Zepher

OoC: Right you are!

OoC: I believe she has already indicated that she'd like to stay behind, so I'm just going to go on ahead. The heroes bid farewell to Nyx, who happily crams biscuits down her throat as the party heads out. U'Stus chuckles throatily at her. The party walks back towards the Palace, relatively unsure of what to do. It is clear that they should return the sword to Constance, but beyond that... Tarn is correct, neither of their remaining charges seem to want protection. A thought crosses their mind - Phil is also one of the 'targets', but he has (apparently) seemed so independent and safe that they haven't bothered to protect him. Regardless, for the time being, he is out of town. "Heroes, I have something I would like to discuss with you," says Felton as the heroes march. "I think that we may be being tricked. I know that it is not technically my concern, and that I am actually here for Wren, but Hans and I cannot stand by as we watch an Empire crumble. It is clear that the assassins, while wrong in many regards, are correct in their claim that something is wrong with the interior. I think that there must be an insider here, in Drakencourt. How else would the Wren, and presumably the other assassins, be able to enter and exit the city with such ease. Wren is powerful, but so is Dastan, and if they wanted to keep her out, they could. Unless she was already inside." The heroes have been meandering, and find that they've wandered into the Great Market as Felton has talked. The stores are all closed. They walk towards the blacksmith from earlier in the day and are greeted with a number of familiar faces. "Hm? What?! The heroes of Heroica? You're not Constance at all! Ho ho ho! Didn't think I'd see you again! Mane and Claw told us all last night over some wine how they whipped the floor with you! Lord Lyons, in case you've forgotten, though I doubt you have after I stole the Dragon Tooth right out from under you! Ho ho ho!" "Hello again, heroes," snarls one of the Bombsters. His face is still bruised up. The other one gnashes his teeth. "We told you that we'd see you again. This time, we will end you." "Ho ho ho. Such enthusiasm. Yes, please do that. I'm going to retire for the evening. I wish to hear Loren's report when it comes in, and I believe today is the day of the turning. Don't leave them alive." Sir Lyons walks off as the other three prepare for combat! The Enemies Bombster A Level 12 Fiery, Humanoid Health: 200/250 Special: Burn – Burns the hero, dealing a further 2 damage each round until the end of the battle (does not stack). Drops: Nothing Bombster B Level 12 Fiery, Humanoid Health: 200/250 Special: Burn – Burns the hero, dealing a further 2 damage each round until the end of the battle (does not stack). Drops: Nothing Cultist Level 14 Humanoid Health: 100/100 Special: Lion’s Mane – If targeted the following round, the hero targeting them receives 3 damage regardless of row/SP. Drops: 25 Gold The Party Thothwick, Level 16 Rouge *Party Leader* Power: 24 (21 Ranged) Health: 27/27 Gold: 481 Inventory - Dragon Heart (WP: 15, Fire and Wind Elemental), Sabre (WP 8), Whip Chain (WP 6), Shuriken (WP 5), 2 Venoms, 1 Deadly Venom, 1 Floral Bomb, 1 Bedroll, 1 Telescope, Cultist's Hat, Phoenix Essence Atramor Gibbin, Level 18 Witch Power: 27 Health: 26/26 (-9 for remainder of Quest) Defense: 2 Ether: 7/7 (-9 for remainder of Quest) Gold: 0 Inventory: Ratsbane, WP: 10, Sand Worm Hide, Witch's Talisman, Black Katana, WP: 8, Staff of the Elven Warlock, WP: 5, Scroll of Sealing, Bone x2, Grand Tonic, Fire Bomb, Phoenix Essence, Ether Core, Tonic Tarn Valco, Level 14 1/2 Barbarian Power: 24 Health: 21/21 Gold: 0 Inventory: Helbaerend (WP: 10, Water, Ice and Lightning Elemental, Hollow Blade), Fauxthril Spear (WP: 6), Phoenix Essence, Grand Potion, Remedy, Holy Bomb, Shovel, Pickaxe, Bomb XX, Dragon Scale William Harkenshire, Level 12 1/2 Ranger Power: 17 Health: 17/17 Gold: 20 Inventory: Hand Cannon (WP: 5; Lightning, Wood) Repeating Crossbow (WP: 5 May not be upgraded; Fire; Hastened), Potion (2), Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Mead, Smelling Salts, Pickaxe, Horse, Skeleton Decoy, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, Elven Bomb, Fire Bomb, Bomb XX Felton (NPC) Level 15 1/2 Wren Fighter Power: 15 Health: 55/55 Gold: 0 Inventory: Rapier of Dastan (WP: 5), Phoenix Essence, Felton's Hat (+10 Health, -5 Power) Shield – Deceive – Deals damage to enemy equal to enemy’s level x2. Critical Hit – WPx2+Lvl

We've still got a number of surprises up our sleeves. We can tell you with assurance, you're only 3/7 of the way through OUR quests, and we're not nearly done messing with you guys.

"Seems like just a guessing game, doesn't it?" observed Barty haughtily. "I don't believe in luck. Everything happens for a reason. If you get it right, I'll be very impressed Docken. Means someone up there likes you."

Are you kidding?! I have one of the best QMs in Heroica, and am travelling with four of the best heroes in the game. The quest should be longer, not shorter!

Apparently Cronk and I have to go on a Quest together! Bring it in you pantless old man. Atramor and I are also apparently heavy contenders. And questies of the greater Dastan region, this is where the fun begins.

Boomingham flicks a twittering Barty away. He crashes into Nur. "Help Nur clean the desk, little one. Lord Boomingham, King of the Desert, Slayer of Orcs, Master of the Dead Kingdom, would like to play some triple magic." Boomingham saunters over to the table. "Sixteen gold on Wind, if you please," says Boomingham, tosses his gold onto the table.

Don't be a Negative Nancy. As for Kadabra and B&P - I agree, no one should pretend that the other character is rambling to themselves, it takes away the RP from them. Likewise, B&P, it's not fun if you show off your badassery by throwing knives and kicking groins. Alf is going in a nice direction right now, don't make all the other characters (and players) hate him because he flawlessly can wreck anyone who he feels like. Assume that if you can throw a knife into a staff, Kadabra could block it, so why bother at all?

Game for the Interim (Unless that's Flipz's ©): One of my favorite parts of playing (and particularly hosting) is imagining different combinations of players on different quests. What characters would you must like to see quest together (doesn't have to be your favorite characters necessarily, or the people you want to quest with) and what sort of quest should they go on (Ennoc, Wren, Wolfgang, etc.)?

"Please attempt to control yourself in front of politicians, Atramor. You could learn a thing or two about silently hiding your true motives from them," Felton half jokes, but his eyes glint. "Thothwick, make your choice, and let us move on. I have things I would like to discuss with you."

"I will not prevent you from doing your duties I will not stop you. If one of you wishes to remain here, I will accommodate you if you wish to stay here. I have made my plea and you have your orders. I will accept any outcome. I know you do not mean any harm in anyway. I know you are here because you care, not only for the gold, but my fellow U'Kin will still view you as my receiving a privilege from the Emperors that I have not yet won for them.

The answer is clear! Just look for the man behind the curtain!

"I must insist you do not remain. I am in no danger. I have gone on record saying I will not accept personal assistance from the Empire until the same assistance goes out to all my people from the Empire. You may of course strong arm me and force my hand, and I will not hold it against you. You are trying to preform your duty, I understand that you are trying to perform your duty. I am simply requesting from myself, U'Stus, to you, the heroes of Heroica, that you do not stay as it would hurt my goals more than if you left. I know I am not in danger, please spend your energy elsewhere and allow my people to continue to view me in the light that they do. That is my request. I understand if you do not comply, it is just my request.

"I am! All the houses on this side of the wall belong to the U'Kin and the Teuthsial on this side of the wall! Emperor Brunt built it specifically to separate us from the rest of the city. I have been offered a place closer to the palace, but I don't want to leave my people and be closer to the palace. I am a representative. I must be near the people who I represent. And, if I must be perfectly honest, I feel safer among my kind if I'm being honest. They will protect me... not from assassins, but from the bad sentiments of others who do not like my kind and may wish me harm." "The same reason as everyone else. We are looked down upon. The Lion Knights were not the only group that the empire swallowed. It is the same as your Orcs, though we U'Kin never fought a war before being hated like your Orcs. The people of Dastan do not like the U'Kin. The people of Dastan think the U'Kin are inferior. They think the same of the Lion Knights, and the Teuthsial, and the Pongcanis, and the Acerpusculum, and even some think it of the Dragons. There have been strides recently. Victor and Emperor Septrine are trying to, behind closed doors, aid our struggle for equality, behind closed doors. Ella Septrine has publicly declared herself our ally." "Please, if you have no more questions, return to Constance. I am not in danger, but you will be if you are late with her weapon. Besides, I do not like this fact, but being seen with races that are not U'Kin can hurt my image with the people, a fact I hate, but a true one. U'Vires will not try to hurt me physically, but if he can paint me in a darker light, he will, and accepting help from outsiders hired by those who oppress us so greatly. I will answer all questions, but I cannot accept your protection. I don't need it and it would reflect poorly on me. I am a leader, I must stand strong."

"Alright then... I guess that's all that we can do here? Does anyone have any questions for either of the others? Or shall we make our way to our final stop? The only thing that raises any red flags so far for me is Gurnam's investing buddy, but there seems to be next to no way to track them. The payments have no doubt stopped now that the invention has gone sky high. Besides, funding something secretly to blow it up secretly? I can't really figure out what the angle would be there, except maybe to prove that it wouldn't work? Sounds like a Mage's trick, to me."

"I don't need protection, heroes, and I'll tell you why right now why I don't need protection. The assassins have two people in charge, don't they have two people in charge? Sphinx and U'Vires. Sphinx has no reason to try to kill me. His goal is simple and clear and he has stated it many times and so everyone knows it because it is simple and clear. He wants to raise the Chimera. There is nothing linking me the Chimera. The U'Kin were not involved the last time, and we are not involved this time. We are woefully bad at magic, though we are good at alchemy because we are so bad at magic. I am not his target. Sphinx is clear with his plan and I have it on good authority that he will not come after me. He has stated his goals, and I am not one." "U'Vires will likewise not come after me. U'Vires and I worked together for U'Kin rights. Though we have gone our separate ways, he and I share the same goal, though we use different means to achieve it, we share the same goal. He will not attack me. It would hurt his image with the U'Kin too much, though that is a proud thing to claim it is true that it would hurt his image with the U'Kin too much. He will not do it. XX is hired by him, so he will also not attack. You heroes are used to fighting disorganized foes. Our enemies are organized, which makes them more dangerous but easier to predict, because they are organized." "The reason that I am put on that list is because Constance insisted I was. My allies and advisers were furious that Constance put me on that list because they think she put me on the list to restrict my movement because she hates the U'Kin and was trying to restrict my movement. I believe that she was concerned for my safety, but my advisers tell me that is not so. I think your efforts and times would be better spent elsewhere, heroes."

He's already said that brown frogs were hints to the conversion. I think it may refer to The Forest? I'm really pulling for The Forest 2. Let's make it even more complicated!!! I don't recall if I've gotten to say this yet, but playing with 11 other pros (and 1 other pro host) was really awesome. Thanks for a great game everyone!

The blacksmith passes the sword to the heroes. (Please assign it, Party Leader). (picture forthcoming) - Dragon Heart (WP: 15, Fire and Wind Elemental, Suitable for Knights, Rouges, and Barbarians) The party follows U'Stus to his house. They pass under the gate house of Emperor Brunt's Wall. Atramor decides it's time to show the others the map that he received the previous day. *(Red is where you normally meet the others). The party arrive at U'Stus' house. He leads you to a small room - a den of sorts. U'Stus exits and brings back biscuits. "Now, what can I do for you lovely heroes, what can I do for you? I hope that you haven't come to convince me I need protection because I don't need the protection you may be convincing me I need. I would prefer you protect the others. I am safely within my own people, who will keep me safe. What danger could touch me? However, if you have any questions, I will happily answer any questions. I know these assassins you will have to deal with, sadly, but information can help, and I have some on the assassins you will have to deal with."

YES. That was my other fumble of the game. I don't recall my reasoning for that. It dawned on me in the morning of Day 5 that it was a really really dumb thing to do.

How's that for rail-roading! Sorry questies. We do have certain events we have to hit.

OoC: CallMePie, it's night time, dearest. Constance turns on the heroes. "Try to pay attention. Your duties for the evening have already been laid out. You are supposed to go visit U'Stus right now. Victor has given you instructions. The Great Market is on your way. Take my sword with you." Suddenly, Felton walks up. "Heroes. Greetings... hello Constance. Pleasure to see you again. Here, I'll take that." Felton holds out his hand and Constance grudgingly gives him her sword. She storms off. "I do not think she needs protection tonight, or any other night. Come with me, heroes. We will pay her a visit later, if time permits." The heroes follow Felton to the Great Market. The heroes approach the Pongcanis blacksmith. "I can fix 'er up," he tells the heroes. "But it will cost you. 1500 gold." The heroes gawk until another figure approaches. The voice has a light laugh and wheeze to it. "Never remembers to give the gold, does she, never remembers!" the voice laughs. "I'll pay for it, my dear Pongcanis, I'll pay. Here is the gold for the service that you will be performing, the gold is here." The U'Kin turns to the heroes, and they immediately recognize him as U'Stus. He seems to recognize them as well. "Hello heroes, greetings! I am U'Stus, the U'Kin. I think that you were supposed to visit me tonight is what I am thinking! How lucky that our ways crossed out here in the marketplace, how lucky! Would you like to return to my estate while the Pongcanis works his magic we should return to my estate!"

"With all due respect, heroes, I have more weapons than one sword. This evening I will be training my remaining Dragon Knights, along with a handful of foot soldiers. There are still half a dozen in the city. The assassins can not make it en mass into the city, and attacking even six Dragon Knights would be foolish. Do as I command. Remember, you must see U'Stus' house tonight as well. Victor told me to remind you. Why we are bothering to protect a U'Kin is beyond me... but the Great Market is on your way."

I don't feel too bad. I called the final two scum... and Pandora.... sort of. I felt a little cornered that last day, and I don't know if we could have done anything to turn the tide at that point. My only huge mistake of the game was convicting JimButcher instead of Polly, I think. Congrats to the scum, of course. Very well played. As for the narrative and the setting - absolutely beautiful and genius. I play games I want to play at this point, not all Mafia games indiscriminately, and I will always sign up for Hinck games.

I think that you should comb previous quests and pick a few artefacts from them. I also like the idea of the Black Silken Gloves. There are ways for the other classes to hop on to each other a little (other classes, for example, have SP at this point), so a way for people to make money with hits (albeit a low amount) would be much appreciated!

"Look, Swifthorn, you're a Minotaur of wealth, and therefore you must be a Minotaur of honor and decency. My ally is correct, we do have a number of questions for you. As you no doubt know at this point, the invention you poured your nobly won money into went up in flames yesterday. We would like to know if you have any suspects of the sabotage that you'd like us to take care of. The Mage's name has been brought up a number of times. The Sharkling told us that he was fed gold and told to invest it. Who else in the city would have enough gold to invest in this project? They clearly must have excess, and they'd want to do it secretly. You must know who has that sort of money and motive, being a Minotaur of means yourself." Boomingham leans in and sort of hisses to Swifthorn. "I'd also personally like to know if you have any jobs that you want done that you may pay handsomely to see done. I am professional and efficient, chappo, so just say what you want done and I'll get to doing it."