Waterbrick Down

Skrall hands the Opal back to Arthur, "Arthur I found this from above, my guess is ya left it up there with yer staff. I'm assumin' the tracks from Russel are long gone, if there were a bunch of movements from the troops but I'll take a look." Skrall searches for tracks that could have belonged to the rogue imperial soldier.

OoC: Stat wise, I should have the great sword back from Alexandre and Arthur should have my telescope. "Hmmm... these tracks seem to be leadin' back to the capitol, ya think they we're dividin' their forces and makin' for an assault on the city?"

"Do not worry Master Chevalier, there is nothing wrong with you. Count I have been using the necromancer's staff for quite a while now and I have not felt any ill effects. Skrall and I would like to observe him for a little longer to see if his fall may have restored his sanity." Skrall shouldered the great sword and scabbard. "Glad to see ya survived by the time we got here. I think we should look fer any survivors or retreatin' tracks. If they're retreatin' they'll be headin' back to their base."

"Master Skrall, I need to talk to you in a moment," comments Luke as he heals Skrall, Alexandre, Isabella, and himself for a cost of 4 ether. Skrall and Luke take a walk away from the Party, as they walk Skrall reaches into his pack and hands his Tonic to Luke which he consumes. As he is scrounging in his satchel Skrall comes across Arthur's gems. "I almost fergot about these. Best be gettin' 'em back to Arthur, a mage without his gems is the last thing we need..." Luke stayed Skrall's hand, "Master Skrall, that is what I needed to talk to you about. Before Arthur jumped almost to his certain death I spoke with him about recognizing the evil within ourselves, the next thing I knew he was throwing himself over the battlement. I remember when I first met Arthur, he was young bursting with energy and ideas, he was kind considerate, caring, and passionate. Then came our battle with the warlock, I haven't pieced everything together yet, but something happened to Arthur then and I believe it has something to do with the gem he plied from the warlock's staff..." "Wait a second Luke, are you talkin' about some sort of possession?" "I am not completely sure yet, but until I have observed him for a longer period of time, my wish is that you would keep him from that dark gem." "Yer askin' me to directly hinder the fightin' power of this Party? Darkness magic is from what I've seen, one of the most effective weapons we've got against these rebels and if we're goin' to run into any magic leanin' cultists we're goin' to need the young mage at full strength." "I understand your wish to do your duty to Lord Leonard, but many a time I have almost lost my good friend the Count and I will not risk the soul of this youth either. His master is not here to protect and guide him, thus I have taken up the role for the time being. Please Master Skrall, I can see further and know the consequences of dealing with this magic in the long run." "I will humor for the moment Luke as your wisdom has been well displayed thus far, but if our mission is ever at risk, I will do my duty to ensure that is completed and that includes havin' our mage at full strength." Skrall and Luke walk back over to the group ready to search for any rebel survivors or tracks from retreating troops.

The Wolfgang does have a leader his name can be found on the first page of the Library topic and his photo can be found here.

I guess I'm looking at each class from a QM perspective and trying to figure out how I would deal with each class in a Party I was QMing. If there was a Marauder in the group I couldn't throw a single boss enemy because then the Marauder will attack with both weapons on the same target, and I can't send in a group of enemies because then the Marauder will attack two at a time. I agree that there is strategy to the class and I really like that, I guess there just isn't any weakness a QM could exploit directly for the class. A possible suggestion is having only 1 die roll for the attack against two different enemies as this would raise the stakes a little higher if the Marauder missed.

Now that I've finally had some time to look at the classes I can make some comments. These are provided as hopefully constructive and I am in no way an authority on how your personal classes may function so please don't take it to harsh. I will preface all of this by relating three points about class creation at least from my perspective: first, I think one of the ways that Sandy's expert classes are so great is that the classes all have aspects at which they are weak or require challenging decisions to be made and I think that is something we should consider when creating our own classes. Sure it's cool to make a super neat class with great abilities and awesome stats, but don't forget about the balance issue, including a weakness makes it much better on QM's who have a hard enough time as it is creating balanced battles. Secondly building on the first point, while we're creating a class I would encourage us to make it something unique and a complete package, don't simply make a beefed up barbarian or an upgraded rogue, create a class that has it's own persona or canon similar to how the existing classes are. Third point, remember to make a class that people would have fun playing, whether it be the role-playing aspect or stats wise, make sure there is an appeal to it. Balance these three points and I think we'll come up with some amazing expert classes. Zealot: I really like this class, I was trying to develop a slightly similar class based upon a vengeful fighting style but this one really takes the cake. While it is similar to the Cannoneer's bombardment, I like how its power is dependent upon the number of enemies and thus it can be a really good check from keeping it from becoming too powerful. Since it is similar to the Bombadier, perhaps making it a melee class would help differentiate it more. Mining Engineer: I know there are some differences from the Cannoneer but it now seems too similar more so than the Zealot from above, but hey this was before the expert classes were released, so you now know how you can make yours different but still viable. Minstrel: I can see how some people may dislike the non-combative aspect of the class, but realistically a Minstrel can definately greatly improve any Party and as long as you keep them supplied with tonics, you are all set. Even without their songs, all of the Minstrel's attacks do some sort of effect damage. This is a really cool class in my opinion and I hope people choose it later on. Dragoon: Dragon riders. But seriously, if this doesn't convince people to side with the Shadeaux I don't know what will. The concept of the dragon ignoring its dragoon at later levels is a really nice combination and really lends itself to sticking with a single class once the hit the expert level. Necromancer: I have to agree with what has been said thus far, if you run into a Necromancer that has a Lucky Die or is stocked up on Nostrum's he's going to have an army in no time. I would suggest maybe a decrease in health points or a removal of the special gaurd for the class to make it more balanced. All this should be taken with a grain of salt as we have yet to even see the class in action. Overall it is a really neat class. Cannoneer: I'll have to admit that when I heard Sandy mention a bomb specialized class, this wasn't quite what I had in mind, however now that I've seen it I really like it. I like how the class is dependent upon a consumable to be a really good asset to its team even though it has a hard time acquiring gold (taken into perspective, an average quest generates approximately 300-400 gold for a player which goes to about 60-80 bombs which if a battle lasts 5 rounds on average amounts to 12-19 battles which is over the average number of battles per quest, factoring in the upgrading of your weapon and consumables, the class is probably balanced if not, then only on the under-powered ever so slightly). Alchemist, Chi Monk, Beast Warrior: These all look like really fun classes and seem adaquately balanced and I can't wait to see them in action. Gem Master: I like the class as it is similar to one that I'm working on called an Artificer that is a support class that focuses on buffing party weapons and armor and items. Perhaps we could combine our ideas. Bounty Hunter: No problem with the name I can understand it being preliminary, I still feel though that the class doesn't have a defining quality about them except that they are just "cool" and seem to consist of a combination of cool abilities rolled into one class. I guess that may be why I have a hard time figuring out a name that fits them because they don't seem to quite have their nitch. Just my 2 gold, keep working at it I like your determination to make it a better class. Diviner: It's a good role-playing class, but I don't know if we should reward someone just because they like to play with only one element, we might as well then make a weapon specialist class and have them receive a bonus for only using 1 type of weapon. I do like the future sight thing and think if you could encorporate it more into the battle style that that would be really cool. I also know it's an ether class, but the healing aspect doesn't make much sense to me. Keep at it, it has potential. Thug: Go ahead and beef this one up more, I like the idea of a class with a fighting style that is down and dirty. Psychic: This one slightly reminds me of the Minstrel, may be some more characteristics that might differentiate it more? Engineer: I'm going to let those of you have been going at it, keep tinkering, while I like the idea I have always found it too complicated. Marauder: Looks good, I like the idea of dual wielding as it provides a semi-hastened effect. The class may be too powerful however, perhaps finding a way to include some sort of weakness would be beneficial. I understand that a player takes a risk by attacking only 1 target, but they're not losing a whole lot if that risk fails.

QM Note: Well Natnail is at the docks, maybe ( ) so I don't see the need to split the Party, but if you really want to...

I kind of get the idea that the expert classes are not necessarily meant to be upgraded advanced or basic classes, but more like a whole new base class altogether. I don't think there is anything wrong with an Assassin wanting to stay an Assassin, and I feel having two classes with the instant kill ability detracts from the uniqueness of the original advanced class. Right now the Bounty Hunter feels like a combination of Black Knight, Mage, and Assassin without offering anything really new or different. Also if the class is restricted to only dark-elemental, I feel that this is pretty similar to Zepher's Chaos defender. If the darkness elemental restriction is kept, maybe consider changing the name from Bounty Hunter to something more arcane?

Skrall reloads his Hunter's Crossbow and fires off a bolt at Rogue Lion Pikeman A from the back row as Luke attempts to heal himself again from the back row. Battle Order: Arthur Skrall Alexandre Count Knyghton Isabella Luke

QM Note: So I am slightly unsure as to what the Party wants to do. I understand that you want to split up and that one Party wants to go after Natnail, but what is the second Party's objective?

"Nay tis not a problem, keep at 'em all." Battle Order: Arthur Skrall Alexandre Isabella Count Knyghton Luke

"Yer best shot is looking for him, down at the harbor around the corner. Careful though, it's gettin' late and I'm sure yer on the up and up concerning the recent gang fighin'. Is there anything or anyone else you chaps want taken' care of, you know I'm your sharkling for the task."

Skrall grins at the mage, "Glad ya left some for us, keep the Count on his feet fer now. Luke heal yerself sod it, yer no use to us bleedin' dead on the ground." Skrall reloads his Heavy Crossbow and fires the bolt at Rogue Lion Pikeman A from the back row. "Arthur, if you can hold for a moment longer, I'll attend to your wounds moment...arily." Luke sinks to his knees as he struggles to heal himself from the back row.

Index advice maybe, but I agree with Scuba in that specific examples of role-playing need only be discussed not cataloged. In other news, I can say as a QM that if you attempt to role-play a solution to something like bartering, or diplomacy, or even fighting, then we are more than likely to reward your attempt. Often we have a set answer to a puzzle or some other problem, but if the players can figure out another solution through some good role-playing, we are generally fine with letting them do that. Two more recent examples of this I believe would be the "Dark Room" solution in Rumble Strike's Quest 32 and a sequence where Flipz had a character target a wooden block closing a gate in the middle of a battle and KOing an enemy in a single action during Brickdoctor's Quest 31. Don't expect this to always work, but I for one like seeing innovation like this, remember though there is a balance, Heroica RPG does have rules and they shouldn't be widely deviated from.

As the last of the archers go down, Skrall spies the rest of the Party in need of some assistance. "Luke keep tryin' to patch yerself up, I'll take care of those troops from up here." Skrall withdraws his Hunter's Crossbow and fires off a quarrel at the Pongcanis Longswordsman from the back row as Luke again tries to heal himself. Battle Order: Skrall Luke "No, your Party is in greater need, without fortifications they are vulnerable. weeze Besides, he is now my burden," Luke's last comment goes unheard as he summons his remaining strength and wills himself to heal Arthur from the back row.

"I know him well, he takes care of my shipments now and again."

Very well done sir, my hat goes off to you.

OoC: Skrall's miss should've been an aim leaving the crossbowman at 2 health and putting him in the back row. "Luke heal yerself up, I'll handle that last crossbowman." Skrall loads up another bolt in the Heavy Crossbow and lets loose at the Rogue Lion Crossbowman B from the back row. Luke stands in the back row and attempts to heal himself. Battle Order: Luke Skrall

"Can't say I do and I know quite a few people."

The heroes make their way to the fish market to meet up with Gurnam who they find coolly leaning on his stall's counter playing with his ever present filleting knife. "Well, well, well. What can I do fer you fine gentlemen again? Come to look at the rest of my wares have ya?" Gurnam swipes away a pound of unidentifiable fish parts off the counter and unfurls a small piece of parchment.

OoC: Does the Rogue Lion Crossbowman's special eliminate half the current health of a player or half of one's max health? "Hold on Luke, keep at that Crossbowman," shouts Skrall as he brings the Heavy Crossbow up to his shoulder and fires a bolt off at the Teuthisal Rebel Crossbowman from the back row as Luke prepares to release another spell at the Lion Crossbowman B also from the back row. Battle Order: Skrall Luke

QM Note: All right in the intrest of saving time, we'll go ahead with the next round. With Nur going alone, the dice are cast a final time Roll 1: Light Roll 2: Water Roll 3: Darkness "Well, sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose some, and others you break even, I guess. Well I must return to work, if you have any more questions see my associate since I must return to work." Nur breaks even with his bet. The Party: Bartholomew Docken, Level 21.33 Warden (Brick Doctor) *Party Leader* *Scary* Power: 30 Health: 40/40 Defense: 15 Gold: 131 (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: 29, Health: 34/34 Ether: 19/24 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) Jess Islanti, Level 18 Assassin (Sisco) Power: 29 (+2) Health: 19/29(+1) Gold: 205 Inventory: Blohdhurm (WP: 9)(Fire elemental, Permanently Poisoned), Mercutio's Dagger of Mugging (WP:5, Mug Ability +5), 2 Venoms, Mead, Smelling Salts, 1 Remedy, 1 Grand Potion, Sword of the Vampir (WP: 17)(User is Jinxed) Lord Lawrence Boomingham, Level 17 Paladin (Zepher) Power: 28 (+3) Health: 28/33 (-6+2) Ether: 16/17 Gold: 20 (Owes 50 to Jess and 20 to Nur) 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 En Sabah Nur, Level 17 Sorcerer (Jebediahs) *Lucky* Power: 28 Health: 26/26 (23+1) Ether: 3/21 Gold: 360 Equipped: Inventory: Stealth Dagger (WP: 12), Helmet (+1 HP), Garnet Gem (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), En, Sabah, Nur (Shurikens 3/3, WP: 5), 4 Potions, 2 Grand Tonics, 2 Phoenix Essence, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Sangriste Dagger (WP: 5), Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning, Loaded Die (Lucky effect), Frozen Saber (WP: 9, stunned effect, Light) What would the Party like to do?

@Brickdoctor: The Skirmisher look much better and I agree that you should amp up the shield roll a bit, the expert classes are going to be somewhat over-powered in some areas, but also somewhat useless in others, if my understanding is correct from Sandy's intentions, which is why all of this may be irrelevant when we finally get a look at them, but where's the fun in that. Keep the name Skirmisher, this is a made up world not everything has to match its real world counter-part, same goes for the special. Keep the spear/halberd requirement only, maybe add great swords but I think that is enough, also where did the loyalty aspect go, that was my favorite part. I too would like to know about that blank class sheet as it would be so useful for those of us who haven't invested hundreds of dollars for photoshop. @Flipz: The engineer is also looking much better as far as being streamlined. I know you like the "Memory Bank" skill, but it seems to me, that it makes the Construct behave like an ordinary base class that happens to have a personal cleric (sorry not too exciting to me). I would suggest either replacing "miss" with "Memory Bank" and creating a new Shield roll for the Construct, or at least replacing "miss" with something more exciting that sets iapartrt from just being a metallic version of a base class and really makes it more like a robot/machine/summon.

The knight is good in that Sentinal provides protection for its shield roll but that is where it ends. I would like to see a class where its main goal is just to defend and buff the parties defensive stats, i.e. a battle style where it can protect the party with rolls of critical hit, or hit, or miss.