Zepher

I'll try updates, but I'm going to be on a whirlwind adventure for the next 48 hours or so. Doesn't mean I don't love you - and I think the quests have been chugging along pretty decently so far. 68ers... as I'm sure you can tell, this is near the end. I'd love to see Guts get too drunk. I think it would be a funny choice for his character. Scuba has thus far been practical with his bad megablocks ness, which is what makes Guts so believably awesome. He's powerful, but he's getting on in years, and EVERYONE accidentally drinks too much from time to time. Guts is cool because he's able to make mistakes, feel tired, get too drunk, commit social faux-paux, and still destroy his foes in a blink of an eye.

Boomingham sticks out his tongue and gasps at the taste. "I've got nothing for you other than Arnulf's question. After that, we can move out."

"How would you feel, witch, if your actions were erased and perverted from what they really were." [isn't that how most of everyone's actions end up?] Pigley asks Ellaria morbidly. But if you wish to continue with this farce, see it through it's end." The actress points to the downed Duke. "You know what you must do."

"...but it would be mutually beneficial, Madame!" "I don't care, Samuel. For the evening, at least, I'm the representative of the Guild, and I have no interest in furthering your operation." "Think of the-" "Deaths? I will. Good day." Madame Ladybug walks off towards one of the servers. Samuel shakes his head sadly and spots Hybros. "Hello there." "It is a pleasure to meet you as well. I have been a fan of your Hall for a long time, though I admit, your saving Master Guffington last year particularly pleased me. If you ever need anything shipped, I'm sure Gerald would be more than pleased to loan my services." "But of course his estate stays neutral in all business arrangements with the Houses. A shame, a folly!" "Master Guffington wishes to remain friends with all. He admires all the houses equally. Is that such a folly?" "Only when he keeps all the talent of Eubric out of the hands of people who could put it to good use. If you ever find yourself looking for a job, come find me, Elba!" "Only for the night, sir. As far as the word goes, Daneeka and U'Ordissium are the only two employees of Guffington Manor on a regular basis, though I believe Captain Elba over there too serves Guffington exclusively. Guffington hires servers for each party. This is the chef and server's first time in the Manor!" "Oh, I deal with the Houses plenty. I just don't care if they deal with each other, or whatever tension may arise with them. The only one I need to stay on good terms with is the Bonapartes, so they're the only ones I watch. Terrible what happened to Reno." "As for business, you may give me your information. If there is something that needs shipping, and I think you're the right man for the job, I'll contact you by this new Z-Mail. Damn magic. Don't trust it, but I suppose its a necessity at this point. Of course, that goes the other way around. If you need a message delivered, or even a package, and want to do it discretely, I'm the man for the job. The men and women of Gull are known for their discretion, and their connections. I get jobs daily."

Hopefully you haven't seen any similar to that in real life. But yes, I agree, Pie's characters have got it where it counts. As for the Grating Stones - I don't mind them being sold to Guts. I think it actually levels the playing field a little - he's helping other characters catch up to him that way. That being said, Boomingham doesn't know about Guts' offer, and would probably keep his stone for himself. I think everyone is willing to help each other out, and I don't mind Scuba playing the game smartly, but I doubt that even with that offer we'll see every stone go his way. And yes, I'm SO happy the Black Knights have finally been upgraded. It's been one of my longest crusades, having hosted Thothy twice. Thank you for continuing to be an incredibly reasonable and open game manager, Sandy.

"Duke's Wife!" screeches the actress, and she whirls wildly. Her hair suddenly spurts and grows, aging as it does so, becoming a tangled gray mess around her. She takes a few deep breathes to regain her composer. Even so, the heroes can see another ghostly face, superimposed on to that of the actress. "The Duke's Wife?! The Duke's Wife. So sad. This is the lie I fight, heroes. This is the fallacy. You think I can be reduced to something as simple, something as idiotic as the Duke's Wife?! I have a name." The voice speaks for two, one the sweet voice of the actress, another much darker voice overpowering it, so that the actress sounds only like an echo. "Oh, Althior, haven't you seen yet? Haven't you seen my power, and experienced my torment? A lack of understanding. A lack of representation. A lack of people seeing what you are and fearing it." OoC: Will be noted in the next stat listing, along with the use of the grating stone. "End the curse? I am the curse." The heroes stare at the deranged actress... or whatever may be possessing her. "Don't you see, heroes. I am the Duke's Wife- no. I am Morgan Florence. I am a powerful being. I am not what the play makes me out to be. Do you know the torture, heroes? To hear those words that I spoke - mutilated beyond belief? My actions, taken and changed? My part, my LIFE marginalized? In this farce, what do I do? Nothing. I am proven a traitor, and cast out by the dastardly but respectable General, who ends the play monologuing about his scheme. As if it was his." "In the play you saw tonight, the 'Duke's Wife' sits by idly as her husband conspires to kill the King. And when the General marches, he does it of his own accord. and when he finds the Duke murdered, he casts out the forlorn lover and then cackles about his scheme. HA!" "Do you know the truth, heroes. The original tale, before Stirlance got his hands on it. Morgan Florence, the Duke's Wife, tells her husband to kill the King. Morgan Florence sends a dove to her lover, the General, and tells him that he may still be King, if only he kills the Duke. Morgan Florence poisons her husband- at least Stirlance left that in. Morgan Florence lives happily ever after with her new powerful King, the General. Cast me out?! He would never. I was his love. And when the General turned King died, it was because Morgan Florence had tired of him. She took a dark magical spell and sucked his soul out so that she could live forever on his power. In the play, the 'Duke's Wife' is but a vicious traitor and then victim. In life, Morgan Florence is the master mind. She is beautiful. She is magical. She is the mastermind She is powerful. I am Morgan Florence. I am beautiful. I am magical. I am the mastermind. I am powerful. Never will these lies be performed. A mockery of my person." "So, are you still determined to end my curse on this play, heroes? Or will you stand aside, and allow me to destroy this mockery of history, this mockery of power, once more?"

Thank you to Adam and mostlytechnic!

"Every time this damn play is put on, I have to come and fight off Stirlance's lies. I will not allow myself to be represented falsely."

The Talking Animal stands around, trying to get some action. "Hey there," he says to the skeleton horse next to him. "Come here often?" "Wait, what gender are you?" "Wait, what gender am I? Oh, what's that, we already did that bit?" "Hey all! Zepher got bored with you all not doing anything, so he went on a quick vacation. So I get to run the day! Also, as there are only five players left, there will be no more pill cart! Have fun, play nice. I love you all." The Rules 1 Each player will be given a character to play, who will be aligned with either the Town or the Scum. To win the game, the Town must kill off all the Scum and the SK, while the Scum must outnumber the Town. Any Third-Party (neutral) characters have their own win conditions as outlined below. 2 Each day you will be able to vote to lynch a player. Voting should be done in the following format; Vote: Character (Player). Similarly, unvoting is to be done in the format; Unvote: Character (Player). No other format will be accepted. The player with the most lynches will be lynched. You may only unvote once a day. 3 A game day will last for about 72 hours. Whoever has the most votes at the end of the day will be lynched. The two players with the most votes will be lynched at the end of the day. You may not vote in the first 24 hours. After the day has concluded, a night phase will commence, which will last a maximum of 48 hours. Night actions must be sent to the host in the first 24 hours of the night phase. 4 The alignment of lynched players, as well as those that died during the night, will be revealed at the beginning of the next day. 5 You may not quote or pretend to quote anything sent to or from you in PM with the game host. This includes all the details of your character and role, as well as any night action results. Role claims and reporting of night action results are acceptable, but in your own words only. Do not attempt to use the structure of your role PM to your advantage, as they are all exactly the same. 6 You may not quote PMs from or to other players. This will result in a 5-vote penalty the same day, and a 5-vote penalty the next. (What can I say, I liked this rule!) 7 Do not play the game outside the day-thread and PMs. Similarly, do not post out of character inside the thread; you must always play the role given to you. Game tactics and roles may only be discussed in the game thread or via PM with other players. Private discussion is done at your own risk and should be treated as part of the game. 8 If you are dead, your game is over. You may not comment on the game to any living or dead players in any form. You are considered dead once you are a) confirmed lynched by the host, or b) announced dead in the morning. This includes posting, private messaging, direct chat, email or any other form of online or offline communication. Any information you had becomes void and may not be passed on. The same applies for living players making contact with those who are no longer playing, no matter what the stated purpose. Both situations can appear to be an attempt to gain information or cause influence that would be unfair to the remaining living players. Whether you are still playing or have already died, if you are contacted inappropriately, please notify the host immediately. Violation of this rule will result in instant mod-kill and probably something worse after the game. 9 You may not edit your posts. Editing your post will result in a 2-vote penalty. This is your only warning. 10 You must post in every Day Thread. Failure to do so will result in a 10-vote penalty at the start of the next day. 11 These rules will change during the game as a game mechanic. Pay close attention. Any and all changes will be struck through, with the new rule in bold. If you encounter a problem or have a question, please contact the host using your role PM. All other forms of communications will be ignored. THE DESIGN 23 Players 16 Town - 6 Scum - 1 SK The Day 24 Hour Safe Period - 48 Hour Voting Period - 48 Hour Night Period (With a full exciting 24 hour period to submit night actions!) Some time before the 24 Hour Mark, the Pill Cart will be rolled out. The time will be randomized each day, to be fair to timezones. The time will be chosen by Random.org. The Pills will effect that night or the following day. The Pills "God Pill" (Effect the following day, will not be removed from play) - 2 Uppers (Night action may be used twice) - 2 Lifesavers (Will be safe from a kill that night) - 16 Placebos (No Effect) - 2 Downers (Night action may not be performed) -If a person holding a pill is lynched or killed, the pill is removed from play- The Night Actions Town and Scum have NEARLY IDENTICAL ROLES with only a few tweaks to change for their sides. JOAT Town: Investigator/Protector Scum: Framer (2 Shot)/Protector/Janitor (1 Shot) Role Cop Killer Blocker Inventor Can invent a net (blocker), shield (protector), magnifying glass (investigation), or pistol (kill action). Bulletproof. Inscrutable (all investigation attempts including role cop will come up as "unsuccessful"). The inventor may either gift his invention, or create a new one, he may not do both on the same night. Universal Back-Up -When a scum with an action dies, the scum team may choose to drop an action and retain the one they would have lost.- -The Pill Cart will come in the first 24 hours at different times each day, decided by Random.Org. You post IN THREAD which pill you will be taking that day. It is first come, first serve.- Serial Killer Bulletproof. Hard to Read (If an investigator investigates him, the result will be "unsuccessful", but a role cop will receive the result of "killer".). Killer Role PM's Town: Character - Town - Night Action(s) Scum: Character - Scum - Night Action(s) - List of Fellow Scum's Names SK: Character - SK - Night Actions Win Conditions Town: Kill the Scum + SK Scum: Outnumber the Town + SK SK: Two other players alive, with no other win conditions met. THE CAST (Please remember, with the system being totally random, the characters have nothing to do with affiliation/NA) Zepher/The Host (Zepher) - Your lovely and hungry host. Dr. Pill - The man with the golden oar. One-Armed-Pete - Makes the crowd sounds you know and love. Thinks of the children. Candice the Lynch Dragon - She knows when you are sleeping. She knows where you're awake. The Cult Leader (Rufus) - Rather mysterious. The NPC (Esurient) - Not a player. Seriously, look, he's clearly not supposed to be voted for. Not a player. Maybe we should vote for him. The Goon (fhommess) - Grrrrr. The PGO (Purpearljellyblob) - Serving some time for accidentally shooting all of his neighbors. The Witch (Waterbrick Down) - Pretty sure that everyone else is also witches. Dearly Departed The Serial Killer (Walter Kovacs) - Town. Lynched Day One. Candice's first lunch. The Cop (def) - Town. Killed Night One. Ax to the back for being on the wrong side of the tracks. The Vanilla Townie (Kristel) - Town. Killed Night One. Decapitated and then planted. Hopefully she'll grow into a tree some day. The Cultist (Fred Daniel Yam) - Town. Silently swallowed by the great Lynch Dragon. The Male Lover (LegoDad) - Scum. Snapped up by Candice. Tasted spicy. The Virgin (Clanure) - Town. Killed Night Two. Finally "got some". The Jester (CallMePie) - Town. Killed Night Two. Was not lynched. The Usurper (TrumpetKing) - Scum. Lynched Day Three. Became a viking funeral for the Cop. The Doctor (Piratedave84) - Town. Killed Night Three. Had the common cold the whole time, couldn't figure out how to cure himself. First Day Lynch (Jamesn) - Town. Killed Night Three. Exceeded all expectations. The Godfather (Kadabra) - Scum. Killed Night Three. Gone away on vacation. The Female Lover (Hinckley) - Town. Killed Night Three. Now resting in pieces with her scummy hubby. The Snake Charmer (Darth Potato) - Scum. Lynched Day Four. Killed due to lack of charisma. The Role Cop (KielDaMan) - Town. Lynched Day Four. Suicidal tendencies. The Serious Roleplayer (Tamamono) - Town. Killed Night Four. Joined the circus. The Night Action Blacked-Out Dude (Bob) - Town. Killed Night Four. Chopped to bits, no one could identify the body. The Treestump (Adam) - Town. Lynched-ish Day Five. Combusted. The Talking Animal (mostlytechnic) - Town. Killed Night Five. Couldn't get any.

Stumpy has been lynched. He sits alone. No one really pays attention to him. He remains pretty quiet. "Isn't anyone going to lynch me?" he asks. "Eh, you'll probably just burst into flames eventually," says the NPC. Stumpy is alone for a while. Then, he combusts! "That was anticlimactic." He burns slowly to death, taking the card table and the pirate wheel with him.

"I wouldn't mind a drink. I can upgrade my weapon later (experience please), let's get moving."

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* 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* 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) 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), Rat's Hide (Suitable for anyone, SP: 4, backwear), Robust Shield (SP: 8), Gaia Bomb (100 Earth-Elemental Damage) Ellaria Arbour Level 22 1/3 Druid *Immune to Sealing* Power: 35 Power Bonus: +3 Health: 7/37 Ether: 14/28 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 extras limp to safety, and the world shifts around the heroes once more. The walls shift, and the gate opens, passes around them and then slams closed against a different wall. The stage rots in front of their eyes, and they now appear to be in the inner rooms of a castle more so than in or below the Theatre. Rats squeak everywhere. Their eyes adjust to the light, and suddenly three figures appear: the "General", the "Duke's Wife", and the "Duke" who seems to have been dealt a finishing blow. "..and so into the darkness I go, cast out for betraying my vows for my love - weak and alone in the world, as are we all. Farewell, fair General. My spirit leaves, but my love stays with you." The heroes recognize the Duke's Wife's final lines from the play. Suddenly, the actors wheel on the heroes. "Hello, heroes. This is the furthest people have made it for many years. Are you here to stop the curse?

OoC: You still with us, JimBee? "The Shadeaux and Guild," the man laughs a high pitched piercing laugh. "You should talk to Lord Chauncey. He claims that everyone in Eubric believes that this city is the center of Olegia. I live on Gull, those names mean little to me other than distant contractors who occasionally hire me. I'm an investor and middle man, by the way. If someone wants something shipped, they come to me. If you're looking to do business, I can help you get your ship on the market." Lord Chauncey, hearing his name, glances over, but Lord Marsh studiously avoids eye contact. "Ah, hello, Lady Nyx. It is a pleasure to meet you," says the older gentlemen, leaning in and giving her a kiss on the cheek. He lingers near her face just a little too long before retracting himself from her personal bubble. "It is pleasant as ever to see the heroes of Heroica. Do you know Captain Elba?" The captain that Henry was talking to offers his hand. "Finest man to ever drop out of the Bonaparte command, if you ask me. Guffington scalps all the best men. I wish I had scalped this lad when I had the chance." The faun shakes his hand. From the faun's clothing, it is clear he is a server, though Guffington has of course spared no expense and has dressed them nearly as well as the party goers. The faun has a gravelly voice and a friendly manner "Hello, sir, how do you do? Thomas is my name. I can't say that there's many more fauns in the city, but we're certainly here and there. It is a great honor to serve at the house of Guffington, especially with so many exquisite creatures around! Lady Felix is quite an eyeful, and that other server Avery... well, she's in the kitchen right now, but oh ho ho, when she comes out, just get a look at her! Even in her server's clothes she looks nice. Such poise!"

"Samuel Shawe. Is this your first Guffington party? I can tell you that it will be an interesting night. Always is. Guffington keeps his parties well stocked, always. And once the wine starts flowing, so do the business deals. Tonight, for example-" Samuel stops talking as he focuses on Madame Ladybug. "Aw, there is my business deal right there!" Samuel excuses himself and walks over to Madame Ladybug, who looks disappointed to see Doc Daneeka leave and equally disappointed to see Samuel. The man who had previously been talking to Shawe extends his hand to Guts. "Hello, my name is Richard Marsh. It's a pleasure to meet you, Captain Guts. Do you by chance own a ship?"

"Last thing I remember is performing the play. We'll make our way back up. Good luck, heroes, and thank you." [i don't know about brave, and I wouldn't mind missing the action. But I'll join you. Russel is my friend. I've got nothing better to do. Besides, we all have to pull our weight.]

The two guards stand up and look around. "Where are we?" "It's the damn curse. I knew I shouldn't have taken this job."

"Fearsome enough to scare off the Lady Felix." Chauncey smiles, but it is controlled and small. "I hired a team of four. i never had the chance to meet them personally, but I believe they were named Atramor, Althior, Ellaria and Tesni." The man speaks the name with quiet ease, clearly remembering the list perfectly. "I simply look at the clues and try to draw an analysis. What did I get wrong?" The Wereraven sips on some sour smelling liquid. "Are you a darkness mage? Most young humans are one of those two, but your courageous attitude led me to believe fire." Everstien looks over at Hinckwell. "Henry Hinckwell. He is different than you. I have public knowledge on him. Younger brother to Henreich by only two years. He does not resent his brother or family in any way, but rather is extremely loyal. He is considered snooty and does not mingle well with the lower class, though he is admirable when it comes to those of the same social rank. He, of course, hates the Shadeaux, and is extremely well travelled." Everstien sips his drink again. "Now, personal observations. If it came to a fight, he would not be physically capable of defending himself, a fact that he is well aware of. He has brought a lot of gold, possibly for some sort of transaction or possibly to show off his wealth. He has made eye contact with both you and your fellow heroes numerous times, but you have not seen it yet, which disappoints him." As Everstien finishes his analysis, the doors to the Dining Hall open and Doc Daneeka and Madame Ladybug walk in, in quiet conversation. Everstien glances at the glass and the sky beyond it. "8:10," he casually remarks to Nyx.

Thank god Nyx showed up. And these titles are more up my alley! Though I have to admit BD's, while not B-Movie, was pretty damn funny.

Lady Felix smiles as Guts follows him. "I'll allow you two to talk. Lord Chauncey, a word later, when you get the chance." "Hello, I am Lord Chauncey. It's too bad you scared Lady Felix off. You must be very fearsome indeed. This is actually my first time at Guffington Manor, though he has been a guest at my house numerous times. You are a hero of Heroica, correct? I hired a few just a few days ago to deal with a problem. I hope that they are as good at scaring ladies away as you are..." Lord Chauncey pauses, obviously waiting for a name. The Wereraven, who was, Nyx notices, not talking to anyone but rather observing the conversation in front of him, glances over at her with bloodshot eyes. "Ah, the Lady Nyx of Heroica Hall, correct? When am I not?" The raven gives a wheezy laugh, and his eyes run up and down her body, examining her quickly but thoroughly. It is discomforting. "Strong, versed in magic. I have a nose for it. A fire mage, I'll assume, as most younger humans are when they are gifted with the art. Overly confident but secretly vulnerable. Not a strong family dynamic if there is one at all, and I fear that there rarely is. You cover well for it though. I am Dr. Everstien." He offers his hand. "I am enjoying the party, thank you for asking. And I find myself quite enchanting as well, to be frank." Another wheezing cough.

"Keep count. See how many you can stomach, and see if you can do even better next time. If you'll excuse me, there is someone else I'd like to talk to. Perhaps you should do the same?" Lady Felix squeezes Guts' arm in parting and goes to talk to the hooded man. The door opens behind the heroes and Guffington steps into the room. "Everything is set at the door, heroes. Is this your first time? Hopefully. You don't seem to know anyone yet. Go socialize! I invited you to meet my friends, not stand in a scared clump in the corner. Isn't life for the living, Guts?"

The waiter moves towards Guts and passes him the drink. It appears to be a wine. It smells strong. "Remember, we have been ordered to keep the wine flowing. If you'd like a drink, just say." "I'll take another drink as well." Lady Felix leans in and whispers in Guts' ear. "Guffington is known for letting the rivers flow at his party. I hope you can hold your liquor."

Guts notices a door to the left that probably leads to the kitchen. As he watches, a server wanders out with another drink. "Who would like the next drink?" the server buzzes in a nasally voice.

Docken glances over, and notices that some of the guests have drinks, though there doesn't appear to be any food yet. He is able to see the faces that he can see from the corner of the room that the heroes stand in, but no more, as some faces are engaged in conversation. Perhaps if the heroes went and engaged the party goers, they may be able to get a read on some of them.

Even worse is how B-Movies works. These titles should be even cornier.

Hearing the cracking of the skull, the other two possessed extras stir, but seem unable to move on their own.