Zepher

Hey y'all! Busy few days ahead of me. Today is my birthday, so after these posts I'll probably be out partying (or getting the work done I need to get done before partying). Then Saturday is my school's one and only big football game, so probably some more drinking and no posts. Sunday I'm shooting a movie until around 4, so updates should come a bit later into the evening that day.

OoC: That, I'd say, is a pretty sensible solution. Guts looks up at the sky. The sun hangs to the hero's right, Zane's left, and the heroes could imagine that it's about the afternoon or early evening. The sun would probably sink behind the horizon before they can make it out of the Wasteland, but they'd have a good head start. The sandstorm picks up a little more.

Without any landmarks, the map is useless. It occurs to the heroes that the were-bat herself had gotten lost so maybe her map wasn't the best thing to base decisions off of.

Round Three Hoke Parries (-1 Focus) Jin Focuses (+2 Focus) Round Four Hoke Focuses (+1 Focus) Jin Attacks (13-3=10 Damage) The battle ends, once more, with Jin's blade to Hoke's throat. He doesn't say anything before sheathing his swords. "To the Healing Springs, and then to bed?" Arthur is able to find Guffington outside the Vault, discussing things with Lord Chauncey. Both man are pleased to see him. "How are you enjoying your second day at the Temple, Arthur?" He assesses the Dragoon. "Already you seem more at peace than before. I imagine you may have an easier time meditating than the rest of your party. But perhaps that is for the morning. I was just about to accompany Lady Purpearl to the Healing Spas when Gerald intercepted me." "I am still curious as to this artifact. Everyone at the Temple speaks of it as if we should know it, but no one will tell us how to obtain it. You told me it'd just be sitting here, ripe for the taking!" "It is! Had you hoped to uncover the mystery of ages in only two days? What has happened to you, Gerald? Have you lost your verve for adventure, for discovery?"

"Lead us out of here, Guts." Where Dyric had left Zane, a sandstorm starts to pick up.

Boomingham and Rex both repeat.

Round One Hoke Focuses (+2 Focus) Jin Focuses (+2 Focus) Round Two Hoke Parries (-1 Focus) Jin Focuses (+2 Focus) Master Jin Focus: 11 Health: 7 Hoke Focus: 5 Health: 7 Rules: Attack: Costs 3 focus. Deals damage= focus-cost of attack. Focus: Gain 2 focus. Parry: Avoid all damage for the round. Costs 1 focus.

"Matthias' plan holds merit. It requires some work, and some backtracking, and the assumption we can make it out of the Wastelands, but given that it shouldn't prove too difficult. It appears that both you and Guts have good relations with the Orcs." Daneeka turns to Guts. "The only complication is that we are on a tight schedule. What do you think? How swiftly can you convince the Orcs to go to battle?"

"Fine, fine. The Anvil is his. Matthias'. I don't care who carries it. Now go scurry and tell your boss what I've said." Dyric returns to the party, who can see Zane zapping the wasteland floor in the distance. "Well?"

At the Healing Springs Arriving at the Springs Purpearl is greeted by the entire Guffington party: Lady Felix, Elba, and U'Or all relax in the springs. Purpearl closes her eyes and sinks into the water. At the Temple Exploring the temple Arthur passes through the various rooms that his party had used to sleep in. In a darker corner Arthur finds a desk with a few laid scrolls out on it. They all contain half finished paintings of the surrounding mountains. A thurible smokes next to the desk. It is clearly Master Kiga's study - the scent of the incense is near identical to the smell that lingers on the were-lions fur. There are a few scrolls on a book shelf in the corner. At the Training Grounds "Very well, let's see how you do." Master Jin Focus: 7 Health: 7 Hoke Focus: 4 Health: 7 Rules: Attack: Costs 3 focus. Deals damage= focus-cost of attack. Focus: Gain 2 focus. Parry: Avoid all damage for the round. Costs 1 focus.

OoC: Oh boy, had a genuinely good time deciphering that. As Dyric meanders out into the desert of his own volition, there is a snapping sound and Zane is before him, his sword sheathed and no electricity cackling. "Fom's laje le rneaj sgas fizzeqirg," snorts Zane merrily. "I wasn't looking for any trouble myself- no we want to kill you hahaha- but your friend baldy took offense to something we or I said, apparently. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel I was more than polite with my request to borrow your half of the map. He drew his swords on me. I don't have any complaint with you, Dyric, after all we are both of the Court of Demons, and between the eight of us we'll hardly drain the fountain." He scowls. "Baldy is another trouble. I can handle him, but I don't know about my apprentices. I'd have to demand he hand over all his weapons. The gnome can hang onto his, and the yellow blistered guy- that's a Sayyip- swallowed a walking encyclopedia in Eubric, he was already dead, no worries- ah to breath the- BASTARDS- the Sayyip can keep whatever's on him too." Zane's eyes blaze. "In fact, you may have something else I have an interest in. That Anvil your little cannon friend holds has got the whiff of magic on it. Maybe we could carry it for him for a while."

"Then you should parlay with him, while Guts, Matthias and I guard the map."

At The Training Grounds "What now, Master Abelsword? Are you prepared to face me, or shall we hit the Springs?" At The Vault "Almost unnatural? What is natural and what is not? Have I not just said it is limiting to divide things into the light and the dark, the good and the bad, the natural and the unnatural? But you are right. The universe will balance all things out. We only have to hope that we end up on top when it does." He stands up. "If someday you shall hunt me, so be it. But know that I bare you no ill will. I hope that all who can prosper will. And I wish you to access the First Breathe - I do not want to hold that power merely for myself. I wish you luck, Lady Purpearl. Continue to explore the temples, and meditate when you can. There is a lovely library within the main temple, I have always been a bookish man while Gerald has always been a doer, but both are ways to move forward towards ones ends. I will be heading to the Healing Springs for the rest of the day, if you'd like to come and relax. Master Kiga has always advised me against too many weighty thoughts." At the Tea House Lord Kiga only laughs at Hybros' and Arthur's questions and rhetoric. He stands up, signaling the end of the Tea Ceremony. Stepping outside, though the conversation had been weighty, Hybros and Arthur feel relaxed and as if a great weight has been lifted off their chests (+1 focus each). They, along with the rest of the heroes, still have many hours to kill. Lord Kiga heads towards the Healing Springs.

Bobby doesn't want to deal with all this junk, especially not this exhausted. "Yo, I'm going to bed," he calls to the party, making eye contact with Polly as he walks up the stairs.

"Would you be willing to wager your life on your hypothesis?" Daneeka asks Dyric.

I really wish I could. I'm not much of a gamer so I don't really have any systems, but once in a blue moon a game comes out that makes me really wish I did have a way to play it.

Guts flees from the battle. Matthias picks up the anvil, and Doc Daneeka follows after them. They make a swift exit away from the new Court of Demons. "What now?" asks Daneeka after they've made it a fair distance. "He will certainly be able to track us as long as we carry Iceborn's Map."

Round Three Yu Shu Focuses (+2 Focus) Hoke Focuses (+2 Focus) Round Four Yu Shu Parries (-1 Focus) Hoke Focuses (+2 Focus) Round Five Yu Shu Attacks (5-3=2 Damage, 1 Damage Self) Hoke Attacks (9-3=6 Damage, Victory) Hoke is able to beat the defensive Yu Shu. She drops her blade, clearly exhausted, and Master Jin rushes to help steady her. "Well fought," she growls. "Thanks for going all out. Don't hate anything more than pity. Let's give it another shot tomorrow." Hoke feels slightly more experienced (+1 exp, not effected by Medal of Glory [sorry, but since it's not a real battle I feel that would be unfair]). OoC: Also, JimBee and Arthur, I thought I had Chauncey explain but I did not. You may talk once the tea has been poured! Sorry, know it's a little weird to hone in on, and it's really nothing but a cultural design haha. But feel free to converse now! You've still got a while at the temple, and I know it's a little tiring, but the best way to pass it is to swap war stories or ideas. And quite a few of you are pretty close to cracking what's up!

Using his initiative, Boomingham drinks a nostrum. He then attacks Liara from the front row, using the blunt edge of his sword, attempting to knock her unconscious without the other heroes noticing what he's up to. "Rex, remember how sporting these chaps were in the swamp. They let us walk away with the skull." He directs Rex to attack Sumba from the back row.

We can discuss it more after the quest. Let me put it this way - Zane is designed to be strong. I'd suggest you check out 136 and Latte and his troops. They were remarkably over-powered, and in a way that was important and powerful to the story. He did warn you, after all. But like I said, we can discuss further after the quest. There's always room for me to grow.

Bobby, seeing Germ, feels for the first time in a long time a sense of kinship with the demon - he imagined he looked just as exhausted as Germ. He accepts the key and glances at Polly. "You gonna be aight? Want to double up for the night? Could save us some gold, yo."

"Each time you accuse me for being at fault for the bet, you accuse Aventine as well." He smiles. "You are wise, Lady Purpearl, but no I do not fear time. Do you think I do not know of the Fountain of Youth that your companions are now tracking down? I could too have gone that way, or asked the good Doctor to collect me but a drop. But I have not. As I proved to you on the planes of Uland, I value my own life, but I value even more the community. We are individuals, but we are also the universe. I am my mother and my father, living on, and so too shall my knowledge live on in one way or another, even if this conversation itself is lost to time." Round One Yu Shu Focuses (+2 Focus) Hoke Parries (-1 Focus) Round Two Yu Shu Attacks (-3 Focus, 4 Damage, 1 Damage Self) Hoke Focuses (+2 Focus) Yu Shu Focus: 4 Health: 6 Note: Due to her recovering body, attacking costs Yu Shu 1 health as well as 3 focus. Hoke Focus: 5 Health: 3 Rules: Attack: Costs 3 focus. Deals damage= focus-cost of attack. Focus: Gain 2 focus. Parry: Avoid all damage for the round. Costs 1 focus. "This isn't half bad," growls Yu Shu as she begins to pant.

It's not so much NPCs I like. It's more a question of balance. Generally when I balance a boss-level opponent I don't think "would this be a fair fight for just one of the heroes in the party" I think more along the line of "is this a fair fight for the entire party". And in this case you only have half of your party, even if you go all in with the members you have with you.

Zane takes out the map. He tosses it to Guts with a wink, but before it can reach him Solimon sweeps through the air and snatches it, beating his wings furiously so that he soon hovers a few dozen feet over the battle. "I imagine you've never met anyone who could not be killed by you-" says Zane dreamily as he rolls his shoulders. "Let's see if we can't change that. Zander, you're in command- oh boy, going to kill the whelp, hahahahaha- Parvati, Medusa. Flee as soon as things get too dicey. And forgive me, baldy. I'm new at this necromancing thing. So, I can't quite summon the same force your old foes did," with a yank of his wrist, Zane summons forth nine skeletons who arrange into three packs. Electricity cackles in his hand. "Stupid, stupid, stupid. Can't share the prize, huh?" The Enemies Zane Level ?? Humanoid *Hastened* *Nimble* *Lucky* *Immune to all Negative Effects and Instant Kill* Health: 13650/13650 Ether: 12/12 Special I: Jokes on You – Zane inflicts the cursed, fragile and jinxed effects on the hero. He also steals half of the hero’s current gold, which becomes irretrievable. Special II: Ravenous Hunger – Drains 10 ether and 10 health from the hero, disregarding row/SP. Special III: Electric Field – Forms an aura of electricity around Zander that causes 15 lightning-elemental damage to the next five attackers that score a hit against him. Uses two ether. Special IIIV: Electrocute – Instantly KO’s the target. Uses one ether. Passive Special I: Zander's Soul - Zane is permanently hastened. On odd rounds, when he deals damage it is electrical-elemental, and costs 1 ether. Zane's electrical attacks ignore row/SP, and deal stunned, fragile, and additional damage equal to SP (the SP damage is non-elemental). Passive Special II: Magician's Soul - Zane is immune to negative effects and instant kill. As long as Zane is standing, AOE effects only effect the original target. Passive Special III: Necromancer's Souls - Zane starts each battle with 3 Skeleton mobs of 3 skeletons each. He has a 1/6 chance to add a skeleton to the mob with the lowest count each round. Passive Special IV: Zane's Shattered Soul - Zane is permanently nimble and lucky. Passive Special V: Taste of Your Own Medicine – Zane all boosts and immunities of anyone targeting him for the round. NOTE: Special Chosen Randomly. Zane's level is equal to the hero's x2.5. Undead Treasure Hunters A Level 30 (10*3) Undead *Mob 3* *Immune to Asleep* Health: 300/300 (100*3) Special: Once Like You - The Mob gains all effects of the attacking hero. Drops: 40 Gold Note: Destroyed when Zane is KO'd. Undead Treasure Hunters B Level 30 (10*3) Undead *Mob 3* *Immune to Asleep* Health: 300/300 (100*3) Special: Once Like You - The Mob gains all effects of the attacking hero. Drops: 40 Gold Note: Destroyed when Zane is KO'd. Undead Treasure Hunters C Level 30 (10*3) Undead *Mob 3* *Immune to Asleep* Health: 300/300 (100*3) Special: Once Like You - The Mob gains all effects of the attacking hero. Drops: 40 Gold Note: Destroyed when Zane is KO'd. The Heroes Guts Holla (Scubacarrot) *Dancing**Dualstriking**Immune to all Elements, Weakened, Fragile, Asleep, Confused, Slowed, Afraid, Blinded* *Lucky* *Hastened* *Encouraged* 45 year old male human Marauder Level: 40.2 Power Bonus: 4 Health: 64/64 Defense: 4 Gold: 9046 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), 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), Marauder’s Mantle (Grants permanent reinforced-effect, doubling defense; suitable to marauders; back wear), 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, Neutralizer, Crimson Serum (Grants Mutated Effect for one battle.), x2 Arc Elixir, Hyper Arc Tonic (Restores All ether to allies, consumable), 2x Ambrosia, 16x Mead, 8x Smelling Salts, 6x 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, 2x 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) The rest of the Court eyes Dyric and Matthias curiously.

At the Training Grounds Yu Shu Focus: 5 Health: 7 Note: Due to her recovering body, attacking costs Yu Shu 1 health as well as 3 focus. Hoke Focus: 4 Health: 7 Rules: Attack: Costs 3 focus. Deals damage= focus-cost of attack. Focus: Gain 2 focus. Parry: Avoid all damage for the round. Costs 1 focus. At the Vault "We both knew the risks, yes. And I do not, despite your insistence as to the opposite, revel in my friend's death. Not Zelphie's, and not Aventine's, though admittedly the latter had fallen into dark arts himself. But what would you have me do. Walk to that field, accept the Master of Regret's punishment, and allow Aventine to live and benefit off his cowardice? No. You know as well as I do that the Lord of the Past was not going to welch on that bet." "Xu attracted me in my youth. As you know, Aventine and I studied under Master Amarcolm in the Free Island, Uland. It was there that we met the Master of Regret and his witches. But our tenure under our master came to an end. Aventine ventured north, to Vartland, to seek the council of the Cold Circles. I myself went East, and found this temple. I have often been intrigued- and perhaps you will find me hypocritical in this- by the ego of us mortals. What characteristic do we possess that places us out of nature, out of time, to be watched and protected by Gods? I fear that there is none. We are not so special, we are merely part of a great cosmic song. We are but one note, sustained until we are no longer." He shrugs. "I found some answers here. Beauty in all, harmony in all, and power too." At the Tea House As Hybros addresses Arthur, Master Kiga coughs politely and holds a finger to his lips. After pouring the tea, he gestures that they may continue their conversation.