Waterbrick Down

I'm with Chlodochar, Mist was way to eager to attack Jarni's credibility as opposed to the validity of Jarni's accusations. I'm not so much on the idea that Mist was studying this Paris figure, so much as simply exhibiting the same behavior, i.e. attempting to appear agreeable and active. That said, his assault on his accuser in addition to his rapid back-pedaling as it concerns actually throwing a stone, gives me enough confidence to Vote: Mist (Mencot) for the time being. Now Petr, must we continue these petty squabblings with such more important work to do?

In the previous battle with the servants of Loki, there we in fact two vigilantes originally working with the Einherjar, but because of everyone's assumptions the second one was considered a traitor until it was too late and he was turned to the dark side. While it is good to remember the past, especially how the veterans of that battle acted compared to when their true affiliation was revealed, to speculate any connection between the last battle and the current dealings with Loki's servants is merely a wasted exercise. "Observe first, jump second" I believe old Canute would say.

I"ll have you know Patrekr that short beards are all the rage in those things the mortals of Miðgarð are calling "movies" I hear they even made a humerous documentary about everyone's favorite hammer wielding hunk. What exactly is a quilt conscious, my dear? But yes, seems odd that Naemr should feel vulnerable amidst such cheery and amiable fellows as ourselves. Like the Puddin' Headed wench stated, Dufa is employing a valid story that he's been spouting so many times that it's practically near impossible to determine his intentions, nothin' to start sharpening axes over quite yet. Wonderful bit of repetatively statin' the obvious my good Nord any one paying attention could have seen that most of those things were harmless enough and not really worth making a fuss over.

Well that was one of the shortest quests I've ever been on I think and it was actually a pleasant change from the normal epic length ones. You've got quite a story laid out ahead of you, Endgame. I like how much time and energy you've put into setting up such spanning storyarchs, my only suggestion is to be careful how much you plan ahead and railroad. It did feel like that some of the time information was being monologued as opposed to evolving naturally in order to move the narratives forward. It's great from an authorial point of view, however it makes our decisions as players seem somewhat meaningless because, it doesn't matter which heroes are in a particular quest if our individuality isn't going to have any impact on how events turn out. For instance, what would have happened if the heroes had let Doppel go? This also relates to the investigation scene in the lab, we sort of felt forced to investigate to "learn" about everything that had gone on, it seemed very "forced". Some characters like Baradock and Skrall are just going to bust down the nearest door, it's not necessarily wrong, it's just how they go about investigating. As a suggestion, I'd allow for alternative solutions to encounters, for instance the vermin fight or Junkie fight, both of which felt somewhat unavoidable no matter what we did or say. Aside from that, the battles seemed quick, which was an encouraging change from the 7-10 round battles that are becoming too frequent in my opinion. Again, I'm sorry that Skrall decimated Doppel, but I have designed him to be a boss killer, just like Atramor or Hoke have designed their builds to fit specific niches in battle. The junkie battle was my favorite, but I will give you that the Doppel fight was the most ingenious mechanics wise, though perhaps not for this specific party. I liked Augustus and I think Skrall was able to relate to him more than Octavyn. Octavyn seemed to "dump" everything (backstory, philosophy, personality) on the party as opposed to having it slowly work its way out over time as opposed to Augustus, who was more withdrawn and portrayed his personality more through his mannerisms and perhaps lack of long speeches. One feels alive and intractable, the other feels more like a book that's been read and there isn't anything more to ask it or learn about it. Overall, you did a great job. The setting was good, the builds were alright for LDD, and the pacing was done well. Baradock: I like the direction you're going. Yes it takes a lot work to play a mute character and even though Skrall still didn't know his name by the end of the quest, I have a feeling that out of all the party, Baradock was the one he felt the most connection with. Keep going with the brash reckless ideas and muteness and I think you'll have a great character in a few quests. It'd be great to quest with you again or even host you. Yes, Skrall does come off as a little wise sometimes, but he's experienced a lot of things during his stint in Heroica as well as even before he joined. Like Guts, he's an old man reaching the end of his career but still feels the itch to go out adventuring. Karie: Skrall had a hard time relating to Karie as she seemed to have a better connection with Octavyn, Olivia, and the Syndicate then the rest of the party which made things a little awkward, but I know that was a little unavoidable. Hershey's a good addition to your character and you do an excellent job of non-verbally communicating what's going on with her as opposed to the inner monologuing that characterized your initial role-playing. I'm thankful you opened up to discussing more with Skrall towards the end of the quest, I know I deliberately took some actions (in character of course) that perhaps were contrary to her original plans and I'm glad they turned into some good discussion points. Skrall sees a little of his own daughter in Karie, and I think he's watching her react to him in the same way which saddens him a little, but he's learning to deal with people not agreeing with his methods at times. I do hope that like Baradock, Skrall has another chance to quest with Karie. Skrall: Skrall didn't have any real turning points this quest aside from maybe Doppel's last question concerning reality, but I think it served to establish more of who he is as a hero, his philosophies on life, politics, and suffering. I'm pleased with his mechanical build now so am able to focus more on his characterization.

I checked in off and on on Quest 77 and the presentation, story, and characters were top notch as always Brickdoctor. It did seem to lag at times, but as you've stated, most of that was out of your control. I think for all of us QM's the best strategy is to respond if possible even if we can't make an update, just so folks can be kept in the loop.

"It ain't an easy decision and not one I took lightly. Just because somethin' needs to be done, don't always mean yer goin' to sleep well thinkin' about it either though." Skrall watched as Karie moved over to Masson, he raised an eyebrow as he made the connection. "Doin' a little double duty yerself it would seem," the ogre mentioned quietly to himself.

"Nothin' too worryin', though next time he best check the weather report before he chooses his missions. If ya've got folks walkin' the streets like Octavyn, keep an eye on the hovels. A group of crazies broke out with a nasty supply of weaponry, probably not the best situation to have again 'round those parts."

As Skrall followed Octavyn he answered Karie, "How do ya know what's around ya is real? Ya feel it, ya see it, ya hear it, right?" Skrall mopped the rain off his face, it was harrowed and disturbed. "What if yer senses are lyin' to ya? What if yer not right in yer head and yer just followin' yer own little dellusions cooked up by yer addled mind? We all base our existence upon the one simple assumption that what we experience establishes our reality. Our senses dictate what is truth and what ain't. But ya see how easily our senses can be disturbed, how easily our reality can be brought crashing down once that one assumption is dashed to pieces? There wasn't any chance of us provin' to that sorry creature we were real any more than you or I can prove our own existence. Don't know about ya, but that's a little unsettlin' and somethin' I'd rather not think a whole lot about at this very minute. Suffice it to say, there wasn't gonna be anythin' we could do fer him and thus it was better to put a merciful end to his sufferin' than to let him keep goin' on in his deranged state and doin' who knows what harm to everyone around him."

Skrall hefted the weapon, "Seein' as how neither the barbarian nor myself can actually wield this thing, Karie, ya want to hold on to this?" Skrall tossed the smelling salts and scooped the ectoplasm in a small vial before handing them over to Baradock, "Ya can probably fetch a pretty penny for this goo if ya can find a mage willin' to buy it." The ogre placed the bottle of Jinxy Juice in his satchel, before walking over to Octavyn and Augustus. "I hate to bring an end to this happy reunion, but it is still rainin' and I ain't one for catchin' a cold. Whatever that thing was referrin' to, I'm not one fer dwellin' on it at this present time. Octavyn lead the way. Augustus, stop in at Heroica and ask fer me if ya should ever need anythin' or want someone to share a pint with, I know raisin' youngin's on yer own ain't ever an easy task and sometimes ya just need a night out."

Skrall watches Baradock quickly finish off the shard and both he and Karie charge Doppel, "We'd best take this thing down fast then." Battle Order: Skrall Octavyn Agustus Baradock Karie

Sorry, that's the Hunter's specialty, we're terrible against multiple enemies and battles that switch enemy typings frequently, but once we get going on a big bad, we're usually set.

OoC: I've been using the composite bow ever since we encountered Doppel.

OoC: Ahem. "I'm working on it." Skrall wiped the rain from his face trying to identify the creature's weakness. "Octavyn, Augusts, focus only on keepin' that shard busy. Karie, mind patchin' folks up? Baradock, can ya start healin' folks with potions, I'll pay ya back for 'em later." Skrall dug through his bag and removed the Jinxy Juice throwing it at Doppel before drawing back another arrow and loosing it at Doppel from the back row. Battle Order: Skrall Karie Octavyn Augustus Baradock

"Drat the bugger's up again. Octavyn, I think another one of those syringes are in order."

"The bugger should be going under any minute now thanks to Octavyn's knock-out drug."

OoC: Skrall should be hastened, also shouldn't Doppel be asleep? "Karie, you and Octavyn take the first one of those shards, Baradock you and Augustus take the second." Skrall downed a nostrum from the back row before firing another arrow off at the mad creature's weapon. Battle Order: Skrall Augustus Karie Baradock Octavyn

Perhaps he was cursed.

"Got it, I think we've got this handled for now at least. Octavyn, Augustus, keep that creature busy, make sure ya stay back though. Octavyn, now might be time fer one of those syringes." Battle Order: Baradock Karie Skrall Octavyn Agustus

OoC: Does Doppel's "Successful hit" also take items and scrolls into account, i.e. if either Karie targeted him with a scroll, or Octavyn with a syringe? Also, do the Doppel Shards get free hits on the round they are created? Skrall jumbled through his bag reaching for a jar of smelling salts as he dug, his hand brushed up against the bottle of minimizing dust. As the ogre downed the smelling salts from the back row he called over to Karie, "I don't think ya can make that weapon any more fragile, might not hurt to try it on the blob though. Ya know anything 'bout minimizing dust?" Skrall drew another arrow and took aim at Retribution from the back row.

Aye, but even the best of us can be drawn away by the deceptive forces of the damnable Loki. My axe is sharp and my mind set to resist the fowl influences of those who sneak among us in the shadows.

Exactly, and in the LotR vein, perhaps different races have different tolerances. I can only imagine how much ale it would take to make Skrall tipsy.

It's a quirk. Some characters are characterized through their telling of war stories, some through their interactions with a companion, some are defined by their lusts and vices. I sometimes think people portray their heroes maybe a bit too heroically. I've tried to play Skall as flawed in certain areas, not sure how well it comes out though. Not that there's anything wrong with players playing their characters as ideal versions of humanity, I just don't find that as interesting to read. Thus in this case perhaps, it's just Purpearl's vice.

"We've spent a year waiting for the Ragnarok. What's 45 more hours?"

"Seems like it can regenerate its limbs though, so either we talk it down or we need to find some way of blowin' it to little bits so it can't put itself back together. I'm all for feelin' sorry for the thing, but I got a feelin' there ain't much we can do to change it's mind about what's real and what ain't." Skrall notched another arrow and took aim for Dopple's chest.

"Why do they always run?" Skrall shouldered his bow before dashing off after the creature.