Emjajoas

"Sorry. My... roots are showing, huh," Em mutters with a frown. He blinks slowly to clear his mind, then nods. "I know he needs to die. I'm prepared to bleed to kill him, Punii. I'm prepared to die to kill him. You need not worry about my resolve. As I said before, I'll do everything in my power to prevent harm to you, and that includes taking on that monstrosity."

Em clicks his teeth again. "They'll kill eachother, and when only the strongest remain, they'll be the Regret's ginea pigs, I'm sure." He shakes his head. "I, too, am glad to have made good friends. Adds a lot of pressure, though." Em's frown deepens, and he closes his eyes with a sigh. "You ever seen a waterfall, Punii? Not a small one. Like, large. Huge, even. With rapids, jagged rocks at the bottom. Roaring waves and gushing water rushing towards the river below. They're... dangerous. Powerful. Ravenous. Destructive. But beautiful. I guess it sort of reminds me of the Regret. I see a certain beauty in power, but his beauty is one I cannot appreciate; I'd like nothing more than to end it." He clears his throat. "I... don't know where that came from. I took a pretty big hit on my last quest, I guess it's having more of an effect on me than I thought."

It's really tempting. Hmm.

Optional Permadeath? How's that going to work?

Em nods. "Infiltration, then," he says pensively. "I'm happy to be able to join you in battle again, but I can't help but feel a little... uneasy about the whole thing. It's not only my fear, either. It's a different kind of unease. I'm... not sure how to explain it." He shakes his head, frowning. "I don't know. And what kind of treasure is worth braving that monster? Are they fools, or do they know something we do not?" He sighs. "I've a feeling this is going to be... messy."

Em nods. His grin returns. "I'd be honoured to see the two of you wed, should I live that long."

"Ah," Em shakes his head. "Sorry. They're... Inky demons, I suppose. They're being mass produced by the Regret and his goons. Dangerous in large numbers, though rather underwhelming otherwise." Em's frown deepens. "Though the way things are going for them, they have more than large numbers. Plus their masters are strong. I know not if you saw the slimy, blob-like demon that was in the Hall until a bit ago, but he was one of their leaders, the Regret's right hand man."

Thanks! I hope I live up to expectations, then.

As much as I'd love to say "go on my quest!!!!", with Endgame's finale around the corner and with the other quests posted being as interesting as they are, I don't really have high hopes for mine right now. Besides, although I'm really excited about QMing and I'm pretty confident about my entire setup (especially what WBD's showed my of the sets and figs so far ), I'm a little anxious about balancing and running battles-- though I'm sure my questees won't mind a screw-up or two.

Em snorts. "He might as well be. He's the most powerful creature I've ever encountered; the head of the Oculoids. He's trying to bring about some sort of... reckoning-- of the destructive sort-- upon the entire world. Cocky about it, too."

Em frowns. "Don't thank me until either we win or I die. It's too early otherwise. I never expected it to be an easy fight; in fact, I assume it's going to be hell. I don't expect to get through it without scars, let alone alive." He grimaces. "You guys aren't going to march to war against the Regret, are you?"

Em raises his eyebrows, grin still plastered across his face. "Married? Sounds like a handful," he jokes. "Congratulations. When's the wedding?"

"Most should, Punii. He's powerful. But we're strong too. I'll protect you out there, as best I can. You've my word on that. How are Fydelle and Solon, anyways? Busy, I expect."

Em notices Karie, nods, and strides over, taking a seat. "How are things, Karie?"

Em nods with a grin as he hears the Colony is doing well. "I'm glad the colony is doing better. If you need aid rebuilding, you need only ask. I feel... slightly responsible. What brings you out to Heroica, anyways? Visiting? Trading?" Em nods again at Punii's question. "Yes. I'm rather fond of you lot, and I'm not too fond of the oculoids. It's a good fit."

Em turns, not managing to stifle the grin that spreads across his features. "If you'll excuse me," he say apologetically, nodding to Boomingham and Sorrow. He makes quick steps towards the familiar group of proggs, seeing them split, he goes straight for the runt. "Hello!" he exclaims, and though it was hardly louder than his normal monotone, his voice was raised. He quickly lowered it to his usual tone. "Welcome to the Hall. It's great to see you again; how are things with the colony?"

If we just need someone to help catalogue/receive/organize information, I can do that pretty well. I've got enough free time on my hands that it wouldn't be a big deal. I'd also like to start contributing more to Heroica, and if that's a good way to do so, then I'd be glad to help with it.

"Hello, Boomingham," Em replies with a nod. "Things are well enough, for the most part. And what of your travels? Fruitful, I should hope."

Em nods. "He's a good man, for what it's worth. I respect him. He's got vision, drive, ambition, passion." Em nods again. "He won't lead her astray, I'm sure."

"Shade duplicates just sounds... terrible. The archdemon sounds, uh, terrible-er." Em clears his throat, pausing before moving on. "Yes, I've met your granddaughter-- went questing together a few times. Helped her out with the whole Syndicate thing, or more accurately was around when that was going on. She's a hell of a fighter."

"Family bonding is reward enough?" Em remarks, though it sounded more like a question. He snorts. "Though for me, aside from having to deal with shades that touched my mind--" chills run up Em's spine as he remembers what they had shown him "--and, well, getting knocked flat by an explosion that felt like I had been smashed by a high dragon, no, nothing really interesting."

Em's eyes widen in surprise. "S-six months? In the void? I... Wow." Em shakes his head in disbelief. "Thirdteen demons in 36 hours. In six months. Sounds like you need a drink. Was the reward at least worth the effort?"

"Could be worse, I suppose," comes the reply. Em seats himself next to Sorrow, examining the man. "You seem tired. Rough quest?"

Em sighs, standing, and shakes his head to clear his mind. He trudges over to the bar, ordering another drink, and glances around the hall. It seems a few other heroes were getting back from their respective quests. A few looked tired, to say the least. He grabs his drink and starts to head back to his seat, nodding to the heroes he was acquainted with who caught his eye.