Zepher

Ever want to go to the High Kingdoms? Here are the north-western most three, along with some of their friends/allies. A quest launching in late November, hopefully (Sandy, I know you have yet to approve, give me a bit more time to sure everything up). The quest will involve the Kingdoms building a bridge to potentially begin trade with the Orcs. Kingdom of the Red Lizard Kingdom of the Golden Crown Kingdom of the Four Boulders

Fortaan was a human castle, run by the Paladins, but the entirety of the High Kingdoms were ravaged, so you can make up almost any name and be correct.

Lord Marsh glances with intrigue at Guts for a moment, as if just realizing a man is attached to the book. "I don't recall speaking to you before this, and I am as sure that I didn't mention Heweyrt to anyone as I am that I didn't mention that book to my wife." Lord Marsh takes a step back. "Perhaps you can explain what is happening here."

"I am not calling for your blood, exquisite Voros. That makes me a better friend to you then most." A slight smile remains on Zelphie's lips, but she does not look down to make eye contact with the little creature. It is hard to say if she makes eye contact with anyone, behind her strangely colored goggles.

"Is it right to kill a lame animal? Even the stupidest of animals - fish, insects - can be bent to the will of humans. We are ridding ourselves of malicious animals, not those that are of lower intelligence. I wish to watch and observe. Acting too rashly could hurt us badly. An alchemist could do much and more for us, given he is on our side. It would not be like killing a bug, but rather like killing a mule who was carrying our cart. I simply say we condition the mule - we do not respond to it until it gives us something worth responding to. It should learn, as all animals can."

"I'm not supporting the pretty little gremlin. He just seems incapable of reading a crowd and responding in a helpful manner. Tigers cannot change their spots anymore than my Rito friend can ungrow her wonderful wings. I think further questioning will only cause further distraction and annoyance for all. I believe the wondrous Weyrdág understands what I mean. Animals are born with certain traits, and die with certain traits. All the gremlin is doing is distracting us with stupidity - asking him to clarify nonsense leads to more nonsense."

Lord Duvors, posting inside parenthesis in thread is very much considered posting out of character. I hate to mini-mod, but you may not know, seeing as you've done it twice.

"He will not. He is unable." Zelphie shrugs. "Do not fuel his fire and it will burn out. Creatures act the way they do. He is clearly of a lower intelligence than us, and he will remain that way until the end of his days."

Lord Marsh stares harshly at the book for a mere second before smiling genuinely and taking it. "I guess my wife has quite a big mouth on her, doesn't she. I was indeed looking for such a book, thank you," he flips through it casually, staring at runes that neither he nor Guts can understand. "Thank you very much. I'll have to go talk to my wife, if you'll excuse me." Lord Marsh steps away from Guts and bustles over to his wife. They begin to talk in hushed tones.

Zelphie glances up at Ysp. She and the Fenerian had been on more than one quest together, and Zelphie smiles loosely at the Necromancer's anger. "You must remember, my sweet sweet Retak, that the younger races sometimes act rashly. All of us act the way we must act, my insatiable friend."

"Way I see it, still isn't that different than what that Shawe wants. But, if you say you've got the citizen's support... well, I'd like to see them, but assuming you're telling the truth, I'd still deem you the lesser of the evils around here. Amice, I'm interested to hear how you found yourself working for Shawe and House Shadeaux. I've got a friend or two in that noble house, and I'm always happy to hear a tale."

Discussing things outside the topic is also generally not advised, assuming it actually relates to function of the game.

"Perhaps we can wait a day or a night before buying this glass. It may be that then we will have some information to go on. The younger races are always racing to get everything done. Observation never hurts. Some may die, but their sacrifice will allow the survivors to play with a better hand." Zelphie buzzes a frequency and stares ahead. "We are heroes." "I have never quested with our gorgeous little alchemist, but it is my opinion that all those who play at God, as alchemists are wont to do, have a screw or two loose. It does not make them anymore evil than those who walk instead of fly."

I hope very much that the popularity of this game doesn't distract anyone from the quests they're on. Likewise, just a RP suggestion/note/hope/thing I'd like - one of the great things about Heroica is that everyone has been on quests together. Should be fun to play, even with all these doomed characters. Not a requirement of course, but could still be fun.

Zelphie sits quietly and enchants her weapon, muttering a few words. "If you don't have anything useful to say, best say nothing at all," she hums musically, her strange goggles flashing as she bobs her head.

Zelphie snorts laughter. "Calico, my darling halfling, how are we to decide who gets to hold onto such a beautiful item? You haven't forgotten the quarrel the two of us had over that lovely gemstone in Baltarok, have you?"

OoC: Pandora, you'll be back in the game tomorrow! Just letting the other have a move or two while the Assassins brawl it out in the courtyard, sure you understand. "Your decoy book," says Daneeka in his normal curt manner, depositing a book in Guts' hands. Lady Felix unlocks the door at the same time, and Hybros comes bustling in.

"Well then," says Zelphie. "Time to get to it, I suppose. Anyone got any ideas? The faster we get these megablocks, the faster we're out of here. I had just seen a quest departing for Ennon, I'm anxious to get moving again."

Thomas clomps on over and helps U'Or to stand, but the U'Kin still seems in a shocked stupor. The duo makes their way to the door, where both Docken and Guts spy Lady Felix. She looks at Guts with a questioning eye, but quietly and efficiently unlocks the door, allowing the faun and U'Or out, and Daneeka back in. The door is then locked again. Guts makes his way over to Shawe. "Well hello there, my tricky little friend. You must have a great love for the people of Eubric, what to so kindly allow them access to greater bombs. Madame Ladybug didn't give me a strong yes, but she gave me an even weaker no. Here, as a token of my gratitude, and the gratitude of House Shadeaux too." Shawe hands Guts 150 gold, and Guts feels that the family will look more kindly on him in the future. "I don't think I ever caught your name, friend."

Boomingham raises an eyebrow. "For a citizen militia, Shawe certainly uses a lot of hired hands. Jacob and Christian, I believe I met you two on a boat at some point in my adventures. At least I know you can hold a sword at the right end. Neri, a slave with devotion to Shawe, so I'm guessing you're not from here either. Captain Amice, another Shadeaux employee... Symond and Gerrie don't seem to be from here either." Boomingham shrugs. "I was looking to ask the citizens of this if they thought they could hold it if we left it in their hands, but it doesn't look like there are many citizens floating around. So, if anyone - Amice, perhaps? - were to enlighten me as to how you're different than the Mopag, feel free."

OoC: Found it, yes, you have those effects. Sorry, it had been a while. A similar paleness descends on U'Ors as did Madame Ladybug. His throat appears to be closing up. "To... to.. kill... Master Guffington?! Who? Who would do such a thing? Those I hired come from the hovels. Guffington is helping them. Three of them!? Gods be... gods be..." U'Or wobbles for a few seconds, and then, slightly shockingly, topples over in a dead faint. "You Heroicans are fools. I wanted to see that my man was dead, that bitch wouldn't let me. Then you bring another bitch here to kill me. Ain't happening, bucko." "I haven't fought anyone," says Avery loosely. "I'm personally not overly fond of killing those I don't have to. I haven't drawn a knife yet. Step inside and let me deal with the blue man. Though we'll have to have a word about you trying to have me killed. It doesn't paint you in a very pretty light, imp. Maybe I won't spare you, but that poor lady bleeding out surely shouldn't suffer for your ineptitude."

Boomingham steps back out into the room with the soldiers and sighs merrily. "Hi there, all. I'm Lord Lawrence Boomingham, King of the Desert and Lost Kingdom, Slayer of the Bluehood and Steerpike the Poisoner." He smiles warmly. "And hopefully a savior of this town in some fashion. So tell me in confidence, what are your names, your force's number, your professions, how long you've held a sword in your hand, and what you think of the big bad Shawe in the other room."

Guts finds U'Or at the edge of the room. It is clear that the poor U'Kin does not particularly like parties, though his eyes drift from time to time to Madame Ladybug. OoC: Time wise it just didn't make sense for him to travel that far. Sorry. Finale Battle of the Courtyard Nyx v. Watters - Damage ( :cry_sad: [48/2]-3=21) Free Hits Watters v. Nyx ([48/2]-3=21) Watters drops a understandably pissed off Nyx, but as he wheels to the door he sees Hybros and Avery stepping out onto the courtyard. Avery raises an eyebrow and a faint smile plays across her lips. Bemused would be the term to describe it best. The Enemies Watters the Blue Assassin "Bloody hels." Level 48 Humanoid *Immune to Sleep, Blinded, Sealed, and Instant Kill* *Hastened* Health: 960/960 SP: 1 Special I: Sampling – Takes a sip of the mulled wine, becomes inspired. Special II: Bolas to the Feet – Watters tosses throwing bolas, entangling the hero, dealing the Bound and Slowed effects for the duration of the battle until remedied. The hero cannot move until both effects are removed. Cannot be used unless previous attempt already remedied. Special III: Bladestorm – Watters rains the party with throwing knives, doing 20 damage, ignoring row to each of them. Can only be used once. Special IV: Shroud – Blue Assassin Prodigy becomes invisible, making them unable to be targeted for the duration of the round. At the beginning of the next round, they will pull the hero that rolled Special Damage into the darkness, causing them to be Blinded for the next 3 rounds and Stunned. Passive Special I: Deflect – Successful hits and spells on the Blue Assassin Prodigy have a 1/6 chance of being deflected to a random ally. Passive Special II: Free Reign - Free hits pierce SP and ignore row. Drops: Mulled Wine (If Special I not rolled) Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP: 1), Dagger of the Blue Assassin (WP: 4, Aims become Hits), 500 Gold, Spinning Bolas – WP: 5, deals the Slowed effect, but the effect is removed when retrieved, throwing weapon The Party Nyx Level 28 Battle Mage *Natural Respite* *Immune to Sealed effects* *Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects* *Encouraged* Power: 42 Power Bonus: 1 Defense: 3 Health: 39/39 Ether: 40/40 Gold: 61 Equipment: Zee Standard (Staff, WP: 14 Ice and Darkness Elemental, Necromancers Raise Enemies with 2 extra levels), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from sealed-effect), High Heels (+1 Power), Sandman's Parasol (Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects) Inventory: Book of a Thousand Creatures (WP:14, each roll has a 1/6 chance to summon a creature to aid the hero), Explosive Staff – WP: 12 (Does 1/2 damage to all enemies on a successful hit (normal damage to targeted enemy) and 1/2 WP damage to self on a roll of 4 (disregarding SP/row)), Healing Staff (WP: 5), Shiny Helmet (+1 max health), Monkey Bar (all minions, pets, summons etc are Hastened), Ruby (Fire), Diamond (Light), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth), Aquamarine (Water) Opal (Ice), Scroll of Sleep, 2 Meads, 4 Deadly Venoms, 3 Cosmic Essences (Revives a knocked out ally with full health and ether and gives them the blessed-effect), Potion, 3 Tonics, 2 Grand Tonics, Ether Core, Fire Bomb, Smoke Bomb, 2 Chaotic Bombs (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bomb 'X2' (May be combined with a bomb to get it to ignore SP), 2 Bedrolls, 5 Bones, Scroll of Weakening, Smelling Salts, Nostrum Hybros *Party Leader* Level 26 1/3 Assassin *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements* *Lucky* *Inspired* *Encouraged* Power: 32 Power Bonus: 1 Defense: 0 Health: 80/80 Gold: 728 Equipment: Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 6, gains 1 WP every kill made with it, light- and darkness-elemental; longsword), Golden Armor (user is permanently hastened and cursed, fire-, water-, earth-, wind-, wood-, ice-, lightning-, darkness-, light-elemental, grants immunity to Sleep, Blindness, Confusion, Frailty, and Weakening; bodywear), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up); handwear), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round) Inventory: Zoot's Reaper (WP:15, earth-elemental; scythe), Clock Cog (WP: 14, retrievable), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all, retrievable), Eye-poking Sai (WP:8, blinded-effect, dagger), Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike, dagger), Blessed Amulet (protects from cursed-effect; accessory), Wrench (WP:3, decreases the target’s level by 1, retrievable), 14 Potions, 14 Grand Potions, 22 Health Cores, 12 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, 2 Elixirs, 5 Phoenix Essences, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, 3 Lightning Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 14 Nostrums, 3 Meads, 5 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, Certificate for a Cloak of a Red Assassin (The next red assassin met is forced to give up his cloak), "Who am I serving the wine to here?" the serving girl asks mildly.

I think it's the colors of Flickr. And yeah, the resistance has a beautiful design.

Boomingham smiles slightly at Shawe and sweeps his hand behind him, indicating the others. "Sir Issac Shawe, these are my fellow heroes, Nerwen and Arthur the Mage. They have a question or two for you. It seems they're not quite on board with trusting you and your entrepreneurial spirit. I told them that you seemed trust-worthy enough, but to each their own, right?" Boomingham shrugs. "Mind if I go talk to the troops while my fellow heroes have a word or two with you?"