Zepher

"An automaton! Yes, we have a few kicking around. I don't think any have left our watch though, so if you've met one not accompanied by Tritech Personnel it's likely not ours." The heroes finish their drinks and make ready to leave. "Good luck out there, heroes!" The heroes leave the Tritech Headquarters, pass back through the gates to Eubric, and are walking down a street when a voice calls out to them! "Heroes!" The turn, and are greeted by two armored men, one of whom is smiling at them gently. "If I may have just a moment of your time, I believe I will be able to talk you out of the foolish endeavor you've embarked upon. My name is Sir Abel Justice of the Imperial Order, and I come with grave warnings. There are things below Olegaia that should not be disturbed. They have been locked away for a reason."

Boomingham dusts himself off as he gets up. "Thanks," he says to Erdy with a wink. "Let's finish this bad boy." Boomingham attacks the left claw from the back row.

Dr. Don brings all the appropriate drinks! And, after a little bit of searching, he brings forth a tin of biscuits. They are just beginning to border on stale, but are still delicious. OoC: This is the reply I wrote out, but forgot to press send on. Luckily it was waiting for me when I returned! "Tesla is very well! She is off flying around the world at the time being. She was supposed to come back by now, but, well, if I had that ship, I certainly wouldn't come right back. "Oh, quite well! Always getting bigger and more inventive, huh. Lots of commissions coming in, and we're working very hard on improving and improving our automatons." At that moment, Dr. Raph steps into the room. "Oh, hello heroes, glad to see you've arrived in one piece. I've just finished work on the engine." He holds up a small hand-held device. "Unlike anything Nicole builds, it's not bulky, and won't slow you down... don't tell her I said that. Of course, there is a bit of a draw back. Being so small, if it gets whacked, you get a little stunning shock. You need these gloves to hold it, but even so, don't get hit with it." He places it on a table. "You can leave whenever. Tell the Doc I say hello." "Or you can stay as long as you like. And tell the Doc I also say hello, please!" Who will carry the little device? Raph's Stunning Engine! (Handwear, User deals 15 electrical damage and the "stunned" effect on physical attacks, but is dealt 15 electrical damage and "stunned" effect if attacked. Electrical damage ignores SP/row.)

OoC: Yes, and I don't see cursed/poisoned listed in the results at the end of the round, generally they're listed under free hits so we know they're working. Boomingham repeats.

Hey all! Doing a round of updates now, but then I'll be out of commission for 36 hours or so. I'm seeing Modest Mouse (one of my all time favorite bands) tonight, and then working a butt-load of time tomorrow! May still be able to post a battle action, but no updates, sorry.

Looks great! I've only caught an episode of the show once or twice and I still find it instantly recognizable! Congrats! I really appreciate the extra colors you've brought in as props while still having a color scheme.

"You'll be the first to die," counters Boomingham with a hearty smile.

"Slow down, ugly. We've got to court each other a little before we allow you onto our ship." Boomingham swings at the right tusk from the back row.

OoC: Fixed to "Undead".

"He's a better speaker than me, so don't let my garbled version of his thoughts make you think any way of him. But I think you can understand liking someone and not trusting them. Usually I know if I like someone within a day or two. It takes a few years for me to trust them. Isn't it the same for you?" "Jeez, try to help out some new friends and you get an interview. You guys are even less trusting than we are, and you're suspicious that we don't trust you! That's what people call irony, you know." "You've never tried to outsmart a pal? Heweyrt is, for example, an avid chess player, and he forces me and others to play with him. Whenever I try to lay a trap for him, I lose the game. It is very embarrassing, and now you've gotten it out of me." She shrugs. "I guess traps aren't really my style. With a strong defense I can at least cling onto the games longer." The heroes of Heroica walk down the streets of Eubric. They are extremely cautious, but it appears to be an unnecessary precaution as they go completely undisturbed. Outside the city, relying on memory, Hybros and Ellaria find the headquarters of the the Tritech company. One of the doctors greets them at the door. "Hm, yes, hello I'm Dr. Don, good to see you! We've been expecting you. Dr. Raph is just looking over the engine one more time, so if you'd be so kind as to step inside and wait a few moments. Ellaria, I have a pot of tea prepared, and Hybros, cocoa is made easily enough. I'm afraid I don't know what you other three drink!" "If you've got any hot cider..." "Oh yes we do! Right this way!" The heroes step into the Headquarters.

I might just have to start mine shortly so that we can have all the second characters go on a quest together. But first I have to get on top of my quests - 107, I'm sorry for another wait so early in the game, but I must sleep before updating! It should come in about 8 hours. I would have given my players XP if they'd figured out and blocked any of the entrance ways. That was the puzzle of this quest. But they didn't get it. Matthias was pretty darn close if he hadn't given up.

OoC: Did not expect to continue this so soon, pictures will arrive tomorrow! Thistlethorp knocks Alexis' fan away indignantly, and backs away as Matthias demands his weapons and helmet. "Oh dear, it seems that you're all being taken in by that assassin's words!" "Surrender your things, Thistlethorp. Perhaps she was lying with her final breath, but it is something we will have to investigate." "I can't allow that!" pipes Thistlethorp. "I have been experimenting. But like Matthias said, it is only for the good of everyone! I am just the father of invention. I can protect the guards even better if they're all undead! Just think about it. A group of Necromancers, controlling hoards of undead, patrolling the streets! Think the iron fist we could hold this city in. No more crime! What could possibly go wrong?" "So you are a necromancer. And you are a part of the Cold Circles. And you chose to not disclose this to the guards." "Bureaucracy slows everything down," says Thistlethorp condescendingly. "Besides, not everyone is as open minded as I am." "Grave robbing itself may not be judged hardly, Thistlethorp, but using the Watch as a guise - we cannot allow that. And spending Watchman's lives to protect yourself for crimes you really did commit... I can't allow that either..." "Oh, but they're not dead! Look!" And the party does turn... seeing Crowley and Morrison on their feet, blood still leaking from their sides. Morrison's eyes are soulless, his face growing paler by the second. Standing beside them is a increasingly gray Avery, still dribbling blood from her mouth and nose. "The guards and heroes protected me with great honor, Severan, and though they lost their lives, they did kill the assassin. A good tale, right? Oh dear, I so did want all my friends to live, but now at least you'll be useful to me! I promise I'll dig you up right away and reanimate you, good as new." Thistlethorp's eyes start to glow ice cold blue, and his staff sizzles, and suddenly he looks a little more dangerous. "Besides, I can imagine no greater honor than going to meet the Cold One." "This just keeps getting worse and worse." "Slaying undead? That I can do." Rolled Dice: (6,6,2,2 - No Pre-Battle Buffs) The Enemies Thistlethorp Level 25 Icy Humanoid *Immune to Sealed, Asleep, Doomed, Hexed, Ice, and Instant Death* Health: 500/500 Defense: 2 Ether: 10/10 Special I: Helvetia’s Touch - The hero is Doomed at the cost of 3 ether. Special II: Helvetia’s Breath - Undead is healed for 100 health at the cost of 2 ether. Used if any Undead is injured for at least 100 points of health. Special III: Dementia - The hero is Hexed for the next round, Afraid for the next three, and Cursed for the duration of the battle. Used when Vaughn is out of ether. Drops: Staff (WP: 4), Town Watch Helmet (SP: 2), Potion x2, Remedy, Tonic, Elixer *Gives +5 level boost to Crowley and Morrison* Undead Crowley Level 16 Undead *Inflicts Fragile* Health: 375/375 Ether: 9/9 Special: Miracle - Heals all allies for 16 health at the cost of 1 ether. Fails if no ether remains. Drops: Mourning Star (WP: 10; Fire-elemental; inflicts Fragile-effect; mace), White Cloak (Max HP +3; back wear), Tonic *Gives +5 level boost to Morrison and Thistlethorp* Undead Morrison Level 10 Undead Health: 425/425 Defense: 1 Special: Meatshield - All incoming attacks at Thistlethorp next turn will be directed at Morrison instead. Drops: City Watch Halberd (WP: 6), City Watch Helmet (SP: 1) *Gives +5 level boost to Crowley and Thistlethorp* Avery the Undead Assassin Level 48 Undead *Immune to all effects and Instant Kill* Health: 660/660 Special I: Mark of the Undead Assassin – The target becomes Doomed. Passive Special I: Dead Eye - On odd rounds, the Undead Assassin deals cursed. Passive Special II: Cloak of the Undead Assassin – All damage dealt by the Undead Assassin has a 1/4 chance of killing the target. Passive Special III: Revenge - Whenever Avery is dealt damage by a hero, she remembers. The hero is given a “mark counter”. When Avery deals damage to a hero, the mark counter is used as a multiplier, but removed. Mark counters stack. The Heroes Alexis Fenral, Orc-kin (Party Leader) *Immune to Blinded* *Counterstriking* *Blessed* 22 year old female elven Harlot Level 45.6 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 73/73 Gold: 1509 GP: 9 Equipment: Steel fan (WP:20, ice-, lightning-, and darkness-elemental) Ring of Sight (protects fromblinded), 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), 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), Aquamarine (Water), Diamond (Light), Sapphire (Wind), Topaz (lightning), Fifty Shades of Bley, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Remedy, 2 Somas, 5x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Health Core, 4x Potion, Grand Potion, 9 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, 9 Remedies, 7 Grand Potions, Skeleton Decoy, 8x Bone, Deadly Venom, 2 Kraken Fangs (grants hastened- and reinforced-effects when consumed), Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), Demon Repellant (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons during one battle. Consumable), Winged Sandals (artifact; footwear; protects from bound and slowed effects), 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), Mulled Wine, 2 Grating Stones, Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from fragile), Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle), Medal of Glory (Artefact/Accessory - Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles), Fang Dagger (WP: 4), Magnar's Smaller Axe (Grants User Dual-Strike, User Cannot Wield a Shield, Handwear), Nostrum Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) 263 year old female Elven Paladin *Immune to Fragile* *Blessed* *Lucky* *2 Mark Counter* *Encouraged* Level 30 Power bonus: 0 Defense: 16 Health: 49/49 Ether: 28/35 Gold: 47 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) Inventory: 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), 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; bodywear), • Topaz • No Scrolls • Grand Tonics (3), Potions (4), Elixirs (3), 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, Grand potion, Ambrosia (4), Smelling Salts • Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass Midge Level 22.6 Battle Mage Power Bonus: 8 Health: 21/21 Ether: 21/21 SP: 8 Gold: 25 Equipment: Magnar’s Unreasonably Cruel Axe (WP: 12, Deals the Bleeding -3 Effect), Heavy Mail (Bodywear, SP: 7, Suitable for Barbarians and Knights), Helmet (SP: 1) Inventory: Tonic, Potion, Topaz, Ruby, Diamond, Midge's Dagger (WP: 3), Smelling Salts Samuel the Doubly Blessed Level 16 Paladin *Immune to Light, Darkness, Blinded, Asleep, Confused, and Jinxed* *1 Mark Counter* Power Bonus: 0 Health: 23/23 Ether: 16/17 SP: 3 Gold: 0 Equipment: Sword of the Red Lizard (Longsword, WP:10, fire-elemental), Armor of the Warrior Priest (SP: 1, Immune to Light and Darkness Elementals, Immune to Blinded, Asleep, Confused, Jinxed), 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) Inventory: Sword of the Warrior Priest (WP: 5, Meditates become hits), Matthias the Carnival Crusader (nstickney) Level 13 Ranger *Blessed* *Hastened* Power Bonus: 1 Defense: 0 Health: 18/18 Gold: 20 Equipment: Peashooter (WP: 2, deals the burning by 2 effect), 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, Remedy, 2x Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Fang Dagger (WP: 4), Ball and Chain (Chain, WP: 4), Dapper Hat (wearer has a 1/6 chance of being Encouraged at the start of any battle) Russel Ruffers & Sir Pigley Level 19 Rogue *Hastened* *Blessed* Power Bonus: 0 Health: 33/33 Defense: 4 Gold: 241 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 Salt Private Bert Level 20.5 Watchman Power Bonus: 5 Health: 5/33 Defense: 1 Equipment: City Watch Halberd (WP: 6), City Watch Helmet (SP: 1) Inventory: Mead, Grand Potion

"Enough cattle wanting to kill me and I'd be shaking in my boots," says Boomingham with a shrug. "And sounds to me that you're just master of yourself, same as everyone else. You create something that follows you blindly, that has no agency, well, that's just an extension of you, right? I think so." "I don't think humanity cares all that much what you think of it. It's what you do that matters, not some judgement." Boomingham laughs at the automaton's quip, and draws his sword. "If we need to kill your sea beast first, than alright, let's get to it already."

"This is the Regret?" Boomingham sizes up his foe. "Look, I may have forgot a thing or two about strategizing, but inviting a large army to your doorstep isn't the soundest plan, chappo. And you should never kill your soldiers. Your duty is sort of the opposite if that. So, yes, we'll take you down and kill you and get the treasure and then I'll deal with more pressing matters."

Boomingham sips some mead to calm his nerves. "What was that? Some sort of sea crab? The Regret is a sea crab? I thought he was, you know, human or elf or something along those lines. Giant sea crab... wonder if that's worse or better." Boomingham follows behind Erdy.

"Probably. I leave my armor lying around all the time." Boomingham grumbles a little seeing no one else move for the door, gets out of bed, lumbers over to it and throws it open.

OoC: Thanks! Now I know! "A value instilled in me, yes." Round Five Assassin Assault Russel & Pigley use a Phoenix Essence on Alexis Nerwen v. Avery - Damage/Meditate aka Hit ([14+29]*2=86) Alexis v. Avery - Hit ([20+45]*2=130) Midge v. Avery - Special Damage (No Effect) Samuel v. Avery - Damage (No Effect) Matthias: Peashooter vs. Avery - Aim ([2+1]*2=6) Matthias: Peashooter vs. Avery - Hit (KO) The heroes close in on Avery, cornering her once more. In normal fashion she hops above them, but this time she runs into Matthias, waiting for her. Two carefully placed shots bring her to the floor. The Heroes Alexis Fenral, Orc-kin (Party Leader) *Immune to Blinded* *Counterstriking* *Blessed* 22 year old female elven Harlot Level 45.6 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 73/73 Gold: 1509 GP: 9 Equipment: Steel fan (WP:20, ice-, lightning-, and darkness-elemental) Ring of Sight (protects fromblinded), 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), 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), Aquamarine (Water), Diamond (Light), Sapphire (Wind), Topaz (lightning), Fifty Shades of Bley, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Remedy, 2 Somas, 5x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Health Core, 4x Potion, Grand Potion, 9 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, 9 Remedies, 7 Grand Potions, Skeleton Decoy, 8x Bone, Deadly Venom, 2 Kraken Fangs (grants hastened- and reinforced-effects when consumed), Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), Demon Repellant (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons during one battle. Consumable), Winged Sandals (artifact; footwear; protects from bound and slowed effects), 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), Mulled Wine, 2 Grating Stones, Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from fragile), Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle), Medal of Glory (Artefact/Accessory - Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles), Fang Dagger (WP: 4), Magnar's Smaller Axe (Grants User Dual-Strike, User Cannot Wield a Shield, Handwear), Nostrum Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) 263 year old female Elven Paladin *Immune to Fragile* *Blessed* *Lucky* *2 Mark Counter* *Encouraged* Level 30 Power bonus: 0 Defense: 16 Health: 49/49 Ether: 28/35 Gold: 47 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) Inventory: 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), 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; bodywear), • Topaz • No Scrolls • Grand Tonics (3), Potions (4), Elixirs (3), 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, Grand potion, Ambrosia (4), Smelling Salts • Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass Midge Level 22.6 Battle Mage Power Bonus: 8 Health: 21/21 Ether: 21/21 SP: 8 Gold: 25 Equipment: Magnar’s Unreasonably Cruel Axe (WP: 12, Deals the Bleeding -3 Effect), Heavy Mail (Bodywear, SP: 7, Suitable for Barbarians and Knights), Helmet (SP: 1) Inventory: Tonic, Potion, Topaz, Ruby, Diamond, Midge's Dagger (WP: 3), Smelling Salts Samuel the Doubly Blessed Level 16 Paladin *Immune to Light, Darkness, Blinded, Asleep, Confused, and Jinxed* *1 Mark Counter* Power Bonus: 0 Health: 23/23 Ether: 16/17 SP: 3 Gold: 0 Equipment: Sword of the Red Lizard (Longsword, WP:10, fire-elemental), Armor of the Warrior Priest (SP: 1, Immune to Light and Darkness Elementals, Immune to Blinded, Asleep, Confused, Jinxed), 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) Inventory: Sword of the Warrior Priest (WP: 5, Meditates become hits), Matthias the Carnival Crusader (nstickney) Level 13 Ranger *Blessed* *Hastened* Power Bonus: 1 Defense: 0 Health: 18/18 Gold: 20 Equipment: Peashooter (WP: 2, deals the burning by 2 effect), 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, Remedy, 2x Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Fang Dagger (WP: 4), Ball and Chain (Chain, WP: 4), Dapper Hat (wearer has a 1/6 chance of being Encouraged at the start of any battle) Russel Ruffers & Sir Pigley Level 19 Rogue *Hastened* *Blessed* Power Bonus: 0 Health: 33/33 Defense: 4 Gold: 241 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 Salt Private Bert Level 20.5 Watchman Power Bonus: 5 Health: 5/33 Defense: 1 Equipment: City Watch Halberd (WP: 6), City Watch Helmet (SP: 1) Inventory: Mead, Grand Potion Private Thistlethorp Level 12 Cleric Power Bonus: 5 Defense: 2 Health: 20/20 Gold: 47 Equipment: Staff (WP: 4), Town Watch Helmet (SP: 2) Inventory: Potion x2, Remedy, Tonic, Elixer "Oh well..." she gasps as she bleeds out. "Assassins don't get to retire normally anyway." She turns to Nerwen. "I'm not sinless myself, and I hardly have only killed those I think deserve death. I have no illusions. I am a hired killer." She coughs up some blood. "But I like to see a job well done. I was hired by the Crimson Crown-" her nose starts to stream blood, and she has to spit a lot of it out of her mouth before she can continue. "Damn. I was sent to kill Thistlethorp. He's a necromancer, a member of a group called the Cold Circles. He's using his pull with the Town Watch to dig up bodies from the cemetery and perform sick experiments." She turns to Thistlethorp. One of her eye sockets is bleeding profusely, but she winks languidly with the other one. "Got you anyway." And then she coughs once more and is dead. "Thistlethorp! What is the meaning of this?!" "Oh dear, I hardly know! She- maybe she's confused me with someone else! I'm just a poor cleric living out the end of my days-" "Red Assassins are not known for making mistakes."

"As long as I've got strong and loyal swords behind me," says Boomingham before falling asleep. A few hours later, he rolls over hearing a knock on the door. He sits up in bed, but doesn't move to answer it. He looks at Masson. There had been a time when his adversary had come to visit him in the night. "Think it's good news?"

Boomingham nods to the automaton. Of all of his companions, he was most confused by him, and had the least contact. With the little understanding of machinery that Boomingham possesses the automaton is an enigma, and the proper way to interact with it is a mystery. Furthermore, Boomingham remembers vaguely that Masson had an affinity for such things, and he cannot get out of his mind (though he does not believe it to be strictly true) that perhaps this "hero" is as much a product of Masson's creation as the rearranged minds of his victims. It makes sense, of course, that a man willing to create emotion in a machine would be willing to tamper with the minds of men.

Boomingham pours himself a drink, and then pours one for this friend. The trip had been long - lots on everyone's minds, apparently, and though the Regret had seldom been the topic of conversation Boomingham knows he is casting a shadow on the group, though he still couldn't figure out exactly why. This had led to much interior reflection, and little external life beyond the simple functional conversation. Boomingham knows Erdy now (well enough at least to use that nickname) and he likes her well enough, even with her odd sense of humor. But it is Em who takes him up on his offer. Over the last few weeks Em and he had talked vaguely of their travels, but the conversations had been mostly minimal. Em barely talked under normal circumstances. "Cheers." Boomingham takes a sip of his drink. "Warms you right on up, doesn't it? You prepared for landfall? I know I, for one, am glad to get off this wretched boat. Might be able to keep a meal in me for more than an hour or two. Though from what I gather we won't be greeted with one."

They also look exactly the same unless I'm utterly insane. EDIT: I'm slowly moving towards backgrounds with all white light, but like Sandy said, you need a ton of sun for it.

Was about to clarify, but yes, had to go back and read myself - I thought I covered my tracks, but wanted to be sure. It'd be embarrassing if I didn't, then the whole fight in 102 would not be justified even a little.

OoC: I apparently neglected to take an avatar picture for Deborah! That will be fixed once the sun is up once more! "Like Heweyrt said, we've known each other for a long time." She shrugs heavily and her armor clangs. "He's a bit of an megablocks and he's too showy for my taste, but it doesn't mean he's a bad guy. And he's not at all what he seems. Keep an eye on him. He may sound like an idiot who likes to run off his mouth, but he's really quite cunning. I have yet to outsmart him. Ever. His mind is always two steps ahead of you down any road you can think up." She smiles savagely. "And he's got a whole lot more affection than he lets on. He likes heroes, for example. Loves poking fun of them, sure, but he likes them well enough too, in that big old heart of his."

"I could not take it. But that is a mote point, as I would not take it. I would offer you the chance to flee, but the Red Death has already sealed your fate by sealing mine. It isn't fair, but neither is anything." Russel and Pigley look to Nerwen for guidance. This is, after all, the Phoenix Essence they owe her. "Should we save her, m'lady? Alexis, that is! Not the Red Assassin!"

Heweyrt counts off on his fingers as Hybros lists secret organizations. "Hm, maybe, maybe, maybe. See, this part isn't so much valuable on it's own. Like Daneeka said, there are some who would rather the past die a quiet death. It's those people we must watch out for." Heweyrt considers things for a few seconds. "Always." Daneeka nods as Ellaria whispers. Apparently his hearing is better than imps, ogres and humans. "It's not much of a secret that heroes rarely die. I have worked alongside heroes on three ventures. None of them have perished. I have heard talk of many more ventures here in Eubric and abroad. In very few stories do heroes die. An investigation had to be launched. Once one finds the time that heroes stopped dying - three years ago - and align with that the induction of the Valkyrie to the ranks of your Veterans, you need only read a book or two to know what happened. Knowledge is king. Are you ready to depart?" "Wait wait wait!" cries Heweyrt. "Don't forget." He turns to the heroes. "As much as I value your help, heroes, and as much as I trust you and your ability, I'm also not sold on your ability and also not sure I trust you. Or at least there are others that I trust and believe in more. I brought one of them along." Out from behind one of the piles of old inventions steps a armor clad woman!! "Hel's nips, took you long enough. I was getting bored back there." "Pretty snazzy entrance though, wasn't it, heroes?" Heweyrt beams. "Anyway, this lovely lady is Deborah Bryce, aka the Golden Warden. Because she's just golden, and, you know, a warden. Anyway, her and I have been friends for years, and so she's agreed to help me out on this little venture." "That is all. You may go now. We will see you shortly. The power source is waiting for you at the Tritech Headquarters just outside the city." The heroes step back on to the street, Deborah in tow.