CMP

Guts can't make out just what it is Tarvalk sees through the intensely magnified glass. "Aye. I can't say I'm looking forward to fighting your organization, but if that's what it takes...so be it." The party rushes across the short stretch of plans, then storms onto the bridge!

I used to utterly crush everyone I knew with Ike. But I got bored of it, so I started experimenting with other characters...I can't say I'm very good with him anymore. Recently I've found myself to be pretty good with Snake, Lucario, and Ganondorf.

"Must have been lost in the mail. No, the shops are completely intact. As far as we can tell, it's like nothing's happened, except that every gnome, halfing and dwarf is gone. "Always a pleasure, Master Hybros. Posco? You've always reminded me a little of him, actually. He's a halfling, and was a Blue Assassin as well, the only one ever known to have escape their service intact. I allowed him to hide here. Ever since his meeting with the monk here and some of his compatriots, he's been somewhat more amiable. A decent fellow, once you get to know him and keep his blades from knowing you. And while Heroica's proven to be the most reliable surface world organization we know of, I specifically wanted someone with the ability to sniff out and destroy problems of a magical nature. He assures me this is his specialty." "Based on what he's told me, yes. He mentioned working with Heroica before..." The doors swung open again. Moke came back inside, followed by an imposing figure, arms and legs layered in heavy black armor that clinked as he walked, head covered in blood red scales and resembling an almost snake-like image. He closed the door behind him, and bowed slightly to the party. "Heroes. Soryx Dourskull, at your service."

For several hours the party walked, alongside the ragtag but hardened orc army. The bridge came into clearer focus as they approached, the stony tower in the center cutting into the dark, but slowly lightening sky like a blade. Tarvalk gave the order for them to halt. Jaret handed him a telescope, and the old orc glared through it at the widely-hated structure, snorting. "See that ocean of red and black on the other bank, heroes? Looks like all of those Lizards are here to fight." "That's a lot of men, sir." "Aye....wait a moment. There's some movement on the bridge, under that command tower. Not much, looks like it may be a scouting party of some kind...those sarkuuno. If they lock it down before we get there, they may as well own the bridge already...heroes. I need you to make sure that tower is clear before we arrive. Once you have control of it, stay there. We do not have much time, the enemy is going to be on the bridge very shortly. I will have to send our forces on the moment dawn strikes. As long as we have the tower, then even if the fight is contained on the bridge, we have a shot at punching through their army. I suggest you prepare yourselves for the worst." The Party: Guts Holla (Scubacarrot) *Immune to Weakened, Fragile, Asleep, Confused and Blinded* *Immune to all elements* *Party Leader* 44 year old male human Raider Level 30.33 Power Bonus: +2 Health: 44/44 Defense: 4 Gold: 695 Equipment: Lifestealer (WP: 32, Ice, Darkness, Light, attacks restore 3 health, dagger), Dancing Shoes (Wearer dances well, in the turn after a miss is rolled, the wearer can act twice. +Immunity to Asleep, Confused, Fragile, Weakened and Blinded, + Immunity to Darkness, Light, Fire, Air, Earth, Wood, Lightningand Ice Elemental Damage, footwear), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up)), Crocodile Armour (+4 Defense +Immunity to Water Magic, bodywear) Inventory: Stag Antlers (WP:10, Intimidation, halberd), Twin Sai (WP: 10, dual strike, dagger), Ambrosia 4x Mead, 2x Smelling Salts, Nostrum, 22x Grand Potion, 4x Health Core, 2x Elixir, 10x Remedy, 5x Smoke Bomb, 5x Deadly Venom, 2x Neutralizer, Shovel, Telescope, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, 4x Mythril Shard, 15x Grating Stone, Crimson Serum (Grants Mutated Effect for one battle.), Arc Elixir, Blessed Amulet, Beholder's Eye, Cosmic Essence, Agni Bomb, Pugilist's Gloves (2+ Power, Immune to Weakened, handwear), Gold Chalice, Gold Bar, Black Pearl, Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle) Thormanil Nihai, Dragonslayer (Played by swils) and Arx the Hatchling *Immune to Darkness, Wood, Asleep, Confused, Fragile, Weakened, Blinded, Bound, and Slowed* Level 35.25 Dragoon Power Bonus: +1 Defense: 8 Health: 58/58 Gold: 1713 Equipment: Dragonsbane Lance (WP: 20, triple damage to enemies with 'Dragon' in their name, lance), Wooden Shield (SP:5, Null Wood), Bright Armor (SP: 3, Null Darkness), Winged Sandals (Wearer is immune to bound, slowed, asleep, confused, fragile, weakened, and blinded effects)., Medal of Glory (Wearer gains triple experience, accessory) Inventory: Weapons & Shields: Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, Spear, causes bleeding effect), Thundering Totem (WP:9, lightning, axe), Tongue on a Stick (WP:1, Miss -> "Aim"), Frozen Saber (WP: 9, longsword, Stuns enemies), Shishkebab (WP: 16, darkness-elemental, dual-strike, lance) Artefacts: Trickster's Mask of the Gender Swap (Accessory), Trickster's Mask of the Weredog (Accessory), Trickster's Mask of the Elf(Accessory), Aqua Gear (Wearer deals and is immune to water elemental damage) Consumables: Smelling Salts, Deadly Venom(2), Remedy (2), Jinxy Juice(1) (Q35), Fire Bomb(2), Milk(1), Potion(2), Venom(3), Lightning Bomb, Grand Potion(2), Smoke Bomb(2), Ice Bomb(1), Bones(3), Water Bombs(5), Mead(2), Tiger Balm(1), Neutralizer (1), Aquamarine, Emerald, Garnet, Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond, Amethyst., Mulled Wine, Elixir, Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle) Misc.: Pickaxe, Shovel, Amethyst, Grating Stone, Teleportapple Haldor Skovgaard (Played by Scorpiox) *Immune to Stunned and Blinded* 34 year old male human Nord Shaman Level 31 Power Bonus: +4 Defense: 2 Health: 52/52 Ether: 28/42 Gold: 241 Equipment: Zoot er Isen (WP: 15, Ice and Light Elemental) Ethereal Cloak (SP: 2, +4 Ether, Protects from Blindness), Scarlet Hood (+4 Power, Protects from Stunning), Shamanic Plate (Max. Health +2, Max. Ether +2; Blood Ritual does double damage to the target; suitable to shamans only; bodywear) Weapons: Heavy Metal Rod (WP: 12, Water Elemental), Dualis Sceptres (WP: 13, darkness-elemental, Dual-Striking), Bear Claw Gloves (WP: 8, SP: 2) Artefacts: Pugilist's Gloves (+2 Power, Protects from Weakening), Gladiator's Helmet (SP: 3), Ognar's Beard (+8 power, wearer enraged, headwear, suitable for men), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, Protects from Fragility), Consumables: Health Core (x2), Potion (x4), Remedy (x8), Venom, Tonic, Grand Tonic (x4), Ether Core, Smelling Salts, Mead, Grating Stone, Elixir, Cosmic Essence, Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle) Inventory: Scutum Shield (SP: 9), Shovel, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep, Emerald Alexis Fenral (Masked Builder) *Immune to Blinded* *Counterstriking* 20 year old female elven Harlot Level 42.25 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 71/71 Gold: 722 GP: 9 Equipment: Cat-o'-Nine-Tails (WP: 20, damage divided between all enemies, Suitable For Rouges), Ring of Sight (protects fromblinded), Counterstrike Gloves, Medal of Glory (Artefact/Accessory - Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles) Inventory: Steel fan (WP:20, ice-, lightning-, and darkness-elemental), Death's Whip (WP:11, on successful hits there is a 1/6 chance to cause double damage), Quickdraw Quiver (permanent hastened-effect, suitable to Rangers), Healing Staff (WP: 5; healing effect), Staff of Ennon (WP: 5, light-elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4; staff),, Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory), Smelly Hide (Suitable for barbarians and beast warriors, half damage from beasts and humanoids on Damage, bodywear), Aquamarine (Water), Diamond (Light), Sapphire (Wind), Topaz (lightning), Fifty Shades of Bley, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Remedy, 2 Somas, 8 Water Bombs, 2x Lightning Bomb, 2x Fire Bomb, 3 Dirt Bombs, Smoke Bomb, 4x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Health Core, 4x Potion, Grand Potion, Nostrum, 9 Meads, 3 Smelling Salts, 9 Remedies, 7 Grand Potions, Skeleton Decoy, 8x Bone, Deadly Venom, 2 Kraken Fangs (grants hastened- and reinforced-effects when consumed), Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), Demon Repellant (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons during one battle. Consumable), Winged Sandals (artifact; footwear; protects from bound and slowed effects), 2xTitan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), Mulled Wine, 2 Grating Stones, Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from fragile), Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle) Alexandre le Chevalier (Played by Capt.JohnPaul) *Immune to Stunned, Slowed, and Bound* 20 year old elf male Black Knight Level 25.66 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 14 Health: 43/43 Gold: 232 Equipment: Sword of the Elven Blademaster (WP: 10 ;ignores SP, +1 gold per successful strike, Poisoned -10), Cross Heater Shield (SP: 10), Black Knight Armor (SP:4, protects from Stunned effect.), Winged Sandals (Protects from bound- and slowed-effects; footwear) Inventory: Potions (7), Bedroll, Smoke Bomb 3x, Fire Bomb, Feather Duster of DOOM (WP: 1), Eyepatch (Headwear: 1/2 chance to prevent blinded-effect. Costs 20 gold. A hero cannot equip more than 1 eyepatch) Deadly Venom x5, Tome of The Regret, Volatile Venom x4, Mead 2x, Nostrum, Smelling Salts, Grand Potion 2x, Emerald (Wood), Mulled Wine, 1 fine Montresorian Wine, Ambrosia, 4 Grating Stones, Dapper Hat (Headwear, wearer has a 1/6 chance of becoming encouraged at the start of each battle), Remedy x2, Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle) Dyric Rone (Played by The Legonator) *Immune to all elements* *Lucky* *Steals 50% more gold* Level 24.66 Assassin Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 3 Health: 36/36 Gold: 2005 Equipment: Requiem (WP: 20; wood, light and darkness-elemental, ranged), Lucky Die, Tricorne (SP:3, Water, Wood, Earth, Ice, Fire, Wind, Lightning, Light, Darkness - elemental) Sticky Gloves (Increases amount of gold stolen by 50%; handwear) Inventory: Double Chain Whip (WP:10), Throwing Knife (WP:4, ranged, retrievable), Aquamarine (Water), Diamond, 4 Potions, 4 Grand Potions, Elixir, 2 Remedies, 3 Meads, Nostrum, 2 Venoms, Smoke Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, 3 Mythril Shards (3/4 of a Mythril), Silver Ore (Worth 60 gold), Bone, Winged Sandals, Smelling Salts, Bedroll, Shovel, Banana (Restores full health to target), Diamond Lamp of Summoning (1/3 Uses Left), Tonic, Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3, Immunity to Ice and Water, Bodywear, Suitable for Barbarians, Regulators, and Beast Warriors), 1 Military Grade Light Bomb, 1 Military Grade Darkness Bomb, 3 Cosmic Essences, Mulled Wine, Soma, 2 Bones, Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle), Magic Bompass Olmstyr (NPC, uncontrollable/takes suggestions) 33 years old male orc Warden Level 29 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 10 Health: 1/46 Gold: 0 Equipment: Serstyr (WP: 21, light-elemental, longsword), Traveller’s Cloak (SP: 1, backwear), Orc-Made Chainmail (Suitable for Olmstyr, SP: 9, half damage from humans, bodywear) Inventory: Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle)

"First we storm the bridge. Once we've secured it, we can get as many men into the Kingdoms as we need."

Yeah. When the current party leaves the Fields, the sign-ups will reopen.

"Thank you, monk. Opening our doors has led to significant prosperity, yet now it may be responsible for these disappearances...ironic. The ex-assassin, Posco Padfoot, was actually the one who suggested we set up a town watch. He vanished along with them." "Can't say where they vanished. Probably in their room in the flat, or somewhere else secluded. Posco was going to start poking around for evidence when his team disappeared. We haven't noticed anything outright, but we don't have the investigative skills you heroes do. I don't know why they left us for last....maybe they just wanted to have me watch my entire city crumble first." The Baron glared out the door. "They'll have to do better than that if they want to get under my skin." "The one you came through is the main entrance. We sealed off the other side, so all that tunnel does is lead straight here. Then there's the other passage..." "You'll remember it Mister Pretzel, it's where those Wolfgangers were hiding out..." "Right, but they're long gone. I had some of my people scope it out not long afterward to make sure there weren't any entrances to the surface. The only thing I can think of is if they forced the manhole, but...I feel like we'd have some trace of something if the kidnappers were, well, mundane. I have a gut feeling that magic's at play here. Which reminds me; Moke, go fetch the professional." The gnome in the top hat nodded and scampered out of the room. The Baron grabbed the bottle off his desk and took a swig straight from it. "I hired another to help with this investigation. Apparently he has skill in matters such as this. He'll be along shortly...any more questions?"

"Yes, indeed, we have expanded and grown ever since the nearby Wolfgang presence was removed and we opened our doors. Used to be only the administration building, Shelby's shop, and the Sluice. Now we've got a flat for our permanent residents instead, as well as a well and a workshop. Oh, the Sluice is that mushroom over there. It's our local bar. Er, pub. Tavern. Hotel...inn?" "Ah, yes....two weeks ago we were bigger than we ever were. Now we're a ghost town. Hopefully we can get things back to the way they were...." "Yes, allow me." Moke goes up to the stairs leading to the gray stone building elevated above the others. The doors swing open to reveal a bearded gnome in an enormously glorious hat sitting behind a desk. "Sir, I brought-" "Yes, yes, Moke, I have eyes. Welcome to Zylstra, heroes. Pretzel, Hybros, it's good to see you two again. And always good to meet more Heroicans, misters...?" "Jeaux Elmfyre and Em, sir." "Em? That's a name?" "As much a name as the Baron, sir." "Shut up, Moke." The Baron turned to the heroes. "Well. I suppose you'll want to hear all about our little problem. Afraid I can't help you much there. Around a week ago, one of our citizens vanished. It went unnoticed until the next day, when two more vanished as well, without a trace. I advised everyone to travel in pairs, as a precaution. It didn't even remotely help, because then those pairs started disappearing two. A friend of mine advised we set up a town watch, and I authorized it, only to have his entire team disappear like everyone else. Nothing we do seems to have done anything to stop whatever is happening. So now we're hiring you." "I have a list of the missing people here, just let me get it out-" "Don't bother. They got Vinum, Erveka, and Shelby while we you were out collecting the heroes. We're the last two citizens left." Moke froze, paralyzed as this revelation sunk in. The Baron merely turned to the heroes grimly. "I don't like relying on outside help. It goes against everything Zylstra has stood for in the past, and with these disappearances I'm not convinced even opening our doors was a good idea. But you've helped us before, and now you're all we have left at this point, heroes. I'd like you to start poking around the city. See if there's anything we missed. Evidence, clues, anything you can use to figure out just what the hell is going on here. Any questions?"

"We don't know that for sure, but, um, I suppose it makes sense." "Shouldn't be much further...ah, here we are." The sound of rushing water became prevalent in the heroes' ears as Moke lead them down one final turn. In a circular sewer sluice had been built a small settlement, complete with buildings, a giant, glowing mushroom, and even a well, a small waterfall tumbling in the background. "Ah....now welcome to Zylstra. Home to many, known by few."

"...I see. I hope for their sake they do not involve themselves, but the rulers of the Kingdoms have silver tongues and golden treasures aplenty."

The orc turned slowly, staring with unmatched determination at Guts for several long moments, completely silent. Olmstyr spoke up briefly. "...I knew this, as well. But these heroes have done much good in the world. They're what Baltarok needed - you just said as much." Tarvalk nodded slowly. "...Old wounds, Guts Seruno. Old wounds. Our history is proud. But not absolute."

Tarvalk looked east, then turned back to the heroes. "No." He strode onto one of the piles of rubble lying around nearby, and seemed to tower over the hundreds of orcs before him. "Sons and daughters of Tarok; the ruin brought about by the Kingdoms here today might seem a reckoning hundreds of years in the making. It is not. No single grudge could spawn an assault of this magnitude, not after such a stretch of time. This is an act of war. Maybe in their hearts, and in ours, we still feel the drive, the drive Tarokai felt two and a half centuries ago, when he set about to right the wrongs on our race, and the same drive that caused them to strike back at us. But those are old scars. This attack is a new wound on the history of our people - and this time, we will return the blood shed by every orc tenfold on the soldiers of the Kingdoms! They forced us back into our land, expecting our survivors to bleed until we could fight no more, but we have rebuilt, a hundred times greater than before, and we will return to the Kingdoms with ferocity yet unseen by their corrupted kings and murderous knights! We have endured a thousand perils, and every orc still imprisoned in the Kingdoms has endured a thousand more, but today, that comes to an end!" The old orc lifted his greatsword, pointing east, past the crumbling walls of Imaestym, to the dim silhouette of the bridge in the distance. "WE MARCH NOW FOR THE BRIDGE! WHEN THE NEXT MORNING DAWNS, SO WILL DAWN A NEW ERA IN BALTAROK, AND FOR EVERY ORC ON OLEGAIA! COL, EI ASH TAROK KON IR GAUSH!" The entire army roared in response, and the ground quaked as the forces of the four clans stormed forth east, towards the future, for good or ill. Tarvalk waved his sword again, and the commanders of each clan rallied around him. "Come, heroes. The time is now. You as much a part of Baltarok as any of these orcs. United, nothing can overtake the might of us all." The clan commanders started walking alongside their army. Their war had begun.

"Of course, Mister Elmfyre. I'm not privy to the details, but I'm just here to escort you to the Baron. And since we're all here..." Moke inserted a key into the handle of the lever, twisted, and then pulled on it. A mechanical grinding issued, then the manhole slid aside, revealing a stout wooden ladder leading into the sewers below. "....This way, please." The gnome led them down underneath Eubric. This stretch of sewer was musky, like all of them, but had been dried out, the floor covered in stagnant grit and waterlogged dirt for them to walk through. "If you'd like my, eh, personal view of the situation, I suspect something magical is at play...it was I who convinced the Baron to hire additional hands for this job, no offense to your skill, of course. It's simply strange how all this is happening..."

"Oh, of course, Mister Pretzel. We're glad to have you helping out our fair city once again. Life is better, until, er, well, the kidnappings and such. As you can see, we've opened our doors, um, so to speak. The Baron learned of Wally's wherabouts thanks to Mister Hybros here. They got in contact, and Wally has been spreading word of Zylstra, inviting new citizens and such." Moke bows slightly. "No, but I know much about you, I serve as the Baron's personal assistant. It is a pleasure to welcome you into our city once again." He looked up at Em next. "And of course we are happy to have any new Heroican visiting Zylstra, Mister Em. The circumstances are unfortunate, but your organization has helped preserve our city before, I have no doubt you will prove your worth again!"

Atramor blinked, rubbing the side of his head. "I suppose. I don't think we'll find a trace of Lorenzo anyway, bartender seemed sure he was hidin' his tracks."

"I've had no-" The old orc paused as two figures pushed their way through the crack in the wall the heroes had just exited. One seemed to be pushing the other, along towards the party. It was Tra-Serral (looking relatively unscathed) and Olmstyr (who looked like he just took a six story drop off a balcony). "Heck of a fall doesn't even begin to cover it," coughed Olmstyr. "Tra-Serral. What is the meaning of this." "Was told to let no human set foot inside. Most here are human...some elf. One orc. All banded together." Tarvalk paused. "So it would seem....I owe you an apology, heroes. For quite a long time we have equated humankind with the Kingdoms across the river. But you have brought Baltarok together in the way that only one orc ever has over the course of our entire history. Anyone here can see the worth of your kind; that goes for the elves, as well. Have no doubt you will all be remembered in our legends among Ironshin the Greater, Chief Valokuul, Girmelv the Sharp, and Grog the Red. Orcs never forget their history, nor those that stood beside them even while others move to destroy all we know."

It's roughly noon in Eubric, sun high in the sky, when the party makes their way behind the apothecary, as specified in the notice. Hybros and Pretzel had visited the backalley before, but even they didn't recognize the signs and the lever that now sat behind the rusted old manhole. "Ah, heroes - good to see you've made it. Welcome to Zylstra...er. Well. The door into Zylstra, would be more accurate, I suppose." The Party Hybros (JimButcher)*Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements* 53-year-old male imp Assassin Level: 29.66 Power Bonus: +1 Defense: 0 Health: 44/44 Gold: 949 Equipment: Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 43.33, gains 1/3 WP every kill made with it, light-, darkness-, fire-, ice-, and wind-elemental; longsword), Golden Armor (user is permanently hastened and cursed, fire-, water-, earth-, wind-, wood-, ice-, lightning-, darkness-, light-elemental, grants immunity to Sleep, Blindness, Confusion, Frailty, and Weakening; bodywear), Cloak of the Red Assassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear), The Black Hat (Suitable for anyone, grants Intimidation, immune to darkness and cursed, headwear) Inventory: Zoot's Reaper (WP:15, earth-elemental; scythe), Clock Cog (WP:14, retrievable), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all, retrievable), Justice (WP:8, causes blinded-effect, dagger), Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike, daggers), Spinning Bolas (WP: 5, deals the Slowed effect, but the effect is removed when retrieved; retrievable), Wrench (WP:3, decreases the target’s level by 1, retrievable), Dastan Dual Axes (WP: 7, 1/6 chance to seal dragons, dual-strike, axes), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP:1, suitable to Rogues; backwear), Sterile Gloves (grants immunity to poisoned- and bleeding-effects, handwear), Sticky Gloves (gains 50% more gold, suitable for Rogues, handwear), Minuet of the Forest (Causes Wood damage equal to the minstrel's level to all enemies per round for as long as the song is sung. Costs 10 ether per round. Minstrel Song), 14 Potions, 15 Grand Potions, 19 Health Cores, Tiger Balm, 15 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, 3 Elixirs, 5 Phoenix Essences, 2 Deadly Venoms, 3 Smoke Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 7 Nostrums, 3 Meads, 3 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, 4 Mythril Shards, 3 Pumpkin Bombs (causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used) Monk Pretzel (Played by Palathadric) *Immune to Fragile* 463-year-old male "hermit" Paladin Level 27 2/3 Power Bonus: 0, (+5 in the front row) Defense: 27 (+5, in the Back Row) Health: 48/48 Ether: 36/36 Gold: 936 Equipment: Dual Staff (WP:8, Ice, Lightning, Fire, Wind, Light; dual strike; staff), Mythril Shield (SP:20), Strategist's Shako (+5 power while in the front row, +5 SP while in the back; headwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max Ether +4; backwear), Heavy Armour (SP:5, Immune to Fragile) Inventory: Heavy Flail (WP:5, causes fragile; mace), Flying Cross (WP:6; Darkness; broomstick), Steak (WP: 1; instantly kills vampires on successful hits; suitable for all), Impervious Shield (SP: 5; grants immunity to Fire), Duplovian Helmet (SP: 2; Immune to Magic and Healing; headwear), Bumble Fanshirt (SP: 1; Vermin with level less than half of the wearers are scared and won't directly attack the wearer; bodywear), Soothing Slippers (meditation restores 5 ether; footwear), Magic Viper Skin (heals 1 health to wearer each round of battle unless knocked out; accessory), Shackles of War (accessory), Counterstrike Gloves (handwear), Amethyst, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blinding, Scroll of Arc Sleep, 3 Potions, 5 Grand Potions, 5 Tonics, 2 Ether Cores, 7 Remedies, Neutralizer, Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 4 Phoenix Incenses, 2 Smelling Salts, 5 Venoms, 5 Deadly Venoms, 2 Paralyzing Venoms, 3 Smoke Bombs, Fire Bomb, Holy Bomb, Military Grade Fire Bomb, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Shovel (will always find something when used, limited to three uses per quest), 10 Bones, Raw Meat (+5 max. health upon consumption) Jeaux Elmfyre (joeshmoe554) *Blessed* *Transcended* *Immune to Sealing, Bleeding, and Confused* *Party Leader* Unknown age automaton male Evoker Level 16.5 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 2 Health: 24/24 Ether: 17/17 Gold: 615 Equipment: Divine Cannonade (WP:11; gives blessed- and transcended-effects to user; hollow; handcannon), Enchanted Bracelet (protects from sealing; accessory), Automaton Armor (SP:2, immune to bleeding and confused; suitable to automata only; bodywear) Inventory: Eminus (WP: 5; bow), Ranger's Quiver (WP+1; backwear), Topaz, Soma, Smelling Salts, Tonic, Grand Tonic x2, Grand Potion x3, Remedy x4, Venom x2, Volatile Venom x4, Jinxy Juice, Smoke Bomb, Water Bomb, Bedroll, Bone x6, Handy Suitcase (SP-2, use 2 Items; accessory), Turdwing (fly familiar; causes confused to one opponent whenever used) Summons: Thunder Mode Em (emjajoas) Unknown age human male Warden Level 15.5 Power Bonus: 4 Defense: 19 Health: 33/33 Gold: 6 Equipment: Aquabow (WP: 7, Water-elemental), Anniversary Medal (Artefact/Accessory) (Power +2, SP +2, Max. Health +2, Max. Ether +2. The values will increase by 1 with each passing year), Iron Knuckle Armour (Body, foot, and hand wear. Counts as one artefact. Usable by knights and dragoons. SP: 10. Cannot be removed by enemies), Fashionable Shield (SP:7) Inventory: Consumables: Smoke bomb, Grating Stone x2, Nostrum x2, Potion x5, Remedy x4, Venom, Grand Potion, Mead x2, Ambrosia Weapons: Quality Cutlass (WP:6, Dagger), Bow(WP:5) Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Equipment: White Marksman's Hat (⅙ chance of Assassination vs. Flying monsters; Headwear), Gentleman's Hat (SP: 1, suitable for men, headgear. The wearer has a 1/2 chance to not be affected by (Asleep), Ranger's Quiver (+1 WP to all Bows/Crossbows), Syndicate Cowl (SP: 2, Immune to Doomed effect),Frost Helmet (SP: 3, ice immune) Welcome to the Quest. Make your marketplace purchases before posting here, please. You can chat for as long as you like until everyone's confirmed. Emjajoas, you had your power listed as 28, but I count only 24. If you've taken any consumables that permanently add to your health, just let me know (and add it to your stats so other QMs know as well) .

"Indeed." Tarvalk moves towards Karstaal, but pauses as the man half-standing against the bookshelf spits up a significant amount of blood. "As bad as we are....you speak....to the same monsters who thought they could conquer the world not three centuries ago...and now they're the good guys?" He grinned, teeth lined with blood. "...Heh.....traitors on every side. Lizards, nords, orcs...almost don't care who comes out on top anymore...so much power...all wasted." Tarvalk wraps his arm around the man's head, snapping it halfway around on his neck before letting the body hit the floor. He turns away, scooping up Karstaal and slinging the orc over his shoulder, leading the heroes out without a word. The party returns to the camp set up just outside the wall. On one side, a dead city lies smoking in ruin. On the other, four armies stand ready for blood, and yet all is relatively quiet. Tarvalk gazes over the ocean of orcs, handing Karstaal off to several of his men who start examining his wounds. The leaders of the other armies approach the party - first Jaret, arms crossed, then General Gor, blade and armor shimmering in the light. Garohn approaches from a cluster of his men, looking grim as always. Tarvalk nods to each. The armies of the four clans, all assembled in a single force. For the first time in over two hundred years, Baltarok stands united. "Heroes. I've rounded up what troops I can." "We are pre-par-red for ven-geance." "Irlaz stands ready, heroes." For the first time, a strong, determined smile seems to form under Tarvalk's beard, though his face remains otherwise impassive. "Thousands of years of hating us. Centuries of imprisoning us. But now, thanks to you, heroes....the High Kingdoms will learn to fear us."

Not even a little, sorry. Think Dastan palace battle. Except instead of a palace there's just more enemies.

Everything's going to come ahead to a head very soon. Lots of heads. Just heads. Heads everywhere.

Quest 98 should be up momentariventually. I'm excited to see how this party pans out. I really like the four-person party dynamic for some reason.

An eccentric-looking gnome in a top hat shuffled into the hall, struggling to reach the quest board for a moment, but managing to pin a notice right on the bottom of it. Chosen Heroes for Quest #98: Dark of the Moon Monk Pretzel, Level 27.66 Paladin (Palathadric) Hybros, Level 29.66 Assassin (JimButcher) Jeaux Elmfyre, Level 16.5 Evoker (joeshmoe554) *Party Leader* Em, Level 15.5 Warden (emjajoas) Please be prepared and present behind the apothecary at noon tomorrow. A representative will be there to meet you.

Atramor shrugged. "I'm ready to head back, but again I'd like to stop at the blacksmith when we get a chance tomorrow. I've heard a lot about this Darksteel stuff."

Current Sign-Ups for Quest #98: Dark of the Moon Oilan Graybeard, Level 1 Mage (vangar graybeard) Monk Pretzel, Level 27.66 Paladin (Palathadric) 'Sarge' Jon Mcency, Level 19 Black Knight (Pyrovisionary) Hybros, Level 29.66 Assassin (JimButcher) Grimwald Gjinko, Level 12.5 Cleric (LordoftheNoobs) Siercon, Level 6 Mage (Siercon and Coral) Jeaux Elmfyre, Level 16.5 Evoker (joeshmoe554) Em, Level 15.5 Warden (emjajoas) Sign-ups close in 24 hours.

"He is to die here. We do not keep prisoners or slaves. Jaret lives? Unless he has indeed betrayed us, something I would not doubt, he is likely outside the city as well."