Zepher

I'm liking 77 right now! Really feels like its picking up.

Boomingham turns and grins as the others troop forward. "Well then, looks like the party is all here. Glad to see you're alright, Miss Ellaria, and you too Hunter. See any Pogs in these here whereabouts?" Boomingham slips on his new gloves. "Glad to see everyone is getting on alright - elves, elves and humans alike. I don't think I need to tell you, but we won't accept any fighting in the ranks, so say hello to your new allies, shake hands, and play nice." Boomingham glances over at Nerwen. "We may want to send someone back as Kadarphazân suggests. I don't know about y'all, but I for one haven't forgotten that we may have the Mopags to contend with too. Think they'll be happy with our little pact?"

OoC: I also should have gained 10 gold from my tome. Boomingham glances down at his gloves, and then over at the young mage. "I like my gloves," he says shortly. He glances at them again, and then nods to himself. "Alright, just don't muck them up." He peels off his counterstrike gloves and passes them to over to Arthur. "But listen, your whole finishing blow thing, much like Atramor's... it will happen if its the right choice to make for the party, in that specific battle."

Yeah its headwear.

"Nerwen, if I could get a mead or two, that'd be delightful." Boomingham tosses his Marksman's Monocle to the Knight, but sheaths Scupperer. "Now, I think it's time that we go find that Dread Pirate. I'm not as young as I used to be, and I can't hack at these chaps all day. So those ones that they called for, let's see if we can keep them alive."

"That is important to note, I'm afraid it had slipped my mind in my hope to find something productive to do." For the time being, Zelphie retires to a corner to enchant her staff and then do nothing, unless a good candidate for attack comes up.

I like that last one a lot. On a side note, Lord Duvors, there is a 24-hour period in which people can get their actions in. Not even 12 have passed. You gotta remember people have "jobs" and "families" and "friends" and "lives", whatever those are.

"It seems there are few suspicions today, other than those that have already been acted upon. I wish to put my staff to use, but don't know where to let it fall. I think testing out the theory of resurrections might be worth it - why else would our enemies resurrect anyone but to implant the shadows in their heart as well?"

"I'm sure he doesn't want to risk his hat getting tattered by their nasty blades. Kad, we'll both be taking on that crossbow chap. Fowards!"

Roger'd.

I actually have to reread that quest from time to time to remind myself he did not kill Bluehood (it was Docken, I've read it so much I know who landed the killing blow). In Boomingham's head, he himself literally delivered that final cut.

I never actually got to play my own game, so I'm going to go ahead and do that, because I think it's a good exercise: Quest #28 - Boomingham learned so much. First quest with Barty. Great party. Cheap power is not real power. He will not allow for it. He is the defender of the weaker, and he will push them to become stronger (a belief echoed in Pseudos of 40). He punishes vampires. He is forceful and plunges into things. He is Boomingham. Quest #70 - Second chances are not offered to those who warp minds (or really to many people in general). That's the greatest sin. This back-to-back with 66 were really important. Boomingham grew slightly more bitter. Arthur and his relationship grew leaps and bounds here... silently. Karie is his enemy. Changed Boomingham in the most apparent of ways. Quest #40 - Strivvi. What to be said? I want to continue it beyond anything. Ellaria was met and befriended. Skrall proved his worth, and Boomingham changed his opinion of Ogres ever so slightly and quietly. Atramor and him fought, but they respect each other. Nyx forever and always. Power plays and political games are things that Boomingham understands and is interested in. He is extremely against slavery. He found a God that he respects and understands (I want to develop that too, and it has been important to him for a long time). Quest #66 - What a power house. These top four (or even five) are all the quests that have really defined and permanently effected Boomers. He fought alongside Nyx and Thothwick, saw the value of Arthur, worked alongside his former questmates Sorrow and Nagure, felt at home with the nobility, fully defined his opinions of all the houses (likes the Merchants and Ji Pei, likes Zelda but is neutral to the Zeigfried, questionable towards the Guild, dislikes the Bonapartes) and officially stated a mission - the downfall of Baba. I want to continue that story-line for him, I think it could mean a lot to him AND Barty. Quest #54 - A fun quest with Ellaria - she is an interesting relationship to him. They argued about defending others, but forcing those in danger to take possession of their own lives. He fought against a protest but championed unions, tried to help a Grumpkin out of poverty, and fought against corrupt "easy-money-makers". I want to go on another WBD quest just talking about it. Quest #2 - It's tough, a first quest. Boomingham found his feet, developed a friendship with Atramor and Alexis and Hybros that would pop up later, along with his like of the heirs to both the Shadeaux and Hinckwell fortunes. His greediness and ladder-climbing were made clear, along with his easy-swinging nature. Quest #57 - He began his alliance with Arnulf and a number of other important friendly NPCs. He abated his hatred of the Wolfgang slightly, giving up on being angry at them for tricking him in 28... but he hated them again soon enough. He got a little closer with the Ziegfrieds, but not close enough to really respect them or trust mages yet. Just realized that he met Alexander here... and then they acted like they didn't know each other in 77. Ah well, that was our mistake. I hope he and Sancho meet again some day. Quest #8 - Boomingham met Nyx and developed his habit of bragging. If he hadn't met Nyx, it would probably be lowest, but he did, so there you have it. Quest #22 - Nothing really developed for Boomingham here. He furthered his friendship with Mr. Marvelo, who forced him to consider mages more seriously. He finally got to lead a party. But other than that... nothing much. This was a great exercise. I really advise that anyone who wishes to review their relationships and how they've grown should really do it from time to time.

Zelphie pipes up dreamily from the corner. "Seeing as our delicious dwarf seems to have been dealt with, where do you all think I should direct my staff? The humble human ranger, or some other target?"

"Kadarphazân, if you'd take out the crossbow'd beast, I'd be happy to deal with the fellow with the sword."

Forgot sometimes, perhaps. Omitted, no. I kept it in there.

Alrighty: ask and you shall receive! I wasn't originally going to do them for this quest, but I love talking about characters I love, so here we go! Docken/Brickdoctor - I imagine this quest was sort of a bore for you. I know you don't love roleplaying, but as I said earlier, I warned you numerous times about the nature of the quest and made sure you were interested. So I really wish you had stepped up to the plate a little more, actually. The thing that bothers me is that a) you are an active player who I believe could have helped the quest move along a little quicker and, b) I know, from seeing the quests that you host, that roleplay is within your grasp. No one should tell anyone how to play this game, but I think a little more roleplay from you would have made the quest even more fun for your fellow quest mates, and no less fun for you. Something to consider for the future, maybe. It is hard to have NPCs interact with you as well, with near constant breaking of the fourth wall. The only way for anyone in universe to treat you, really, is as insane, and that doesn't leave a lot of room for variety in responses. Not trying to get down on you, just a suggestion, and you are always a welcome addition to any quest I host. Also, you may want to buff your attack power a little (see, I can talk stats too ) - being strong doesn't matter if you can't scratch anything. Nyx/Pandora - Lots of fun interactions with you this quest. You and Everstien seemed to get on well, and you and Avery would no doubt be fast friends. Chauncey WILL be back, so you'll have another shot at him. I always enjoy killing hosting you. Nyx is wonderful and bubbly and smart. She is a very consistent character. I don't know how much she gained/learned in comparison to the last few times I hosted her, but we'll see how things play out. Since I'm making suggestions: maybe Nyx ought to evolve a little bit MORE between quests. I praise her for being such a consistent character in general, but she is young, and aren't young folks changing often? Especially if they're fiery and passionate? I also really enjoyed you killing an innocent bystander - you knew he'd come back, but even so, I think that could have cool effects on someone, even if its not really reacting to it. Thanks for coming along again, as I've said, you and Atramor essentially have to be with me until the end at this point - your characters have seen so much, they may be the only people who understand the finale quest. Guts/Scuba - Guts is pretty cool. I like when he's too old and grumpy. I think that's his strongest quality - its his redeeming quality. A badass character would bore everyone, and be cliche and one dimensional. A badass past their prime... I think it makes him powerful in a very different and more intriguing way. I think you have to be careful sometimes: make sure that Guts has always got those faults. He's the most powerful hero, but reading him blazing a path of glory would bore me. As it is right now, he tries his best to blaze a path of glory, and usually succeeds, but boy does it make him tired and grumpy. That works. He is so stand-offish that it is sometimes hard to write responses to him - that is not a bad character trait, just makes it hard to respond to someone so resolute in a way that still advances the story. I like Guts. I want to see where he goes. I hope you enjoyed playing with some of the NPCs. I think you and Felix had something interesting, almost like begrudging respect. I'd like to see more of that from Guts too - Nerwen is his best relationship because she sometimes puts him in his place. Maybe more people should do that to him. Hybros/JimBee - Hybros' laugh is one of my favorite character traits. I'm going to say it every time I can. I think that it is the best single thing that sums up a character. He is quiet and awkward and apprehensive and thoughtful and mistrusting... and you get it all from his laugh (complimented by other things). I don't think I really pushed Hybros too much this quest. I hope I piqued his interest in the Red Assassins, and hope too that someone expands on what I built (which of course expanded on BD's stuff). I'll be happy to have you back, though I want to quest beside you at some point again too. More final thoughts/notes/secrets: -Everstien is addicted to Smelling Salt. That is why he has such a nasty cough. -Avery is free game from here. I may reuse her, but if someone else gets to her first, that's alright with me. I'm trying to make more NPCs "public domain". -I don't like playing other people's NPCs... it makes me nervous. Sandy, hopefully you found my portrayal of Madame Ladybug acceptable and true to form. I hope too that you consider my take on the character in future appearances.

Boomingham sputters in anger as the Pongcanis drinks instead of fighting him. "Well then, let's have another go at that, shall we, sir?"

"I can handle two of them if you let me act first," says Boomingham with a solid grin. "Kadarphazân, let's see if you and I can't cut their Leader down to size. Follow my lead." Boomingham steps forward and takes a swing. OoC: You can leave one of the Swordsmen untargetted for me to counterstrike, Chromeknight; its more efficient that way.

Yes, you'll get my normal reviews later this evening. All the side-quests are now up, maybe they'll shine some light on some of the tales and make you feel like some of the characters were a little more fleshed out.

Guts Before-First-Jump \First Jump ....some time later... OoC: I realized later that it should have taken Guts' buffs too, but wasn't aware at the time. Second Jump ...some time later... "My wife... gold in my dresser...?" Lord Marsh gropes for words, but he is flustered and very clearly afraid. "Oh dear. I..." Lord Marsh looks at the ground sadly. "I had hoped that these days were behind her, but my wife has a relatively checkered past. I met her when she made a failed attempt on my life. She was, in the past, a member of the Blue Assassins. I was able to convince her to leave her previous occupation, but its possible that she has somehow reverted back to her old ways." Lord Marsh stares down, ashamed. "Perhaps if you'd allow me to speak to her, I can figure out what's happening." "I have high regard for my life," he says snootily. "And you better too, if you want to stop whatever my wife is up to." He shrinks a little at Lady Nyx's statements. "I've never liked magic," he whimpers to Guts. "I've always been more of a knife or alchemy sort of person. Oh, and I never got the chance to talk to Madame Ladybug." He raises his voice to a normal value, still wincing slightly from the knife in his stomach. "My wife doesn't appear to be upstairs, unless she is hiding from me, which is unlikely. I assume than that she is elsewhere. Where are we off to, heroes?"

A third person narrator (present tense) who is privy to Boomingham's thoughts, but rarely shares them.

I have always tried this with Boomingham. It makes roleplaying harder now that he's a little more introverted after 70, but I think its worth the challenge.

Oh, did you not know why Felix was so angry with him up until now? I forgot he lied to you.

Hybros Before-First-Jump First Jump Before Hybros can fully assess what he has just read, he hears footsteps coming up the stairs. What does he do? Second Jump

Nyx Before-First-Jump First Jump Second Jump "I do have high regard for your life, as long as you're not a wrong'un." Nyx sighs "Anyway, I have reason to suspect Lady Marsh might be in the kitchen. Don't ask, it's complicated. Guts and I will take you there, but you need to ignore anything else that may or may not be occurring and move directly to talk to your wife. Let us know what you discover when you discover it. Aside from that, as long as you don't attempt to double cross us, we'll protect you as best we can. Which is usually pretty well." Nyx takes Lord Marsh's arm as if he were escorting her and gently guides him towards the kitchen door, where she knocks on the door, calling out to Hybros and Docken inside. She smiles pleasantly and nods at passing guests while waiting to enter.