Zepher

I guess you'll just have to see the plot of the quests to answer those questions, won't you. It's not so much cards up our sleeves as... well, it's an RPG. If I just told you the plot, I'd be writing you a book. I can do that too, but it's not an RPG then.

What exactly is unclear about that?

All three Baltarok quests will have dealings with the Nords (to varying degrees).

"I'm not much for chances," Boomingham says to Shawe. "If there's a one third chance of something failing, I'm not usually going to go for it. Though if it's the only option, may as well take a chance. I think we'd have better luck fighting him, personally. Nerwen?" Boomingham sips down a mead, just in case. "I'm sorry, Warlord, I just prefer neogtiotions with a little bit of a looser tongue. I'm sure you understand."

I'm going to be dropping some more X1's at some point too. I think that will make Bombs better.

I don't think they did... but maybe. I thought I stole them from WBD... but maybe he stole them from me first. EDIT: Look at that, he did steal them from me! Who knew! Explains why they only do 10 damage, that was a reasonable bomb upgrade back then. That's the the Bomb XX's are sort of under-powered now, too.

I didn't invent them!

Can someone drop something that makes a weapon deal the burning effect? I'd really love for Scupperer to get it.

OoC: Well... where are all of the troops who came here with us.

OoC: Which Elven Lady and Knight? Who do we have with us, exactly, and when did we leave the others behind?

The pitches are coming in!

I know, and you know we're going to Baltarok before that. I think there will be a lot of stuff for you to build off of once we're done with our visit.

To everyone (but mostly Kintober and Sandy): Is there a name for the Last King of Ennon at this point? Do either of you have a preference on it?

Boomingham chortles. "You just love disagreeing, don't you, madam. There is ice in Ellaria too. I know of her lose. We'll rectify it."

"I'm sorry, I believe I'm confusing you with two tales rolled into one. The man who changed people's minds did not target Arthur, nor did we encounter him at the same time we encountered Baba. That man was named Masson, and although he committed atrocities, Arthur and Karie let him go. They did that of their own will, though Masson had robbed others of their choices." "I did meet the witch Baba, right before the boy and I tracked down Masson. Nyx and I were able to defend the people of Eubric, but only barely. Arthur did fight valiantly that day. That's the danger with him - one day he fights a witch for polluting the minds of the Houses, the next he let's another man go for polluting a different set of minds." "I miss Nyx whenever she's not with me. Easy to get bogged down without her smile around. At least Ellaria is a familiar face." He glances back at her. "She's got a fire in her as well, maybe not so much as Nyx, but it's there. I forget, sometimes, that we've seen quite a bit together. Strivvi. We ventured around Eubric once too." Boomingham laughs. "Sometimes I feel so old compared to them, and then I remember how long you elves live."

"He does not rob them of future choices, but instead past ones. That is what makes it so dangerous. If I sided with the elves and the Shawe, and then the Mopags used this device on me, I would side with them. This man claims that leaves me intact, but it doesn't, does it? And if I sided with the Pongcanis and then you used this device on me to return me to your side, would that absolve me of my sins, or leave me as the same person? It is a lie, in my opinion. You may influence people, but forcing them to be someone else by erasing their actions." Boomingham shakes his head. His stomach growls. "It makes me feel sick, just thinking about it. It is the same as the witch Baba, but he walks free. And the boy is one of the two who let him go."

"He's a dangerous fellow, but he can get you out of a bind quickly as he can get you into it. It bothers me more when he does it than when the dwarf does it, because the boy seems smarter than that. Nyx gave him a scathing review as well, and that doesn't bode well. I can't forget her words, ever. He seems to have hurt her in some serious manner." Boomingham sighs. "Nerwen, I have a story for you that you will perhaps shed some light on. There's a fellow in Eubric, still lives there, now under the protection of the law. He has..." Boomingham pauses and looks at Barty. The angel remains silent, but there is anger in his minute eyes, "reformed his ways... or so they say. But before he had his miraculous transformation, he had a device that would change the minds of those he used it on. He and Arthur and the little girl Karie claimed that it left them intact, save for their allegiance. Changed them from Wolfgang to Syndicate. Now, I've got some thoughts on the Wolfgang as well, that's certain, but what do you think of it? Does he deserve another chance after robbing people of their choices? Aren't choices the only things we have?"

"Ah well, fair enough. Like I said, turns out in the end you were right. My interest was just piqued by the fellows with them, but they seem to have disappeared, so perhaps that answer will never come." Boomingham smiles lazily. "And what of the Mopag?" then, leaning closer, "and what of the boy? What do you think of Arthur? I'll make no secret of it, I've got a bone or two to pick with him, but perhaps that stable mind of your's could put me at ease."

"I think what I thought of them when we first arrived." Boomingham shrugs. "You said we can't measure an action only by its consequences. I'll admit, you were right, but you didn't know it. So what made you change your mind about the Pongcanis? I don't mean to challenge you, m'lady, just curious. Us old men, our minds are likely to wander and ask a question or two."

"I don't know how much sweet-talking will do, Ambassador." Boomingham huffs and puffs to keep pace with Nerwen, glancing back from time to time to make sure that Ellaria is keeping up. "So, Lady Nerwen, we never had the chance to conclude our debate earlier. The point is rather mote now, but how is it that your elves deserve a second chance, but the Pongcanis none?" Boomingham glances around. "And where do you suppose the humans we saw dealing with them scampered off to?"

I can't either, but Nerwen clearly didn't want it.

I actually have always run all items through Sandy. I think it's a good practice. I also wouldn't mind a nerf on the axe, just to put my thoughts out there. I've kind of given up on complaining about items, but I can understand them, and as the current owner, I certainly don't mind it if it has to happen.

Flipz, are you still planning to feature playable flashbacks in your quests? I think that's a very cool idea, and would be super interested to see how it plays out.

It has, it's just the interpretation of something changed. I was just teasing, I just love when you end up dealing with weapons I previously had to deal with. HEALING STAFFS! *shakes fist at the heavens* That sword IS getting insanely powerful.

I can't use it. Buyers, flock to me. And if no one's interested, I can always melt it down and get some gold out of it.