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Hoke pockets the gold and packs the robe away with his belongings. He then heads off to the Marketplace and the fresh air of the countryside of the surrounding area.

Or Quest.

"Feeblesword? You can smirk and smug all you want, but I wasn't the one face down on the bridge because I was too weak to take on a couple of Paladins. Maybe I should have watched the paladins trample over your prone form for a bit more. As for Haldor, I can't help the fool out. Why he would side with someone who would betray their own father for selfish reasons is beyond me. Your condemn yourself to your ignorance with your own words, making statements and accusations without knowing who is who. That which comes out of your lips is no better than that which comes out of your backside. As for choosing sides? I chose neither. I chose to complete the job I was hired for, which is what we all should be concerned with, not creating new nations and making new kings. But remember this, always remember this. You were on the ground, out cold. For all your bravado and bluster, you were defeated, and I was still standing, and it was because of the Lady Nerwen and I that you are here today and not at the bottom of that river because of the paladins. And even your orc companion said you would have been considered an enemy of the orcs if they would have crossed the bridge. Again: you were defeated, and I was still standing." With that Hoke smiled and concluded his deal with Lady Nerwen. The bald man's stench had filled his nostrils enough, and it was time for a walk around the Marketplace.

Upon hearing the drivel pouring out of the bald man's mouth, Hoke spoke up, "No. Prince Speros was not in charge, and King Speros was too busy defending the city from the Nords who were attacking because King Valentino was rescued from the orcs. Prince David had no dealings with Prince Speros and did not know of his plans. King Valentino was imprisoned by the orcs and newly freed. And from what I gathered, the witch Bastala had Valentino captured by the Nords and was using him to further her own selfish ambitions, which I might add ended when I defeated her on the bridge. It's a far more complex situation than what you are trying to make it into. The Kingdoms aren't some bloodthirsty collection of humans bent on slaughtering anything with green skin. And why do you care? How many people have you killed without knowing the full story? Are you really that interested in Baltarok, or are you so concerned that you made the wrong choice and are now in denial of your mistake?" With that Hoke turns to Nerwen, and pulls out the paladin's helmet. "Thought you might be interested in this."

I knew that guy couldn't be trusted (especially with that face you picked out for him). Him or Glocko, especially how he reacted when Tra-Serrel practically gutted Nerwen.

Hoke gets up to move to a quieter spot. It seems like Guts and Nerwen have some catching up to do. He makes his way upstairs for something to eat and drink.

Sorry Zeph! I would sign up, but waiting on the next Kinto quest.

Hoke sat and listened as the others discussed their recent quests. He had fought against one fellow Heroican, and that may have been a mistake. That Heroican had left the Hall for good, and Hoke couldn't help but feel he was part of the reason why.

2nd'ed!

Hoke returned to the Hall with a clearer head. He walks up and sits by the Lady Nerwen as she inspects a sword. "How do you like being a paladin?"

Or just been responsible and stuck with your commitments. I really doesn't take that long to reply to the game. At least while the quest were combined for the finale, there weren't that many posts that couldn't have been read in 10-15 minutes, tops. Just next time be courteous and participate so it doesn't slow the game down and punish the QMs and responsible players.

Does anyone know if the new samurai helmet in the Ninjago sets fits with the Fantasy Era troll armor?

Hoke watched as the Hall buzzed with Heroicans returning from quests with new loot. He looked in his pack to see if he had anything he was wanting to to part ways with. He pulled a small table up to his chair and began sorting his inventory. Hoke polished and shined his gems so that his elemental etheral energies could flow freely through them. He check his bombs and thought about picking up a couple more, just in case. His eyes wandered to the small whispering metallic orb and quickly dismissed its siren's call as he dropped it unceremoniously into a tiny pouch tied around his neck. He didn't pick up much from the Northern Kingdoms and was somewhat glad of it. The one item he did keep, a helmet of a paladin, sat in his hands. He traced the comb with his thumb and thought to himself how this helmet should still be on a paladin's head. He quickly returned everything to its place and headed out of the Hall. A thick distaste of uncertainty coated his tongue.

Haha! Thanks! Like I said, once I figured out the quests were getting meshed together and different factions were going to be involved, I just wanted Hoke to focus on the bridge. Raguel was offered up mainly because of the paladin 'escort.' Would those paladins have let the PCs go to the bridge without a fight? Why exactly did Raguel distrust the PCs, especially if he made one of them a paladin? A who-is-connected-to-who-&why type thing. I just hope they aren't all dot-connected like Littlefinger!

Hoke was just trying to trim his mustache!

Yeah, I didn't/won't read over the other quests, but I had a suspicion that it was very political/Game of Thrones type stuff, hence Hoke wasn't all about getting into everyone's business. I honestly don't care for it. It's a bunch of half/low information, lose-lose situations and a lot of forced decisions because the plot has to move along, and you don't want to be the PC to hold stuff up trying to understand what exactly is going on. So, I just decided to play Hoke as a getting-the-job-done kind of guy. In retrospect, fighting against Mint was a poor decision, but what guarantees did we PCs have that Mint didn't have ultier motives (back to the GoT-esque-ness/lose-lose situation)? Giving up Raguel may not have been the best choice either, but, to the 88 party, he acted pretty un-paladinish and all of the paladins seemed like whacko-hacks, especially with that mustache! I commend Zepher, CMP & WBD for pulling this off though. Again, I just don't care for the intrigue/politics. Can we get a break down of said relationships though? I would like to see how everything/one is connected and what decisions would have been made differently if that information was available. As far as 88 PCs go, I had a good time with everyone, just wish Sisco & Pep would have participated more.

Meh. If you change you mind, I will keep them handy. Hoke will be going out in the next Kinto quest (hopefully), but I can give them back to Baradock if he returns to the Hall. Not sure I am allowed to give them to your new PC though. ?

Thanks! Didn't know Hoke did anything for you in the quest, but I suggest you just roll up another character and join us in the Hall.

Hoke watched silently as the tall barbarian plopped down the items and walked off. After the Hall's doors shut, a confused look crossed his face, and looked around, hoping someone noticed and could explain what just happened.

So, if it doesn't interfere with future quests, can we get a breakdown of the real goals of the NPCs?

So was there a Choose Your Own Adventure style decision tree/flow chart or did y'all QMs just make it up as we went?

I don't do anything different to Hoke really. He could be better with Vintul, the greatsword, but I was trying to boost the entire party with the Flagpole.

Pot, meet kettle. But seriously, what player does not try to maximize the utility of their build? If Hoke wasn't such a tank, I am not sure how that bridge battle would have ended.

Hoke makes his way back to Heroica Hall from the docks. He stows his gear and finds that his favorite chair near the hearth is empty and takes a seat, watching the activity in the hall.

Thanks Zepher, CMP & WBD! Hope I wasn't too much of a pain to host! Will post my thoughts later. What's that supposed to mean?!