Zepher

The next time I host Guts, the quest will be entirely abominations. EDIT: 84, not feeling the tavern??

Sandy has done both in the past, but generally if the gold is not retrievable it states so in the special.

Huzzah! Huzzah!

Tricky tricky Sandy and your tongue emoticon. 69 is a... how to phrase this... culturally important number . It would be the same if quest 42 were close to being 42 pages long.

I gotta say, Tammo, I only loosely followed the game, but it looked like a ton of fun. Tightly run, lots of good humor, and most importantly it appeared extremely well balanced - it really looked like anyone's game up until the end. Congrats!

The heroes continue to walk as night begins to fall on them. There is talk of designating a watch, but even as the night falls, the heroes spy the smoke of an inn a little way ahead. They walk the last bit in darkness, under a huge hovering moon. From outside it is clear that the inn is crowded, and that the heroes will be safe within - there is certainly no trickery or ambush awaiting them inside. They open the door. The lighting is dim, but the room is warm and the people seem friendly. Some armored men stand at the bar, ordering drinks, but there is room for the heroes to slip through and talk to the barkeep (and probably proprietor as well) if they so wish. A number of the patrons walk around, and two more sit at a table in the back, sipping down drinks and lamenting the troubles of life. What would the heroes like to do?

They killed her too.

XX is a mercenary, but he does have a definite lack of morals. XX was mentioned in other recent Zepher quests too. He and his two friends traveling companions from 53 (Everyman and Zane) were mentioned briefly in 68 and quite a bit in 72. They're still kicking around somewhere. Truth be told, I'm excited to see how people react when Zane returns - he was a character who only got a little screen time and I still really liked him. I think he's going to be fun to play around with when he comes back.

The universe, working in its strange ways, actually does give Dyric some results. Straying to the other side of the highway, and rustling around in the trees a little, Dyric chances upon a sword buried in the dirt, stabbed there with the hilt facing up. On the hilt is the Shadeaux house insignia, and on the blade itself is some dried blood. Sadly, it is nearly impossible to tell the sword's age, and who the blood might belong to is a total mystery as well. Dyric gives the sword a tug, but it snaps coming out of the ground and is useless. The sun hangs high in the sky now - the heroes can assume it is a little past midday, and with fall approaching nightfall can only be a few hours away.

Everyone! Stop commenting in 69 right now - if we get another page in that topic no one will be happy!!! And yes, CMP is getting into the world of being a true QM: reusing and reusing and reusing characters.

Karie scrounges around in the forest. She sees a little frog hop by, and Hershey almost gives chase before deciding better. Eventually, the two of them stumble upon an old rusty hilt in the ground. Karie frees it and finds a nasty looking crooked blade. Rusty Dagger (WP:2 - Deals the Badly Poisoned Effect, Breaks After 3 Uses)

Yes, I believe that and Zee's Standard are the two highest WP's I've dropped. I don't want gold spent to be negated! The Crimson Crown sure is up to a lot these days, CMP.

Karie looks around for anything of note in the bushes, but finds nothing. The trees seem sparse - only a bird or two sits in them. The heroes are almost totally alone. The bandits most likely did not come back this way, it would appear. OoC: I'm going to force you guys to role play a little more because I like it and the quest won't be ridiculously long no matter what, but do feel free to dig/investigate things on the side of the road/take action.

I agree with Scuba. Weapons are getting too powerful, and that weapon is insanely strong. I think its tough for you, sometimes, Sandy, as you don't have to clear any of your items with anyone, whereas we all have you objectively look at ours (its hard for you to objectively look at your's as you think them up). Scuba, I also agree that weapons are creeping too much. I think the strongest I've ever dropped is a 13, and I plan to keep them in that range for a long time - particularly if they have an added effect. I'm ALSO with Scuba in saying that I think debate is sometimes swept under the rug. I agree that some weapons and drops are just too powerful and too plentiful. I talk about it all the time. Its sometimes ignored, I feel, as being a Negative Nancy, and I never try to pursue it for too long. But I, as always, set out a plea that we don't make every hero broken. Sandy, in particular, it is silly to drop a weapon and then penalize that player for using it (by not allowing them on the quest) and penalize other players (by not offering gems) just because it exists. The lesson there would probably be to not have that weapon exist in the first place.

I believe it was hard to interact with Dek'ra as he spoke SO MUCH about the world he came from. Knowing nothing about Bionicle, and having no interest in it, it was very hard to follow. I like Dek'ra though, and hope he comes back one day.

"I think you can handle this batch, elves. We'll continue to loop around and try to reach the dwarf's force. Maybe pick at the scouts on the way." Boomingham directs his men southeast and then northeast. OoC: A couple of RP questions - where are the PCs? With their troops? Also, how are we communicating?? And BD, I know you're very busy, but updates within 24 hours would really make the quest more engaging if you could swing it.

The heroes, feeling totally prepared now, set out walking down the Eubric highway. The sun rises in the sky a little, and the day turns out to be, while a little chilly, quite blinding and bright. A small breeze picks up. The road seems fairly safe, but the heroes keep their eyes peeled as they walk. Naturally, conversation strikes up among the heroes. OoC: Roleplaying time. We'll move on soon, but get to know each other. EDIT: And you're all online. Go to town!

What about WBD? Or me? Or even Sandy? Haldor, Nerwen, Thothwick. Cronk? Lots of heroes don't have lots of nice powerful items...

Most players have even less than that special loot/power-wise.

She generally comes on Halloween. WBD - As with enemies, I always design drops before I pick my party. And Scuba, I'm in the same boat as you, none of my weapons or items are particularly good for my build.

"As we've explained the robbery took place on the Eubric Highway. I'd have to assume that the Shadeaux are moving the shipment to a port. I doubt they'd dare use Eubric, so I must assume that they're still headed north towards Loush. If you set out on the Eubric Highway, that will hopefully lead to something."

"I want it done by professionals. If that's what you are... well, that has yet to be seen. Dyric Rone," he says turning towards the Assassin, "I have appointed you party leader due to your excellent standing with my family. I trust that you will control those below you." The Hinckwell softens a little. "I know we haven't given you a lot to go on, but we just don't have much information. Bors may be rogue, may be dead, or may have taken the money and fled. I believe the Shadeaux are responsible for this attack, but I just don't know for sure. All I'm asking is that you attempt to get my shipment back," the Hinckwell has gotten caught back up in himself and becomes huffy all over again, "surely that is not too much to ask?"

Henry Hinckwell scoffs. "I did not know that we were paying Heroica so we could look after your best interests. I thought we were paying you to look after our best interests." "Are you calling me a liar, girl? I lost some good men in that attack. I returned immediately after it was stolen, and we hired Bors on the same night." "There are a great number of other people who could fill this task if you don't feel it is to your taste... m'lady," the man says the last word mockingly. "What were the other names, Grady?" Grady pulls out a piece of paper and begins to rattle off. "Althior, a Necromancer, bit more experienced than the girl here. Johon, a Raider, quite fit for the job if I do say so myself. The list goes on. Should I read more, girl?"

"As Grady said, the bandits attacked them on the Eubric Highway, so that will likely be the best place to start. I hope I'm paying you enough to pay attention." The Lord sniffs. "The shipment was stolen three days ago. We sent Bors after it two days ago. He should have returned yesterday." Sir Grady barks out a laugh, but it is Henry Hinckwell who answers the question. "Sadly Grady cannot go with you, sadly. The Shadeaux and us never confront each other directly, though we'd very much like to. It is a silly farce that we both carry on. Heavens knows why, but Noctus and my brother seem to think it necessary, and I suppose it is if we wish to avoid a war. That is why I hire people like you and Bors."

Special Mirror. There are also the two privates Arthur and Bert, and that sweaty elf from 40. Wouldn't it be fun to see everyone together?