Waterbrick Down

"'There will be a number that speak, "Master, master, were we not seers, zealots, and healers in your name?" But I will say to them, "Depart oh wicked ones, I did not know you."' Book of Mathias stanza seven, line twenty two and three." Boris gazes sternly at Nalguz and Mhinak. "I seem to recall both of you bein' interested in joining these poor chaps earlier, now you would share in our spoils?." Boris hands the Shield to Germ and the Badge to Na'im, stowing the three blind bombs in his own pack. The vampire turns to the goblin. "You are free of your debt, Rhyszicz and thanked for your assistance. You may leave or follow as you wish."

Skrall lines up a bead on Dire Wolf F from the back row. "It might be best if those of us that can take one of these things down in a single shot stick to fightin'."

"Well they say it was dark dwarves, but I say it was a Mindflayer that got all them golems riled up. Next thing you know heroes showing up, doing their business in some secret cavern and poof all the golems stop attacking." The mouse-headed man blinks at Nur but doesn't say a word, though he does move aside from the table to make room for Nur. "..." "The depot, you see, is the spot where they unload all the goods coming from the inner cities to here in Krumpknob. Whole maze of mine cart tracks, you see."

"Not funny, Germ. Besides I'd think you'd consider it a blessing, if it weren't for this "turning" I'd be busy smiting you as opposed to working with you."

"Best take care then, you see, those things have an acid strong enough to dissolve even Rocklings." "Heroica aye? Not the same place as what we had down here few years back?" At Ellaria's calming the Dwarf takes his hand off his weapon.

OoC: Slightly confused on ruling, can Purpearl use the First Aid Kit with guaranteed success or will the Confused effect factor into the action? Skrall notes his companions' stupors and considers using a remedy on Purpearl from the back row before firing at Barghest B.

Skrall fires off a shot at Silent Lamb A from the back row.

- For both Boris and Polly I wanted something different from Skrall. I wanted someone with less experience and more of a penchant for brashness. The choice was an intentional one and while Boris and Skrall share a few traits, I'm attempting to differentiate them for my own sake. This is only as important as you make it. - Eventually we'll have seen all the stereotypes/tropes/quirks/and traits under the sun so at some point there's going to be repetition, that's not to say it's a bad thing. I think finding that one thing that pops into your head or anyone else's head when they hear your character's name is helpful in making them memorable, the trick is to not be controlled by it. If you ever find yourself including a trope or a trait in a certain scene just for the sake of including it to be "consistent" then it's no longer about the character but about the trope. - In both cases job class came first and then I build a background, I've got a dozen characters with classes flitting around my head, including two more Rangers, I simply wanted to try something new from a gaming perspective. - In both Boris and Polly's cases I had little background established, only enough to make sense of who they are. As their stories unfolded parts of their backgrounds naturally unfolded, whether it be Polly's admiration for her older siblings or Boris's time as a priest. I've found characters evolve more naturally if you don't have an arc planned out for them, similarly they respond more naturally if your flexible with their history. Granted it's something of a paradox, how can you base your actions in a situation off of your background if your background is being shaped by your current situation, but it's a paradox I've been able to work with at least. - I always aim for unique in some way just because I like seeing how the world reacts, it also makes me work at role-playing as opposed to just living out my own life in a fantasy world. Barkeeps interact with humans all the time, how will they act around an ogre? I'm an ogre, I shouldn't be reacting to the barkeep's reaction like a normal human does, how do I really feel about the situation? Generally I figbarf for a long time (Skrall), watch movies/gaming (LOL -> Polly), or listen to music (AC/DC Back in Black -> Boris) until I come up with an interesting character visually and then fill out the rest of their story from there. I came up with Polly from an LOL trailer because I thought it'd be neat to see the concept translated into the game. The issue was that she was built around the one singular idea, Evoker with a giant Panda summon and didn't really have a story of her own. I attempted to give her a story, but the more I played her, the more I realized she wasn't an adventurer, she was a lost little girl who had ran away from home and while she had potential, it wasn't her time to be a hero. From a character perspective her natural progression was to learn that Heroica wasn't for kids, especially when she still had a family who loved her and wanted the best for her. Yes the concept was cool, kid wizard fling spells with giant spirit bear guardian, but it didn't have staying power and wasn't going to get there without me pushing it there. I wouldn't say she couldn't develop into a "better" character, the time simply wasn't right for her to do so. I'm happy with Boris for now and want to start laying out more of his differences from Skrall, I don't have an end goal for him (or at least am trying not to), we'll see. I guess with a second character I'm more willing to let go if things don't work out. I've put in my time with Skrall both from a RP stand-point and a gaming stand-point, I'm willing to experiment more and see what else I enjoy.

The Rockling claps his hat back on his head before taking another drink from his tankard. "It was a Scarlet Worm, you see. The biggest one I ever saw. Nearly the size of a small barge. You see, I was minding my own business just passing the Brumpknob depot when it attacked me. I was glad to make it out of the tunnels alive, you see." "Perhaps, but they'd best try and keep their politics to themselves upstairs and not try and bring any of it down here. Can't see how they'd do it though, seems to me they're always squabbling too much to ever make a united nation on their own. No, they'll probably be invaded before they ever organize into something civilized." A few of the patrons stiffen as the golem walks inside and to the bar and the female occupant faints. The guard engaged with Ellaria puts a hand on an axe at his belt but remains seated keeping one eye on Alfred. The Rockling and the mouse-like man remain unaffected. "Well... well.... you can tell your "Master" we serve many wonderful beverages, but none for your type." Frisky Fish Tavern Menu: Mead (Causes the encouraged-effect, doubling the target's attack power for the duration of one battle.) Costs 30 gold. Mulled Wine (Causes the inspired-effect, doubling the target's current and maximum health for the duration of one battle.) Costs 55 gold. Ambrosia (Causes the reinforced-effect, double the target's defense for the duration of one battle.) Costs 65 gold. Myrrh (Causes the transcended-effect, restoring 1 ether per round to the target for the duration of one battle.) Costs 75 gold. Dwarven Ale - Has a 50% chance to give the user the Slowed & Confused-effects or the Inspired-effect. Costs 30 gold. Pickled Mushroom - Unknown Effect. Costs 25 gold The Party: Tesni Hightribe, Hero of the Northern Kingdoms Serpent Skinner (Peppermint M) *Party Leader* Human Female Beserker *Restoration* *Immune to Afraid* Level: 39 1/4 Power Bonus: 5 (+3 WP) Defense: 17 Health: 35/58 Gold: 1807 GP: 69 Equipment: Mellt (WP:10,ice- and lightning-elemental; hammer), Sir Roderick’s Shield (SP:11, Immunity to afraid), Bone Claws (WP:3, SP:2; handwear),Dragon Bone Armor (SP:4, Max. Health +2; bodywear), Barbarian's Boots (Changes “Natural Respite” job trait into “Restoration”, restoring full health after every battle; suitable for barbarians, chi monks and beast warriors). Inventory: - Fàelàn (WP:20, 4x damage to enemies weak to fire, fire-elemental longsword)), Cysgodion (WP:14, darkness-elemental; greatsword), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, light-elemental; longsword), Sharp Axe (WP: 14, fire- and ice- Elemental), Mod Rod (WP:10, causes the afraid-effect; lightning-elemental staff suitable for staff members only), Qilin Blade (WP:15, damages undead, ignores row and SP; longsword), Cryfder (WP:6), Rebel's Dagger (WP: 5) - 2 Shackles of War (prevents all fleeing, accessory), Red Dragon Plume (artifact, accessory, immunity to Weakened and Fire, suitable to Barbarians, Knights, Skirmishers, Winged Warriors), King's Crown (Headwear, protects against Doom and Petrified, Suitable for all classes), Goggles (Protects from blind-effect; accessory.) - Tiger Balm, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, 9 Venoms, 4 Deadly Venoms, 6 Meads, 4 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Soma, 2x Smoke Bomb, Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning, Mulled Wine, 5 Potions, 2x Health Core, 7 Remedies, Grating Stone, 2x Remedy, 3x Bone, Tonic, 2x Grand Potion, 2x Water Bomb, Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), 2x Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Mythril Shard, Black Pearl (worth 75 gold), Mythril, 1 Elixer Atramor Gibbin, the Fiery Champion (CallMePie) 32 year old male human Decamon Drafter Level 41 1/5 *Immune to all elements, poisoned, and doomed* *Negative effects last one round* Power: 70 Defense: 14 Health: 57/68 Ether: 47/47 Gold: 20 Equipment: Mythril Claws (WP: 30, double WP against humanoids, fire and darkness elemental, dual strike, daggers), Amulet of the Court (Negative effects last only one round on the wearer, accessory, suitable for anyone), Rat's Hide (SP: 4, backwear, suitable for anyone), Galactic Armor (SP: 6, +6 max health, immune to water, wood, lightning, fire, earth, wind, ice, light, darkness, and doomed, bodywear, suitable for anyone), Helmet of Azzurat (SP: 4, immune to poison, headwear, suitable for anyone) Inventory Weapons: Pheles Kris (WP: 20, wielder has a 1/2 chance to generate an Aura, doubling the user's maximum health but drawing all attacks to them, fire, ice, lightning, earth, wind, light, darkness elemental dagger), Robust Shield (SP: 12, shield), Silver Katana (WP: 15, longsword) Artifacts: Bracers of Insatiable Avarice (Power +2; user gains 25 Gold for every enemy he kills, handwear, suitable for hunters, berserkers, battle mages, beast warriors, dragoons, marauders, regulators, and skirmishers), Chameleon Vest (Max. Health +10, the user becomes able to absorb the last element it was damaged with; bodywear) Scrolls: Scroll of Arc Frailty (50/50 chance to inflict the fragile-effect to all enemies for ether equal to the number of enemies), Scroll of Fire Armor (50/50 chance to conjure a layer of fiery armor over the target, giving them a 50/50 chance to deal the burned by 10-effect when hit by Damage or Special Damage at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Ice Armor (50/50 chance to conjure a layer of ice armor over the target, giving them a 50/50 chance to deal the stunned-effect when hit by Damage or Special Damage at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Tongues (Grants the user the Glossolalia Job Trait. Each casting lasts for a limited amount of time and costs 10 ether) Consumables: 6 Bones, Dirt Bomb, Ether Bomb, Feather of Lithe (Makes the user nimble for three rounds), Fenghuang Incense (After being consumed, automatically revives all party members with full health once when knocked out; cannot revive targets that are already knocked out.) Fire Bomb, 2 Grand Potions, 11 Grand Tonics, Health Core, Jinxy Juice (Deals the jinxed-effect to the target), 2 Meads, Nostrum, Phoenix Essence, 3 Phoenix Incenses, Potion, 3 Remedies, Smelling Salts, Smoke Bomb, 4 Venoms, Water Bomb, 1 Elixer, 1 Remedy Tools: Decamodifier (Transforms an enemy with a quarter or less health left into a Decamon card when used, if there is a corresponding card. The monster will not drop anything if it is modified. Tool.), Flint and Steel (Handy for starting fires), Pickaxe, Shovel, Rope Decamon Deck (36): Volt Ant (Electric 1), Tweetybird (Flying 1), x2 Brains-in-a-Jar (Ethereal 2), x2 Barghest (Electric 2), Vampire Bat (Flying 3), Tangleweed (Plant 3), x2 Dune Ghoul (Rock 3), Simsalamander (Fiery 3), Sylph (Electric 3), Succubus (Fiery 4), x2 Holy Cow (Luminous 4), 2x Thunderbird (Electric 4), x2 Death's Rose (Plant 4) Shedu (Rock 5), Automaton (Electric 5), Night Mare (Dark 5), Mushroomhead (Plant 5), Unicorn (Luminous 5), Aquaphant (Aquatic 6), Electriphant (Electric 6), Cave Troll (Rock 6), Dryad (Plant 6), Sandman (Ethereal 6), Woodwose (Plant 7), Carcinos (Aquatic 8), Stone Golem (Rock 8), Storm Elemental (Electric 8), Pegasus (Luminous 8), Cloud Gigas (Electric 9), Phoenix (Fiery 9), Treant (Plant 9) Ellaria Arbour (Sandy) 24 years old female human Alchemist Level 33 *Three rolls for Mixture* *Transfer poisoned and bleeding upon being hit* *No Free Hits for 3 rounds* Power: 43 Defense: 5 Health: 38/52 Gold: 10 Equipment: Geppetto's Hammer (WP:10, wood-elemental hammer, hollow [Diluted Arc Potion (Restores 15 health to all allies)]; hammer), Rubber Gloves (For Mixture, the die is rolled three times instead of twice, and the highest two results determine the created item; suitable to alchemists; handwear.), Robe of the Magi (SP:1, suitable for mages, clerics, alchemists, chi monks, decamon drafters, necromancers, regulators, scholars and weather mages; bodywear.), Spider Helmet (SP:4, passes poisoned and bleeding effects to the enemy when the wearer is hit; headwear), Spirit Robe (Renders wearer invisible to the enemy for the first three rounds of battle so they do not take free hits; backwear) Inventory: Weapons Ignis Fatuus (WP:13, permanently poisoned by 15, fire- and lighting-elemental staff), Sylvania's Crossbow (WP:10, wood-elemental crossbow), Pan Flute (WP: 7, instrument), Wizard's Staff (WP:1, fire-, wind-, water- and earth-elemental staff), Artefacts: Ranger's Quiver (WP: +1 to bows and crossbows, suitable for rangers, beast warriors, infiltrators, and winged warriors; backwear), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max Ether +5, protects from sealing; suitable for mages, clerics, necromancers, scholars and weather mages, bodywear) Spell Items: Scroll of Inspiration (Inspired for rest of battle, 10 ether, 50/50 chance) Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Serenade of Water (Causes Water damage equal to the minstrel's level to all enemies per round for as long as the song is sung. Costs 10 ether per round. Battle Song), Ruby (Fire), Amethyst (Darkness) Consumables: 3 Potions, , 2 Grand Potions, 3 Health Cores, 4 Tonics, Diluted Arc Tonic (Restores 10 ether to all allies), 3 Grand Tonics, Ether Core, Hyper Arc Tonic (Restores full ether to all allies), Arc Elixir (Restores 60 health and 15 ether to all allies and removes negative effects.), 4 Remedies, Neutralizer, Tiger Balm, Phoenix Essences, Emergency Essence, Last Resort (Revives all allies with 1 health), Meads, 3 Smoke Bombs, Flash Bomb, 3 Fire Bombs, Ice Bomb, 2 Lightning Bombs, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Holy Bombs, Air Bomb, Aeolus Bomb, Bad Breath (Poisoned by 1-effect to all enemies), Feather of White, 1 Elixer Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Shovel Quest Items: Chief Kulbin's Letter, Lemuel Thisbeen's Ashes En Sabah Nur (Jebediahs) 31 year old male human, Mystic Knight Level 31 1/2 *Immune to Darkness, Wood, Earth*, *Converts Ether to Health*, *Reflects Ether-Based Attacks* Power: 51 (71 vs. Humanoids) Defense: 7 Health: 52/52 Ether: 36/42 Gold: 151 Equipment: Quarterstaff (WP:21/42 against humanoids, suitable for mages, clerics and necromancers ), Earthy Wooden Shield (SP:5, grants immunity to wood and earth-elemental attacks), Traveler's Cloak (SP: 1, Backwear ), Lichen Armour (The wearer’s ether is counted as additional health if health is depleted and Darkness Immunity, suitable to classes with ether, Bodywear ), Sedge Hat (+4 Ether, Headwear ), Magic Mirror (The user reflects all ether-based attacks back to the caster without getting damaged by them, Accessory ) Inventory: Weapons: Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), Sangriste Dagger (WP: 5), En, Sabah, Nur (Shurikens 3/3, WP: 5), Poisonous Rod (WP:5, causes poisoned by 5-effect; staff) Artefacts: Cobra Nemes (Absorbs poison, recovering health instead of taking damage from poisoning, suitable to clerics, mages, chi monks and necromancers, Headwear ), Medal of Glory (Allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, Accessory ), Fire Amulet (Makes physical attacks do double damage to all enemies that are weak to fire, Accessory ), Sealed Heavy Armour of Brilliance(SP:5,Immune: fragile, blinded, sealed effects, suitable for suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators, Bodywear, ), Little Jane's Muff (Mage's Muffler, Protects from sealed-effect, Accessory ), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles, Accessory ), Lock & Chain (Prevents items in the inventory from getting stolen; Accessory ) Spell Items: Garnet (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), Topaz (Lightning), Ruby (Fire), Scroll of Confusion Consumables: 5 Potions, 1 Grand Potions, Tonic, 3 Ether Cores, Milk (restores 15 health and 15 ether upon consumption), 6 Remedies, Phoenix Essence, Phoenix Incense, 2 Meads, Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), 5 Venoms, Deadly Venom, Feather of Lithe (Makes the user nimble for three rounds, giving them a 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits.), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Alfred (Nur can call his golem minion once per battle to protect him from all damage and effects for the remainder of the round.), Dysentery Bomb (Deals 105 water-elemental damage and the poisoned by 1-effect to all opponents when used.) Agni Bomb (Deals 100 fire-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), Sleep Bomb (Deals 5 damage and the asleep-effect to all opponents when used.), Gaia Bomb (Deals 100 earth-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), 1 Elixer Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass Decamon Deck: Shy Shell (Aquatic 2), Demon Ray (Aquatic 3), Will-o'-the-Wisp (Fiery 1), Barghest (Electric 2), Automaton (Electric 5), Vampire Bat (Flying 3), Specter (Icy 2), White Widow (Icy 3), Golden Scorpion (Luminous 2), Gold Golem (Luminous 6), Toxic Toad (Plant 1), Tangleweed (Plant 3), Scarab (Rock 1), Mud Frog (Rock 2), Stone Golem (Rock 8)

Germs comment finally registered in the vampire's ears, his eyes glazing over for a brief moment repeating the words quietly to himself, "'There can be no absolution apart from the spilling of the veins.' Book of Hope, stanza nine, line twenty two." Boris turned, "Enough quips Hel spawn, stand your ground and let us be finished with this business."

Ellaria and the Party listens in on the tavern and pick up a few strains of conversation. A dwarf in red tunic and uniform hunches over a newspaper. "Sheep snatching monsters? The Eubric Herald is becoming more of Tabloid every day..." At the bar, an anxious Rockling is engaged with the tavern owner. "So there I was, you see. With my back against the cavern wall you see. Though for sure that thing was going to eat me, you see." "You've been letting too much of that Dwarven Ale get to your head, Byrite. Why don't I have one of the clean up lads see you home tonight." Two dock workers are busy discussing their activities from earlier in the day. "Only six barges in three days, if this pace continues I'm going to have to take up fishing like my old man." "Well at least it beats digging in the mines, don't it?" The mouse-headed creature sits at a back table sipping on a goblet of wine and observing the room.

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Boris flings a bone at the Leader from the back row. "Everyone feel free to sit this round out. Rhyszicz, hold your action." Battle Order: Boris Na'im Germ Mhinak Nalguz Warkboofhine Rhyszicz

Skrall marks the beast type in exchange for the humanoid characteristics and moves on to fire once again at Black Sheep C from the back row.

The Party heads west, passing a variety of unremarkable houses and establishments until they come upon the Frisky Fish Tavern and duck inside.

The Dwarf gives Alfred a leery look, "I've got a few things to pick up from surplus, but I am quite capable of carrying them on my own." "There are nought but paltry smiths in Krumpknob, the best they could fashion is an ornate boat hook. Brumpknob has some of the finest smiths and artisans in the entire underground."

"Built on the trade of the metal mind you. You don't think we'd pave the streets with it." The Dwarf gives a stern look at Nur's use of the word "lovely" but nods, "You better believe I'm coming with. I can only imagine the trouble you lot would get into unattended." "Very well then, Dumora will be your guide. Stop back here on you're way back and we'll complete our arrangement. It was good meeting you all." With that the Party is ushered outside back onto the docks, Laurma smiling all the way. "I can fetch us a map for the rest of the way. In the meantime is there a/nything else you lot needed to do in Krumpknob? If you've been at the main docks and looked around here, the west side of the city is about all there is left, but not much there except for the Frisky Fish Tavern."

"Ah yes I did, I haven't had the chance to pick it up yet. Most of the mythril going out these days is spoken for, low supply and all that. If you'd be so kind to see my brother's ashes delivered, I'd be willing to part with the piece for 500 gold."

"Nalguz take a swipe at the Defender, Mhinak have Warkboofhine take a bite at the Defender, everyone else sit tight and hold your actions, we'll wait for 'em to bleed out." Boris focused on healing Nalguz from the back row as the Goblin did nothing. Battle Order: Germ Boris Nalguz Na'im Mhinak Warkboofhine Rhyszicz

Skrall looses a bolt at Black Sheep B from the back row.

Skrall swaps his current gloves for the Over-kill gloves and then fires again at Black Sheep A from the back row.

Laurma pauses for a moment. "Seems fitting, Lemuel was quite taken with Heroica the last time they were here. His remains are to be laid to rest in the Glittering in Brumpknob." "You can't be seriously considering letting them do this." "I am. Name your terms, heroes."

"You? I hardly know you, it seems unlikely that a stranger would volunteer for such a task without wanting something in return..." The Dwarf ponders for a moment, somewhat taken with Nur's savoir faire. "All the way to Brumpknob? It's quite a journey, tell me what qualifications does your Party boast?"

"Aye, a summoner of incredible power. Some heroes from a place called "Heroica" took care of him from what I've been told." The vindicator sheathes her sword. "It never was, buried in all the rubble. Any solution would be a good one, the infestation has always caused trouble travelling between the cities." Laurma holds the canister close to her as Nur notices the gem atop the container seems more decorative than the elemental gems displayed on the table across the room. "My brother's ashes thank you very much." "As I was telling you Laurma, the journey is not so perilous and there's much worse than golems in the tunnels. Your brother's ashes would be safe with me, I'd see them to the steps of the high priest of Orrik himself." "It's not that I doubt your ability Dumora, it's just if they were to be lost..."

"Miner? I come from Clan Krumpkin, we don't mine, you'll have to see one of the Frumpkin's about that. But, yes he was killed in the cave-in that sealed the cities off from the outside world. On his way out with nearly a dozen boats of Mythril." Ms. Thisbeen sighs. "They can still be found wandering the tunnels. Without a master they're pretty aimless these days, best to avoid them all the same. Every once and a while one will stumble into town and cause a ruckus." The Dwarf's eyes glow again as she grins. "Nay, I don't concern myself with simple guard duty. I'm a representative of Mythra, her voice, her judgement, a vindicator if you will and you can believe me, I've seen my fare share of fighting. Laurma, here is a good family friend."