Zepher

Damn limited parts selection. Blackenord - I KNEW I had used that combo of head and torso before. The final witch is supposed to look like Triad though. I'm not quite done with her race. Also, for those of you working on the TV Tropes page: KEEP IT UP! I'm not a huge reader of that site, but the ones up so far are great, and I'd love to have more up every time I log in for me to read.

Boomingham whistles sharply to get Nyx's attention. "I know you love your accessories, dearest, but I know you love blowing stuff up more. Don't you think the parasol could wait for a second while Barty has our backs?" "Blow him to smithereens!"

Night falls. The heroes continue to trot along in the dark. Russel admires his new sword happily, and swings it a few times in practice. He almost pricks the pony, however, and stops. The heroes travel the well worn path to Bric'lin. The moon hangs high in the sky, bathing the land in light. Then, in a puff of smoke and the smell of lilacs... four figures stand in the heroes' path. (one of them darker than the others... sorry...) "Hail." "Hail." "Hail." "Going to a Night at the Theatre? But where is your fourth member?" The heroes glance around and notice that Althior and his ethereal steed are gone. [En garde, witches!] "Do not worry, Ruffers. We did not take your friend. He is but lost. We mean no harm." "I guess we must proceed without him. Humph. We come with a warning. And a mission." "You must not fear that which you do not know, young crab." What do the heroes say and do?

"Alright then, Thothwick, Nyx, let's hit Steerpike while we can." Boomingham swings at Steerpike with Scupperer from the front row. Battle Order Boomingham Thothwick Nyx (If you want to auto-roll the round AFTER this one as well, I believe (if Pandy and Thothy agree) that I will target Remus from the back row, Thothwick will target Lupus from the backrow, and Nyx will equipped her sandman's parasol from the backrow, using the same order.)

No one likes a tattle tale. I'll update 68 again when there are a few more replies. Want to allow Tesni and Althior to get in a few words edge-wise. And yeah, I love the Blue Assassins. I reread Quest 4 more than most other quests, I think. They may be making an appearance elsewhere as well.

[A Frog Paladin, no doubt. Before my trip to Eubric I was in their Order's Hall collecting an award. Have you ever met High Priest Pylon? A stand up Frog if I've ever met one, and I have met quite a few frogs in my day, believe you me!] When asked about his sword, Russel looks awkwardly at the ground. [While Pigley and I were bringing Lord Barkington back to Pylon for reform, I may have accidentally broken my sword in the night. I thought I saw something that looked an awful lot like a Blue Assassin, but after some combat, it turned out to be only a rock covered in strange moss. My sword was badly damaged. It is with the Frog Paladins now, who have promised they will fix it in due time.]

Even as Atramor accepts the Cowl from Russel, the crab seems to nod in understanding at his question. [Aye, yes, the curse part. That's what makes the play so exciting, and so rarely performed! Whenever the play is put on, the Theatre is always overrun by rats. I myself would be happy to lend my sword to dealing with the little vermin, should the situation appear. Nothing my sword and I can't handle.] The heroes notice that Russel is notably without a sword for the time being.

OoC: And rob you of your job trait!? [i don't know all that much about Lord Chauncey, truth be told. He's some big rich guy in Bric'Lin, owns the Theatre, got a few stalls in the market, think the Apothecary is under his name as well. Some say he's a scholar, some say a trader, some say a dark wizard. I don't think he's in town right now, actually, but rather sailing down to Gull before stopping in at Eubric.] [The play is, in my humble opinion, one of Stirlance's very best tragedies. Told in five acts, like all of his plays,the play focuses on betrayal, poison, and death. The play begins in Act I, where we learn that there is a rebel force marching on the kingdom. A Duke and a General who are good friends meet Three Witches on their way to combat, and the witches predict that BOTH of them will be king some day.] [Act II begins with a battle. General and Duke lead a decisive victory against the Rebel Prince, though it is their King who gets the final blow against the Prince himself. We also learn that the King has no heir. Deciding he must pick one, he calls on the General. The General, however, graciously declines and says that the Duke has more right and more political experience. So the Duke becomes the General's heir.] [in Act III the Duke's Wife tells him that he should kill the King who is staying with them, and take the throne for himself. The Duke, after some convincing, does so, and is crowned King. The General, however, tells the entire land of the Duke's treachery, saying that Witches told him he'd be King if he killed the current King.] [in Act IV, the General begins a siege of the Duke's castle. Fearing for his life, the Duke barricades himself in his room, building walls over the windows and doors and leaving only a small passage way, large enough for a rat, so that his wife may pass him food, and he may pass his general's notes, all tied to the back of rats, which is a little gross if you ask me... but anyway, the General leads a charge against the castle and eventually makes it to the boarded up room only to be told that the Duke is already dead - poisoned by his own wife, who has always loved the General, and hoped for him to be King eventually.] [in Act V, the General casts the Duke's Wife out, disgusted by her betrayal of her husband. He then, in the final monologue of the play, explains that he always intended to be King, and knew that in order for him to be King the Duke must be King first, in accordance with the witches prophecy. It's a very dark play. I'm really a fan.] Ellaria translates it to all of her party members. The sun has begun to set.

I think that there are so many powerful males in the Hall, the QMs want to introduce some powerful females to balance it out. But you have a good point... Donny, Haroka, Regret, Ulric, Steerpike - but then we have Baba, Fleur, Wren, Sorana....

Having figured out the horse situation, and seeing that no one wants the cowl, Russel stows it and climbs onto the back of Ellaria's horse. Althior summons an etherial looking steed that whinnies weakly as he climbs aboard. The heroes set out. As the heroes trot along, the sun begins to set. If the heroes are going to make it to Bric'lin by the morning in order to see the full final dress rehearsal, they will need to ride through the night. Even on horseback, Bric'lin is about a half a day's ride. [Well there missy, since we've got time to kill, perhaps you'd like to hear a bit of a summery of the play we'll be seeing, and translate it to your friends and all?] OoC: I'll respond to CMP's question as soon as Ellaria translates it.

Oh, I actually also don't mind Mediq being a permanent separate deal, but that's up to everyone else! It costs a fair amount of ether, but is a sure heal.

I agree, that's a good fix, though I feel bad for those who have already used them.

Boomingham looks at Baba cooly. "Do not disrespect Nyx." Boomingham also turns his gaze to Steerpike. "Your organization will fail for the same reason that the Houses will remain in power and should remain in power. They have the power. We will stand and defend them because they can hire us, and you cannot. That alone speaks to the state of the city. I met a Wolfgang I liked. A man of the name Sancho. He helped us, and I respected him. You can further your goals, but you have to play the same game as the rest of us, you can't make up your own new rules, or you will fail. But we have no need for talk. You've made your choice. That's our one true power - I won't try to change your mind. We will see who wins, and whoever wins, that's how it ought to be. But I will win."

To all those who can't play - understandable!! It's just as good to be smart and say you can't play if you won't have the time. For those of you who still want to play but haven't signed up yet - sign ups will END ON THE 22ND! PMs should go out that same day, and the game should hopefully begin the following day! TO BALANCE: The ability to invent a magnifying glass (investigation action) has been added to the inventor's skill set. Absolutely. He will be trying to survive until there is one town, one scum OR, alternatively, until all enemies are dead. ON THE SUBJECT OF PILLS: The pill numbers will remain as they are. I understand the concerns, but I think we will be alright. If you think it will be UNBALANCED, and do not wish to play with the current set up, you are free to withdraw your name! Not trying to be a sour puss, but warning you ahead of time that this set-up is BASICALLY locked, so if you genuinely believe you will not have fun in it, I don't want to force you to play! Now would be a good time to ask any and all questions.

There are now military grade bombs, which should be dropped more, and the X style upgrades.

Yeah, no way should they be once per quest, that would be majorly OP. And I have one. AND have considered making my secondary character a "Djinn Mage". They should be consumables. If people want to see more, than tell the QMs, and they'll probably drop more. WBD just added another one, and my current quest will have two, because they're an item I like.

Or maybe the QM is making fun of the fact that he expanded the quest from three heroes to four.

S'okay, we're not in a rush .

Still very in and out of the house, but will update those stats tonight Atters. The crab seems happy to have met someone with the ability to naturally talk to him. "Howdy there, lady! My name is Russel the Crab. I'm a sellsword as well, truth be told. Pleasure to talk to someone who can actually speak my language and doesn't need this damn cloth. This is a Sylvania's Cowl, allows folks to talk to animals, but seems you've already got that down pat, so you can pass it along to someone else if they want it." "I've got a friend in the show tonight, a Pig named Pigley! So when Chauncey said he was looking for a guide, I happily volunteered... for a meager sum, of course. I'm a fan of theatre, myself, and can't wait to see this master piece of Stirlance's performed." Russel glances at the horses. "Trouble is, Chauncey told me there'd only be three heroes a-comin'... so I don't have enough horses for y'all. One of you will have to walk." Which hero will walk?

I'm not a tropey either, so I'll allow others to answer for me if they want! Night at the Theatre will be updated in a few hours, sorry.

OoC: I believe in fairness I should be poisoned, as I'd count a free hit as a "hit". Boomingham shoulders the hit and continues the fight. He flings out from under Steerpike's attack and throws himself and his blade at Remus, again from the back. "Nyx, those gloves will look dashing on you. Thothwick, mind using one of your health cores on her? I'll continue to tango with Steerpike." Battle Order Thothwick Boomingham Nyx

Four heroes, each having received Z-Mail with instructions, make their way down to the stables near the north of Eubric. They are... Althior Emorith (And Finnegan) Level 30.5 Necromancer *Earns triple XP* Power: 38 (43 for spells) Power Bonus: +5 Spells Health: 40/40 Ether: 41/41 Gold: 390 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) Inventory: Twin Sai Blades (WP:10, Dual Strike), Skeleton Decoy, Potion x6, Tonic x9, 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), Robe of the Elven Necromancer (SP 4), 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 Tesni Hightribe Level 29 2/3 Beserker *Natural Respite* *Immune to Afraid* Power: 56 Defense: 14 Health: 48/48 Gold: 1090 Equipped: Fàelàn (Fiery Sawblade (Fire)(WP:20, 8x damage to enemies weak to fire, longsword)), 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) Inventory: Cysgodion (WP:11, darkness-elemental; greatsword), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, light-elemental; longsword), Mellt (WP:10, ice- and lightning-elemental; hammer), Cryfder (WP:6), 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), Magic Mirror (user reflects all ether-based attacks to the caster without getting damaged, accessory), Gaia Bomb (100 Earth-elemental damage to all enemies), Samurai Helmet (WP:4, suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors), Cannon Parts, Barbarian's Boots (Changes “Natural Respite” job trait into “Restoration”, restoring full health after every battle) Atramor Gibbin (CallMePie) Level 26.66 Witch *Counterstriking* *Immune to Water, Lightning, and Wood* *Negative Effects Last One Round* *Aura* Power: 46 Defense: 4 Health: 92/92 Ether: 24/24 Gold: 252 Equipment: Pheles Rod (WP: 20, user generates an Aura, doubling the user's maximum health but drawing all attacks to them, staff), Amulet of the Court (Suitable for anyone, negative effects last only one round on the wearer, immune to water, lightning, and wood, accessory), Counterstrike Gloves (When hit by a Free Hit, immediately deals damage equal to level, handwear), Rat's Hide (Suitable for anyone, SP: 4, backwear) Inventory: Conspirator (WP: 15, deals the Blinded effect, darkness elemental, longsword), Heavy Flail (WP: 5, deals the Fragile effect, mace), 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, 4 Health Cores, Phoenix Essence, 3 Smelling Salts Ellaria Arbour Level 21 1/3 Druid *Immune to Sealing* Power: 34 Power Bonus: +3 Health: 36/36 Ether: 28/28 Gold: 5 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, 2 Ether Cores, 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 OoC: For story purposes, Party Leader will be assigned later! Also, Peppy, do those bone gloves give +3 WP, or +3 power The heroes arrive at the stables and are greeted by... four animals. Atramor glances down at his Z-Mail. Lord Chauncey, their employer and the sender of the letters, had said that transportation and a guide would be provided. Only three of the animals look like they can be ridden... and there is no guide in sight. The crab holds up a rag, but eyes Ellaria encouragingly. OoC: Check stats, check inventory, etc. I'll wait for everyone to confirm, and then we're off!

Gods don't have to be defined. They can function in different ways. Defining them simply cuts other people's enjoyment of the game. I think the only important thing is that we adhere to what has already been established in the game. I've played a character who is based very much about believing that the Gods are real (Wren) and that they aren't (Boomingham). Interestingly enough, Wren probably interacted with "manifestations of gods" less than Boomingham. I've enjoyed playing both of them, and would hate to rob anyone of a similar chance.

I warned him in PM. Didn't want to catch him off guard.

I warned Atramor I probably wouldn't pick him for the Guffington party. I love Atramor, but am trying to veer away from the 53ers for at least a short while. The only reason I'm allowing him on this quest is because... it would seem cruel NOT to allow him on a quest around slaying rats, what with his build and all. EDIT: Plus, Atramor and Althior.