CMP

"Oh, don't worry. We can handle this for ourselves." "I have to ask, though. What are you barhopping for?"

"Keep it up, everyone," remarks Atramor, stepping cautiously into the back row and again swinging at the red Pongcanis berserker. Same Order

"Well...no, but it's still important." "Grash and Emelia patrolling. Found elf. Investigating now." "The bar was closed when we got here a few hours ago. We had to make sure nobody disturbed the scene so we could investigate, so we couldn't let anyone inside. This is the third time this week we've found someone like this." Emelia put her hand on her chin. "Unconscious and left on the doorstep. Evidence of a single blow, usually to the head, but never leaving anything more than a bruise or broken nose. If you check under his eyelids, his pupils are completely washed out. The other victims suffered from the same: temporary blindness. When we question witnesses, generally the victim is causing trouble for a while...getting drunk, rowdy, angry. Then they get dragged out by a heavily armored figure. Then they're just dropped off like this wherever they were taken from. Nothing's taken, so this isn't a mugging. Gangs wanting to send a message would do far worse than this." "It's a bizarre case, however you cut it."

"That would be me. Lieutenant Emelia Tanak." "Lieutenant once Emelia means." "I've got a second chance here. I don't know why, but I'm not going to waste it, Private Grash. You know that much." "Fine. Grash just saying Emelia not official guard anymore." "Sorry, we're really busy with this investigation here." Grash poked the elf again, who groaned. "I don't know if we can help you....what's Heroica need more people for, anyone? Just two or three of you guys can handle a whole bunch of problems. You have four plus a soldier."

"Oof-!" Miderun hit the dirt easily when the ox rammed his head into her. "...ridiculous...you farm these things?" She got back up to her feet, bruised but far from beaten, repeating her attack.

There didn't seem to be anyone inside the tavern, nor any noises.

"Tavern's closed, sorry. We're in the middle of an investigation here." "Hey, we're keeping the peace as best we can. We're members of the Town Watch. There's due process to think about. Not all of us can go out and just kill all our problems."

"Great work. Now look at the damn townspeople..." Miderun charged Bessie from the front row.

Lane nodded. "Fine by me." The sailor took heroes back to the pier. He lead them quickly down a crooked street; despite the rank air he showed little fear. But what wait at the bar was no kind greet. The rotting gal heaved a sigh, the orc failed to meet her eye. "Town Watch business, move along please," requested the zombie politely. The orc grunted and continued poking the motionless elf on the ground just outside the Merry Mermaid.

The only constraint of creativity is your imagination.

"Good. Fair warning, I've been a bit rusty since the brass have been on my case." Lane rolled his shoulders and joined the party. The Party Assets The Hydra Captain Lane Kiray Nastayo (KingoftheZempk) *Immune to Fire* *Lucky* *Party Leader* Level 10 Knight Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 5 Health: 19/19 Gold: 106 Equipment: Fleuret (WP:9, longsword, borrowed from Mizuki), Orcish Shield (SP: 4, double if user is a greenskin, borrowed from Mizuki), Flameproof Armor (SP:1, immune to Fire; bodywear, suitable for anyone), Loaded Die (Gives holder the Lucky-effect, accessory, suitable for anyone, borrowed from Mizuki) Inventory: Sword of the Kin (WP:3), x5 Potion, Banana (Restores full health when eaten), Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, Mediocre Pongcanis Brew (Encouraged + Enraged), Everlasting Venom (Adds the poisoned by 10-effect to one weapon permanently), Sleep Bomb (Deals 5 damage and the Asleep-effect to all opponents when used.), Remedy, Dragon Scale, 2x Nostrum, x3 Fire Bomb, x4 Venom, Sanctified Rito Longsword (WP:6, doubled against Flying enemies; longsword), Scutum Shield (SP:3; shield) Mizuki Kimura (zakura) *50% More Gold Stolen* *Death Mask* *Ignores Positive Effects* Level 24 Assassin Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 34/34 Gold: 18 Equipment: Dual Gladii (WP:12, Darkness and Light elemental, dual-strike), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up)), Death Mask (Increases assassination chances to 1/3 when the target’s health is lowered to 1/3, headwear, suitable for assassin), Fox Tail (user not affected by opponent's positive effects, backwear) Inventory:, , 20 Venoms, 8 Nostrums, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, 1 Think Jeeax Scales, 1 Rito Feather (consumable, grants the hastened- and blessed-effects upon use for one battle), Gladiator Trident (WP:11, causes bleeding effect; spear), Tonic, 3 Potions, 1 Weak Potion 1 Fire Bomb, 2 Chicken Drumsticks, 2 Elixirs, 2 Deadly Venoms, Neutralizer, Weak Regeneration Potion Actaeon Artus (Actaeon) *Hastened* Level 6 Ranger Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 11/11 Gold: 50 Equipment: Sanctified Rito Bow (WP:6, doubled against Flying enemies; bow), Quickdraw Quiver (Gives wearer the Hastened-effect, backwear, suitable for rangers, borrowed from Mizuki) Inventory: Smoke Bomb, Potion x2, Remedy x2, Bedroll, Scroll of Frailty, Stun Bomb (Deals 5 damage and the Stunned-effect to all opponents when used.), Trial Brew, Dragon Scale, Mead, Smelling Salts, Venom x2, Greaves of the Aubergine Dragoon (SP:2, protects from the Bound- and Slowed-effects. Footwear, suitable for anyone.) Francis Barkley (Captain Settle) Level 5 Ranger Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 3 Health: 10/10 Gold: 17 Equipped: Training Bow (WP 4), Tricorne (SP:3) Inventory: 3 Potions, smokebomb, bedroll, mead, longbow (WP 3) venom, Lustrous Cloak (1/6 chance of dodging damage rolls and free hits. Suitable for rogues, artifact, backwear), grand potion, grating stone, Top Hat (WP: 14, 50/50 chance of dealing the stunned-effect, retrievable, borrowed from Mizuki), Sylph Shuriken (WP:12, wind elemental, retrievable, borrowed from Mizuki) Captain Pierce Lane (NPC, controlled by KingoftheZempk) Level 10 Cannoneer Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 26/26 Gold: 0 Equipped: Hand Mortar (WP: 5, handcannon), Cannoneer's Sashes (The damage output of bombs consumed are added to the weapon power of attacks, suitable for cannoneers, accessory) Inventory: 2 Fire Bombs, Water Bomb, Dirt Bomb "The Merry Mermaid might be a decent place to start. Always busy as hell, but it's a damn sight less seedier than a lot of the taverns in Eubric. The docks might also be a good place to start looking - a lot of sailors would love to put an end to this monster. Your call."

Also, you forgot to roll for my aura. As long as I have the Kris equipped, there's a chance of it activating. This is mostly just to potentially restore that six health after the aura wears off. "Damn it. Pretzel, get the hell out of there, and then you and Namyrra handle those spearmen from a distance." Atramor repeats his attack. McCafferey flapped up onto one of the boulders rather than sit with Atramor and get overwhelmed with enemies. Same Battle Order

I should have a ton of elemental multipliers in my free hit. (x8)

"The fates can nazar dizarko. We're the ones standing here. It's our call. I say Calder dies."

"I don't 'fear' anything here. I just have no desire to watch them kill eachother while we sit back and act like we did all we could. If both groups remain here we're not solving anything. We're delaying the inevitable. Even if they agree to peace, it's not going to last."

Miderun narrowed her eyes slightly but made no comment.

Miderun crossed her arms and jerked her head at Calder and the village. "Does it look like any peace you broker between them is going to last more than a week?"

Melville raises an eyebrow, but merely nods. He reaches into his coat, counting out some coins, handing 100 gold over to Kiray. "That should be plenty. Now go - you have a monster to defeat." He turned back towards the ocean briefly, then glanced sideways. "One more thing...there is a group of treasure ships arriving from Dastan tomorrow. Whether the sea is clear or not decides whether they will be stopping in Eubric. You have until sundown to get prepared. Then, you must go." Their business concluded, the heroes turned to leave the balcony. One of the guards waved quaintly. "Good luck guys." Back down at the end of the stairs, Lane was leaning against a wall, yet again chewing on something indistinct. Evidently he caught the tail end of their conversation "So you got 'til tonight to take this thing down, huh? That doesn't leave you much time. I've got a place or two in mind that you can start looking if you want to round up some additional help. I got briefed by one of the officers. It looks like I'll be sailing you into the eye of the storm. That, I can do." Lane nodded surely. The heroes noticed a stout-looking handcannon leaning against the wall beside him that he certainly didn't have before. "But I'd like to get my fingers dirty with that thing when we sail up to it. It's taken a dozen ships too many." Lane patted the handcannon at his side. "Will you have me?"

"You ignored Fiora just as much. I didn't see you around when we had to stop her. Let's be rid of this necromancer. If we leave him here there's nothing stopping him from going ahead with his plan as soon as he leaves."

Atramor moves to Q8 and then R8, holding his position. His chaotic mind kicked in, and he drove the Pheles Kris straight into the throat of the blue Pongcanis Crossbowman. He twisted, tearing the blade from its eviscerated neck, and swung towards the red berserker with the Pheles Kris from the back row. Battle Order Atramor Namyrra Pretzel Dyric (if he doesn't show, he fires at the red crossbowman from the back row)

That class is really awesome. What would Ethereal cards show up as?

"I'm sure Captain Lane could direct you to some. I know they're popular haunts for people such as yourselves."

"I'm afraid not. It's been a struggle to keep the knowledge of these attacks from seeping into the general public. If we send a dozen ships down there to try and destroy it, it would attract attention, which could be disastrous if they failed." Melville adjusted his epaulets. "And before you concern yourselves with why we've been trying to hide the existence of the beast, know that the economy of the entire world is at stake here in Eubric. Over-exaggerated rumors can quickly turn to fear, and that fear could result in a loss of business, a situation unwanted by everyone involved. The consequences would be astronomical. If everyone in the world knew every true secret swirling about Eubric, they would go so far out of their way to avoid it this city would crumble. False ones can be just as much a threat." "The Hydra is one of our older vessels. I served my required years on-board when I first enlisted. It sustained heavy damage during the assault on Jolly Roger's Grotto three years ago; repairs were lengthy, and we haven't organized a new crew for her yet. It is a quick and reliable vessel."

"No. I'm expecting you to succeed based on how laughably improbable it is. Your organization is built on unlikely groups doing the impossible. And no hero in recent memory has died in the effort of doing so. I could risk half of my fleet to destroy this monster, and perhaps they could. But this strikes me as the type of operation you would be more suited for than any of the captains and frigates I have under my command." Melville looked sharply at Mizuki. "If few more than a dozen heroes can kill off the entire Hovels district and then some, you and whatever support you can round up can surely take down a single sea monster."

Sorry for the delay, had to take pictures of the first batch of sets. "Maybe, but I don't think so. Word gets around - you head straight into those waters, I don't think anyone'll be around to stop you." The little rowboat sailed up to the vast Fort Bonaparte. It was a centuries-old fortification, but because of its significance, it was maintained meticulously, thus the stone shone brilliantly, even in the dimness of the clouded sun. Lane rowed up to one of the smaller piers, and lashed the tiny vessel to the pier before climbing out. "Vice Admiral's just up that way." It didn't long to find him; still. Hands at his back, gaze over the sea. On each flank, a guard, ready to kill. It was clear this was the place to be. The sharp man in well-groomed clothes turned to the heroes. "Heroes." "As you are undoubtedly aware as per my request are your Hall, a great beast has been devouring our ships in the sea south of here. It's put a strain on our ability to keep all corners of the Crystalline Sea safe. I want it dealt with." He turned back to the ocean. "Admiral Nemo remains preoccupied. He has not fully recovered after the death of his late brother. I have taken it upon myself to be rid of this monster. However, even with my recent promotion as a result, I do not believe throwing more ships at it is the wisest course of action. Even our formidable frigates could eliminate the threat. Thus I've turned towards your organization for help. Naturally I do not expect you to be capable of the firepower my ships maintain, but I believe that will your talents and natural luck in efforts like this, you stand the greatest chance of hunting down and killing this abomination." "You are authorized to use any means necessary. I'm entrusting you with one of our swiftest vessels, the Hydra, in whatever capacity you deem crucial. I believe Captain Lane has experience with your kind. He will helm the ship should you need it. Aside from that, whatever resources you can scrounge up and apply to the destruction of this monster, by all means, use them. I'm afraid I must withold the ships and soldiers under my command, but I've no doubt that with your abilities you should be able to find more than enough people, weapons, and information you'll need." "Do you have any questions?" The Party Assets The Hydra Kiray Nastayo (KingoftheZempk) *Immune to Fire* *Lucky* *Party Leader* Level 10 Knight Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 5 Health: 19/19 Gold: 6 Equipment: Fleuret (WP:9, longsword, borrowed from Mizuki), Orcish Shield (SP: 4, double if user is a greenskin, borrowed from Mizuki), Flameproof Armor (SP:1, immune to Fire; bodywear, suitable for anyone), Loaded Die (Gives holder the Lucky-effect, accessory, suitable for anyone, borrowed from Mizuki) Inventory: Sword of the Kin (WP:3), x5 Potion, Banana (Restores full health when eaten), Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, Mediocre Pongcanis Brew (Encouraged + Enraged), Everlasting Venom (Adds the poisoned by 10-effect to one weapon permanently), Sleep Bomb (Deals 5 damage and the Asleep-effect to all opponents when used.), Remedy, Dragon Scale, 2x Nostrum, x3 Fire Bomb, x4 Venom, Sanctified Rito Longsword (WP:6, doubled against Flying enemies; longsword), Scutum Shield (SP:3; shield) Mizuki Kimura (zakura) *50% More Gold Stolen* *Death Mask* *Ignores Positive Effects* Level 24 Assassin Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 34/34 Gold: 18 Equipment: Dual Gladii (WP:12, Darkness and Light elemental, dual-strike), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up)), Death Mask (Increases assassination chances to 1/3 when the target’s health is lowered to 1/3, headwear, suitable for assassin), Fox Tail (user not affected by opponent's positive effects, backwear) Inventory:, , 20 Venoms, 8 Nostrums, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, 1 Think Jeeax Scales, 1 Rito Feather (consumable, grants the hastened- and blessed-effects upon use for one battle), Gladiator Trident (WP:11, causes bleeding effect; spear), Tonic, 3 Potions, 1 Weak Potion 1 Fire Bomb, 2 Chicken Drumsticks, 2 Elixirs, 2 Deadly Venoms, Neutralizer, Weak Regeneration Potion Actaeon Artus (Actaeon) *Hastened* Level 6 Ranger Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 11/11 Gold: 50 Equipment: Sanctified Rito Bow (WP:6, doubled against Flying enemies; bow), Quickdraw Quiver (Gives wearer the Hastened-effect, backwear, suitable for rangers, borrowed from Mizuki) Inventory: Smoke Bomb, Potion x2, Remedy x2, Bedroll, Scroll of Frailty, Stun Bomb (Deals 5 damage and the Stunned-effect to all opponents when used.), Trial Brew, Dragon Scale, Mead, Smelling Salts, Venom x2, Greaves of the Aubergine Dragoon (SP:2, protects from the Bound- and Slowed-effects. Footwear, suitable for anyone.) Francis Barkley Level 5 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 3 Health: 10/10 Gold: 17 Equipped: Training Bow (WP 4), Tricorne (SP:3) Inventory: 3 Potions, smokebomb, bedroll, mead, longbow (WP 3) venom, Lustrous Cloak (1/6 chance of dodging damage rolls and free hits. Suitable for rogues, artifact, backwear), grand potion, grating stone, Top Hat (WP: 14, 50/50 chance of dealing the stunned-effect, retrievable, borrowed from Mizuki), Sylph Shuriken (WP:12, wind elemental, retrievable, borrowed from Mizuki)