Emjajoas

Mortimer approaches Karie before he leaves, unsure of how to address her. "Karie," he manages. "I was told to leave this Bright Polish in your care for Arthur. Tell him he can pay me when I next see him. And this blade is yours." He pulls Doppelganger, holding it out to Karie hilt-first, returning the sword. "Travel safe."

Mortimer approaches Anwyl's Smithy quickly, dropping his Aquabow and Erdy's Tritech Handcannon in front of Anwyl. He then gestures to Vigilant, his sheild. "I'd like their gems transferred (One Fire, One Water) into this shield," he states, handing over 200 gold. 628 Gold - 200 Gold = 428 Gold. I'd then like to sell you my Aquabow for 35 gold. 428 Gold + 35 Gold = 463 Gold.

Mortimer glances at the questboard, hope rising in his chest-- He had been chosen. He takes a few long strides towards the marketplace--he had to prepare. Perhaps this quest would not turn out so poorly as his last. The Warden quickly returns, a list scrawled hastily yet neatly on a small piece of paper. He approaches Hybros, offering him the list. "Hybros," he asks. "Can you pick me up Two Ambrosia, Two Mulled Wine, and Two Phoenix Essences? Normally that would cost 340. With 25% off, that's... 255 gold, yes?" 463 - 255 = 208

"Keep the wind at your back," Em replies halfheartedly, drawing his gaze left once more.

Both quests and classes are incredibly alluring to me, too-- I'd hate to miss out on either of them. I don't think Marauder fits with my build, but I'd find a way to change it to fit, to be honest. Vindicator appeals to me since I've got a nice shield and it looks like it could be a really cool defensive class. Though it looks like both quests are going to be in high demand.

Mortimer glances at the questboard, squinting for a while. He hastily scrawls his name under both before returning to a comfortable seat. They both sounded promising, and both job classes interested him. He wasn't sure marauder suited him, though-- not without his lessened vision. Mortimer signs up for Quest 129 and Quest 130.

You don't really need to consider it-- it's not enough of an RP situation to justify, unless you've built up to it as Endgame and Zepher had over years of hard-work and story building. I believe the first quest I went on was an Endgame quest-- and it lead up to this finale I just got out of. I've been here, what, two years? To me, a trilogy doesn't feel as momentous as a Saga. As Zepher said, the Wren quests were a saga. Endgame's Regret/Stealer quests were two sagas that fed into one near the end. A trilogy of three quests doesn't give you much time to flesh out the story and the characters. Or the world. Or get used to questing. Pace yourself. Don't just do one quest and jump straight into what you feel is going to be this big epic trilogy/saga. That's sorta what I tried to do, and I got so caught up in what I was doing that I fell flat on my face and didn't focus on delivering what should have been right in front of me. Continue planning and working towards your Trilogy/Saga, but maybe host a few solo quests first-- introduce a couple small recurring NPCs, start fleshing them out in unrelated quests. That way the people who interacted with those NPCs and had an enjoyable time with them will be more invested in your Big Quests when they show up. It's easier to be attached to an NPC you've interacted with multiple times. Much, much easier than it is to be attached to one you've only just met and haven't interacted with too much. Then when you feel you're ready to start some sort of Saga, start at the beginning. Have a solid start. And let let it flow naturally over the course of a few quests. And, finally, if you find that your Saga is on an epic enough scale and people are invested enough to justify Permadeath, then run with it. But never force Permadeath on people. And, more than anything else, try to focus on making it a fun experience for everyone. From the sound of things you want to make it a very battle-heavy quest. Those can be cool/fun, but I just came off of one-- and they can be incredibly frustrating as well. It's not easy doing months and months of grueling battles, almost like in the Fields but without the ability to stop when you're tired. Not that the party of 105 had much trouble, but it wasn't easy nonetheless.

"No, I don't," Mortimer replies, still grimacing at 'Master Em' and 'fine heroes.' "Other than gain more experience."

Em runs his gaze across Na'im, frowning slightly. "I am a Warden. And I don't know what you want, Na'im, but flattery will get you nothing from me."

The intent was that Em uncomfortable with Na'im's approach-- he pointed out the recently-posted quest to sort of get Na'im off his case. The "fine heroes" in addition to the more aggressive word choice in the later sentences would've made him a tad uncomfortable, especially when he's a little worn-down as it is. Em doesn't think Na'im blind or stupid, only a bit off-putting. Sorry for the confusion.

Mortimer gestures towards each of the members of the table in turn. "Boomingham, Hybros, and... En Sabah Nur, was it? A small few among the best in the Hall." He then hooks his thumb towards himself. "Em. You are..?"

Mortimer feels his hand instinctively move to shield his eyes as he sighed. "By the looks of things, Hero, a quest has just appeared on the board."

"Aye, that's where the almost comes in," he replies, shrugging. "The underground isn't for everyone, I suppose."

"I'd almost say the tunnels below aren't worth exploring," Mortimer mutters. "I'm still not sure all those... shadows are gone." He still remember when one touched him. The elf flashed before his eye again. "Definitely... not worth the risk."

"I'm glad you found your people, Hybros, and I am glad you are staying with us here. We need all the good heroes we can get, especially after losing one of our best." Em hefts his dented shield, smiling slightly. "Hybros can answer that as well as I. It was a Crescent Shield-- got it in the Moon Elf ruins. Upgraded it until it suited my needs. It's treated me well."

"I shouldn't be drinking," Em mutters. "But, ha, I suppose I'm not much one for rules. And... As Boomingham said, Erdy died a hero. She didn't die for nothing. But, ahh-- Your people? You found them?"

Mortimer nods to Boomingham, flashing another small, sad smile. "Gods know we've earned one, my friend," he mutters. "You holding up?"

Em snorts a little, smiling slightly at the joke. "As you said, I've, ha, seen better days. I suppose I'm just... tired, though. Eager to quest again." He sombers up a little, glancing between the two heroes. "Are you... familiar with the hero Erdathcath? ...She was killed."

Mortimer rises, glancing to his left as he made his way over to his fellow Heroes' table. "Hello, Hybros," he nods, turning to the imp's companion. "We haven't met. I'm Em." The Warden seats himself so that he can face both heroes with his good eye. "Questing treating you both well, I hope?"

Honestly it's a beautiful set. One I'd be willing to try to get my hands on, if nobody else was interested in building around it.

Mortimer noticed the imp nodding in his direction. He pulled his lips into a small smile and raised a hand in return, waving at his friend.

Mortimer quietly enters the hall with a shuffling step, his shoulders slouched. He was obviously weary. As he makes his way towards a small table in the corner, the heroes can't help but notice that he keeps glancing to his left, his head turning with every step-- no doubt due to the bandages that covered his left eye. He lowers himself onto a chair, making a point to seat himself so that most patrons would have to approach from his right side. He didn't want to be alone with his thoughts. Hopefully a good quest would come along soon-- he could use a distraction.

OOC: I agree. This stagnancy hurts.

Mortimer frowns slightly, but keeps silent, glancing between his two friends. Enough blood had been shed. He was glad Boomingham chose not to spill more, but he was worried for the ex-Stealer.

That would be appreciated (we were actually discussing bringing that up) ; though we were wondering if you could end the quest, give us the quest reward, and then when Endgame gets back he could do his Epilogue or wrap it up and we could assume that it happened before the heroes left. It's a huge buzzkill for all of us (and especially Endgame) if this story that's been years in the making goes without a proper ending, though I suppose it ended enough with the death of the Regret. But I know that I and a few other questees are tired of the long waits and kinda just want to get back to the Hall to sign up for more active quests. Sorry, Endgame. Wish it hadn't come to this.