CMP

Alrighty then, I've compiled a few things that stuck out to me. Well, if it appears that way, I guess that's as good a reason as any to condemn her to death. Yeah, I was suspicious of Mist at the time too, but you don't suspect somebody because they appear to be a good suspect. What the sheep? I'm surprised nobody seemed to notice this? Wary's reasoning is sound but the person he's agreeing with and quoting is Chloe (I'm not typing that out), who did the exact same thing with Jarni. Why out of everybody looking at Mist at the time, did you choose the big friggin' sheep to agree with? Was it the most recent post at the time and you just wanted to look active? Were you just lending support to a scummy pal and trying to nudge him into the crowd of the people that're actually trying to figure things out? What?? I'm glad you spoke up to say you haven't said anything and won't say anything until someone actually following what's going on points out some vital evidence for you to vote along with, but it's not likely, so just go ahead and jump on whatever smaller bandwagon suits your fancy in the last few hours of the day to make up your contribution for today.

I'm inclined to agree with you here....especially considering the day's not even over yet. Giving up on your plan so soon, Petr? I still want to see if I can provoke some sort of response (an ACTUAL response) from Sigrid. Other than she and Petr, I'll admit I haven't been following these arguments (all ten dozen of them) too closely to form any real suspicions yet. Discussions on Day One usually lead to dead ends or mislynches, so I try not to put a ton of stock by them, but there's not much else to do 'til it's over besides looking back at them.

QM your own damn Quest!! Yes, of course, much more fun.

Updated. It's fine, I just need to make sure I have a party that checks in to Heroica daily so that we won't be holding up the other Quests. "You must be Alexis, then. That makes six. Good to see you all showed." Olmstyr glanced up at the sky. "We've still got a bit of time before the ship's ready. Suppose it couldn't hurt to give you the rundown of the situation." "Over the last year or so, the Kingdom of the Red Lizard - in collaboration with the Four Boulders - have been working ceaselessly on the Augustus Bridge, named for the last human king of Ennon. It spans the Navaosh...or, well, the river that divides Baltarok and the High Kingdoms. Since the end of the Invasion, it's been crucial to them controlling our border. Goblonia is in a state worse than our own, they burned our only real shipyard - which leads to the viking-infested Helvetian Sea anyway - and it would take months to get anywhere they think we would attack otherwise. If not for that river...well, the situation could be much, much worse." "Around five or six decades ago, a few of the Kingdoms sent soldiers across it to harass us, pillage fringe settlements, et cetera...they were repulsed, rather quickly. That's the last time we've had any significant contact with them....messages sent between the Kingdoms and Baltarok are very rare. They insist the bridge is for trade and improved foreign relations, but it's so out of the blue, and our relationship is already so fragile...few of the clans believe it. Some see it as an act of war on their part. Others see it as an opportunity. The problem I've hired you to solve is that, thus far...we can't come to a consensus on what to do about it." Olmstyr scratched his chin, thinking. "If we remain divided, and the bridge is completed...there's no telling what the clans might do. This is a very sensitive issue. The clan leaders feel very strongly about it. We're a proud race, heroes. We don't create strife, though some in Eubric may think otherwise. We simply do what is necessary to keep ourselves strong. But we're people of action. When we think something is wrong, we do something about it, for better or worse. For two and a half centuries, we've united Baltarok. Tarokai's incomplete conquest showed us that standing together, we could be more than squabbling tribes slaughtering eachother out of tradition. And since then, we've always striven to do so. I refuse to let my country crumble over this. I won't sit back and wait for the clans to ruin what's taken us centuries to understand. We need to stand as one if we're to get through this intact." "There will be a Clanmeet once we reach Baltarok. The leaders will come together and discuss the issue. I won't lie, our chances of talking them down aren't worth figuring out. Like I said...people of action. But there, we can assess the situation. See what each of them want out of the bridge. Then, we gain the support of as many clans as we can. Maybe then we'll be able to come to a resolution."

Olmstyr nodded to the dragoon and his companion. "It is good to meet you Thormanil - and your friend as well. He'll likely be the first of his kind to enter Baltarok in centuries. This just leaves the other elf, then." I'll update your stats in a bit, swils. Once Quest 90 gets posted and Masked confirms, I'll kick things off. If Masked doesn't show within 10 hours or so, I'll find a replacement.

That's not how it works this early on. You have to think for yourself. Examine people's statements, look at their reactions if you want to find somebody to vote for. If you're going to just sit and wait until somebody hands you evidence before doing anything, you're not helping the town.

"Namyrra, maybe ya' should have your undead tear up the weakest scorpion before Nyx has a go at it. The less of these bastards there are, the better."

I wish it were a ping in my eyes. It looks like more like she's admitting she's not going to be of any help at all, period. Vote: Sigrid (Sisco). Maybe this will get her talking writing, gesturing, whatever. You're not going to be of any help in this state, Sigrid.

I'll be damned, Baulf was right.

I know, I managed to remember in the second round. Atramor's attacks became immediately more reserved and defensive. He glanced at the demons - they'd be more vulnerable to his attacks now, for sure, but these damn bugs also were, even moreso. Plus, they were sure as hell asking for it. He switched targets, instead aiming for Crimson Scorpion D from the back row.

The orc chuckled. "I suppose not."

"Indeed? Well, if we make it into the High Kingdoms, I'm not sure the circumstances would be pleasant enough for a family visit..." Olmstyr coughed. "You might say our goal here is to keep the clans out of the High Kingdoms. I'm bringing heroes whose predecessors many would call harbingers of our doom into Baltarok to help us, so you might call me a hopeful person, but even I know better than to think a peaceful diplomatic resolution is anywhere near likely."

Atramor repeated his attack. "'Least we're gettin' somewhere..."

"Good to meet you. We'll be boarding a ship soon. Fast, I'm told. I suppose we'll see once we set sail." Fixed. Don't forget to update your stats post when you make purchases/sales. Olmstyr nodded to Haldor. "Good to meet you as well, Haldor. The details will have to wait, I'm afraid. There's much to tell, and doubtless much will be forgotten before we even reach Baltarok. But the four clans I spoke of are those that have brought together our country since the end of the Orcish Invasion, either absorbing or...well, removing, the smaller, more troublesome groups. They are Clan Irlaz, Clan Aj-Kahr, Clan Musalnav, and of course Clan Tarokin." He scratched his head. "As I said, I hail from Clan Musalnav, and I do have a certain amount of power and pull within it, but...our clan leader, Karstaal, doesn't like to commit resources to plans he's not sure of. Bringing you out to Baltarok was more or less my own idea. Let's hope it pays off, eh?" "Ah yes, I heard about those. Baltarok has been isolated from the world for well over two centuries, I don't even think anyone there knows Heroica even exists, yet whispers have reached our ears of the ripples your organization's made. Few could cause such a stir in an Empire like Dastan."

Atramor grumbled as he once again forced the pile of vermin back with his shield, ramming the Pheles Rod down into Crimson Scorpion B from the back row.

The air was permeated with the distant clash of steel and roars of battle on that long-remembered night in the High Kingdoms. All in Castle Fortaan knew of the storm that would rush to their doorstep. And none were more prepared for the inevitable fight than the King, though silent he stood, poring over the war-torn forest. "Years I've suspected this day might come. Countless battles fought without hesitation, with neither fear nor mercy...few in my position would bother with the fact that they will die. No. They rule as they will. Change policy on a whim to elevate themselves. Linger with their corrupt followers in some lavish hall. Then they die. The cycle continues with the next in line. Nobody spares a thought." The King paused, looking down into the courtyard where even now his soldiers prepared themselves. Word of the attack never arrived. Only the bodies of his patrols spoke of what was to come. "But I have worked too hard for that. I have come far. Beyond what anyone could imagine possible. My enemies quake at my very presence, the mere thought of my kingdom touching theirs a nightmare to fester in the minds of their people. This kingdom, this legacy...I will die. But only while ensuring my people will survive - no...thrive, beyond my passing. None alive now can claim to have observed the rise of an empire so quickly, so....effectively. Ennon is ours, as should always have been." He lifted his eyes again, to the forest. The sounds had subsided. For now. "Inherited thrones and hereditary crowns are not those sung in song. Nobody is fit or right to rule. They rule, or they do not. History will determine the rest. Sometimes power must be seized. It must be taken, and used. If the cause is one the people find just, they will see it through to the bitter end." The King hefted his greatsword, the light of the moon playing off the blade. "And my cause is the truest of them all." "It is one thousands of years in the coming. Centuries of hardship. War. Torment. The hurts inflicted upon my people are not those healed or forgiven. Too many have died for that. Too much has been taken or destroyed. No. Our former glory is long dead." But it will be avenged. Renewed fully and reborn in the blood of those who saw us enslaved, saw us subjected to suffering that has spanned generations of our kind. Countless years we have been bound in these shackles, confined to a seemingly eternal existence of servitude and pain. Yet by the impossible drive of my kin, and the will of Tarok, we have broken them. We have slaughtered our masters and decimated every kingdom in our path. We have done what was thought impossible, what these oppressors feared for as long as they have held us prisoner. We have made our race whole once again." There was a sudden, enormously loud crunch of splintering wood and a roar of hurried footsteps in the castle behind the King. His soldiers down below, preparing for a frontal assault that would never come. He was unguarded, undefended. Yet he did not stand alone. Tarokai turned, walking to the door. "And no human will ever change that." ---------- The activity of Eubric was already in full swing by the time any of the heroes made their way to the docks. The scent of fish had luckily not reached the alley behind the harbormaster's office. An orc dressed equally for travel and combat leaned against the wall there, pushing a lock of thick black hair out of his eye on occasion to check the sun. Soon, however, his promised heroes began to arrive. "There you are. Olmstyr, of Clan Musalnav. And you are?" 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 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 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 Welcome to the Quest. Makes sure to check your stats. If you're going to do any Marketplace shopping or make any last minute deals in the Hall, please do so before posting here. You can chat with eachother or with Olmstyr as much as you like, we won't be kicking things off at least until the other two Quests get rolling as well, so take your time.

I'd like to hear you more, actually. And it's probably in your best interest to do so. Nobody's going to unvote you while you quietly poke at the more silent einherjar. Address the votes against you. Defend yourself. Whether town, scum, or neutral, you're really not helping yourself by trying to shift eyes off of you.

The seasoned orc returned to the Hall in the small hours of the morning, tearing one of the Quest notices off the board and replacing it. "These'll do." Chosen heroes for Quest #89: Reclaiming Glory Dyric Rone, Level 22.33 Assassin (The Legonator) Alexis Fenral, Level 35.5 Harlot (Masked Builder) Alexandre le Chevalier, Level 23.33 Black Knight (Capt JohnPaul) Guts Holla, Level 28.33 Raider (Scubacarrot) *Party Leader* Haldor Skovgaard, Level 29 Shaman (Scorpiox) Thormanil Nihai, Level 30.5 Dragoon (swils) Be behind the harbormaster's office at least ten minutes before noon. We set sail for Baltarok then.

They're just jealous.

"I can handle it for now. Your healin' wouldn't be enough to keep me on my feet once these things start swarmin' me again anyway."

If you're still planning to go Dragoon, you'll probably be safe stuffing everything into your shield. Shields with special immunities are super rare, and yours is already one of the strongest in the game. Actually, no, you can't imbue scrolls into shields....I'd say imbue any extra gems into your shield, and do your scrolls on your best artifact. You won't be able to retrieve them later anyway.

That'd last six hours, max.

It's totally within your rights to start the Quest with whoever you want, though, if you wanted to. Players shouldn't feel entitled to go on any specific Quests regardless of who else is on it, where it's going, what NPCs are on it, etc.

Exactly, so how fair is it to blame your current QM when your character misses a Quest they seemingly HAVE to go on? People are in such a rush in Heroica these days. There's always another Quest, or somebody to talk to in the Hall, or trades to make. Is it unreasonable to suggest everyone just enjoy the Quests they're on rather than hurry things along for the sake of another? I'm sure as hell excited for Strivvi but I'm not going to speed through the Quest I'm on now just to get to it. It doesn't do anyone any favors. I stress 'for the sake of another'. Trying to push things along when a Quest itself is moving slowly is within reason, in my opinion.

He was only a month off. Take it from me, judging the length of a Quest before it even begins rarely turns out accurately.