Zepher

Honestly, play the game whatever way you'll have most fun. I don't know why it matters to anyone else if you keep restarting characters. I can tell you from experience sticking with characters is more rewarding, but I think you should enjoy it however you want. It's really not like it affects anyone else directly.

OoC: Should be ready to resume tomorrow!

"Our race is many, but also one. It is difficult for your type to understand. Many assume we are one mind, but that is not the case. The easiest way to explain it, we are told, is to say we have one sub-conscious... we share our dreams, and many of our memories, but it is not difficult for us to tell ourselves from ourselves. We know, for example, the hero Dyric though he has never met Talligard. He met another of us, many years ago, one who fell in combat." "As for your questions, gnome. We do not know where you can refit, but to our eyes you look well equipped. You may travel through the city on our word alone. We can vouch for any friend of Gerald's." "We should start as soon as possible. Once McColt and the guards join us."

Boomingham nods, glancing over his shoulder. "We did indeed. One of my comrades, a fellow with a peg leg, should be passing through here shortly. Find him, and he'll help you." Boomingham raps on the armor, to check if it was working. So far he'd only drawn suspect stares and been recognized. "Now, I'm afraid I must go talk to the hostess at the Marigold, try to get a room for the evening."

"Yo, Mide, I'm with you, yo! Whatever you think!" Bobby pulls out his whip and narrows his eyes at the dude making the magical doors do their thing.

OoC: It appears I never took an icon picture for Talligard. "A near silent party you have brought to us, Daneeka." Talligard stares down the heroes... it seems. The purple on her face twists and contracts something crazy, but never to any sort of facial expression the heroes can recognize. Daneeka bows slightly. "Yes. Sometimes they allow me to do the talking. It is a strange trait for heroes, but keeps us out of trouble." "Very well. We know why you are here - the U'kin sent word, so we suppose the time for pleasantries will be later. Come. Let us show you where you are to go." Lady Talligard walks towards the heroes, and pulls out an old piece of parchment. "When the giants who ruled this city still lived in it, they jealously guarded in an underground cathedral their gift - the anvil. The giants have since left this land, save for a few stragglers, but their guardians may remain. Even older than the giants, these guardians are just as tall, dangerous ancient golems with only the drive to kill. We warn you to be careful." She hands the parchment to Guts, correctly I.D.ing him as the head of the party. "This is a map to the anvil. We wish you luck, heroes. Please return once you've recovered it. We would like to give you a gift to deliver to Gerald from us. Do you have any questions?" Talligard shifts her gaze between the three heroes and the frog.

I don't know. None of the expert classes really appeal to me for him... so I just chose one. I was going to sell the letter of recommendation to someone but then I saw that wasn't an option.

Boomingham scratches his chin. "Well, the two who's affair I'm supposed to be exposing are on duty. Let's stop by the Hotel and see if we can't ring out any details there."

"For now, a draw," Natasha says. "I can lead you to your quarters, if you like. I've gotten to know my way around the Palace just fine." Hybros retires to one of the Ambassador's quarters, and is joined shortly by Elba, Guffington, and U'Or. They all settle in for the evening. "STATEMENT: Masson Cour recognized as creator. STATEMENT: I am not studying Blackenord. STATEMENT: You are referring to the Golden Inventor. STATEMENT: The Golden Inventor is in the room behind me, but must not be disturbed while studying. STATEMENT: Progress has been good, Blackenord was a intelligent inventor." The Minoid stays stationed in front of the door.

"I dunno, bro," says Bobby over his shoulder as quietly as possible. "But you didn't meet Latte, dude. That guy could mess us up no problem."

Bobby, before stepping into the wrong door, gets some letter about getting in good with one of the houses, and while he himself doesn't really needs in with any of them, he remembers fondly his father's love of alchemy and decides that getting at like the Bucks family name on the Guild's radar might do his pa some good. The letter disappears just as oddly as it had appeared.

Bobby slides towards the door in case he should need to flee. He keeps his eye on Miderun and Kiray... hoping one might smooth things over, and the other might not screw things up... But of course, peeking through the doors he discovers they lead to no where. He shakes his head and pushes forward. "Yo, my name is Bobby. Maybe we can all chat and figure out what's good. We're heroes of Heroica, yo! We can be pals with any old dude."

"Haddon..." the guard shifts in his armor, clearly trying to recall to memory something. "Ah, Haddon. Small kingdom, to the south. My name is Quellir. Welcome to Duplovia." The man signals to someone, and the gates are opened slowly from within. He leads the heroes within. "What brings you to Duplovia?" "We would like to meet with your King. For many years we've wished to open dialogue with your nobility." Daneeka clears his throat. "And some of our numbers would like to visit an old friend they hold within the city." Quellir gives Daneeka a strange look. "I've never seen your type before." "Few have." Quellir gives Daneeka an odd look, but clearly decides it best to not question him. "As you'd expect, our King is a busy man. He cannot simply meet with you as you wander into the city. I can take you to meet him-" "That would be good." McColt glances at the heroes. "If I could dispatch some of my men to pay a visit to our friend-" "Duplovia harbors a fragile peace. We don't allow strangers to wander the city alone." "Lady Talligard will be expecting us." Quellir weighs this too, shifting uncomfortably in his saddle. "...I will allow you to visit. Lady Talligard has entertained strange visitors from time to time, and should be prepared to take care of herself. Regardless, I will report your visit, and I suspect someone will come to check up on you. So don't do anything stupid." McColt nods curtly to Dyric. "I'll meet you shortly." Daneeka leads the heroes away from the main platoon, down a few streets and to the outside of a enormous manor. Daneeka knocks on the door only as a formality before letting himself in. The heroes walk through a sparsely decorated entrance way before entering a dimly lit main hall. A woman stands at the end of it. "Daneeka. Is that you? We were not expecting you so soon."

Arthur climbs the stairs, and at the top, right outside the library, runs into a near-familar face. "QUERY: Who are you?" Sparring Match Round One >Hoke v. Natasha - Dragon's Aid (No Effect) Hoke and Natasha shuffle back and forth, looking for a weakness in the other. The Enemies Natasha, Bearer of the Golden Light Level 210 Humanoid *Immune to Ice, Light, All Negative Effects, and Instant Kill* *Nimble* SP: 40 Health: 7000/7000 Special: Premonition - Natasha sees how the battle will go, and is able change the course of events. She grants her whole party lucky and jinxes the entire enemy party. Passive Special I: Visions - Natasha is permanently nimble, having a pretty good idea where the enemy might land a blow. Passive Special II: Golden Shield - The Golden Shield has a 1/3 chance to blind a foe every time they damage Natasha. Drops: Nothing The Party Hoke Ablesword - Champion of the Northern Kingdoms, Kraken Whacker, Titan Smiter, Serpent Skinner, and Rock Champion of Decamon (UsernameMDM) Human Male Dragoon Level 53.2 *Immune: Fragile, Weakened, Confused, Sealed, Dark, Lightning / Absorbs Poison / Deals Poison +3 and SP -1, Dark, Light, Ice, Lightning* Power Bonus: 4, +4 WP Defense: 42 Health: 91/91 161/182 (+10 Knight, +15 Dragoon, +53 Level, +2 Chicken Drumsticks, +10 Raw Meats, +1 Warrior's Tread) Gold: 1343 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), Heavy Armor (SP:5, immune Fragile), Pugilist Gloves (+2 to power, immune Weakened), 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), Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory) 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), Blade of Tranquility (WP: 2, deals the Sealed effect, 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) 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), Gems - Emerald (Wood), Aquamarine (Water), Garnet ( Earth) Scrolls - 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 - 4x Phoenix Essence, 11x Grand Potion, Health Core, 2x Remedy, 2x Grand Tonic, 5x Ether Core, Elixir, Neutralizer, 2x Ambrosia, Soma, 4x Mead, 2x Smelling Salts, 2x Nostrum, Mulled Wine, 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, Bone, Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 in magic shops), Used Summoning Amulet (Worth 25 gold) Decamon Deck - Nixie (Water 7), Reaper (Dark 8), Stone Golem (Rock 8), Carcinos (Aquatic 8), Storm Elemental (Electric 8) NOTE: You may quit the sparring match at any time without the use of a smoke bomb. "I doubt shops would still be open. And there is nearly always more to any dinner than one would think. But perhaps it would be best to retire for the evening. We will have a full day tomorrow." OoC: Sorry, JimBee, just letting a few of the sub quests wrap up, they're ending taking a little longer than I'd thought. I'll try to run them more swiftly so that you can get back to it!

Boomingham bows in thanks to the Doctors and continues on to the Palace district. He glances over his shoulder and grins upon discovering that Rex has accompanied him, and slows his pace so that he and his friend may walk alongside each other.

I did.

"Lady Talligard is an old friend. She should not be difficult to find. She has a manor within the walls of the city, and I have visited her before. As for your offer of potions- I'll let you know if I need any. A night's sleep has done me good." "Lady Talligard was one of Lord Guffington's first investors when he was a young boy. She is of the Acerpusculum race, and is older than even I." "Surely. As I said, I will assist you in any way you need. I imagine it is both frightful and a great joy to return home." "That sounds much like the name of a hero I once knew," McColt says gruffly. After a day and night of marching and resting the heroes arrive at the great gates of Duplovia. "Name and business."

I hope I haven't offered you an impossible battle, MDM. I thought you had at least some back up weapons... and you know, it wasn't like this battle was exactly pre-determined for you (or to happen at this point at all).

"Follow me," she says to both Hoke and Arthur as she leads them out of the Hall. "The Golden Inventor is up in the Library in Aldari's Wing. I trust you will be able to find it," she says to Arthur. She leads Hoke to the Armory in the same Wing. "Let's see what you've got." The Enemies Natasha, Bearer of the Golden Light Level 210 Humanoid *Immune to Ice, Light, All Negative Effects, and Instant Kill* *Nimble* SP: 40 Health: 7000/7000 Special: Premonition - Natasha sees how the battle will go, and is able change the course of events. She grants her whole party lucky and jinxes the entire enemy party. Passive Special I: Visions - Natasha is permanently nimble, having a pretty good idea where the enemy might land a blow. Passive Special II: Golden Shield - The Golden Shield has a 1/3 chance to blind a foe every time they damage Natasha. Drops: Nothing The Party Hoke Ablesword - Champion of the Northern Kingdoms, Kraken Whacker, Titan Smiter, Serpent Skinner, and Rock Champion of Decamon (UsernameMDM) Human Male Dragoon Level 53.2 *Immune: Fragile, Weakened, Confused, Sealed, Dark, Lightning / Absorbs Poison / Deals Poison +3 and SP -1, Dark, Light, Ice, Lightning* Power Bonus: 4, +4 WP Defense: 42 Health: 91/91 161/182 (+10 Knight, +15 Dragoon, +53 Level, +2 Chicken Drumsticks, +10 Raw Meats, +1 Warrior's Tread) Gold: 1343 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), Heavy Armor (SP:5, immune Fragile), Pugilist Gloves (+2 to power, immune Weakened), 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), Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory) 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), Blade of Tranquility (WP: 2, deals the Sealed effect, 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) 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), Gems - Emerald (Wood), Aquamarine (Water), Garnet ( Earth) Scrolls - 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 - 4x Phoenix Essence, 11x Grand Potion, Health Core, 2x Remedy, 2x Grand Tonic, 5x Ether Core, Elixir, Neutralizer, 2x Ambrosia, Soma, 4x Mead, 2x Smelling Salts, 2x Nostrum, Mulled Wine, 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, Bone, Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 in magic shops), Used Summoning Amulet (Worth 25 gold) Decamon Deck - Nixie (Water 7), Reaper (Dark 8), Stone Golem (Rock 8), Carcinos (Aquatic 8), Storm Elemental (Electric 8) "Hybros. Catching up with some old friends?" Guffington smiles. "Not much to do but wait until tomorrow. Then the little dragon Vipera will take us to the Heart Flame, I believe!"

"No, and I believe I should keep it that way," says the dog gruffly. "Especially if you cannot assist the High Priest." The heroes make their way to bed for the night. McColt meets them as they come down the next morning. "All ready to go then? Your Captain Lane and his dog have already departed to go retrieve their ship. They told me to give you their best regards." Daneeka is the last to descend the steps. He gives a curt nod to the heroes, but doesn't say anything about his previous injury, apparently choosing to keep his dignity best he can. The heroes make their way to Duplova with a strong armored guard headed by McColt. "When we arrive in the city, is there anything I am to be worried about, Dyric? Do you think they will recognize you? And if so... how do you think it will go?" Daneeka, meanwhile, approaches the other two heroes. "When we arrive in the city we are to seek out Lady Talligard. She is an old friend of Guffington's. She will be able to direct us to the anvil." He glances at Guts. "Thank you for your assistance," he says curtly.

Sandy has reversed decisions all the time. It's no biggie. Hell, even a class has it built in that their shield is a weapon at this point.

I feel like we can answer all loot questions that way, so they don't need to keep popping up. If it's not offered in the market, you'll have to go find it in a quest or on another player. That's it.

Bobby thinks out loud. "Yo, so we just sort of test this all out, right? So, if #4 is a lie, then #1 is true and not trapped. But then if that's true, #2 and #3... there's no real way to tell them apart, right? One could be a lie and the other true and there'd be no way to tell them apart. So let's not assume that..." "Now, let's say that #4 is true, and that means that #1 is a lie and is trapped. And again we've got a lie and a truth... and no way to tell #2 and #3 apart. There's no way really to tell if they're true or not, right? Like, nothing points to them, and both #1 and #4 have to be either a truth or lie, you dig? So like, what about trying door #4? It's the only one that like does have any hints, so even if it's true or false like maybe it's a dope door, you know what I mean? I don't know, though. I don't see anyway to crack #2 and #3 with what we got, and then there's no real way to tell if #1 and #4 are a lie or not, but ignoring all the lying and trotting nothing is telling us to go through #4 or not. So does it even matter what all the other ones say, you know?"

Yeah, track down a piece of loot with that in the description.

OoC: Sorry, would have gotten this update up sooner but got stuck reading the end of Quest #75. I love Atramor and Tarn's relationship. Not that Rumble or Pie are even on this quest to compliment. Hope they see this. Natasha smiles menacingly. OoC: I can't tell if that means you'd like to spar or not (I'm just easily confused I think... it's happened a few times this quest I feel a hero is being clear and I just am not getting it). Bold a choice one way or the other! "Keep an eye out on them. I recently sent some of my allies- The Golden Enforcer, The Golden Warden, whom Hybros knows, and the Witch Hunter, whom apparently your Hoke knows- to deal with one of their strong holds. But I have yet to hear from them as to the success of the mission." "The Elder Dragons... and, if we're speaking of trends in ancient texts, they do go by many names - the Ancestral Dragons, the Prior Dragons... and we must only assume that they're all the same. They're exact role in the history of the world is shrouded in fog. I believe the Dragons may know more, some of the more ancient ones, but being granted audience with the most elder dragons is a difficult feat." "Glad to hear that." She claps Hybros on the back. "Live your life with those ideals, and you'll be making a difference on your own, I'd think. But if the time comes, I'll let you know." "It is a difficult dilemma, my friend." Tarn purses his lips. "I am not one to advise on difficult matters with any authority. Many in Eubric face prejudice, this is a fact that we must accept. But are we to guard those in the darkness from the harsh light of reality? How will they ever grow? All we can hope to do is ease their transition. Those in need simply require a guiding hand. As when I was in Xu with Atramor- we needed only speak up, and the Thumb was willing to leave the villagers in peace." "We are never hesitant about adding others to our cause. And your dragon is already golden." She grins. "That's perfect. It is easy to find a member of our order, often, simply by looking for the gold. Though I haven't been able to convinced Gocklo or the Golden Enforcer to wear it." "I understand the sentiment, my friend, but we need her too much here. I am sure that once the issues in Dastan are resolved she will travel the world once more, though I fear we may have all passed by then." "They were called Deci, Nona, and Morta." Natasha nods kindly to Purpearl as the latter exits the Dining Hall. The three dragons in the Dining Hall likewise take flight swiftly and disappear down the hallway, out into the Dastanian night.