Zepher

Sorry everyone, hectic day here. My free time was when the board was down - will update this evening (5 to 6 hours from now).

"Hm, I'll see what I can do-" "Not happening." "Shush. What exactly are you two off to hunt? Members of the Wolfgang, or pretty young ladies. Because I'm all for the first one... but I'm not so sure how I'd feel about the second. Throw me a bone?"

Boomingham holds a fat finger to his fat lips and motions the party forward towards the alleyway. "Here's hoping it's the Wolfgang," he mumbles to them before swinging his gait into view and booming out: "What's that about Ennoc? He and I are old pals! I don't think Barty here would take kindly to you insulting him. I wouldn't mind it... we have an intriguing relationship, Ennoc and I. A love hate, of sorts. Who are you fellows? What are you up to?"

I'm alright with that, but I want you chaps to work your minds as you work your legs. Who would want to invest, but wouldn't want to do it openly? Why would anyone do that? They didn't pay Gurnam in secret to destroy it, they paid him secretly to support it. What's the purpose of that? Who has the motive for that? What is the motive for that? Start spit-balling."

"I'm ready to move on, Mr. Docken. If we have to go visit Gurnam again, we can. He says that he was given the money to invest, but he doesn't know where it came from. I'm inclined to believe him. No reason to lie to a Paladin he met at an Archery contest. He brought up that the scientists and the mage didn't like each other, but other than that and the money, he didn't seem to have anything else to reveal to us. Where to?"

How does Quest 20 tie into Quest 17? I'm afraid Quest 20 is not one that I'm too well versed in. I too should probably one day go back and read a few of the Quests I'm more spotty on. I'm just asking because at this point, if a new player were to join, they would have 32 quests to read to catch up. That's a lot, and it must be interesting to these people who didn't live through the quests to go back and see them after seeing them mentioned. For example, to some players/spectators who are newer to the game, Gurnam and the Maa'ri ranger may be totally new characters, whereas "veteran" players would know them and understand Haldor's interaction with the latter. Either way is interesting to me, also, which is cool. One way the Maa'ri is a returning character who we cheer to see again, and the other way, you learn something new about Haldor, and know that there is so much more to the characters (as is true with real people) than meets the eye.

Just a quick mention to players in my Quest (and I thought this was common convention, but apparently not... I think I stole it from WBD in my last quest). <When a character speaks between these things> that means they're speaking in their native tongue, and most heroes should not be able to understand them. Maybe everyone in the Quest is good at Froglish though. It's just for story purposes (and maybe to force Volcanic to say more than just his attack ), but I thought it was worth noting.

<William, William, tell them to put me first! That way I can heal Tarn before he acts! Tell them, please, brave Sir Ranger!> OoC: If anyone else wants to suddenly learn Froglish, I certainly wouldn't be opposed.

Round One of Chimera Guard Battle Nyx v. Chimera Guard B - Special Damage Thothwick v. Chimera Guard A - Damage Tarn v. Chimera Guard D - Special Damage Harkenshire v. Guard F - Hit Sir Poletad heals Tarn - No Heal Chimera Guard F - Free hit on Nyx (-6) The battle continues. Nyx and Tarn fly at their opponents, but are unable once more to hit them. Thothwick draws his sword and pounces, but the claws of the beast are too fast and slice his forehead as the beast leaps over him (-12). Harkenshire shoots his gun and once more his bullet smashes through one of the wicked machines (((5x2)+12)x2=44). Sir Poletad does reassign his target even though William never translated the party's wishes (I will not be so nice next time, William, you are the only hero capable of talking to Poletad, tell him what the party wants or he can't possibly know. My NPCs are Non-Player Characters, treat them as such, they will not always choose the best action). Upon seeing Tarn's brave charge with possibility of a KO, Poletad found a fellow warrior spirit. He is unable, however, to get Amphibianoc's blessing, and Tarn remains damaged. One of the untargetted mechanical monsters smashes into Nyx. The Enemies Chimera Guard A Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 50/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: Ether Core Chimera Guard B Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 50/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: Ether Core Roger Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 6/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: Tonic Chimera Guard D Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 50/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: Tonic Chimera Guard E Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 35/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: Nothing Chimera Guard F Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 6/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: None The Party Thothwick, Level 15 1/2 Rouge *Party Leader* Power: 23 (20 Ranged) Health: 14/26 Gold: 441 Inventory - Sabre (WP 8), Whip Chain (WP 6), Shuriken (WP 5), 2 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 1 Floral Bomb, 1 Bedroll, 1 Telescope, Cultist's Hat, Phoenix Essence Tarn Valco, Level 13 1/2 Barbarian Power: 23 Health: 8/20 Gold: 0 Inventory: Helbaerend (WP: 10, Water, Ice and Lightning Elemental, Hollow Blade with Mead equipped), Fauxthril Spear (WP: 6), Phoenix Essence, Grand Potion, Potion, Remedy, Holy Bomb, Shovel, Pickaxe, Bomb XX William Harkenshire, Level 12 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 (3),Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Mead, Smelling Salts, Pickaxe, Horse, Skeleton Decoy, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, Elven Bomb, Fire Bomb, Bomb XX Nyx, Level 18 Battle Mage Power: 31 Health: 16/28 Ether: 23/23 Gold: 0 Inventory: Book of a Thousand Creatures (WP:13, each roll has a 1/6 chance to summon a creature to aid the hero), Dawnstar II (WP: 9), Healing Staff (WP: 5), Shiny Helmet (+1 max health), Ruby (Fire), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth), Sandman's Parasol, Potion, Remedy, 2 Tonics, 2 Grand Tonics, Holy Bomb, Bedroll, 5 Bones, Wooden Shield (SP:2), Bomb XX, Phoenix Essence Sir Earl Poletad (NPC) Level 15 Frog Paladin Power: 15 Health: 20/20 Ether: 15/15 Gold: 0 Shield – Croak: Restores health of all party members an amount equal to his level. Miss – Ribbit: All party members regain one ether.

I have a question for the newer players (excluding Flipz, who I know the answer to): Do you go back and read ALL the old quests, or do "older" heroes occasionally (or often) reference quests or events that you flat-out don't know about.

I don't think he's trying to dumb it down, but I also don't think this is worth debating. It is too game-changing to change. Sandy doesn't seem to think it needs changing, so debating it is pointless.

I'd love to have her some time, though Sandy usually ends up reading over my quests pretty thoroughly before they go up so that I ahve a second opinion. She'd just have to warn me about wanting to come along, and I'd hide everything from her! Speaking of which, for you Wren hungry folk, there WILL be a fourth extremely quick extremely small Wren Quest right after the Dastan Quests end (and yes, Sandy, this is the first you're hearing of this too, I'll run it by you when it comes together more).

Sandy, on an unrelated note, will Ellaria be joining us in the hall again soon? I think others have requested her back as well, but with things apparently cooling down for you again, I think all the players want you back among our numbers!

I switch weapons all the time. I don't think that should cost a turn, in theory I could be holding one sword in each hand. I'd be angry if it was switched, my whole battle strategy revolves around me being able to switch! I've been working hard on this, Sanders!

Knifk's transformation was pretty cool, I just went ahead and read it. Also, CMP, I'm embarrassed to admit that I'd never gotten around to reading Atramor's transformation, but that was masterfully done! Your chicken was so confusing to me at the beginning of the game. I think you have grown as a player and a character, well done my friend!

"And you never thought anything of it? Free money... hm, I guess don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Wonder who wouldn't invest openly, but still wanted to help out. You didn't have to do anything else for the money? Nothing to the machine? And who are these other investors, or insects, or whatever. Were they trust-worthy chaps like yourself, or the should Ennoc spite them?" Boomingham winks at Barty at the mention of Ennoc spiting people. Barty sighs. "Please, tell me everything. The life of a Paladin is boring, I'm a sucker for a good story."

Zoot would be happy to have such a powerful weapon named after him! I can't wait until the Wren quests start to wrap up, all those Zoot Weapons better come make a final appearance with her. We're more than half-way through at this point!

Round One of Chimera Guard Battle Nyx v. Chimera Guard B - Special Damage Thothwick v. Chimera Guard A - Special Damage Tarn v. Chimera Guard D - Damage Harkenshire v. Chimera Guard C - Critical Hit Sir Poletad v. Chimera Guard E - Hit Chimera Guard F - Free hit on Nyx (-6) The battle commences. The heroes immediately wish that they had brought Atramor, complaining or not. They could use his help. Nyx and Thothwick are both rammed by the agile machines, and are unable to fire off a spell or attack, though they suffer no damage. Tarn charges forward, but is cut by the machine's sharp claws, which dig into his chest (-12). Harkenshire, safe from the machines because of his friends' protection, is able to fire on them, and hits Chimera Guard C (aka Roger) with a shot (((5x2)+12)x2=44) that cripples it. Poletad, brave as ever, charges in from the front row, dealing 15 damage to his target by hopping all over it's head and spitting into its gears. Chimera Guard F rips at Nyx (-6). The Enemies Chimera Guard A Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 50/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: Ether Core Chimera Guard B Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 50/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: Ether Core Roger Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 6/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: Tonic Chimera Guard D Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 50/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: Tonic Chimera Guard E Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 35/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: Nothing Chimera Guard F Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 50/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: None The Party Thothwick, Level 15 1/2 Rouge *Party Leader* Power: 23 (20 Ranged) Health: 26/26 Gold: 441 Inventory - Sabre (WP 8), Whip Chain (WP 6), Shuriken (WP 5), 2 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 1 Floral Bomb, 1 Bedroll, 1 Telescope, Cultist's Hat, Phoenix Essence Tarn Valco, Level 13 1/2 Barbarian Power: 23 Health: 8/20 Gold: 0 Inventory: Helbaerend (WP: 10, Water, Ice and Lightning Elemental, Hollow Blade with Mead equipped), Fauxthril Spear (WP: 6), Phoenix Essence, Grand Potion, Potion, Remedy, Holy Bomb, Shovel, Pickaxe, Bomb XX William Harkenshire, Level 12 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 (3),Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Mead, Smelling Salts, Pickaxe, Horse, Skeleton Decoy, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, Elven Bomb, Fire Bomb, Bomb XX Nyx, Level 18 Battle Mage Power: 31 Health: 22/28 Ether: 23/23 Gold: 0 Inventory: Book of a Thousand Creatures (WP:13, each roll has a 1/6 chance to summon a creature to aid the hero), Dawnstar II (WP: 9), Healing Staff (WP: 5), Shiny Helmet (+1 max health), Ruby (Fire), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth), Sandman's Parasol, Potion, Remedy, 2 Tonics, 2 Grand Tonics, Holy Bomb, Bedroll, 5 Bones, Wooden Shield (SP:2), Bomb XX, Phoenix Essence Sir Earl Poletad (NPC) Level 15 Frog Paladin Power: 15 Health: 20/20 Ether: 15/15 Gold: 0 Shield – Croak: Restores health of all party members an amount equal to his level. Miss – Ribbit: All party members regain one ether. <William, tell Nyx she need not fear with a Frog Paladin here! I will heal her right back up to snuff! Also tell her I think she's very pretty!>

If you interact only with your alter-ego and not with the other players, you end up playing with yourself. Just a comment. Try to interact with the others, or else you could just be sitting at home talking to yourself.

I pick my players off of how confused I am by the items that they have. Not joking.

Wait, you want us to run EVERY item past you? You mean that the "Pet Dragon" (+20 SP, causes permanent blessed and lucky effect, hero cannot be targeted) needs to get approved by you before I give it to all my questers as a reward. Shoot.

Well done Xarran! I thought that was an extremely impressive quest. It was a bit of a Dungeon Crawler, but certainly not a slow or boring one. The events seemed to be well paced and well planned. Sometimes, there isn't a need for an over-arching story, and that's fine. You played the events out like they were random - the heroes had three basic creature types to destroy to clear the Quarry, and that's what happened. Singerson was a lot of fun to read, and a helpful guide. Well done, I really can't find a problem with the entire quest. Get those NPCs to me for indexing, there's a number that are well-worth the list.

Felton beams. "Fantastic! I'm glad that we'll have someone with us." Felton then turns to Thothwick. "Thank you for the report of the Lion Knights. It would seem we have many visitors from Uland over here. I am not certain what they mean, except that the Assassins are growing stronger... how would the two of them get into contact? We'll figure this out later. Good luck, heroes." Felton, Hans, Atramor and Poletad start to head off, but Poletad hops off of Han's palm and to the heroes. <I am sorry, but I must remain with the heroes! Wren is important, this I know, but someone's life is danger! I am a Frog Paladin, and my vows to Amphibianoc proclaim that I must value all life! I will go with the heroes and save Mallelio's life! And perhaps Ella will reward me with a kiss, though she seems quite taken with you, Tarn!> William translates all of what Poletad has said, though he whispers the part about Ella under his breath to Tarn. Phil is the next to speak. "Good luck, heroes. Ella must remain here." "I don't want to. I want to save Mallelio. He is my teacher." "You are far to valuable for that. Today, I will be your guard. Heroes, take care, hurry back, and please, please save Mallelio. He is a good man. Those are sometimes hard to find." The heroes, guided by Sir Poletad, head off towards the mountain that Wren indicated. When they arrive, it becomes clear that this too was a mountain once under the control of the Ancient Lion Knights. Crumbling relics sprinkle the cliffs and ledges. There is one path up to the top. Poletad hops towards it and bravely leads the charge to rescue Mallelio. He quickly turns back around and rushes towards William as a fast paced clanking noise is heard. An outcrop of rock momentarily blocks the hero's assailants as Poletad cries out: <Prepare for battle heroes!> Six Lion-esque mechanical monsters round the corner. From whatever their equvilent of lungs is, a low growl emits. They advance on the heroes. The Enemies Chimera Guard A Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 50/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: Ether Core Chimera Guard B Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 50/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: Ether Core Chimera Guard C Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 50/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: Tonic Chimera Guard D Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 50/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: Tonic Chimera Guard E Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 50/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: Nothing Chimera Guard F Level 12 Mechanical, Demon Health: 50/50 Special: Roar of Life – Revives one fallen fellow guard at half health Drops: None The Party Thothwick, Level 15 1/2 Rouge *Party Leader* Power: 23 (20 Ranged) Health: 26/26 Gold: 441 Inventory - Sabre (WP 8), Whip Chain (WP 6), Shuriken (WP 5), 2 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 1 Floral Bomb, 1 Bedroll, 1 Telescope, Cultist's Hat, Phoenix Essence Tarn Valco, Level 13 1/2 Barbarian Power: 23 Health: 20/20 Gold: 0 Inventory: Helbaerend (WP: 10, Water, Ice and Lightning Elemental, Hollow Blade ), Fauxthril Spear (WP: 6), Mead, Phoenix Essence, Grand Potion, Potion, Remedy, Holy Bomb, Shovel, Pickaxe, Bomb XX William Harkenshire, Level 12 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 (3),Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Mead, Smelling Salts, Pickaxe, Horse, Skeleton Decoy, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, Elven Bomb, Fire Bomb, Bomb XX Nyx, Level 18 Battle Mage Power: 31 Health: 28/28 Ether: 23/23 Gold: 0 Inventory: Book of a Thousand Creatures (WP:13, each roll has a 1/6 chance to summon a creature to aid the hero), Dawnstar II (WP: 9), Healing Staff (WP: 5), Shiny Helmet (+1 max health), Ruby (Fire), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth), Sandman's Parasol, Potion, Remedy, 2 Tonics, 2 Grand Tonics, Holy Bomb, Bedroll, 5 Bones, Wooden Shield (SP:2), Bomb XX, Phoenix Essence Sir Earl Poletad (NPC) Level 15 Frog Paladin Power: 15 Health: 20/20 Ether: 15/15 Gold: 0 Shield – Croak: Restores health of all party members an amount equal to his level. Miss – Ribbit: All party members regain one ether.

OoC: I will wait for you to lock in what groups you will be travelling in. You may divide yourselves, all go after Wren, or all go save Mallelio. Flitty, it's your call, bold your final choice please!

I actually thought of that plan of action earlier today. I am, however, a little scared to see you suggest it. It is the only thing that would make selling one of your own out. If you sacrificed Ruben to get us to send you our information, that right there is the only reason I can think of the scum giving up one of their own... I trust you almost entirely, but this is still quite a leap. If everyone else thinks its a good idea, I'll go with the masses, but it's such a leap of faith...