Waterbrick Down

QM Note: Fixed thanks, the multiquote button is working properly for me, so stats are a little more difficult to keep track of lately.

Round 1 of the Alleyway Battle: >Bartholomew Docken vs. Victoria Vampire Huntress - Special Damage Lord Lawrence Boomingham vs. Summoned Bat A - Critical Hit >En Sabah Nur vs. Victor Vampire Hunter - Confuse Confuse Jess Islanti vs. Victoria Vampire Huntress - Damage Summoned Bat B free hit vs. Docken (Scared) Summoned Bat C free hit vs. Boomingham Docken takes aim at the Vampire Huntress but is charmed by her otherworldly beauty and becomes enamored with her. Boomingham with saber drawn swats one of the summoned bats out of the sky as Nur takes the opportunity to confuse Victor with a bit of water magic. Jess for all her speed and agility, is unable to dodge a bolt from Victoria's crossbow and takes a hit to the shoulder. The remaining bats fly around the Party's heads but only inflict minor damage. THE BATTLE CONTINUES! The Enemies: Victor Vampire Hunter *Confused* - "Charming fellows on our own wedding night? I knew I married the right girl." Type: Undead Level: 15 Health: 200/200 Defense: 0 Special: I. Curse of the Vampir: Victor’s opponent is Cursed until the effect is remedied II. Marking the favored: Victor’s attack is tripled for 2 turns. Drop: Sword of the Vampir *Note specials alternate Victoria Vampire Huntress - "Come to me my beloved one-eyed warden." Type: Undead Level: 10 Health: 150/150 Defense: 0 Special: I. Undying gaze: Victoria’s opponent becomes enamored with her if they are of the opposite sex, until the effect is remedied. II. Marking the favored: Victoria’s attack is tripled for 2 turns. Drop: Lover’s Locket *Note Victoria’s shots ignore SP and specials alternate Summoned Bat B - "Shreek!" Type: Flying, Vermin Level: 8 Health: 28/28 Defense: 0 Special: Swarm: The Bat does 8 damage to the opponent with the lowest current health ignoring SP. Drop: Nothing Summoned Bat C - "Shreek!" Type: Flying, Vermin Level: 8 Health: 28/28 Defense: 0 Special: Swarm: The Bat does 8 damage to the opponent with the lowest current health ignoring SP. Drop: Nothing QM Note: The Cursed effect is basically the opposite of the Lucky effect, i.e. the die is rolled twice and the worse of the rolls taken, special damage being the worst. The Party: Bartholomew Docken, Level 21 Warden (Brick Doctor) *Party Leader* *Scary* *Enamored* 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) Haldor Skovgaard, Level 17.5 Shaman (Scorpiox) KO Power: 29, Health: 0/34 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 17.5 Assassin (Sisco) Power: 28 (+2) Health: 18/28(+1) Gold: 225 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 Lord Lawrence Boomingham, Level 16.5 Paladin (Zepher) Power: 27 (+3) Health: 27/32 (-6+2) Ether: 16/16 Gold: 16 (Owes 50 to Jess) Inventory: King of the Desert (Longsword) (WP: 9, Fire Darkness), Frozen Saber (WP: 9, stunned effect, Light) 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 16.5 Sorcerer (Jebediahs) *Lucky* Power: 28 Health: 25/25 (23+1) Ether: 6/20 Gold: 314 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) Party Leader, choose the order of action. All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, or if you want to use an item instead of attacking. Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone have acted.

Sorry to bring this on you guys, the original options were to either fight the vampires or let them leave. I wasn't quite expecting this third scenario to come up, but I am kind of glad it did. I'll speak more of this when the quest ends, but my QM style is to mimic everyday happenings within the context of the overarching frame of the quest's ultimate goal. Thus there will be things like an archery tournament, a fight with vampires, a side quest at an old hotel, and other events that don't necessarily relate to the quest but relate to developing Heroica as a world with events and happenings that go on whether the heroes see/are involved in them or not.

"You are not very wise for one who seems so advanced in years sir knight. Be aware that this shall be your undoing, standing in our way." With that, the vampires set upon the heroes as a flurry of brown and black wings took to the air joining in on the attack. PREPARE FOR BATTLE! The Enemies: Victor Vampire Hunter - "Quite a start to the honeymoon, no, Victoria?" Type: Undead Level: 15 Health: 200/200 Defense: 0 Special: I. Curse of the Vampir: Victor’s opponent is Cursed until the effect is remedied II. Marking the favored: Victor’s attack is tripled for 2 turns. Drop: Sword of the Vampir *Note specials alternate Victoria Vampire Huntress - "Yes not vhat I expected but I'm sure they'll taste just as good as the Hinkvell. Type: Undead Level: 10 Health: 150/150 Defense: 0 Special: I. Undying gaze: Victoria’s opponent becomes enamored with her if they are of the opposite sex, until the effect is remedied. II. Marking the favored: Victoria’s attack is tripled for 2 turns. Drop: Lover’s Locket *Note Victoria’s shots ignore SP and specials alternate Summoned Bat A - "Shreek!" Type: Flying, Vermin Level: 8 Health: 28/28 Defense: 0 Special: Swarm: The Bat does 8 damage to the opponent with the lowest current health ignoring SP. Drop: Nothing Summoned Bat B - "Shreek!" Type: Flying, Vermin Level: 8 Health: 28/28 Defense: 0 Special: Swarm: The Bat does 8 damage to the opponent with the lowest current health ignoring SP. Drop: Nothing Summoned Bat C - "Shreek!" Type: Flying, Vermin Level: 8 Health: 28/28 Defense: 0 Special: Swarm: The Bat does 8 damage to the opponent with the lowest current health ignoring SP. Drop: Nothing QM Note: The Cursed effect is basically the opposite of the Lucky effect, i.e. the die is rolled twice and the worse of the rolls taken, special damage being the worst. The Party: Bartholomew Docken, Level 21 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) Haldor Skovgaard, Level 17.5 Shaman (Scorpiox) KO Power: 29, Health: 0/34 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 17.5 Assassin (Sisco) Power: 28 (+2) Health: 28/28(+1) Gold: 225 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 Lord Lawrence Boomingham, Level 16.5 Paladin (Zepher) Power: 27 (+3) Health: 28/30 (-6) Ether: 16/16 Gold: 16 (Owes 50 to Jess) Inventory: King of the Desert (Longsword) (WP: 9, Fire Darkness), Frozen Saber (WP: 9, stunned effect, Light) 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 16.5 Sorcerer (Jebediahs) *Lucky* Power: 28 Health: 25/25 (23+1) Ether: 7/20 Gold: 314 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) Party Leader, choose the order of action. All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, or if you want to use an item instead of attacking. Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone have acted.

OoC: Arthur switched his target to Lady Leofwena last round. First knocks on the head now a sizzling magic blast. Skrall unshoulders his Heavy Crossbow and lets fly at Lord Calibor from the back row. "Luke I wouldn't mind a healin' if ya have the moment." Luke moved over and attempted to heal Skrall from the back row. Battle Order: Alexandre Skrall Isabella Arthur Luke

QM Note: The party has three options, thet may let the couple go on their way, they may attempt to stop the couple through physical force, or they may accept Haldor's offer requiring 100 Gold and reducing Haldor's blood and ether to 1 as well as instilling the Cursed effect.

Skrall regains his feet and fires off a shot from his Hunter's Crossbow from the back row at Lord Calibor, "Arthur, try and disorient the squire, I'm taking the mage out. Isabella with me, Alexandre that sword of yers should come in handy in piercing Lady Leofwena's armor. Luke keep at her." Luke repeats his attack against Lady Leofwena from the back row. Battle Order: Alexandre Skrall Isaballa Arthur Count Knyghton Luke

Skrall rubbed his head, "Ya know Ms. Toboso, I can barely see ya from back here, I don't think ya'll having any trouble if ya attack from the front."

"I am aware of this fact, my vife speaks vith haste. Ve will be satiated vith 100 gold and your blood, is this agreeable?"

"The price on the man's head is 150 Gold, quite a lot for someone vho only rigged an archery contest. If you will pay us the bounty, my husband and I vill be satisfied vith your blood and ve vill spare you, but be varned you vill bear a curse for a short time."

"Vhat and give up an ancient vampire vedding tradition? No, ve have our job and the revard will be a handsome wedding present vor our honeymoon."

Skrall rubbed his skull, "Mr. Chevalier, remind me to get one of those helmets one of these days. Ms. Tobosso, I don't think the mage can see where yer at, take him from the front row. Luke see about tryin' to trip up that excuse for a squire." Skrall stepped back continuing to nurse his aching skull as Luke physically attacked Lady Leofwena from the back row. Battle Order: Alexandre Isabella Arthur Count Knyghton Luke

"Well mates, if there were ever any doubts, I think we've cought our traitor. Arthur make sure that spell of yers hits, I'll knock him back next time round. Luke patch up Mr. Chevalier right quick." Skrall quickly unholstered his Hunter's Crossbow and fired off a shot at Lady Leofwena from the back row, before unshouldering the Heavy Crossbow from his back. Luke taking Skrall's request, heals Alexandre from the back row. Battle Order: Alexandre Skrall Arthur Isabella Count Knyghton Luke

"You're right my love, the blood of a holy man always does have a bitter aftertaste to it."

The vampiress glances at Nur speaking in a smooth tone like fine wine being poured into a goblet. "No need my good mage, we are well aware of the location of the Hinckwell's residence. Now if you will excuse my lover and I, the priest of Ennoc left a most unpleasant taste in my mouth and I wish to wash it out."

"No, my beloved and I are off to collect a bounty of sorts, quite the romantic start to the nuptials no? Now if you'll stand aside, my little lass and I will be on our way, we're getting a little hungry."

Boomingham rounds the corner, surprising the two pale individuals that are walking along the side street, causing one of them to draw his blade. "Just a couple of newly-veds off on our honey-moon hunt. The priests didn't look too kindly upon the union of tvo undead," the vampire chuckles. "Perhaps you could put a vord in vith Ennoc to be a little more tolerant."

QM Note: I'm going to assume that the Party is going to follow the Party Leader to Sem's Sensible Investments. The party makes their way through the city, the sun beginning to make it's way beneath the horizon. As they travel along they are greeted by the sound of laughter and light hearted chatter coming from a side street. "...Vell, 'tvould seem that the priests of Ennoc are not as respectvul of matrimony as they are reported to be..." Would the Party like to investigate or continue on to Sem's Sensible Investments?

"Well chaps if there ain't anythin' else I can do fer ya, I've got a stall to get back to."

I'll have you know, Skrall is wearing a very nice leather jacket made out of orc capes thank you very much.

"Let them hold their ground, no use in havin' 'em cut down too hastily, our crossbows will be the only ones doin' the work this time round."

"No need Arthur, our crossbowmen will keep her pinned down, the pikes will just make sure she doesn't try to bolt. Crossbows, fire!" Skrall directed the Lion Crossbowmen A to launch a volley at Lady Leofwena while the Imperial Pikemen A remained in position. Battle Order: Skrall Arthur Alexandre Isabella

"Archers advance, Pikemen hold yer ground and don't let her escape." The Lion Crossbowmen A advance 1 hex northwest while the Imperial Pikemen A hold their ground. Battle Order: Arthur Isabella Skrall Alexandre In order to save on troop losses I would suggest that only the crossbows and 1 group of knights attack, while the rest of us keep her surrounded until my crossbows come into position.

The strategy comes from selecting the appropriate weapon at the beginning of the battle. But I agree a system where every weapon requires one turn to switch would be a hinderence to certain classes and in order to fix it, i.e. making throwing weapons exempt or adding an item that allows for switching without losing a turn, add too much complexity. Swils does make a good point though in saying that having the ability to switch weapons does make every player a jack of all trades to some degree, i.e. one player can be super-effective against multiple enemies because they have multiple gem-enfused weapons and or a healing staff. Going at it from Swils' perspective a player could focus on being good at just one type of monster or really good at healing, maybe to solve the throwing weapon condundrum Rogues could have the ability to switch weapons without the turn loss.

For a balance issue, I would suggest that it takes 1 turn to switch artifacts. Just a personal QM preference.