Zepher

"If that is the case, then it is back to the drawing board. And you know that our mission is time sensitive. Not only for my own ailments, but for those of our employers as well. He cannot wait in Etheria for us to arrive forever." Daneeka stands stock still, watching a wyrm cross under the sand nearby. "But there is no need to give up hope yet. First, we confirm that the map has been destroyed. Then we will figure out our next step."

Oh, I'm sure it will be just fine. But can anything measure up to my love of Star Wars? I rewatched the originals this past week and in many ways they don't even live up to the mythological hype of Star Wars, and they're superb movies.

OoC: We've spent enough time in this desert. Guts' ingenuity helps revive the Doc, though the cloth gets eaten away by the acid. Daneeka stumbles to his feet and looks around. "We're in wyrm territory," he concludes. "It is very important to not move. The wyrms are blind, but they will feel tremors in the ground." He looks at the three dead wyrms around them. "These are large wyrms, but there are larger, and we are weakened. My advice would be to search for the map again, and swiftly. What makes you think that Zane has given it up?"

Yes, I'm seeing it in a few hours. Super excited, ready to be let down even if it's a good movie.

OoC: I like to keep him safe. He's been helping for months, he deserves it. Boomingham attacks the Black Snakeman from the front row, and then the Venomari Extremist also from the front row. Rex attacks the Blue Snakeman from the front row.

"I understand your concerns. Think of it this way - the strong will survive. It is as Hybros says. We all make our own ways, and the balance comes out of that. So maybe there is no need to resurrect Passion. And maybe there is no need to gather these artifacts. And maybe someone will try to stop us, and perhaps even they will succeed. It is the same answer I gave when my time to face Aventine came: surely neither of us were right, and neither of us were wrong. It was simply a meeting of the wills. To say his death was a mistake would be like saying winter is wrong because it kills flowers. To say that resurrecting him is wrong would be to say that spring is wrong because it brings the flowers back to life." "So consider it, if it pleases you, a selfish request from both Guffington and myself. We feel that it is wrong to leave him dead. I do thank that objectively that is the case, but for the both of us, and our values, subjectively, we must bring him back. Perhaps, even, there will be an opportunity for you to strike me down as I bring him back. If you feel that is right, then you can do what you must. But I can promise you this - he is not like his brother Regret. He was a hero in your very own organization for many years before his death. And as Hoke and Arthur can tell you, his death came by no natural means."

"I don't know if the Old Gods could be called to determine the fate of the world," chuckles Chauncey. "As I said, all things are balanced. There are many threats, and many saviors. Nor could the witches be called strictly wicked. You understand by now that all things have good and evil in them. I am no fool." "But do not doubt that the balance of things are off. Remember that we are mere mortals, and what may seem like years to us may be moments to those with longer life spans. I don't speak of Dastan, or Eubric, or of you and I. They will always ebb and flow, and we will always be able to pick our own paths. But dark things are coming. You need but ask any prophet. Ancient things. And we must have the tools prepared to defend ourselves."

The heroes rub sand on Daneeka, but they are not able to get the get all the stomach acid off, which makes sense because the worm's victims are normally covered in sand. Matthias expends another two ether, and Daneeka's grunts. "Alive, at least," he says tiredly. "But we have lost time." The sky is growing dark. "We must make our way immediately to the Fountain. I am not sure if I can survive to the edge of the wasteland, and we will have difficulty traveling in the darkness. You need to find the other half of that map, and swiftly." Matthias' compass points to the west for both inquiries, though water in the wasteland may have magical protection to throw off those with compasses.

"Yes. I could use these artifacts to fortify my own body, I suppose. But a man's life should only be so long. To live many years is a heavy burden to bear. We are each allotted a certain amount of time, and if we outlast it, we become something else. Besides, I think that the next adventure should be just as grand as this one." OoC: They're on their own quest. You'll reconvene in Etheria, if they make it. "Perhaps you have not seen Guts fight," chuckles Guffington. "He will be fine."

Boomigham and Rex repeat their attacks, Boomingham attacking the Snakeman twice. "Get started on those cultists, boy-o!"

Buh, so many people to give gifts to! They've all been super cool so far, though, y'all! If some of them aren't used now they'd make good drops in later quests!

OoC: Like, something to wash him off in? Or figure out some other way to get the stomach acid off of him.

Matthias heals the Doc, expending 3 ether in the process, but with the stomach acid still coating him he begins to bubble once again. The heroes would need to quickly find something to dip him in. The heroes see familiar wyrm trails in the distance, moving lazily in no specific direction. Dyric and Matthias recall that their guides had warned them that they were heading into wyrm territory. As long as the heroes didn't move, they were safe, but unless a sandstorm masked their movements they were always in danger of being attacked as soon as they started to step heavily.

You are indeed nearing the climax! I'm glad you're excited to see everything coming together - this is a huge amount of the leg work for my final quest, and then that quest will just be go-go-go! Still some info dumps, but only one or two - I think you'll know everything after this quest, and I'll be done with NPCs once we reach Etheria. And I'm super excited to reach Etheria. I think you'll all like it. It's gonna get trippy.

Chauncey smiles sheepishly at his assembled audience. "Coming to demand answers." "I think it's time, Chauncey," says Guffington from behind the heroes, his face cracked into a smile. "It's terrible to reveal how a trick is done, but they deserve it. And the time is drawing near, regardless." "Of course. But don't assume we'll have an easy time of it once we get to Etheria." Chauncey turns to the heroes. "I'm sure most of you know by now that Gerald, Daneeka, and I have a unique interest in a particular trio of ancient beings called the Old Gods. Hoke, Arthur, and Purpearl have each met one or more, and have sensed their incredible power. And Hoke and Arthur are well aware that one, the Gray Wizard, or Passion, was killed in cold blood a few Grogmas' ago. And so what more fitting time to bring him back to Olegaia than another Grogmas." "I know there is apprehension of plans such as this. Purpearl, you have already conveyed your displeasure at my abuse of the arcane, and I know that I have not always proven the most steadfast ally to you heroes. And those of you that once dealt with Wren are concerned with playing with Gods. I can understand all of this. But it is for this reason that I'm most glad that we just stopped in Xu, and you learned the importance of balance. Regardless of what you think of the Old Gods, I can assure you, they are a balance, and without one things have been going amiss... slowly and surely, they have." "So let me first assuage your fears, and then tell you of the threat. The Old Gods, contrary to their names, are not Gods in a strict sense. Though they are ageless, they are physical, and they can die. Over the years they have amassed great power, but they are mortals just like us. Ancient, but mortals." "And as for the threat... it lurks largely in the shadows. All we know is that since the death of Passion another trio has started to roam with increasing urgency. They are known only as the Three Witches. We can find nothing about their original nature, or their purpose, but it appears that they are older than the Old Gods. For many years I believed they were in league with each other, but the deeper I dig, the less I find. And they are not the only threat. You may recall, Hybros, that there was a threat to Master Guffington's life a year or so ago." "A month before that party, Lord Hughes, an old friend and rival, was found murdered. We believe the same agency tried to take us both out. The only business venture we were both involved in at the time, along with Daneeka and Lord Chauncey..." "Was the research of the Old Gods," Lord Chauncey concludes. "Which means that someone else, beyond the witches, also wants to keep the Old Gods and their origins a secret to everyone but themselves. So while the risk is there, we believe that it is radically important that Passion be returned." "The artifacts," says U'Or, reading off yet another sheet. "Are from the same time as the Old Gods, and will hopefully be able to tether Passion's soul to a new body. They are, after all, the artifacts that are said to have created mortals and given them all their traits. Doc Daneeka, studying a tapestry I gave him as a Grogmas present last year, has come to the conclusion that these are the four artifacts that we'll need." "And a willing vessel as well, of course."

I've edited my post in Sungold to reflect why Boomers wants to be King! Trying to beat out the pirates!

"I'm sorry to break my word, gnome," says Parvati. "I was prepared to see this through to the end with you. But my sister is in danger. And that stands before my word to you, and my vows to any Court." Reunited v. Wyrms Round Five Guts v. Baby Head A & Baby Body A - Damage/Critical Hit (([20*2]+40+4)*2=168-64=104-10=94 Damage Body A, Head KO'd) ([[64*2]+40+4]*2*2-10=678-287=391 Damage Baby Head B, Both KO'd, +3 health) Guts v. Baby Body B & Baby Body B - Special Damage/Shield (Baby Body B KO'd) Dyric v. Baby Body A Matthias v. Baby Body A Parvati flees All Combatants Dealt -1 earth damage Sandstorm - Doubles earth damage, halves electricity, and deals 1 earth damage to all combatants each round. Grants all combatants the ability to blind on successful hits, and the ability to flee to all combatants Guts tears through the final two baby wyrms in a flurry of blood and guts as Parvati runs. The heroes are able to drag Daneeka's sizzling body from the wreckage, but their own skin corrodes upon touching the stomach acids of the wyrm. The Doctor is unconscious, and clearly in dangerous medical condition. The battle is victorious! The Heroes Dyric Rone (The Legonater) Human male, Assassin *Immune to All Elements and Blinded* *Steals 50% more gold* *Permanently Lucky* Level 32.25 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 6 Health: 33/44 Gold: 730 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), 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), Sticky Gloves (increases amount of Gold stolen by 50%; suitable for Rogues and Beast Warriors; Handwear) 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), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all; throwing weapon), • 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), Cabin Boy's Rags (All other party members +3 power, bodywear) • Diamond, Opal, 3 Silver Ore (Worth 60 gold) • Bedroll, Shovel, Magic Compass • Potions (3), Grand Potions (5), Tonic, Remedies (2), Banana (restores full HP to target), Elixir (2), Cosmic Essence, Meads (2), Nostrum, Soma, Venom (2), Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the Poisoned by 7 and Cursed effects for the duration of one battle), Mythril Shards (4/4 Mythril), Military Grade Light Bomb, Military Grade Darkness Bomb, Fire Bomb, Smoke Bomb, 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 (2) Matthias the Carnival Crusader (StickFig) Level 26 Druid *Gains 10 gold for each Humanoid killed* *Immune to Bound, Slowed* Power Bonus: 20 (+2 WP) Defense: 4 Health: 23/36 Ether: 6/26 Gold: 1312 Equipment: Restored Fireball Extraordinaire (WP:9, also hits enemies listed above and below the target, Darkness- and Lightning-elemental, user is Slowed, hand cannon, poisoned -10), 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), Winged Sandals (Protects from Bound and Slowed effects, footwear), DDSSA (+2 health, +2 WP, +10 power) Inventory: Peashooter (WP:2, deals Burning -2, hand cannon), Pongcanis Crossbow (WP:8, crossbow), Ruby (Fire), 4x Bone, 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, Dapper Hat (This amazingly dapper hat gives the wearer a ⅙ chance of being Encouraged at the start of any battle, headwear), Crocodile Handbag (Max. ether +2, immunity to water; accessory), 2x Phoenix Essence, Opal, Anvil of Oleg (Quest Item) Guts Holla (Scubacarrot) *Dancing**Dualstriking**Immune to all Elements, Weakened, Fragile, Asleep, Confused, Slowed, Afraid, Blinded* 45 year old male human Marauder Level: 40.6 Power Bonus: 4 Health: 39/64 Defense: 4 Gold: 9039 Equipment: Balanced Rapier (WP: 20, ignores defense, second weapon ignores defense, Longsword, suitable for Marauders) & Mythril Edge (WP: 64, Ice, Darkness, Light, attacks restore 3 health, dagger), Dancing Shoes (Wearer dances well, in the turn after a miss is rolled, the wearer can act twice. +Immunity to Asleep, Confused, Fragile, Slowed, Afraid, Weakened and Blinded, + Immunity to Darkness, Light, Fire, Air, Earth, Wood, Lightning, and Ice Elemental Damage, footwear), Crocodile Armour (+4 Defense +Immunity to Water Magic, bodywear), Pugilist's Gloves (2+ Power, Immune to Weakened, handwear), Orange Mask of Z (Headwear, if an attack would KO a foe the remaining damage is applied to only the next enemy), Marauder’s Mantle (Grants permanent reinforced-effect, doubling defense; suitable to marauders; back wear), Inventory: • Pronged Gauntlet (WP:6, dagger), M.U.C.A (WP: 12, bleeding 3, Axe) Giant Axe (WP:10, dual-strike, axe), • Jester's Hat (Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy, suitable for anyone), Rubber Gloves, Blessed Amulet (Immunity to Cursed, accessory), Bomber's Belt (Craft Bomb creates Potent bombs, doubling the damage output of all bombs created, does not stack, accessory, suitable for cannoneers), Magnar's Smaller Axe (Grants Dual Strike to classes wielding axes, can't wear shield. handwear), Blue Guardian Mask (Shield, SP: 2, Protects against Weakened, Fragile and Afraid), Grimmeau's Clothespin (Grants Immunity to first negative effect each battle. Headwear), • Beholder's Eye, Shovel x2, Telescope, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Decamodifier, Magic Compass • 92x Potion, 12x Grand Potion, 3x Health Core, 3x Diluted Arc Potion, 2x Arc Potion, 3x Elixir, 5x Phoenix Essence, 28x Remedy, Crimson Serum (Grants Mutated Effect for one battle.), x2 Arc Elixir, Hyper Arc Tonic (Restores All ether to allies, consumable), 2x Ambrosia, 15x Mead, 7x Smelling Salts, 4x Nostrum, x4 Bad Breath, 2x Tonic, Grand Tonic, 3x Smile of the Gods, 3x Fortune Flush, 5x Venom, 4x Bone, Soma, Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), x2 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.), Ether Core, Last Resort, 2x Bravado Brew, 12x Rum, x3 Grating Stone, • 5x Smoke Bomb, Dirt Bomb, 2x Water Bomb, Blind Bomb, Confuse Bomb, 2x Poison Bomb, 2x Seal Bomb, Sleep Bomb, 5x Mystic Bomb, Sand Bomb (Deals 30 earth-elemental damage and the blinded-effect to all enemies), • Topaz, Amethyst, Sapphire, Crystal Ball (Worth 200 gold, 400 in magic shops), Gold Ring (Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver) Half of Iceborn's Map (Quest Item), Guanette's Map (Quest Item) Loot: Bones x4, Potion, Phoenix Essence, Raw Meat (+5 max. health), Ancient Bone, Grand Tonic, Smoke Bomb, 120 Gold, Elixir x3, Garnet Loot Garnet Elixir x3

OoC: Thanks for your patience! I still have a few finals, but my major ones were today. I'm literally deliriously exhausted right now, so if this is all gibberish, I should be back in fighting form tomorrow! "I do not know," says U'Or, sorting through some more papers. "As Master Guffington explained, he has never been to Etheria, which means I have never been to Etheria. Only Chauncey has gone before. But in my experience those well versed in the arts of magic have always understood more about lore than us common folk. Master Guffington has been good friends with Lady Zelda for years, and she has always proven herself to know many legends that I have never heard of." Hybros and Arthur find Chauncey meditating at the bow of the ship, but upon sensing their presence he stands up to face them. "Hello, heroes. Coming to catch the breeze on your face?"

Boomingham's Gifts To Nyx, so that your well never runs dry, wherever you are, Endless Flaming Gumball (Accessory, Whole party gains Camaraderie, suitable to anyone) To Atramor, to show my respect, though we never finished our job, Darksteel Enhancement (Applied to a blade grants it the "blinding" effect, consumable) To Eric, to wear once I am King and you are my advisor, Sungold Viceroy's Hat (Headwear, SP: 3, SP multiplied by number of Sungold followers in party, suitable to Sungold followers) To Guts, to ensure your judgment is never impaired, Super-Official King of Eubric's Crown (Headwear, immunity to encouraged, hastened, and lucky, suitable for Guts) To Ellaria, to help you heal anything, Crystal Skull (Attempts to heal cost double ether, are guaranteed, accessory) To En Sabah Nur, to my favorite trickster, Trickster's Versatile Mask (Allows the wearer to impersonate any gender of five chosen races, headwear) To Heckz, to he who is most lost, Delusion (Blinds the wearer, physical attacks deal blinded and confused, accessory, suitable for Heckz) To Hoke, to a trusted friend and true warrior, Bright Polish (+1 SP, consumable) To Hybros, one of my closest, oldest, and wisest friends, Impish Boots (Footwear, grants initiative job trait, suitable for imps) To Sarge, one of my newest friends, Heroes' Cocktail (Grants Encouraged, Hastened, Lucky, Blessed, Reinforced, Inspired, consumable) To Karie, to show that old wounds are old wounds, Pixie's Ring (Grants immunity to weakened and poisoned, accessory, suitable for Karie) To Em, one of my strongest and bravest comrades, Improved Eyepatch of Bravery (Immunity to Blinded and Enraged, Wearer has a 1/2 chance to be encouraged at the beginning of battle, headwear, suitable for Em) To Nerwen, a strong conversationalist, Real Ancient Book (Has a 1/2 chance to confuse, weaken and make fragile the enemy at the cost of 2 ether, accessory) To Skrall, Bobby's Gifts To Kiray, one of the most focused and smartest chicks I know, Calming Shield (SP: 7, grants immunity to one chosen effect to the whole party) To Miderun, one of my tightest chicas but yo gotta chill, Miderun's Gauntlets (SP: 3, grants immunity to enraged, grants diplomacy, handwear, suitable for Miderun) To Na'im, who seems like a real smart dude, Real Ancient Book (Has a 1/2 chance to confuse, weaken and make fragile the enemy at the cost of 2 ether, accessory) OoC: Will add more later from both Boomers and Bobby.

Boomingham glances at Vipersace and sees the light fading from his eyes too quickly to be saved. He digs around in his pouch, his hand brushing briefly over the Phoenix Essence before realizing reviving the snake would only lead to his death again, unless they can unpin him from the door, for which there was no time. Boomingham instead decides to honor him with vengeance. He quickly sniffs a smelling salt with his initiative as Rex drinks his Soma. Boomingham next drinks a Nostrum and attacks the Blakesnakeman from the back row with his Frozen Saber. Rex attacks the Bluesnakeman from the back row. "Pretty boy, you'll have to handle the human cultists for now. But if you let some through, me and Rex can take them." Battle Order Boomingham Heckz Boomingham Rex OoC: I think Rex needs to go at the end of the battle order, in case he rolls for us to be confused. So maybe actually a better plan would be if you took on the blue snake dude and Rex killed a Cultist? Whoever targets the blue snake should go last. Let me know the plan!

OoC: I took some time to re-edit the last round. Please re-submit your actions - in particular I need more specific ones from Dyric and Matthias. And no, killing just the head will not free Daneeka.

OoC: Pretend this happens after 130. It really bums me out to do it this way, but it is what it is. I'll edit with more explanation/role-play once 130 truly ends, if that ever happens. Arriving in Eubric, Boomingham trudges through the old streets lost deep in thought, bottle to his lips. He finds himself soon at the apartment that he allows Servus to stay in, and steps inside to investigate his charge, the man he had bought out of slavery and given a new life. The two had little in common and their conversations were always stilted and difficult, Servus being callous and rough, but there was camaraderie that couldn't be shaken, of course. "How was your most recent quest?" asks Servus as he offers Boomingham a meager dinner. The former King sits down and exhales heavily. "Yet another city in need of saving," he says simply. Servus nods sagely as Boomingham thinks back to Strivvi, where the slaves were not given the chance to thrive, and to Salamanda, with their slums, and even to the hovels of his own city. He wondered at his two gods, and what they might have to say about it. The Gray Angel. Pseudos. In all societies, there are the weak and the strong, but they do not need to prey on each other. And if the weak are never given a chance, they will remain weak. They need guardians. "They're trying to save this city too," says Servus as he nibbles on some bread. "The houses. The lords and ladies, they're trying to make a King." Boomingham raises his eyebrow and Servus explains the situation, and then explains that a few of the other heroes are running. Boomingham smiles wolfishly. Here, finally, was a chance. He bids Servus good evening and makes his way to the Hinckwell Villa. On his walk there he thinks over his friends and family, lost a life time ago. He thinks about his failures then. And thinks of his victories then too. He was best a leader when on the field, when serving alongside those he trusted, when trusting them to succeed of their own right. Being let inside the Villa he bows to all the representatives of the families gathered on that particular night. "I have heard that you are seeking a King," says Boomingham. "I would like to throw my hat into the ring. Many years ago, in a distant land, I failed. But I was young and foolish then, and I am wiser now. I no longer wish to live as a King of opulence. I wish only to provide order, and protection. Anyone should be able to succeed in this city. The Crescent Union and the Wolfgang pretend that freedom and equality will allow for that to happen. But they are misguided. The poor are already free to be poor. They must be protected, so that they may learn, attend the academy, be encouraged. We will never all be equal, but with an orderly King, we can allow for all to start equal, for all to thrive. That cannot be achieved in the chaos that the other factions wish to sow. So I would like to be King Lawrence Boomingham once again, defender of the weak, protector of the small, and believer in all." Boomingham thinks the rhyme at the end is pretty catchy, if unintentional, and he feels pretty proud of himself. Barty pops into existence for a brief instance, but if he has anything to say, he holds his tongue.

Hey y'all, very sorry, this is like my weekend right before finals and also the weekend we screen all the films from the semester, so I've got papers on papers and parties and screenings. So things from me may be on pause for a bit - I'll try to update tomorrow, and if not, Monday!! Thanks for hanging in there.

Yeah. And balanced for a larger party than three too!

Just because someone has high stats doesn't mean that's a cheat. I'll point once more to 136. When we fought Latte, we were lucky to be saved. When he returned to a prison we were in, we got the hell out of there. We were outmatched, and it made for a far better quest. There are people out in the world more powerful than heroes. Sorry. That's just gonna be the way things are. It makes for a more dynamic game. It'd be a pretty boring quest if Guts sized everyone up and said "do what I want or I kill you". Can you imagine hosting that for four months? Can you imagine playing that for four months? That sounds like a big ol' snooze fest. Zane's health was based on Melville exclusively. So what does Guts do when he's outmatched? Could be a cool moment to see another side of the character. And we have discovered what he does. He still acts macho, and fails to change, and is stubborn to a fault. It's a strong character moment. It's not good for the quest, but it reveals a lot about him. And I'm wondering what you'd have me change. Have Zane bow down to Guts? Isn't that exactly the same as me suggesting that you change Guts to fit my characters? Or just make it so that you'd get to kill him easy peasy? If you want to go on a quest where you kill person A and then person B and then person C, I don't think I've ever advertised my quests as such. Or what? Give you even more alternates, because you didn't like the four I offered you? You can reject the choices, but once you have a certain number (get help at the expense of time, ally with Zane, take someone hostage) - life doesn't have infinite options. Neither do games. Sometimes you get a few and pick the best one. I've tried to improve on railroading by offering options, but that doesn't mean offering infinite options. I'm not angry. It's why I wanted to bring this talk into the public. You and I always butt heads, both when I host and you play, and vice versa, and I always feel like it's productive and never hostile. But I did want to have a public discourse before continuing because it had gotten to the point where I quite frankly put off checking EB because I dreaded updating that quest because I could see we were headed back to where we started. As for Flipz's points, the main reason I use ether is to help the heroes. Limiting the amount of times an enemy can use an attack is smart, and mostly my ether based attacks are elemental, because I don't think enough elemental immunities get the chance to be utilized.