CMP

Round Three of Heroica RPG! Benji vs. Melvin Ranger vs. Rogue - Draw Knight vs. Mage - Forces of Evil! Barbarian vs. Barbarian - Draw Rogue vs. Ranger - Draw Mage vs. Cleric - Forces of Evil! Cleric vs. Knight - Draw Forces of Evil win Round Three! The Rangers and Rogues get into a vicious four-way standoff that nobody seems to be able to win. The Barbarians match their strength as Benji's Cleric and Melvin's Knight stare at eachother angrily. But Melvin's Cleric and Mage cut their way to victory. "Finally, my luck's turnin' round! Good game, sir!" Melvin scoops up Benji's 40 coins.

Round One of Heroica RPG! Benji vs. Melvin Barbarian vs. Cleric - Heroica! Ranger vs. Rogue - Draw Knight vs. Mage - Forces of Evil! Rogue vs. Knight - Heroica! Cleric vs. Barbarian - Forces of Evil! Mage vs. Ranger - Heroica! Heroica wins Round One! The next battle is a slaughter. Both Clerics are brutally decapitated by their opposing Barbarians. Melvin's Mage fries Benji's Knight, but Benji's own Mage nails the enemy Ranger between the eyes. With a fireball. Benji's Rogue slits Melvin's Knight's throat, while the evil Rogue can't seem to gain an advantage on Melvin's Ranger. "Well played...we're down to Round Three, then." "Indeed. I very rarely set foot in Eubric proper. I'm not very well liked there. Perhaps the hate is justified, but regardless I feel by isolating myself I'm no threat."

From a glance I see this. Maybe he just doesn't know Baulf or Wilhalm well enough to know this isn't terribly surprising from either of them, but I don't think that makes the good prospects for lynching, especially this early. We're not even twelve hours into the day yet. *makes them good prospects This isn't too terribly surprising from her either.

Atramor does nothing from the back row if successfully revived.

"Will do my scaly friend!" Round One of Heroica RPG! Benji vs. Melvin Cleric vs. Barbarian - Forces of Evil! Knight vs. Mage - Forces of Evil! Ranger vs. Rogue - Draw Barbarian vs. Ranger - Forces of Evil! Mage vs. Knight - Heroica! Rogue vs. Cleric - Forces of Evil! Forces of Evil win Round One! Benji's forces are utterly decimated. His Mage melts Melvin's Knight in retribution, though, and his Ranger limps off to fight another day. "Finally, my luck turns...Round Two, now?" The man turns to Hoke. His robes are disheveled, one leg and arm carved of wood, and he leans heavily on a staff. Though Hoke doesn't know it, the man's beard is even more ragged than before, and his face more gaunt. "You may call me Jules, Sir Ablesword."

"Possibly - but paladins generally don't associate with creatures such as it. It may be a sarl little prick, but not worth a war to kill. I'll keep an eye on him, but I don't think he'll try anything other than spewing his nonsense. The other party of heroes seem reasonable enough, I doubt they'd stand for it even if he did."

Well. That sucked.

Olmstyr rolled his eyes and mumbled something under his breath. "Ash vahls-sarsuuln zark oro melda." Party Hoke Ablesword The Krakenwhacker and Titan Smiter (UsernameMDM) *Party Leader* Level 29 Mystic Knight *Immune Fragile, Weakened* Power Bonus: 8 Defense: 29 Health: 48/48 Ether: 29/29 Gold: 528 Equipment: Flagpole (WP:3, +3 SP to the whole party whenever equipped, lance), Steel Buckler (SP: 20), Samurai Helmet (WP:4, suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors), Pugilist Gloves (+2 to power, immune Weakened), Heavy Armor (SP:5, immune Fragile) Inventory: Vintul (WP: 16; greatsword), Warrior's Treads (SP:2, Health +1), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, causes the Bleeding effect; spear), Chains of the Pongcanis Chief (Hero Pierces SP if fighting from Front, Enemies ignore SP if hero fights from the back row, cannot be removed in battle), Medal of Glory (Artefact/Accessory - Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles), Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory), Cultist Hat (damage vs undead), Counterstrike Gloves, Opal (Ice), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Aquamarine (Water), 2x Amethyst (Darkness), Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Garnet (Earth), Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep, 4x Potions, 4x Grand Potions, Remedy, 3x Phoenix Essences, Phoenix Incense, Mead, 4x Ether Core, Dragon Scale (Grants lucky- and blessed-effects when consumed), Grating Stone, Zoot's Plaything (Special 3/4 Edition), Water Bomb, Dirt Bomb, 2x Smoke Bomb, 3x Venom, 3x Deadly Venom, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Kraken Fang (grants hastened- and reinforced-effects when consumed), 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), Level Up Mushroom, Pumpkin Bomb Benji Carvenhall, the Dragonslayer Level 35 Beastwarrior *Natural Respite* *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened Effects* Power: 51 (35+16) Defense: 9 (3+6) Health: 61/61 (6+34+15+6) Gold: 227 (owes 500 to Alexis Fenral) Equipment: Meduiak (Precision Bow; WP:16; AIM's become HIT's; darkness-, ice-, fire-, wind- elemental), Medal of Glory (accessory, mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, immunity to asleep, blinded, confused, fragile, and weakened effects), Tricorne (headwear, SP:3), Overkill Gloves [borrowed from Galen] (handwear, +1 gold for every point of damage done extra when defeating an enemy), Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (SP:6, backwear, suitable for Ranger and Barbarian Oriented Classes and Beast Warriors) Inventory: Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:15; earth-, wood-, water-, lightning-, light-elemental), Kusarigama (WP:10, whip), Brown Dragon Girdle (bodywear, power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors), Ratmancer's Cowl (headgear, the wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin), Trickster's Mask of the Gender Swap (artefact, accessory), Health Core (8), Grand Potion (14), Potion (2), Remedy (6), Phoenix Essence (5), Phoenix Incense (2), Dragon Scales (3), Nostrum (3), Smelling Salts (3), Mead (5), Mulled Wine (3), Venom, Smoke Bomb (3), Skeleton Decoy, Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb 2x, Water Bomb, Bone, Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel Tesni Hightribe, Level 32 2/4 Beserker *Restoration* *Immune to Afraid* Power: 59 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 14 Health: 51/51 Gold: 1426 Equipment: Fàelàn (WP:20, 8x damage to enemies weak to fire, fire-elemental longsword)),Sir Roderick’s Shield (SP:11, Immunity to afraid), Bone Claws (WP:3, SP:2; handwear), Dragon Bone Armor (SP:4, Max. Health +2; bodywear), Barbarian's Boots (Changes “Natural Respite” job trait into “Restoration”, restoring full health after every battle; suitable for barbarians, chi monks and beast warriors). Inventory: Mellt (WP:10, ice- and lightning-elemental; hammer), Qilin Blade (WP:15, damages undead, ignores row and SP; longsword), Cysgodion (WP:14, darkness-elemental; greatsword), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, light-elemental; longsword), Cryfder (WP:6),Party Maracas (WP:4, user is hastened, instrument), Rebel's Dagger (WP: 5), 2 Shackles of War (prevents all fleeing, accessory), Red Dragon Plume (artifact, accessory, immunity to Weakened and Fire, suitable to Barbarians, Knights, Skirmishers, Winged Warriors), King's Crown (Headwear, protects against Doom and Petrified, Suitable for all classes), Scroll of Sleep, Remedy, Tiger Balm, Elixir, 2 Phoenix Essences, 5 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 2 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Soma, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bright Polish, Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning, Mod Rod (WP:10, causes the afraid-effect; lightning-elemental staff suitable for staff members only) -Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) Level 23.33 Shaman *Immune to Sealed* *Immunity to water**Restoration* Power bonus: 0 Defense: 3 (3(Robe of the Archmage) Health: 42 (Base Cleric 9 +Level bonus 22 +Shaman Bonus 9 +3(White Cloak)) Ether: 34 (Base Cleric 5 +Level bonus 22 +Shaman Bonus 1 +5(Robe of the Archmage)) Gold: 245 Equipment: Magical Staff (WP: 15; Water-, Darkness-elemental; staff), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to Sealed; bodywear), Barbarian’s Boots (Restoration; footwear) Inventory: Mourning Star (WP: 10; Fire-elemental; inflicts Fragile-effect; mace), Grogmas Handcannon (WP:12 + the number of the round of battle), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer), Axe of the Minotaur Champion (WP: 30; user is Slowed and Immune to Hastened; cannot be equipped at the same time as a shield; axe) • White Cloak (Max HP +3; backwear), Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; Immune to Water; accessory) • Opal, Topaz, Diamond, Garnet, Sapphire, Emerald • Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion • Grand Tonics (3), Potions (3), Elixirs (3), Remedies (5), Potion, Phoenix Essences (3), Phoenix Incense, Tiger Balm, Neutralizers (2), Essence of Sorrow (50% assassination chance on non-immune target), Venom, Fire Bombs (2), Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bombs (2), Water Bombs (2), Dirt Bombs (2), Air Bombs (2), Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Carrot (restores 5 HP, 10 to rabbits), Bright Polish, Double Rainbow, Dragon Scales (2), Mead • Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass Jess Islanti (Sisco) Level 19 Assassin *Immune to Weakened Effect* Power: 37 (+4) (19+14+2+2) Health: 31/31(+1) (7+18+5+1) Gold: 176 Equipment: Blohdhurm (WP: 14)(Fire elemental, Permanently Poisoned), Pugilist's Gloves (+2 to Power, immune to the Weakened Effect) Inventory: Mercutio's Dagger of Mugging (WP:5, Mug Ability +5), Diamond of Thoric, 2 Venoms, Mead, Smelling Salts, Remedy, 4 Grand Potions, Dragonfire Stew (Gives the consumer the encouraged and inspired effects for the duration of one battle) Gocklo *Immune to Hexed* *Cannot Mimic Blessed* Male kobold Mime Level 52 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 53/53 Ether: 53/53 Equipment: Witchbane (WP: 20, deals badly poisoned, dagger), Loincloth (Immune to Hexed) Inventory: Ruby, Deci (Throwing Knife, WP: 14), Nona (Throwing Knife, WP: 14), Morta (Throwing Knife, WP: 14) Guts Holla (Scubacarrot) *Immune to Weakened, Fragile, Asleep, Confused and Blinded* *Immune to all elements* *Second Party Leader* 44 year old male human Raider Level 28.33 Power Bonus: +4 Health: 42/42 Defense: 4 Gold: 10 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), Pugilist's Gloves (2+ Power, Immune to Weakened, handwear), Crocodile Armour (+4 Defense +Immunity to Water Magic, bodywear) Inventory: Stag Antlers (WP:10, Intimidation, halberd), Twin Sai (WP: 10, dual strike, dagger), 2x Ambrosia 8x Mead, 7x Smelling Salts, 8x Nostrum, 22x Grand Potion, 4x Health Core, 2x Elixir, 1x Grand Tonic, 1x Ether Core, 14x Remedy, 3x Phoenix Essence, 5x Smoke Bomb, 4x Deadly Venom, 2x Neutralizer, Shovel, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, 4x Mythril Shard, Metasimian Ale, 5x Grating Stone, Voucher to the Guild of Invision (Good for one lesson in Alchemy), Chauncey's Diamond Lamp of Summoning (Summons ???), Clippard's Poison (When applied to a weapon, all damage dealt will instantly KO enemies unless they are immune to poison, deadly poison, or sudden death. Can be applied 3 more times), Crimson Serum (Grants Mutated Effect for one battle.) Copy of the Eubric Herald (Grants transcended and inspired effects for one battle), 3x Pumpkin Bomb Thormanil Nihai, Dragonslayer (Played by swils) and Arx the Hatchling *Immune to Darkness, Wood, Asleep, Confused, Fragile, Weakened, Blinded, Bound, and Slowed* Level 30.5 Dragoon Power Bonus: +1 Defense: 8 Health: 53/53 Gold: 1283 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), Wyvern's Tailblade (WP: 12, Greatsword, suitable for Barbarians & Knights), Thundering Totem (WP:9, lightning, axe), Tongue on a Stick (WP:1, Miss -> "Aim"), Frozen Saber (WP: 9, longsword, Stuns enemies) Artefacts: Trickster's Mask of the Gender Swap (Accessory), Trickster's Mask of the Weredog (Accessory), Trickster's Mask of the Elf(Accessory), Fighter’s Boots(Footwear, +10 damage to melee attacks. Suitable for QMs only), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up)), Aqua Gear (Wearer deals and is immune to water elemental damage) Consumables: Smelling Salts(1), Nostrum (1), Deadly Venom(2), Phoenix Essence(2), Remedy(5), Jinxy Juice(1) (Q35), Fire Bomb(2), Milk(1), Potion(2), Venom(3), Lightning Bomb, Grand Potion(2), Smoke Bomb(1), Ice Bomb(1), Bones(3), Water Bombs(5), Mead(1), Tiger Balm(1), Neutralizer (1), Aquamarine, Emerald, Garnet, Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond, Amethyst. Misc.: Pickaxe, Shovel, Amethyst, Grating Stone, Teleportapple Haldor Skovgaard (Played by Scorpiox) *Immune to Stunned, Fragile, and Blinded* 34 year old male human Nord Shaman Level 29 Power Bonus: +4 Defense: 7 Health: 48/48 Ether: 38/38 Gold: 96 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), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, Protects from Fragility) 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) (x2) Consumables: Health Core (x2), Potion (x4), Remedy (x6), Venom, Tonic, Grand Tonic (x2), Ether Core, Smelling Salts, Mead, Phoenix Esscence, Grating Stone. Inventory: Scutum Shield (SP: 9), Shovel, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep Alexis Fenral (Masked Builder) *Immune to Fragile and Blinded* *Counterstriking* 20 year old female elven Harlot Level 35.5 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 3 Health: 64/64 Gold: 697 GP: 9 Equipment: Cat-o'-Nine-Tails (WP: 20, damage divided between all enemies, Suitable For Rouges), Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from fragile), Ring of Sight (protects fromblinded), Counterstrike Gloves 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), Medal of Glory (Artefact/Accessory - Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles), Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory) Aquamarine (Water), Diamond (Light), Sapphire (Wind), Topaz (lightning), Fifty Shades of Bley, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, 2 Remedies, 2 Somas, 8 Water Bombs, 2x Lightning Bomb, 2x Fire Bomb, 3 Dirt Bombs, Smoke Bomb, 4x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Health Core, 3x Potion, 2x Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence, 4 Nostrums, 8 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, 10 Remedies, 6 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), 3x Level Up Mushroom, Dragonfire Stew (Gives the consumer the encouraged and inspired effects for the duration of one battle) Alexandre le Chevalier (Played by Capt.JohnPaul) *Immune to Stunned* 20 year old elf male Black Knight Level 23.33 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 14 Health: 41/41 Gold: 28 Equipment: Sword of the Elven Blademaster (WP: 10 ;ignores SP, +1 gold per successful strike), Cross Heater Shield (SP: 10), Dapper Hat (Headwear, wearer has a 1/6 chance of becoming encouraged at the start of each battle), Black Knight Armor (SP:4, protects from Stunned effect.) Inventory: Potions (5), Bedroll, Smoke Bomb 2x, 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 x2, Tome of The Regret, Volatile Venom x6, Mead 4x, Nostrum 3x, Smelling Salts x1, Grand Potion 3x, Emerald (Wood), Mulled Wine, 1 fine Montresorian Wine,Ambrosia, Remedy Dyric Rone (Played by The Legonator) *Immune to all elements* *Lucky* *Steals 50% more gold* Level 22.33 Assassin Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 3 Health: 34/34 Gold: 1146 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, 5 Grand Potions, Elixir, 2 Remedies, 2 Meads, 2 Venoms, Smoke Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, 3 Mythril Shards (3/4 of a Mythril), Silver Ore (Worth 60 gold), Bone, Winged Sandals, Smelling Salt 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 Olmstyr (NPC, played by your glorious QM) 33 years old male orc Warden Level 27.66 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 44/44 Defense: 10 Gold: 0 Equipment: Serstyr (WP: 20, light-elemental, longsword), Traveller’s Cloak (SP: 1, backwear), Orc-Made Chainmail (Suitable for Olmstyr, SP: 9, half damage from humans, bodywear) Inventory: 3 Grand Potions, Elixir, Phoenix Essence

Why do you need to get out this info? I don't know, I guess I just don't see the point of lining out your own character's story in such a way, or posting stuff in the Hall that doesn't affect anyone else but yourself. It's a place for roleplaying with other heroes, not yourself.

Honestly, if it doesn't inform anyone of anything and exists only to move along or serve of a supplement to a single character's story, I find cutscenes in ever way pretty much self-indulgent.

Round Two of Heroica RPG! Jess vs. Melvin Barbarian vs. Barbarian - Draw Knight vs. Knight - Draw Mage vs. Cleric - Forces of Evil! Rogue vs. Mage - Heroica! Cleric vs. Rogue - Heroica! Ranger vs. Ranger - Draw Heroica wins Round Two! Melvin's Mage fights to the last breath, torching Jess's Rogue, but her forces overwhelm those of evil. "Ahhh, hell," The dwarf chuckles. "Well, a bet's a bet, Miss!" He hands Jess back her gold along with a bowlful of Dragonfire Stew.

"As I mentioned to the assassin, Grishnod was the leader of Clan Irlaz. As to why he was taken? That's a good question. They didn't have the forces for a full-scale attack. They didn't go rampantly pillaging the area. They just took him and left. It's very unlike vikings. I'm sure he was their only target, but I couldn't even begin to guess why. The Kingdoms are in full control of the bridge's construction. We're not really in a position to retaliate just because they set foot on our land."

Round One of Heroica RPG! Jess vs. Melvin Knight vs. Rogue - Forces of Evil! Ranger vs. Cleric - Heroica! Barbarian vs. Barbarian - Draw Rogue vs. Mage - Heroica! Cleric vs. Knight - Draw Mage vs. Ranger - Heroica! Heroica wins Round One! Melvin's Rogue swiftly assassinates Jess's Knight, but her own retaliates by stabbing Melvin's Mage in the back, whilst hers toasts Melvin's Ranger to a crisp. Her Cleric and his Knight are locked in heated combat as their Barbarians test their skills against one another, but Jess's Ranger leaves Melvin's dark Cleric a pincushion. "Damn. Round two, then? I can still take it back yet!

Nope. Should be the next one after Baltarok, barring any spur of the moment ideas like Quest 82. But I haven't planned it too much yet.

"As do I. Perhaps they are, but no more have shown up since they captured Grishnod. I fear there's little hope for him, they haven't demanded a ransom. But as it is, we have enough on our plate, with neither the resources nor ships to pursue them. "Always got time to make money or dish out grub, hah. Make your wager!" Round Three of Heroica RPG! Alexis vs. Melvin Mage vs. Mage - Draw Barbarian vs. Cleric - Heroica! Ranger vs. Ranger - Draw Knight vs. Knight - Draw Cleric vs. Rogue - Heroica! Rogue vs. Barbarian - Forces of Evil! Heroica wins Round Three! Melvin's Barbarian puts down Alexis' Rogue, but with most of his forces distracted, her Cleric and Barbarian lead the heroes to victory. "Ahh! Bad rolls, I suppose. Excellent game, Miss! Here you go." Melvin hands Alexis back her wager of 30 gold, and produces a bowl, into which he spoons a portion of the thick stew. It's steaming wildly, and Alexis' eyes water just by smelling it. Dragonfire Stew - (Grants the consumer the encouraged and inspired effects for the duration of one battle) "Be careful with that miss, it's got a, eh...bit of a kick."

The dwarf returns the elf's offered gold. "A match lasts three rounds Miss, your luck with you current wager's not out just yet!" Round Two of Heroica RPG! Alexis vs. Melvin Knight vs. Barbarian - Heroica! Barbarian vs. Rogue- Heroica! Rogue vs. Cleric - Forces of Evil! Ranger vs. Mage - Forces of Evil! Mage vs. Ranger - Heroica! Cleric vs. Knight - Draw Heroica wins Round Two! Alexis' offensive front shines true. Melvin's Mage incinerates her Ranger, but her Mage and Barbarian burns and crush Melvin's Ranger and Rogue respectively. Alexis' own Rogue is disciplined by Melvin's Cleric, while her own cripples, but can't kill Melvin's Knight. "One more round, then! Whatcha' got?"

Yep. Melvin sets up a series of miniatures. Round One of Heroica RPG! Alexis vs. Melvin Barbarian vs. Mage - Tie Mage vs. Ranger - Heroica! Rogue vs. Barbarian - Forces of Evil! Ranger vs. Knight - Forces of Evil! Cleric vs. Cleric - Tie Knight vs. Rogue - Forces of Evil! Forces of Evil win Round One! Alexis' Barbarian withstands Melvin's Mage's fireball, but neither can gain an advantage over the other. The Clerics engage in a philosophical debate while Melvin's Rogue stabs Alexis' Knight in the back. Both Rangers are killed with ease, but Melvin's Barbarian splits the Heroican Rogue's head, winning the round for the Forces of Evil. "Ready for Round Two, Miss Elf?"

Can't count people Arthur doesn't know. Best not inform them of your latest exploits then*. * Or any older ones**. ** Except for Quests 17 and 31***. *** Except for the part where you ate that guy.

I think it's because he doesn't have the rights to anything but the Hobbit and LotR, so he can't use stuff from Unfinished Tales.

"Well...her very existence is a bit of a scandal. Physically...well, if she was much paler she could pass for human. Imaginably this caused some problems during Grishnod's rule, but at least he had the authority to dispel anyone who might question the issue directly. She's also a mage - conventional magic is incredibly rare among orcs, and generally frowned on, excluding our shamans and healers. But now that she has power, her personality is what's causing the biggest ripples. She's making changes. Big ones. Mostly she's been loosening laws of tradition. It's said Tarok frowns upon those who drink, very few do it in public. Such is no longer the case in Clan Irlaz. She's also been improving rights for migrants in Vim-Lhzar....which may sound reasonable to you, but not to the resident orcs. Especially not since most migrants are mercenaries, smugglers, or pirates. The leader of Clan Irlaz has the most direct contact with outsiders, and it seems Bastala is all for more of it." "Aha, very good!" The dwarf sets down his ladle and rummages around behind the cauldron for a moment before pulling out a wooden box. "Let's play some Heroica RPG, eh?" "You can wager however many coins you like on each match, winner takes all. For everyone 30 coins you wager, I'll throw in a bowlful of Dragonfire Stew on my side of the bet instead." Bet 1-29 coins, and he'll match your wager. Bet 30, you get the stew. 31-59, you get the stew as well as your wager minus the 30 for the stew, etc.

Olmstyr looked hard at Hoke. "Humans have been enslaving our kind since the two races met. Tarokai wanted things to change. Bring our people back to glory, free every orc alive. He slaughtered hundreds of thousands on his conquest. Any human that stood in his way. Man, woman, child. It was a mission of vengeance. Not for him. For our race. Anyone from the Kingdoms would call him the most murderous warlord who ever lived. Anyone in Baltarok would call him the greatest hero in all our history. Then he was murdered. More of us were enslaved than ever before. This time, filled with bitterness, having tasted what almost was. We don't want another war, and even if there was, we wouldn't have the strength to survive it. But living knowing many of our race still live in chains...." The orc sighed. "I fear the tension will never ease. The bridge spans the river that's divided us since time began. Crossing waters fraught with vikings is the only practical - if you call it that - way of getting from Baltarok to the Kingdoms, or the other way around. The bridge defeats that natural barrier. Whoever owns the bridge has complete, unhindered access to the other's lands."

"Vim-Lhzar is technically the oldest of the clan capitals, but it's constantly being rebuilt, added to, and enhanced, so it looks entirely different than it did a hundred years ago - you wouldn't guess they were the same city if they didn't share the name and location. It's Baltarok's largest port, and used to hold our only shipyard, but it was burned and pillaged shortly after the assassination of Tarokai. To rebuild it wouldn't be a far cry from declaring war. The Kingdoms assume any ship we want to build would be to ferry soldiers to their land...it's been Clan Irlaz's capital for most of its existence, so the clan leaders usually reside there. The shipyards are long gone, but being it's still a port, most ships that can slip past the vikings, Bonapartes, and Kingdom ships patrolling the Helvetian Sea land there, at least for a while. Thus, Vim-Lhzar is both largest port, oldest capital, and holds the only notable non-orc population in Baltarok. It's not a huge percentage, and most are mercenaries hiding from other authorities, but it's still significant." He looked out to the ocean for a moment. "Clan Irlaz is also the oldest clan. Four centuries ago, Vim-Lhzar was the closest you would find to a viking city. Before everyone stepped up security on the Helvetian, mercenaries run amok in the capital. Since all clans were....less restrained back then, the vikings would sometimes use the smaller inter-clan wars to their advantage, pillaging towns with weakened defenses, launching dozens of ships from the port at a time...but after the time of Tarokai, Irlaz and the vikings lost touch. Violently. We stopped being bloodthirsty raiders, which evidently they didn't agree with. They tried to attack us for some time, in vain, but after a few years they mostly left us alone. Until a few months back. A small force swept in, stole away Grishnod, and were gone before anyone knew what'd happened. He was a fine leader. His family's been in control for quite some time. Now his daughter Bastala rules in his stead. She's...." The orc paused, scratching the back of his head. "...not...what you would expect out of a clan leader."

"You'll have to ask your little friend there. Doubtless he has more information than I about the bridge. As far as the hubbub around it? It's more or less stoking the flames we've barely kept covered between Baltarok and the Kingdoms since the Invasion."

"Baltarok? Aye. Lived there all my life." The bearded dwarf looks up at Alexis as he seasons the bubbling stew in the cauldron. "Name's Melvin, Miss Elf! This here? Secret recipe. I call it Dragonfire Stew. 'Tis only for the crew I'm afraid, but...well, heheh, sometimes my gamblin' gets the better of me, and I may have served some here and there over the years. Maybe you'd like a shot at some? Captain says it's been mighty useful in the heat of battle." Olmstyr looked sideways at the nord. "Rite of passage, then? We've always had those in Baltarok as well...used to be we'd just go out and kill members of enemy clans, but we haven't done that for an age. Mostly now we hunt wild beasts. A couple aepyorni or a wyvern or somesuch...master Skovgaard, I'd recommend you don't spread that tale around too much. We've been at odds with vikings for decades. Especially in the last few months - they attacked Vim-Lhzar, capital of Irlaz, and made off with the former clan leader."

The orc gives Hoke a somewhat wary look. "Olmstyr of Clan Musalnav."