Waterbrick Down

"Dirt, mud, and a despicable odor. Took me half the day and a cheap hydromancer to get the boards clean."

I have mixed feelings about this but I think that it's probably for the best. For strategy's sake I would say that it affects monsters during the next round giving heroes a chance to plan ahead, but for balancing sake I agree that it should only affect the first roll of Damage or Special damage, or Free Hit. As long as it goes into effect during the next round I'm happy. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said it's essentially a Sentinel that collects gold, but let's wait and see what our resident Sorcerer will say though.

This just struck me for a QM'ing idea for anyone who wants to deal with people who hoard gold or consumables: make it so that if they have over a certain amount they become slowed.Is that 1000 gold you just raked in? I'm sorry, but you'll have to fight with one hand holding up your trousers, so you can't move about as fast.

"I'm puttin' in heavy hitter's first, I want Hoke's and Nyx's attack bein' used to their fullest potentials. If they don't finish him off, ya'll still have yer chance to rake in some gold more gold. 'sides if yer pockets get any heavier with gold, yer going to find yerself bein' slowed."

While special guard is handy, it should be remembered that it only helps against negative effects. If you see a petrifying special damage, you can be darn sure that Tricorne's coming off fast.

And there in lies the challenge of good QMing, allowing each class to shine and make use of its advantages without allowing it to become too overpowered that it makes battles a walk in the park.

OoC: Actually I did get a critical hit in round 1, which I just noticed was calculated almost correctly except you forgot to factor in the Hunter's Quiver, you just need to drop Chaos Beast B's health by 4 and you should be good.

"Yes, I'm sure it was your company... well you won't be getting anymore price cuts from me for the time being. Now as to this cape, Spinnetus or something like that wasn't it? Yes, Graphetus, dropped that cloak off about a week ago with the priest. Wrong cloak you say? Now let me see, there was another cloak in here around that time as well, someone had turned it in to the drop box with a note about 2 weeks back. I didn't get a chance to see who picked it up though, he came in picked up the cloak and dropped the gold off on the counter while I was in the back. I do remember he made a horrid mess of my floors though."

Why do I have this nagging feeling that we're going to be splitting up and going after these spires. Besides who keeps doors to chaos slightly open anyways, it's like leaving the faucet running just a little bit. Eventually the tub's going to overflow and the whole house is going to flood.

OoC: Ah now I get how the City Guard works, for some reason I thought they had a sentinel type action. Also, I don't know if you calculate hits by the power stat, but mine is wrong, it should be 35. Skrall reeled back as the Chaos Beast swung its ax at him, however his heavy armor had absorbed most of the blow. "Not a bad investment after all," he thought to himself. "Atramor, pull out that flail of yers and hit that master beast. All spell casters focus yer fire on the master, the rest of us will take care of his companions. Cronk, you cover the casters and go for the master as well from the front. Hans, you take that second to last one from the front as well. The rest of ya, let's finish off that last demon, Bennetton, Triad, yer with me, but use that blade of yers from the front row." <Poletad, keep mendin' Dyric's wounds like ya just did.> "McColt, keep on at Hoke, ya'll encourage him yet." Skrall depressed another bolt into his crossbow's firing groove and shot Chaos Beast E from the back row. Battle Order: Dyric Atramor Hoke Nyx Arthur Alexis Cronk Alexis Skrall Hans Thothwick Captain Bennetton Poletad

Welcome to my world of Quest 28, I swore never to take a sorcerer ever again.

QM Note: Finally saw the Hobbit, if that's not inspiration for any quest I don't know what is. Party: Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) *Party Leader* Level 20.33 Paladin *Immune to Fragile* Power: 38 Defense: 12 Health: 42/42 Ether: 13/14 Gold: 81 (Owe 50 to Docken, 79 to Arthur) Equipment: Scupperer (Great-sword, WP: 10, Darkness, Causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (+4 to Power, -6 to Ether), Counterstrike Gloves (On Free Hits, Deals damage to enemy equal to Boomingham's level), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immunity to Fragile) Inventory: Frozen Saber (Great-sword, WP: 9, stunned effect, Light), Bedroll, 4 Bones, 3 Meads, 1 Phoenix essence, Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Marksman's Monocle, Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile for rest of battle, 5 ether, 50/50 chance) Ruby, Garnet, Opal, 2 Potions Ellaria Arbour (Sandy) 22 years old female human Druid Level 18; *Immune to Sealing* Power: 31 (17+10+3) (27 for ranged attacks (17+6+3)) Health: 31/33 (9+16+7) Ether: 25/25 (5+16+1+2) Gold: 11 Equipment: Sylvania's Crossbow (WP:6, wood-elemental crossbow), Mage's Muffler (protects from sealing) Black Bandana (Power +3, pirate lingo) Inventory: Ignis Fatuus (WP:10, fire-elemental staff), Topaz (Lightning), Potion, 2 Grand Potions, 2 Grand Tonics, Elixir, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Venom, Smelling Salts, 2 Smoke Bombs, Flash Bomb, 2 Fire Bombs, 2 Ice Bombs, 2 Lightning Bombs, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Holy Bombs, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Bone, Scroll of Inspiration (Inspired for rest of battle, 10 ether, 50/50 chance) William Harkenshire (VolcanicPanik) Level 16 Warden Power: 27 Defense: 8 Health: 31/31 Gold: 0 Equipment: Croise Crossbow (WP: 11), Chimera Armor (Torsowear, Suitable for Knights and Barbarians, +2 SP, +2 Health), Pauldrons (SP +2, suitable to Knights, Dragoons and Skirmishers; accessory), Lion Knight Shield (SP: 4, suitable for Knights) Inventory: Repeating Crossbow (WP: 5 May not be upgraded; Fire; Hastened), Hand Cannon (WP: 5; Lightning, Wood), Amulet of the Elven Horse Rider (Power +1 on the front row, doubles movement), Sapphire, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Mead, Smelling Salts, Pickaxe, Skeleton Decoy, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, Elven Bomb, Bomb XX, Wave Sword (WP: 11; Cursed Effect), Fire Bomb, Water Bomb, Amethyst, Grating Stone The Party enters the shop where they are greeted by a rather flustered Swisshopper. "Well now, if it hasn't been quite a while my good Paladin. Come to terrorize my shop again have you? What false pretenses bring you here this time? Don't think that your dismissing the rabble outside has won you back into my good graces." The business man turned to Ellaria and William, "Please don't allow this little spat to discourage you from taking a look at our wares, you'll be hard pressed to find better anywhere else in the city, no matter what those Rocklings outside had to say." Traveler's Cloak - (SP: 1, Suitable for all classes, Back ware). Costs 30 Gold. Cloak of Deception - (Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent, back ware). Costs 75 Gold. Cloak of the Red Assassin - Lowers an assination role from 1/6 to 1/3. (Suitable for Assassins, Back ware). Costs 500 Gold. Righteous Robes - The wearer is automatically hastened, only when healing. (Suitable for Paladins, Body ware). Costs 200 Gold. Dress Uniform - The wearer is automatically encouraged for the first round of battle. (Suitable for Knights, Body ware). Costs 150 Gold.

"Cronk, can you and Hans keep that Chaos Beast A spinnin' from the front. Triad fetch that blade of yers. Captain go fer their Master from the front. McColt try encouragin' Hoke." <Poletad, take Dyric and make sure ya heal him from the back row.> [/i]Skrall let loose another bolt at Chaos Beast B from the back[/i]. "Ya hunk of sticky black glue don't much independent thinkin' do ya? It's go here, kill that, blah, blah, ever think of goin' out on yer own?" Battle Order: Bennetton Arthur Dyric Hans Triad Alexis Hoke Nyx Atramor Skrall Thothwick Cronk Haldor Poletad

"Cronk keep Alexis covered, go after that last Chaos beast with that shiny sword of yers from the front. Hans and Triad go with him and stay to the front and back of the Party respectively. Captain, Gnash help Dyric out with that second to last Chaos Beast from the front. Regulus we'll talk coin after this battle. McColt see if ya can encourage Ms. Nyx." <Poletad, hang back and the first one that takes damage make sure ya heal them back row.> Battle Order: Arthur Dyric Hans Triad Alexis Hoke Nyx Atramor Skrall Captain Bennetton Gnash Thothwick Cronk Haldor Poletad

"Dyric, yer chances in assassinatin' their master is nill, try targettin' one of the others."

OoC: Thanks, I don't know how I missed that earlier. Also Poletad's special is still missing though.

The Rocklings have hobbled away, black ooze staining the cobblestones where they earlier lay. The crowd has started to disperse as most of the action is over.

OoC: I'm assuming the NPC's are being controlled by CM, also do they have specials? "Most I've ever seen at once was three, seems like they've learned their lesson from last time though." Unholstering his crossbow Skrall set a bolt in the weapon and hefted it at Chaos Beast B from the back row. "It's been a while black beasties. Yer Mistress didn't want to come out and play?"

No, advanced classes can use them as well, I forgot about expert classes though, I'll go make that modification.

QM Note: Auto-playing if no one objects. Results of Round 14 of the Rockling Riot Battle: Boomingham vs. Sedimentus - Hit (Sedimentus: 85 health-(38 dmg)= 47 health) >William vs. Gulk - Aim (Gulk: 98 health-(11 dmg)=87 health) >Ellaria vs. Gulk - Aim (Gulk: 87 health-(6x2=12 dmg)=75 health) Metamortus - Free hit vs. Boomingham (Boomingham: 34 health+12SP-(20=8 dmg)= 26 health) Boomingham - Counterstrike vs. Metamortus (Metamortus: 30 health-(20 dmg)=10 health) Gulk - Bleeding (Gulk: 75 health-(5 dmg)=70 health) Sedimentus - Bleeding (Sedimentus: 47 health-(5 dmg)=42 health) The Party continues to rain down hits upon the Rocklings who begin to visibly start to become drained from their wounds. The battle continues! Enemies: Sedimentus *Bleeding* Type: Rock Level: 25 Health: 42/200 SP: 0 Special: Rock an’ Roll: Bashes the opponent for 10 damage regardless of row and SP and stuns the opponent next in the battle order. Drops: Potion, 20 Gold Metamortus Type: Rock Level: 20 Health: 10/150 SP: 0 Special I: Inspiring Oratory - All allies’ current health is doubled for the remainder of the battle. Special II: Solid as a Rock - Gains 10 SP for the current and next 3 rounds, does not stack. Used only if allies are already inspired. Drops: Scroll of Inspiration, 20 Gold Gulk *Slowed* *Bleeding* Type: Rock Level: 28 Health: 70/300 SP: 7 Special I. Between a Rock and a Hard Place -Takes any hit directed at an ally during the next round. Special II. On the Rocks - If an opponent rolls damage the next round, Gulk delivers the hit. Drops: Grating Stone Note: Specials alternate. Gulk is slowed and can only give free hits every other turn (on odd turns). Party: Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) *Party Leader* Level 20 Paladin *Immune to Fragile* Power: 38 Defense: 12 Health: 26/42 Ether: 14/14 Gold: 21 (Owe 50 to Docken, 79 to Arthur) Equipment: Scupperer (Great-sword, WP: 10, Darkness, Causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (+4 to Power, -6 to Ether), Counterstrike Gloves (On Free Hits, Deals damage to enemy equal to Boomingham's level), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immunity to Fragile) Inventory: Frozen Saber (Great-sword, WP: 9, stunned effect, Light), Bedroll, 4 Bones, 3 Meads, 1 Phoenix essence, Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Marksman's Monocle, Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile for rest of battle, 5 ether, 50/50 chance) Ruby, Garnet, Opal Ellaria Arbour (Sandy) 22 years old female human Druid Level 17.5 ; *Immune to Sealing* Power: 30 (17+10+3) (26 for ranged attacks (17+6+3)) Health: 30/32 (9+16+7) Ether: 24/24 (5+16+1+2) Gold: 11 Equipment: Sylvania's Crossbow (WP:6, wood-elemental crossbow), Mage's Muffler (protects from sealing) Black Bandana (Power +3, pirate lingo) Inventory: Ignis Fatuus (WP:10, fire-elemental staff), Topaz (Lightning), Potion, 2 Grand Potions, 2 Grand Tonics, Elixir, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Venom, Smelling Salts, 2 Smoke Bombs, Flash Bomb, 2 Fire Bombs, 2 Ice Bombs, 2 Lightning Bombs, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Holy Bombs, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Bone William Harkenshire (VolcanicPanik) Level 15.5 Warden Power: 26 Defense: 8 Health: 30/30 Gold: 0 Equipment: Croise Crossbow (WP: 11), Chimera Armor (Torsowear, Suitable for Knights and Barbarians, +2 SP, +2 Health), Pauldrons (SP +2, suitable to Knights, Dragoons and Skirmishers; accessory), Lion Knight Shield (SP: 4, suitable for Knights) Inventory: Repeating Crossbow (WP: 5 May not be upgraded; Fire; Hastened), Hand Cannon (WP: 5; Lightning, Wood), Amulet of the Elven Horse Rider (Power +1 on the front row, doubles movement), Sapphire, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Mead, Smelling Salts, Pickaxe, Skeleton Decoy, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, Elven Bomb, Bomb XX, Wave Sword (WP: 11; Cursed Effect), Fire Bomb, Water Bomb, Amethyst Results of Round 15 of the Rockling Riot Battle: Boomingham vs. Sedimentus - Critical Hit (Sedimentus: 85 health-(10x2=20+20+8=48 dmg)= 0 health) >William vs. Gulk - Aura >Ellaria vs. Gulk - Special Damage (Gulk Special II) Metamortus - Free hit vs. Boomingham (Boomingham: 26 health+12SP-(20=8 dmg)= 18 health) Boomingham - Counterstrike vs. Metamortus (Metamortus: 10 health-(20 dmg)=0 health) Gulk - Bleeding (Gulk: 70 health-(5 dmg)=65 health) Two of the Rocklings fall and all but the giant remains, as victory is at last within sight. The battle continues! Enemies: Gulk *Slowed* *Bleeding* Type: Rock Level: 28 Health: 65/300 SP: 7 Special I. Between a Rock and a Hard Place -Takes any hit directed at an ally during the next round. Special II. On the Rocks - If an opponent rolls damage the next round, Gulk delivers the hit. Drops: Grating Stone Note: Specials alternate. Gulk is slowed and can only give free hits every other turn (on odd turns). Party: Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) *Party Leader* Level 20 Paladin *Immune to Fragile* Power: 38 Defense: 12 Health: 18/42 Ether: 14/14 Gold: 21 (Owe 50 to Docken, 79 to Arthur) Equipment: Scupperer (Great-sword, WP: 10, Darkness, Causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (+4 to Power, -6 to Ether), Counterstrike Gloves (On Free Hits, Deals damage to enemy equal to Boomingham's level), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immunity to Fragile) Inventory: Frozen Saber (Great-sword, WP: 9, stunned effect, Light), Bedroll, 4 Bones, 3 Meads, 1 Phoenix essence, Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Marksman's Monocle, Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile for rest of battle, 5 ether, 50/50 chance) Ruby, Garnet, Opal Ellaria Arbour (Sandy) 22 years old female human Druid Level 17.5 ; *Immune to Sealing* Power: 30 (17+10+3) (26 for ranged attacks (17+6+3)) Health: 30/32 (9+16+7) Ether: 24/24 (5+16+1+2) Gold: 11 Equipment: Sylvania's Crossbow (WP:6, wood-elemental crossbow), Mage's Muffler (protects from sealing) Black Bandana (Power +3, pirate lingo) Inventory: Ignis Fatuus (WP:10, fire-elemental staff), Topaz (Lightning), Potion, 2 Grand Potions, 2 Grand Tonics, Elixir, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Venom, Smelling Salts, 2 Smoke Bombs, Flash Bomb, 2 Fire Bombs, 2 Ice Bombs, 2 Lightning Bombs, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Holy Bombs, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Bone William Harkenshire (VolcanicPanik) *Aura* Level 15.5 Warden Power: 26 Defense: 8 Health: 60/30 Gold: 0 Equipment: Croise Crossbow (WP: 11), Chimera Armor (Torsowear, Suitable for Knights and Barbarians, +2 SP, +2 Health), Pauldrons (SP +2, suitable to Knights, Dragoons and Skirmishers; accessory), Lion Knight Shield (SP: 4, suitable for Knights) Inventory: Repeating Crossbow (WP: 5 May not be upgraded; Fire; Hastened), Hand Cannon (WP: 5; Lightning, Wood), Amulet of the Elven Horse Rider (Power +1 on the front row, doubles movement), Sapphire, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Mead, Smelling Salts, Pickaxe, Skeleton Decoy, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, Elven Bomb, Bomb XX, Wave Sword (WP: 11; Cursed Effect), Fire Bomb, Water Bomb, Amethyst Results of Round 16 of the Rockling Riot Battle: Boomingham vs. Gulk - Critical Hit (Gulk: 65 health-(10x2=20+20+8=48 dmg)=17 health) >William vs. Gulk - Critical Hit (Gulk: 17 health-(11x2=22+15=37 dmg)=0 health) >Ellaria vs. Gulk - Hit Boomingham and William end the fight with two tremendous strikes that send the large rockling tumbling to the ground. The battle is victorious! Party: Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) *Party Leader* Level 20.33 Paladin *Immune to Fragile* Power: 38 Defense: 12 Health: 18/42 Ether: 14/14 Gold: 21 (Owe 50 to Docken, 79 to Arthur) Equipment: Scupperer (Great-sword, WP: 10, Darkness, Causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (+4 to Power, -6 to Ether), Counterstrike Gloves (On Free Hits, Deals damage to enemy equal to Boomingham's level), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immunity to Fragile) Inventory: Frozen Saber (Great-sword, WP: 9, stunned effect, Light), Bedroll, 4 Bones, 3 Meads, 1 Phoenix essence, Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Marksman's Monocle, Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile for rest of battle, 5 ether, 50/50 chance) Ruby, Garnet, Opal Ellaria Arbour (Sandy) 22 years old female human Druid Level 18; *Immune to Sealing* Power: 31 (17+10+3) (27 for ranged attacks (17+6+3)) Health: 31/33 (9+16+7) Ether: 25/25 (5+16+1+2) Gold: 11 Equipment: Sylvania's Crossbow (WP:6, wood-elemental crossbow), Mage's Muffler (protects from sealing) Black Bandana (Power +3, pirate lingo) Inventory: Ignis Fatuus (WP:10, fire-elemental staff), Topaz (Lightning), Potion, 2 Grand Potions, 2 Grand Tonics, Elixir, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Venom, Smelling Salts, 2 Smoke Bombs, Flash Bomb, 2 Fire Bombs, 2 Ice Bombs, 2 Lightning Bombs, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Holy Bombs, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Bone William Harkenshire (VolcanicPanik) Level 16 Warden Power: 27 Defense: 8 Health: 31/31 Gold: 0 Equipment: Croise Crossbow (WP: 11), Chimera Armor (Torsowear, Suitable for Knights and Barbarians, +2 SP, +2 Health), Pauldrons (SP +2, suitable to Knights, Dragoons and Skirmishers; accessory), Lion Knight Shield (SP: 4, suitable for Knights) Inventory: Repeating Crossbow (WP: 5 May not be upgraded; Fire; Hastened), Hand Cannon (WP: 5; Lightning, Wood), Amulet of the Elven Horse Rider (Power +1 on the front row, doubles movement), Sapphire, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Mead, Smelling Salts, Pickaxe, Skeleton Decoy, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, Elven Bomb, Bomb XX, Wave Sword (WP: 11; Cursed Effect), Fire Bomb, Water Bomb, Amethyst Loot: 60 Gold 2x Potions - Restore 10 health upon consumption Scroll of Inspiration - Enables casting the inspired-effect to the target, doubling their current and maximum health for the remainder of the battle. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 10 ether. Usable only by mages, clerics, Necromancers, Chi Monks, and Minstrels. Grating Stone - Permanently increase WP of any weapon by 1. Party leader, please divide the loot.

Skrall's spelling needs just a little work, but Arthur's Froglish is just awful period. I smiled though, good addition.

"I'd do it gladly Ms. Nyx." Skrall chuckled at Arthur's attempt at Froglish, "Regulus, ya croaked when ya should have whistled, remember always end yer questions with a guttural booming sound!" Skrall finished communicating the message as the door burst open. A pog raced into the room, Skrall watched as a small unknown ball of brown fur leaped at the bomb toting scoundrel. Before he even had time to reach for his crossbow it was over. The explosion, the shedding of tears, Wren's biting intrusion to his thoughts, and now the decision to make for Triad park. He slowly let his hand off his side, nodded at Felton's decision to hold down the fort on their end and brought up the rear of the party as they headed out.

Well if someone decided to read the hall topic, they would have seen the sword and sandals for sale at least 3 weeks ago.

QM Note: I'll start auto-playing tomorrow, I'd like to see the battle finish up as well. Christmas vacation just started, I'm finished moving, and everything is settling down so I finally have the time to put into this rather than just 24hr updates. We'll get things moving faster shortly.

"Ms. Nyx, Sir Poletad bids me tell ya that he's delighted to see ya again and hopes you are successful in blowin' the baddies out of the water." Skrall accepted the map, "Thanks, I'm sure it'll come in handy." As the Party continued down the street Skrall kept his comments and thoughts to himself. The world was becoming to complicated for an ogre like himself. Chaos, summoning of gods, truth, right, wrong, it was all becoming only words that learned men tossed back and forth at each other in an attempt to be remembered for a longer period of time in the history books. He had tried partaking in that world and found it empty. He had attempted to then slake his unsatisfaction with the thrill of the hunt but that too proved vanity. There was nothing left it had seemed, he barely knew why he had decided to take up arms this one last time to face down Wren. Perhaps it was a desire to return to simpler times, a time when heroes fought those who other people called villains and that was it. They didn't care why they did it, the just did it because that was what you did. As the heroes entered the office, Skrall nodded in agreement with Cronk before replying to the Town watchman, "Yes I was that ogre and yes there were those among our organization who have failed to accomplish our past tasks adequately, but these strange times can make for even stranger alliances and evil of this degree can make bedfellows of even those whom we are in conflict with the most."