Waterbrick Down

"Ah so a glacier is like an icicle is it? I'm afraid that is still not the right answer. Icicles bah, annoying little things aren't they, hanging from your nose and you can't get anyone to brush them off for you in winter time. Bah... I may not be the best judge of individuals sirs, but I'm sure your Paladin friend has seen quite a few of the answer to my riddle in his days."

Talking stone heads don't get around much, I'm surprised he even knew what a river was

"What is a glacier?"

"Tis not any of these things, but I would think a knight is more familiar with this then any of you." OoC: Yay I just noticed my name's in blue!

The stone head took a second glance at Haldor, "Well now, I wasn't quite expecting such an answer from you shirtless barbarian. Sir knight I would have expected such an answer from a Paladin like yourself. Ah well, final riddle: Head in the sky, now face to the front The sway of the brown and green sea beneath me is accompanied by the resounding roar I quiver and rush as I smash into the coat I am broken and watch as my brother is now sent to the same doom I've been sitting on this one for an age mind you, but noble chaps like yourselves shouldn't have to much trouble I imagine."

"My you chaps are dull, no it is not dreams. Even you heroes seek after this but rarely can it be found in you or so I hear."

"That would be a subject my master is very keen on, but no that is not the answer." OoC: I made sure this one couldn't be found as easily.

"Hah! Well you're certainly smarter than the last chap, he was here a full 20 minutes before he finally got it. Riddle 2: Often much of me is found among the least. I am seldom achieved but long sought after for I am banished upon the mere contemplation of myself. A little tougher this time," the stone face smirked, at least if that's what it could be called

The stone head replies to Docken, "Very well Master green hat. I've been dying to try out these three riddles for quite a while. First: Always running stays in place Has a mouth but not a face Has no lungs and yet can roar A passage-way without a door. What say you and your companions?"

I think we're trying to avoid the condition of being in the same quest that we help design, hence I'm fine with not knowing the puzzles or the plot as I would like to go the quest.

The man addressed by Boomingham simply pushes him away in a drunken stupor, he is clearly not in the mood for sharing. Docken makes his way up the steps and knocks upon the door. He is surprised to hear a "Hmphhh" from above him and glances upward. "Riddle," Speaks the strange looking face above the door. "You're here to see Balthazar aren't you? Answer a riddle first then you can go in."

QM Note: Since at least 3 of you have expressed interest in going to Balthazar's as your first or second choice, I'm going to move the quest along then. The Party makes their way to the warehouse district, attaining directions from a passerby they arrive outside Balthazar Bluehood's residence. What does the party wish to do?

No problem I'll hold off, I'll just have to think a little bit harder about creating my own puzzles.

I'll take the left overs I'm scraping for more.

Well it looks like I'm not the only one. I've considered swapping Skrall for a cleric before especially when they were so few in number, I had a female werewolf cleric in mind but never followed through with it. At one point I seriously considered dropping Skrall and taking up Ratabor Mossycloak as a PC but I think he's too ingrained as a NPC now. More recently I've thought about moving onto to playing as one of Skrall's children eventually.

QM Note: There are currently 2 votes for either Sem's investments or Balthazar's residence. I will go with either the majority vote or a definite decision from the Party Leader.

As I've previously stated, Skrall was a Ogre Robin Hood like character from an earlier comic series I had planned similar to Sandy's Princess Quest. Since there were only 2 ogre molds, there wasn't too much thought into how I designed him and the Robin Hood hat was a given. As far as personality, while I wanted to retain the Robin Hood aspect, Sandy also introduced the concept of the orcs going into slavery after the orcish wars, so that became Skrall's motivation. While his older brothers became more of the Malcom X type figures and his younger siblings more like MLK Jr. at least in political philosophy, Skrall struck out on his own to rectify the oppression of orc kind in his own way. As it seems that the topic of Orc hatred has calmed down, Skrall's family life has become more of a defining characteristic than his mistrust of the race of man.

I do have a question as to why the Evoker's shield yields a 3x WP hit in the arena as it is not so in the normal rules. I can understand if you want them to do some damage on a shield roll, but taking other classes into account i.e. Berserker and Witch for example, their shield rolls do no damage either in the Arena. Just curious, and yes I'm kind of biased at seeing Ratsbane actually due some damage Also note that I don't think Althior's special guard as a Sage was taken into account in the most recent duel as it concerns the Hex effect or did I miss something. I think also that the definition of attacking of hexed meaning that one attacks oneself is more accurate as a hexed opponent could always chose to do nothing thus nullifying the usefulness of the hex.

The Party: Bartholomew Docken, Level 20.33 Warden (Brick Doctor) *Party Leader* *Scary* Power: 29 Health: 39/39 Defense: 15 Gold: 18 (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) Haldor Skovgaard, Level 16.5 Shaman (Scorpiox) Power: 29, Health: 33/33 Ether: 19/24 Gold: 126 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, Phoenix Essence, and a fur-lined Bedroll, Scroll of Blindness Jess Islanti, Level 16.5 Assassin (Sisco) Power: 26 (+2) Health: 27/27(+1) Gold: 238 Inventory: Blohdhurm (WP: 9)(Fire elemental), Mercutio's Dagger of Mugging (WP:5, Mug Ability +5), 2 Venoms, Mead, Smelling Salts, 2 Remedies Lord Lawrence Boomingham, Level 15.5 Paladin (Zepher) Power: 27 (+3) Health: 29/29 (-6) Ether: 16/16 Gold: 5 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, 1 Grand Potion, Bedroll, 5 Bones, 2 Holy bombs, 2 Meads, 1 Nostrum, 1 Phoenix essence, Pick-axe, 1 Jo-no Tree seed En Sabah Nur, Level 15.5 Sorcerer (Jebediahs) *Lucky* Power: 27 Health: 24/24 (23+1) Ether: 20/20 Gold: 60 Equipped: Inventory: Stealth Dagger (WP: 12), Helmet (+1 HP), Loaded Die (Lucky effect),Garnet Gem (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), En, Sabah, Nur (Shurikens 3/3, WP: 5), 4 Potions, Grand Tonic, 3 Phoenix Essence, 1 Smelling Salts, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Sangriste Dagger (WP: 5)

Results of Round Two of the Battle of the Crazy Contraption: >Bartholomew Docken vs. Flaming Storage Tanks - Aim Lord Lawrence Boomingham vs. Flaming Storage Tanks - Special Guard >En Sabah Nur vs. Flaming Storage Tanks - Magnetic Mojo Mirror Damage >En Sabah Nur vs. Flaming Storage Tanks - Hit Special Damage Jess Islanti vs. Receptacle Left - Special Damage Haldor Skovgaard vs. Flaming Storage Tanks - Blood Ritual to Lord Lawrence Boomingham Right Repository free hit vs. Bartholomew Docken Docken as cool as a cucumber in the blazing heat, draws back a shot on his Briar Bow but his aim only manages to clip part of the storage tanks. Boomingham tries assaulting the storage tanks this time but is also beaten back by the flames which scorch him badly. Nur unleashes a shattering earth spell as a miniature earthquake shakes the foundations of the building. To his surprise gold (38) dislodges itself from the machine which Nur quickly scoops up and deposits into his pocket. Nur then throws an earthen shard at the blazing inferno that temporarily lessens the flames. Jess confident she can snatch the sapphire from its resting place, momentarily loses her concentration as a flurry of lightning strikes surge forth shocking each member of the party. Haldor watches as Boomingham is slowed from the constant beating of the flames and now the lightning strike. Channeling the power of Thoric, Haldor miraculously transfers energy from the flaming storage tanks directly to Boomingham restoring him to full health. Lightning from the right receptacle once again strikes Docken but only proving to be a minor annoyance compared to the raging fire and the storage tanks that are on the verge of explosion. The Battle is Lost. The Enemies: Flaming Storage Tanks - "..." Type: Mechanic, Fiery Level: 14 Health: 52/150 Defense: 0 Special: Raging Blaze: Does damage equal to the level of the attacker rounded up. Drop: Ether Core Repository Left - "..." Type: Mechanic, Electric Level: 12 Health: 24/50 Defense: 0 Special: Lightning Shock: Causes 5 damage to each Party member regardless of SP or row and Stuns the attacker for the next turn. Drop: Sapphire Repository Right - "..." Type: Mechanic, Electric Level: 12 Health: 50/50 Defense: 0 Special: Lightning Shock: Causes 5 damage to each Party member regardless of SP or row and Stuns the attacker for the next turn. Drop: Crystal Ball The Party: Bartholomew Docken, Level 20.33 Warden (Brick Doctor) *Party Leader* *Scary* Power: 29 Health: 31/39 Defense: 15 Gold: 18 (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) Haldor Skovgaard, Level 16.5 Shaman (Scorpiox) Power: 29, Health: 28/33 Ether: 24/24 Gold: 126 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, Phoenix Essence, and a fur-lined Bedroll, Scroll of Blindness Jess Islanti, Level 16.5 Assassin (Sisco) *Stunned* Power: 26 (+2) Health: 22/27(+1) Gold: 238 Inventory: Blohdhurm (WP: 9)(Fire elemental), Mercutio's Dagger of Mugging (WP:5, Mug Ability +5), 2 Venoms, Mead, Smelling Salts, 2 Remedies Lord Lawrence Boomingham, Level 15.5 Paladin (Zepher) Power: 27 (+3) Health: 29/29 (-6) Ether: 16/16 Gold: 5 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, 1 Grand Potion, Bedroll, 5 Bones, 2 Holy bombs, 2 Meads, 1 Nostrum, 1 Phoenix essence, Pick-axe, 1 Jo-no Tree seed En Sabah Nur, Level 15.5 Sorcerer (Jebediahs) *Lucky* *Hastened* Power: 27 Health: 14/24 (23+1) Ether: 20/20 Gold: 60 Equipped: Inventory: Stealth Dagger (WP: 12), Helmet (+1 HP), Loaded Die (Lucky effect),Garnet Gem (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), En, Sabah, Nur (Shurikens 3/3, WP: 5), 4 Potions, Grand Tonic, 3 Phoenix Essence, 1 Smelling Salts, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Sangriste Dagger (WP: 5) The flames resurge burning higher and higher. Even with the hole punctured in it the pressure within the storage tanks cannot escape fast enough due to the increasing temperature and the barrels explode knocking out the entire party. Szalinski is thrown half way across the hall landing in a heap. Members of the Town Watch enter with buckets and are assisted by a few hydromancers that quickly put out the fire before the entire building is burned down. The heroes slowly gain their feet caughing from exhaustion and utterly exhausted. They are greeted by a rather unhappy individual who is apparently from the Town Watch. "Well I hope your all recovering nicely because you have left me with quite a mess to clean up. But that ain't important right now. The higher ups sent me here to look into this event, witnesses tell me that Szalinski was doing just fine during his trial runs and we have reason to believe that this was no accident. Now whether we're looking at some sort of personal vendetta, assassination, or just plain corporate sabotage I have no idea. Szalinski's being treated by a couple of clerics right now, took some pretty bad burns to the face, while he's recovering I want you to look into some of his sponsors for me. See if there's someone who might have had something to gain from this disaster. Most of them were here earlier but have probably headed home by now and I don't blame them." The Town Watch lieutenant hands the party a list of names and addresses. The lieutenant turns back to the party. "Get me statements from each one of them. I'll probably be here for the next few days trying to figure out who did it and how it was done from this end with Szalinski once he recovers." The Party: Bartholomew Docken, Level 20.33 Warden (Brick Doctor) *Party Leader* *Scary* Power: 29 Health: 1/39 Defense: 15 Gold: 18 (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) Haldor Skovgaard, Level 16.5 Shaman (Scorpiox) Power: 29, Health: 9/33 Ether: 24/24 Gold: 126 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, Phoenix Essence, and a fur-lined Bedroll, Scroll of Blindness Jess Islanti, Level 16.5 Assassin (Sisco) Power: 26 (+2) Health: 1/27(+1) Gold: 238 Inventory: Blohdhurm (WP: 9)(Fire elemental), Mercutio's Dagger of Mugging (WP:5, Mug Ability +5), 2 Venoms, Mead, Smelling Salts, 2 Remedies Lord Lawrence Boomingham, Level 15.5 Paladin (Zepher) Power: 27 (+3) Health: 1/29 (-6) Ether: 16/16 Gold: 5 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, 1 Grand Potion, Bedroll, 5 Bones, 2 Holy bombs, 2 Meads, 1 Nostrum, 1 Phoenix essence, Pick-axe, 1 Jo-no Tree seed En Sabah Nur, Level 15.5 Sorcerer (Jebediahs) *Lucky* Power: 27 Health: 1/24 (23+1) Ether: 20/20 Gold: 60 Equipped: Inventory: Stealth Dagger (WP: 12), Helmet (+1 HP), Loaded Die (Lucky effect),Garnet Gem (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), En, Sabah, Nur (Shurikens 3/3, WP: 5), 4 Potions, Grand Tonic, 3 Phoenix Essence, 1 Smelling Salts, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Sangriste Dagger (WP: 5) What will the Party do?

Thanks fixed.

Results of Round One of the Battle of the Crazy Contraption: >Bartholomew Docken vs. Flaming Storage Tanks - Special Damage Lord Lawrence Boomingham vs. Receptacle Left - Damage En Sabah Nur consumes Smelling Salts >En Sabah Nur vs. Flaming Storage Tanks - Mirror Damage Mirror Damage Jess Islanti vs. Receptacle Left - Hit (No Assassination) Haldor Skovgaard vs. Flaming Storage Tanks - Meditate Right Repository free hit vs. Bartholomew Docken As the heroes approach the blazing machine the flames roar scorching Docken, fortunately he is able to shield himself from the majority of the fire taking only 1 damage. Boomingham, sword raised is blown backward as lightning from the left receptical surges forward attracted by his shield dealing him 6 damage. Nur quickly downs a Smelling Salts and attempts an earthen spell at the storage tanks but is beaten back and scorched by the flames for 5 damage, his wards however quickly come to his rescue as a miniature dust devil collides with the tanks lowering the level of the flames. Jess runs in avoiding the lightning strikes with great agility and slices a chunk out of the left receptacle. Haldor takes the opportunity to meditate although he already has full ether. The fire continues to burn and the Party has 1 more round to dismantle the flaming storage tanks before they burst. Lightning struck out at Docken from the right repository but his mytheralized shield blocked most of it. The Enemies: Flaming Storage Tanks - "..." Type: Mechanic, Fiery Level: 14 Health: 145/150 Defense: 0 Special: Raging Blaze: Does damage equal to the level of the attacker rounded up. Drop: Ether Core Repository Left - "..." Type: Mechanic, Electric Level: 12 Health: 24/50 Defense: 0 Special: Lightning Shock: Causes 5 damage to each Party member regardless of SP or row and Stuns the attacker for the next turn. Drop: Sapphire Repository Right - "..." Type: Mechanic, Electric Level: 12 Health: 50/50 Defense: 0 Special: Lightning Shock: Causes 5 damage to each Party member regardless of SP or row and Stuns the attacker for the next turn. Drop: Crystal Ball The Party: Bartholomew Docken, Level 20.33 Warden (Brick Doctor) *Party Leader* *Scary* Power: 29 Health: 37/39 Defense: 15 Gold: 18 (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) Haldor Skovgaard, Level 16.5 Shaman (Scorpiox) Power: 29, Health: 33/33 Ether: 24/24 Gold: 126 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, Phoenix Essence, and a fur-lined Bedroll, Scroll of Blindness Jess Islanti, Level 16.5 Assassin (Sisco) Power: 26 (+2) Health: 27/27(+1) Gold: 238 Inventory: Blohdhurm (WP: 9)(Fire elemental), Mercutio's Dagger of Mugging (WP:5, Mug Ability +5), 2 Venoms, Mead, Smelling Salts, 2 Remedies Lord Lawrence Boomingham, Level 15.5 Paladin (Zepher) Power: 27 (+3) Health: 22/29 (-6) Ether: 16/16 Gold: 5 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, 1 Grand Potion, Bedroll, 5 Bones, 2 Holy bombs, 2 Meads, 1 Nostrum, 1 Phoenix essence, Pick-axe, 1 Jo-no Tree seed En Sabah Nur, Level 15.5 Sorcerer (Jebediahs) *Lucky* *Hastened* Power: 27 Health: 19/24 (23+1) Ether: 20/20 Gold: 22 Equipped: Inventory: Stealth Dagger (WP: 12), Helmet (+1 HP), Loaded Die (Lucky effect),Garnet Gem (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), En, Sabah, Nur (Shurikens 3/3, WP: 5), 4 Potions, Grand Tonic, 3 Phoenix Essence, 2 Smelling Salts, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Sangriste Dagger (WP: 5) 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. QM Note: The repositories will be deactivated upon the dismantling of the tanks; the Party will not receive the drops from them if this occurs. Also note that if the tanks are not dismantled in 1 round they will explode KO’ing the party (this will not result in the failure of the quest).

Point taken So I guess it's just the 10-15 level range which feels a little unbalanced.