Zepher

The day will close in five hours. I will not be around then, but will be 3 hours after that. Get your votes in.

Boomingham watches as the others begin to retreat to their rooms. "That's not a bad business plan, Miss Pigeon. Tell me if you need a partner in crime." He then finishes his drink. and looks at the bar forlornly. "I'd love to keep up with you, Madam, but I fear these children are unable to function on their own, so I've got to function for them. Adieu." Boomingham retreats to his room.

OoC: You only said you were carrying it, I thought Arthur got distracted on the way. Boomingham tosses Arthur the 15 gold he assumes the Mead costed, and begins to take huge swigs of it while he waits for Miss Pigeon to respond.

OoC: Rat Hide back. By.

U'Or rushes around lighting torches as the light in the sky fades even more. Docken looks up at the glass ceiling and sees that it seems to be glowing slightly- pulsating almost. "What do you think of it, Docken? Do you know how it is done?" asks the muffled but smooth voice of Doc Daneeka. "I am not a bad man to be known by. I am a historian, among my many other hobbies and enterprises. Lord Guffington, Lord Hughes and myself all have similar interests. Do you know that Eubric is built on the sight of many other cities? The Temple of Zoot lies below it- but you already know that, I'm sure. There are said too to be the ruins of the Moon Elves city. And, of course, my personal interest, the Temple of the Old Gods. I've heard from a friend of your's that you paid it a visit." Nyx's response is cut off as Guffington heaves himself onto the single long table at the end of the room. "Hello all, looks like everyone has finally gathered in one place! I'm glad to see you're all socializing, even you Hybros. U'Or, leave the lights alone, go talk to people. Maybe the only other U'Kin in the room." U'Or blushes. "I'm just making an exciting announcement. We're about to break out a huge vat of Azzurat spiced wine. My chef Clippard assures me that he can make it properly, and I trust his judgement. This wine is very old, very potent, and very good. A good friend of my retrieved it for me long ago, and so I've decided to share it all with you. Just thought I'd let you know. Dr. Everstein, what time would you say it is?" The wereraven coughs and sputters before answering. "8:35." Guffington climbs back down off the table, and Lady Marsh begins talking to him.

"That's the truth of it," says Boomingham happily. He glances around yet again for Arthur, continuing to sharpen his sword on his stone. "I've had quite the day myself, believe you me. Care to swap stories?"

Then maybe I should wait until the next one? Though I've never actually been part of a story arch before, only hosted them. I think it would be a good experience!

Please, please please take Boomingham. I so badly want him to go to war, and this looks like its going to be the standard BD war-like affair.

I think (hope!) that I have every rat enemy that has been used in the game.

They're artifacts. So yes!

Boomingham smiles wanly as the woman lights her drink on fire. "Quite a nifty trick. Once upon a time that would have frightened me, but the company I keep has forced me to no longer be surprised when fire spurts out of no where. Have you ever had a Flaming Gumball?" Boomingham looks around for Arthur. "Boy, where the Hel did you go with my mead?" "So, what brings you to the Albatross, my dear Miss Pigeon?"

"And the powerful shows his face." Althior watches with sad eyes as Ellaria falls to the ground. He wheels at the old woman and steps forward. There is no longer a barrier. "Now, you wish to cast me out? So be it." The fallen Duke gets back up and stands beside Morgon Florence. A ghostly vision of the King, still 'played' by Johnny, appears behind them. "You forget, heroes, that in the real events, I retained the loyalty of all. I am the Queen of this story. I am the Queen of Rats." [En garde! We stand beside you, heroes!] "We sort of have to, at this point.] Suddenly, little beams of energy shoot out of the General, Duke, and King's chests. They ram into the heroes who 'played their parts', all of whom stagger back, except Ellaria who remains on the ground. "Now you shall see what its like to not be able to truthfully be who you are- to have another present you unfaithfully." The Enemies Queen of the Rats Level 46 Demon *Immune to Effects and Instant Kill* Health: 735/735 Special: Rat Call - The queen calls forth 2 more random rats. Passive Special I: Queen of Rats – If there are five or less rats left in battle, the Queen will sacrifice one of the ghosts to summon five more rats. Passive Special II: Rat’s Queen - All damage dealt to the Queen of the Rats is divided by the number of Rats in the battle. Drops: Ghost of the King Level 40 Etheral *Immune to Effects* Health: 320/320 Special: Knighting – Knights the target, making them enamored with the King’s Ghost. Drops: Nothing Ghost of the Duke Level 30 Undead *Immune to Effects and Instant Kill, Excluding Poisoning* Health: 240/240 Special: Treachery! – Deals 5 damage to all allies, and then deals the amount of damage done to the heroes. Drops: Nothing Ghost of the General Level 44 Undead *Immune to Stunned, Blinded, Asleep and Sealed* Health: 400/400 SP: 5 Special: Battle Cry – The general shouts, enraging the target. Drops: Nothing Note: There is a 1/3 chance the Ghost of the General will attack the Queen of Rats on a roll of damage. Rat Level 1 Vermin Health: 6/6
 Special: Foul Bite – Causes poisoned-effect to the target. Drops: nothing

 Big Rat
 Level 2 Vermin
 Health: 10/10
 Special: Foul Bite – Causes poisoned-effect to the target. Drops: Venom Creepy Rat Level 3 Bestial Humanoid Health: 30/30 Special I: Poison bite – Causes poison effect to target, used if 6 or more rats in battle. Special II: Call to the horde - Brings 2 more Rats (randomized) into battle. Drops: Venom Dire Rat Level 4 Vermin HP: 22/22 Special: “For there are no cat’s in Eubric!” - The Dire Rat sings a song of his people, healing his comrades by 4 hit points. “And the roads are paved with che-ese!” Drops: Potion Kitchen Rat Level 5 Vermin Health: 26/26
 Special: Foul Bite – Causes poisoned-effect to the target. Drops: nothing Brown Bilge Rat Type: Vermin Level: 6 Health: 50/50 Special: Bite: Causes 7 damage and poisoned effect Drops: Mead Bad Rat Level 7 Vermin Health: 50/50
 Special: Foul Bite – Causes poisoned-effect to the target.
 Drops: Venom Cave Rat Level 7 Vermin Health: 100/100 Special: Lethal Bite - Causes 7 damage and the Stunned effect to the attacker. Drops: Nothing Boisterous Rat Level 8 Vermin Beast Health: 60/60
 Special: Fierce Bite - Deals 8 damage, regardless of SP and Row Drops: Nothing Giant Rat Level 15 Vermin
 Health: 151/151
 Special: Deadly Bite – Causes the deadly poisoned-effect to the target.
 Drops: 2x Deadly Venom Rodent of Unusual Size Level 18 Vermin Health: 350/350 Special: Bit and roll – The ROUS jumps on the hero and rolls with them causing 25 damage to hero and confusing them. Drops: Health Core Ship Rat Level 20 Aquatic Vermin
 Health: 90/90
 Special: Unsanitary Bite: Poisons the target, if the target is already poisoned, deadly poisons them instead.
 Drops: Nothing. Giant Rat Leader Level 23 Demonic Vermin Health: 265/265
 Special I: Accursed Gnawing – Causes the cursed-effect to the target and causes the encouraged-effect to self for 3 rounds.
 Special II: Say Cheese - Causes enraged-effect to the target because the target is allergic to cheese, and gives itself immunity to all effects for 3 rounds.
 Drops: Tiger Balm, 3 Bones, Shackles of War Note: Specials alternate. Giant Rat Leader is weak to Cheese Elemental attacks.

 The Party Althior Emorith (And Finnegan) Level 32 3/4 Necromancer *Earns triple XP* *Afflicted* Power: 40 (45 for spells) Power Bonus: +5 Spells Defense: 4 Health: 41/41 Ether: 25/42 Gold: 440 Equipment: Dragoro (WP:8), Spellbound Gloves (+5 power when casting Spells, doubled if target is weak to Element), Pointy Hat (+2 maximum ether), Medal of Glory (Wearer earns triple experience), Robe of the Elven Necromancer (SP: 4) Inventory: Twin Sai Blades (WP:10, Dual Strike), Skeleton Decoy, Potion x6, Tonic x10, Grand Potion x4, Grand Tonic, Ether Core x4, Venom x4, Shovel, Bedroll, Remedy x7, Mead, Smelling Salts, Amulet of Elven Horse Rider (Accessory), Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Garnet (Earth), Opal (Ice), Aquamarine (Water), Emerald (Wood), Skull Shield (SP: 6, immune to darkness elemental damage), Fire Bomb, Water Bomb x5, Lightning Bomb x3, Bone x3, Smoke Bomb, Elixirs x3, Phoenix Essence x2, Phoenix Incense x2, Dragon Scales x2, Royal Dagger (WP: 5, can be sold for double its value), Garnet Lamp of Summoning Rebel Soldier B Level 24 Rebel Captain 
A Level 5 Rebel Captain
 B Level 5 Rebel Footsoldier A Level 2 Rebel Footsoldier B Level 2 Tesni Hightribe Level 30 2/4 Beserker *Natural Respite* *Immune to Afraid* *Afflicted* Power: 43 Power Bonus: +3 WP Defense: 14 Health: 33/49 Gold: 1158 Equipped: Mellt (WP:10, ice- and lightning-elemental; hammer), Sir Roderick’s Shield (SP:8, Immunity to afraid), Bone Claws (WP:3, SP:2; handwear), Dragon Bone Armor (SP:4, Max. Health +2; bodywear), Barbarian's Boots (Changes “Natural Respite” job trait into “Restoration”, restoring full health after every battle) Inventory: Cryfder (WP:6), Fàelàn (Fiery Sawblade (Fire)(WP:20, 8x damage to enemies weak to fire, longsword)), Cysgodion (WP:11, darkness-elemental; greatsword), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, light-elemental; longsword), Party Maracas (WP:4, user is hastened, instrument), Shackles of War (prevents all fleeing, accessory), Magic Mirror (The user reflects all ether-based attacks back to the caster without getting damaged by them; accessory), Ruby (Fire), Scroll of Sleep, Remedy, Neutralizer, Phoenix Essence, 5 Venoms, Deadly Venom, 2 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Soma, 2x Grating Stone, Bright Polish, Red Dragon Plume (artifact, accessory, immunity to Weakened and Fire, suitable to Barbarians, Knights, Skirmishers, Winged Warriors), Gaia Bomb (100 Earth-elemental damage to all enemies), Samurai Helmet (WP:4, suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors), Cannon Parts, Rebel's Dagger (WP: 5), Magic Mirror (user reflects all ether-based attacks to the caster without getting damaged, accessory), Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning, Minimizing Dust Atramor Gibbin (Party Leader) Level 27 2/3 Witch *Counterstriking* *Immune to Water, Lightning, and Wood* *Negative Effects Last One Round* *Afflicted* Power: 47 Defense: 4 Health: 94/94 Ether: 0/25 Gold: 392 Equipment: Pheles Rod (WP: 20, user generates an Aura, doubling the user's maximum health but drawing all attacks to them, staff), Counterstrike Gloves (When hit by a Free Hit, immediately deals damage equal to level, handwear), Amulet of the Court (Suitable for anyone, negative effects last only one round on the wearer, immune to water, lightning, and wood, accessory), Rat's Hide (Suitable for anyone, SP: 4, backwear) Inventory: Ratsbane (WP: 10, absorbs 2 health on successful strike, fire, ice, earth, wind elemental, dagger), Shovel, Pickaxe, Amethyst, Diamond, Bomb XX (Deals 30 damage to all enemies and 10 damage to all heroes, all damage ignoring SP/row), Elixir, Ether Core, 2 Grand Potions, 2 Grand Tonics, 3 Health Cores, Phoenix Essence, 3 Smelling Salts, Guard's Dagger (WP: 4), Guard's Shield (SP: 6), Robust Shield (SP: 8), Gaia Bomb (100 Earth-Elemental Damage) Ellaria Arbour Level 22 1/3 Druid *Immune to Sealing* *KO'd* *Afflicted* Power: 35 Power Bonus: +3 Health: 0/37 Ether: 13/28 Gold: 105 Equipment: Ignis Fatuus (WP:10, fire-elemental staff), Mage's Muffler (protects from sealing) Black Bandana (Power +3, pirate lingo), Spirit Robe (Renders wearer invisible to the enemy for the first three rounds of battle so they do not take free hits. Backwear) Inventory: Sylvania's Crossbow (WP:6, wood-elemental crossbow), Tricorne (SP: 3, headwear), Sterile Gloves (immunity to poisoned and badly poisoned, handwear), Topaz (Lightning), Scroll of Inspiration (Inspired for rest of battle, 10 ether, 50/50 chance), Potion, 2 Grand Potions, 4 Health Cores, 6 Grand Tonics, Ether Core, 2 Elixirs, Remedy, Neutralizer, Phoenix Essence, Nostrum, Soma, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, Flash Bomb, 3 Fire Bombs, 2 Ice Bombs, 2 Lightning Bombs, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Holy Bombs, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Bone, Magnifying Glass, Bone, Wizard's Staff (WP:1, Fire, Wind, Water and Earth elemental), Grating Stone, Tonic Russel Ruffers & Pigley Level 7 Rogue *Hastened* Power: 22 Health: 21/21 Gold: 275 Equipment: Conspirator (WP: 15, deals the Blinded effect, darkness elemental, longsword), Crab Shell Armor (+4 Max Health), Pigley (+4 Max Health, Hastened) Inventory: Rebel's Sword (Longsword, WP: 11) The *Afflicted* Effect - May not target the enemy who's part you are playing. Furthermore, when the enemy who's part you are playing is KO'd, you are also KO'd (excluding the Queen of Rats).

"How is anyone supposed to know when something is going to happen?" The Wereraven looks Guts up and down. "Guts Holla? Champion of Heroica?" "No, the other waiters and I were hired for the evening. I think it's meant to add to the excitement of a Guffington party. Same reason you're here, really. Getting people from all walks of life. And I'm sorry if I shocked you, down in the Hovels I work occasionally as a dancer, so I'm very light on my feet. I think there may have been elf blood somewhere in my past."" "Perhaps she bent those with weaker wills. The Guild of Invision is prepared to deal with all kinds of dark magic." "I don't doubt it. The hovels cheer for the Wolfgang, but they don't know what they're cheering for." "Ms. Nyx. Hello there." Lord Chauncey kisses her hand. "It is a pleasure. I am enjoying the evening quite well, yes. Lord Guffington is quite a remarkable man, and though I find the squabbling of these so called great Houses a little childish, there are still certainly some people here worth talking to. Yourself included, of course. Master Guffington keeps better tabs on the city than you might imagine. I have heard word of you, Ms. Nyx. Let's say that we have some similar interests." The light in the sky suddenly winks out. The heroes glance up and see that the sun has set. All of the waiters and the waitress suddenly excuse themselves and retreat to the kitchen.

Alright, fine I'll give you guys a hint, even though this is essentially the same puzzle as before. All eyes turn to Ellaria, the 'Duke'. The heroes try to remember how the Duke met his downfall in the play, and as they do so, a huge vial of poison, ghostly like the dagger before it, appears in the air in front of them. Who will poison the Duke?

We'll see if someone else in your party can get it - but if the Duke is dead in the play... aren't you guys 'behind' in playing your parts?

No, you guys are missing the action right before the monologue and "casting out" on YOUR end. Come on, you got this. You've figured out every other "puzzle" so far, this one is the same exact formula.

Clearly not the right answer. She wants you to finish the "farce".

Boomingham sits down across from the drunk woman and begins to sharpen Scupperer on his Grating Stone. "Lord Lawrence Boomingham, how do you do? Care for a drink?" Boomingham raises his voice and addresses the bar keep. "I'll have a mead myself! My serving boy can bring it over to me." Boomingham indicates Arthur.

The woman merely laughs and points to the Duke. "What are you casting him out for? Come, Althior, do what you must do. Be powerful as you are, and let the weaker beings cower in your might. Make the choice they cannot. Kill the innocent for your own gain."

Voting is now open!

There's just one battle after this, really. So- you'll probably miss the VERY end of the battle, and then the farewells. I'm sorry. Unless everyone figures out this puzzle super quickly and we breeze through the battle by Tuesday! It's possible... but not likely. BUT POSSIBLE!

OoC: I made a mistake when he told the time to Nyx earlier, that is indeed the correct time, I'm sorry. You made edit it back to your original snippy remark if you want.

"Ah, Lady Nyx. I believe I recognize your face from somewhere? You were at the Founder's Day, weren't you? A terrible event, but the Houses do owe you some debt. I've still got a headache from where I was beamed over the head by a chair. Didn't see who did it, but I guess we were all a little out of our heads. Thank you for saving us." The Madame gives Nyx a stiff hug. "I heard of that. It is the talk of the hovels," says the waitress, whom none of the heroes had noticed before. "Steerpike the Poisoner, wasn't it? Poison is the weapon of a coward." "Paper message, understood," says Marsh, and shakes Guts' hand again. He then hands him a card. "This is my information." "I'm afraid not. My request is mutually beneficial. I'm trying to get the Guild to supply the Shadeuax with a new more powerful bomb to sell. This military grade stuff is being sold to the Bonapartes, but apparently the Guild doesn't want them to get into the hands of private armies. It's ridiculous. The armies will be getting them anyway sooner or later, that's the way of the world. Why not allow themselves and us make a little gold off of it? Tell you what, do you have standing with the Guild? Perhaps you can convince her - I hear she's indebted to the Heroes of Heroica now anyway. I'd be willing to throw a little bit of gold your way for the favor, say 150 gold and an increased reputation with the family I serve?" As the heroes talk, a woman wanders into the room from the kitchen. She appears to be a little tipsy. Lord Marsh nods to her - she is apparently the Lady Marsh, the only guest the heroes have no met yet. The Wereraven leans over to Guts and glances up at the skylight. "8:25," he remarks casually.

Exactly, there you go. I know Boomingham went on a gross binge last time he had a birthday.

"The witches! Pah. They are the ones who led me to my deal, to my power. You have a choice, heroes. You may fight me, or you may leave, and to fight me, you MUST finish the farce." Tesni attempts to take a step towards the actress, but as with all other enemies they'd encountered so far, she seemed unable to reach Morgan. Morgan quietly points at the fallen Duke again.