Chromeknight

Nerwen begins a lucky chant and replies to Alf It is likely a creature from a long long time ago and a galaxy far far away, trapped here to consume the unwary.

Nerwen bows politely to the veterans. I'm ready.

Yes yes and yes. Cranebienn wants to come back!

Ok. Sorry for the delay. I wanted to reread the whole quest and then was trying to find an easy way to post the side quest (there isn't one from a mobile device and I won't have access to a laptop for a little while yet). First, again, Zeph, thanks! This was the third quest with you out of my last four. You've hosted Nerwen more than any other QM. I know what to expect. Agendas, betrayals, moral ambiguity and being a bit player in larger stories. Zeph's strength is his NPCs, particularly the allied party NPCs. They always have real motivations of their own and are mostly well formed characters in their own right. This makes returning play fun as relationships and friendships develop. Having had so much (recent) history, it did feel a little like the Nerwen show at times. She's naturally a talkative character and when she knows an NPC the others don't it's a natural thing to take the conversational lead. I'll talk more about the characters, but first a quick comment. After rereading, I think I split the party wrong. Of course it seems easier with the benefit of hindsight, but Pretzel rescuing the witch? Dealing with Gocklo's betrayal, and Mitchell, and working with Marcellus/Morta? That would've been great. And Nerwen having more time with Yu Shu, confronting Bella? More greatness. It's a bit sad to have missed out on half the plot, which is my big critique of the quest, two months in segregation wasn't the best. LotN held up well and we had some good moments, but there's a reason why bigger player parties work better, when someone is quieter there's someone else to pick up the conversational slack. Plus, what bonds players is shared experiences. The side quest bonded me to Grimwald, Marcellus, Mitchell and Morta, and three of them Nerwen won't see again. I originally read the request to split the party as an open field, but it was pointed out you'd asked for a two-two split and the NPC's paths had been chosen already, which drastically reduced the good options for who went where. I wanted both sides to have striking and healing, but the NPC strikers (Mitchell, Marcellus Gocklo) went one way and the healers (Yu Shu, Samuel) went the other, my call for the player characters paths was an attempt to balance that even if it did result missing great possible interactions. So. Characters. I love Gocklo and it was great to get more of his backstory. His betrayal hit deep, it's definitely a character note that Nerwen will hit again. I expected him to make a play but thought it'd be at the end. Stupid prophet. Marcellus felt a bit flat as a character, Nerwen and he got off on the wrong foot over his asking to swear to rescue Morta. #102 soured Nerwen/me on extra oaths binding heroes into courses of action that later prove to be problematic. I think the other part of the weakness is that Morta didn't need to be rescued anyway. I get why, it preserves her power and unfettered agency but it came at the cost of Marcellus' effectiveness as a character. Mitchell. Poor poor Mitchell. Any other time and Nerwen would've just healed him, no questions asked. But after Gocklo's stupidity and Marcellus' blockheadedness and Morta's cryptic unhelpfulness, saving Zepher NPCs seemed more trouble that it was worth. Especially how He seemed to be 'dying' of not much, there wasn't a mechanic reason for it, so we just shrugged and read it as a pre-planned plot-note character test (even though you clarified it wasn't). The resolution was a bit soft too. On one hand little to no consequences in quest made it feel a little cheap, but Zeph quest NPCs have bigger pictures and I'm sure we'll see how the Golden Enforcer's death affects the Golden Crusade. I could tell you enjoyed playing Avery it was good to see her again. And Samuel too. Yu Shu went missing in the second half of the quest, which was a shame, we didn't get to see her deal much with ending her brother. But then, she'd had much longer to come to terms with that than we as PCs did. The enemies were fun and the battles (aside from that random hallway battle) were inventive and challenging. As a minor note on the hallway battle, from our point of view, those guys just showed up. I know you rolled for them, having set yourself rules for how they'd move and wanting to keep those rules to be playing 'fair', but you ought feel freer to manipulate circumstances like that for better story outcomes, unless the mechanic is upfront and open (and we'd've never known you were rolling for movement unless you said). As it was the party wipe (against mooks!) caused us to miss solving the maze and the other half party having to double back prematurely. Anyway. I like Zepher quests, I must, I keep signing up for them! And this one (segregation not withstanding) was a good one! Thank you for your long hard work. Pala. I love Pretzel. He's almost always got something to say, an opinion. From where I sit though, he feels a little .... stuck though. I've previously commented that humans don't live that long, he most be something else. What is he? It seems like you're not sure. If he's been around for that long, even if he was human at the start, if he can remember most of it, his perspective on relationships and people and things ought be radically different to other humans living for 40 or 50 years. play that up. LotN. Grimwald feels old, which is what you're shooting for which is great. He's a joking punster who can lay down the hurt, a great companion. A little more background and conversation about why he's in heroica and you're all set. KotZ. Kiray conversely feels young, so kudos. My comment for you is a little meta, battles are hard to follow I know, but pushing beyond "I repeat" or "I follow orders" makes for better parties. When battles don't interrupt RP but fuel it, everyone gets more. Otherwise, keep going! Apologies if Nerwen/I came across a bit bossy in battles! Perhaps sharing around the NPC battle babysitting might've helped that. Ah well, hindsight. But it was great questing with you all, and Pala, I'll see you for our third quest running together. I want to know what makes Pretzel tick! But thanks to you guys too.

If the potential isn't obvious, someone is doing minstrel wrong....

Nerwen goes to Portia's and buys Two Pheonix essences (50x2), a tiger balm (100), a nostrum (35), a smelling salts (25), three remedies (3x10) and two grand tonics (2x30). She places 350 gold down and carefully stacks her purchases in her satchel.

Nerwen accepts the gold, tilting her head in a questioning way, Thank you. What is this for though?

Nerwen hands Arthur the requested sum. She idly leafs through the book that he had laid out, What would this be worth?

Nerwen notices Arthur's gear strewn on a table. She wanders across and picks up a small metal disc with a lightning bolt on it. Greetings Master Regulus. A zap-tap badge. How much would you like for this?

New training I see. Yes, that's fine. May the blade serve you well. Nerwen hands Kiray the Smith's Katana.

Nerwen returns to the hall. Questing seemed to take forever and no time at all. She shrugged and went to the quest board. Nerwen Calmcacil level 38 Elven minstrel signs up for quests #135, #136 and #137. She then looks around for any familiar faces...

You hang on to the katana and pay me when you can. Samuel. I pray to your god that he gives you peace. Yu Shu, may the light shine on you again. The magical staff used to be Nerwen's but she sold it to Grimwald before the quest started.

Deborah, you have my respect. If you feel there is something outstanding between us over Mitchell we can deal with it now or can find me in Eubric. Nerwen hands out the loot Kiray: Mead, 50g Grimwald: Feather of Lithe, 50g, Potion, Grating Stone, Burning Knuckle Helmet Pretzel: Mead, Order Imperial Prophet's Armour Nerwen: Feather of Lithe, Trickster's Mask of the Angel, 50g, Order Imperial's Assassin Cowl, Razor

I don't have to have the money now. You can owe me if you want it.

To Kiray she says I think three hundred would be about right, it'd cost twice that to make it from scratch since it includes the amethyst. Speaking to Yu Shu she says gently but firmly. You are the head of the Order of Warrior Priests, but they are not the only servants of your God. If Abel would travel to Eubric to speak to your High Priestess and find counsel for his path, who are you as a fellow servant to deny him?

Marcellus is the master of regret?

Nerwen begins sorting things out. Grimwald. Would you give Marcellus a mead? I'll not have him say I profited from Mitchell's death in any way. Marcellus, if you would return my shield and helm, we are done. Samuel can you return the scrolls, Shadeux mace and the cloak to Monk Pretzel. Kiray, the chain, crescent and Mythril shields and the gladius are his also, Samuel has your shield. You can return my Katana or make an offer on it. It seems to suit you well. Grimwald, you have five of my gems, and the shako is Pretzel's Pretzel, here is the darksteel armour you lent me. Do you have everything back? Yu Shu, you have my seal of the warrior priestess. Monk, you used a lot of consumables, but found quite a bit of treasure, so I'd call that a wash. You've got the clan Enzima armour. Do you want to keep it, give it to Yu Shu or throw it back in the pot? Kiray you've got the never blessed armour and helmet, the snug armour, the sword of fire and light and the two fanged Orcish shield. Did you want to keep all that or trade any of it for something else?

Nerwen speaks to Morta And so the wheel turns. Speaking to Monk Pretzel she says, The light is not always good, nor is the dark always evil. And lifting Yu Shu she says Let us get you and our companions cured. Stepping toward the open gates Nerwen sees Seraphiel faintly again from the corner of her eye. Her head is bowed and tears glisten on her cheeks. To herself she says softly, Yet angels weep.

Check with sandy, but DotP doesn't apply. It's an instant, ie. applies an effect when sung (in this case, revive). It doesn't last until the end of the round. (Though I would love it to, shame for P and K to miss out on XP right at the end.) Nerwen bowed her head in a moment of silence, quietly wondering if she could have acted differently.

Monk! Stop grubbing in the dirt after gold and hit him! With a snarl, Yu Shu rises from where she was slumped against the wall. Her first few steps unsteady, they become firmer as she pours her will into her movement. Drawing her weapon, she gathers herself and leaps for Simon. Battle Order Nerwen v. Party - Dirge of the Pheonix Abel v. Yu Shu ELSE KIray - Heal Yu Shu v. Simon Grimwald v. Simon Pretzel v. Simon Kiray v. Simon Deborah v. Simon Marcellus v. Simon Samuel v. Simon Avery v. Simon

With an eye on Deborah, Nerwen says, I wouldn't have taken them. But since you did, I'll make use of them to win this battle and stay alive. I'll act on principle, but I won't die over it. Battle Order > Abel v. Marcellus - Heal I assume Abel can't take free hits and that it'll fall on Nerwen. > Nerwen v. Party - Lucky Chant > Grimwald v. Guardian Angel - Darkness (Single Fang) > Grimwald v. Guardian Angel ELSE Simon - Darkness (Single Fang) Avery v. Judgmental Angel ELSE Simon > Samuel v. Simon > Pretzel v. Battle Angel > Marcellus v. Guardian Angel ELSE Simon > Deborah v. Guardian Angel ELSE Simon Kiray v. Simon

Cold Pathfinder? This one?

Sorry for going MIA, busy day. Grimwald take the shot. Put them down! Battle Order > Grimwald v. Neutralizer > Pretzel v. Grimwald - Smelling Salts > Marcellus v. Grimwald - Mead > Nerwen v. Party - Lucky Chant Grimwald v. Angry Angel - Darkness (Single Fang) > Abel v. Marcellus - Heal > Samuel v. Marcellus - Heal OR IF Marcellus healed then v. Angry Angel ELSE Battle Angel Avery v. Angry Angel ELSE Battle Angel ELSE Judgmental Angel ELSE Simon > Deborah v. Angry Angel ELSE Battle Angel ELSE Judgmental Angel Kiray v. Angry Angel ELSE Battle Angel ELSE Judgmental Angel

Seeing Pretzel step behind the paladin and raise his wooden t, Nerwen calls out. We're fighting Simon, not Samuel!