Zepher

I think I'm going to wait for one of my quests to conclude (or get close to concluding at least) before I hop in with another character, but mine's coming along soon! ALSO thank you Kinto for another lovely banner!!

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* (Party Leader) Level: 30.75 Power Bonus: 1 (6 in front row) * Defense: 0 Health: 52/52 (7+30+12+3*) Ether: 33/33 (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), Sterile Gloves (grants immunity to poisoned- and bleeding-effects, handwear), 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 Assassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear) • 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, 2 Meads, 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 • 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 *Favors Demons and Humanoid enemies* *Immune to Fragile, Blinded, and Confused* *Gains 3x experience* Power Bonus: +2 WP Defense: 8 Health: 50/50 Gold: 53 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. 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* Level: 31 Power: 47 Defense: 8 Health: 42/42 Ether: 43/43 Gold: 252 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 Ellaria Arbour (Sandy) 23 years old female human Druid Level 27 2/3 *Immune to Sealing, Poisoned and Bleeding* *Ignis Fatuus: permanently poisoned by 15* Power: 39 (27+12) Defense: 7 (3+4) Health: 43/43 (9+26+7+1) Ether: 39/39 (5+26+5+1+2) Gold: 63 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, 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 The party talks jovially as they march down the streets. Hybros leads the way to Daneeka's workshop - a place he visited long long ago to save a man from his own dreams. The converted warehouse is a large wooden structure, with only a small door on one side as the entrance. The heroes knock, but no answer comes, so they bravely open the door and step inside. ​The place is even more cluttered than Hybros' previous visit. Dust hangs lazily in the air, frozen where it is, hovering for eternity. Old inventions, some of which appear to have been stripped for parts, are thrown into enormous piles everywhere. In a far corner of the warehouse, the heroes can hear voices. They carefully pick their way through the mess and come across two figures discussing things over some wine. "Well well well, look what we have here! Are people normally allowed to just let themselves into your shop, Daneeka?" "These are the heroes I hired. I am certain if I had been polite and answered the door, they would not currently be intruding. I got lost in my conversation." Doc turns to the heroes and rattles off their names in his tinny monotone voice: "Hybros, it is good to see you again, Nyx, the same to you - Skrall, no last name, Ogre Hunter, and Ellaria Arbour, the human druid. You will all serve nicely. I have great faith in Heroica." "As do I, sorry. Just ribbing you earlier. Names Heweyrt, no last name," Heweyrt winks at Skrall. "Your pals really saved my big behind up in the high kingdoms, so hopefully you're just as competent as Hoke and Lizardman and what's-her-name-calmy. Anyway, shall we kick this thing off? Daneeka, you have more experience than I do. We brief them, right?" "Yes. Heroes, I am a man of science and exploration. You know this. Recently I assisted the Princess Ella Septrine of Dastan retrieve an ancient book from below the sea. It is an old book with many secrets. We have been in correspondence ever since." Daneeka glances around, taking in the room. It is impossible to tell if he is embarrassed by the clutter. "My race is old. I myself am seven hundred fifty seven years old. We knew of Nu Mercution when it lived. And even that civilization, which seems so long gone, had histories and myths of it's own. There is no end to the past. It keeps going deeper and deeper." "Hey, Doc, let's get to the good part. These are heroes, not scholars. Just tell them what to kill and what to loot." "Within the book of the Prophetess and the Warrior, there is an old fable of a battle between the Paladin Order of old and their foes, a strange demon force." Daneeka wheezes metallically, and it takes the heroes a few seconds to realize it is a sigh. "I have found, in my life time, that demons are often mislabeled. There are creatures of Zoot - those are demons. Then there are "others" - those are not demon. I myself have a fascination with species dead or dying. I am intrigued by the Dastan Dragons, by the Norns, by my own species. When a species dies, it takes many secrets with it. Ella says that the Paladins of old admitted to not knowing if their foes were true demons." "There's a supposed library and little city near the place where this battle between the Paladins and demons took place. If we could find it-" "Supposedly it is on the outskirts of Nu Mercution. Not the main city, but the far distance. We live over the remnants of the capital. The outskirts of the city would be below the sea." Daneeka pauses. Clearly there may be questions before he gives the heroes their exact assignment.

OoC: I'm running the round assuming Alexis will follow the plan and that she would consent to the battle order! Also, knew I should have left her at her original health from 72, but I got soft. "How do you heroes choose who to protect?" Avery asks in a bored voice, at the ready to dodge any attack coming her way. She eyes the angel wearily, but it is clear she knows to not push her luck in front of it. "If you would protect sinless people, I'd never have to kill you. But it's too late for you now, I can only hope the next set of heroes will be smarter." Round Two Assassin Assault Nerwen v. Avery - Guardian Angel/Miss (Guardian Angel) Samuel uses a Phoenix Essence on Alexis Alexis v. Assassin - Hit (65*2=130) Midge v. Assassin - Hit (12+22=34) Matthias v. Assassin - Hit (14) Matthias v. Assassin - Hit (14) Bert v. Assassin - Special Damage (no effect) Thistlethorp heals Bert - Failure Russel & Pigley - Damage (no effect) Russel & Pigley - Critical Hit (([16*2]+18)*2=100) The heroes attack Avery, but she dodges it best she can. They're able to knick her more than once, but she is swift, and manages to avoid damage. The Enemies Avery the Red Assassin Level 58 Humanoid *Immune to all effects and Instant Kill* Health: 568/860 Special I: Mark of the Red Assassin – Instantly kills target. If target is immune to Instant Kill, the target becomes Doomed. Passive Special I: Clever Eye - On even rounds, the Red Assassin ignores SP. Passive Special II: Cloak of the Red Assassin – All damage dealt by the Red Assassin has a 1/3 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. Passive Special IV: Swift - There is a 1/X chance that Avery will assassinate (instantly kill) a random member of the party at the end of the round. X is equal to the number of heroes targeting her +1. The Heroes Alexis Fenral, Orc-kin (Party Leader) *Immune to Blinded* *Counterstriking* *Blessed* *1 Mark Counter* 22 year old female elven Harlot Level 45.4 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* Level 29.6 Power bonus: 0 Defense: 16 Health: 48/48 Ether: 27/34 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 22.3 Battle Mage *1 Mark Counter* Power Bonus: 0 Health: 21/21 SP: 0 Gold: 25 Equipment: Magnar’s Unreasonably Cruel Axe (WP: 12, Deals the Bleeding -3 Effect) Inventory: Tonic, Potion, Topaz, Ruby, Diamond, Midge's Dagger (WP: 3), Heavy Mail (Bodywear, SP: 7, Suitable for Barbarians and Knights), Helmet (SP: 1), Smelling Salts Samuel the Doubly Blessed Level 15.5 Paladin *Immune to Light, Darkness, Blinded, Asleep, Confused, and Jinxed* Power Bonus: 0 Health: 22/22 Ether: 15/16 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 12.5 Ranger *Blessed* *Hastened* *Encouraged* *2 Mark Counters* Power Bonus: 1 Defense: 0 Health: 17/17 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, 2x Mead, 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 18.5 Rogue *Hastened* *Blessed* *1 Mark Counter* Power: 34.25 Health: 32/32 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, Phoenix Essence, Smelling Salt Private Bert Level 20 Watchman *Encouraged* 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 11.5 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

OoC: Yes, she is no longer hastened. And apologies again, I removed the dapper hat and took away encouraged because in my head you were trading it out, but you're right, it should stick with you!

"I'll try my darndest." He smiles and waves farewell to his friends, and then is left alone at the bar again.

Boomingham signs his name on a slip of paper and it poofs out of existence before poofing back into existence nearby.

Blah blah blah gold for Everlasting Venom or anyone who still has their Crimson Haze but doesn't want it.

I'm also excited! I love the heroes, and it's been a long while since I've hosted any of them (Skrall in particular I'm glad to have back in my clutches). Yup! I like it a lot more. He was also seen this way when he appeared via "story" in Quest 88.

That's why I tried to buy it. Boomingham used to be the only one to have a perma-poisoned weapon. Now I'm trying to have the strongest.

For those wondering, my anniversary "thing" is in the opening of 107. Check it out! Also, 107ers, sorry to eat up your quest, but that seemed better than a separate topic (and it's not totally tangential, promise!). Happy anniversary everyone!

-Dastan- The Great Library of Dastan dwarfs all other known Libraries in size. It is a hulking tower of knowledge, existing for so many years that no one can recall who built it to begin with. The stones have been weathered, and many have been replaced, but the knowledge - and what that knowledge stands for, an accomplishment of mortals - is the same. The Library of Dastan is currently maintained and cultivated by Emperor Alandri, though it is commonly thought among the patrons of the library that the duties will pass on to Ella Septrine when she finally takes the throne. It is not uncommon to find her sitting in one of the reading rooms scattered around the library, lost in a good read. That is, in fact, where she is now. The book in front of her is a heavy tome that she, Tarn, Arthur and Monk Pretzel uncovered from the bottom of the sea. She has donated it to the library, but hardly anyone else has gotten a turn with it, she's in there reading it so much. Currently she's flipping through a story about a story (many of the entries in the book follow the vein). The Prophetess and the Warrior were staying with the ancient Paladin Order, who, after a night of revelry, were explaining one of the myths they tell around the camp fire. A great paladin victory, defeating the demons... though now, around the camp fire, the Paladins admit that they do not know, always, who the demons are, and who the mortals. Ella's mind begins to wander. Not too far from the library stands the Palace, and she thinks, as she sometimes does, of that fateful day a few years back when her life almost ended. She had seen her own demise, and she had thought it would come to pass. But the heroes had saved her, and later Wren had failed. There is little in the world she understands. The past is a mystery, the future is a mystery, and the present is a mystery too. Her eyes grow heavy and she begins to nod off. "I'm terribly sorry to interrupt, but there's a visitor for you." "I'm not feeling well. Ella, you take this one." "Who is it, U'Voros?" "Surprise. Not usually me you're expecting, is it," says the Master. "I imagine you're closer with my sister." "I don't even know who you are," says Ella with a quiet smile. "But I will, won't I?" "That's how these things work, usually." "You're real too, aren't you? I mean, you're not just a vision. We're really talking." "We're really talking." "You must be very powerful." "I like to think so." "That water smells awful." "Yes it does. I lived near it, for a while. While your friends were in Eubric. I met the dragon baby." "And I smell earth. Where are we?" "We are going deep underground. Deep deep and deeper." "Why is it getting lighter as we go deeper?" "That's generally the way things are, isn't it?" asks Zane with a wink. "I've never shared a vision with anyone before. It's strange." "Only part of me is here anyway," says Zane. He turns to Regret. "How's it going, chum? The Magician says hullo." "Is this happening right now?" "No, you've got lots to do first. Well, everybody has lots to do first. A lot of people have a lot to do first, right? Am I right? Ha!" "But what should I do now?" "You should wake up." Ella sits in the library of Dastan. The day is still young. "I wonder what everyone is doing out there," she says looking out the window and out at the whole world. "I wonder if they're getting anything done." -Eubric- Four heroes trudge through the docks, making their way to the little workshop of Doc Daneeka. 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* (Party Leader) Level: 30.75 Power Bonus: 1 (6 in front row) * Defense: 0 Health: 52/52 (7+30+12+3*) Ether: 33/33 (30+3) Gold: 1144 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), Sterile Gloves (grants immunity to poisoned- and bleeding-effects, handwear), 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 Assassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear) • 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, 2 Meads, 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 • 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 *Favors Demons and Humanoid enemies* *Immune to Fragile, Blinded, and Confused* *Gains 3x experience* Power Bonus: +2 WP Defense: 8 Health: 50/50 Gold: 53 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. Nyx (played by Pandora) Level 30 1/4 Battle Mage *Natural Respite* *Immune to Fire, Darkness, Earth, Wind, Poisoned, Confused, Hexed, Sealed, Asleep, Fast Asleep* Power: 46 (WP 15 + Lvl 30 + 1 [High Heels]) Defense: 8 ([Robe of the Archmagi + Bright Polish] 4 + 4 [Helmet of Azzurat]) Health: 41/41 (Base 5 [Mage], +29 [per level], +5 [Advanced Class], +2 [Grand Zoot's Cookie]) Ether: 42/42(Base 5 [Mage], +29 [per level], +1 [Advanced Class], +5 [Robe of the Archmagi], +1 [Doomshroom] +1 [Doomshroom]) Gold: 382 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:14, each roll has a 1/6 chance to summon a creature to aid the hero), Lullaby Wand (WP:6 Sleep effect), Explosive Staff – WP: 12 (Does 1/2 damage to all enemies on a successful hit (normal damage to targeted enemy) and 1/2 WP damage to self on a roll of 4 (disregarding SP/row)), Healing Staff (WP: 5), Dagger of the Blue Assassin (WP: 4, Aims become Hits). 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). 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. 4 Meads, 2 Nostrums, Smelling Salts, Ambrosia, 4 Deadly Venoms, 4 Phoenix Essences, 3 Cosmic Essences (Revives a knocked out ally with full health and ether and gives them the blessed-effect), Potion, 3 Tonics, 2 Grand Tonics, Ether Core. Fire Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Rudra Bomb (100 Lightning Elemental damage to all opponents), Skadi Bomb (100 Ice Elemental damage to all opponents), 2 Chaotic Bombs (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bomb 'X2' (May be combined with a bomb to get it to ignore SP), Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned, poisoned, asleep, blinded, sealed and confused to all enemies). 2 Bedrolls, 5 Bones Ellaria Arbour (Sandy) 23 years old female human Druid Level 27 2/3 *Immune to Sealing, Poisoned and Bleeding* *Ignis Fatuus: permanently poisoned by 15* Power: 39 (27+12) Defense: 7 (3+4) Health: 43/43 (9+26+7+1) Ether: 39/39 (5+26+5+1+2) Gold: 63 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, 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[/color] Check your stats! I will reformat them a little once I know they're all correct! Welcome aboard all - that thing at the beginning is more my 3rd anniversary thing, so if you feel like skipping it, feel free! We'll get rocking and rolling as soon as you're all confirmed!

I think they should stack. But that's only because that's what I've been building my build around for the last year and a half.

Round One Assassin Assault Matthias switches Dapper Hat for Quickdraw Box Matthias uses Smelling Salts on Alexis Alexis uses Nostrum on Nerwen Ruffers & Pigley use Mead on Alexis Midge use Mead on Bert Nerwen v. Assassin - Aim/Shield (Guardian Angel Next Round) Alexis v. Assassin - Shield (Major Infection, No Effect) >Bert v. Assassin - Damage (58/2-1=28 Damage) Samuel heals Midge - Heal More (Midge Perfect Health, Bleeding Removed) Thistlethorp heals Bert - No Heal Ruffers & Pigley do nothing 1/4 chance of assassination - Successful Assassination (Alexis Assassinated) The heroes charge forward, but Avery is fast and flighty. She flies around the room, a blur of red, and Bert doesn't even know he is badly injured until seconds after it happens. Blood starts to seep down his back. Nerwen concentrates hard and prays for her guardian angel, which begins to shimmer into existence... but a little too late as, beating a quick retreat, Avery slips by Alexis and leaves a knife in the elf's ribs. "Let's get the b*tch." The Enemies Avery the Red Assassin Level 58 Humanoid *Immune to all effects and Instant Kill* Health: 860/860 Special I: Mark of the Red Assassin – Instantly kills target. If target is immune to Instant Kill, the target becomes Doomed. Passive Special I: Clever Eye - On even rounds, the Red Assassin ignores SP. Passive Special II: Cloak of the Red Assassin – All damage dealt by the Red Assassin has a 1/3 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. Passive Special IV: Swift - There is a 1/X chance that Avery will assassinate (instantly kill) a random member of the party at the end of the round. X is equal to the number of heroes targeting her +1. The Heroes Alexis Fenral, Orc-kin (Party Leader) *Immune to Blinded* *Counterstriking* *Blessed* *KO'd* 22 year old female elven Harlot Level 45.4 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 0/73 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* Level 29.6 Power bonus: 0 Defense: 16 Health: 48/48 Ether: 27/34 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 22.3 Battle Mage Power Bonus: 0 Health: 21/21 SP: 0 Gold: 25 Equipment: Magnar’s Unreasonably Cruel Axe (WP: 12, Deals the Bleeding -3 Effect) Inventory: Tonic, Potion, Topaz, Ruby, Diamond, Midge's Dagger (WP: 3), Heavy Mail (Bodywear, SP: 7, Suitable for Barbarians and Knights), Helmet (SP: 1), Smelling Salts Samuel the Doubly Blessed Level 15.5 Paladin *Immune to Light, Darkness, Blinded, Asleep, Confused, and Jinxed* Power Bonus: 0 Health: 22/22 Ether: 15/16 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: Phoenix Essence, Sword of the Warrior Priest (WP: 5, Meditates become hits), Matthias the Carnival Crusader (nstickney) Level 12.5 Ranger *Blessed* *Hastened* Power Bonus: 1 Defense: 0 Health: 17/17 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, 2x Mead, 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 18.5 Rogue *Hastened* *Blessed* Power: 34.25 Health: 32/32 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, Phoenix Essence, Smelling Salt Private Bert Level 20 Watchman *Encouraged* 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 11.5 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

I see, so it takes into consideration the new maximum health, it's not a set number. Still pretty powerful, but, tell you what - give me a cursed inflicting object, and I'll get on board. But seriously that one does seem good. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Boomingham pats Hybros on the shoulder. "Best of luck, little guy."

I like it, Swils! Alternatively, letting it stack might be a solution! Again with a 1000 HP foe, assuming you hit every other round (and that it can heal itself): 3+3+6+6+9+9+12+12=60 damage over 8 rounds. Not great, but not terrible. Maybe make it a bit higher? Cursed is -5. Over 8 rounds that would be 5+5+10+10+15+15+20+20=100. Again, not great, but certainly useful if it heals itself and you suddenly have 100 less health to worry about. Maybe it's still too weak. I do really like Swils' idea!

OoC: Guardian Angel protects against EVERYTHING. Any damage or negative effects, including assassination. The only thing it will not affect is "mark counters". You can still rack those up. "I don't like giving away stuff for free, especially to a Watchman, but I like dying even less. You've got it, Matthias."

Always protect the NPC. The NPC is king!! Remember when Pie went on a solo mission to save an NPC, and then climbed out a window instead.

OoC: I always forget to roll for those pre-battle things! Samuel got no buffs, though Matthias is indeed encouraged! Midge should have 8 SP, sorry! "Sure we can hit her! Are you sure that we should leave Crowley though? He looks... very bad." The crab shudders, and glances at the stone cold dead Morrison. "It is a great shock to to see a friend killed... we were supposed to give this Phoenix Essence to Lady Nerwen as a gift, but... we will do what you think is best." "Oh dear, do you think it is a good idea to put me in front of the person trying to kill me?! I will hang back here where it is safe and heal anyone who gets hurt."

I agree with that thing where you should quote what you're talking about. I hosted 53 and I don't even know what you're teasing Masked for, and it always makes me embarrassed because you remember my stuff better than I do, but I have to ask because I want to be in on the joke.

It effects maximum, but even so, with an enemy with 1000 HP, that will catch up quickly. The heroes would have to deal over 100 damage every round to keep "ahead" of the curse (this rarely happens). In the below example assume Uggo starts with 1000 HP. Round 1 Enemy Cursed 125 Damage Dealt Enemy Uggo McCoy *Cursed* 875/900 Round 2 Enemy Cursed 65 Damage Dealt Enemy Uggo McCoy *Cursed* 800/800 Round 3 Enemy Cursed 99 Damage Dealt Enemy Uggo McCoy *Cursed* 700/700 See what I mean? It also means that, regardless of whatever else is happening in the fight, the enemy will be defeated in 10 rounds, because it MUST be at 1 health by then. I think cursed is currently under-powered, Sandy, so I'm not against the change and not trying to make your life hard, I'm just pointing out the issue!

Since my esteemed colleagues (fellow QMs) answered and I found their responses so enjoyable, I'll also throw in my response, Em! I'd like to start my response off exactly like WBD. There is no wrong way to make a quest, there are different ways. Anything can be done well, anything can be done poorly. 1) Every single quest I've done has been railroaded. It is a necessity of the game. You can build in options, but I (personally) can't build in an option that results in two separate quests, so the choices must be minor. That doesn't mean that things can't change. NPCs of mine have stuck around for... well, an extra week or two because the party asked them to. I did not think that the heroes of 30 would be able to save Ella in time, but they chose to and succeeded - that affected both 30's ending, and the entirety of 53. Generally, if you have multiple quests, I would say allow for Quest 1 to affect Quest 2 as opposed to Quest 1 affecting Quest 1. That way, you'll have time to plan. Characters who exist/are alive because of my player's choices include: XX, Zane, Poletad, Ella (off the top of my head). Quest 92 would never exist if the heroes hadn't made a choice in 30. XX could be dead instead of Triad if the heroes had chosen differently in 53 (or both alive or both dead). Poletad wouldn't exist if Skrall didn't pick up an set piece last minute. But, getting back to linear - again, I think it has to be done. The trick is making it appealing, so that the characters pick it. Let's say they want to go from Point A to Point B, and the two are separated by the Deep Dark Woods. A friendly NPC tells the heroes that there is a trail head up a little ways, so the heroes go there, take the trail, and get to Point B. But see, they chose to do that. They weren't forced to do it. They don't feel shoved, they feel like they made a choice. They chose to listen to the NPC, and chose to take the path. In 102 I just told the heroes that Chauncey had a manor in R'Klif. They declared they wanted to go there. It's the difference between saying "here's some helpful information, do something with it" and saying "go here now". Create it organically, build it into the story. Get it? 2) Freedom is sort of covered above. Let characters do whatever. They will likely not be dicks about it and if you hint they should do something, they'll do it. We're all humans and friends here. If my questees know I want them to do something, they help me out and do it. But don't put them in a box. Their actions should be free. If they take the woods instead of the path, punish them with a grueling battle (they chose it, after all). They are free. 3) Again, as WBD said, balance. And it's tough. 4) Impossible battles are fine. The heroes should be able to wipe the floor with snakes by now, but they should also still be deathly afraid of trained expensive assassins. I don't know how I feel about "impossible" (once in a blue moon is fine, I know I've done it MORE than once in my many quests) but incredibly challenging never hurt anyone. Just know the effect it will have on them. 5) Not a huge fan of hidden specials. Maybe once in a blue moon, again. Endgame has done it. He has good battles, I'm told. 6) I'm going to disagree with WBD here (for a change). I find that a medium size of medium strength enemies works very well as a challenge. CMP does it well, and Flipz has been doing a nice job too. 84 had balanced fights and the heroes were generally up against the same number of foes as there was in the party. Boss fights can be tough sometimes because with only one enemy there's only one target, and that's less strategizing and the battle changes very little round to round. I'd say 8 boss fights in a row would tire people out. 7) It depends how many memorable voices you can create. 8) Try it out. There is no wrong way to do things. We'll only know if we test stuff out. 9/10) People will go on quests. Don't be afraid.

The only issue I can see is cursed: it greatly destroys the need for poisoned and bleeding. A low leveled foe might have 100 health now a days - that's losing ten health a turn with cursed. A higher level foe might have 1000 - that's 100 health per turn!!

The heroes, having discovered multiple cracks in their defenses in the safe house, decide to do absolutely nothing about them and go to sleep instead. Midge attempts to cover for the heroes' mass incompetence by taking up a seat on the trap door. Alexis and Midge take the first watch, along with a nervous but smiling Morrison. "I got some," Midge tells her as he uncorks a bottle. They pass it back and forth for a short time, watching the silent night go by. All of a sudden, Midge cries out in pain and shock. The heroes spring up! "F*cking!" cries Midge, hopping up and ripping open the trap door. A knife is embedded in it, shoved up from below. Midge is bleeding out of the back of his left leg. In the darkness, there is no one. Before the heroes can finish their investigation of the door, there is a whistling sound something flying through the air! A dagger passes through the obvious and incredibly dangerous crack in the stone wall that Matthias looked out on the street through. It catches Morrison in the throat. His eyes widen, and that is the last thing he does in his entire life because moments later he topples over, dead beyond dead. The heroes don't even have time to consider that new development! Through the hole in the roof - something the heroes didn't even consider, but how would all that moonlight getting in through a solid roof? - comes a blur of red robe: a Red Assassin. She lands on Crowley, sinking a dagger into his back. He falls to the floor, and she looks at the heroes, lips tight, eyes cold. "I'm here for Thistlethorp. But you all have to die now," she says curtly. The Enemies Avery the Red Assassin Level 58 Humanoid *Immune to all effects and Instant Kill* Health: 860/860 Special I: Mark of the Red Assassin – Instantly kills target. If target is immune to Instant Kill, the target becomes Doomed. Passive Special I: Clever Eye - On even rounds, the Red Assassin ignores SP. Passive Special II: Cloak of the Red Assassin – All damage dealt by the Red Assassin has a 1/3 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. Passive Special IV: Swift - There is a 1/X chance that Avery will assassinate (instantly kill) a random member of the party at the end of the round. X is equal to the number of heroes targeting her +1. The Heroes Alexis Fenral, Orc-kin (Party Leader) *Immune to Blinded* *Counterstriking* *Blessed* 22 year old female elven Harlot Level 45.4 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* Level 29.6 Power bonus: 0 Defense: 16 Health: 48/48 Ether: 27/34 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 22.3 Battle Mage *Bleeding -5* Power Bonus: 0 Health: 15/21 SP: 0 Gold: 25 Equipment: Magnar’s Unreasonably Cruel Axe (WP: 12, Deals the Bleeding -3 Effect) Inventory: Tonic, Potion, Mead, Topaz, Ruby, Diamond, Midge's Dagger (WP: 3), Heavy Mail (Bodywear, SP: 7, Suitable for Barbarians and Knights), Helmet (SP: 1), Smelling Salts Samuel the Doubly Blessed Level 15.5 Paladin *Immune to Light, Darkness, Blinded, Asleep, Confused, and Jinxed* Power Bonus: 0 Health: 22/22 Ether: 15/16 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: Phoenix Essence, Sword of the Warrior Priest (WP: 5, Meditates become hits), Matthias the Carnival Crusader (nstickney) Level 12.5 Ranger *Blessed* *Encouraged* Power Bonus: 1 Defense: 0 Health: 17/17 Gold: 20 Equipment: Peashooter (WP: 2, deals the burning by 2 effect), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), Dapper Hat (wearer has a 1/6 chance of being Encouraged at the start of any battle) 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 Mead, Remedy, Smelling Salts, 2x Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Fang Dagger (WP: 4), Ball and Chain (Chain, WP: 4), Quickdraw Quiver (permanent hastened-effect, suitable to Rangers) Russel Ruffers & Sir Pigley Level 18.5 Rogue *Hastened* *Blessed* Power: 34.25 Health: 32/32 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, Phoenix Essence, Mead, Smelling Salt Crowley Level 6 Cleric *KO'd (will die permanently at end of round)* Power Bonus: 0 Health: 15/15 Ether: 9/9 Equipment: Mourning Star (WP: 10; Fire-elemental; inflicts Fragile-effect; mace), White Cloak (Max HP +3; back wear) Inventory: Tonic Private Bert Level 20 Watchman Power Bonus: 10 Health: 33/33 Defense: 1 Equipment: City Watch Halberd (WP: 6), City Watch Helmet (SP: 1) Inventory: Mead, Grand Potion Private Thistlethorp Level 11.5 Cleric Power Bonus: 10 Defense: 2 Health: 20/20 Gold: 47 Equipment: Staff (WP: 4), Town Watch Helmet (SP: 2) Inventory: Potion x2, Remedy, Tonic, Elixer OoC: Red Assassins are tough. Good luck guys!

And I'm posting a quest. I should probably get some stuff ready for a fun intro or something.