Waterbrick Down

"I assume you are speaking about Mr. Szalinski, and as to how I know Rodrigo Devega, that is my own business but I can ensure you that he had nothing to do with the explosion and he certainly didn't talk to this gentleman ever in his life. Gurnam, the Sharkling, I could never figure out. How does a fish monger ever have that much money to spend? So your invistigation, I assume you've come here to arrest me or something?"

<Keep at him Vipera, stay clear of his blade in the future though.> Skrall spots Leofwena, "Pardon me Galen was it? May I have this next dance with the fine undead lady?" Skrall unsheaths the Greatsword of Lion Nobles, "Ya recognize this blade mam? This time, it's going to put ya away fer good." Skrall prepares his attack from the front row. Battle Order: Cronk Skrall Vipera Thothwick William Isabella Galen

Ensign Jack Campbell checking in, I'm off to run a security detail around the gym and recreation area.

The Party: Bartholomew Docken, Level 21.33 Warden (Brick Doctor) *Party Leader* *Scary* Power: 30 Health: 40/40 Defense: 15 Gold: 26 (50 Gold loaned to Arthur Justus Regulus VII [Flipz]) Inventory: Briar Bow (WP: 9; Wood Elemental), Mockthril Longbow (WP: 5), Mythril Shield (SP: 15), Dread Hat (enemies lower than half of wearer's Level won't attack directly), Bedroll, Mead, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Potions (5), Grand Potion (1), Soma (1), White Marksman's Hat (1/6 Assassination versus Flying Monsters), Lover's Locket (Enamored Immunity) Haldor Skovgaard, Level 17.5 Shaman (Scorpiox) Power: 30, Health: 34/34 Ether: 14/24 Gold: 115 Inventory: Heavy Metal Rod (WP:12), Lesser Ethereal Cloak (SP:+1, +3 Ether), Paper Doll (Hexed immunity) Spike Coller (+1 power), Diamond of Thoric (Light Elemental), Frying Pan (WP:1+1 health), Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion (x2), Remedy, Tonic, Mead, Venom, and a fur-lined Bedroll, Scroll of Blindness, Bear Claw Gloves (WP:7, SP:2, non-upgradable SP), Emerald Lamp of Summoning Jess Islanti, Level 18 Assassin (Sisco) Power: 29 (+2) Health: 29/29(+1) Gold: 189 Inventory: Blohdhurm (WP: 9)(Fire elemental, Permanently Poisoned), Mercutio's Dagger of Mugging (WP:5, Mug Ability +5), 2 Venoms, Mead, 1 Remedy, Sword of the Vampir (WP: 17)(User is Jinxed) Lord Lawrence Boomingham, Level 17 Paladin (Zepher) Power: 28 (+3) Health: 33/33 (-6+2) Ether: 16/17 Gold: 0 (Owes 50 to Jess, 20 to Nur, and 105 to Bartholomew) Inventory: King of the Desert (Longsword) (WP: 9, Fire Darkness), Shaduex Shield (SP: 5), Thorny Diadem (+3 to power, but -6 to maximum health) 3 Potions, Bedroll, 5 Bones, 2 Holy bombs, 2 Meads, 1 Phoenix essence, Pick-axe, 1 Jo-no Tree seed, 1 Venom, 1 Grand Tonic, Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Dress Uniform (User is encouraged for the 1st round of battle) En Sabah Nur, Level 17.5 Sorcerer (Jebediahs) *Lucky* Power: 28 Health: 26/26 (25+1) Ether: 11/21 Gold: 466 Equipped: Inventory: Stealth Dagger (WP: 12), Helmet (+1 HP), Garnet Gem (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), En, Sabah, Nur (Shurikens 3/3, WP: 5), 3 Potions, 2 Grand Tonics, 2 Phoenix Essence, 2 Remedies, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Sangriste Dagger (WP: 5), Loaded Die (Lucky effect), Frozen Saber (WP: 9, stunned effect, Light), 1 Venom Swisshopper stiffens slightly at the mention of the name. "What is your purpose here sir? I have dealt with you honestly and now you lie to me about starting up some tea shop and for what purpose, are you spies of the Temple? Some sort of fanatics for Mercutio, out to ruin me because I have achieved my sucess by my own hard work and not by offerings to your god?

Well maybe if the party just focused on doing what the Town Watch asked them to do, instead of fighting off gangs, and vampires, going to an archery competition, and worrying about rockling worker rights, the quest would go more smoothly. But you hit the nail on the head Pie on my QM style and I'll have more to say when we finish up.

<Ah, my old friend, my apologies fer not coming to yer aid sooner. I believe that the chap with the curved sword who gave that other ranger a nasty blow is paradin' around with some scales of yer kindred, would ya mind payin' him a little visit from the front?> "Now then, yer a little too close fer comfort, my hairy friend." Skrall unshoulders his Heavy Crossbow and fires off a shot at Mane from the back row. "My good Ranger, I'd suggest ya heal yerself up with a Potion if ya've got one, we'll see to the rest of the enemies fer the time bein'." Battle Order: Cronk William Skrall Vipera Thotwick Galen Isabella

Remember for every bit confusing you make quest 30, quest 28 increases two fold in its confusion.

It's always a learning experience, I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned that Arthur had a "destiny" and he shouldn't have. The same is true for all of our characters, in can be done to some extent and we all do it when we're selecting an advanced class more or less, it is just more difficult to accomplish it without it looking forced and more like a novel about your character than an organic decision that they have come to based upon their past experiences. Every character is savable, you just have to be willing to let them go where they will without utilizing a strict "he will do this, this, this, and this because that's what I always envisioned him doing" mentality. If you want to start over, there is no one stopping you and I look forward to any chacarcter you might bring into the hall as I'm certain they will always be great fun to watch.

Skrall smiled as he saw the Metasimian whom he thought was down, regain his feet. Skrall calls out around him as he has a hard time keeping track of the hidden female rogue, "Ms. Toboso, might I suggest that you keep the fellow Claws busy instead of Cronk, as your cloak should protect you from him syping you out." OoC: Missed you too.

Taking up the conversation from the Rules and Discussion topic, how does one role-play predetermined/predestined choices/directions you want your character to go? First off, should one even plan one's character's future or should you role-play a character on a situation by situation basis? The only future event/decision I ever took with Skrall was advanced class selection, I knew that he wasn't going to use ether as that was established from his background and his lack of any reason to do so from the quests he had participated upon. Even so, I let the final decision dependent upon the outcome of the final moments of quest 19, if Skrall had killed one of the NPC he would have become an Assassin, if he had killed Wren, he would have become a Warden, and as neither of those scenarios occurred, he became a Hunter consumed with tracking down Wren. That aside, I have found that it is easier to role-play now that Skrall isn't heading in a certain direction aside from what has influenced him in the past (mainly previous quests, not backstory), he has a defined personality, but I'm not waiting for other players to draw out a predetermined story from him by providing hooks, he has a life of his own now (one that I control, but not in the sense that I have everything planned out 3 quests ahead in the future). To some degree, I think we all have stories that we want to tell with our characters, we all want our characters to be the protagonist in the grand overarching story of Heroica, but we need to learn that while we all are part of this world and contribute to it in our own way, we need to be careful that we aren't trying so hard to advance our own characters story, that we forget that they are only 1 in somewhere over 100 characters (both PC's and now named NPC's) existing in a story that is advancing whether we like it or not and sorry, but that's what we kind of signed up for to some degree or another when we joined. Any other thoughts?

I'm sorry to hear that Flipz, but sometimes it can be hard if you put too much dependence upon events that may not pan out in the end, I have to agree with Zepher's style of role-playing and maybe this may be a better subject for the theatre, but it's easier to have a character that reacts to things rather than have predestined reactions already written up for the right moment. This is where role-playing is different from just writing a novel, you are dependent upon other players to not help you write your character's story, but actually write your character's story themselves. It's hard to grasp the fact, but our characters are not the lead roles and everyone else a supporting actor, that perspective is something you have to give up when you become part of Heroica. Arthur, Skrall, Cronk, Atramor, Boomingham, they are now all part of a larger story in which none of them are the main character per say, you as the player have to be willing to give up control to some extent to how your characters evolve. Now I'm not saying that it can't be done, from my read on Arthur, you've been trying to make him go down a darker path, but the opportunities to do so just aren't coming up, to some degree then you have to take on the job of getting him their yourself, you have to use the things the QM gives you and not be too dependent upon other players to draw it out of Arthur. I feel like I'm starting to ramble so I'll stop here and maybe take up the conversation in the theatre. How can you forget what we're supposed to do in quest 31? Raise the troops and burn the woods, smoke every last hiding rebel out of concealment.

"Hah, the small shards of sediment, seem a little jumpy about the loud noises, but it makes sure they stay on their feet. Is there anything else I can do for you folks."

Time for my summer mafia fix. 1) Mafia History (of course) My mafia history includes: Hinckley's Mafia School: Fabuland Housewives (Town, Killed on Night 4, Passed), Hinckley's Baritones 3 (Russian Scum, Lynched on Day 3), Rufus and Pandora's IMHOTEP (Town, Killed on Night 3). 2) What is space (in your own words) It's the key between the two 'alt' buttons right. But seriously, space is that which is commonly perceived as the absence of a presence. Therefore outer space for instance, is perceived as such due to there being a vastness of distance/volume wherein there is no occupying body of matter. 3) What is 2 + 2? Technically speaking, 2 + 2 is only a math formula as it is missing an equal sign. Straight forwardly speaking however, 2 + 2 is 4.

OoC: Since, Lady Leofwena and Lord Calibor are undead in name, are they undead in type? Also is Thotwick at 0 Health and power at 31? Skrall glances around, rubbing his eyes from the flash. Two men seem to be speaking to the group of Heroes surrounding Skrall, he hears the name of Sphinx mentioned and can only assume that the men before him repreent some of the leaders of not only the cultists but also the rebel lion knights. Trying his best to resist the magical pull upon his person, Skrall's eyes widen as he spots the resurrected bodies of Lady Leofwena and Lord Calibor. He shouts out to the familiar voice of Wren, "Thank ya mam, but as soon as I'm finished here ya know ya won't be off the hook quiet yet." Skrall turns to the rest of the heroes, "sorry, for the rushed greetin's chaps, but it looks like these fellas aren't here for tea and crumpets. Cronk if ya'd be so kind as to take care of the gentleman with the curved sword goin' by the name of Claw, I think yer shield will come in handy, I'll deal with the Pog. The rest of ya, take care not to get yerself into to much of a jam, as I suspect we're goin' to be having a bigger problem to deal with sooner than later." Skrall draws back on his Hunter's Crossbow and looses a bolt at Mane from the back row.

"Like I said, before the bosses company and money ain't what I'm paid to keep track of." The foreman replies somewhat annoyed. He cracks his whip and the distracted Rocklings jump a little, scurrying back to work. QM Note: I won't be updating for the rest of the weekend as I'll be at Brickworld for at least today, but feel free to state any other actions you'd like to do in the meantime.

"Luke, would ya mind revivin' Poletad, the Count, and Ms. Isabella?" asks Skrall as he distributed 10 gold and 1 Zoot Cookie each to Arthur, Alexandre, and Isabella respectively. "One step ahead of you, Skrall," replies Luke having already begun healing the trio for a cost of 3 Ether.

The foreman grins. "The little pieces of pummice can get unrulely some of the time, this keeps 'em in line. Besides there ain't no law in Eubric about keepin' one's employees on task with a little physical reminder. 'Sides, Rocklings don't have much of what ya call senses of touch anyways."

"I think I've got this down, Regulus. Hans if ya don't mind keepin' that beast preoccupied from the front. Luke go ahead and heal the young mage before he faints," Skrall chuckles leveling the heavy crossbow at the beast from the back row. Battle Order: Luke Arthur Alexandre Skrall Hans

"Luke, tend to the Count from behind the line of the Party, Arthur with me from the back, Hans you keep it distracted from the front." Skrall loads another bolt, winding up the tight torsion system before launching another shot at the Chaos Beast of Dastan from the back row with his Heavy Crossbow. Battle Order: Luke Count Knyghton Skrall Arthur Alexandre Hans

"What are you talking about, they work till the work is done and they're paid adequately to make the finest garments in the city. What makes you think otherwise?"

Skrall sheathes his greatsword, pulling out the Heavy Crossbow he fires off a bolt from the back row. "Luke, stay put fer the time bein'. Hans, bring that beast down from the front." Battle Order: Arthur Alexande Skrall Hans Count Knyghton

"Well, my fine sir I knew there was something special about you when you entered, is your angel out on holiday or something? I think I could reduce the price by 25 Gold seeing as how many of these items lend themselves to your heroica aura. Now then, I assume you're talking about Master Szalinski? Let me give it to you straight gentlemen, I'm a business man first and foremost. This shop has only been open 4 months and all ready we have beaten off most of our competition, efficiency gentlemen that's the way you do it. I'm what you might call an entrepreneurr and the gnome was just one of my next big bets, today it is fine linens, tomorrow it will be instant tonics and the like, you've got to stay one step ahead of the masses my good sirs. Szalinski seemed like he knew what he was doing and so I was going to buy him and the other holders out once the business was fully operational."

Now you have discovered why Gurnam was created.

Yes, you may.

Docken and Boomingham move to the front of the store, where they are greeted by Reginald Swisshopper and a Rockling clerk. "Ah, good day to you sirs. I can see from your look that your are great men of property perhaps I can intrest you in some of my wears, which I'm sure is the reason you are here." ITEMS FOR SALE: Traveler's Cloak - (SP: 1, Suitable for all classes, Backwear). Costs 75 Gold. Cloak of the Red Assassin - Lowers an assination role from 1/6 to 1/3. (Suitable for Assassins, Backwear). Costs 500 Gold. Righteous Robes - The wearer is automatically hastened, only when healing. (Suitable for Paladins, Bodywear). Costs 200 Gold. Dress Uniform - The wearer is automatically encouraged for the first round of battle. (Suitable for Knights, Bodywear). Costs 150 Gold. What would Bartholomew and Lord Boomingham like to do? Meanwhile back in the warehouse. "I don't manage the boss's money or his company, your best askin' him yourselves." "Best be quiet about the foreman, don't want any trouble with him. The pay's not much to speak of, but it's better than the rest of the Rocklings that are being pushed out of the industry."