Zepher

The latch outside clicks and Everstien quickly shepherds the heroes out. "All well?" he asks with a crooked grin. "You're just in time for the show, you know. Won't you stand back and watch with me? It is our last time to do so, and there are many elements that have moved about. I wonder at the results." The heroes see Guts standing very near Guffington, though not interrupting the man's evening.

Hybros tries to open the door to the kitchen, but finds it locked. A deep tittering cough from outside the door confirms that Everstien is directly outside.

Boomingham's jaw drops. He had never seen someone so beautiful. The strong twinkling eyes, just barely hinting at both laughter and intelligence, the strong set mouth, always ready to laugh. The scraggly powerful mustache, bristling with authority and power. Boomingham felt... in love. "Shawe?" Boomingham chews his cheek. "Can't say I know the name. Strange introduction though. Very ominous. Mind untying my friend over there, and then explaining why it is that my friends haven't trusted you?"

OoC: That's because you didn't physically jump back, Pandora, because your friends didn't take the time to save you. Assuming you don't get caught on the wrong side of a brawl again, you will retain your stats boosts and XP. The party wolfs down this and that. The Party Hybros *Party Leader* Level 26 1/3 Assassin *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements* Power: 34 Power Bonus: 1 Defense: 0 Health: 40/40 Gold: 749 Equipment: Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 7, 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), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round), Cloak of the Red Assassin (All hits have a 1/3 chance of Assassination, Suitable for Assassins, Backwear) 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, 13 Grand Potions, 21 Health Cores, 12 Remedies, Neutralizer, 2 Elixirs, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, 3 Lightning Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 11 Nostrums, 2 Meads, 4 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up); handwear), Bartholomew Docken, Dragonslayer Level 31.75 Warden *Takes Halved Damage from Free Hits* *Immune to Instant Kill* Power: 41 Defense: 23 Health: 61/61 Gold: 865 GP: 4 Equipment: Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10; Blinded-effect), Mythril Shield (SP: 20), Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3; Damage of all Free Hits is halved; Bodywear), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level; Handwear), Cobweb Cowl (immune to Instant-KO; Backwear) Inventory: Health Cores (2), Grand Potions (5), Remedies (5), Phoenix Incense, Phoenix Essence, Bones (4), Smoke Bombs (3), Teleportapple, Bedroll, Medal of Glory (Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles; Accessory), Dread Hat (permanent Scary-effect; immune to Defense Reduction, Confusion, Blindness, Badly Poisoned, and Fragile; Headwear), Nyx Level 28 Battle Mage *Natural Respite* *Immune to Sealed effects* *Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects* Power: 42 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 3 Health: 39/39 Ether: 38/40 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, They then mill around the kitchen with a dead body or two, wondering what they should do next. No one appears bold enough to try anything, though. Madame Ladybug smiles lightly. "You did not strike me as one who would be so interested in our endeavors, Master Guts. I always figured you as one for the knife and sword, not mortar and pestle, hmmmmm. But if you are indeed interested," she looks at him with interest, and cocks her head to the side a little, "well, we do train apprentices. When you begin your training with your Copper Fox, come to see the Guild, and perhaps we can teach you a thing or two." Madame Ladybug hands Guts a Voucher to the Guild with her signature on it. Perhaps later he can turn it in for a trick or two.

Madame Ladybug makes eye contact with Guts and excuses herself from conversation. Chauncey walks off, and she waits for Guts to speak. Hybros, meanwhile, picks up the notes and opens them safely. They read 'Lord Marsh' and 'Watters'. Docken bravely notices some loot that no one noticed before. -Chef’s Apron (Bodywear, Immunity to fire and poisons) -Pan (WP: 1, +1 Max Health, suitable for all classes) -Fishstick (WP: 7, deals double damage on ships, club) -Nostrum -Mead -Smelling Salts -Phoenix Essence -Oneupshroom cap (When eaten, works as a Pheonix Essence) -Tinyshroom cap (Permanently gain +1 health when eaten) -Growshroom cap (Permanently gain +1 power when eaten) -Doomshroom cap (Permanently gain +1 ether when eaten)

Thank you. And you may say whatever you like when we're done.

Quests move at different paces with different levels of rewards.

Round Twenty-Six >Hybros uses Grand Potion on Nyx >Nyx v. Avery - Hit/Hit - (41*2=82) >Docken v. Avery - >Hybros v. Avery - The shoe is on the other foot. The battle is victorious! The Party Hybros *Party Leader* Level 26 1/3 Assassin *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements* Power: 33 Defense: 0 Health: 40/40 Gold: 749 Equipment: Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 7, 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), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round), Cloak of the Red Assassin (All hits have a 1/3 chance of Assassination, Suitable for Assassins, Backwear) 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, 13 Grand Potions, 21 Health Cores, 12 Remedies, Neutralizer, 2 Elixirs, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, 3 Lightning Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 11 Nostrums, 2 Meads, 4 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up); handwear), Bartholomew Docken, Dragonslayer Level 31.75 Warden *Takes Halved Damage from Free Hits* *Immune to Instant Kill* Power: 41 Defense: 23 Health: 60/60 Gold: 865 GP: 4 Equipment: Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10; Blinded-effect), Mythril Shield (SP: 20), Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3; Damage of all Free Hits is halved; Bodywear), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level; Handwear), Cobweb Cowl (immune to Instant-KO; Backwear) Inventory: Health Cores (2), Grand Potions (5), Remedies (5), Phoenix Incense, Phoenix Essence, Bones (4), Smoke Bombs (3), Teleportapple, Bedroll, Medal of Glory (Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles; Accessory), Dread Hat (permanent Scary-effect; immune to Defense Reduction, Confusion, Blindness, Badly Poisoned, and Fragile; Headwear), Nyx Level 28 Battle Mage *Natural Respite* *Immune to Sealed effects* *Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects* Power: 42 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 3 Health: 39/39 Ether: 37/39 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, The darkness spell rams into Avery and sends her tumbling backwards. Blood seeps out of her eyes, ears, nose and mouth. She is, quite clearly and totally, dead. A few vials of nostrum clank out of her pocket, and then two more sealed pieces of parchment, much like the one that burst into flame upon the chef's death. x3 Nostrum x2 Contract of the Red Assassin Time: 8:43 For the first time since Guts met the man, a mischievous look comes into his eye. "I have a few beauties. Might be you'll see them if you stick around long enough."

Boomingham sheaths his sword again and looks at the two. "I'd be interested to chat a little with your leader," he says.

Round Twenty-Five >Hybros uses Phoenix Essence on Nyx >Hybros uses Nostrum on Nyx >Nyx v. Avery - Special Damage/Counter - ([58/2]-3=26) (41*2=82, -1 ether) >Docken v. Avery - Critical Hit/Special Damage (51) Avery stands her ground and fights back, but its clear she has grown very weary. Her eyelids droop and her nose and mouth trickle blood at a alarmingly consistent rate. She seems unable to say anything, but her dead eyes remain locked on her foes, and her knife is held lethally before her. Enemies Avery the Red Assassin Level 58 Humanoid *Immune to all effects and Instant Kill* Health: 71/1160 Special I: Mark of the Red Assassin – Instantly kills target. If target is immune to Instant Kill, the target becomes Doomed. Passive Special I: Clever Eye - On even rounds, the waitress ignores SP. Passive Special II: Cloak of the Red Assassin – All damage dealt by the Red Assassin has a 1/3 1/6 chance of killing the target. (If cloak is removed, 1/6). Passive Special III: Revenge - Whenever Avery is dealt damage by a hero, she remembers. The hero is given a “mark counter”. When Avery deals damage to a hero, the mark counter is used as a multiplier, but removed. Mark counters stack (if there is only one mark counter, it is ignored). Drops: ??? The Party Hybros *Party Leader* Level 26 Assassin *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements* *2 Mark Counters* Power: 33 Defense: 0 Health: 40/40 Gold: 749 Equipment: Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 7, 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), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round), Cloak of the Red Assassin (All hits have a 1/3 chance of Assassination, Suitable for Assassins, Backwear) 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, 21 Health Cores, 12 Remedies, Neutralizer, 2 Elixirs, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, 3 Lightning Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 11 Nostrums, 2 Meads, 4 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up); handwear), Bartholomew Docken, Dragonslayer Level 31.5 Warden *Takes Halved Damage from Free Hits* *Immune to Instant Kill* *Lucky* Power: 41 Defense: 23 Health: 60/60 Gold: 865 GP: 4 Equipment: Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10; Blinded-effect), Mythril Shield (SP: 20), Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3; Damage of all Free Hits is halved; Bodywear), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level; Handwear), Cobweb Cowl (immune to Instant-KO; Backwear) Inventory: Health Cores (2), Grand Potions (5), Remedies (5), Phoenix Incense, Phoenix Essence, Bones (4), Smoke Bombs (3), Teleportapple, Bedroll, Medal of Glory (Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles; Accessory), Dread Hat (permanent Scary-effect; immune to Defense Reduction, Confusion, Blindness, Badly Poisoned, and Fragile; Headwear), Nyx Level 27 2/3 Battle Mage *Natural Respite* *Immune to Sealed effects* *Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects* *Lucky* Power: 41 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 3 Health: 12/38 Ether: 36/38 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, Time: 8:42 Elba looks dismissive for a second, but then, with slight tones of disdain and fear in his voice, gives a careful answer. "I can think of no one who would want to hurt Guffington... unless I am forced to, in which case I would say almost anyone. He has his hand in many enterprises. The Ji Pei have never struck me as violent or unfriendly, but Guffington employs great minds that they may find distasteful out of their command. The Hinckwells and Shadeaux both dislike his wealth and influence. The priests of many temples have cause to fear him, as do both dangerous mad minds and the minds of the petty and weak." Elba looks around the house with a stern gaze. "Daneeka U'Or and I would never let harm come to him though."

Boomingham swiftly draws his sword. "Just so we'll equally armed," he explains loosely. "If you put your's away, I'll put mine away." Boomingham glances at his companion. It seems his elven heritage goes unnoticed, difficult to discern with his hair covering the distinctive pointy ears. "What would you fellows be doing armed? Robbers, looters, elvish hunting mercenaries? Ordinary citizens who are defending their town?" Boomingham raises an eyebrow and smiles cunningly at the last one.

OoC: Huzzah! Happy birthday, Pandora! On a relatively unrelated note - does counter still work if the original attack KO's the player? From the wording it seems like it shouldn't. Round Twenty-Five >Hybros uses Health Core on Docken >Hybros uses Mead on Nyx >Nyx v. Avery - Damage/Counter (([58*2]/2)-3=55, Nyx KO'd) >Docken v. Avery - Damage/Hit - (41) Hybros and Nyx unleash some moderate power, while Docken stands steadfast behind his shield, shaken, but not stirred. (Because he is shaken by the attacks, but not stirred into movement. Get it?) Enemies Avery the Red Assassin Level 58 Humanoid *Immune to all effects and Instant Kill* Health: 204/1160 Special I: Mark of the Red Assassin – Instantly kills target. If target is immune to Instant Kill, the target becomes Doomed. Passive Special I: Clever Eye - On even rounds, the waitress ignores SP. Passive Special II: Cloak of the Red Assassin – All damage dealt by the Red Assassin has a 1/3 1/6 chance of killing the target. (If cloak is removed, 1/6). Passive Special III: Revenge - Whenever Avery is dealt damage by a hero, she remembers. The hero is given a “mark counter”. When Avery deals damage to a hero, the mark counter is used as a multiplier, but removed. Mark counters stack (if there is only one mark counter, it is ignored). Drops: ??? The Party Hybros *Party Leader* Level 26 Assassin *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements* *2 Mark Counters* Power: 33 Defense: 0 Health: 40/40 Gold: 749 Equipment: Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 7, 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), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round), Cloak of the Red Assassin (All hits have a 1/3 chance of Assassination, Suitable for Assassins, Backwear) 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, 21 Health Cores, 12 Remedies, Neutralizer, 2 Elixirs, Phoenix Essence, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, 3 Lightning Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 11 Nostrums, 2 Meads, 4 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up); handwear), Bartholomew Docken, Dragonslayer Level 31.5 Warden *Takes Halved Damage from Free Hits* *Immune to Instant Kill* Power: 41 Defense: 23 Health: 4/60 Gold: 865 GP: 4 Equipment: Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10; Blinded-effect), Mythril Shield (SP: 20), Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3; Damage of all Free Hits is halved; Bodywear), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level; Handwear), Cobweb Cowl (immune to Instant-KO; Backwear) Inventory: Health Cores (2), Grand Potions (5), Remedies (5), Phoenix Incense, Phoenix Essence, Bones (4), Smoke Bombs (3), Teleportapple, Bedroll, Medal of Glory (Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles; Accessory), Dread Hat (permanent Scary-effect; immune to Defense Reduction, Confusion, Blindness, Badly Poisoned, and Fragile; Headwear), Nyx Level 27 2/3 Battle Mage *Natural Respite* *Immune to Sealed effects* *Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects* *KO'd* Power: 41 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 3 Health: 0/38 Ether: 36/38 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, Time: 8:41 "Most of it. He's a few years older than I am, so he hopped rides from other folks for some time while I was busy growing up, but I've been to Charis, Dastan twice, even Aoi with Daneeka. I've tried my hand at flying a small one of the Ji Pei's flying ships, and while I can't say I like them as much, I can see their purpose." The man shrugs casually. "The Bonapartes aren't pleased with Guffington for nabbing me. He's not that friendly with them as a family. I don't think he's much of a fan of their trading laws."

Boomingham nods. "Lead the way to the stables, Hunter, but after that I say we take a look at the areas we know are populated. I've had enough ruins for one day."

Boomingham reads the inscription at the bottom of the shattered statue. "Seems like Aphneoshippta didn't do so well in real combat," he remarks sadly. "Let's spread out, see if we can't find any weapons or any clues as to who is responsible. After that, we would do best to stop by the warehouses and see our Blue Knights in full force." Boomingham picks up the glass bottle, seeing if there are any remaining liquids, and then investigates the surrounding area, looking for any weapons or patches of cloth or really anything at all.

OoC: Absolutely. It wasn't so much that you were late with them than that I'd rather get the battle moving along! Now that I'm out of vacation and that neither of you were KO'd, I can do that! Highly likely I will run another round before bed/first thing in the morning - whoever is first online may post actions for everyone. Round Twenty-Four Hybros v. Avery - Lethal Aim (7*2=14) Hybros v. Avery - Damage ([58*2]/2=58 Docken) >Docken v. Avery - Damage/Special Damage (58/2=29 Docken) >Nyx v. Avery - Damage/Counter - (41*2=82) (58/2=29 Docken) Hybros and Nyx unleash some moderate power, while Docken stands steadfast behind his shield, shaken, but not stirred. (Because he is shaken by the attacks, but not stirred into movement. Get it?) Enemies Avery the Red Assassin Level 58 Humanoid *Immune to all effects and Instant Kill* Health: 245/1160 Special I: Mark of the Red Assassin – Instantly kills target. If target is immune to Instant Kill, the target becomes Doomed. Passive Special I: Clever Eye - On even rounds, the waitress ignores SP. Passive Special II: Cloak of the Red Assassin – All damage dealt by the Red Assassin has a 1/3 1/6 chance of killing the target. (If cloak is removed, 1/6). Passive Special III: Revenge - Whenever Avery is dealt damage by a hero, she remembers. The hero is given a “mark counter”. When Avery deals damage to a hero, the mark counter is used as a multiplier, but removed. Mark counters stack (if there is only one mark counter, it is ignored). Drops: ??? The Party Hybros *Party Leader* Level 26 Assassin *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements* *2 Mark Counters* Power: 33 Defense: 0 Health: 40/40 Gold: 749 Equipment: Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 7, 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), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round), Cloak of the Red Assassin (All hits have a 1/3 chance of Assassination, Suitable for Assassins, Backwear) 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, 21 Health Cores, 12 Remedies, Neutralizer, 2 Elixirs, Phoenix Essence, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, 3 Lightning Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 11 Nostrums, 2 Meads, 4 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up); handwear), Bartholomew Docken, Dragonslayer Level 31.5 Warden *Takes Halved Damage from Free Hits* *Immune to Instant Kill* Power: 41 Defense: 23 Health: 4/60 Gold: 865 GP: 4 Equipment: Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10; Blinded-effect), Mythril Shield (SP: 20), Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3; Damage of all Free Hits is halved; Bodywear), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level; Handwear), Cobweb Cowl (immune to Instant-KO; Backwear) Inventory: Health Cores (2), Grand Potions (5), Remedies (5), Phoenix Incense, Phoenix Essence, Bones (4), Smoke Bombs (3), Teleportapple, Bedroll, Medal of Glory (Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles; Accessory), Dread Hat (permanent Scary-effect; immune to Defense Reduction, Confusion, Blindness, Badly Poisoned, and Fragile; Headwear), Nyx Level 27 2/3 Battle Mage *Natural Respite* *Immune to Sealed effects* *Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects* *2 Mark Counters* Power: 41 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 3 Health: 9/38 Ether: 36/38 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, Time: 8:40 Elba seems visually more comfortable once Guts tells him that he is a captain as well. "That man over there," says Elba, jerking his thumb at Guffington. "I can't imagine that he has use for two captains, though, so if you're looking for work there you're plum out of luck." Guts realizes he has a vague memory of the man, from a dream from long ago...

Boomingham nods thoughtfully as they walk down the street, the barracks now to their right. "Seems every hero I meet has a tale to tell," he remarks jollily and then glances over at the barracks. "Hello! Resistance? Come out come out wherever you are!" "I'm Barty," says his angel, whipping into view and offering his petit hand to Alex. "I'm sorry for him." Then, to Boomingham: "Be quiet, you idiot."

Round Twenty-Three >Hybros uses a Nostrum on Nyx >Hybros uses a Nostrum on Docken >Docken v. Avery - Hit/Shield (Aura!) >Nyx v. Avery - Special Damage/Critical Hit (([14*3]+27)*2=138) Nyx and Docken finally are able to repel their foe, forcefully. Enemies Avery the Red Assassin Level 58 Humanoid *Immune to all effects and Instant Kill* Health: 259/1160 Special I: Mark of the Red Assassin – Instantly kills target. If target is immune to Instant Kill, the target becomes Doomed. Passive Special I: Clever Eye - On even rounds, the waitress ignores SP. Passive Special II: Cloak of the Red Assassin – All damage dealt by the Red Assassin has a 1/3 1/6 chance of killing the target. (If cloak is removed, 1/6). Passive Special III: Revenge - Whenever Avery is dealt damage by a hero, she remembers. The hero is given a “mark counter”. When Avery deals damage to a hero, the mark counter is used as a multiplier, but removed. Mark counters stack (if there is only one mark counter, it is ignored). Drops: ??? The Party Hybros *Party Leader* Level 26 Assassin *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements* *1 Mark Counter* Power: 33 Defense: 0 Health: 40/40 Gold: 749 Equipment: Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 7, 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), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round), Cloak of the Red Assassin (All hits have a 1/3 chance of Assassination, Suitable for Assassins, Backwear) 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, 21 Health Cores, 12 Remedies, Neutralizer, 2 Elixirs, Phoenix Essence, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, 3 Lightning Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 11 Nostrums, 2 Meads, 4 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up); handwear), Bartholomew Docken, Dragonslayer Level 31.5 Warden *Takes Halved Damage from Free Hits* *Immune to Instant Kill* *2 Mark Counters* Power: 41 Defense: 23 Health: 60/60 Gold: 865 GP: 4 Equipment: Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10; Blinded-effect), Mythril Shield (SP: 20), Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3; Damage of all Free Hits is halved; Bodywear), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level; Handwear), Cobweb Cowl (immune to Instant-KO; Backwear) Inventory: Health Cores (2), Grand Potions (5), Remedies (5), Phoenix Incense, Phoenix Essence, Bones (4), Smoke Bombs (3), Teleportapple, Bedroll, Medal of Glory (Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles; Accessory), Dread Hat (permanent Scary-effect; immune to Defense Reduction, Confusion, Blindness, Badly Poisoned, and Fragile; Headwear), Nyx Level 27 2/3 Battle Mage *Natural Respite* *Immune to Sealed effects* *Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects* *1 Mark Counter* Power: 42 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 3 Health: 9/38 Ether: 36/38 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, Time: 8:39 "I am actually independent of the Bonapartes. It seems rare to find privately employed ships these days, but I am one." Elba says with a faint smile. "I'm afraid that makes me highly valued among certain elite forces. Hinckwell, Shawe and Marsh all attempted to talk to me about projects in the future. Hinckwell even offered to hire me full time. Sadly for them, I am not for sale." It was clear from his tone that he expected a similar offer from Guts, and was doing his best to politely decline.

"I believe the chaps in blue are staying in the warehouses, and seeing as they can't seem to find the resistance, I doubt its floating around there. I say we pay a visit to the barracks first." Boomingham exits the tavern and sets off towards the Barracks, hoping his Hunter pal will follow him. "Nerwen says you're a good hand with a bow, boy. So, regal me with a tale or two of your prowess while we walk."

Quite a few of them are three or four pages long, at this point. They'll all be published after the quest. It is to encourage people's thinking - they actually have to actively pool information.

Round Twenty-Two >Hybros uses a Phoenix Essence on Nyx >Hybros uses Neutralizer >Docken v. Avery - Critical Hit (51) >Nyx v. Avery - Damage ([58/2]=29, [3] No Assassination) Nyx gets to her feet once more as Hybros tosses a Neutralizer that explodes and rains down chemicals on everyone in the room. Avery is able to deal another blow to Nyx, but Docken repels her yet another time, and as the blood dribbles from just about everywhere on Avery, the heroes finally feel that they may stand a chance against this foe. Enemies Avery the Red Assassin Level 58 Humanoid *Immune to all effects and Instant Kill* Health: 397/1160 Special I: Mark of the Red Assassin – Instantly kills target. If target is immune to Instant Kill, the target becomes Doomed. Passive Special I: Clever Eye - On even rounds, the waitress ignores SP. Passive Special II: Cloak of the Red Assassin – All damage dealt by the Red Assassin has a 1/3 1/6 chance of killing the target. (If cloak is removed, 1/6). Passive Special III: Revenge - Whenever Avery is dealt damage by a hero, she remembers. The hero is given a “mark counter”. When Avery deals damage to a hero, the mark counter is used as a multiplier, but removed. Mark counters stack (if there is only one mark counter, it is ignored). Drops: ??? The Party Hybros *Party Leader* Level 26 Assassin *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements* *1 Mark Counter* Power: 33 Defense: 0 Health: 40/40 Gold: 749 Equipment: Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 7, 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), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round), Cloak of the Red Assassin (All hits have a 1/3 chance of Assassination, Suitable for Assassins, Backwear) 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, 21 Health Cores, 12 Remedies, Neutralizer, 2 Elixirs, Phoenix Essence, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, 3 Lightning Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 11 Nostrums, 2 Meads, 4 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up); handwear), Bartholomew Docken, Dragonslayer Level 31.5 Warden *Takes Halved Damage from Free Hits* *Immune to Instant Kill* *1 Mark Counter* Power: 41 Defense: 23 Health: 60/60 Gold: 865 GP: 4 Equipment: Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10; Blinded-effect), Mythril Shield (SP: 20), Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3; Damage of all Free Hits is halved; Bodywear), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level; Handwear), Cobweb Cowl (immune to Instant-KO; Backwear) Inventory: Health Cores (2), Grand Potions (5), Remedies (5), Phoenix Incense, Phoenix Essence, Bones (4), Smoke Bombs (3), Teleportapple, Bedroll, Medal of Glory (Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles; Accessory), Dread Hat (permanent Scary-effect; immune to Defense Reduction, Confusion, Blindness, Badly Poisoned, and Fragile; Headwear), Nyx Level 27 2/3 Battle Mage *Natural Respite* *Immune to Sealed effects* *Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects* Power: 42 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 3 Health: 9/38 Ether: 36/38 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, Time: 8:38 Guts looks around the room as the Marshes dutifully and gladly exit the room. Lord Hinckwell follows them. Dr. Everstien stands patiently at the door to the kitchen, and Guffington talks adamantly with Daneeka and Shawe. The two servers loiter around the serving table; having almost used up Guts' bottle and seem anxious to get back to the kitchen, but Everstien stands steadily and they don't seem to want to encounter him again. Chauncey and Madame Ladybug speak in quiet voices in a corner, while Elba sips wine and surveys the room, clearly looking for someone to talk to. Lady Felix, is, of course, right behind Guts.

Lady Marsh sips down the two cleansing products and stares at the note long and hard. "I've never seen that note before in my life," she says plainly and snippily. "That's impossible, dear. Be honest with the man. Unless someone planted it in our room?" Lord Marsh's brow furrows. Lady Marsh eyes him angrily. "I'm sure that's the only explanation I can think of."

We're almost done with the quest anyway. Just one more jump, and if everyone plays it smart and pays attention to what they've learned, it should be a quick one.

"My own commander has tasked me with finding this resistance as well." Boomingham sighs. "I suppose its best for you to remain hands off for the time being. I'll be certain to keep you in my thoughts should I find this resistance. I'm hoping we're all not just assuming its existence." Boomingham sighs again. "Thank you, chap. Hopefully I'll be seeing you around. I believe your compatriot said you were staying in a warehouse? I may come a-callin'." Boomingham steps aside and eyes the hobgoblin. "Well equipped for someone who's hiding from aggressors. What about it, Hunter? Where do you think this resistance might be?"

I'm putting in a strong word for more lucky instant kill enemies.

Round Twenty-One >Hybros uses a Nostrum on Nyx >Hybros uses a Nostrum on Docken >Nyx v. Avery - Special Damage ( ) >Docken v. Avery - Critical Hit ([10*2]+31=51) Hybros feeds both of his compatriots yet another Nostrum, but Avery seems to have taken offense at being called a "so-called Assassin" and so takes out Nyx once again, stabbing her this time directly in the ribs, very near her heart. "Why not fight me yourself, Assassin." Enemies Avery the Red Assassin Level 58 Humanoid *Lucky* *Immune to all effects and Instant Kill* Health: 448/1160 Special I: Mark of the Red Assassin – Instantly kills target. If target is immune to Instant Kill, the target becomes Doomed. Passive Special I: Clever Eye - On even rounds, the waitress ignores SP. Passive Special II: Cloak of the Red Assassin – All damage dealt by the Red Assassin has a 1/3 1/6 chance of killing the target. (If cloak is removed, 1/6). Passive Special III: Revenge - Whenever Avery is dealt damage by a hero, she remembers. The hero is given a “mark counter”. When Avery deals damage to a hero, the mark counter is used as a multiplier, but removed. Mark counters stack (if there is only one mark counter, it is ignored). Drops: ??? The Party Hybros *Party Leader* Level 26 Assassin *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements* *1 Mark Counter* Power: 33 Defense: 0 Health: 40/40 Gold: 749 Equipment: Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 7, 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), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round), Cloak of the Red Assassin (All hits have a 1/3 chance of Assassination, Suitable for Assassins, Backwear) 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, 21 Health Cores, 12 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, 2 Elixirs, 2 Phoenix Essences, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, 3 Lightning Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 11 Nostrums, 2 Meads, 4 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up); handwear), Bartholomew Docken, Dragonslayer Level 31.5 Warden *Takes Halved Damage from Free Hits* * *Immune to Instant Kill* *Lucky* *1 Mark Counter* Power: 41 Defense: 23 Health: 60/60 Gold: 865 GP: 4 Equipment: Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10; Blinded-effect), Mythril Shield (SP: 20), Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3; Damage of all Free Hits is halved; Bodywear), Eye of the Beholder Amulet (Accessory, Once per quest the hero may re-roll the last round), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level; Handwear), Cobweb Cowl (immune to Instant-KO; Backwear) Inventory: Health Cores (2), Grand Potions (5), Remedies (5), Phoenix Incense, Phoenix Essence, Bones (4), Smoke Bombs (3), Teleportapple, Bedroll, Medal of Glory (Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles; Accessory), Dread Hat (permanent Scary-effect; immune to Defense Reduction, Confusion, Blindness, Badly Poisoned, and Fragile; Headwear), Nyx Level 27 2/3 Battle Mage *Natural Respite* *Immune to Sealed effects* *Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects* *KO'd* Power: 42 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 3 Health: 0/38 Ether: 36/38 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, Time: 8:37 Lady Marsh thankfully gulps down the Remedy, and her eyes once more seem to grow more bright before fading to a normal but duller shade. "Gods no, I wouldn't dream of killing anybody," says Lady Marsh cagily. Her husband looks at her reproachfully. "I do not have any intention of killing anyone," he says. "I cannot speak for my wife."