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I quoted another player = to the group.

"Are there any 'trouble' areas within the city we could investigate?"

" Since we have limited use of our passports, I say we take care of all the business within the city first."

I don't think anyone is arguing against that, at least not me.

Objectives, puzzles, etc. Again, battles are an objective way to get XP. You cannot argue that. I'd also beg to differ that the outcome of battles are based only on luck.

Nope. I said battles are an objective way to gain XP.

But that is very subjective. What one person thinks is great is another's mediocre. I personally like battle because it's objective. Either you win or you lose.

The Party: Tarn Valco, Level 13 Barbarian, 21 year old human male ***PARTY LEADER*** Power: 23 Health: 20/20 Gold: 155 Inventory: Kyrferath, a Battle Axe (WP: 10, Water Elemental), Pole-axe (WP: 3), Phoenix Essence, Mead x 2, Grand Potion, Shovel, Pickaxe Dak Shadeaux, Level 11.5 Rogue, 35 year old half-elf Mopag Power: 18 Health: 14/17 Gold: 311 Inventory: Mockthril Knife (Equipped)(WP:7), Thgir Blade (WP:5), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Mockthril Whip (WP:4), 2 Venoms, 2 Potion, Bedroll, Shovel Guts Holla, Level 11 Rogue, 42 year old male human Power: 18 Health: 17/17 Gold: 299 Inventory: Lifestealer (WP:7 attacks restore 3 health), Potion, Bedroll, Shovel Knifk, Level 11.5 Knight, 30 year old male Orc Power: 18 Health: 20/20 Gold: 141 Inventory: Tfel Blade (WP:7), Mockthril Shield (SP:5), Garnet, Bedroll De'kra, Level 13 Rogue, 11 year old Male Shade Power: 18 Health: 19/19 Gold: 184 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 (2), Pickaxe, Gold Ore Aberforth Swindle, Level 7 Mage, 62 year old human Power:9 Health: 11/11 Ether 9/10 Gold: 81 Inventory: Torch (2 WP, fire) Simple Staff (3 WP), Tonic, Venom, Amethyst, Ruby, Scroll of Sleep, Musty Bedroll The heroes find their way out of the tunnel system without any action to speak of. The Steward is there patiently waiting for them, and the heroes tell him they are ready to head back to Eurobric Freeport. "Splendidly done my fellows. Let's head back to the ship and home." After a few lazy days of sailing, the heroes arrive back in Eurobric Freeport. "Let's be straightaway to the Councilor. I am sure he shall welcome your tell, and you shall welcome your reward." The Steward guides the heroes back to the Miner's Guild meeting hall. Once again, the twist through the clever maze and arrive in Durgon Silverpick's study. He is found pacing in front of a large fireplace. "Well met!" the dwarf says as amicably as his gravelly voice will allow. "How fared your task?" How would the party like to answer?

Hmmm...Elphaba needs to come to the Marketplace when I am not on a quest! Lots of goodies I'd like to buy.

The goblin lost the map in his fall, but says he had it memorized as good as a goblin can. Everyone with shovels begins to dig. After several hours and near the point of collapse, Guts strikes an object with a thud. Invigorated, all that can fit jump into the hole and haul out a chest! The goblin says he now has what he was looking for and declines Knifk's offer to help hunt the gobblers. He thanks the party, scoops out a huge sackful of gold and walks off down the tunnel. The heroes are left with 600 gold! Party leader divide the spoils.

The goblin perks up with a toothy fang smile. He tells Knifk he is new to the mines and is terrified of the crystalline rock creatures he has seen devouring the tunnels. He says he found a map that led him to this alcove. There is burried treasure somewhere in here, but he lost his shovel when he got lost in the tunnels and fell into a pit that he eventually climbed out of.

The Party: Tarn Valco, Level 13 Barbarian, 21 year old human male ***PARTY LEADER*** Power: 23 Health: 20/20 Gold: 58 Inventory: Kyrferath, a Battle Axe (WP: 10, Water Elemental), Pole-axe (WP: 3), Phoenix Essence, Mead x 2, Grand Potion, Shovel, Pickaxe Dak Shadeaux, Level 11.5 Rogue, 35 year old half-elf Mopag Power: 18 Health: 14/17 Gold: 163 Inventory: Mockthril Knife (Equipped)(WP:7), Thgir Blade (WP:5), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Mockthril Whip (WP:4), 2 Venoms, 2 Potion, Bedroll, Shovel Guts Holla, Level 11 Rogue, 42 year old male human Power: 18 Health: 17/17 Gold: 141 Inventory: Lifestealer (WP:7 attacks restore 3 health), Potion, Bedroll, Shovel Knifk, Level 11.5 Knight, 30 year old male Orc Power: 18 Health: 20/20 Gold: 83 Inventory: Tfel Blade (WP:7), Mockthril Shield (SP:5), Garnet, Bedroll De'kra, Level 13 Rogue, 11 year old Male Shade Power: 18 Health: 19/19 Gold: 98 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 (2), Pickaxe, Gold Ore Aberforth Swindle, Level 7 Mage, 62 year old human Power:9 Health: 11/11 Ether 9/10 Gold: 28 Inventory: Torch (2 WP, fire) Simple Staff (3 WP), Tonic, Venom, Amethyst, Ruby, Scroll of Sleep, Musty Bedroll The party makes their way back to the main tunnel on this level. After a few twists and turns them come to a corner and see shadows cast on the walls by a fire. The heroes turn the corner and find a lone goblin with a meal cooking. He slowly rises and brings his giant club to bear in a defensive position. What would the party like to do?

The Party: Tarn Valco, Level 13 Barbarian, 21 year old human male ***PARTY LEADER*** Power: 23 Health: 20/20 Gold: 50 Inventory: Kyrferath, a Battle Axe (WP: 10, Water Elemental), Pole-axe (WP: 3), Mead x 2, Grand Potion, Shovel, Pickaxe Dak Shadeaux, Level 11.5 Rogue, 35 year old half-elf Mopag Power: 18 Health: 14/17 Gold: 155 Inventory: Mockthril Knife (Equipped)(WP:7), Thgir Blade (WP:5), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Mockthril Whip (WP:4), 2 Venoms, 1 Potion, Bedroll, Shovel Guts Holla, Level 11 Rogue, 42 year old male human Power: 18 Health: 17/17 Gold: 133 Inventory: Lifestealer (WP:7 attacks restore 3 health), Potion, Bedroll, Shovel Knifk, Level 11.5 Knight, 30 year old male Orc Power: 18 Health: 20/20 Gold: 75 Inventory: Tfel Blade (WP:7), Mockthril Shield (SP:5), Garnet, Bedroll De'kra, Level 13 Rogue, 11 year old Male Shade Power: 18 Health: 19/19 Gold: 88 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 (2), Pickaxe, Gold Ore Aberforth Swindle, Level 7 Mage, 62 year old human Power:9 Health: 11/11 Ether 9/10 Gold: 20 Inventory: Torch (2 WP, fire) Simple Staff (3 WP), Tonic, Venom, Amethyst, Ruby, Scroll of Sleep, Musty Bedroll The party searches the rest of the area and the Crazed Prospector's bag in which they find: 1 Potion 1 Phoenix Essence 50 Gold Party Leader divide the spoils.

"Many thanks," Hoke said as he slid the coins into his belt pouch. He held the passport up and flipped it around, just to see what it looks like. He added that to the coins. "What is our course from here? Do we first purchase the materials available in the market and return them here?" Hoke asked the group. "Professor, is there anything of importance that we should now before we leave?"

QM Note - Placed Dak on the back row. Round 1 vs the Crazed Prospector: Tarn - Hit (-22) Knifk - Hit (-18) Guts - Miss Dak - Damage (-3) De'kra - Miss Aberforth - Critical Hit! (-10) The Crazed Prospect is out to take no prisoners, but not everything goes according to play. Spry as a cat, he leaps forward, but is knocked down in a heap and both Tarn and Knifk connect with solid hits. As he stumbles backwards, the Crazed Prospector manages to bat aside Guts and De'kra's darting knives but clips Dak with his pickaxe. Swindle tries out his amethyst gem and hits the Crazed Prospector squarely in the chest. The Enemy: Crazed Prospector - Level 7 Humanoid HP: 30 Special: Cave In - 5 damage to entire party Drops: Pickaxe The Party: Tarn Valco, Level 12.5 Barbarian, 21 year old human male ***PARTY LEADER*** Power: 22 Health: 19/19 Gold: 50 Inventory: Kyrferath, a Battle Axe (WP: 10, Water Elemental), Pole-axe (WP: 3), Mead x 2, Grand Potion, Shovel Dak Shadeaux, Level 11 Rogue, 35 year old half-elf Mopag Power: 18 Health: 14/17 Gold: 155 Inventory: Mockthril Knife (Equipped)(WP:7), Thgir Blade (WP:5), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Mockthril Whip (WP:4), 2 Venoms, 1 Potion, Bedroll, Shovel Guts Holla, Level 10.5 Rogue, 42 year old male human Power: 17 Health: 16/16 Gold: 133 Inventory: Lifestealer (WP:7 attacks restore 3 health), Potion, Bedroll, Shovel Knifk, Level 11 Knight, 30 year old male Orc Power: 18 Health: 20/20 Gold: 75 Inventory: Tfel Blade (WP:7), Mockthril Shield (SP:5), Garnet, Bedroll De'kra, Level 12.5 Rogue, 11 year old Male Shade Power: 17 Health: 18/18 Gold: 88 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 (2), Pickaxe, Gold Ore Aberforth Swindle, Level 6 Mage, 62 year old human Power:8 Health: 10/10 Ether 9/9 Gold: 20 Inventory: Torch (2 WP, fire) Simple Staff (3 WP), Tonic, Venom, Amethyst, Ruby, Scroll of Sleep, Musty Bedroll AUTO-ROLL! Round 2 vs the Crazed Prospector: Tarn - Critical Hit! (-32) Knifk - Miss Guts - Critical Hit! Dak - Critical Hit! De'kra - Shield Aberforth - Critical Hit! The Crazed Prospector looks down at his scorched chest. He rises up with a shout, but is silenced as Tarn stabs his axe forward with full force VICTORY! Drops: Pickaxe The Party: Tarn Valco, Level 13 Barbarian, 21 year old human male ***PARTY LEADER*** Power: 23 Health: 20/20 Gold: 50 Inventory: Kyrferath, a Battle Axe (WP: 10, Water Elemental), Pole-axe (WP: 3), Mead x 2, Grand Potion, Shovel Dak Shadeaux, Level 11.5 Rogue, 35 year old half-elf Mopag Power: 18 Health: 14/17 Gold: 155 Inventory: Mockthril Knife (Equipped)(WP:7), Thgir Blade (WP:5), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Mockthril Whip (WP:4), 2 Venoms, 1 Potion, Bedroll, Shovel Guts Holla, Level 11 Rogue, 42 year old male human Power: 18 Health: 17/17 Gold: 133 Inventory: Lifestealer (WP:7 attacks restore 3 health), Potion, Bedroll, Shovel Knifk, Level 11.5 Knight, 30 year old male Orc Power: 18 Health: 20/20 Gold: 75 Inventory: Tfel Blade (WP:7), Mockthril Shield (SP:5), Garnet, Bedroll De'kra, Level 13 Rogue, 11 year old Male Shade Power: 18 Health: 19/19 Gold: 88 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 (2), Pickaxe, Gold Ore Aberforth Swindle, Level 7 Mage, 62 year old human Power:9 Health: 11/11 Ether 9/10 Gold: 20 Inventory: Torch (2 WP, fire) Simple Staff (3 WP), Tonic, Venom, Amethyst, Ruby, Scroll of Sleep, Musty Bedroll Party leader divide the spoils. Players please check your new stats.

"Good day to you Professor. Well, I would not place the blame fully on Refulannos, although he was quick to send us away. My companions and I have a few questions about the materials we are to collect for the sword. Firstly, could you mark on the map where we can acquire which items. Secondly, if items are to be bought out right, how much gold is the guild fronting for this errand? And, finally, for the last of my questions at least, what purpose drove you to summon a demon?"

"We are questors from Heroica Hall in Eurobric Freeport sent by Arthur H Regulannos."

I'm going with Merchant of Venice.

"Dwarf??? Dwarf?!?! DWARF!!!! Yous toad skinned bafoon! Ever sees striders dis longs on a dwarf! And you, ya scarf wearin mommas boy! I'll show yous mah claim!" Wild eyed, beard blazing, the Crazed Prospector leaps at the heroes The Enemy: Crazed Prospector - Level 5 Earth Level 7 Humanoid HP: 80 Special: Cave In - 5 damage to entire party Drops: Pickaxe The Party: Tarn Valco, Level 12.5 Barbarian, 21 year old human male ***PARTY LEADER*** Power: 22 Health: 19/19 Gold: 50 Inventory: Kyrferath, a Battle Axe (WP: 10, Water Elemental), Pole-axe (WP: 3), Mead x 2, Grand Potion, Shovel Dak Shadeaux, Level 11 Rogue, 35 year old half-elf Mopag Power: 18 Health: 17/17 Gold: 155 Inventory: Mockthril Knife (Equipped)(WP:7), Thgir Blade (WP:5), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Mockthril Whip (WP:4), 2 Venoms, 1 Potion, Bedroll, Shovel Guts Holla, Level 10.5 Rogue, 42 year old male human Power: 17 Health: 16/16 Gold: 133 Inventory: Lifestealer (WP:7 attacks restore 3 health), Potion, Bedroll, Shovel Knifk, Level 11 Knight, 30 year old male Orc Power: 18 Health: 20/20 Gold: 75 Inventory: Tfel Blade (WP:7), Mockthril Shield (SP:5), Garnet, Bedroll De'kra, Level 12.5 Rogue, 11 year old Male Shade Power: 17 Health: 18/18 Gold: 88 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 (2), Pickaxe, Gold Ore Aberforth Swindle, Level 6 Mage, 62 year old human Power:8 Health: 10/10 Ether 9/9 Gold: 20 Inventory: Torch (2 WP, fire) Simple Staff (3 WP), Tonic, Venom, Amethyst, Ruby, Scroll of Sleep, Musty Bedroll Party Leader state order of actions. Party Members state action and target. Good luck!

"What proof would you like to see?"

The heroes turn down the unexplored tunnel. After easily handling the Crystal Gobbler, the party seems a bit more relaxed and confident. They come to multiple tunnels meeting altogether. As they stop to set their bearings, they hear a rhythmic tapping. The heroes identify the tunnel the sound is coming from and head toward the source. The heroes find themselves in a roughly chipped out tunnel and see a lone figure swinging a pickaxe by lantern light. The figure senses the questers and spins around quick as a snake! "What's that y'alls is doin' down hur in mah claim!" What does the party do?

Hoke uses his Diplomacy skill. "Good day to you sir. My companions and I are from Eurobric Freeport on an errand from the Guild. We seek an audience with the city's official to discuss our current business. Such a meeting would be beneficial in speeding along our affairs to the mutual satisfaction of this city and our employers." Hoke thought it best not to show to guard every document they had. If this sword was so important to send seasoned questers after, it may be wise to withhold certain amounts of information from those they came in contact with.

Let's finish this quest before we work on another one.

"I would like to meet with the official or representatives as soon as possible. I believe we need to discuss a few issues."

The party searches the spot of the battle but do not find anything. Tarn decides to scoop up some of the crystalline shards as proof of their encounter. They make the arduous trek back to the previous level. After a few twists and turns, they come to the second of the two unexplored tunnels.