Zepher

"I kind of thought he was the Regret too," hisses Boomingham to Em. "And I am at my best. Damn." "Johon, use that little intention magnifying glass on the little fellow," he hisses to the other side. He ignores Karie's anger at being healed. "So, Octus, what exactly are you trying to do here? You've told us the Regret is an evil chap, but that's what everyone is doing. So, what are you adding, exactly?"

OoC: Just because I'm afraid I'm not being clear, you have the possibility for Hinckwell Rep. This will not slow down or speed up the quest. Right now it seems Matthias and Purpearl have chosen the rep, and Chrome, you have declined. "You could have been talking to the Hinckwells and figuring out that granary issue, but what you should be doing, no, not a clue. Whatever that means." At that moment the others march on back to the Shawes. "Well? How'd it go? Get those bastards to sign a confession or something?"

Bobby hangs back awkwardly, bobbing his head and flapping his lips a little.

Boomingham heals the entire party, making sure that everyone, Karie included, is well patched up. He lingers with his healing magic over her extra long, just so she notices, but doesn't say a word about it. "Oh no," he grumbles, "we don't have time to learn to sympathize with you. Take your morbid jokes about of worms elsewhere, ghost. You're dead, whatever the Hel you are, and even if you became the Regret it doesn't matter because the Regret is the thing around now, you know? So even if he had a nice warm childhood it doesn't matter much." Boomingham glares at the creature. "What are you doing here other than attempting to protect him through playing with our heartstrings?"

"Hey little man, real sorry about all that biz, you know? That blows. You're a strong little guy to even be talking still. I know things look tough now, but trust me, yo, things always get better."

OoC: Erdy has two types of body wear equipped. Boomingham glances around, seeing both Erdy and Karie locked in concentration and/or combat. "Alright, boys and girls, let's show them how it's done," he huffs, signally another charge forward. "Karie, Erdy, help the boys take down those last few tentacle beasts." >Mortimer v. Pyroloid D >Boomingham v. Progg Executioner B >Nilrem v. Progg Executioner B >Jeaux v. Pyroloid B >Karie (Spring Staff) v. Pyroloid A >Erdathcath (longbow) v. Pyroloid A Johon v. Pyroloid D >Punii v. Pyroloid D

"Boy, what is this, an interview? You part of the Eubric Herald? My brother has made friends with nearly everyone in the area save for the Pongcanis. They still resist a peaceful town." "I will attack a door no questions asked, but not another living thing." Russel nods his head. "And I'm a little tired too, truth be told. But don't tell the others." "If you sort out the granary issue, you will be clearing our name. Shawe has accused us of being involved - if you get to the bottom of who is responsible, surely you will have cleared our name as we are not responsible. My suggestion, of course, would be this: if the granary is being attacked every night, would it not be wise to simply stake it out? Perhaps the Shawes did not offer this chance because there are no attacks and they wished only to drive us out of town. Only offer to stake out the granary for the night - something they cannot say no to reasonably if they claim it is being stolen from - and you will have your culprit. And it will not be us, and you will have done us a favor. So, once again; if any of you wish to have good reputation, please, just let me know. If you are worried about angering Isaac, simply don't mention that I'll be mentioning your name." "Ah, you're right, the ones who threaten you are never in the wrong," says Grady, rolling his eyes. "Yes, please, you may be on your way."

"Yo, I'm gucci, no worries," says Bobby, though he wobbles a little. "We beat them? Swerve. Aight, back to town, okay?"

OoC: Check these stats! They haven't been posted for a while, and though I tried to comb through the quest to make sure I caught everything, I'm not infallible (hard to believe, I know). The Party Hybros (played by JimButcher) 53-year-old male imp Chi Monk *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened, Poisoned, Bleeding* *Immune to all elements except wood* *Intimidation* *Inspired* *Encouraged* (Party Leader) Level: 31 Power Bonus: 1 (6 in front row) * Defense: 0 Health: 106/106 (7+30+12+3*) Ether: 31/34 (30+3) Gold: 1184 Equipment: Golden Armor (user is permanently hastened and cursed, fire-, water-, earth-, wind-, ice-, lightning-, darkness-, light-elemental, grants immunity to Sleep, Blindness, Confusion, Frailty, and Weakening; bodywear), The Black Hat (Suitable for anyone, grantsIntimidation, immune to darkness and cursed, headwear), Fighting Boots (Power +5 on the front row; suitable to barbarians, knights, rogues, beast warriors, chi monks, dragoons, harlots, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators and winged warriors), Inventory: • Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 45.25 gains 1/4 WP every kill made with it; longsword), Zoot's Reaper (WP:15; scythe, suitable to Hybros), Clock Cog (WP:14, retrievable), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all, retrievable), Justice (WP:8, causes blinded-effect, dagger), Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike, daggers), Spinning Bolas (WP: 5, deals the Slowed effect, but the effect is removed when retrieved; retrievable), Wrench (WP:3, decreases the target’s level by 1, retrievable), Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield) • Sticky Gloves (gains 50% more gold, suitable for Rogues, handwear), Baron's Epaulets (Suitable for short heroes, grants Command over short NPCs), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP:1, suitable to Rogues; backwear), Cloak of the Red megablocksassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear), Sterile Gloves (grants immunity to poisoned- and bleeding-effects, handwear), • Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Opal • 13 Potions, 12 Grand Potions, 16 Health Cores, 11 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, 3 Elixirs, 2 Phoenix Essences, 4 Phoenix Incenses, 2 Deadly Venoms, 3 Smoke Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 5 Nostrums, Mead, 2 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, 3 Pumpkin Bombs (causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used), 2 Gold Rings (Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver), Skeleton Decoy, Bone, 3 Grand Tonics, Soma • Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, 4 Mythril Shards, Crimson Haze (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects permanently) Skrall (Waterbrick Down) 81 year old Male Ogre Hunter Level 36.75 *Favors Demons and Humanoid enemies* *Immune to Fragile, Blinded, and Confused* *Gains 3x experience* *Inspired* Power Bonus: +2 WP Defense: 8 Health: 100/100 Gold: 83 Equipment: Hunter's Crossbow (WP:12/24 vs. Beasts, fire, ice, wind, and darkness-elemental), Hunter's Quiver (Bows and Crossbows +2WP, allows Hunters to favor two types of enemies, back wear), Tricorne (SP: 3, head wear), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, wearer is immune to fragile, blind, and confused effects, body wear), Medal of Glory (Wearer gains 3x experience from fights, accessory) Inventory: Composite Bow (WP:12, ignores SP, light, lightning, water, wood, and earth-elemental; bow), Oversized Greatsword (WP: 16 - Double damage on targets that are clearly smaller than the hero, greatsword) Wooden Shield (SP:5), Lucky Doubloon (Grants "Special Guard"), Darksteel Armour, SP:6, Max. Health +3; bodywear, 8 Smoke Bomb, 2 Dirt Bombs, Fire Bomb, 5 Water Bombs, Lightning Bomb, Minimizing Dust, 4 Bone, 6 Venoms, 1 Deadly Venoms, Potion, 1 Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence, 5 Phoenix Incenses, 3 Meads, 1 Nostrums, 1 Remedy, Blind Fury, Wolfgang Insignia, Black Goo, Feather of Lithe Nyx (played by Pandora) 19 years old Female Human Battle Mage *Natural Respite* *Immune to Fire, Darkness, Earth, Wind, Poisoned, Confused, Hexed, Sealed, Asleep, Fast Asleep* *Inspired* Level: 31.25 Power: 47 Defense: 8 Health: 42/42 Ether: 38/43 Gold: 282 Equipment: Zee Standard (Staff, WP: 15 Ice, Light and Darkness Elemental, Necromancers Raise Enemies with 2 extra levels), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:4, Max. Ether +5, protects from sealed-effect), Mirage Cloak (Immunity to Fire-, Darkness-, Earth- and Wind-elements and confused- asleep- and hexed-effects), High Heels (+1 Power), Helmet of Azzurat (SP:4, immune to poisoned, headwear). Inventory: Book of a Thousand Creatures (WP:15, each roll has a 1/6 chance to summon a creature to aid the hero), Lullaby Wand (WP:6 Sleep effect), Healing Staff (WP: 5), Darksteel Dagger WP: 13, blinded effect) Bone Scepter (WP: 10, On Hit, gives enemies the Undead type if they do not have a second type, Wand.) * Sandman's Parasol (Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects), Monkey Bar (all minions, pets, summons etc are Hastened), Chef’s Apron (Bodywear, Immunity to Fire and Poisons), Phoenix Dress (Max. Ether +5, full ether restored upon revival, immunity to Fire and Lightning, suitable only to female mages, clerics, chi monks, minstrels and necromancers; bodywear), Desert Cloak (Immunity to Fire-, Earth- and Wind-elemental damage; backwear), Water Canteen (Carries 3 portions of water; essential in deserts to avoid dehydration; accessory), Bolero Of Fire (Cause Fire damage equal to the minstrel's level to all enemies per round for as long as the song is sung. Costs 10 ether per round. Minstrel Song), Scarlet Fascinator (Max. Ether +1, suitable to females only; headwear) *Ruby (Fire), Diamond (Light), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), Opal (Ice).Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Arc Sealing, Scroll of Blindness. 3 Meads, 2 Nostrums, Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, 5 Deadly Venoms, Paralyzing Venom, Venom x6, 3 Phoenix Essences, 3 Cosmic Essences (Revives a knocked out ally with full health and ether and gives them the blessed-effect), 2 Potions, Remedy, 4 Tonics, 2 Grand Tonics, Ether Core. Fire Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Skadi Bomb (100 Ice Elemental damage to all opponents), 2 Chaotic Bombs (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned, poisoned, asleep, blinded, sealed and confused to all enemies). 2 Bedrolls, 5 Bones, Feather of Lithe Ellaria Arbour (Sandy) 23 years old female human Druid Level 28 *Immune to Sealing, Poisoned and Bleeding* *Ignis Fatuus: permanently poisoned by 15* *Inspired* Power: 40 (27+12) Defense: 7 (3+4) Health: 44/44 (9+26+7+1) Ether: 9/40 (5+26+5+1+2) Gold: 93 Equipment: Ignis Fatuus (WP:12, permanently poisoned by 15, fire- and lighting-elemental staff), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max Ether +5, protects from sealing; bodywear), Sterile Gloves (immunity to poisoned and bleeding, handwear), Spider Helmet (SP:4, passes poisoned and bleeding effects to the enemy when the wearer is hit; headwear) Inventory: Weapons Sylvania's Crossbow (WP:10, wood-elemental crossbow), Pan Flute (WP: 7, instrument), Wizard's Staff (WP:1, fire-, wind-, water- and earth-elemental staff), Artefacts: Ranger's Quiver (WP: +1 to bows and crossbows. Suitable for rangers, beast warriors, infiltrators, and winged warriors), Spirit Robe (Renders wearer invisible to the enemy for the first three rounds of battle so they do not take free hits; backwear), Black Bandana (Power +3, pirate lingo; headwear), Spell Items: Scroll of Inspiration (Inspired for rest of battle, 10 ether, 50/50 chance) Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Serenade of Water (Causes Water damage equal to the minstrel's level to all enemies per round for as long as the song is sung. Costs 10 ether per round. Battle Song), Ruby (Fire) Consumables: 3 Potions, 2 Grand Potions, 4 Health Cores, 4 Tonics, 5 Grand Tonics, Ether Core, Elixir, 2 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, Tiger Balm, 2 Phoenix Essences, 2 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, 2 Nostrum, 2 Soma, Ambrosia, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, Flash Bomb, 3 Fire Bombs, Ice Bomb, 2 Lightning Bombs, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Holy Bombs, Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used.) Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass Deborah, The Golden Warden Level 25.3 Warden *Immune to Afraid, Cursed, Hexed, Instant Kill* *Inspired* Power Bonus: 0 Health: 82/94 SP: 20 Equipment: Crossbow (WP: 10), Deborah's Helm (SP: 4, Immune to Afraid), Deborah's Armor (SP: 6, Immunity to Cursed, Hexed and Instant Kill), Shield of the She-Wolf (SP: 10, on rolls of damage/free hits user deals SP to opponent if they survive the attack) Inventory: Mead, Grand Potion, Soma x2, Ambrosia Minoid 2.0 Level 21 Drilling Automaton HP: 33/33 SP: 2 Equipment: Minoid Drill Arm (WP: 10), Iron Shell (SP: 2), Scanning Eye (Allows the Minoid to analyze most foes before battle. If in battle, it can spend a turn to analyze the fight) Inventory: None Daneeka pulls a lever and the drill begins working. The heroes watch with fascination and shock as the drill head simply detaches from the frame and plunges into the rock. It keeps spinning as it goes down... down... down until they can no longer see it in the darkness. What a strange device. The drill head also leaves behind a little path for the heroes to descend on. It hugs the wall of the hole, spiraling downward. The heroes set off down it. The walk is long. The rock around them grows colder. They lose light, and Heweyrt raises a torch. The only noise is the cackle of the flames, the dull footsteps, and the whirring of the Miniod's machinery. The heroes reach a cavern. "Maybe this is our spot. Let's look around a little." They leave the path and wander around the cavern a little. They don't make it very far before they see a pale little light in the far off corner. It looks a lot like moonlight. "What in Hel?" "STATEMENT: We are far too deep for moonlight." "Yes, yes, Minoid." Heweyrt rolls his eyes. "Did he have to build you with that speech pattern? What does that add?" "STATEMENT: I am unable to add inflections to my words. STATEMENT: It is difficult for me to indicate if I am stating something, or posing a question. CONCLUSION: The speech pattern was a necessity." While this patter goes on, the heroes draw closer to the light. And then, suddenly, in the blink of an eye, the light is above them, though they never actually got to it. It moved to them. Another thing regular moonlight is not able to do. And before them is a figure. "You are here for answers?" asks the strange figure. Her face keeps changing, shattering, regrouping. It is difficult to look at. It is formless. "Mortals are not supposed to come this deep. But since you are here, I will show you. Here are some truths." And then everything goes black... OoC: PMs incoming over the next few hours! I will state publicly, there may be some confusion over how to role-play within the side quests (you'll understand what I mean when you get the PMs). Please make your own choice as to how your character is experiencing things. Feel free to ask me any questions! I think you will understand when the PMs come.

"It goes exceedingly well. The city is secure, and I am preparing to deal with one of the few problems remaining." "Well, going well except the granary issue," smirks Samuel at his older brother. "It's your attitude I take offense to, not the fact that you're a mage." He pauses. "Though I don't trust mages much either." "I was certain the Shawes were the ones who sent you here. They have played a trick much like this on me before, framing me for raiding warehouses. It is an underhanded tactic, stealing, and not something we would do. The Shadeaux are a house of trickery and deceit. The Hinckwells are not." "As for my presence here - it is indeed prompted by the Shawes. I wish to know how they have seized control of a second city on Uland. It is a powerful move, I admit, and though the Hinckwells are on good terms with the Lion Knights we do not have the same influence on their fort and growing town that the Shawes have here. I despise the Shawes, but Isaac at least is an intelligent man, and learning from him would not hurt." "As for the culprit, I genuinely have no idea. I had no knowledge of these robberies until moments ago, it seems unfair to expect me to know who is responsible." Nerwen's superior sense of truth - through her diplomacy - leads her to believe that Henry is telling the truth. "The Shawes are most likely framing us, as I said. Tell you what, if you clear the Hinckwell name with the people of R'Klif, I will be more than willing to mention your names to my brother, if you'd like that." Russel scuttles up to Matthias. "Are you angry with me, Matthias? I'm very sorry for picking the lock. It's just in my nature. But I shouldn't have been so gung ho. Please don't be angry at me, you're one of my only friends in the party!"

"Let's finish this," says Boomingham, picking his Frozen Saber off the floor and swinging at the Progg from a safe distance (back row).

Bobby repeats his action!

Eh, I'm not perfect. Maybe this is his evil twin Eran. But yes, sorry for the mistake. I was trying to bring back a character from long ago who was underused, but it appears that was because he was dead. And Sandy, have fun! I'm also excited for another Bonaparte Quest - I don't know if we've gotten one since the death in the family (though, as just proved, I'm not great on the memory thing) and I'm interested to see how life has changed for them.

"Thanks, big man! Yo, you're one of a kind, aight?" Bobby attacks from the front row.

"I don't negotiate with people who threaten innocent lives. That's all it takes for me to take whatever else they're saying and throw it out a window." "Deborah! Enough! You are not a hero, you may stand by your actions, and the heroes will stand by theirs." Heweyrt glares at Deborah, who huffs and then falls silent too. "Are we prepared to drill, Doc?" "Of course. If the heroes have the engine?" Hybros holds it up. "Very good. You may slot it into this device, and we will begin." Hybros turns over the engine to Daneeka, who slides it into the control panel. "I could go into detail as to how this all works, but I am certain it would bore you. We are ready to drill as soon as you are read to descend, heroes." And Daneeka's voice remains the same - it cannot change, after all - but it somehow seems more somber: "Remember, we know little of what we may find down there. We are going deeper than anyone has in as long as I know. You must be prepared."

"It is very possible. I have worked with heroes a number of times before. I find your organization very much worth the cost! I travelled the entirety of Uland before with a set of heroes. I also saved this very town with the assistance of Nerwen and some of her fellow heroes, though I don't recall you in that group." "You expect an innocent bystander to know who is behind robberies? Why?" Hinckwell cries, but then he stops short. "But you speak fairly, at least. I am not adverse to answering questions, but perhaps not here. There is no curfew on the common room downstairs. May I lead you down there for some tea? I'm afraid I'm a little tired, and could use a wake me up." Grady's sword still stands strong in the air, and Henry rests a hand on his arm. "Lower the sword. These people come only for answers, who are we to deny them? As long as they do not demand." Grady lowers his sword, and the party feels more experienced, having negotiated the battle without conflict. "I'll get you yet, elf," growls Grady at Purpearl as they walk down the stairs. Downstairs, the other man (who I thought had an avatar somewhere in a previous topic, but doesn't, so I'm very sorry) brews some tea as Henry sits down at a table with the heroes. Grady takes up a position sullenly guarding the door. "That is Eran, a groundskeeper for my family. I believe he thinks highly of you heroes, if my memory serves. So, there are robberies of granaries? I did not know anything about it until moments ago. I feel no need to explain my presence in the town. You are not the Town Watch. Grady believes you are heroes, and I am inclined to agree with him - that or some other form of sellsword, though you look too well equipped to be small time robbers." He pauses. "Regardless of who you are, the accusations you bring are outlandish. Eran, Grady and myself are the only three Hinckwells in town. Eran and myself are old men, not well equipped for breaking and entering, and Grady on his own could probably not steal enough food in an evening to warrant investigation. Furthermore, you came upon us preparing for sleep. I must ask again who in the town has hired you to lobby these claims against us."

OoC: Yes, sorry! Bobby repeats.

"Au revoir, ma cherie," says Boomingham as the faux-Karie explodes. He turns to the fake Boomingham. "You are a weak imitation. You, or your cohort, terrible with faces and what not, asked earlier if memories make a man. They do not. Because all my memories - I know I chose to make those choices that led to them. You did not, so you are not the same. Not even close." Boomingham swings his bloodied sword. "Also you'll note I've been hitting you, and you've been failing to hit me." Boomingham repeats.

"Oh, sick, dude," says a pale-faced Bobby, using sick in it's original context and not the one where it means cool. "Holy Hels, boss, you sure can fire! Alright, let's end this little punk."

Deborah's cotenance clouds. "That is not what I expected of heroes. I have long wondered if I was right in not joining your organization, and I feel that I have just found the answer." "What's done is done, Deborah." Heweyrt turns to the Baron. "I am sorry for your lose. Every man should have a space where he feels safe, and it is a great burden to attempt to provide such a space for a group of people." Then to Daneeka: "Can we drill?" "Whenever the heroes, Baron and yourself are ready."

"Oh, I'm sorry, you're right. We must answer all the questions of every vagabond who enters our room with wild accusations. Look around the room! Where is the food we have stolen? Are you agents of the highways? Are we not allowed to travel freely anymore?" Purpearl has clearly made the situation worse.

OoC: My sincere apologies. I should have let you decide how to enter the room. I assumed you would break and enter, as is the hero's way most of the time ( ) and was trying to save some time after the lag of the last section, but I really shouldn't have assumed anything. My mistake. ​Alexis, you may speak with Shawe! I will not be making a separate thread for it, because we'll be back together soon, but fee free to talk for the time being. "Granaries! Preposterous! Why would the Hinckwells steal from the common citizen of R'Klif?! That is a ridiculous accusation that I refuse to believe is anything but an excuse for an attack. Who sent you? Was it the Shawes?" "I told you it was dangerous heading into enemy territory," remarks the other man gruffly. "These are heroes. I can tell. The last time the Shawes hired them to defeat me they got lucky, but it won't go the same for them this time." Grady raises his sword, prepared for combat still, though Henry Hinckwell stares sharply at Purpearl, awaiting... something? OoC: Purpearl/Chrome, it is your call. Once one of you declares fight or negotiate, I'll run the round!

Yeah, serious moral decision. But cool! And see, Asphalt, my required reading would be almost entirely different than Flipz's, so that's why it's best to just read what you think is most interesting to you! Everyone plays the game differently - I love the stories, so I read every quest, but I know that some players strictly only read the quests they're on, and some read whatever the heck they feel like! So it's really up to you.

"Hey man, I don't want to get violent but if you gotta you gotta, you know?" Bobby stabs at Tom Dale from the front row.

That's a good way to phrase it! I feel like it's hard for me to advise quests since I've been here from the beginning, but yes, if you hear a plot/character the interests you, you should certainly go back and read about it! At this point a huge number of the quests are interwoven. We've tried to put together a comprehensive list before, as far as learning about the world is concerned, but it's difficult.