Zepher

OoC: You're hastened, which allows speedier movement through zones, yes! And I'd imagine that horses are able to be mounted/dismounted, though it will take as many turns as an artifact would! We are ready to run this ASAP. We're just waiting for Pie to be online.

We discussed it and chose that quest on purpose.

"I think I'll be of best service in the very center of the bridge." Heweyrt (Non-Combatant NPC) Heweyrt has a 1/2 chance of encouraging someone Heweyrt has a 1/3 chance of making someone lucky Heweyrt has a 1/6 chance of inspiring someone (Takes orders from Hoke) "I'm here. Nerwen, I'm at your side, hehehe. Seems you need it most." Gocklo *Immune to Hexed* *Cannot Mimic Blessed* Male kobold Mime Level 52.6 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 53/53 Ether: 53/53 Equipment: Witchbane (WP: 20, deals badly poisoned, dagger), Loincloth (Immune to Hexed) Inventory: Ruby, Deci (Throwing Knife, WP: 14), Nona (Throwing Knife, WP: 14), Morta (Throwing Knife, WP: 14) Nerwen's Horse: 3/3 User is Perma-Hastened The horse has a 50% chance to draw damage to itself instead of Nerwen Praying over the amulet has no effect. Apparently it functions the way it functions. OoC: I'm sorry, I appreciate the effort, but I don't like morphing the effects of an artifact!

"Like I said, I'm not keeping anyone on this bridge. If you want to brave that army," Heweyrt gestures towards the Orc war party that continually inches towards the bridge, "be my guest! But if not, Grishnod isn't an immediate solution." "I believe Speros helped the Nords evacuate Carn. I imagine he wants to be here, but there's a bit of a road block." Heweyrt, this time, gestures to the High Kingdoms force. "I'm sure you picked up on it, but he doesn't have the best standing with David and Raguel."

"Don't think Baltarok is welcoming any visitors at the moment."

I've got a pretty straight-forward quiet quest coming up this summer! But it will be another long one, so you may want a break with a shorter quest first! I'll announce it in more detail after 88 wraps up, but it's a little over a month away and I think it will (hopefully!) be popular!

It is draining. I host more light/fun quests, too, but you never come on them!

If you want to see it, host it yourself.

I think the Theatre is outside the real events of the world enough that we'd be okay. It'd be nice to get a new post there, eventually! It seems to have fallen the same way of the Flipz-Quest: production hell. CMP can agree as to who gets to kill off the NPCs. I kill off all of his, and he kills off all of mine. That way we don't feel any sympathy for the people we kill. We won't let that happen. There are armies out there poised to attack, they don't care if you're in the middle of a conversation or not!

"We defend the bridge. It may cost the lives of the armies gathered here, but if either crosses... then there will be more armies gathered, certainly. Even giving the bridge to either party will start a war - and whoever wins the bridge will have a much easier time winning said war than the side that doesn't."

"Do not call me ignorant. You call him a hero, but he too has allies that are monsters, and worst of all, he is not willing to do what is good and right for his people. I was taken prisoner by Grishnod. I watched loyal soldiers die around me, and then I was subjected to a dark cell with little food for over a year. What do you imagine I wish to do right now? March, alongside my son, to seek revenge for those who killed my men around me and subjected me to torture. But that is the wounds of the past, and if we can't let them go, we have no future." Heweyrt smiles shyly. "Aye. There is much talk of what has been done, but not much talk of what we will do. This bridge should stand, for the sake of the future, not be destroyed for the sake of past."

NPCs, arguing once again, CMP.

Valentino turns to look at the Orc dispassionately. "We let our cities be destroyed?! I'll let you know that my family fought in that war, and we did not lay down our swords and let our cities be destroyed. Maybe you let this city of your's be destroyed. As for your isolation - this bridge is supposed to remedy that. Yet you rise against it."

"I am led to understand that Prince Speros struck out against the Orcs after they murdered the High Kingdom General Mint. It was not the appropriate response, and I hear also that one of my best Generals was sent to stop him, but the Prince too was reacting to aggression. We must bury the hatchet of the past."

Heweyrt and Valentino, who previously milled around the corners of the group, distracted by the huge Kingdom's force on the ground, turn around and respond to a few of the subjects raised. "If my men could be reasoned with, I would. But I'm afraid that moment passed the second that an Orcish force showed itself. My son, and his... advisor, will suddenly appear to have been in the right. The Orcs are attempting to invade, again. "And then I'm sure that the Red Lizards will go and avenge their fallen in your land - it's the same cycle over and over again. We have tried to move past our history, can the Orcs not do the same? It was your aggression in our land that started this war the first time." Heweyrt snorts with laughter. "Elfie, you've got your head on wrong. I'm subject to no one here, actually, just an thinker, philosopher, innovator- who heard of a project I wished to see succeed. I am here strictly for the bridge, you're right about that, but it's because I'm a good guy with a good cause." "I apologize for not properly expressing-" "Listen, Valentino had to get home. If you were a prisoner for over a year I'm sure your head would be a little rattled. It's a little selfish to whine about not getting a good thank you in the middle of a war, isn't it? As for locking down the bridge - I never did that. Don't have the authority or the man power. Still haven't locked it down. Here-" he gestures in either direction- "you can walk off either side right now. Go ahead. I won't try to stop you. Not even a little bit. Promise. But the men on either side of this might not be so friendly as me, and I sadly don't have any sway with them." "What yoke of the High Kingdoms? I have no yoke over there. The Orcs attacked first in the Orcish War, and are poised to strike again. This bridge that we stand on was an attempt to foster trade, foster cultural understanding, foster peaceful interaction. This was a hand reaching out to them, and they have attacked us time and time again. The Orcs are not attempting to set things right, they are returning to the wrongs they've already committed and the punishments they received for them. But I am trying to move forward, not backwards." "Get my son to me, and I will try my best to make him see reason. Though, again, it appears he and Raguel will be harder to call liars now that there is a force to meet them.

OoC: One ether will be returned to her. Also, just in case it's not clear, whoever ends up with the horse will be perma-hastened, and the horse may draw some blows, as in the last battle. Heweyrt's horse is stronger than your previous horses, as well. "I think that the time for negotiations has passed. We already tried to reason with the priest. He would not listen to us." "I am sure that my ally, King Speros, has led you to believe that all the Kings of the North are warriors, but I'm afraid that isn't the case. I will stand strong and fight if I must, but I have no great combat skills of my own. I am a leader of men, not a member of the army." King Valentino looks up at the bridge. "The King that this bridge was named after, Augustus, has a famous story about the day before he died. He came down to this very river and looked over at the opposing army. It was much too large to defeat. Orcs as far as the eye could see. His generals urged a retreat, but he refused. He told them if they fled now, they would die elsewhere later. 'If we flee,' he said, 'then the Orcs will think that the Kingdoms are powerless and cowardly. We will die, tomorrow, and it will not be to win a battle, but to win a war. If we flee, then each and every soldier that the Orcs meet along the way will also flee, but if we fight, then each and every soldier will fight. They'll fight for us, and fight for their families, and fight for their home, and fight for what's right.' And the next day, he and his men were slaughtered. But he was right, and the Kingdoms did win the war, and never gave any ground due to cowardice." A war horn sounds in the High Kingdoms camp. The heroes can see figures mounting up. "Up to the bridge, heroes. It's time." "Well, someone is going to die for what they think is right today, hehehe. Just hope it's not us." The heroes climb the pylon and get to the top of the bridge, meeting the few defenders the bridge already has....

The heroes see a few figures climbing up the stairs from the Kingdom's side. They prepare to defend themselves, but spy Heweyrt, leading a few familiar faces...

OoC: Where exactly did he offer it to you? I've looked for a while, and I can't find it. Doesn't mean I don't think it's not there, just can't find it. EDIT: Did actually finally find it - was looking too closely at the end of the battles when really it was on the page following one.

Nerwen spends one ether to see if the seal responds, but it does not. Perhaps if it was a seal of Ethereth... but it is not. "You think I will not stand with you?" Valentino looks out at the army. "Where would I go, m'am? To my own men?" Valentino waves his hand at the war party. "Those are not my men. My men would not move against this bridge. These are my son's men, and the Paladin's men. I would hope that I have sway from my son... but my son has never understood my work with the bridge. He does not understand that we must make peace with the Orcs for our own good, our own growth. I know he will not slay me. But I doubt also that he will give me this force. I have been gone for a year, and for that year the bridge has been poisoned in my son's mind and in my people's minds." "What image would it give if he abandoned the bridge?" Heweyrt shrugs. "If you have a life's work, you live by it or die by it. That's the way it is, heroes." Heweyrt glances over at Valentino. "Besides, we don't know exactly how Raguel will greet him, and what agents Raguel has placed in the army." "I've never met the man. My son sent for him after I was captured. And besides... though my son loves the Lord of Light above all, I'm not of the same mind. I love my people above all. I don't need the Lord of Light to guide me. I need my own head on my own shoulders."

OoC: Conditional item use is a little silly, so I'm just letting you take them now. The Party Hoke Ablesword The Krakenwhacker and Titan Smiter (UsernameMDM) *Party Leader* Level 30 3/4 Mystic Knight *Immune to Darkness, Fragile, Weakened, Sealed, and Confused* *+3 Defense* *Lucky* *Encouraged* *Hastened* *Reinforced* *Inspired* *Blessed* Power Bonus: 4 (+4 WP) Defense: 27 30 60 Health: 100/100 Ether: 30/30 Gold: 393 Equipment: Flagpole (WP:8, +3 SP to the whole party whenever equipped, lance), Steel Buckler (SP: 20, immune to darkness), Samurai Helmet (WP: 4, immune to sealed and confused, suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors), Pugilist Gloves (+2 to power, immune Weakened), Heavy Armor (SP:5, immune Fragile), Warrior Treads (Footwear, SP: 2, Health +1) Inventory: Vintul (WP: 16; greatsword), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, causes the Bleeding effect; spear), Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory), Cultist Hat (damage vs undead), Opal (Ice), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Aquamarine (Water), Amethyst (Darkness), Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Garnet (Earth), Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep, 4x Potions, 4x Grand Potions, Remedy, 3x Phoenix Essences, 3x Mead, 3x Ether Core, x3 Dragon Scale (Grants lucky- and blessed-effects when consumed), Grating Stone, Zoot's Plaything (Special 3/4 Edition), Dirt Bomb, 2x Smoke Bomb, 3x Venom, 3x Deadly Venom, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), Level Up Mushroom, Pumpkin Bomb, Tonic, 2x Flame-Distilled Brandy, Grand Potion, Ambrosia, Helm of the Lord of Light (Headwear, Immunity to Light and Jinxed, Suitable for Knights), Phoenix Incense Tesni Hightribe, Level 34 Beserker *Restoration* *Immune to Afraid* *+3 Defense* Power: 61 Power Bonus: 0 (+3 WP) Defense: 14 17 Health: 53/53 Gold: 1517 Equipment: Qilin Blade (WP:15, damages undead, ignores row and SP; longsword), Sir Roderick’s Shield (SP:11, Immunity to afraid), Bone Claws (WP:3, SP:2; handwear), Dragon Bone Armor (SP:4, Max. Health +2; bodywear), Barbarian's Boots (Changes “Natural Respite” job trait into “Restoration”, restoring full health after every battle; suitable for barbarians, chi monks and beast warriors). Inventory: Fàelàn (WP:20, 8x damage to enemies weak to fire, fire-elemental longsword)), Mellt (WP:10, ice- and lightning-elemental; hammer), Cysgodion (WP:14, darkness-elemental; greatsword), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, light-elemental; longsword), Cryfder (WP:6),Party Maracas (WP:4, user is hastened, instrument), Rebel's Dagger (WP: 5), 2 Shackles of War (prevents all fleeing, accessory), Red Dragon Plume (artifact, accessory, immunity to Weakened and Fire, suitable to Barbarians, Knights, Skirmishers, Winged Warriors), King's Crown (Headwear, protects against Doom and Petrified, Suitable for all classes), Scroll of Sleep, Tiger Balm, Elixir, 2 Phoenix Essences, 5 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 4 Meads, 3 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Soma, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bright Polish, Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning, Mod Rod (WP:10, causes the afraid-effect; lightning-elemental staff suitable for staff members only). Mulled Wine, 3 Potions, 3 Remedies, Sharp Axe (WP: 14, Ice/Fire Elemental), Potion Benji Carvenhall, the Dragonslayer Level 38 3/4 Beastwarrior *Natural Respite* *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened Effects* *+3 Defense* *Immune to Ice and Water* *Beast Form* Power: 54 (36+16) Defense: 9 12 (3+6) Health: 64/64 (6+34+15+6) Gold: 862 (owes 500 to Alexis Fenral) Equipment: Meduiak (Precision Bow; WP:16; AIM's become HIT's; darkness-, ice-, fire-, wind- elemental), Medal of Glory (accessory, mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, immunity to asleep, blinded, confused, fragile, and weakened effects), Overkill Gloves [borrowed from Galen] (handwear, +1 gold for every point of damage done extra when defeating an enemy), Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (SP:6, backwear, suitable for Ranger and Barbarian Oriented Classes and Beast Warriors), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3, Bodywear, Immunity to Ice and Water, Suitable for Barbarians, Beast Warriors and Regulators) Inventory: Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:15; earth-, wood-, water-, lightning-, light-elemental), Brown Dragon Girdle (bodywear, power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors), Ratmancer's Cowl (headgear, the wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin), Trickster's Mask of the Gender Swap (artefact, accessory), Health Core (5), Grand Potion (5), Potion (3), Remedy (6), Phoenix Essence (5), Phoenix Incense, Dragon Scales (3), Nostrum (4), Smelling Salts (3), Mead (5), Mulled Wine (3), Venom, Smoke Bomb (3), Skeleton Decoy, Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb 2x, Water Bomb, Bone, Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel, Puglist's Gloves (Handwear, +2 Power, Immune to Weakened Effect), Chaotic Bomb, Cosmic Essence, Flame-Distilled Brandy (4), Ambrosia, Grating Stone, Tricorne (headwear, SP:3) Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) Level 25 1/3 Paladin *+3 Defense* *Immune to Fragile* *Lucky* *Encouraged* *Hastened* *Reinforced* Power bonus: 0 Defense: 16 19 38 Health: 46/46 Ether: 27/31 Gold: 310 Equipment: Magical Staff (WP: 15; Water-, Darkness-elemental; staff), Seal of the Warrior Priestess (Accessory, Suitable for Paladins, 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), White Cloak (Max HP +3; backwear), Orc Barbed Shield (SP: 11), Heavy Armor (SP:5, Immune to Fragile) 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), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2, Immune to Blind), Mourning Star (WP: 10, Fire-Elemental, Inflicts Fragile), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to Sealed; bodywear), • Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; Immune to Water; accessory), • Opal, Topaz, Diamond, Garnet, Sapphire, Emerald • Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion • Grand Tonics (4), Potions (3), Elixirs (3), Remedies (5), Potion, Tiger Balm, Neutralizers (1), Essence of Sorrow (50% assassination chance on non-immune target), Venom, Fire Bombs (2), Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bombs (2), Water Bombs (2), Dirt Bombs (2), Air Bombs (2), Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Carrot (restores 5 HP, 10 to rabbits), Bright Polish, Ether Core, Grand potion, Phoenix Essence, Venom, Ambrosia • Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass Jess Islanti (Sisco) Level 22 2/3 Assassin *Immune to Weakened Effect* *+3 SP* Power Bonus: 2 Health: 34/34 Defense: 3 Gold: 623 Equipment: Blohdhurm (WP: 14)(Fire elemental, Permanently Poisoned), Pugilist's Gloves (+2 to Power, immune to the Weakened Effect), Medal of Honor (Accessory, User Gains Triple Experience) Inventory: 2 Venoms, 3 Meads, 3 Grand Potions, Mulled Wine, 13 Potions, 9 Remedies, 4 Phoenix Essences, 5 Flame-Distilled Brandy, Smelling Salts, Nasal Helmet (SP: 1, Headwear) Gocklo *Immune to Hexed* *Cannot Mimic Blessed* Male kobold Mime Level 52.6 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 53/53 Ether: 53/53 Equipment: Witchbane (WP: 20, deals badly poisoned, dagger), Loincloth (Immune to Hexed) Inventory: Ruby, Deci (Throwing Knife, WP: 14), Nona (Throwing Knife, WP: 14), Morta (Throwing Knife, WP: 14) The party travels throughout the night... and arrives at the bridge the next morning. The Orcs have also apparently been amassing over the evening, as the heroes can see a war party not quite on the opposite bank, but coming over the hills. The war camp they previously defended in totally abandoned. To their right, from the east, they can see banners and horses running around. The High Kingdoms is amassing a force as well. The base of the pylon is noticeably quiet. Only two figures, talking in hushed voices, stand there. Heweyrt turns to grin at the heroes. "Ah, knew you'd make it, if only barely in the nick of time. Heroes, this is King Valentino, who's release I had absolutely nothing to do with, of course." "Heroes." Heweyrt looks at the amassing army to the east. "It looks like Raguel doesn't plan to stand down. Too bad about that." He glances around. "And Hamilton and Speros never quite made it back... things aren't looking too hot for us, are they?" "Looks a lot like a hack and slash, operation, hehehe." "I don't understand what happened to my kingdom in my absence. When I left, they were a noble people, prepared to leave the past behind them. But perhaps I was just lying to myself. Blinded by my own views." "Religious zeal, that's what happened." "Gocklo." Heweyrt shoots him a look. "I'm sure there are still men who are prepared to look past the past, Valentino. This bridge will be a success, assuming that we can stop the Orcs and Paladins from tearing each other apart, and that the bridge itself is still standing at the end of the day." "Heroes, the bridge is the prime objective. Without it, this will have been for nothing. My kingdom will not only survive this day, it will come out stronger. I demand it. I don't know what has come over my son... but the bridge must survive." "You remember your original objective, I'm sure, heroes? I brought a horse here. One of you may ride it. You must protect the bridge. Nothing else matters to me, and seeing as I'm paying you, nothing else should matter to you." Do the heroes have anything to say?

Boomingham frowns deeply, glancing at Ellaria and then Atramor's chicken. "I'm sorry, dearest, boy-o. I'm not using my head. I will meet you at the safe house. These streets aren't safe for such a lovely lady late at night. Atramor, take her home, please. I'm sorry."

OoC: Damn. Sorry. You did.

The Party Hoke Ablesword The Krakenwhacker and Titan Smiter (UsernameMDM) *Party Leader* Level 30 3/4 Mystic Knight *Immune to Darkness, Fragile, Weakened, Sealed, and Confused* *+3 Defense* Power Bonus: 4 (+4 WP) Defense: 27 30 Health: 50/50 Ether: 30/30 Gold: 393 Equipment: Flagpole (WP:8, +3 SP to the whole party whenever equipped, lance), Steel Buckler (SP: 20, immune to darkness), Samurai Helmet (WP: 4, immune to sealed and confused, suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors), Pugilist Gloves (+2 to power, immune Weakened), Heavy Armor (SP:5, immune Fragile), Warrior Treads (Footwear, SP: 2, Health +1) Inventory: Vintul (WP: 16; greatsword), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, causes the Bleeding effect; spear), Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory), Cultist Hat (damage vs undead), Opal (Ice), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Aquamarine (Water), Amethyst (Darkness), Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Garnet (Earth), Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep, 4x Potions, 4x Grand Potions, Remedy, 3x Phoenix Essences, 4x Mead, 3x Ether Core, x4 Dragon Scale (Grants lucky- and blessed-effects when consumed), Grating Stone, Zoot's Plaything (Special 3/4 Edition), Dirt Bomb, 2x Smoke Bomb, 3x Venom, 3x Deadly Venom, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), Level Up Mushroom, Pumpkin Bomb, Mulled Wine, Tonic, 2x Flame-Distilled Brandy, Smelling Salts, Grand Potion, 2x Ambrosia, Helm of the Lord of Light (Headwear, Immunity to Light and Jinxed, Suitable for Knights) Tesni Hightribe, Level 34 Beserker *Restoration* *Immune to Afraid* *+3 Defense* Power: 61 Power Bonus: 0 (+3 WP) Defense: 14 17 Health: 53/53 Gold: 1517 Equipment: Qilin Blade (WP:15, damages undead, ignores row and SP; longsword), Sir Roderick’s Shield (SP:11, Immunity to afraid), Bone Claws (WP:3, SP:2; handwear), Dragon Bone Armor (SP:4, Max. Health +2; bodywear), Barbarian's Boots (Changes “Natural Respite” job trait into “Restoration”, restoring full health after every battle; suitable for barbarians, chi monks and beast warriors). Inventory: Fàelàn (WP:20, 8x damage to enemies weak to fire, fire-elemental longsword)), Mellt (WP:10, ice- and lightning-elemental; hammer), Cysgodion (WP:14, darkness-elemental; greatsword), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, light-elemental; longsword), Cryfder (WP:6),Party Maracas (WP:4, user is hastened, instrument), Rebel's Dagger (WP: 5), 2 Shackles of War (prevents all fleeing, accessory), Red Dragon Plume (artifact, accessory, immunity to Weakened and Fire, suitable to Barbarians, Knights, Skirmishers, Winged Warriors), King's Crown (Headwear, protects against Doom and Petrified, Suitable for all classes), Scroll of Sleep, Tiger Balm, Elixir, 2 Phoenix Essences, 5 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 4 Meads, 3 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Soma, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bright Polish, Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning, Mod Rod (WP:10, causes the afraid-effect; lightning-elemental staff suitable for staff members only). Mulled Wine, 3 Potions, 3 Remedies, Sharp Axe (WP: 14, Ice/Fire Elemental), Potion Benji Carvenhall, the Dragonslayer Level 38 3/4 Beastwarrior *Natural Respite* *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened Effects* *+3 Defense* *Immune to Ice and Water* *Beast Form* Power: 54 (36+16) Defense: 9 12 (3+6) Health: 64/64 (6+34+15+6) Gold: 862 (owes 500 to Alexis Fenral) Equipment: Meduiak (Precision Bow; WP:16; AIM's become HIT's; darkness-, ice-, fire-, wind- elemental), Medal of Glory (accessory, mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, immunity to asleep, blinded, confused, fragile, and weakened effects), Overkill Gloves [borrowed from Galen] (handwear, +1 gold for every point of damage done extra when defeating an enemy), Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (SP:6, backwear, suitable for Ranger and Barbarian Oriented Classes and Beast Warriors), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3, Bodywear, Immunity to Ice and Water, Suitable for Barbarians, Beast Warriors and Regulators) Inventory: Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:15; earth-, wood-, water-, lightning-, light-elemental), Brown Dragon Girdle (bodywear, power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors), Ratmancer's Cowl (headgear, the wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin), Trickster's Mask of the Gender Swap (artefact, accessory), Health Core (5), Grand Potion (5), Potion (3), Remedy (6), Phoenix Essence (5), Phoenix Incense (2), Dragon Scales (3), Nostrum (4), Smelling Salts (3), Mead (5), Mulled Wine (3), Venom, Smoke Bomb (3), Skeleton Decoy, Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb 2x, Water Bomb, Bone, Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel, Puglist's Gloves (Handwear, +2 Power, Immune to Weakened Effect), Chaotic Bomb, Cosmic Essence, Flame-Distilled Brandy (4), Ambrosia, Grating Stone, Tricorne (headwear, SP:3) Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) Level 25 1/3 Paladin *+3 Defense* *Immune to Fragile* Power bonus: 0 Defense: 16 19 Health: 46/46 Ether: 27/31 Gold: 310 Equipment: Magical Staff (WP: 15; Water-, Darkness-elemental; staff), Seal of the Warrior Priestess (Accessory, Suitable for Paladins, 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), White Cloak (Max HP +3; backwear), Orc Barbed Shield (SP: 11), Heavy Armor (SP:5, Immune to Fragile) 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), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2, Immune to Blind), Mourning Star (WP: 10, Fire-Elemental, Inflicts Fragile), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to Sealed; bodywear), • Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; Immune to Water; accessory), • Opal, Topaz, Diamond, Garnet, Sapphire, Emerald • Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion • Grand Tonics (4), Potions (3), Elixirs (3), Remedies (6), Potion, Tiger Balm, Neutralizers (1), Essence of Sorrow (50% assassination chance on non-immune target), Venom, Fire Bombs (2), Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bombs (2), Water Bombs (2), Dirt Bombs (2), Air Bombs (2), Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Carrot (restores 5 HP, 10 to rabbits), Bright Polish, Double Rainbow, Ether Core, Grand potion, Phoenix Essence, Venom, Ambrosia (2), Smelling Salts • Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass Jess Islanti (Sisco) Level 22 2/3 Assassin *Immune to Weakened Effect* *+3 SP* Power Bonus: 2 Health: 34/34 Defense: 3 Gold: 623 Equipment: Blohdhurm (WP: 14)(Fire elemental, Permanently Poisoned), Pugilist's Gloves (+2 to Power, immune to the Weakened Effect), Medal of Honor (Accessory, User Gains Triple Experience) Inventory: 2 Venoms, 3 Meads, 3 Grand Potions, Mulled Wine, 13 Potions, 9 Remedies, 4 Phoenix Essences, 5 Flame-Distilled Brandy, Smelling Salts, Nasal Helmet (SP: 1, Headwear) Gocklo *Immune to Hexed* *Cannot Mimic Blessed* Male kobold Mime Level 52.6 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 53/53 Ether: 53/53 Equipment: Witchbane (WP: 20, deals badly poisoned, dagger), Loincloth (Immune to Hexed) Inventory: Ruby, Deci (Throwing Knife, WP: 14), Nona (Throwing Knife, WP: 14), Morta (Throwing Knife, WP: 14) Hoke checks the saddle bags, but finds nothing. Probably if the Sons had had more provisions, they would have used them to ensure their survival. Without the horses, travel is slow. The heroes make their way to the river, to ensure that they do not get lost. Across the rapids, on the far shore, they see a party of orcs, huge in numbers, also heading north. The sun gleams off their armor. They carry swords and spears and shields. The heroes keep pace with them, not entirely sure who they are, or where they're going. OoC: We have a little bit of time to kill, and by little bit I mean probably under 24 hours (huzzah for pacing things correctly for once!). So, maybe venture into the dark waters of role play, or don't, you know, either or. I will move this along ASAP.

Boomingham waits for the others to exit the bar, but eventually only Atramor and Ellaria walk out. He sizes them up. "Boy," he says to Atramor, his eyes hard to read - harsh, but somehow also almost impressed, as if an idea has just struck him. "Would you like to come go see another bar with me?" Boomingham jerks his thumb over his shoulder, indicating the street heading to the left.

"I'm also ready to go." Boomingham nods to the others and then steps outside the bar to wait for them.