Waterbrick Down

"So morality is only good enough for you if it pays, right?"

"I can give you the Bright Polish, but aside from about 100 Gold on me, the Reputation of the Ziegfried's is all I can offer. If I had more we would have hired heroes ourselves in the first place." At this point a familiar friendly big booming voice sounds out through the bowels of the equipment. "HEROETH, IT'TH BEEN NEARLY THIX HOURTH VE'RE GETTING YOU OUT OF THERE ATH THOON ATH VE FIGURE OUT VHERE YOU ARE, HOLD TIGHT!" "Master, we don't have a lot of time." "You're right Volatio." The mage turned to the heroes, "Well, what's it going to be? Hate to rush you, but it sounds like we're going to have company soon." QM Note: You'll need to decide whether to let them go or not. How you arrive at that decision is up to you, but there will not be any PvP. If you decide not to let them go, there will be a battle.

Skrall smiled, "Somethin' like that." "Interestin', seems more like in honorin' as opposed to simply espousin' his songs and such then." "Ya'd be surprised at the number of people that ignore such warnin's." Skrall removes his Spyglass from his pack. "I'm sure somethin' like this might come in handy then. I'm all set when the rest of ya are."

"Don't groups of heroes like you generally have Party Leaders?"

Flipz said it best. The Ziegfrieds are the heavy hitters of Eubric as are a lot of magic users if you think about it, I mean raising the dead, summoning spirits, controlling the weather, enchanting people, I'd darn sure consider them a liability to someone's eventual play for power. If the Guild/Crescent Union take over, the only real threat to their power are the spell-casters and the easiest way to deal with them is simply to get rid of them. It'll start with simple identification, soon it will be segregation, and eventually elimination. We've seen it plenty of times in real world history unfortunately.

The mage pauses to think for a moment. "I have with me a bottle of Bright Polish that I'm sure could be sold for good price. If this 'Trevor' was consumed by a blob, that is a fate I would wish upon no man, but if the Doctor sent him in here ill equipped, then the fault would like with the Doctor." "We were until that damned Ulric sought to take power. We couldn't simply let him, thus we needed candidates of our own. Candidates elected by some of your very own heroes, I might add."

"My word! Murderers?"

"You see our point and yet you will still condemn us? Punishment for what, a mere inconvenience for a Guild that already holds enough of a choke hold upon this city? For striving to protect my family and all of our kind?" "Civil war? It's already happening, there is no peace. The lines have already been drawn in the sand. The Guild has no need for the Alliance, do you think the Guild will not exert its power, in the name of keeping the peace? Do you not think the commoner will suffer? Do you not understand that the Guild may easily extract fealty for the price of a potion? Will you be there when the Guild denies a healing balm to the sick simply because they will not bend the knee?" "As my master has said, the device will return to normal. While we cannot guarantee cheaper price, we do hope this research will at least keep the cost competitive, and more importantly provide availability to the common man who does not wish to involve himself in the politics of the day." "Is stealing a loaf of bread for a starving man, espionage? Do you think we do this out of greed? How long do you think it will be before the Guild decides that ether users are too much of a liability? When do you think the sign of a mage will be branded on every cleric and wizard's hand? When do you think the banishments, or imprisonments, or even executions will start?"

"I don't think you all fully understand what is at stake here. This is not simply a monopoly, this is a throttling of life itself for all ether-users within the city. How long do you think before the Guild of Invision will start raising prices of Tonics for anyone who does not ally themselves with them? How long before it's not simply price gouging but outright refusal to sell, clerics, mages we'll all be affected. Do you think it'll stop with Tonics? The Guild of Invision is the number one alchemical supplier in all of Eubric, they will dictate policy with such a grasp on the market of potions, meads, everything! My research was simply to discover how the Tonics were made, that is all. I had no intention of stopping Doctor Cula's equipment and as soon as I and my assistant leave it will return to as it was. If you let me go, you will not only have the Ziegfried's thanks, but that of the entire city. If not, then I fear for the day when this city is controlled by the whims of a man in a mask, based not on respect but on dependency for one's one livelihood."

"Trespassing? More like ensuring against extortionism. Don't speak to me about escalation of conflict. You're a mage, where do you restore your ether from? Tonics, right? Who do you think is the single supplier of those tonics in all of Eubric Freeport?"

"Thank ya Olmstyr, tis only recently I have discovered how little I actually know about my own people." <Fear not little one, I simply wished to greet you with respect as I have been greeted in the past by others of your noble race.> Skrall turned to Daske with a smile, "Not quite, it's a thing of the mind. The dragons of Dastan communicate telepathically as well as physically. All intelligent races are capable if they're willing to let their minds into that state of flux, but dragons be better at it than nearly any other race." "Quite, though I can imagine things still could have gone very differently. From what I've heard Baltarok has a hard enough time keepin' things put together with the land it has, can't imagine tryin' to maintain order across that vast of an expanse." Skrall paused taking in Olmyster's story. "Tis a shame that such a great clan did pass away and with it I'm sure their history and heritage. Do you the Vauno of today still hold to the ways of Tarok? From what I remember he wasn't the most reasonable of deities." Skrall gave a low whistle, "Five in one night? We'd best hope they're workin' together otherwise we'll be tryin' to unravel five separate plots. Have any measures been taken to increase security around the clan leaders?"

"One master at a time, I'm afraid, my good satyr." The mage winked. "That elemental was here before we showed up. Almost bit me in half!" The genie dusted himself off. "As for my master's research, I'm sure your wizard and cleric would be most interested in his fantastic findings." "Now Volatio, there's no need to brag." "It's a gate. Rather complicated magical thing. As I said we were just getting ready to leave." "I don't know anything about a Frifflid? And no, I doubt the doctor is aware of our presence, not that he would tolerate us if we presented ourselves to him at his front door." "And I don't much like your friend's warmongering." "That won't be necessary as I said we were just getting ready to leave. As for the Wisps, I needed a few expendable scouts, I can't vouch for the temperament of my summons I'm afraid though. We've got no quarrel for you and I'm sure the good doctor will survive not making tonics for a week."

"Robbed you of? You deluded popinjay fool of a satyr, I could turn you into a toad, Master?" "Now now, Volatio. I think these tubes have enough creepy crawlies of their own already. And Mr. Satyr these crystals of precipitated Tonic are merely the size of a pin's head in the outside and no more important to the Guild of Invision than your socks. As I said we're conducting some simple research and then we'll be on our way." "So the Guild of Invision hired you? So you must be Heroes from Heroica then..." "The utterly flagrant dependence upon violence, didn't give it away, Master?"

Skrall nodded along to Olmstyr's relating of the deeds of Tarokai, "I recall only snippets of Zardalvohl from when I was a lad. Livin' so far from Baltarok there are very few traditions I'm afraid that were passed on from my parents. I am ashamed for my lack of knowledge in the details of Tarokai's story, though it gladdens me to hear that the land has found new hope with which to celebrate as opposed to mournin'." "Ya might say that." The ogre smiled patting his crossbows holstered at his sides. The ogre reached out his mind, curious as to whether the drake was old enough to communicate yet. Skrall nodded at the two new greenskins and awkwardly attempted the traditional orcish greeting, poorly mimicking Nerwen's earlier salutation. "Even Heroica was small at one point, all it takes is a small contingent of those willin' to gather together fer the greater good and enact some change. I'm interested in hearin' more about these Vauno."

"No one to be trifled with I can assure you and you certainly don't know how genies work." "And neither do you apparently. Such violence." "Now now, Volatio, I'm sure they're as surprised to see us just as we are to see them." The man replied in a calm and charming tone. "We could ask you the very same question. Though unlike your friend, I can't say we'll threaten to kill you." "Just a bit of research really, nothing special. Just about finished up actually." "Master you are too modest." "I am Marco Malfron, Adjunct Artificer to the Ziegfried family, and this is my loyal companion, assistant, and butler Volatio." The mage gives a short bow. "As for how we got here, it's rather complicated I'm afraid." "As for the crystals, I'm surprised you don't know."

The Party heads for the Cuppelation Furnace. Down below they find a large constructed ring, a scattering of red crystals, and two rather surprised individuals. "Umm..." "Well this is awkward." "Definitely explains the missing Wisps though..."

Skrall furrowed his brow trying to remember the stories told to him by his family. "T'was a bloody affair. As fer Tarokai some say he brought the greenskins closer to glory than they had ever come, but paid for it dearly. T'was one of the first true unitin's of the clans. If ya don't mind me askin', what do ya think of him yerself, Olmstyr?"

Petaldan trips himself up in his attempt to dispatch the Wisp, but Ezeran perseveres and finally brings down the annoying monster. Round 5 of the Willful Wisps Petaldan vs. Wisp B - Hit (0 Damage, Sentinel) >Ezeran vs. Wisp B - Spell (23 Damage, -1 Ether) >Kid vs. Wisp B Hunkan does nothing >Timothy does nothing Torald vs. Wisp B THE BATTLE IS VICTORIOUS! Party Paladin Petaldan Parfenius (Played by Palathadric) *Party Leader* 5-year-old male "wonder" Knight *Immune to Stunned, Bound, and Petrified* Level 11.5 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 2 Health: 22/22 Gold: 0 Equipment: Slimy Sword (WP:10, can be split into several weaker Slimy Swords or combined with other Slimy Swords to increase WP and split apart again at any time, longsword), Gloves of the Boy Wonder (SP:2; immunity to *Stunned*, *Bound*, and *Petrified*; suitable to Petaldan only; handwear), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory.) Inventory: 4 Potion, Phoenix Essence, Bedroll, Crucible Treasure (Worth 3000 Gold), Smoke Bomb, Emerald, Fire Bomb, Shield (SP: 5; Shield) Ezeran Yavarr (MysticModulus) 42 year old male human Mage Level 14 *Immune to wood* *Enemies that hits Ezeran becomes slowed* *Absorbs Darkness* Power Bonus: 0 (Spellpower: +2) Defense: 3 Health: 15/18 Ether: 10/18 Gold: 0 Equipment: Ancient Sapphamber Staff (WP:8, doubled against Ancient enemies, Wind-elemental; staff), Sneezing Demon (SP:2; enemies that hit the wearer become slowed; immunity to wood; suitable to Ezeran only; bodywear.), Hood of the Elementalist (SP:1, *Absorbs darkness*; headwear, suitable to anyone), Inventory: Ebony Scorpion Dagger (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; dagger), , Emerald (Wood), Ruby (Fire), 2x Potion, Remedy X3, Bedroll, Smoke Bomb, Pick Axe, Trickster’s Baubel (WP:5, each hit causes one random effect: stunned, poisoned by 1, asleep, blinded, sealed or confused; wand), Ruby, Torald Waruelf (Alfadas) 20 year old male human Barbarian Level 11.5 Power Bonus: 7 Defense: 3 Health: 20/20 Gold: 76 Equipment: Spark Hammer (WP: 8 Lightning & Wood elemental Hammer. Double WP against flying and mechanical), Tricorne (SP:3, headwear; suitable to anyone). Fighting Boots (Power +5 on the front row; suitable to barbarians, knights, rogues, beast warriors, chi monks, dragoons, harlots, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators, vindicators and winged warriors; footwear.) Inventory: , Old and Rusty Greatsword (WP: 3), Sludge Glaive (WP:8, pierces defense and causes either fragile or weakened; halberd), 6 Potions, Mead X7, Phoenix essence, Tiger Balm, , 2 Venom, Crocodile Belt (Max. Health +2; accessory.), Fire Bomb, Ebony Scorpion Spear (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; spear) Hunkan Silvertoss (BountyBeast) 53 year old male dwarf Rogue *Immune to Blinded* Level 7 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 10/13 Gold: 19 Equipment: Daugslyr (WP: 5; Longsword), Goggles (Provides immunity to Blinded effect, Headwear) Inventory: Potion, Venom, Phoenix Essence, Nostrum, Longsword (WP: 3), Remedy, Fire Bomb Kid Reddson (dum) 19 Male Human (1/4 Leprechaun) Ranger *Immune to Poisoned & Bleeding* Level 5 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 10/10 Gold: 0 Equipment: Crossbow (WP 3), Sterile Gloves (Grants Immunity to Poisoned and Bleeding effects, Handwear) Inventory: 3 Smoke Bomb, 2 Potion, Phoenix Essence, Bed Roll, Venom, Fire Bomb Timothy Evergreen (Rider Raider) 23 year old male satyr Cleric Level 4 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 11/12 Ether: 6/7 Defense: 0 Gold: 0 (3 owed to Monk Pretzel) Equipment: Broomstick (WP: 3 Broom) Inventory: Potion, Mead, Phoenix Essence, Fiery Flamenco (Causes fire-elemental damage equal to the minstrel's level to all enemies instantly. Costs 3 ether per damaged enemy; Battle Song) The chamber draws silent, nothing remaining aside from the green pool and the smoldering remains of the Wisps.

"Never gonna let you live, just wanna make you die. Always gonna burn your bones and then desert you!" Ezeran continues to fire wood spell after wood spell at the demonic head as it soars through the sky causing mayhem. Torald becomes confused, Timothy slaps the barbarian with his broom, Petaldan again decides to defend the Wisp and Hunkan is scorched by the monster. Kid amidst the chaos takes aim at the fiery creature and delivers a devastating shot. Round 4 of the Willful Wisps >Ezeran vs. Wisp B - Spell (23 Damage, -1 Ether) Torald vs. Wisp B - Special Damage (Torald Confused) Hunkan vs. Wisp B - Damage (3 Damage) >Kid vs. Wisp B - Critical Hit (10 Damage) >Timothy does nothing vs. Torald - Hit (3 Damage) Petaldan does nothing vs. Hunkan - Sentinel Enemy: Will-o-Wisp B *Ignores SP* *Immune to Fragile* *Sentinel* Type: Fiery Level: 3+Target's SP Health: 9/100 Special I: Flee - The Will-o-Wisp flees to another chamber in the Alchemical Set Special II: Confound - If the Will-o-Wisp cannot flee, the target is Confused. Drops: Nothing Party Paladin Petaldan Parfenius (Played by Palathadric) *Party Leader* 5-year-old male "wonder" Knight *Immune to Stunned, Bound, and Petrified* Level 11 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 2 Health: 22/22 Gold: 0 Equipment: Slimy Sword (WP:10, can be split into several weaker Slimy Swords or combined with other Slimy Swords to increase WP and split apart again at any time, longsword), Gloves of the Boy Wonder (SP:2; immunity to *Stunned*, *Bound*, and *Petrified*; suitable to Petaldan only; handwear), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory.) Inventory: 4 Potion, Phoenix Essence, Bedroll, Crucible Treasure (Worth 3000 Gold), Smoke Bomb, Emerald, Fire Bomb, Shield (SP: 5; Shield) Ezeran Yavarr (MysticModulus) 42 year old male human Mage Level 13.5 *Immune to wood* *Enemies that hits Ezeran becomes slowed* *Absorbs Darkness* Power Bonus: 0 (Spellpower: +2) Defense: 3 Health: 14/17 Ether: 10/17 Gold: 0 Equipment: Ancient Sapphamber Staff (WP:8, doubled against Ancient enemies, Wind-elemental; staff), Sneezing Demon (SP:2; enemies that hit the wearer become slowed; immunity to wood; suitable to Ezeran only; bodywear.), Hood of the Elementalist (SP:1, *Absorbs darkness*; headwear, suitable to anyone), Inventory: Ebony Scorpion Dagger (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; dagger), , Emerald (Wood), Ruby (Fire), 2x Potion, Remedy X3, Bedroll, Smoke Bomb, Pick Axe, Trickster’s Baubel (WP:5, each hit causes one random effect: stunned, poisoned by 1, asleep, blinded, sealed or confused; wand), Ruby, Torald Waruelf (Alfadas) 20 year old male human Barbarian *Confused 3 Rounds Remaining* Level 11 Power Bonus: 7 Defense: 3 Health: 11/20 Gold: 76 Equipment: Spark Hammer (WP: 8 Lightning & Wood elemental Hammer. Double WP against flying and mechanical), Tricorne (SP:3, headwear; suitable to anyone). Fighting Boots (Power +5 on the front row; suitable to barbarians, knights, rogues, beast warriors, chi monks, dragoons, harlots, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators, vindicators and winged warriors; footwear.) Inventory: , Old and Rusty Greatsword (WP: 3), Sludge Glaive (WP:8, pierces defense and causes either fragile or weakened; halberd), 6 Potions, Mead X7, Phoenix essence, Tiger Balm, , 2 Venom, Crocodile Belt (Max. Health +2; accessory.), Fire Bomb, Ebony Scorpion Spear (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; spear) Hunkan Silvertoss (BountyBeast) 53 year old male dwarf Rogue *Immune to Blinded* Level 6 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 9/12 Gold: 19 Equipment: Daugslyr (WP: 5; Longsword), Goggles (Provides immunity to Blinded effect, Headwear) Inventory: Potion, Venom, Phoenix Essence, Nostrum, Longsword (WP: 3), Remedy, Fire Bomb Kid Reddson (dum) 19 Male Human (1/4 Leprechaun) Ranger *Immune to Poisoned & Bleeding* Level 4 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 9/9 Gold: 0 Equipment: Crossbow (WP 3), Sterile Gloves (Grants Immunity to Poisoned and Bleeding effects, Handwear) Inventory: 3 Smoke Bomb, 2 Potion, Phoenix Essence, Bed Roll, Venom, Fire Bomb Timothy Evergreen (Rider Raider) 23 year old male satyr Cleric *Confused 1 Rounds Remaining* Level 3 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 10/11 Ether: 5/6 Defense: 0 Gold: 0 (3 owed to Monk Pretzel) Equipment: Broomstick (WP: 3 Broom) Inventory: Potion, Mead, Phoenix Essence, Fiery Flamenco (Causes fire-elemental damage equal to the minstrel's level to all enemies instantly. Costs 3 ether per damaged enemy; Battle Song) Party Leader, please provide a battle order. Everyone else, please provide an action and the row from which you are performing it.

Debatable, it could be something similar to "50 Shades of Blay" or "Gone with the Winds" where random character's simply have it throughout quests or something more associated with organizations like the vindicator's seal. I'd like to see the class tried out as an NPC first for a test drive and then see how it goes. So if anyone's planning a quest and has an NPC horseman.

Yeah that would be me. Didn't figure on someone taking it into the Fields of Glory. The average quest has 4-6 battles, that can last on average 6-9 rounds, with a 2/3 chance to hit that's +(4-6) WP after every battle leading to a spread of +(16-36) WP by the end of the quest. It's a temp bonus but no more powerful than some of the others like permanently poisoned blades.

"No you're not, you've wanted to hit him quite a lot."

QM Note: Gem imbued attacks do count as physical attacks, he's better off attacking with his spear to try and get the poison damage. Ezeran blasts away at the Wisp to no avail, the dreadful spirit merely dodging easily away burning Torald in the process who is caught changing weapons. Petaldan shuts his eyes and successfully does nothing as Hunkan and Kid step away from the action. Timothy attempts to hold his ground but his nerves get the best of him and he fires wildly into the fray actually attacking Ezeran! Round 3 of the Willful Wisps >Ezeran vs. Wisp B - Miss Torald vs. Wisp B - Damage (6 Damage) Petaldan does nothing Hunkan does nothing >Kid does nothing >Timothy does nothing vs. Ezeran - Hit (3 Damage) Enemy: Will-o-Wisp B *Ignores SP* *Immune to Fragile* Type: Fiery Level: 3+Target's SP Health: 42/100 Special I: Flee - The Will-o-Wisp flees to another chamber in the Alchemical Set Special II: Confound - If the Will-o-Wisp cannot flee, the target is Confused. Drops: Nothing Party Paladin Petaldan Parfenius (Played by Palathadric) *Party Leader* 5-year-old male "wonder" Knight *Immune to Stunned, Bound, and Petrified* *Confused 1 Rounds remaining* Level 11 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 2 Health: 22/22 Gold: 0 Equipment: Slimy Sword (WP:10, can be split into several weaker Slimy Swords or combined with other Slimy Swords to increase WP and split apart again at any time, longsword), Gloves of the Boy Wonder (SP:2; immunity to *Stunned*, *Bound*, and *Petrified*; suitable to Petaldan only; handwear), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory.) Inventory: 4 Potion, Phoenix Essence, Bedroll, Crucible Treasure (Worth 3000 Gold), Smoke Bomb, Emerald, Fire Bomb, Shield (SP: 5; Shield) Ezeran Yavarr (MysticModulus) 42 year old male human Mage Level 13.5 *Immune to wood* *Enemies that hits Ezeran becomes slowed* *Absorbs Darkness* Power Bonus: 0 (Spellpower: +2) Defense: 3 Health: 14/17 Ether: 11/17 Gold: 0 Equipment: Ancient Sapphamber Staff (WP:8, doubled against Ancient enemies, Wind-elemental; staff), Sneezing Demon (SP:2; enemies that hit the wearer become slowed; immunity to wood; suitable to Ezeran only; bodywear.), Hood of the Elementalist (SP:1, *Absorbs darkness*; headwear, suitable to anyone), Inventory: Ebony Scorpion Dagger (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; dagger), , Emerald (Wood), Ruby (Fire), 2x Potion, Remedy X3, Bedroll, Smoke Bomb, Pick Axe, Trickster’s Baubel (WP:5, each hit causes one random effect: stunned, poisoned by 1, asleep, blinded, sealed or confused; wand), Ruby, Torald Waruelf (Alfadas) 20 year old male human Barbarian Level 11 Power Bonus: 7 Defense: 3 Health: 14/20 Gold: 76 Equipment: Ebony Scorpion Spear (WP:5, deals Poisoned-by-3; spear), Tricorne (SP:3, headwear; suitable to anyone). Fighting Boots (Power +5 on the front row; suitable to barbarians, knights, rogues, beast warriors, chi monks, dragoons, harlots, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators, vindicators and winged warriors; footwear.) Inventory: , Old and Rusty Greatsword (WP: 3), Sludge Glaive (WP:8, pierces defense and causes either fragile or weakened; halberd), 6 Potions, Mead X7, Phoenix essence, Tiger Balm, Spark Hammer (WP: 8 Lightning & Wood elemental Hammer. Double WP against flying and mechanical), 2 Venom, Crocodile Belt (Max. Health +2; accessory.), Fire Bomb Hunkan Silvertoss (BountyBeast) 53 year old male dwarf Rogue *Immune to Blinded* Level 6 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 12/12 Gold: 19 Equipment: Daugslyr (WP: 5; Longsword), Goggles (Provides immunity to Blinded effect, Headwear) Inventory: Potion, Venom, Phoenix Essence, Nostrum, Longsword (WP: 3), Remedy, Fire Bomb Kid Reddson (dum) 19 Male Human (1/4 Leprechaun) Ranger *Immune to Poisoned & Bleeding* Level 4 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 9/9 Gold: 0 Equipment: Crossbow (WP 3), Sterile Gloves (Grants Immunity to Poisoned and Bleeding effects, Handwear) Inventory: 3 Smoke Bomb, 2 Potion, Phoenix Essence, Bed Roll, Venom, Fire Bomb Timothy Evergreen (Rider Raider) 23 year old male satyr Cleric *Confused 2 Rounds Remaining* Level 3 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 10/11 Ether: 5/6 Defense: 0 Gold: 0 (3 owed to Monk Pretzel) Equipment: Broomstick (WP: 3 Broom) Inventory: Potion, Mead, Phoenix Essence, Fiery Flamenco (Causes fire-elemental damage equal to the minstrel's level to all enemies instantly. Costs 3 ether per damaged enemy; Battle Song) Party Leader, please provide a battle order. Everyone else, please provide an action and the row from which you are performing it.

Skrall was taken aback at the warm welcome, he had heard of the heroes exploits in Baltarok but hadn't expected the Party's reception to be so overwhelming. The ogre respectfully and gently shook as many hands as he could as he tried to make his way to Olmstyr, "Everyone's a tad more friendly than I was expectin'." The ogre doffed his cap, "Skrall the Hunter. This is quite the gatherin' ya've got here. There's some sort of event goin' on I hear."