Kintobor

I beg pardon? They look good Sandy! Darn shame I really want to keep Karie Minstrel.

Heckz kneels down to the body of Sassina, trying not to get blood on his fabulous cape. The sword was actually a concealable dagger, and a sharp one at that. With the blood that spilt out of Sassina's back a purple liquid also seems to be mixed in: deadly poison. The dagger doesn't appear to be standard for Hinckwell soldiers. He then examined the bottle of wine, sniffing it and swishing it about while trying to avoid Avalanche's potential parasites. Swishing the bottle around, Heckz can't tell if there's a sleeping agent inside, but the wine smells funny. Was it the sleeping agent? Knife in Sassina's back- A dagger found in the back of Marcus Sassina. It was found laced with deadly poison. Bottle of Falana Wine- A bottle of Charisian wine. The cork has been taken off. It smells funny...

*grumblegrumble* No, she surprisingly won't show up. I'm not sure what to do with her since she was originally supposed to get killed off, but I guarantee you Heroica hasn't seen the last of Lydia.

She's not until the one after that one, actually. And the preliminary title for it is "Auld Acquaintance". I will say though my next quest is called "Alfendi Lupine Strikes Again!"

Quest 83 should be over quickly. I've actually got my next quest in development. No spoilers this time!

Avalanche sniffs the meal one last time for good measure, smelling no sleeping agent. If it wasn't in the food, where was it?

"That would make sense. However, there's not enough evidence to support that theory yet. As for one of the victims being burnt to death, the captain was obviously less in the loop. St. Germain was strangled to death then lit on fire afterwards." Falner shudders at the thought then returns to his drink. Paolo can still be heard outside heaving up his breakfast. Avalanche steps over the bodies and sniffs the plate, finding no traces of a sleeping agent. The dinner consisted of bread rolls and chicken drumsticks. A few flies buzz around the plate. Charisan Dinner- complete with chicken drumsticks and bread rolls. This was most likely the guards last meal.

And the sleuthing commences!

"If you're ready to head inside, I'll lead the way." "Am I dismissed, or am I still needed? I have incredibly important matters to attend to." "Very well then, be on your way." The captain nods, and with a gesture to the party, he departs, scowling as he heads in the direction of the docks. "I ought to get going as well. I'll see you around Purpearl!" As Olivia leaves, the blue garbed peon approaches Purpearl, their palm relaxed on the rapier fastened to their belt. The peon simply looks Purpearl over, nods to themselves, and turns around, catching up with Olivia. "Those lot give me the willies they do... I'd watch yourself Purpearl, the Syndicate may look friendly, but they've got a dark past." The party follows Paolo and Falner to the gatehouse, the smell of burning and death already starting to linger in the area. Paolo pushes the door open as the party enters the cramped gatehouse. What would have been an inviting room had turned into a morgue, as three bloodied bodies lay about the room, each one as gruesome as the last. Paolo, covers his mouth at the sight and smell, and Falner takes a second to look away. The parties begin to churn at the sight. Not even the strongest of men could look upon the incident without flinching. "Well, here's the scene, lady and gentlemen. If you've ever read a detective novel you'll know what to do. You can begin your investigation here, or move into the back room. If you'll excuse me-" Paolo rushes for the door, and the party can hear him beginning to hurl outside. Falner sips his drink and pulls out a notebook. "Here, take this. Any evidence you collect can be stored in this notebook. I've already included the autopsy report." He hands the notebook to Arasmyth, then takes another sip of his drink. The party prepared themselves for what else may lie in the gatehouse... Autopsy Reports/ Victims: Alan St. Germain- A high ranking Hinckwell Lieutenant, age 57, half elf. Death was due to strangulation. Found in the storeroom. Marcus Sassina- A well known Hinckwell guard, known for his no nonsense attitude, age 45, human. Death was due to single stab wound in the back. Traces of deadly poison and a sleeping agent were found in the victim's body. Found in the front room. Conner Strong- A Hinckwell Enforcer, aged 32, human. Death was due to a single bludgeoning blow to the head. Death was instantaneous. Traces of a sleeping agent were found in the victim's body. Brother, Algonni Strong was involved in Wolfgang dealings. Found in the front room. Rick Richards- Hinckwell guard rookie, and an apparent favorite of Heinrich, age 21, halfling. Death was due to a single slash to the neck, causing loss of blood. Traces of a sleeping agent were found in the victim's body. Found in the front room. And so it begins! In order look at something, simply bold anything you'd like to investigate or look at it. If you wish to enter the other room, simply bold your action. If you think you're onto something, share your theory. If you want a professionals opinion, ask either Paolo or Falner, just remember they can only help you so far. There is no penalty for theorizing. Everything in this room is examinable, so examine to your little Lego avatar's hearts content! If the image is too graphic, please let me know. I have a clean, bloodless version as well.

Don't feel to bad. It happens to all of us.

I disagree with the notion, but if this is the route we're taking, I'd say remove some of them, but keep mead, smelling salts, and nostrum, so that we don't starve the market.

KariexFemBenji is a thing now.

So we're fixing the addition of more rules with the addition of more rules? If a party is relying on buffs throughout every battle, something is wrong with the enemies, not the party. If your saying there's too many positive effects, than state which ones you think need to go. We don't need to turn this into Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, with rules for everything. This game works due to it's simplicity, and that's why it works for some of the more casual roleplayers. If heroes are deciding to continue to buy more consumeables, then stop dropping money, and start dropping potions and ethers.

I don't really see how it helps. Then Sarge, you yourself would have to effectively remove your Pegleg of Hastening, since that fills up your one positive effect slot. We need to let things run their course. As Flipz has said, this is the aftermath of the rogue debate. The money will disappear, we simply need to let it disappear.

You're assuming most rogues have a sticky gloves combo, which isn't true. Witches couldn't steal gold. Karie was almost always been hard pressed for cash. I can hardly afford consumeables, ether, and attempt to get the witch's talisman, and that's with the buff to witch. Generalizing all rogues as rich is a little unfair.

"Someone's a little excited! Hoho! Reminds me of the time we we're on a mountain pass, I was as excited as I'd ever been, what with the advent of a swarm of hungry dire wolves flooding the mountainside! I drew out my axe and..." "Now you've got him going. You'll be handed an autopsy report once you head inside the gatehouse. Inside will include age, race, rank, and method of death, as well as any other outstanding features. It's good to know though that we have some individuals who are more than interested in the case." "Your enthusiasm is most welcome in this time, yeti."

Karie wasn't likely to believe some religious old men, but she less indoctrinated in the idea and more curious. "So Ennoc is, in some ways a driving force? He's actually controlling some portion to me, or feeding me suggestions right now? Or am I getting this wrong?"

The lieutenant chuckles in a friendly tone. "Getting ahead of yourself, aren't you Avalanche? It's an interesting, and plausible theory, but it would be best to examine the evidence first. We'll head inside once everyone's finished asking preliminary questions."

-The Party- Avalanche (Dragonfire) 29 years old male yeti Barbarian Level 1 Power: 4 (1+3) Health: 8/8 Gold: 3 Equipment: Earthshaker (WP:3) Inventory: Potion, Bottle of Mead, Smoke Bomb, Venom Purpearl Berthadhiell (Purpearljellyblob) 180 Years Old Female Elven Mage Level 1 Power: 4 (1+3) Health: 5/5 (5) Ether: 5/5 (5) Gold: 5 Equipment: Crimson Arcanon (Wand WP:3) Inventory: Ruby (Fire), Potion, Bedroll Heckz Brutenhal,The Ghostbuster (Eric-Su) 32 year old male Mage. Level 13 1/2 *Immune to Sealed* Power: 22 (13+9) (Spellpower: 27 (13+9+5)) Defense: 3 Health: 17/17 (5+12) Ether: 23/23 (5+12+1+5) Gold: 39 Equipment: Rawr (WP:9), Spellbound Gloves (Spellpower +5, handwear) Robe Of The Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether + 5, Immune to Sealed Inventory: Rat Scepter (WP:3, 4x damage to enemies named “rat”; wand), Pitchfork of Abomination (WP:1, pierces all defenses including SP but breaks after one use; suitable to all classes), Opal (Ice), Garnet (Earth), Amethyst (Darkness), Health Core, Tonic, Grand Tonic, Grand Potion x2, Ether Core, Remedy x2, Elixir, Smelling Salts, Mead, Phoenix Essence, Bedroll, Shovel, Bone x2, Crystal Ball (worth 50 gold/100 gold at magic shops) Arasmyth RuGard (played by Kadabra) *Party Leader* 214 Year Old Elven Evoker Level 15.5 Power: 24 (15+9) Defense: 3 Health: 22/22 Ether: 20/20 Gold: 82 Equipment: Suume (Bow, WP:8 9, Wind and Lightning Elemental), Robe of the Elven Warlock (SP:3), Ranger's Quiver (WP+1 to bows/crossbows) Artefacts: Gemstones: Topaz Scrolls: Scroll of Sealing Consumables: Potion, Grand Tonic, Smoke Bomb, Water Bomb Summon: Sera, Angel of Wrath (Lightning elemental)

Instead, how about a hint system. Instead of outright solving a puzzle, the ability gives the Archmage the ability to receive a hint, and the helpfulness of the hint is reliant on how much ether the Archamge expends?

Ha! In Four's Company case, I'd tell the Archmage that he'd have enough ether if he was two level's higher. For me, aren't most quests a puzzle or a riddle, to an extent? Who killed blank? Arcane Wisdom says screw the clues, it was the butler. I don't like it, because it essentially bypasses things that a quest master has taken the time to make, and in some cases, an important part of a quest. The only way I'd like it is if we standardized the idea that puzzles grant experience after completion.

"That won't be necessary. The villa was under minimal security las t night, so no one was patrolling the grounds. The Hinckwells's were out last night at a dinner event, so all patrols were taken inside the manor. We've barely touched the scene, so if anything's gone missing, you'll be the one's to find out about it. As to Abigail's description, she's sixteen, medium build, black hair tied back in a pony tail." "No, nothing yet. Actually, we just got a message to return to headquarters, but I feel that the reason is because we're focusing our search. About ourselves? Well..." She looks back at the blue garbed member, who shakes their head in disapproval. "Well, if you're interested, you should drop by the Albatross. I could introduce you to some people. As for coming with you..." She looks back again at the blue garbed, who once again disapproves. "I'lll probably see you soon, Purpearl. Being the lackey I usually get the blunt end of the stick."

So, in all baseness, High Cleric is Pretzel's ultimate class. "Dreyrugr, have you heard the word of Ennoc?"

"Hmm. Largus? Not the name on everyone's tongue around here. Comstock, Commodore of the Southern fleet is the name to admire these days. The lieutenant's name was Alan St. Germain. His only rival was one Lydia Corenell, a member of the Lion Knights. She's unfortunately gone missing, so her being a suspect is unlikely." "We have one suspect, one of the Hinckwell's kitchen girls, a miss Abigail Libman, who went out to deliver the guards dinner at ten o'clock last night. She didn't return, and she's the only known person to go to the guardhouse at that time yesterday night, as well as the last. She hasn't turned up yet, so we've got the Syndicate prowling the streets looking for her. If they're doing their job, she'll turn up."