Waterbrick Down

Can I just say how awesome this would be, even for just one battle?

"Thanks, that gives us somethin' of a heads up. I know ya said they were rearranged and even teleported away, but would ya mind givin' us a list of the rooms yer house used to contain." Skrall adjusted his pack on his shoulders, "Other than that, I think I'm all set."

Boris looked outside the window watching a light snow cover the ground, he picked up pen in hand and wrote in a flowing script. To Keliim the Cruel (Mencot), a pair of Gauntlets of the Reckless Barbarian (+5 HP, lost health is added to power, handwear, suitable for Barbarians) that he may rise up stronger when his foes strike him down. To Nalguz the Infinite (Robert10ant), a Superior Murkwood Thread (WP:10, Whip, target is Bound), a handy weapon for an arachnoid such as himself. To The Demon Germ (samuraiturtle), a bottle of Human Repellent (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from humanoids during one battle, consumable) that he may enjoy some peace and quiet every once and a while. To Mhinak (Goliath), a Dwarven Backpack-mounted Catapult (WP: 10, double damage on targets that are clearly larger than the hero, throwing weapon), so that he might be too busy baring his own load that he has little time to concern himself with the business of others. To Na'im Thamir (Enceladus), a copy of the Scriptures of Ennoc (The user is lucky when rolling for healing, accessory, suitable for worshippers of Ennoc only), so that by reading the scriptures he may come to see the necessity of faith, as I did with mine long ago, but hopefully in a better way than I did. The vampire sealed his envelope, took a sip from his mulled wine with a sigh, and continued to watch the snow fall.

Skrall scratched his head at Ernesto's descriptions of the house. "Well, ya wouldn't happen to have a list of the tales ya've been catalogin' would ya? Wouldn't hurt to get an idea of what we may be up against." As Nur fell to the ground, the ogre glared at the squirrel and tried to snatch it from its perch.

"Glad to see ya all made it. Ellaria, Nerwen, good to see ya again. Mr. Dwinlas, can't say I've had the pleasure." The ogre turned to Ernesto, "Now then, that sounds like some first rate hocus pocus and I take it yer not one for dabblin' in that stuff. Ya didn't happen to bring any certain artifacts or souvenirs back with ya from yer latest expedition?"

Skrall smiled at Nerwen's last comment. "Calculating I see. Yet I have also experienced first hand uprisings and revolutions and as long as those with the means are able and willing to empower those without, good has arisen. Look at Xu, look at Dastan, the people have risen to the occasion once they see that it is tradition and the status quot that have held them back."

The ogre kept an eye on the crow as he moved through the city making sure no hungry cats took advantage of Nur's current avian state. Arriving at their patron's abode, the ogre nodded in greeting. "I'm sure the rest will be present shortly." The ogre extended a hand. "Skrall." Surveying the house bursting at its seems, the hunter shook his head, "Sod, my good man, why didn't ya call sooner? Looks like this is about to run amuck in the streets pretty soon." OoC: Stats are good.

"Do ya believe he will bring change to the city, or will he simply allow the same practices to continue? Can't see how lettin' the establishment stay in power's goin' to yield any meaningful change." "I've had my fair share of conversations with the species. He probably belongs to one of the heroes, ya've seen the influx of fluffy and feathery companions as of late, no?"

"Now, now Ms. Annienal, I spent my early years as a Ranger, these things are smarter than they look. I'm sure he... it's here for good reason." Skrall extended a hand to the bird.

"Took down an egotistical dragon and gettin' ready to head out to stop some sort of magical bleedin' book. Yerself? Heard things are gearin' up amongst the houses talk is their lookin' at nominatin' a king. Do they have those in Fenario?" "Aye, Ms. Calmacil, has it been so long ya don't remember Dastan?" The ogre twiddled with the pin. "I see ya've struck yer own colors as well? Has the Sungold Alliance decided upon a candidate yet?"

Very true, it's a fine balance though between wanting to respect established cannon by other QM's and not wanting to be limited by it.

"Well that's Nur for ya, stories always comin' out of him like a leak in a lifeboat." Skrall noted the posting of selected heroes on the quest board. "Looks like we'll be travelin' soon enough, hope he figures out that transmogrification spell quick like."

Father Grogmas, I remember when the kids would write to ya way back when, feelin' a bit lonesome this season so figured I'd write ya one of these letters, seein' how many good people I've met here. For En Sabah Nur, Totem of Preparation (The user may choose to enter battle in Beast Form, Accessory, suitable for Beast Warriors), may he learn to control his new found power or whatever it is ailin' him. For Hoke Ablesword, Suspension Saddle (After a Dragon's Wrath, the user becomes Hastened, Accessory, suitable for Dragoons), may he always be prepared to face whatever foolish foe faces him. For Dyric Rone, Quiver of Blinding Light (Attacks deal Blinded; can only be used with a bow or a crossbow; Backwear), may his quarry always fear the Assassin of Light For Althior Emorith, Magic Shovel (Will always find something when used, limited to three uses per quest, Tool), may his holes always yield bountiful results. For Arthur Justus Regulus VII, Dressage Saddle (After a Dragon's Wrath, the user becomes Encouraged, Accessory, suitable for Dragoons), may his friendships with both men and beasts be a shinin' light of hope to those around him. For Atramor Gibbon, Never Empty Bottle (Provides one Mead every quest, Tool), may he always be surrounded by fine friends and fine refreshments. For Lawrence Boomingham, Orcish Tower Shield (SP: 10, +10 SP to Party Members before and after hero in battle order), may he learn that time can heal many wounds. For Ellaria Arbour, Safety Goggles (Immunity to AoE Damage occurring on Allies' rolls, Headwear), may her courage blossom even more in the face of the new year to come. For Karie Alderflask-Cour, Serene Strain (Removes negative effects from the rest of the Party, costs 2 ether per negative effect removed, Battle Song), may she find peace in all the business of all the changes of life. For Hybros, Amulet of the Primeval Underground (Avoids free hits from Ancient Monsters and does double damage vs. Ancient Monsters, Accessory), may he find a home on the surface as comfortin' as the one he left behind. See to it that Scheherazade also gets some time off to spend with her son this year, would ya? Regards, - Skrall

Eh, I'm not the biggest fan of QM's taking singular common ideas/concepts/content and making them absolutes, i.e. all Dwarves must serve my NPC that I've created, all undead must be evil, or all dragons must come from this one NPC I've created. As QM's, yes we create content, but we should try to do so, so that people can expand upon it not be limited to a single interpretation. If you want to take a race you've created and create limitations upon it, fine, but commonly used story telling components should be limited carefully.

Maybe just a wee bit presumptuous?

"His joinin' with the Wolfgang, the orcs have apparently had enough with the status quo the houses are offerin'. He's goin' to need help if things backfire with Ulric and I figured Nur might be sympathetic given his upbringin'."

Skrall seated himself at the table nearest Alfred, "It's about the Woflgang. Does he know about Kukulkan?"

"Sod, can't decide which is worse, the whole petrification thing or this." Skrall sipped from his mug, "Can he still understand everythin'?"

Skrall looked past the crow and then gave the golem a quizzical look "Are ya foolin' me? He's turned himself invisible?"

I could see it being something of an NPC class, but it's unfortunately outclassed by Dragoon. Additionally if it's getting +1 ether, it would need some sort of spell casting.

Skrall strode back into the hall. On his way upstairs, the ogre paused at the quest board, mumbling under his breath. "A novelist huh? I'd bet a better orator would come in handy for the Wolfgang." The hunter signed up fro Quest 144 before continuing to the bar. Ordering a tankard of ale Skrall passed Alfred, in a lowered voice the ogre questioned the golem, "Where is your master, I wish to speak with him."

Skrall pulled out a pen, painstakingly tracing the letters just as Poletad had showed him. He sighed as he sealed the letter, covering it in bee's wax before dropping it down a sewer grate, he had cast his lot with the Wolfgang.

I know we've only had two thus far, but both Beast Warriors' initiation into the class have been awesome and unique in their own ways!

Good points, honestly I couldn't really think of a great way to drive the party to the final solution of the problem, there were a lot of pieces but not a solid way to tie them together. As the Party entered Frumpknob I was definitely sensing disengagement and I thought the solution to it was to just speed the quest along to the conclusion as opposed to having it drag out with PC's who weren't really interested in questioning people that didn't approach them directly. Again this falls on my shoulders I think in not providing a more motivating mystery. I tend to swing towards more of a reactive approach to QMing, the Party discusses suspects based on what they've seen thus far and then I elaborate upon them, as opposed to the reverse of outright giving them suspects and letting them discuss them. Again the conclusion definitely wasn't what I intended for this quest, but it seemed better at the time to give it a quick wrap up rather than make the suffering continue. Concerning the Naga murder, it's tied to the plans for the Nautilus that Atramor has. Generally my NPC's are more character sketches than fully fleshed out breathing beings which is why they do so well in short episodic doses and lose their steam in the longer run (Dumora, Hoples, Grishnod, etc.). In this case I wanted Dumora to serve as a guide as it didn't make sense to let the heroes just wander and in the past I've noted that most of my parties sometimes feel at a loss as where to go. Additionally, I wanted to use this quest to try out the Vindicator class, so she was always with the Party for the most part whether they needed her or not, I do hope to bring her back to give her some more depth though. As for the High Priest, as Flipz mentioned, he really did need some more development and I erred in not foreshadowing enough with him. It's funny you think the NPC's were too agreeable, because it seemed like throughout the entire quest the PC's found them utterly annoying and unhelpful. As for the ending with Frumptious, the decision wasn't so much a decision to be a dick or not as it was to potentially get paid or not, or to be truly helpful to the Bonapartes by telling them everything. Believe me, there'll be repercussions for the Party's answers they gave. Well it's been a week and only one feedback from an actual participant. Was it that bad? I don't like pushing for feedback, but as this was one of my first really long quests I'd really appreciate the viewpoint from the actual players.

Skrall's microfig would be a minifig.