Zepher

"That's a bit of the good and the bad," says Boomingham. "Do you think that these Blue Brothers hired the priest, or was he a separate agent?"

"That we do. And may always find us as well, should you ever be in trouble." "Assuming you have the gold to pay us!" chuckles Ruffers good naturedly before saluting Matthias. "But truly, we must be off shortly! Horses travel far faster than my stead."

Boomingham is a little miffed that no one feels like explaining what the Hel a Red Death is. Leaving the questioning of Alzar to Nerwen he instead turns to Vlad. "So, how'd you get stuck undercover for a year while your pal just got to play dress up?"

I did already! Pages ago! I will write character thoughts in a little bit though! And start working on my finale, though I don't know exactly when I'll manage to host it what with starting real life and everything.

Everyone who completed 139 may add a "Guffington's Seal" to their inventory! And with that (and maybe one more line from Pigley...) this monster quest is finally over.

On his way back to the Hall Hoke stops by Guffington Manor to find out what the extra loot he was promised is. U'Or opens the heavy gates for him. "Ah, Mr. Abelsword, glad to see you made it back to Eubric all in one piece! You are no doubt here to collect that extra payment that you and Master Guffington negotiated." U'Or hands Hoke a small golden brooch. "This will let the world know that you are a friend of Guffington Manor, and will entitle you to a sweet little drink that our very own Doc Daneeka has cooked up as well as letting the world know you are a friend of the Manor. Simply stop by the Manor before every quest, and we will make sure you are supplied!" Guffington's Seal (Proves the Hero is a Friend of Guffington. The hero starts every quest with one "Hero's Cocktail") Hero's Cocktail (Makes the hero encouraged, hastened, lucky and inspired) "We have one for each of your quest mates will receive one! Please inform them that they should stop by the Manor to collect their seals."

"Sorry about that. Didn't suspect you myself for a heartbeat," Boomingham tells Trista as he releases her. Boomingham glances at the dead priest on the wall. "What the Hel is that all about? What's a Red Death? Think that's one of our boys?" He glances at Nerwen, feeling certain she will be able to fill him in. "I could try my hand at calming things down, but I'm armed enough that I generally intimidate people more than calm them as of late. Might be best if you and I walk these chaps back home and leave the diplomacy to the elves. They've always thought they were better at it anyway." He stared hard at the fake Grishnod. "Besides, I've got a few questions to hash out with him. I'm sure Tra-Serral would love to get her hands on him as well."

Hoke Ablesword - Champion of the Northern Kingdoms, Kraken Whacker, Titan Smiter, Serpent Skinner, and Rock Champion of Decamon (UsernameMDM) Human Male Dragoon Level 55.6 *Immune: Fragile, Confused, Sealed, Dark, Earth, Fire, Wind / Absorbs Poison / Deals Poison +3 and SP -1, Dark, Light, Ice* Power Bonus: 2, +7 WP Defense: 41 Health: 94/94 (+10 Knight, +15 Dragoon, +54 Level, +2 Chicken Drumsticks, +10 Raw Meats, +1 Warrior's Tread) Gold: 138 Equipment: Zoot's Order (WP:40; Darkness, Light, Ice, permanently Poisoned-by-3, hits reduce enemy SP by 1; spear, suitable for Hoke only), Steel Buckler (SP:31, Darkness-elemental), Sven's Heavy Armor (SP:6, Immune to Fire, Earth, Wind and Fragile), Hydra Skin (SP: 2, wearer gains HP when poisoned instead of losing it, backwear), Warrior's Treads (SP:2, Health +1), Samurai Helmet (WP:+4, immune Confused, Sealed suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors), Medal of Glory (Wearer gains triple experience, accessory), Bone Claws (+3 WP, 2 SP, hand wear), Inventory: Weapons - Vintul (WP: 16; greatsword), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, causes the Bleeding-by-5 effect; spear), Wasabi Blade (WP: 4, Fire-elemental long-sword), Glistening Halberd WP:10 (1/2; chance to caused stunned effect, lance), Blue Steel Shield (SP:5, Immune to Blind), Fang Dagger (WP:5, double damage to beasts, dagger), Hollow Flagpole (WP:11, +3 SP to the whole party whenever equipped, Hollow (Empty), lance), Great Axpeord (WP:40, cannot be wielded with a shield; greatsword/axe/spear), Blade of Tranquility (WP: 2, deals the Sealed effect, Long-sword) Artefacts - Sharkskin Gloves (Accessory, provides immunity from water elemental attacks), Helm of Prestige (SP: 5, +10 Max HP, Wearer is Permanently Blessed, Headwear, suitable for Paragons), Sterile Gloves (Immune to poisoned and bleeding, handwear, suitable for anyone), Cultist Hat (damage vs undead), Sigil of the Cold Circle - (Raise an Army costs twice as much ether, but raised undead are three times as powerful, accessory, suitable for necromancers), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immune to Fragile), Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory), Coat Hanger (Allows for a second body wear, Accessory), Pugilist Gloves (+2 to power, immune Weakened), Shadeaux Cape (SP:1; suitable to those with reputation among the Shadeaux only; if reputation is great, SP is doubled; if reputation is outstanding, SP is tripled; backwear.), Iceborn's Improved Summoning Amulet (Can be used once per quest to revive a fallen enemy to join the party. The enemy has a level equal to their previous level, and health equal to the half the health of the hero reviving them. Their class can be determined by the QM, and they cannot be revived by Phoenix Essences. Accessory) Gems - Ruby (Fire), Etherial Sapphire (Sealed+Wind), Emerald (Wood), Etherial Aquamarine (Confusion+Water), Topaz (Lightning), Etherial Garnet ( Slowed+Earth), Etherial Topaz (Lighting+Stunned), Etherial Opal (Fragile+Ice) Scrolls - Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep Tools - Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel 3x Smoke Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Water Bomb, Air Bomb, 2x Dirt Bomb, Confuse Bomb, Blind Bomb, Seal Bomb, x2 Stun Bombs, Skadi Bomb Consumables - 3x Phoenix Essence, 6x Grand Potion, Health Core, 2x Grand Tonic, 5x Ether Core, Elixir, 2x Ambrosia, Soma, 3x Mead, 2x Smelling Salts, 2x Dragon Scale (Grants lucky- and blessed-effects when consumed), 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), 2x Flame-Distilled Brandy (Encouraged & Immune to Ice), 6x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, 2x Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used), Mythril, Henry Award (Can be sold for 200 Gold or to give +1 HP or +1 Power to a character, Consumable, Soul-bound), Mythril Shard Decamon Deck - Nixie (Water 7), Reaper (Dark 8), Stone Golem (Rock 8), Carcinos (Aquatic 8), Storm Elemental (Electric 8) "We've been well! Very well!" Ruffers' looks shocked (however crabs go about doing that) when Matthias mentions Piglina. "Your sister? Pigley, I thought you hadn't spoken to her for years!" "I see her whenever we're both in town," says Pigley defensively. "It just doesn't happen all that often." He sniffs at the Orb of Life and then picks it up with his mouth. He trots back over to the feeding troth and drops it in with the gruel. "It is, I will admit, a little odd for her to send me gifts." "As for a troublesome encounter, there is nary a minute we aren't in one! Right now we are hunting down a house that went rogue and stole the cart it was carrying, full of valuable sea salt! If that isn't dangerous - a crab versus a horse - I don't know what is!" Pigley snorts sadly. "I highly doubt Piglina fears that encounter... that being said, heavens know what she really does fear. I am certain, had she known the nature of the danger, that she would have sent word..." he looks at Matthias. "What will come will come. Nothing we can do to prevent that. Thank you for this, Matthias. Make sure you watch your back, and we will make sure to watch ours' as well."

Yeah we have lots of references!

OoC: We can do Pigley now! I won't make you look far and wide for him. I'll just narrate it really quickly, and then let you respond - sorry to hijack your character, know that's generally a no-no but I don't want to drag you out longer than need be. Before returning to the Hall, Matthias makes good on his promise to Piglina. Asking various birds, rats, dogs and other critters Matthias is able to track his old friends down somewhere in the Hovels, where they seem to be staying for the time being. Approaching the back of a worn down inn, Matthias finds an even more worn down stable. A familiar voice calls out to him. "Do my eyes deceive me or is that Matthias?!" calls the little crab, waving his sword enthusiastically to get the gnome's attention. "What brings you to these parts?" Pigley peers out from behind a troth of food.

OoC: Stickfig, I forgot to post Matthias' new abilities, so here they are! Matthias the Carnival Crusader (StickFig) Level 26⅓ Druid *⅙ chance of being Encouraged at the start of any battle* *Gains 10 gold for each Humanoid killed* *Immune to Bound, Slowed* Power Bonus: 10 Defense: 6 Health: 36/36 Ether: 3/26 Gold: 172 Abilities: Bearer of the Anvil (Matthias may sacrifice his turn to add his WP or SP to another heroes for the round. He may also improve one weapon at the end of each quest [+1 WP]), Immortal Waters (Once per quest, Matthias can heal himself to full health and remove all negative effects during combat. This does not take up an action) Equipment: Restored Fireball Extraordinaire (WP:9, also hits enemies listed above and below the target, Darkness- and Lightning-elemental, user is Slowed, hand cannon), Dapper Hat (This amazingly dapper hat gives the wearer a ⅙ chance of being Encouraged at the start of any battle, headwear), Hunter's Plate (SP:4, wearer gains 10 gold for each Humanoid killed, suitable for rogues, rangers, barbarians, beast warriors, infiltrators, regulators, and winged warriors) (Dreyrugr), Greaves of the Aubergine Dragoon (SP:2, protects from Bound and Slowed effects, footwear) Inventory: Peashooter (WP:2, deals Burning -2, hand cannon), Pongcanis Crossbow (WP:8, crossbow), XX Handcannon Replica (WP:12, pierces defense, hand cannon), Crocodile Handbag (Max. ether +2, immunity to water; accessory), Toxic Hood (Converts Poisoned-effect to Blessed for duration of battle, headwear), Winged Sandals (Protects from Bound and Slowed effects, footwear), Ethereal Garnet (Earth and Sealed), 3x Ethereal Opal (Ice and Fragile), Ethereal Ruby (Fire and Afraid), 2x Adamantite Shard (¼ of a full Adamantite ore, used for adamantizing weapons), 8x Bone (Distracts the target for the duration of 1 round, preventing Free Hits; worth 5 gold in magic shops), Deadly Venom, 2x Elixir, Grand Potion, Grating Stone, Potion, 2x Red Death Blood, 4x Remedy, 4x Tonic, Doomsday Bomb (Deals 99 damage, bomb), 2x Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Magic Compass

Melquiades and Piglina arrive and greet the gnome. "Ready to go home? Piglina will deal with the anvil." "Do not worry. It'll be more than safe here. Please ensure you get that bauble to my brother, and best of luck." Piglina bows to Matthias as Melquiades whisks him away and deposits him outside the Hall.

Boomingham moves to E4 and Tra-Serral to D5 and detain Trista. "Sorry about this, ma'm," says Boomingham, still keeping his eyes on Jaret.

"You're certainly hungry! Here's a complete list of your requests!" Raw Meat - 1125 Gold Buckets of Buffalo Wings - 750 Gold Greasy Sausage - 520 Gold Chicken Drumstick - 270 Gold Carrot - 150 Gold "I can't sell you the Totally Dope Hair Gel! I need it for my hair."

OoC: Pie, you forgot to move Skrall on the board. Real post incoming shortly, just some strategizing to do first! Also, could you clarify if Jaret actually drank? Thank you!

OoC: Shop away! "I will return for you and the Anvil after I've taken Skuld a safe distance." He turns to Skuld and smiles. "Never can be too careful." With a zap they're gone, and Matthias is left to finish up any business he has in Etheria.

Skull throws herself at Matthias just as Lady Felix finishes her work on Melquiades. He grabs Skuld by the shoulder as she bowls Matthias over and suddenly everyone is thrown into the Void once more. They fly through the nether and Skuld lets out a cry of shock and pain. Landing back in City Center she sits huddled as Melquiades helps Matthias to his feet. Luis jogs over, shocked. "What happened in there?" Melquiades holds up a hand and stops the were-bat in his tracks. They all look at Skuld, who continues to stare at the ground. Electrical energy cackles behind the heroes as they see us stepping out from behind his golden chest, a bolt of energy in his hands. Luis unfurls a scroll. "Skuld?" "I'm alright." She stands up, looking even paler than normal (is that possible??) and then blushes suddenly. "I don't know what came over me. Some commanding voice in my head... it's gone now. I apologize, Matthias. That is a powerful anvil. I wouldn't be surprised if something else tries to snatch it from you in the future." "Let's get her to Iceborn." Luis rolls back up his scroll and Zeus returns to his chest, glancing over his shoulder. "If it bears further investigation, he and the Council will be able to figure out the best course of action. They should at least hear what happened to Skuld. And if they need to keep an eye on her." "Right." Melquiades turns back to the heroes. "After I bring Skuld to the Captain, I'll be able to take you back to Eubric, or elsewhere if you'd like. I'm a one stop sort of guy though, so wherever I drop you it'll be on you to get back home from there." Skuld is still visibly shaken as Luis attempts to comfort her. Is there anything else the heroes would like to do or say in Etheria?

OoC: It's your decision! You need to pick one.

Skuld ignores the heroes and begins to pace towards Matthias. Melquiades, for the first real time since the heroes have met him, stands up straight and steps forward commandingly. "Skuld, what are you playing at?" Skuld waves her staff and ice wraps around the (former)Selkreeth's feet, freezing him in his spot. Lady Felix starts to chip away at the ice as Skuld grows closer. "We're going. Are we taking her with us, or not?"

Boomingham moves to F5 and speaks with Jaret again, maybe a little intimidatingly. "Not much one for drinking? Come on now. It's a celebration! Give Tarok's Blood a try - best Orcish drink I've had tonight!" Tra-Serral moves to G5.

OoC: Total. I think the Ethereal Opal will fetch a fair price, and you can always convert the other one. I also am not including Guts here - Scuba has not checked in for a month. Torc blasts the ceiling with flames. The ice shimmers and reflects the light, and for a short moment the entire cavern is filled with light - revealing only ice and dripping water. The heroes and their companions are alone in the room. The whispering, however, continues. "What are you doing?! We're trying to save the room, not destroy it!" And sure enough, the dripping intensifies as little droplets land on Torc's snout. OoC: Thank you! Today I deal with the less exciting experience of packing up my life and tomorrow I get to move home. Matthias glances around for something to fight, but there is nothing. Suddenly, Skuld begins to murmur strangely to herself. She turns to face Matthias and locks eyes with him. "Give me that." "Heroes...?"

Sorry, busy weekend of graduating "I wouldn't say afraid-" "I would!" Skuld stalks ahead. "You did the work required to get in here. It is against my better judgement to bring you here, but if you truly want to be here, who am I to prevent you from exploring?" Lady Felix catches the bauble. Inspecting it swiftly, she hides it somewhere within her robes and continues on with the others. As the heroes continue on, they realize that the room is not quite as solid as it once was. They can hear, echoing around the cavern, a quiet dripping on water here and there, impossible to tack down in the dark room. They grow colder. The opal does not react poorly, but Zoot's Order does, failing to grow to it's normal size. It appears to be cowering. Matthias is able to start to hear whispers all around him, but he can't tack down from where. "We should go," says Melquiades. "No. Go if you want. I'm not done here." She tosses Hoke and Matthias 1 Opal and 1 Etherial Opal and 50 gold. "There's your payment. Leave if you're scared."

"I held up my end of the deal. You're not going to hold up yours? Just what I was worried about. I'll be coming to that room with you." Melquiades whisks Felix, Matthias, Hoke, Torc and Skuld through the Void one final time and they arrive in a cavern of ice, beautifully shiny, worn smooth from years of practice. At first there is nothing strange about the room, but then a shiver goes down everyone's spine. "There is something strange here," says Skuld as she begins to pace around. "Told you." Melquiades leans against a icy stalagmite. "Ready to go?" "So soon? You have no back bone. We should explore, we should discover. If there is a threat we must find it and extinguish it." "Or just seal off the room and let it go away."

Boomingham listens to the strange conversation between the King and his knight. Was he trying to get alone with the ruler? Boomingham glanced at Nerwen, trying to guess their next move. Whatever was happening on the other side of the room would be Thalion's move, but he felt he and Nerwen were responsible for the Red Lizard soldiers as well as the orcs around the bar... he moves to E2 and talks in a low whisper to Nerwen (I don't think this counts as an action). "What's the call, Party Leader? I think Jaret checks out - he and Karstaal seem to match stories and are comfortable enough around each other that it'd be strange. That leaves us with pale green-skinned lady or any one of the knights." He glances at Morkantus. "What makes you think we're in a powder keg, chappo?" Tra-Serral continues to wait at the bar, in case they need to move against one of the folks on either side of her.

"Of course. That was the whole point of all of this, to let me see what is happening in the room." Dyric sets sail for home after a number of exhausting months. Dyric Rone (The Legonater) Human male, Assassin *Immune to All Elements and Blinded* *Steals 50% more gold* *Permanently Lucky* *Deals Darkness* Level 32.5 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 6 Health: 44/44 Gold: 136 Equipment: Crossbow of Incessant Warmongerers (WP: 26; Darkness-elemental, on non-AoE rolls, also deals Damage to the enemies above and below the target upon a successful hit; Crossbow) (Deals Poisoned -7 and Cursed for One Battle), Lucky Die (User is permanently *Lucky*; suitable for anyone; Accessory), Night's Helmet (SP: 6; immune to Water, Wood, Earth, Ice, Fire, Wind, Lightning, Light, Darkness, and Blinded; suitable for anyone; Headwear), Crystal Shoes (Immunities become Absorption), Cabin Boy's Rags (All other party members +3 power, body wear), Inventory: • Mockthril Longbow (WP: 27; Ice-elemental; Longbow), Requiem (WP: 20; Wood- and Light-elemental; Longbow), Tarok's Wrath (WP: 20, 1/2; chance to Instantly Kill orcs; Dagger), Double Chain Whip (WP: 10; Whip), Throwing Knife (WP: 4; Throwing Weapon), Pongcanis Dagger (WP: 8; Dagger), Double-Barreled Handcannon (WP: 15, fire-elemental, dual-strike, hand cannon), Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable throwing weapon, causes Jinxed-effect), • Winged Sandals (immune to Bound and Slowed; suitable for anyone; Footwear), Ambrose's Heart (Artifact, suitable to Evokers, Accessory, +5 power), Sigil of the Cold Circle - (Raise an Army costs twice as much ether, but raised undead are three times as powerful, accessory, suitable for necromancers), Cloak of the Red Assassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; back wear), Sticky Gloves (increases amount of Gold stolen by 50%; suitable for Rogues and Beast Warriors; Handwear), Quiver of Blinding Light (Attacks become light-elemental and cause blinded; can only be used with a bow or a crossbow; back wear), • Diamond, Opal, 3 Silver Ore (Worth 60 gold), Ethereal Sapphire (Slowed+Wind) • Bedroll, Shovel, Magic Compass • Potions (4), Grand Potions (5), Tonic, Remedies (2), Banana (restores full HP to target), Elixir (2), Cosmic Essence, Nostrum, Venom (2), Mythril Shards (5/4 Mythril), Military Grade Light Bomb, Military Grade Darkness Bomb, Fire Bomb, Smoke Bomb (2), Diamond Lamp of Summoning (1/3 uses left), Bones (2), Skeleton Decoy, Demon Repellent (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons during one battle unless the user is the only hero left standing; consumable), Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 in magic shops), Earthwyrm Fang (Grants the encouraged-, lucky-, reinforced-, and blinded- effects for the duration of one battle), Phoenix Essence (4), Raw Meat (+5 health), Ancient Bone, Phoenix Incence "Yes, we are ill informed when it comes to many things. That is why we act cautiously instead of rashly. We are not the free wheeling wizards of the Free Islands - ours is more a practice of patience and investigation. You may be used to the Zeigfrieds, who blast their spells and figure out the consequences later, but that is not the way we operate. And, as you may see, we have no lisping reptilian butlers we churned out by mistake and no arch demons attempting to ruin our families." Melquiades appears and whisks Matthias back to Hoke and Guts. The Void Master has the faint smell of wine on his breath, but his abilities are not compromised in the least. "Hope I didn't make you wait too long," he says as he, Matthias, and Lady Felix arrive back to Hoke, Guts, and Skuld. "Are we ready to prove me right?"