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Hate to be a Debbie Downer, but I'm against giving a player extra exp for surviving a battle just because they are a lower level. We all earned where we are at, and I didn't give the level 1 player in Quest 20 extra although he faced multiple strong enemies. As far as the mechanics go I think the rock formation is a bit backwards. I think fighting from the high ground should give a bigger advantage to the back row. I like the extra work but I would give options instead of leaving it open ended for time sake. That is just my opinion and style though.

Hoke's taunts worked. The enraged beast lunged rabidly at him, but Hoke slimply stepped forward and to the slide as he sliced the greatsword across the direwolf's throat. Repeat action.

For the entire battle.

Hoke sprang forward on the dire wolf's snapping jaw and sliced upwards into the beast's side. He darted back and began to whistle again at the dire wolf Hoke attacks A from the front row.

Hoke smiles as the giant canines lope their way. "Ranged fighters, I suggest you hop up on the rock formation as we rougher types stand in front." Hoke slides Vintul from its sheath and stands in front of the rock formation. "Here puppy puppy," Hoke whistles. Hoke attacks A from the front row. For all MISS rolls, I would like to enchant Vintul. For all SHIELD rolls, please use whatever element does the most damage, if possible. Thanks! (Hope I get a lot of MISS rolls!)

Darkness & lightning. However, I decided to separated my gem from my sword so it wouldn't be useless against anything. Lucky for me I have the Cultist Hat that helps out with non-imbued weapons.

Hoke tosses in a fire bomb. "Here. I've heard these beasts fear fire." I will remove from inventory if it successfully goes off.

Hoke stands watching, hands on hips, shaking his head. "We can just fight the things."

Yes, and I understand. Thanks for hosting ALL of it. I've enjoyed myself immensely.

It's not really a negative attitude towards it. I get home in the middle of the evening, and with wife, kids & stuff to do IRL, I'd rather not spend hours on the computer. I think the pacing was a bit slow towards the end, but it wasn't neglected. Many times I was waiting on characters to make choices/state actions. You can look at the posts where I wound up just skipping some players and posted for them.

I doubled the damage.

"If we are to wait on our adversaries to show up, I say we battle from the high ground upon the large rock."

"That would be quite difficult to accomplish without trees. " Hoke looked around to get a better grasp of the terrain. Can we get a better description of the terrain?

"We shall provide a solution for your pest problem," Hoke says as he pats Vintul.

"Guess so?" Hoke asked with an incredulous look on his face. "Do not guess my friend for arrangements such as these are why we are here. This is why we carry sword, bow, and gem. This is why we travel halfway around the world. What are adventurers without an adventure? What are questers without a quest. My friend, arrangements like these are why we were made. Relish them while you yet still draw breath!" Hoke laughed as he clasped Olinn's shoulder and shook him gently. "We will rid you of that green soon enough!"

"I believe we can successfully procure the materials you need in exchange for the materials we seek. In what way are we to proceed in acquiring the items?"

Thanks for the feedback guys! I apologize for the slow pace. I did not post sometimes because I saw y'all were spending time role playing, so I didn't want to interrupt that, but most of the time I just put the quest on the back burner to other things. Not having internet access at work really put a clamp on how much time I could spend updating the quest, and by the time I got home, I would rather do other things. Sorry! I thought the fights at the end were pretty weak on my part. I saw that the spider almost wiped y'all out, so I wanted to take it a little easier. I should have boosted the Crystal Gobbler's HP by probably about double, or went with the original SP plan. His Special was pretty decent and could have wiped the party out in one or two rounds (which the spider almost did). Like I said, this quest was meant to be a level 1 quest. I wanted it to be a intro dungeon crawler. I tried to put a bit of everything in it: exploration, traps, different monster types, skill use (diplomacy), using shovels, picks, etc. I think the original stats for the monsters were perfect for level 1s, but when I saw y'all 6 were basically the only questers available, I had to adjust on the fly. BTW - all the dialogue, descriptions, etc were written on the fly as well. Just made all that up as we went. Now onto specifics: RUMBLE STRIKE: He was supposed to be a level 1 boss. Maybe he does have an angry mother. Thanks! I am sure you can tell, but all the cave stuff was done with the same backdrop, just from different angles/areas. SCUBACARROT: Like I said, I wanted it to be a level 1 dungeon crawl. In real life too, if you were exploring a cave, you wouldn't know where to go. It was, but after the spider, I felt sorry for y'all. Again, blame it on the level 1 stuff. I would have if one would have signed up. I can't make clerics sign up. Y'all were it! D NIHILUS: Thanks! I wanted the battles to feel like everything was happening all at once, and not like everyone was taking a turn. If you noticed, I described some of the actions out of order, but always resolved the actual dice rolls first. TANMA: It was more difficult than I thought it would be, so I just flubbed up on that. Really, after the spider I was a bit gun shy and didn't want to just maul y'all to pieces. But next quest... Thanks again for participating and for the feedback. It definitely was a learning experience, and I hope to do it again soon! I would love to hear for some readers as well. Was it an entertaining quest? What would you have done different? What did you like? Etc.

Yes! I would edit my post, but it being january's jerks, I guess this is my saying: EACH PARTY MEMBER ALSO HAS A WRIT OF BLACKSMITH SERVICE GOOD FOR 1 UPGRADE.

Well, Quest 20 is now done! It was originally designed for level 1 players, so I had to tweaked it as we went. I think it went a bit too easy except for the spider. Here is what the party didn't see: Treasure map (undamaged): worth 300 gold Goblin: dropped Thunder Club (WP 5, Lightning) I'll try to get a self critique soon, but until then I would appreciate some feedback from the players and readers alike. Thanks!

The Party: Tarn Valco, Level 13 Barbarian, 21 year old human male ***PARTY LEADER*** Power: 23 Health: 20/20 Gold: 255 Inventory: Kyrferath, a Battle Axe (WP: 10, Water Elemental), Pole-axe (WP: 3), Phoenix Essence, Mead x 2, Grand Potion, Potion, Remedy, Holy Bomb, Shovel, Pickaxe Dak Shadeaux, Level 11.5 Rogue, 35 year old half-elf Mopag Power: 18 Health: 14/17 Gold: 411 Inventory: Mockthril Knife (Equipped)(WP:7), Thgir Blade (WP:5), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Mockthril Whip (WP:4), 2 Venoms, 3 Potion, Remedy, Lightning Bomb, Bedroll, Shovel Guts Holla, Level 11 Rogue, 42 year old male human Power: 18 Health: 17/17 Gold: 399 Inventory: Lifestealer (WP:7 attacks restore 3 health), 2 Potion, Remedy, Holy Bomb, Bedroll, Shovel Knifk, Level 11.5 Knight, 30 year old male Orc Power: 18 Health: 20/20 Gold: 241 Inventory: Tfel Blade (WP:7), Mockthril Shield (SP:5), Potion, Remedy, Floral Bomb, Garnet, Bedroll De'kra, Level 13 Rogue, 11 year old Male Shade Power: 18 Health: 19/19 Gold: 284 Inventory: Pongcanis Dagger(WP:5, Electricity), Shadeaux Dagger(WP:5), Fang Dagger(WP:4), Cloak of the Blue Assassin(SP: 1), Cloak of the Elven Spy(loaned to Atramor), Bedroll, , Potions (3), Remedy, Ice Bomb, Pickaxe, Gold Ore Aberforth Swindle, Level 7 Mage, 62 year old human Power:9 Health: 11/11 Ether 9/10 Gold: 181 Inventory: Torch (2 WP, fire) Simple Staff (3 WP), Potion, Remedy, Tonic, Venom, TBD Bomb, Amethyst, Ruby, Scroll of Sleep, Musty Bedroll Party members please check your stats 1 more time and you are dismissed! Thanks!!!

"Agreed. After our business there is concluded, I say we venture to the graveyard, then the mines and back to the town. Unless time is against us."

"Good day to you sir," Hoke says as he holds up his passport.

Durgon stood blank faced for what seemed ages, staring the crystal shards in this hands. "Ahem, Councilor?" "Wha..oh, yes, yes," Durgon said as he cleared his throat. "Crazed prospector you say? Giant spiders and such? Hmmm, amazing what finds its way in cleared out mines. Good job on the clearing the mines. These, ahrm, shards are nice as well. Seem to be good material. Yes, well then, Steward! Their reward please: 600 gold, 6 Writs of Blacksmith Service, 6 remedies, 6 potions and a bomb of choice for each hero. It seems that you left my mines still swarming with these things, so the extra consumables and bombs is my thanks for clearing out the places you explored. Looks like I may have to call another party in to investigate these matters further. You are dismissed." With that the Steward escorts the heroes back to the entrance. "Thank you my good gentlemen. It was a fine task you accomplished for the Miners' Guild. We do wish you good luck in all of your future endeavors." Party leader divide the spoilers. Players select which bomb you would like that is available in the Marketplace

Man! If I would have known, I would have waited!

No computer with internet at work. It should be wrapped up this afternoon.