Chromeknight

I don't have a phoenix essence (being the poor cleric I am) can someone else revive Amorith? Pehaps Octavian should target the head guard this turn Lord Boomingham? Nerwen heals Octavian.

So, by the odds next round, everyone rolls a shield? :)

Respectfully, Lord Boomingham, shouldn't Octavian's inhuman rage be directed at the strongest target? After speaking Nerwen begins chanting under her breath in elvish, summoning the power to heal herself.

sorry guys, thought I had posted my action. Nerwen lifts her hammer to strike at the guard. Landing a solid strike she turns to see the rest of the party not fareing as well. Since her roll was to preserve the vitality of her quest mates she calls on the power of Celebryon and heals Sarick from the back row.

500 years! No wonder it's in sepia then! Colour hadn't been invented yet! And just so it's not an entirely OT post. Come on Lord Boomingham! Show that second guard a good time!

Nerwen gestures at Guard A, suggesting he should try his luck. Nerwen attacks guard A from the back row. In the special I think you mean anarchic = crazy/unpredictable, rather than archaic = old. If you do mean the latter, don't forget that Boomingham and I trained in combat a long time ago and might not be as easily wrong footed by style. Also just confirming, If I suffer a special damage, my skill has a chance of blocking the confusion and damage or only the confusion?

Nerwen was a little disoriented by the sudden shift in perspective. The discolouration stung her eyes for a moment. Now they were clearly somewhen else and rudely addressed by the strangers. But perhaps rudeness was fair, after all they had been the ones appearing... With a flick of her head, Nerwen's hair now covered her ears, the only overt indicator of her race. She wasn't sure what attitude the two before them might have towards elves, but considered it prudent not to give any reason for offence or misunderstanding. As for speaking to the strangers, she waited for the party leader the tag-a-long barbarian/wizard and the diplomat to speak. Although she was growing concerned that this was the second quest that she had been thrust into with only sketchy information about their goals and expected methods.

I am also prepared to remain behind. I do not fear that the party will be left short of healing power as both Lord Boomingham and Mistress Nyx seem well equipped on that score.

Nerwen joined the group for the trip out to the manor. Since the trip was so brief she did not get much chance for conversation. but she was aware of the tension between herself and the naga. She caught the elven mage glancing her way several times but couldn't yet discern his intent. As for the other two party members, the young girl carried herself with an air of confidence and purposefulness that Nerwen found slightly intimidating. An uncomfortable feeling indeed given she seemed better than two centuries younger. The last hero, a bulky paladin hummed snatches of an old tune under his breath. A song Nerwen had not heard for a long time. It jogged a memory, but recalling it would have to wait for her next meditation. The discussion by the brothers illuminated more of what was required, but the sudden appearance of the assassin was shocking. More so since Nerwen had been reading a book during her spare time at the hall that feature just such black clad killers. They struck only at night, but this one boldly acted in the day. Now she waited for the other heroes to respond to Ignatious' request for a bodyguard, and Sarick's choice. Stats all good!

Ah, but as far as I know, she's not a Brobric elf...

Same for me. The more interesting choices were race(species?) and gender. I knew females were underrepresented and there were few elves about so, that was my pick. To answer the follow up question, I don't have either backstory or character progression planned. In some ways I'm also still meeting Nerwen. The parts of RPGs that I like are the interactions and reactions to situations. I don't want to be too tied down by preconcieved ideas. I do know so far that she's travelled a bit, speaks orcish and has worked in an Orc refuge camp. And from the stint as party leader can be a bit bossy and arrogant (perhaps it's an elvish thing)

Nerwen sighed. The merchant had been right, the first chapter was a doozy. She was keen to see how it all turned out. But she couldn't spend the whole day reading. The warmth in the bar was getting a little oppressive, so she got up to wander. Perhaps she'd check out this arena thing.

Nerwen returned to the hall after a long absence. The time at the Monastery of Sem, meditating during their feast and festival to mark the changing of the year had been well spent. The hall seemed quiet, perhaps everyone was at the new arena that she had seen a sign about near the questboard. Before she was too distracted by conversation, she returned downstairs and neatly marked her name down for quest #21 It would be good to get out and adventure some more. While she was waiting she picked up the small codex that she'd bought at the market. The curse of Imhotep sounded like excellent holiday reading.

Attacks (or heals) on heroes do normal damage (or healing), regardless of their respective rows. Think of it this way as a chain of overlapping circles (like the Audi logo!) |Heroes-ba|ck He|roes-fro|nt En|emies-fro|nt En|emies-back| You do normal damage to overlapping circles and half damage to circles further away. Whichever row you're in as a hero, it's adjacent to the other heroes' row.

Nerwen now has some gold to spend so she heads to Anwyl's smithy. Handing over the hammer found down in the mine she asks for it to be smithed into a WP:6 weapon. WP:4 >WP:5 (50g) > WP:6 (60g) = 110g Whilst that is being done she drops by Portia's potion shack and purchases 2 Nostrum (2x30g) and 2 tonic (2x15g) = 70g Gnomeo's is on the way back to Anwyl's so she buys a bedroll and shovel 15g Picking up her new weapon her purse is 195g lighter leaving her with 220-110-70-15=25g After swinging the new hammer a couple of times to test its balance, she names it the Peace, one of the attributes of the elvish god Celebryon. Nerwen now feels better equipped for questing.

The man at the beginning? We took him back to his town, and gave his wife the medicine that cured her. The door puzzle? We had a note dropped by one of the skeletons we fought. "Three is the key" As for the rogue running off with them? That's what rogues do... Though I've said it before I want to write down some final thanks to Rumblestrike. The storyline was great, figuring out the best course of action was a challenge without being impossible. The pictures were good, and even though the sets were simple they conveyed the essence of the scene. The only glitch in the battles was the skeleton battle, but that was understandable. It was complicated. I re-read my post about it three times to make sure I'd added things up right! Otherwise, I really liked the croc battle and I'm glad the croc got to eat someone! Shame Gorg ended up the chew-toy twice though! I think generally we were fairly lucky with dice rolls and some of the battles which might have been expected to be more difficult, weren't. And I really liked the characters, both yours and the other players. There was good opportunity for interaction. I hope Nerwen comes across Sorona again. Shame about Fenimor (Jorgvorg), he would have been a definite presence in the quest! I learnt quite a bit about Nerwen (she's a bit bossy!) through this, and the darkness at the end will be a springboard for further character development. I would definitely quest under you again, and recommend you to my friends! Perhaps someday I'll have the chance to return the favour and QM Tarn! PS. I am a little curious about what Haroka and Sonora's stats would have been if we'd fought the last battle, but I quite understand if you'd rather keep them under wraps until their return!

That's because of the books, and by extension the movie. Frodo's quest succeeds not because of his strength or ability to avoid being stabbed, but because of his endurance, being able to get back up after being stabbed. Frodo is not the traditional (american) hero-type, although he does neatly illustrate many of Campbell's observations about the hero's journey.

The Darkstar is held by, as the rogue says, Haroka. He has been resurrected by the magics of the the mystic, Sorona, known to you as Sorrow. We do not know where they have gone, but you should be aware that the darkness of Haroka walks the world once more. We were unable to prevent them leaving. Also, we have some observations on the way the power of the darkstar affected various party members. Whilst we are on the topic, unfortunately our rogue seems to be suffering possession of some sort, can you recommend a good exorcist? My character stats are good! Thanks!

Dak and Knifk can each have a blade since they're the ones who can use them. Sort out between you which blade is named which... Sarick, as requested gets the gem. Then, splitting up the gold, Sarick gets 135, Knifk 195, Dak 200, Nerwen 220 and Gorg 250. This accounts for differences in loot distribution earlier. Everyone ends the quest with 330g worth of stuff (except Guts who is rewarded separately and Sarick who gets 5g more, which I'm sure no one will worry about) Greetings. We were recently hired for a quest regarding a gem of power and have a tale to tell to the head of the family.

I've just been told that Bioniclover has sudden family illness to deal with. I could have controlled Knifk also and we may possibly have been able to finish this before Friday, but likely not. Not sure where LordofDragons has gone, I do know he's posted in the LoTR thread, perhaps he simply lost interest. Shame. In respect to Guts I think the key peice is the black hood, which if you have the CMF1 Ninja or any old ninjas, you should be sorted. No one would mind if he's had a change of clothes. Thanks for your patience and hard work too! And well done on splitting the party, be nice to Scubacarrot! And so this isn't an entirely OOC post (which is something I object to) Nerwen walked across to the two orcs, checking that they were still alive. Clearly the darkness had overcome them and they stood in some kind of waking trance. Perhaps this was a clue to the battles the orcs had faced against an unknown enemy in the land of Ennon. The reports of madness overtaking orcs, of a hunter that made others disappear. Maybe there was a dark-magic user at work. A problem for another day. For now there was the smug Sorrow, no, Sorona now, to speak to.

The darkness pressed in on Nerwen again. The readiness that she held wavered, fractured and melted away. Seeing Haroka standing there, outlined by a faint nimbus of purple light, she could not raise her weapon against him. Even though she knew that he was dangerous, that he had done evil to others and should not be permitted to leave his tomb. Even though... Nerwen winced. She could not think straight. Her mind wandered, unfocused, a dull ache spread from one side of her head. The dark, it made it hard to see... Go she sighed. Go far from here are forswear the darkness. Live a life in the sun and die a peaceful death. Her head bowed. She did not dare look at Sarick, fearing the reproach that no doubt was in his eyes. Currently the vote is 2-1 for letting them go. If Nerwen votes to let them go it's 3-1 and even if the orcs vote against, it'd be my call to break the tie. If we had a few more days or keen people I would have fought, but I know I'll be out of contact for a while over christmas. This seems the simpler way. Plus it's something to build on character-wise, regret over letting the evil go. Sorry Xarrzan!

Nerwen wondered if it was the dark power emanating from the large figure before them that was fracturing the party. Sarick was keen to end the General, Guts equally keen to elope with them. The orcs had been struck dumb, simply standing there, saying and doing nothing. And reflecting the division within the party, the other rogue was divided against himself, seemingly possessed by the darkness that was swirling in the minds of them all. Surely this power could not be permitted to walk out into the world... But equally, was this not the true goal of their quest? To reunite Haroka and Sonora? The dark. It made it hard to think. hard to act. hard to see the right way, the path of civilisation and love. here, underground. far from the hum of the city and the light of people at work and play. far away from the world, anything could happen. here. in the dark. the dark... With an effort, Nerwen stilled her mind. Readied her limbs. She would bide her time a little longer, then act. She only needed to bear the darkness a little while. Perhaps Dak, Gorg and Knifk would be able to shake it off and show they were ready also.

Nerwen nods, agreeing it should be decided by the group and waits for the others to speak

As Guts was standing slightly in front of her, she noticed the hand he had behind his back was signaling 'watch'. At least that is how Nerwen read it. She had learnt of Eubrician street sign only very recently and only new a few. Watch could mean look or it could mean town watch- the guards lead by the pompous Captain. Either way Guts was clearly working on something. She wasn't sure she fully trusted the rogue, but the words they had spoken eariler, after Gut's outburst at Sorrow helped Nerwen understand some of his plan. She would see which way he went. Speaking to the general she said. Perhaps you might show us this treasure as a measure of your trustworthness. Sorona has not been the model of honesty, so you understand some... reluctance. And besides, we met an crocodile with a belly full of gold, maybe it's been eaten up.

Nerwen shouts in orcish, trusting that the others will pick up the intent from the response of the greenskins Beware! Ready yourselves! A foe is among us! To Sorrow she says Explain yourself! Or are you enthralled by power beyond you? Nerwen hefts her hammer and readies herself for the general's words.