Zepher

If I ever get up to a high enough level to introduce my secondary character...

There's a rule in writing that specifically states that you shouldn't write out accents. It is generally considered extremely distracting, and without actually knowing the accents that different Heroica areas would have, it becomes more of a challenge. I believe a tilt towards speech mannerisms would be better. Suggesting an accent that way is how most authors go about it.

"Ellaria, heal up Hybros. Leave Lucky alone this round, let him come to me." Boomingham turns to the Yeti and shrugs. "Sorry chappo, you're the first to go. You know, the Yeti I know is much bigger, and a whole lot more honorable. Maybe you should have waited to grow up a little before fighting us?" Boomingham attacks Yeto from the back row. Battle Order Boomingham Ellaria Hybros Hybros Dek'ra

Fair enough.

Why are there no "fat character" perks?! That's my biggest question, really.

"Depends on if they think you're easy pickings or not." At Nerwen's return cry the dogs turn to growl at her, but General Mint waves them down. "What was that cry, Nerwen? We are in their land, it would not be wise to provoke them." General Mint casts a wilting glance in Hamilton's direction. "He's right," he spits out unwillingly. "Look around you." Even as Nerwen glances up at the misty sky above, four or five more dark shapes hurdle overhead and settle into the shadows of the cliff. "Do you know how creatures of a flock nature work?"

The party walks along the edge of the water. The going is slow, and the wind cuts into them. Benji changes into his Reptile form, and sniffs around for Orcs. He recognizes, instead, a different smell - some musty feathers, damp and old and decaying. General Hamilton falls into step next to Hoke. "Harpys," he grunts quietly, gesturing to their left where the cliff face reached out above them. Hoke is able to pick out little glinting eyes peering out from small nooks and caves. "They make their home on this side of the river. The Orcs aren't organized enough to protect their lands." "Do you have them over in Eubric? They are vicious fighters." "And I doubt you have them in the numbers we have." A piercing shriek rings out from the cliffs. Hamilton covers his ears and flinches, but General Mint and his men just stares upwards. Even the Battle Dogs keep walking, growling lowly at the cliffs. "They're trying to scare us. See if we're predator or prey."

"You have chosen trial by combat," proclaims Sir Abel. "The Lord of Light will tell us who is right and who is wrong." "Oh dear I fear for your person Lady Ella," titters U'Voros. "Get behind me Lady Ella I fear for your person." Ella steps behind U'Voros, but almost as if she is humoring him. Scroll of Poison - Failure (-5 ether) The Enemies Sir Abel Justice Level 45 Humanoid *Immune to Negative Effects and Instant Kill* HP: 420/420 SP: 7 Special 1: Military Tactics - Sir Abel uses his training in the art of combat, and becomes hastened for the next three rounds. Special 2: Terrifying - Sir Abel delivers a rogue blow, dooming the opponent and removing all positive effects. Drops: Grand Potion, 20 gold, Smoke Bomb Order Imperial Soldier Cicero Level 28 Humanoid *Immune to Sealed and Fragile* HP: 250/250 SP: 5 Special: Low Blow - The Order Imperial Guard wounds the hero in the stomach, causing them to bleed for 5. Drops: Potion, 25 Gold Order Imperial Soldier Daniel Level 34 Humanoid *Immune to Sealed and Fragile* HP: 230/230 SP: 5 Special: Unstoppable- The Imperial Soldier charges the hero, stunning and sealing them for three turns and dealing 42 damage. Drops: Remedy, 25 Gold The Party Tarn Valco *Party Leader* Level 25 Raider *Natural Respite* *Immune to Weakened* *Immune to Magic and Healing* *Lucky* *Encouraged* Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 6 Health: 41/41 (7+24+7+3) Gold: 2039 Equipment: Great Blade (WP:25, cannot be equipped with a shield, greatsword), Darksteel Armor (SP:6, Max. Health +3, Immunity to Weakened; bodywear), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Amulet of U'Kin Nobility (Grants Diplomacy to wearer when addressing a U'Kin) Inventory: Helbaerend (WP:10; water-, ice- and lightning-elemental; hollow (Great Potion); axe), Lion’s Heart (WP:13, darkness-elemental, stun-effect; greatsword), Bagpipes (WP:8, wind-elemental instrument), Fauxthril Spear (WP:6, spear), Skull Shield (SP:6; immunity to darkness; suitable to Black Knights only), Horned Hat (SP +1, Power +1, suitable for barbarians and beast warriors; headwear), Potion, Grand Potion, Health Core, Grand Tonic x3, Remedy, Elixir, Phoenix Essence x1, Mead x4, Nostrum x4, Venom x2, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb x2, Shovel, Pickaxe, Bucket, Bone x2, Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, Spear, causes bleeding effect; unsuitable), Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon; unsuitable), Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear; unsuitable), Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear), Counterstrike Gloves (handwear, after the wearer is struck by a Free Hit they counter with strength equal to their level) Arthur Justus Regulus VII Level 29 1/3 Mystic Knight *Immune to Fragile and all Poisons* *Only Receives One Negative Effect At A Time* *Encouraged* Power Bonus: 0 Health: 44/44 Ether: 29/34 Defense: 17 Gold: 413 Equipment: Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Overkill Gloves (Gives the wearer 1 gold for every point of damage they do extra when they defeat an enemy. (Example: Enemy has 50 HP left, you do 75 damage, you earn 25 gold.)), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (Protects against Fragile and all Poisons, SP; 5, suitable for knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators; bodywear), Unicorn Helmet (SP:1; the wearer can only receive one negative effect at a time, with a new effect replacing the old one; usable by barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, regulators, skirmishers, and winged warriors; headwear), Arm Shield (SP: 12) Inventory: Weapons: Sword of the Vampir (WP:17, user is Jinxed), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics), Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [smelling Salts]), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, stuns on successful hits, Hollow (Nostrum) halberd) Artifacts: Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round), Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Stingy Gloves (Handwear, wearable by everybody. Prevents enemies from ever stealing gold from you.), Zap-Tap Badge (Artefact, Accessory. Has a 1/2 chance to deal Electric damage to an opponent who has dealt damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level.), Gems: Opal (Ice), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Tools: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass Scrolls: 2x Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Sealing (Lent to De'kra), 2x Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the Poisoned 10 effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Luck (Grants target the Lucky-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.), Scroll of Weakening, Consumables: Grand Potion x10, Potion, Remedy x9, Elixir x4, Nostrum x4, Smelling Salts x2, Mead x4, Jinxy Juice x2, Ether Core, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the Badly Poisoned effect for the duration of the battle and the Confused effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Zoot's Plaything, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Tesla Bomb (Deals 20 Lightnng-elemental damage to all enemies when thrown. Can only be used once), Tonic, Grand Tonic x8, Double Rainbow (Causes the Encouraged- and Lucky-effects, but also the Confused- and Poisoned-effects), Bright Polish, Ambrosia, Exterlate, Grating Stone, Smoke Bomb x5, Hurricane, Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used.), 3 Bones, Mulled Wine Monk Pretzel and His 99 Pieces, the Super Sleuth Level 26 Paladin Power Bonus: +5, (In the Front Row) Defense: 27 (+5, in the Back Row) Health: 47/47 Ether: 33/35 Gold: 361 Equipment: Dual Staff (WP:8, Ice, Lightning, Fire, Wind, Light; dual strike; staff), Mythril Shield (SP:20), Strategist's Shako (+5 power while in the front row, +5 SP while in the back; headwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max Ether +4; backwear), Heavy Armour (SP:5, Immune to Fragile) Inventory:The Muckraker (WP:13, Earth, Water, Wood; causes weakened; greatsword), Heavy Flail (WP:5, causes fragile; mace), Flying Cross (WP:6; Darkness; broomstick), Steak (WP: 1; instantly kills vampires on successful hits; suitable for all), Impervious Shield (SP: 5; grants immunity to Fire), Duplovian Helmet (SP: 2; Immune to Magic and Healing; headwear), Bumble Fanshirt (SP: 1; Vermin with level less than half of the wearers are scared and won't directly attack the wearer; bodywear), Soothing Slippers (meditation restores 5 ether; footwear), Magic Viper Skin (heals 1 health to wearer each round of battle unless knocked out; accessory), Shackles of War, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blinding, 2 Potions, 5 Grand Potions, 5 Tonics, 2 Ether Cores, 6 Remedies, Neutralizer, Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 4 Phoenix Incenses, 2 Smelling Salts, 5 Venoms, 5 Deadly Venoms, 2 Paralyzing Venoms, 3 Smoke Bombs, Fire Bomb, Holy Bomb, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magic Shovel (will always find something when used, limited to three uses per quest), Magnificent Magniscope (Magnifying Glass/Telescope), 7 Bones, Raw Meat (+5 max. health upon consumption), Ammit (Greatsword, WP 6, gains 5 Ether for each kill), Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Military Grade Fire Bomb U'Voros (Controlled by Rumble Strike) Level 10 1/2 Knight Power Bonus: 0 Health: 19/19 Defense: 7 Gold: 37 Equipment: Dastan Spear (WP: 7), Fashionable Shield (SP: 7) Inventory: Grand Potion

"Alright, let's go ahead and finish this. Dek'ra, finish that potion of your's. Hybros, take care of that damn music and the archer. Ellaria, you're going to join me and tangle with Lucky. Let the Yeti come at me, I can handle him as well." Boomingham swings at Lucky from the back row. Battle Order Boomingham Hybros Hybros Ellaria Dek'ra

"How do we know that you won't use it poorly? You Heroica lot are all the same - you pretend to have moral obligations to stop evil, but really you're just working for whoever hires you. You say you know nothing of us, but we know nothing of you. The only thing that I know is that you fought criminals, and the only thing you know of me is that I fought criminals. Yet you ask me to prove myself to you. Prove yourselves to me." Sir Abel smiles. "Not easy, is it? All I ask is that you don't pursue the book, which is something I'm already willing to do myself. Now, I believe it is time for your final answer. The Hovels are filled with people, and the Order Imperial has other things to attend to. The Lord of Light has many plans for us to fulfill."

Haha, I also got the Chains of the Pongcanis Chieftain, which are a pretty attractive item to me, actually. I tried to make it a rule that I would never trade for anything I created, but if it's gifted to me... . I wish I hadn't said they can't be removed though, I don't know why I made them that way since removing them costs a turn anyway. Ah well. The shrooms are totally Darkdargon's creation, anyway. I like reusing enemies. And, as I say once a week, I'm excited for Strivvi II. Now Boomers owes you.

"If you appreciated my help, then return the favor - don't make me harm you. "Knowledge is not dangerous. Those who use it may be dangerous, but that is the person, not the information. Once the Dragons of my homeland were a prosperous race, now they are a dying one. Perhaps this text will tell us why. Or perhaps it will point us towards another Pandemonicon, that book which the Oracle so deeply fears and hates. Who can say? Me - I'd most likely predict a little of both. It is what we do with the knowledge. It is asking as if the gift of vision creates heroes or villains - it depends on the person, not the gift of vision." "We are the guards of ancient secrets. We have proven ourselves capable. You have not. Why should we allow the masses to have the knowledge that the Lord of Light has given us? We are the Gate Keepers. We walk a divine path, free of mud, but the city and its inhabitants are dirty."

"No brushland or forest. That's not what Baltarok is like. You can leave your hopes of greenery behind. Baltarok is rock and ice." The heroes set out with the two generals and a small detachment of Four Boulders soldiers. "Keep your eyes sharp, heroes. Just because an Orc attack is unlikely doesn't mean it is impossible. They are slimy creatures. And watch the river. The Fire Nords are worse. Only cowards are raiders."

Pandora, thank you for the Grogmas gift, I think it literally prevented us from failing the quest!

Boomingham winces as Barty jumps into the battle. He pokes his side tentatively and his finger comes away trailing some blood. "Hm, not doing so well it looks like," says Boomingham as he begins to teeter. "I owe you, Barty. Might just lay down for a few moments, if you don't mind." "The mushroom, you fool." "Oh, I know, I know. Nyx, saving our lives even when she's in some desert with the boy." Boomingham fishes around in his bag until he finds the Oneupshroom, and then rams it down Ellaria's throat. He grits his teeth as she comes to and offers his hand to help her up, ignoring the pain in his side as gallantly as he can manage. "Morning, darling. You're going to be reviving our lovely Hybros, and then he'll return the favor and give me one of those lovely health cores he's always chewing on and then the three of us are going to find Nyx after this is all done and shower her with kisses." Battle Order Boomingham Ellaria Hybros Hybros Dek'ra

"The world was once much more open, and the ancient texts hold many secrets that were lost to the common knowledge, but were preserved by the select few. There is a reason history played out the way it did. The secrets in that book should remain secret, save to those who should know them. It is strange that you speak of the Book of Demons, it too is something that should have stayed buried but didn't. Surely, then, you understand why old works must be laid to rest." "As for our knowledge of the Princess' plans... we have eyes and ears all over the city. I work on the docks when I'm not serving the Lord of Light. Things trickle down. It was no mistake that I helped you earlier. Now, return the favor, and leave the book be." "You don't frighten me," says Ella with a shrug. She turns to the heroes. "The Order Imperial. I've had glimmers of them too. This city does strange things to a prophet. Many old magics mucking up the air. And you have an inordinate amount of secret orders and cults. In Dastan we just had the one." She giggles. "Order Imperial, Wolfgang, the Crimson Crown, Blue and Red Assassins, Blood Paws, the Syndicate - there's a whole city of nightmares below this city, and then a totally different underground city where some short fellows live as well. And those are just the secret organizations that operate out of Eubric, not even giving mention to the number that have visited in my short time here. And so many witches filtering in and out. It's outrageous." Ella turns back to the Order Imperial soldiers, who bite their lips and look at the ground in frustration. "It's a wonder you haven't all torn each other apart by now. You are but one of many, and you have no say in my actions. Now, step aside." "I'm afraid we can't do that." What will the heroes do?

The heroes awake fully rested the following morning. OoC: This should include your drinks from last night, and your loot from the last battle - as always, check me! The Party Hoke Ablesword The Krakenwhacker and Titan Smiter (UsernameMDM) *Party Leader* Level 29.66 Mystic Knight *Immune to Darkness, Fragile, Weakened, Sealed, and Confused* *+5 Defense* *Encouraged* Power Bonus: 4 (+4 WP) Defense: 25 30 Health: 48/48 Ether: 29/29 Gold: 348 Equipment: Flagpole (WP:4, +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) Inventory: Vintul (WP: 16; greatsword), Warrior's Treads (SP:2, Health +1), 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), Counterstrike Gloves, Opal (Ice), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Aquamarine (Water), 2x 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, Phoenix Incense, 4x Mead, 4x Ether Core, x4 Dragon Scale (Grants lucky- and blessed-effects when consumed), Grating Stone, Zoot's Plaything (Special 3/4 Edition), Water Bomb, Dirt Bomb, 2x Smoke Bomb, 3x Venom, 3x Deadly Venom, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Kraken Fang (grants hastened- and reinforced-effects when consumed), 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), Level Up Mushroom, Pumpkin Bomb, Mulled Wine, Tonic, 2x Flame-Distilled Brandy Benji Carvenhall, the Dragonslayer Level 35.75 Beastwarrior *Natural Respite* *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened Effects* *+3 Defense* *Inspired* Power: 51 (35+16) Defense: 9 12 (3+6) Health: 122/122 (6+34+15+6) Gold: 436 (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), Tricorne (headwear, SP:3), 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) 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 (9), Potion (2), Remedy (6), Phoenix Essence (5), Phoenix Incense (2), Dragon Scales (3), Nostrum (4), Smelling Salts (4), Mead (5), Mulled Wine (4), 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 Tesni Hightribe, Level 33 Beserker *Restoration* *Immune to Afraid* *+3 Defense* Power: 60 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 14 20 Health: 52/52 Gold: 1456 Equipment: Fàelàn (WP:20, 8x damage to enemies weak to fire, fire-elemental 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: Mellt (WP:10, ice- and lightning-elemental; hammer), Qilin Blade (WP:15, damages undead, ignores row and SP; longsword), 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, 2 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 Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) Level 24 Paladin *Immune to Sealed* *+3 Defense* *Reinforced* Power bonus: 0 Defense: 5 8 16 Health: 45/45 Ether: 35/35 Gold: 218 Equipment: Magical Staff (WP: 15; Water-, Darkness-elemental; staff), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to Sealed; bodywear), 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), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2, Immune to Blind), White Cloak (Max HP +3; backwear) 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), Orc Barbed Shield (SP: 10) • 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 (7), Potion, Phoenix Essences (2), Phoenix Incense, Tiger Balm, Neutralizers (2), 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, Copy of Eubric herald (inspired and transcended, one battle), Grand potion, Phoenix Essence, Venom, Ambrosia • Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass Jess Islanti (Sisco) Level 20.66 Assassin *Immune to Weakened Effect* *+3 Defense* Power Bonus: 2 Health: 32/32 Defense: 3 Gold: 201 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, Dragonfire Stew (Gives the consumer the encouraged and inspired effects for the duration of one battle), Mulled Wine, 13 Potions, 11 Remedies, 4 Phoenix Essences, 5 Flame-Distilled Brandy The heroes trundle down the stairs and find that Prince Frederick, Hamilton and General Mint are all milling around. "Good morning, heroes! Hope you rested well. If not, tell me, I'd love an excuse to get some new sheets or pillows. As it is, if you want to get a good night's sleep, you have to drink yourself into a stupor... or perhaps that's just me." He smiles. "I apologize, but my father has already departed to protect the bridge. Taken over my command for the day, to show me how it's done no doubt. I think he wants me there with him." Frederick shrugs. "Now, its our understanding that Heweyrt wants you to get a feel for the land. You've already seen what defending the bridge is like, now you can see what patrols are like - the other half of the work that we do on this side of the river." "Course I'd love to take you out myself, what with three charming ladies and two handsome gentlemen, but like I said, my old man wants me with him for the day. So, Hamilton and Mint are your guides for the day." "I've been on many patrols. Not very dangerous. Doubt the orcs will move towards the bridge again soon. Mostly looking out for Nords. Besides, if we find danger, you've proven yourself more than apt at dealing with it." "Well, have a good day, heroes. Look at that!" Frederick points out the window where soft white light is streaming into the room. "The sun is shining through the clouds. Looks to be a great day." Frederick gives a little salute and saunters out of the inn. Hamilton turns to the heroes. "Just tell us when you're ready. The men are outside, all geared up. I'm excited to see what these patrols are all about."

"Glad to hear that I won't have to use my gift much longer. It seems you both already know exactly where the future is headed." Ella giggles. "No one knows the future. Not you, not me. Now, if you don't mind me changing - I like the garb of the Priestesses here, but if I must be honest, I get treated far better on the streets if I'm dressed as royalty. People are more likely to listen to my pleas in that outfit as well." Ella goes to change, and reappears moments later in a more stately outfit. "Much better. Shall we be off, then?" The heroes take to the streets, weaving their way towards the great gate once more... but it is not long before they hear the clanking and clattering of armor, and as they round the corner towards their previous scuffle (the bodies of the gangsters having been cleared away in their absence - a job Heroica most certainly never bothers with... perhaps that's why the town watch is always so angry with them) they meet three men in gleaming armor. One of them is particularly recognizable, though his outfit has changed noticeably. "Halt right there, Princess," the 'friendly sailor' commands. His wry smile remains on his lips, but there is no doubt that in this armor, sword in hand, he stands up a little straighter. "We're going to have to have a little talk." "I don't think so," says Ella with a shallow smile, though it seems in less jeopardy than the 'Sailors'. "My friends and I are on an adventure, and really I'd like to be on my way." "I know who you and your friends are. You, however, may not know who we are. My name is Sir Abel Justice. I represent the Order Imperial. My comrades and I are here to dissuade you from this task you've taken on. We believe that some records are better left buried."

"Really should have divvied up the Phoenix Essences better. Pray the best you can, Ellaria." Boomingham swings at Eddie from the back row. Same Battle Order

That's alright. Thank you for the explanation and heads up about the future! Check in when you can, but no worries, real life comes first!

Opposites attract some times. Don't tell your characters who they should like, just let them like people. They should speak to you. Boomingham's friends should in theory be people like Sarge and Pretzel, but he's really friends with Nyx, Ellaria, Atramor and Hybros. And Nerwen! Who knows why? I certainly wouldn't have guessed them, but here we are! EDIT: Also on my way back up to school tomorrow, so updates will be late in the day for both quests but then we will be totally back on track!

"I'm not going in blind, my dear monk. I have had visions of another creature in this city who is to help us, a creature older than most of us here. His name is Doc Daneeka, and he is in the warehouses. We will go collect him when you're ready. He will want to come. Though your friendship with the Ji Pei can't hurt, dear Tarn." She gives a warm and confident smile.

"The lesson is, of course, to seize power when you can. Sometimes others depend on it." The sun outside has set. The heroes and others go to bed with their own thoughts... OoC: You can all role play and chat for a tiny bit - "in the morning" before the others get up. I'll move you along very very shortly. We got to kill about a day or two to wait for other quests.

Ellaria repeats her actions with same conditionals. Same Battle Order

"It's alright, thought I'd need a bit more liquid courage for this fight than I actually do. Thought this batch would be more like the Wolfgang, but seems the Hinckwells can't hire the same degree of nasty as that witch can." Boomingham repeats his attack.