CMP

Noting the rest of the party scribbling down pink slips, Atramor correctly deduces it's that time of the year again and signs up for the lottery. Miderun swears it is a hallucination, the letter that falls on her face as she lies barely conscious in the Fields of Glory, but she is just lucid enough to sign up anyway.

For health I typically add up the party's level and weapon power disregarding any modifiers and multiply by a number that feels appropriate for the enemy. Bosses usually end up being five, I think. For level, well, as long as your basic 'big rats' aren't one-shotting any party members, it should be fine.

Miderun stumbles back from the spell, shooting the spellcaster a loathsome stare, turning her blade away from Elric's shield and onto Luscious from the front row.

"Well...were you expectin' to have the element of surprise? We kind of slaughtered half the demons in there, mate. I'd be worried if they didn't notice." "Zylstra? Isn't that the local sewer or somethin'?" Atramor tightened the Mythril Claws to his forearms. "What are demon hunters and magic imps doin' livin' in a sewer?" The thief shook his head, and tossed an Ether Core to Byblos. "Eat that, or...do whatever ya' do with it, ya ain't much help without ether mate, no offense."

Orokuul.

"Go and take all the men. I do not think it will help." Miderun takes a swing at Elric the Damned from the front row.

Operational is not complete. They only built half of the thing.

Everything that exists so far is canon.

"It is not that simple." "IT IS." "This is something all our ancestors have dealt with...and you. I would not do it any differently, not if it means being...indebted to these outs-" "TRA-SERRAL." Tarvalk stated bluntly. "THEY ARE NOT. OUTSIDERS. HEROICA IS OUR ALLY NOW." "They could NEVER be our ally, father," she snapped back. "They ruined our entire race. They killed Tarokai, and-" "THE PAST IS WHAT IT IS. TURN BACK NOW AND WE RE-OPEN A HOST OF OLD WOUNDS. LOOK TO THE FUTURE AND PERHAPS THEY HEAL." Olmstyr swallowed hard. "It doesn't bother you, then, that your men did not in fact die in defense of your kingdom...but because it was all just some game of a demon's that they walked right into. That your history was built on one great lie." "Olmstyr," replied Daske weakly. "Come on, he's right. Whatever really happened, Baltarok wouldn't be where it was without the invasion." <"All my kin died because of one bad seed, too,"> squeaked Aazy, for the first time in quite a while. <"But it doesn't change one thing: I'm still here! And I'll do w-whatever it takes to keep it that way."> "Yeah! You think this changes anything?! Tarokai is still THE MAN, I mean, whatever went on, just look around! Clearly it was for the best!" "I am in complete agreement. As long as the bloodline of Clan Tarokin remains bound to this demon, you may very well still be serving its needs and not even know it." "There is no 'servitude.' Do you think us so weak?" "DO YOU THINK IRZERKUTRAH SO SUBMISSIVE? I WAS NEARLY DRIVEN MAD BY ITS WHISPERINGS. I DO NOT DOUBT YOUR RESOLVE TO SHUT THEM OUT...BUT I KNOW YOU CAN SEE THE THREAT OF HIS WORDS. IGNORING THEM IS NOT THE SAME AS SILENCING THEM." "ON BEHALF OF ALL MY ANCESTORS, I THANK YOU.' "In a...manner of speaking." Soryx lowered his eyes slightly. "I have never seen such...extensive corruption before. Clan leader Tarvalk. I am...not certain there is...anything to be done." "As I expected," he replied in a low growl, he replacing the mask upon his face. "This is something I have always expected. My father and his before him suffered the same fate. Perhaps I will live to the old age he did, or perhaps I have months left as the son of Tarokai did. Death is no different than any enemy of the orcs. I will stare it in the eyes and fight it to my grave." "But as I said...I believe we can banish this demon from Tra-Serral." His eyes flick over to her almost suspiciously. "I am...disappointed I did not spot it sooner." "I am very adept at covering my tracks. And Irzerkutrah's." Tra-Serral looked slowly at the heroes and then to Olmstyr, Daske, then Tarvalk. "You really think this wise?" "I do not know the circumstances surrounding the rise of this demon. I do know this, my daughter. Tarokai would not have wanted this brought down upon his descendants." "....Fine." Soryx slowly took his blade back from the assassin and began etching a large pentagonal shape into the ground. "It would be best if you were not present, Tarvalk." "I will stay as long as needed." "With all due respect you are must vulnerable to this demon's manipulations, and although trapped here, we will still have it to banish it...manually." "Go, father. It is as you say. No pride is worth the risk of this demon lingering." "...Hmph." Tarvalk snorted a bit. Perhaps in a bit of pride anyway. "Of course. We will speak when this is over." He tilted his head towards Soryx, the Vauno, and the heroes. "Ash dir dyro dol oshuule, staalo. The extent of this demon's grasp, we might never know...but seeing it end today, that will be enough." Tarvalk left the room, leaving Soryx to continue preparing his ritual. "The same goes for you, unfortunately." "Fine. No fighting. I get it." "Don't worry! We'll kill whatever this thing is, then you can get back to cuttin' throats just in time for this last assassin." "Best ready yourselves, heroes. I simply do not know how strong this Irzerkutrah is, but it's been festering in this bloodline for well over two centuries. No doubt it's...fed well. Also...if you would permit me, I would be glad to fight by your side." Party Nerwen Calmcacil, Champion of the North Kingdoms (Chromeknight) *Party Leader* 265 year old female elven Shaman Level 42.4 *Immune to sealed* *Gains Double EXP* *Restoration* *Absorbs last element* *Counterstriking* Power bonus: +8 Defense: 1 Health: 64/64 Ether: 48/50 Gold: 293 Equipment: Mourning Star (WP: 10; fire-elemental; inflicts Fragile-effect; mace), Lesser Ethereal cloak (SP:1, Max. ether +3, immune to sealed; backwear), Medal of Valor (Double experience from battles; accessory), Chameleon Vest (Max. Health +10, the user becomes able to absorb the last element it was damaged with; bodywear), Counterstrike Gloves, Barbarians boots (natural respite becomes restoration) Inventory: Weapons: Nocturne Flute (WP:6; causes asleep-effect; instrument), Mutt's Flute (WP:10; inflicts Weakened-effect; instrument), Party Maracas (WP:4; user is hastened; instrument), Battered wooden flute (WP:6; Darkness-elemental; instrument), Sword of the Warrior of the Light (WP: 14; Light-Elemental, Meditate becomes hits; longsword), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer), Singing Sword (WP 10; causes bleeding, longsword/instrument), Champion’s Voulge (WP: 14, gains 1 WP when the hero protects an ally by reducing or preventing Damage or Special Damage, axe) Artifacts: Leather armour (SP:1; Bodywear), Zap-Tap Badge (1/2 chance to Electric counterstrike an opponent who has dealt damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level; Accessory), Shield (SP: 5), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3; Immunity to Ice and Water; Bodywear; Suitable for Barbarians, Regulators, and Beast Warriors), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2; Immune to Blind), Seal of the Warrior Priestess (At the beginning of the battle the user has a 1/6 chance to be Transcended, a 1/6 chance to be Blessed, and a 1/6 chance to be Inspired; Accessory; Suitable for Paladins), Trickster's Mask of the Angel, Razor (user is Blessed and Immune to Bleeding, Enraged, and Encouraged; May take up any artifact slot; requires a shaved head), Helm of the Lord of Light (Immune to Light and Jinxed; headwear; Suitable for Knights), Sylvania's Cowl (Permits Animal Talk, Headwear), Encore Plectrum (if the same Battle Song is sung for more than one round in a row, the song’s ether cost for the consecutive rounds is halved; suitable to minstrels; accessory.) Spell Items: Opal (2), Topaz (2), Diamond (2), Amethyst, Garnet, Sapphire, Emerald, Aquamarine, Ruby, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion, Hundred Hero Hymn (Inspired-effect to all allies for 10 ether; song), Consumables: Phoenix Essence (3), Potions (10), Grand potion (2), Tonics (3), Grand tonic, Ether Core, Ambrosia (4), Elixirs (2), Remedies (6), Neutralisers (2), Tiger Balm (3), Nostrum (2), Smelling Salts, Venom (4), Mulled Wine, Dragon Scale (lucky & blessed), Titan Heart (encouraged & inspired), Fire Bomb, Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bomb, Water Bombs (2), Dirt Bombs (2), Air Bomb, Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Red Death Blood (Once applied to a weapon the first successful hit deals doomed, consumable) (2), Sushi (restores 5 health and ether), Feather of Lithe (user is nimble for three rounds, 1/3 chance to avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits), Grating Stone, Bright Polish (2), Meads (3), Mulled Wines (2), Health Core Tools/Treasure: Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, 3 Scrap Metal Thalion Dwinlas, Super Sleuth, School Inspector (-obelix-) 213 years old male elf Mystic Knight Level 34.5 *Immune to all elements, sealed, blinded, weakened, confused, sleep, fragile, cursed, doomed, sudden death, poisoned and bleeding* *Nimble* *Lucky* Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 15 Health: 45/45 Ether: 32/44 Gold: 1063 Equipment: Alpha and Omega (WP: 14, dual healing/spellcasting at the cost of 2 ether, Hollow [Grand Potion stored], staves), Ribcage Shield (SP:10; every time the wielder takes a hit, the shield loses one SP; gives immunity to Doomed and Sudden Death for as long the shield has SP left), Norgh Armor (SP:5, Immunity to Darkness, Light, Fire, Ice, Water, Wood, Wind, Lightning, Earth damage and Sealed, Blind, Fragile, Weaken, Sleep and Confused, bodywear), Blessed Amulet (Protects from Cursed-effect; accessory), Sterile Gloves (Immunity to Poisoned and Bleeding, handwear), Elven Boots (Wearer is permanently Nimble; suitable to elves; footwear) Inventory: Weapons: Despair (WP: 21, darkness-elemental, physical attacks and spells deal double damage to enemies inflicted with any negative effects, staff), Nightfall (WP: 11, Darkness-elemental, absorbs 2 health on successful hits, Hollow [Grand Potion], dagger), Sleeper (WP: 4, deals Asleep to enemies it hits, Hollow Upgrade [Grand Tonic], melee/throwing weapon), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP: 10, deals Stunned on successful hits, Hollow [Phoenix Essence]) Broomstick (WP:9, ranged), Handy Shield (SP:4, Immune to Blinded) Artifacts: Slightly Less Lucky Die (Randomly causes the Lucky or Jinxed effect when used, costs 3 ether), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing, headwear), Winged Sandals (Protects from Bound and Slowed effects, footwear), Heart Locket (Protects from Enamored-effect; accessory), Snake-Eye Charm (Protects from Petrified-effect; accessory), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory, lent to Boomingham), Paper Doll (Protects from Hexed-effect; accessory), Cloak of Espionage (Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle, backwear, lent to Nerwen), Bumble Fanshirt (SP:1, vermin with level less than half of the wearer's are scared and won't directly attack the wearer; bodywear), Dragoon's Helmet (SP:3, makes wearer absorb attacks of the element of their pet dragon, gaining health instead of damage; suitable for dragoons; headwear), Emerald Hood (SP:4, Immunity to Fragile, headwear), Cloak of Necrotic Shielding (SP:3, provides SPECIAL GUARD against Undead Enemies, backwear), Tin Helmet (Protects from Confused and Hexed effects; headwear), Sharkskin Hide (SP: 1, doubles water elemental spells, bodywear, suitable for mages, necromancers, chi monks, and weather mages), Vexing Vestaments (SP: 3, +8 max ether, the user can no longer heal undead to damage them, but healing humanoid, holy, and luminous enemies will now deal damage and inflict the hexed-effect, suitable for clerics and chi monks) Spell Items: Zirconia (Gem containing all elements; cannot be merged into equipment), 3 Amethysts, (Diamond, Aquamarine, Opal, Garnet, lent to Tra-Serral), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Elemental Aura Consumables: Earthwyrm Fang (Grants the Encouraged, Lucky, Reinforced, and Blinded effects for the duration of one battle), Copy of The Eubric Herald (Gives the target the transcended and inspired effects for the duration of one battle), Kraken Fang (Grants hastened and reinforced effects when consumed), Grand Potion (7), Potion (4), Remedy (24), Mead (5), Smelling Salts (8), Nostrum (5), Mulled Wine (4), Elixir (3), Ambrosia, Ether Core (2), Grand Tonic (6), Phoenix Essence (4), Bone (4), Smoke Bomb, Blind Bomb (2), Seal Bomb, Sleep Bomb (2), Deluxe Skeleton Decoy, Feather of White, Feather of Flight (2), Demon Repellent, Skeleton Decoy (2), Ethereal Essence (Revives a fallen ally with full health and ether and the transcended effect) Tools/Treasure: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Compass, Mythril Shard, Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 at magic shops), 3 Scrap Metal Skrall, Krakenwhacker, Titan Smiter (Waterbrick Down) 81 year old male ogre Hunter Level 44.8 *Natural Respite* *Favors Humanoid and Dark enemies* *Immune to fragile, blinded, and confused* *1/3 chance to revive when KO'd* *Second Party Leader* Power Bonus: +2 WP for bows and crossbows Defense: 11 Health: 58/58 Gold: 3346 Equipment: Unlucky Crossbow (WP: 13, causes jinxed Effect, poisoned by 10), Hunter's Quiver (Bows and Crossbows +2WP, allows Hunters to favor two types of enemies, back wear), Tricorne (SP: 3, head wear), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, wearer is immune to fragile, blind, and confused effects, body wear), Moone Greaves (SP: 3), Vorpalis Talisman (1/3 chance of instantly resurrecting with 1 HP and 1 Ether upon being knocked out; accessory), Inventory Weapons: Oversized Greatsword (WP:16, double damage on targets that are clearly smaller than the hero, greatsword), Composite Bow (WP:12, ignores SP,light,lightning,water, wood, and earth-elemental; bow), Giant Hammer (WP: 13, deals Confused); Hunter's Crossbow (WP:12, double WP against beasts, fire, ice, wind, and darkness-elemental), Axe of the Minotaur Champion (WP: 30, user is slowed and immune to hastened, axe) Artifacts: Medal of Glory (Wearer gains 3x experience from battles, accessory), Paper Doll (Immunity to Hexed) Pugilist's Gloves (+2 Power, Immunity to Weakened), Lucky Doubloon (Grants "Special Guard"; accessory), Winged Sandals (Immune to bound and slowed, footwear), Cloak of Espionage (Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle, backwear, lent by Thalion) Consumables: 3 Potions, Phoenix Essence, 3 Phoenix Incenses, 10 Meads, 8 Nostrums, 3 Remedy, 3 Smelling Salts, Deadly Venom, 9 Smoke Bomb, 2 Dirt Bombs, Fire Bomb, 5 Water Bombs, 6 Bone, Blind Fury, Grating Stone, 2 Neutralizers, Letter of Recommendation, Ethereal Essence (Revives a fallen ally with full health and ether and the transcended effect), Feather of Darkness (The weather is changed to Dim (see Weather Mage), consumable) Tools/Treasure: Spyglass (Reveals if there are spies and eavesdroppers in the vicinity when used; tool) Lord Lawrence Boomingham, True Hero Who is Actually Worth Something (Zepher) 48 year old male human Vindicator Level 37.75 *Immune to darkness, fire, fragile, sleep, weakened, and blinded* *1/2 chance of being reinforced* *Zweihänder Grip* Power Bonus: +5 on the front row Defense: 15 Health: 60/60 Gold: 365 Equipment: Scupperer (WP:17; darkness-, fire- and earth-elemental; inflicts bleeding and poisoned by 10; has 1/2 chance each to inflict blinded, sealed, weakened and fragile; greatsword), Vest of Faded Trials (SP:8, 1/2 chance of granting reinforced effect at the start of every battle, Immune to Fragile; Suitable for Knights, Barbarians, Dragoons, Skirmishers, Regulators, Vindicators; bodywear and headwear), Fighting Boots (Power +5 on the front row; suitable to barbarians, knights, rogues, beast warriors, chi monks, dragoons, harlots, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators, vindicators and winged warriors; footwear.), Tome of Affluence (+10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle; grants immunity to fragile, asleep, weakened, blinded, darkness and fire; accessory), Round Metal Shield (SP:7) Inventory: Weapons: Epidemic Halberd (WP:8, causes all negative effects that the user has to the target when attacking; halberd), Venom Fang Blade (WP:9, causes poisoned equal to WP; longsword), Lullaby Wand (WP:6, inflicts asleep), Silver Sword (WP: 18, Longsword), Frozen Saber (WP: 15; light-, ice- and wind-elemental; inflicts stunned; great sword), , Artifacts: Crown of the Desert King (SP:6; absorbs fire, wind, and earth; suitable for Boomingham only, headwear.), Venomari Helmet (SP:2, absorb poison as health; helmet), Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (Power +4; Ether -6; headwear), Scarlet Hood (SP:4, grants immunity to stunned), 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), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; accessory, suitable to Erdathcath only), 2x Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.), Counterstrike Gloves (If the wearer is damaged by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level; handwear.), Crimson Suit of Armor (SP:12, allows wearer to pose as Crimson Bear Knight; takes three artifact slots: bodywear, headwear and footwear), , Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory, lent by Thalion) Spell Items: Amethyst (Darkness), Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile; costs 5 Ether; 50/50 chance), Emerald Lamp of Summoning (0/3), “True Love Serenade” (restores 50 health to the rest of the party per round; costs 10 ether; Battle Song), Ethereal Diamond (Light-elemental spells deal the blinded-effect; one ethereal gem can be imbued in a weapon to deal the same effect) Consumables: Potion, 2x Remedy, 2x Phoenix Essence, Danab's Apple (Revives all fallen party members, restores full health and ether to the whole party and removes all negative effects from them; consumable), 12x Mead, 4x Smelling Salt, 4x Nostrum, 2x Ambrosia, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immune to Ice), Fireball Whiskey (Immunity to Fire One Battle OR 20 Fire Damage All Enemies), Hamantasch (Lucky, Blessed), Jinxy Juice, 2x Floral Bomb, Seal Bomb, Poison Bomb, Stun Bomb, Seth Bomb (Deals 100 darkness-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Hair of the Dog, 2x Grating Stone, Oculoid Miasma, Oculoid Fireworks, Saber Teeth, Bone, x2 Bright Polish, Tarok's Blood (The user deals double damage to humans and no damage to orcs for the duration of one battle), Ethereal Essence (Revives a fallen ally with full health and ether and the transcended effect), Feather of Darkness (The weather is changed to Dim (see Weather Mage), consumable) Tools/Treasure: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Vindicator's Seal (Grants access to the Vindicator expert job class; cannot be given away), Mythril Shard Olmstyr, Strakvaun (Controlled by Chromeknight) 35 years old male orc Vindicator Level 41.2 *Half Damage from Humans* *Immune to stunned, weakened, fragile, blinded, asleep, and afraid* *Zweihänder Grip* Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 15 Health: 65/65 Equipment: Serstyr (WP: 25, light-elemental, longsword), Strakvaun’s Longcoat (SP: 6, backwear, immune to stunned, weakened, fragile, blinded, asleep, and afraid, suitable for the Strakvaun), Orc-Made Chainmail (SP: 9, half damage from humans, bodywear, suitable for Olmstyr), The Righteous Hand (Vindicators in the party can use any of the oaths in the wearer’s inventory, handwear, suitable for vindicators) Inventory: Phoenix Essence, Oath of Reclamation (Vindicator’s Oath: After the targeted enemy damages an ally, the enemy immediately becomes stunned, and the vindicator becomes encouraged.), Vindicator’s Seal (Grants access to the Vindicator expert class) Daske, Marykvaun (Controlled by Waterbrick Down) 21 years old female hobgoblin Dragoon Level 31.25 *Immune to bound, slowed, jinxed, poisoned, bleeding, and petrified* Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 20 Health: 53/53 Equipment: Dragon’s Tongue (WP: 20, pierces defense, wood-elemental, spear), Baltarok Buckler (SP: 15, shield), Marykvaun’s Greaves (SP: 5, immune to bound, slowed, jinxed, poisoned, bleeding, and petrified, legwear, suitable for the Marykvaun), Ally’s Shoulderguards (The dragoon absorbs all attacks that would knock out their dragon, accessory, suitable for dragoons), Ancient Dragoon Visor (Grants a dragoon's companion The Last of His Kind: Uses Fury from Above as its SHIELD and manifests its element early, headwear, suitable for the last Baltarok dragoon) Inventory: 3 Remedies Aazy, Aazuuldrahkcand (pet dragon controlled by Daske) 2 years old male dragon Hatchling Level 31.25 *The Last of His Kind* Health: 31/31 Element: Wood

Miderun growled and pushed herself to her feet. She didn't recall sheathing Orokuul, but the blade was there plain as day when she stood back up. The orc pushed the blood-matted hair out of her eyes. "Gr. Fine. Bunch of...nazarazh meldao..."

"No, she won't." Atramor shrugged. "I've worked with her before. I'm still here, ain't I?" "So you were in the dungeon with her. You do realize if she was bein' manipulated, she probably could've killed every single one of your citizens while ya'll were trapped in there." Atramor shook his head. "I think Catnip could help us out more in the long run." "Well, yeah. It's to kill Solomon. Were we plannin' on doin' anythin' different?"

Atramor drops all his stolen loot into the pile formed at the demons' feet. He is very careful in stowing the Mythril Claws - one slip and he does not doubt he would lose at least a few fingers. "Don't worry 'bout it." He tilted his hat toward Aunt Briamarte. "This whole demon killin' thing is, uh...our thing."

"Then you know why nobody wants that." Tra-Serral looked away and refused to respond. Her blade remained firm against Soryx's neck. The demon hunter shifted. "Perhaps we might wait a moment before threatening one another." Tarvalk gaze at Skrall for a long moment, then looked to the rest of the party. "I will hold all of you to your word. Know that mine still stands as well." He turned to look back at the ogre. "No, Skrall. Tarokai does not live again. Not...directly." He opened his mouth to explain, but once more was interrupted. "...Don't do this. It is not-...it is a test, one we will overcome. We always have, look at grandfather, he lasted-" "This is a curse, child. Don't make it into something it is not." Tarvalk leaned heavily against the wall. "The Invasion affected everyone. Everything. So the entire world...has always held tales of who, or...what Tarokai represented. What he was. A victim...who overthrew his oppressors. A monster who devoured nations. A leader who could inspire a broken people, a war criminal, a sycophant looking for power. For us, he is nothing short of a god among orcs. After his death, his legend, his legacy, only grew among orcs. We, Clan Tarokin, his only living descendants, are recognized as the beating heart of Baltarok. Elsewhere..." The old orc paused, face overcast with shadow. "There are those among outsiders...perhaps even a few greenskins....they believe that...Tarokai..." "....Tarokai was....possessed. Of something...not of this world. Manipulated, by-..." his voice came to a grinding halt, and took a very long while to start up again. "....he had a...demon in him." The room was briefly silent. "I don't....I don't believe that." "You think we want to?" "What you're saying...the...the implications of that," Olmstyr's face contorted into anger. "Tarvalk, that's..there's no chance. There's no WAY that can be true!" "Demons have be-" "Shut up. This isn't about damned demons! Tarvalk." Olmstyr rounded on Tarvalk. There were very nearly tears in his eyes. "You're WRONG. That would- it's NOT TRUE. You expect us to believe that-" Tarvalk opened his mouth, but Olmstyr didn't stop. "...what is this, then?! Was the whole invasion a...a GAME? Our ancestors fought and they BLED FOR US! AND YOU SAY- YOU'RE TELLING ME IT WAS ALL BECAUSE- BECAUSE OF- THIS CANNOT BE TRUE!!" "I don't know. But it is true," replied the clan leader tiredly. "..you're saying Tarokai wasn't...a hero or anything, he was...just.....controlled...?" "DASKE!" Olmstyr glared at the hobgoblin, a furious mess at this point. "Do NOT BELIEVE HIM! There was...death, there were....REAL DEATHS, MILLIONS OF THEM! Tarvalk, you can't...you can't just....tell us....Tarokai made us what we are! YOU CAN'T TELL US WE WERE ALL PAWNS IN THAT...THING'S GAME!!" His voice cracked, burning tears running down his face. "What does that make Zardalvohl? The day we all died for NOTHING? It was all just-...just..." Olmstyr shuddered and fell back against the wall, looking absolutely crushed. Daske was almost speechless. "We don't know anything, other than the demon had hold over Tarokai at some point. Perhaps it was later, long after he had begun the invasion. It could've been...earlier, and it's possible it sparked the invasion, perhaps even Tarokai's escape from imprisonment. We simply do not know." "What...what do you know?" mumbled Olmstyr weakly. Tarvalk watched him for a moment longer before reaching up to his own face and brazenly ripping off what looked like a trickster's mask of disguise. "I KNOW THAT ITS BLOODLUST WAS NEVER TRULY SATED." "Sweet Pseudos," whispered Soryx, reflexively reaching for a weapon that wasn't there. Aazy fell off of Daske's shoulder, and she stumbled backward. Olmstyr barely reacted. Tra-Serral looked dead at the party. "WE CALL IT IRZERKUTRAH. IT DID NOT LEAVE EVEN AFTER TAROKAI'S DEATH. IT FLED....TO HIS SON, TAR-VALSTYR. THEN TO HIS SON. AND SO OUR BLOODLINE HAS BORNE THIS CURSE FOR TWO AND A HALF CENTURIES. IT LEFT ME YEARS AGO, TO SUFFER UNTIL MY DEATH IN THIS STATE. NOW-" "I keep him quiet. Entirely." added Tra-Serral after some time of silence, glancing at Olmstyr. "It is best you come to terms with this now. Some of my ancestors could not bear this burden and were consumed by it. That goes for you as well, heroes." She turned her cold eyes onto the heroes. Their sickly green hue suddenly seemed a lot more pronounced. "You had better pray to what gods you hold Irzerkutrah did not take hold of Tarokai before the invasion....otherwise, your Founders murdered an innocent man, and Heroica is just as much a lie as the rest of this."

Atramor dives at both Andromalius and Bathin, twice, from the front row.

"I...don't know of any demon experts in Baltarok, no. If Soryx's claims are true, I truly don't doubt they would've gone unnoticed for this long." "If I am wrong, I can see no reason for you to allow me to live. But this a threat that cannot go unanswered." "Of course, but I hope you won't mind me having a weapon when I draw the demon out." "Thank you. This is not a decision you will regret." "Better not be!" Tra-Serral regards everybody with an intensely cold gaze...then merely lowers her eyes to the floor and leads them out of the headquarters, keeping her weapon armed and trained on Soryx. The demon hunter goes along willingly, but it doesn't seem as though she cares about how much resistance he offers. "I hope you do not take this personally, milady." "Yes...just remember." Olmstyr nods at Tra-Serral's back as she ignores them. "If he's wrong about your father, you can be the one to have his head." "If he's wrong." The Vauno led Soryx and the heroes back through the streets of the city, returning to the district the palace dominated. This time however, they took a few new turns, heading into an elaborate guest building that appeared to be housing the visiting clan leaders. It didn't take long for the group to get waved past any guards on the way to Tarvalk's room. After a few rough knocks from Tra-Serral, the grizzled orc opened the door. "Heroes. What brings you here? Need some assassin bait?" Tarvalk coughed roughly...then gazed intently at Soryx, who gazed right back. Olmstyr led the group inside. "Actually, we-" The door slammed shut behind the party. In an instant Tra-Serral had her blade on Soryx's throat, and forced the assassin to the balcony window. "Have I offen-" "Shut up. Father. They know." Tarvalk, who had started at his daughter's actions, paused. His demeanor and voice took on a grimness reserved only for those about to die. "I can kill all of them. Give me the order. It will not leave this room." "...who's...all of them?" "Gavn ei grauv girl, don't talk like that about our allies," he snapped. "How much," he stated firmly. "How much do they know?" "The red one hunts demons. He claims to have a ritual, but I do not trust him. Nobody can know - you know what that would mean, father." "Tarvalk," barked Olmstyr. His sword was halfway out of its sheath - and his eyes were on Tra-Serral, even those his words were directed at Tarvalk. "What exactly is the meaning of this? Is she - are you two plotting against us?" There was a brief silence. "It seems I am quite right...but perhaps this is not quite as simple as I thought." "Clearly," growled the clan leader. He glanced outside for a moment...then turned towards it fully, gazing at the sprawl of the city of Imaestym below them, at the scattered celebrations still taking place on the streets and in the houses. Tarvalk sighed, and coughed heavily. "I will explain. Fully. Just as soon as I have your word on something." He turned to look at the heroes again. A deep, intense fire had alighted behind his eyes. His next words were very deliberate. "You will not breathe a word of this. Not anywhere. Not to anybody. I don't want to hear anything about this come from anywhere else. What I am about to-" "F-Father-" "-tell you, is something that will destroy our entire race if it gets out. It will tear us apart and the world will rebel against. And so help me," his voice grows low, but impossibly intimidating. "If that happens, I will lead the shattered remains of my people on an invasion that will make the last one appear as a mere exercise, and we will cut our way into your Kingdoms like a blade cuts flesh, until we all die in a bloody blaze of glory that will make all of the gods of this world weep in horror." "Am I understood? Do I have your word?" "Tarvalk, the heroes-" "You are not excluded from this oath." Olmstyr stopped dead, and blinked. "...Right. You...have my word, clan leader." "Uh, mine too." "And mine as well, for what it is worth." "And you, heroes?"

--

We are just waiting on Microsoft now, as soon as I get Office installed I can finally edit some damn pictures. Expect a substantial update today.

Atramor slashes Eligor with both claws, twice, from the front row.

Sorry for the delay - I have family over the rest of the weekend, and on top of that I need to rebuild my photo setup after a room rearrangement, so it may be a bit between updates for the next few days.

Probably just repeat.

I'm just going to quote this and add that watching this game grow from those first three quests into a sprawling lore that could rival any traditional tabletop RPG has been a spectacular experience, and contributed greatly to my interest in fiction writing. I can hardly believe the game's been going this long, and with the guiding hand of the person that founded it, too. There's countless people and stories who've come and gone over the course of the game, but the constant has always been the world and the way it works, so I hope whoever fills your place is at least half as good at corralling a mob of players rioting over rogue nerfs. Thanks for all the amazing work you've done, Sandy.

Miderun lashes out again, not at all thrilled at being given such resistance by a flower.

"As I said....all the signs exist. You simply need to know exactly what to look for. Symptoms of illness indicate his body is weakening; prolonged possession causes irreparable harm to a host's physical and mental state. His mind is shrouded to me. Orcs have a natural mental fortitude but this is something else entirely. What little I can discern suggests deep internal conflict...his mind attempting to fight back as it can." "There is none. It is quite possible I gave them impression I was going to kill Tarvalk in the course of me exorcising him." Soryx shrugged again and a sly edge crept into his voice. "An...unfortunate and costly misunderstanding on their part. They wanted assassins. I had a vested interest in a target of theirs." "I certainly didn't organize all of this. Most of our information is compartmentalized...but that also suggests I am far from the only freelancer that was hired." "You're not. In fact, none of the assassins we've gone after so far have had any relation to eachother, unless you count the Brothers Blue separate. You aren't the only one with your own agenda, either." "Then the Wandering Silence is either very sloppy, or their true agenda is not the one they're hiring assassins to advance." "You have my weapon. You are all extremely capable combatants, to put it mildly. And if you're right, and I am lying, then there is nothing to prevent Tarvalk from fighting back as well. If I was an assassin, and truly wanted to kill him, I'd like to think my plan to get close would not start with 'surrender my weapons and confess all my intentions'." "My plan is to hunt a demon. The Silence's plan is to assassinate the clan leaders. I suggested those ambitions went hand-in-hand. In reality, they do not; I simply wanted a night where the rest of Baltarok was distracted, the other clan leaders are occupied, and most importantly, where Heroica is present to assist me in eliminating a substantial threat to Baltarok and the rest of the world." "So you're USING the Wandering Silence?" "Perhaps. But from the sounds of it, perhaps not, and they're the ones using all of us. Everybody is controlling somebody. In any event, I truly do have no intention to kill Tarvalk - that is a last resort - but the matter of this possession absolutely cannot be ignored." Tra-Serral's rage was silent, at least for the moment.

Atramor slashes Buer and Dantalion from the front row. If they do not die, he repeats the attack. If they fall, he attacks Shax and Volac from the front row. "Come on, you bastards," snapped the rogue with a smirk, clearly having the time of his life. "At least try! Ya expect to take over a country fightin' like THIS?"

"Behind all of this? So you think this 'demon' hired a demon hunter to assassinate himself?" "A deep understanding of the nature of demons. I know all the signs of possession. I have been investigating this matter for quite some time, so before you ask, yes: I am absolutely certain there is demonic influence at play here." "Assuming you help me reach Tarvalk I will perform a ritual to draw the demon out, and trap it, outside of a host. There is, naturally, a risk, but short of killing him outright, it is the only way to deal with such a demon. If I am somehow wrong, well, then the ritual will do absolutely nothing." "As I said...I am only one man. Performing an exorcism is not something done quite so stealthily. Even if I deigned to simply kill Tarvalk, he is a highly accomplished warrior surrounded by an army of orcs ready to fight at his command. And I am, as I said, no assassin. This is a very...sensitive matter. Which is why I bided my time and have brought the matter forward to you, heroes." "It should not be able to take a new host at the drop of a hat...and it certainly wouldn't be able to complete the process if I am able to begin the ritual." Nerwen takes a moment to quietly examine Soryx's abilities, should it come to blows. Soryx Dourskull, the Red Death *Immune to blinded, stunned, confused, hexed, enamored, petrified, doomed, and instant kill* *ORDERLY* Level 50 Humanoid Vermin Health: 2310/2310 Defense: 50 Special I: Hunter Forever - Soryx Favors the hero's race (greenskin, elf, or human), dealing triple damage to that race for the remainder of the battle. Special II: Internal Conflict - Soryx halves the hero's current health, and switches between Orderly and Chaotic. Three random effects from Inner Light/Darkness are inflicted. Used if a target's race is already marked. Passive Special I: Inner Light/Inner Darkness - If Orderly, Soryx inflicts the blinded-, weakened-, and confused- effects. If Chaotic, he inflicts the sealed-, fragile-, and hexed- effects. Passive Special II: Calculating Mind/Wild Mind - If Orderly, Soryx will use a random consumable on himself at the beginning of each round. If Chaotic, he will instead deal an immediate free hit to a random hero. Passive Special III: Optimism/Pessimism - If Orderly, Soryx has a 1/3 chance to negate the damage of any hits and critical hits inflicted on him. If Chaotic, he has a 1/6 of deflecting the attack to a random hero. Drops: Soma, Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Elixir, Tiger Balm, ??? "The alternative is killing me now. I am unarmed now, and I have no chance against the eight of you - I am a demon hunter, not a murderer. But as I said, in my past dealings with Heroica, it has proven to be a highly intelligent organization with all the right priorities. I know you have no wish to let a demon wreak its havoc, embedded in the highest echelons of orcish leadership." Soryx shrugged. "There is no easy way to prove it short of bringing me to Tarvalk or killing him. I suppose you could also ignore my claims." "That would be a spectacularly monumental risk to take." "This is absurd. He has no proof." "What kinda proof is he supposed to have on hand, demon droppings??" Tra-Serral turned her icy glare onto Daske, who stared right back. Aazy recoiled and hid behind the back of her head. "Are you saying you believe him?" "Well- I mean, what if he's...you know, NOT WRONG? How the heck do you expect to deal with it? Lop off your old man's head?" "I'd rather nobody lose their head over this, personally." Olmstyr ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "So, Mister Dourskull, we either take you with us and exorcise Tarvalk, or-" "Or you may kill me. I will fight back to the best of my ability, but quite simply, I would not expect to survive." Soryx bowed his head slightly. Tra-Serral never wore a more disapproving snarl. "If you side with him-" "Then we will comply with the heroes' wishes," interrupted Olmstyr sternly. "It was a mistake to bring them here. How many of these assassins are we going to let walk away." "That's being generous. At this point I'm expecting our next 'assassin' to be a displaced charity worker. We're not doing anything to Tarvalk until we've confronted him with this." "Of course. I merely ask that you bring me - shackle me if you must. If the demon successfully escapes, it won't be as easy as simply tracking it down again. Tracking a demon that moves between bodies is not like tracking a man or beast - it took a great deal of time to confirm its presence here. I can prevent it from escaping at least in that capacity." What course would the heroes take?