Zepher

OoC: I need a final call from you, Purpearl! I know Matthias said you moved forward and you'd deal with Peter later, but you get the final say. Do you want to attack the snake, go talk to Peter, go into the Mansion, throw Pigley into a lake to see if he'll float? Please bold the party's next move, and we'll be on our way!

Boomingham shrugs. "Just came in for a bite to eat. I know we can order that out there, but really, this is much more direct. Got anything good?" Boomingham glances around and finds that the kitchen, same as the storage closet and the hallway, is strangely devoid of guards of any sort.

"I don't turn down a fight!" exclaims the crab, "But I also don't attack the weak or peaceful. I have no quarrel with the snake, except I heard us promise that we'd attack him, for Sir Peter, and I never break a promise so I think we should attack the snake, but only if the snake attacks first! But it won't if we go deal with Sir Peter. But in that case we're kind of breaking our word. And I don't break my word, unless I have a very good reason to." Russel Ruffers is clearly entirely unsure of what to do, and is talking in circles. Pigley snorts at Matthias and at his friend. "Morality, ethics - they're too high of concepts for me. I don't care what we do." He snorts again. "I believe in believing in things, either. I believe that people who do always end up breaking what they stand for anyway." He snorts a third time. "But I don't like fighting if I don't have to, and the snake doesn't want to fight, so I don't want to fight it. If Peter doesn't want to fight either, I won't fight him, and if he does, I guess I'll have to."

"What exactly are we debating? I've seen Heroicans murder humans left and right, but as soon as a snake and frog get into a disagreement there's a vote?" XX chuckles. "Some people." "Russel Ruffers is not one to break his word, and now we've promised the snake one thing and Sir Peter another! I'm beginning to suspect we can't uphold both promises... I hope you know what you're doing, heroes!" "The blind are leading the blind." The snake speaks up. "I will allow you passssssssage, yesssssssssssss. But you will have to deal with the frog for me. Will you do thisssssssss now, or after you have emerged?"

"I always attempt to draw out my foes in such a manner! There is no honor in a stab in the back!" "It's just a snake," says XX mildly, with a sneer, as Matthias hops around in a terrified manner. "I thought you were a big bad cannon wielding gnome." "I will not jusssssst leave. Thisssssss isssssss my home. Why sssssssshould I go? Who am I harming?" "I cannot sssssspeak on Hissvetia's behalf, sssssssshe is a goddesssssss and I am a mere sssssssnake. But if you are brave enough to crawl through the darknesssssssss I will not ssssssstop you. Thissssss issssss my home, but it isssssss anyone'ssssss land. I believe that Olegia belongsssssss to all." The snake stops for a moment. "The gnome hassssss threatened me. I do not wisssssssh to retaliate, but it doesssssss remind me. A frog named Ssssssssir Peter the Sssssssolid hasssss found me at my home and hasssssss harasssssed me for dayssssss. If you can make him promisssssssse to leave me alone, passssssage issssss yoursssssss. I do not like violence. I have not fought him sssssave for sssssself defenssssse, and even that makesssss me ssssssad. I cannot get him out of the area, but I want him gone sssssso I may live in peace."

I mean change them in a significant way - our quests won't lead to a split in the Hinckwells, for example, even if it threatens it. Even before the quest begins the heroes know that can't be the ending. BUT you're right in saying that it's a little narrow minded of me to phrase it the way I did - all quests do change the environment of the game, of course! And I have never heard you say that before, as far as my knowledge goes (which, as we discussed days ago, isn't always perfect) but that is incredibly incredibly encouraging! It sounds difficult to hear what we have to say and tie it all together, but I am absolutely certain it will make for a better finale. Thank you for letting us (or just me, in the case that everyone else already knew that ) know!

"I am a worssssshipper of Hissssssvetia. What do you want with me?"

It's been around for a while! I don't think I'll ever love a little critter more than I love Poletad, because he was the first and bravest, but I'm having fun with the others as well.

Sir Peter the Solid leads the way. Matthias haltingly translates Purpearl's question. "I've never been inside the mansion either. I haven't seen that much activity in it over the last few weeks while I've been here, but people come in and out once in a blue moon. No guards at the moment!" "The snake isn't Hissvetia herself, just a worshipper. Hissvetia is the sworn foe of Amphibianoc. She is the Snake Goddess of Death. She lives under the ground, which is why you bury your dead. Most snakes worship her, because they are her kin, and they come from the ground too. That is why most snakes are dark evil dark creatures." The heroes see the little archway up ahead, and the frog stops. "Best of luck!" he calls out. The heroes approach the drain, trying to be quiet, but Russel accidentally falls off of Pigley's back and the pig steps on him before he realizes what is happening. The pair start to loudly curse/apologize. When they regain their composure, there is a snake ahead of the party, hissing at them. "Who disssssssssturbs my sssssssslumber?" it hisses, not in an unfriendly way, more like it is groggy and has just been woken up.

Keep reiterating it! You may not have noticed, but the amount of enemies I have that are immune to all negative effects have radically gone down since you told me to lower the number of immunities. That being said (what I said earlier about how they're going down) I agree with Sandy too, balancing is tough, and immune to all negative effects certainly has it's place! I think that's a kind of bad argument. You could say that for any effect. Sadly, the main story line of Heroica is entirely Sandy's work (though it's very good work at that), but there are other quest arcs that are fun to follow, even though they'll have absolutely no effect on the ending and are not allowed to change Olegia/Eubric/Heroica in any way.

"Hello there! My name is Sir Peter the Solid. I am one of the Frog Paladins!" Russel Ruffers stops battling the wall and joins the conversation. "I know the Frog Paladins," he says. "Sir Peter, you say?" "And you're Russel Ruffers. I saw you, briefly, during your stay with our High Priest." "Ah, yes, I remember," says Russel, clearly not remembering Peter, "good to see you again! These people with me are heroes of Heroica. I'm sure you've heard of them." "Sir Poletad never stops talking about them. Anyway, as I was saying..." The frog croaks, clearing his throat. "There is a way into the mansion. One of the drains for the house is not included in the protection spell - just a flaw in the make-up, I think. It will be easy for you guys to crawl in. Except..." he clears his throat again, building up the anticipation, "the drain is guarded by a fearsome snake, a well-known Hissvetia. It's actually what I was sent here to clean up, but I'm having some trouble. So, if you kill the snake and take the drain, you can get into the house. Probably shouldn't be too difficult for biggies like you!"

"Hope the chap ends up alright," says Boomingham, glancing over his shoulder at the boy. "Which way do you think we should go, Nyx? I'm assuming the others must be around somewhere and not captured or what not, but who knows, we may have missed the commotion while we were in the sewers. I promised Purple we'd get Zoe back and I highly doubt she's in a kitchen, which is what that smells like." Boomingham sniffs a few times. "On the other hand, I'm starved, and I trust Atramor and Elpis to find her. Shall we see what mysteries the kitchen holds, or what?"

I'm glad you're enjoying it! I think you can tell that the quest was originally designed with slightly different heroes in mind, but I love the curve ball these heroes have thrown me as a group! And I'm actually pretty glad to say, now that I'm thinking about it, that I don't we've ever acknowledged XX and Nyx's relationship almost at all out of character. I think it leads to a more complex and organic relationship! Especially since we don't ever know exactly how they feel about each other! Absolutely! The honor code of Heroica has never been broken in the years of the game, which is awesome! So just go for it, but don't be surprised if people start to feature your original race if they like it enough! Don't let him hear you say that! I have to agree. We have been out there a long time. The pacing of this quest is awesome because it's so different than most, but it does make it incredibly hard to guess where we are in it. EDIT: And welcome back to Siercon and Coral! You, Russel and Pigley all returned at about the same time!

Before you posted. But you should have known anyway! You don't have animal speak! You gave that up in favor of your promiscuous ways.

The frog looks at Alexis in confusion - he is not able to understand her language, she is unable to speak his.

OoC: Updated stats because it's been a while! The Heroes Purpearl Berthadhiell, the Carnival Crusader (Purpearljellyblob) *Party Leader* 180 Years Old Female Elven Mage *Evasive* *Blessed* *Inspired* *Camaraderie* Level 11 Power: 14 (Level 10 + WP 3) Health: 38/38 (Base 5 + 9 Levels + 4 Bonus) Ether: 16/17 (Base 5 + 9 Levels + 2 Bonus) Gold: 83 (Owes Karie 25 gold) Equipment: Crimson Arcanon (Wand WP:3), Tunic of Elven Acrobat (+4 HP, Provides Evasion Effect with 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER, DAMAGE and Free Hits, torso wear), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed) Inventory: Thorny Rose (WP: 17,wood-elemental, deals the poisoned by 3 effect, mace), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, immune to fragile, suitable for suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators), Bedroll, Potion (x3), Grand Tonic (x2), Raw Sushi (Consumable, Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether), Tasty Pretzel (x2) (1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened and encouraged-effects upon consumption), Mead, Ambrosia, Bone, Tinyshroom, Level Up Mushroom, Venom, Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; accessory) Gemstones: Ruby (Fire), Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Opal, Diamond, Garnet, Sapphire, Emerald, Aquamarine Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion, Magical Staff (WP: 15; Water-, Darkness-elemental; staff), Fang Dagger (WP: 4) Alexis Fenral, Orc-kin (Masked Builder) *Immune to Blinded* *Counterstriking* *Blessed* *Camaraderie* 22 year old female elven Harlot Level 44.6 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 72/72 Gold: 1477 GP: 9 Equipment: Cat-o'-Nine-Tails (WP: 20, damage divided between all enemies, Suitable For Rouges), Ring of Sight (protects fromblinded), Counterstrike Gloves, Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed) Inventory: Steel fan (WP:20, ice-, lightning-, and darkness-elemental), 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, Smoke Bomb, 4x 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) XX Level 32.25 Cannoneer/Alchemist *Blessed* *Camaraderie* Health: 48/48 Defense: 0 Gold: 360 Equipment: XX Hand Cannon (WP: 12, Ignores SP), XX Ammo Belts (As an Alchemist, XX can only receive rolls ending in "Bomb", excluding Bravado Brew and Explosion, as a Cannonner Bomb XX and Bomb XXX are added to possible creations), Cannoneer's Sashes (The damage output of bombs consumed are added to the WP of the Cannoneer's weapon before damage calculation) Inventory: Dangerous Dagger (WP: 20, Fire-Elemental), Phoenix Essence, Mead x2, Ruby, Military Grade Fire Bomb x6, Bomb XX (Deals 30 Damage to all foes and 10 to all allies, ignoring row/SP) x2, Bomb XXX (Causes 250 damage to all enemies and 50 to all allies), Smoke Bomb, Fire Bombs (4), Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bombs (4), Water Bombs (10), Dirt Bombs (5), Air Bombs (2), Venom Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) 263 year old female Elven Paladin *Immune to Fragile* *Blessed* *Camaraderie* Level 28.33 Power bonus: 0 Defense: 16 Health: 42/47 Ether: 28/33 Gold: 15 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: Mourning Star (WP: 10; Fire-elemental; inflicts Fragile-effect; mace), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer), Axe of the Minotaur Champion (WP: 30; user is Slowed and Immune to Hastened; cannot be equipped at the same time as a shield; axe), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2, Immune to Blind), Helm of the Lord of Light (Headwear, Immunity to Light and Jinxed, Suitable for Knights), 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), • Medal of Valor (Double experience from battles, accessory), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to Sealed; bodywear), White Cloak (Max HP +3; backwear) • Topaz • No Scrolls • Phoenix Essence, Grand Tonics (3), Potions (4), Elixirs (3), Remedies (6), Tiger Balm, Neutralizer, Essence of Sorrow (50% assassination chance on non-immune target), Venom (3), Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Carrot (restores 5 HP, 10 to rabbits), Ether Core, Grand potion, Ambrosia (3) • Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass Matthias the Carnival Crusader (nstickney) Level 10.5 Ranger *Immune to Bound, Slowed* *Blessed* *Camaraderie* Power Bonus: 1 Defense: 0 Health: 15/15 Gold: 68 Equipment: Fireball Extraordinaire (Hand Cannon, WP:5, also hits enemies listed above and below target, user is Slowed), Winged Sandals (Footwear, protects from Bound and Slowed effects), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed) Inventory: Steel Cutlass (Sword, WP:5, suitable for Knights or Rogues), Sword of the Red Lizard (Longsword, WP:10, fire-elemental), Grimmau's Clothespin (Headwear, prevents the first negative effect inflicted on the wearer during a battle), Grand Potion, Grating Stone, 2x Mead, Phoenix Essence, Remedy, Smelling Salts, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Dapper Hat (wearer has a 1/6 chance of being Encouraged at the start of any battle), Quickdraw Quiver (permanent hastened-effect, suitable to Rangers), Fang Dagger (WP: 4) Russel Ruffers & Sir Pigley Level 17 Rogue *Hastened* *Blessed* Power: 43 Health: 31/31 Defense: 4 Gold: 291 Equipment: Crabspirator (WP: 16, deals the Blinded effect, darkness elemental, longsword), Crab Shell Armor (Body Wear, +4 Max Health, 4 SP), Pigley (+4 Power, +4 Max Health, Hastened, Not an Artifact), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed) Inventory: Rebel's Sword (Longsword, WP: 11) The heroes march through the moonlight towards Lord Chauncey's Mansion. A good while away from the entrance Russel, who is leading the pack, starts to walk in place. He leans forward a little, putting his back into it, but he can't make any progress. The heroes try their luck. It is like walking into a very soft fluffy concrete impenetrable wall. There is no pain, but there's also no passing. "Magic is cowardly!" proclaims Russel all of a sudden, and begins to parry the invisible wall in an invisible fight with his visible sword. The others have little hope that he will manage to hack his way through. "Hey," says a voice from no where that only Nerwen and Matthias can hear. The heroes look around. "But I can help you out if you help me out." The heroes look down at their feet.

I feel that Heckz needs to be highlighted as a character. I think a lot of people are too concerned with making their character likable either through good intentions (this includes a "secret heart of gold" characters) or through being so bad-@ss that it doesn't matter their intentions. But Heckz is a pretty awful person, with no hidden heart of gold, and he's not brutally a-moral but more light-heartedly amoral. And I love it. He's probably my favorite character to read. Look at how much that above post does! -It focuses on his love of good looks, and his hatred of bad looks (a unlikable characteristic, but still hilarious). -It still makes him LOOK like he's upset for killing Lyren's friend, when really he's only wet-eyed because of the bad looks - aware of the situation, but making fun of it through narration and the lens of his character. It plays off of how he should react versus how he is reacting: he's doing the right motions for the wrong reasons. -It AGAIN further plays up that idea, as he only pretends to be Heroica for Drucuilla. -It also builds his relationship with her, and reinforces what we know about them. -And THEN he takes a jab at his poorly educated character, which is something we simply don't have enough variety of in this game. Most characters have excellent memory and are well educated, but that's not the way the world is, and we ignore that diversity (again, we want our character to be likable/awesome, and we don't generally associate ill-educated with either of those things). Heckz/CutCobra does it in a manner only Cronk was brave enough to try in the past. And it all does that in only four lines. Just thought I'd publicly commend Heckz/CutCobra, if only to let him (them?) know that I really appreciate the work he's (they've?) been doing.

Raising an eyebrow and sneering: "I liked that part about fire." "It was quite the experience! I am, of course, an expert horseback rider! They are incredibly noble animals." "It brought me, I think, a little bit closer to death than I have been in a while. Those Hell Horses move fast - falling off one could have been the end of me. But aren't we all near death at all times, so what's the fear, I guess." XX takes a quick look at the Fireball. "It's a beauty, I'll give you that. Never undervalue old and trustworthy. And, Hel, if it goes boom, which is seems to, you're doing pretty damn well. Tell me if you want to trade the two for a battle at some point. I like trying new things out." "Well, now that we've had our drinks, let's be on our way? I want to go see this guy's castle and see if we can't rough it up and get in."

That's a good way to phrase it! We can hardly ever tell where our characters will end up even one year down the line - the game happens to them, and they change. Also, I know it was a while ago, but I wish people would stop hating on the early relationships of the game! They were great! Worried new heroes in the Hall, falling into relationships too early, and then having them fizzle out in strange ways - that's an honest story, in my eyes, and would serve as great character motivation/shame/funny memories if everyone would just acknowledge them and stop hiding from them. Probably reminded because we began discussing Alexis again.

I absolutely agree! I love it both from enemy creation stand-point (awesome way to balance for high SP heroes without being game breaking or impossible) and from player stand-point (makes battles more fun, and I'm hell of a lot more excited to get those hits in)! I'm not sure how I feel about allowing it to carry over to blessed and transcended - it could be very broken if somas cost as much as they do. I'd be willing, however, to allow 102 to be a test case, and see what people think of it afterwards.

Thank you! It's a small buff, and it does something we don't really have filled quite yet, and I think/hope it embodies the drink that Pandora so wonderfully added to our game.

Alexis speaks to the thin air because Nerwen was the only one to step outside with Jules. Luckily, however, Jules is stepping back indoors as Alexis speaks, and hears her, though his response is of little use. "I am far to busy to keep tabs on everyone in this town. Lord Chauncey travels a lot, for all I know he isn't even in his mansion. Probably why he protects it so carefully, considering how often he's away." OoC: I know it's a weird thing to be a stickler about, but please attempt to be aware of the space you're occupying. It let's me know you're paying attention, and in some quests (93, 100 right now) your location in relationship to other players does matter. Sorry! "An old bastard named Blackenord helped out a little. He's dead now, though. Some lady I know fried his insides." Matthias scans the bar, finding only that one exit they came in through, and finding all the patrons sitting, staring fixedly at their drinks, because they never ever move. XX watches as the heroes all order Flaming Gumballs at the behest of Nerwen. He smirks slightly to himself, bites his tongue, and almost does something that one might consider blushing if they don't know how callous and awesome he is. He then orders a Flaming Gumball himself, clumsily clinks his glass against Matthias' and Nerwen's, and drinks it. The heroes, sharing the drink, feel camaraderie for each other.

"If you'll excuse me... Miss," says Boomingham as he quickly walks past Nyx, having apparently again forgotten her code name. He draws his Frozen Saber swiftly as he can and brings the blunt side down on the boy's head, hopefully knocking him out but not killing him... hopefully before he leaves the room.

"They've mentioned me? They are too kind!" "I don't recall mentioning him." "Stuff it, Ruffers." But, luckily, Jules cannot understand the animals, and so Nerwen's words of praise bloat his ego appropriately. "Yes, please, step outside with me. I know how difficult Lord Chauncey can be to find - he financed our play and yet didn't even come to watch it!" Jules and Nerwen step outside, which gives XX the opportunity to laugh at the vain man and make his way over to the bar. "He lives right up there!" The dying rays of the sun catch the sides of an enormous and oppressive mansion sitting high on a hill at the edge of town. Nerwen is shocked that the heroes didn't see it previously, but perhaps that too is part of it's mystique, magic, and charm. "It will be a chore to get into the house, however - it is protected by incredibly strong magic, and Lord Chauncey must give you a seal of approval for you to get inside, and even those are only one time uses! If you're hoping to see him, I think you'll have to find some alternative route in, or wait for him outside or something. I don't have a mind for that sort of thing. Mine is more of the artistic bent." Matthias, meanwhile, makes his way over to the bar alongside XX. "Seems you and I think alike." "What can I get for you?" asks the Bar Tender. -Rum (5 gold) -Cider (5 gold) -Mead (10 Gold) -Flaming Gumball (10 Gold) -Hurricane (15 Gold) -Nostrum (50 Gold) -Mulled Wine (100 Gold)

As I said, my memory isn't the best either, so we may be discussing something that never happened. But yeah, it's exciting to see it being tried out, and I absolutely agree it shouldn't work indoors, or be implemented as standard procedure! The more options we have to pull from, the better, and the more varied battles will be! I don't know, maybe you intended it to be a mystery. I figured you'd catch it, just wanted to make sure! The QM decides. Picking the right party is a huge part of hosting a quest - balancing for different levels is challenging, and certain quests may offer better/worse RP for certain players. And there are certain QMs who are fans of certain characters, and certain players who are fans of certain QMs (as has already been pointed out by Pala).