WP:6), Scroll of Confusion, Bedroll, Venom, 2 Remedies, Fire Bomb, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magic Compass, Telescope, Magnifying Glass Russel Ruffers & Sir Pigley Level 21.66 Rogue *Hastened* *Blessed* Power Bonus: 4 Health: 34/34 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), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), 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'. OoC: Matthias, I can't find you having eaten your Zoot's Cookie anywhere. But if you did, please point me in the right direction! You and Alexis I want to be particularly careful with stats wise since you sat out the last fight.

OoC: The divide by 7 method certainly favors people with SP, I don't deny that. I think it unfairly favors them, personally. Significantly soa ctually. It essentially multiplies their SP by 7. But if you'd rather the perk instead of a fair battle, I guess I have to honor that.

"Sure, let's hear all that jib jab, but as for me, I say bring on the Oculoids. I'm tired of playing along." He looks at the ghosts. "Besides, these chaps are already dead."

OoC: I will run the round this evening but would really like to hear your thoughts on the multiplying v. dividing first. I'm sorry, I know it's extremely unusual to have input on this sort at this point, but I really don't want to change anything without your consent.

OoC: I am going to wait for Masked's action, but clarify some things before then! I'd argue that both undead and summons will not deal free hits, but I am willing to hear a counter-arguement. ALSO, since we have yet to run a round, I will run something by you guys. I would really like to multiply all healths by 10 as opposed to dividing damage by 7. I've looked at 104 again and think it's the better way to handle things, personally - but it DOES hurt people with SP (in that, in my opinion, it HANDLES SP better, but technically taking away an advantage, even an unfair one, is taking away an advantage). I think it more accurately accounts for poisoned and bleeding as well. That being said, I told you all I would be dividing by 7, so it is UP TO YOU. I would prefer to do it with the multiply by 10 method, but I won't force it on you.

"I'm ready to fight," says Boomingham with a shrug.

The way I've done it in the past is that everyone submits actions so I can run both things, just back to back.

OoC: Please let me know if anything is blatantly wrong in this post. I hate posting battles. Zelphie flutters down to stand besides Chauncey. She stares fixedly at Matthias for a few seconds, but then in a flash of light she has a staff in her hand. "Do not think that standing aside makes you strong, meek Matthias. It makes you weakest of all. It is the greatest evil to see the world and let it continue unaided. It is our duty to assist when we can." The smell of brimstone fills the air, and clouds crowd the sky. There is a shocking clap of thunder and lighting strikes a nearby tree. And then there is some laughter, and the sky returns to its normal state and the air is sweet once more. Standing between the two wizards is a demon... or a god. Depending on what you think of gods and demons and myths. "I hope I wasn't holding anything up!" cackles the strange figure. "Hello all, I'm the Master of Regret- not to be confused with that fool in the north. I'm an Old God. What does that mean? I don't know! You tell me. Chauncey and Aventine and Alexis already know me, but hello to the rest of you. I know who you are, of course. That's the nice part of being a god. A demigod. A demon. Whatever you want to call me, semantics have never really meant much to anything. For example, did you know that Alexis is part of the Court of Demons?! But no one ever really talks about that! I'm not even sure if anyone remembers what that is." "So, are we all ready?" The Master of Regret turns to both of the wizards. "I'm shocked that you're both here. You'd be surprised how many people agree to sell their souls and then get cold feet when the time comes. Oh, look, there's one right there." He points to Matthias. "And another few there," he points to Alexis and the animals. "Of course, I'm not sure that it's a smart deal to begin with- right, Nerwen? That little girl elf next to you may be bonkers, but I know you're not going to be feeling too dandy when morning comes, but it happens, right? But what do I know?" "I'm ready to finish this." Chauncey bows deeply to the Master of Regret. "It is a pleasure to see you again. I have, since our last meeting, come to greatly respect the Old Gods." "Charming. Then you won't mind dying at one of our feet." A hand reaches out of the ground and lunges for Chauncey. The decaying body follows. Chauncey fires a blast of light at the body, and it is gone. He snaps his fingers, and strange robed glowing figures appear. All around the heroes bodies rise from the ground. Aventine's eyes glow and a cruel smile, unfamiliar to the heroes, appears on his lips. Chauncey likewise smiles with a deep determination, malice even. He draws his hands into fists. "I won't be dying today." "We'll see about that." The Aventine Party Lord Aventine Level 56 Necromancer *Immune to Fire, Darkness, Water, Sealed, Blinded, Asleep, Stunned, Confused and Instant Kill* Health: 160/160 Power Bonus: 10 Defense: 3 Ether: 40/40 Gold: 1000 Equipment: Magical Tricorne (SP:3, Immunity to Fire), Regret's Necklace (Immune to Sealed, Blinded, Asleep, Stunned, and Instant Death, For an additional 2 ether undead can attack with any element [as opposed to darkness], Suitable for Aventine), Aventine's Cape (Immunity to Darkness and Water) Inventory: Tonic Undead Lord Level 10 Undead Element: Darkness Undead Peasant Level 20 Undead Element: Darkness Undead Paladin Level 45 Undead Element: Darkness Undead Pirate Level 50 Undead Element: Darkness XX Level 35.2 Cannoneer/Alchemist *Blessed* Health: 51/51 Defense: 0 Gold: 392 Equipment: XX Hand Cannon (WP: 12, Ignores SP), XX Ammo Belts (As an Alchemist, XX can only receive rolls ending in "Bomb", excluding Bravado Brew and Explosion, as a Cannonner Bomb XX and Bomb XXX are added to possible creations), Cannoneer's Sashes (The damage output of bombs consumed are added to the WP of the Cannoneer's weapon before damage calculation) Inventory: Dangerous Dagger (WP: 20, Fire-Elemental), Phoenix Essence, Mead x3, Ruby, Military Grade Fire Bomb x4, Bomb XX (Deals 30 Damage to all foes and 10 to all allies, ignoring row/SP) x2, Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bombs (4), Water Bombs (9), Dirt Bombs (5), Air Bomb, Venom (x5), Nostrum, Peashooter (WP: 2, deals burning by 2 effect) NOTE: KOing XX will lead to his death. If Aventine is killed, XX will flee the battle. If XX's health drops below 10 he will be 'incapacitated'. Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) 263 year old female Elven Paladin *Immune to Fragile* *Blessed* Level 32 Power bonus: 0 Defense: 16 Health: 54/54 Ether: 37/37 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), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), 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) • 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) • Topaz • No Scrolls • Grand Tonics (3), Potions (4), Elixirs (2), Remedies (6), Tiger Balm, Neutralizer, 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), Smelling Salts, 2x Red Death Blood (If applied to a weapon the Doomed effect is dealt on first blow) • Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass Purpearl Berthadhiell, the Carnival Crusader (Purpearljellyblob) *Party Leader* 180 Years Old Female Elven Mage *Evasive* *Blessed* Level 17 Power: 30 Health: 25/25 Ether: 21/21 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), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed) 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 (x2), 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, Neutralizer, Chaotic Whip (WP: 5, Light/Darkness Elemental), Shovel 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) The Chauncey Party Lord Chauncey Level 70 Evoker *Immune to Blinded, Sealed, Asleep, Stunned, Confused, and Instant Kill* *Immune to darkness and light elemental damage* Health 205/205 SP: 4 Ether: 45/45 Equipment: Hood of the Black Mage (SP: 4, Immunity to Darkness and Light Elemental Damage), Summoning Ring (Summons get +4 levels, suitable for Evokers), Regret's Gloves (Immune to Sealed, Blinded, Asleep, Stunned, Confused and Instant Death, Permits 2 Summons, Suitable to Chauncey) Inventory: 3 Amethyst Lamps of Summoning, Amethyst, Diamond, Tonic, Phoenix Essence Dark Minion Level 74 Darkness Summon Light Minion Level 74 Light Summon Alexis Fenral, Orc-kin (Party Leader) *Counterstriking* *Blessed* 22 year old female elven Harlot Level 46.8 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 74/74 Gold: 1639 GP: 9 Equipment: Steel fan (WP:20, ice-, lightning-, and darkness-elemental), Counterstrike Gloves, Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed) 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) • Aquamarine (Water), Diamond (Light), Sapphire (Wind), Topaz (lightning), Fifty Shades of Bley, • Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, • 2 Somas, 5x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Health Core, 6x Potion, Grand Potion, 9x Meads, 2x Smelling Salts, 2x Nostrum, 9x Remedies, 7x Grand Potions, Skeleton Decoy, 8x Bone, Deadly Venom, 2x Kraken Fangs (grants hastened- and reinforced-effects when consumed), Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), 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 Zelphie Level 45 Artisan *Immune to Lightning* Health: 45/45 SP: 1 Gold: 20 Equipment: Staff (WP: 20), Counterstrike Gloves (Counter Free-Hits), Conductor Helmet (Artefact. SP:1, Immune to Lightning) Inventory: Hammer (WP:6), Scroll of Confusion, Bedroll, Venom, 2 Remedies, Fire Bomb, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magic Compass, Telescope, Magnifying Glass Russel Ruffers & Sir Pigley Level 21.66 Rogue *Hastened* *Blessed* Power Bonus: 4 Health: 34/34 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), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), 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'. NOTE: Aventine's party will go first, and then Chauncey's party will go directly after that. It will alternate every round. Matthias, it will take you a turn to join the battle if you ever so choose. Zelphie will lay wood based traps.

"This is not a demon you can fight." He sighs. "Besides, we cannot back out now. We made a choice years ago, and while we did not know you'd be involved... we must face the consequences. We reaped the reward, so we must finish it. One of us will die today, it is just a question of who." Zelphie says something from her tree, but no one can make it out. OoC: Of course, sorry! That's my mistake, I should have outlined that immediately. For PvP all damage will be divided by 7. And yes, Aventine dying will count as a quest failure. "I did nothing of the sort. You were not forced to kill Sam and Keith. I hired them, you killed them. Do not blame me for that. That is your fault and your fault alone." "I asked Zelphie to deal with them. I did not tell her to have you kill them. I asked only that she let them know that I would not tolerate future grave robbing." He glances up at her in the tree. "She apparently took that to mean that I wished them to be unable to rob graves in the future. She and I will have a talk about that later."

Boomingham laughs. "See Cardic, I told you I should have sat in that room." Boomingham shrugs. "I don't think we would die if we stayed right here, Regret. You just told us you don't want us to die, so I don't think you're going to let us die. Which means that we don't have to do anything you tell us to." Boomingham swishes his sword around a little and hums a tune. "You can call me a puppet all you want, but that don't make it so."

The heroes go to sleep, each having fitful nights, or perfectly restful nights, depending on how their conscience feels. The next morning, they are greeted to a familiar sight. Zelphie sits at a table, sipping tea, and once more M is gone, most likely for good this time. Outside the sun shines bright. It is the beginning of the Seventh and Final Day. "Sleep well?" asks Zelphie. "Let's get going." She leads the heroes out of the outskirts of Ve'er, and into the forest. Eventually, they come out the other side - now before them is a great plain, bathed in the morning glow. Zelphie flutters up to a tree and sits on a branch, well out of reach, almost out of sight. Her glasses blaze in the sun. And then out of the forest, on opposite sides, trudge Aventine and Chauncey. They both nod to the heroes, both with a quiet certainty. They come to face each other. "Well then," starts Chauncey. "There's not much to say at this point, is there?" "Hardly." He smiles faintly. "It is strange that even when we were young and dear friends, we accepted this deal. Can we be so shocked, then, that it has indeed arrived?" "It seemed so far off then. Seven years - how old were we then? Twenty three, twenty four? Seven years seemed a whole life time away." "Yes, but we still made the choice, didn't we?" "We did." "And that's all life really is, isn't it? For all we say or do, it's just a series of choices. A series of actions." "None better than the others." "Objectively, no, no choice is better than any other. Even fighting for your life is not objectively good, for what is life, after all?" "Putty, in the hands of some of us." "I wish you the best of luck today, Aventine." "The same to you, Chauncey." The two look at the heroes. "It's time to fulfill your contract, heroes." "Or to do what's good." XX walks over and stands firmly next to Aventine. "I finish my contracts." Wading through the grass so small, that the heroes can hardly see them... Pigley and Russel Ruffers come to stand by Chauncey. "Russel and I talked a long time last night," Pigley says to Nerwen and Matthias. "It was not an easy choice. We cannot remember a time we have not done our employer's wishes, but I said earlier, days ago now... when this is all over, and one of them lives and one of them dies, we will be left to live with ourselves. And we cannot live with ourselves, Russel and I, if we fight for a man who has lied to us, who has forced the death of Sam and Keith, who associates with men like Thistlethorp. We cannot tell others what is right or wrong, but we cannot live with ourselves if we do what we think is wrong. Do what you have to do." "My blade is sharp, but should you end up on the other side, I will not kill you! Russel Ruffers fights for what is good and right, but he does not kill friends!" What will the heroes do?

"Is that what our lives have boiled down to?" Chauncey smiles meekly. "I worship the Old Gods." "I worship no gods. The Cold One and the Everlasting Lights are much less but much greater than any 'Gods'." "Heroes, remember, come tomorrow-" but then the crystal ball wobbles off the table and shatters. "Ooops." Midge shrugs. "I got bored, and I guess my hands got busy." "Regardless..." Zelphie's glasses flash. "The morrow must come eventually. Shall we to bed, horrible heroes? We have an early morning. Demons like hours such as sunrise and sunset."

Boomingham glances around one last time at the falling snow. "This snow will have been melted long ago by the time we jump back to our time, but it feels mighty real to me now." He holds out his tongue and catches a flake... after a few moments of trying, of course. Those things don't happen miraculously exactly when you want them to. It melts. "Alright, let's go back home," he says ruefully, drawing his blade.

"You may do what you wish. You are as much a mortal as I - our wills, perhaps, have equal assertion over the direction that we mortals head. I believe we should strive for knowledge, for good, for kindness, for something greater than ourselves, but if you wish to remain the basest that mortals can be, I will not sway you. After all, know this: we all at the end of the day perform a series of actions. It is on us to decide what we believe is heroic, and what is not. You are responsible only for your own actions and own beliefs, but only if you acknowledge they do not live in a vacuum but sprawl out into Olegia." "Is that the story you wish to discuss? Seven years ago, we sought out a demon in the forest. He gave us weapons and power, and told us to return in seven years to duel. He asked us to return with weapon in hand, so that it may be a fair fight. After I abducted Aventine - and there is no kinder word for it, for it was an abduction, and I take full credit or blame for that - he bribed one of my last savory hires, Bors, into taking his weapon and running. I assume Aventine believed if he did not have his weapon, our demon would believe I cheated and take my life as punishment. So I sent M after Bors. Aventine's weapon, in short, is where it belongs. Around his neck." Chauncey reaches over and reveals Aventine's necklace around his neck. "Can you blame me? I want nothing to do with this fight. I wanted to flee, you dragged me here! What business is it of your's?" "We made a choice long ago, Aventine. If you cannot deal with the consequences, you should not have agreed to the deal. That, more than anything heroes, is why he must fight, and fight alone. It is something that was preordained long ago." Matthias finds himself unable to remove the amulet. "Hardly. All mortals collectively make up the sum that is greater than our parts. Who is strong and who is weak, then? Are we all not equals if we are all part of something larger?" "I have no need to lie to you. Thistlethorp is an associate of mine. We are in the Cold Circles together. But that is not a group that has so many rules as you'd expect. There is no one man or woman in charge. Thistlethorp's business is his own, not mine." "Sam and Keith were hired to move bodies here. I believe they completed the task. Is it so wrong that I should fear death? Is it so wrong that I should take provisions?" "It is not. Know, too, heroes, that for all my talk I too have a life on the line tomorrow. And while I believe in my heart that we are part of a greater self than just our bodies, our heads are loud creatures too, and mine tells me constantly to fear the sun rising tomorrow. Aventine and I are good and evil now, against each other by forces we chose but that we cannot escape. Mortals are more complex than a simple label, but tomorrow one of us must die because they are the more evil of the two, judged by the Gods and you heroes. And I do fear for my life, and I am saddened at the possibility of losing one I call both friend and evil."