Zepher

"Oh, no, sir..." Justin Featherhead whimpers. "I have a terrible curse on me if you must know, sir. I have multiple bodies, but only one consciousness." Sniffle. "So at all times I am having lots of conversations... but if one of my bodies dies, they all do. And if one of my bodies is injured, they're all injured... oh why am I telling you this." The Orc laughs gruffly. "I didn't know you spoke Orcish. Few kuaio can. Sit down, aio. These are my wares and prices. But for you, twenty gold off your first purchase." Phoenix Essence (Revives a fallen ally with full health during a battle.) Costs 85 gold. Mead (Causes the encouraged-effect, doubling the target's attack power for the duration of one battle.) Costs 40 gold. Shovel (Allows the user to dig the ground in search of a treasure.) Costs 30 gold. Magic Compass (Allows the user to know the right direction to go.) Costs 200 gold.

"Thank you. Once more, I apologize for the ill news, but I thought it best that the city be purged of dishonest knights. I strongly encourage that the Black Scorpion pick the next batch. He is a good man." Boomingham bows, and speaks directly to the Black Scorpion. "If you need a drink tonight to get over this, let me know. You can buy." He winks and then heads back out onto the street with Rex, whom he pats on the shoulder. "Not such a bad team, you and I. Another mission complete, and the city better off for it. I think we ought to head to the Conclave and sort out this Ulrica business. Didn't you say you came with some sisters as well? Which ones were they?" Boomingham inquires as he goes to meet the sisters.

Bobby blushes. "Yo bro, I dig. You saved the dragon, that's as fly as it gets."

Oh, I like it when people get to keep Quest items. It would allow Boomingham to use and abuse it all over the place, and I know others like to keep them as trophies as well. But no worries.

"I... I work here..." says Featherhead, cowering a little behind his cleaning rag. The Orc glances between the two. "Featherhead lives above the shop along with me. It's two dinky rooms. So he gets here by walking down the stairs. Sarl rait." He growls.

You'll probably need more patience than that. Quests take a long time to plan and host, we can't just crank them out. But once you're on one, it can last months! So it's a give and take.

Could you pin all the quests that I'm hosting/on so that they're always at the top of the page? Would be really convenient, thanks Sandy!

"I understand, madam." Boomingham grins. Despite all the grave warnings, he was having a pretty good time chatting with the elderly witch. He recalled specifically from the Foundation Ball that she'd been one of the only leaders willing to actually have a conversation with the heroes. "I'm asking you, friend to friend, what you think our next move ought to be. I don't know thing one about the Conclave, whereas you seem to actually have an idea of what might be going on within those chambers. If Ulrica is really up to no good, will the other sisters listen? Will they oust her? Seems like support is there for her at the least." "It's good to know what good ol' wolfie is up to as well. Didn't like him alongside that Baba, but he can hardly be a good leader, even on his own, if he's looking at the jaws of death. Seems like a leader should have more optimism than that." "As for the poisoners, I will keep an eye out for them. Poison is a cowards weapon. I doubt you've forgotten the time I was moved to save you and your kin from the devious poisoner Steerpike." Boomingham omits from this speech his own favorite blade, poisoned by the poison Steerpike had left behind.

Guts, setting his eyes only on the person most likely to sell supplies, stubs his toe as he walks up to the counter (-1 health). It recovers pretty quickly (+1 health) but its still a little embarrassing and teaches him to maybe use names and focus on the details and small things. Or maybe it's just something that no one will ever talk about ever again. As he approaches the bar, Justin Featherhead begins to nervously polish the counter. "Leave it," growls the Orc. "It's a piece of shit anyway. Help the costumer." "What can I get you, sir?" Matthias, meanwhile, sits down opposite the were-bat. She offers a gnarled old claw. "Guanette," says the crackling old voice. "Headed into the wasteland?"

I love railways! Seriously. Up north that's what I mostly use, but apparently they're not quite as connective down here in the south. They also are less dependent on traffic, so the likelihood of you missing connections (which was my issue) is way less likely. I had a 13 hours lay-over.

"Of course. Perhaps one day too I ought to venture home too, just to refresh my memory..." Boominham is lost in thought for only a second. "So what's our move? If Ulrcia really can't be made head of the Conclave... and she kidnapped Peri too... what should we do about it? Leave it to the sisters? Why are we really here, Zelda? Was it just to defeat some sirens?"

"I apologize for not being more forthright. I knew that the Heroicans had dealt with both Chauncey and the Old Gods before - I didn't realize that they had been such negative encounters." "The Master of Regret can involve himself in anything he chooses. In all honesty I would hope that he would try to revive his brother. Hope, Passion, and Regret exist in a symbiotic relationship, healthy for this world. It may not seem like it yet, but without Passion the other two will slowly steer things off track. Imagine if we only had those with great shame over previous actions and those who had airy dreams of a bright future. Not much would get done. So I do not know if The Master of Regret will choose to take part, but if he should, I personally welcome it." "As for what and who the Old Gods are... that is a mystery that still alludes me. Lord Chauncey first brought them to the attention of both Lord Hughes and I, as beings who helped to guide our history. The three of us were travelers and history buffs, and finding that they appeared in many stories across cultures, we figured they might be worth investigating. Doc Daneeka also showed a keen interest in them - his race, the Sayyips, are very old, and had their own stories of the Old Gods. He built a machine to monitor their presence, and the night of Grogmas a few years back finally detected two of them interacting. Their combined force was incredible." "But Chauncey has truly immersed himself in his studies. If you wish to know more, you'll have to talk to him." "I know. I do not know the full legacy of the Lady Wren, but we do keep our ears to the cobblestones. Do not forget that many of my employees are friends of the illustrious Everyman. We have heard of your skills. As I said, it will not be all rainbows and flowers. You will have some heavy lifting to do once we arrive in Etheria." "Lord Chauncey is unique. I would advise you give him a chance. And should you try to strike him down, you will need back up. Especially in Xu. Chauncey has traveled the world training in various philosophies and forms of combat. The temple we are visiting is one that he once studied at." The sun sets as the heroes pass over some clouds, then through them, and come to a mountain top. Elba sets the ship down lightly. Standing outside a simple temple are a man clad in black, and an elderly were-lion. Hybros and Purpearl recognize the man swiftly as Lord Chauncey. "Welcome."

Naw, was stuck at bus stations/on buses for nearly 48 hours. Not quite as much fun as camping.

Bobby relaxes as the foes fall. "Yo, I thought that was going o be tough. Should have known. With Miderun and Kiray everything is easy peasy lemon squeezey." He gives a thumbs up to the two ladies. "You want to finish this dude off, Kiray?"

I'M ALIVE! Updates coming! I love showers and real person food.

My troubles appear to almost... almost be comin to an end. Updates in the next 24 hours. I have spent the last 24+ hours on buses or in by terminals, and I only have a little over twelve more to go. So again, thanks for your patience and pinky promise I'd prefer to be updating quests.

Hey remember when I said that wifi wasn't an issue yet... I'm stranded in an airport for the next day or so that appears to not have wifi. Thumbs down. Will try to get an update up eventually. Real pain in the megablocks, trust me. Car rentals falling through get a big ol' this sucks from Zepher. Also, if anyone knows something really fun to do at the nashville airport, let me know!!

To all the many quests that I am on/hosting right now: I am on vacation this week! It hasn't proven an issue at all so far, but it's possible that internet may be sort of touch and go for me from time to time. So just be warned!

Very rarely do my characters voice opinions that exactly align with my own.

OoC: Deeply sorry... I left the hard drive with all my pictures at home... I'm on vacation for the next week, so once more we'll be going picture-less until I can retroactively add them. Real stupid mistake, but it is what it is. The heroes stride past the unconscious Orc and arrive in what must be the absolute smallest outpost in all of Baltarok. A single tavern, and a few tents outside of it posted up against it, comprises the whole town. The heroes have no choice but to wander over to the tavern and step inside. They are greeted by three figures: an old were-bat at a table, and an Orc and strange pale man behind the bar. Only the pale man is recognizable to them: Justin Featherhead.

Before the heroes are able to do anything, the entire ship rattles and they all lose their footing. They're forced to focus on regaining it, but the ship quickly rocks in the opposite direction and they're almost sent sprawling on the ground. Panting, they look around for a threat, but their isn't one, other than the ship's wheel. "Not aboard my ship," growls Elba, the smile gone from his face. Hoke glances at Hybros and Guffington once more and finds that Lady Felix stands between him and them, having quietly approached. As far as threats go, it appears that Arthur is fair play but his employer is not. "Zora, no need for concern. U'Or chose this heroes very carefully, and I trust them all, and value all their opinions. Mr. Abelsword is as free to express himself as any of us." Guffington steps around Lady Felix and approaches Hoke. "I understand your worries. You've had bad dealings with similar experiments, I'm sure. And what we propose to do does not come without its fair share of danger. That is, after all, why I hired heroes. But I fear I can't spill it all. That is precisely why we need people like the Old Gods. There are many things that have been lost to this world, many tales that have gone unfinished. I believe it is our duty to see them through. Doc Daneeka believes the same. When presented with the chance to retrieve a book of lost tales from the bottom of the sea, he did so. That same tome has returned Hybros' people back to Olegaia. Much evil can be brought about by foolish dangerous endeavors, but much good can be done too. That's why I fund Daneeka, why we build magnificent airships, patronize Eubric as a city, take U'Kin to where they can thrive, hire the best damn captain the Bonapartes have. Because risks are risks, but they can have great rewards. Look at the ember that Hybros carries. Think of the majesty of Torc. Can't the world only be improved if we keep introducing wonder to it?" "When Guts and Hybros first met me, I feared the wonder was gone. But of course it wasn't. If we continue to strive, the wonder can never be gone. It's only once we give up. Imagine if Guts had never tap danced! What a worse off world we would live in."

"I did indeed. The other sisters were looking for you. Seems Ulrica has been making trouble. Is that what brings you to town? Or something else?"

I want to respond, but I haven't had the time yet. Coming shortly! (And 139 West, you guys too!)

"Can't I have a little bit of mystery left? Don't you know that 'the Great' is often associated with magicians? How much fun would it be if I pulled back the curtain and showed you how everything works?" He smiles tiredly. "But I guess you're in on the act now. I'd consider Guts and yourself partially part of the manor. So, no, I had no idea about the rebellion. Princess Ella and Doc Daneeka have become something of pen pals, so I knew the political situation in Dastan was fragile, but I had no idea it'd gotten to that point. I did imagine some resistance from the dragons..." "But I guess I'm talking around the point. The artifacts are indeed going to be used for one final feat, and one final favor to an old friend. We have a shared interest in ancient history. I am sure you recall the first time you met me, I was in a coma. Lord Hughes, Lord Chauncey and I were all researching ancient immortals called the Old Gods. at that time. The witches are their... we've never been able to recognize the exact relationship. Not colleagues, not servants, but they appear together in history often. Unfortunately a witch, a former associate of Heroica, killed one of the Old Gods." "But if you are concerned with the witches, Lord Chauncey is the man to talk to. And we'll be seeing him shortly. He is ahead in Xu."

"I've never been there, but I am sure that it will indeed be enlightening," says U'Or as he stands up and bows slightly to Purpearl. "I will see you tomorrow." The heroes drift off to a peaceful sleep, and arise the next morning. The sky is clear both above and below them, and they can see the receding parklands behind them as they fly across the Jade Sea. The water is smooth and a deep teal. They all peer over the edge with interest. "Should make landfall by sunset," says Elba. "We've caught a pretty favorable wind. Quite a coincidence, huh?" He grins. "A good thrill to be moving this quickly. Might truly be able to beat that dragon of your's at this clip, Hoke." The heroes would have a whole day to kill before they land in Xu. Below them stretches the sea, above them the open sky and the hot sun. What will they do to kill the time?