CMP

Atramor shrugs, unscrewing the pin of one of his Fire Bombs and pouring it over the chest. "Claude, put your Remedy on there, then another Potion, John."

I don't think Patricia is capable of being impressed. Especially when it comes to heroes.

My theory is that's why Sandy's making a large party but will split them up into groups, so that everyone can choose for themselves who to side with.

"Okay then....well, there's already a bomb on it. John, mind throwing a Potion on there, and then a Remedy?"

"if that's the case, there's only six combinations it could be."

"Hmm. Guts, you willin' to burn a few remedies to try and get this thing open? We have a Druid, don't particularly think we'll need 'em this Quest..."

Atramor thinks for a moment, then opens up the Elven Bomb, pouring the green liquid on the mysterious chest. That's opens, not throws...just making sure.

Cute. Loving the architecture, you can tell it's dwarf-esque even at this scale, and mini Smaug is just awesome.

It's just you. You have no idea how much more difficult it would be for a less than prepared party. For example, if the party went after one of the other Thresholds now, they'd have a much, much harder time. Xander's not favoring their types and they're out of consumables. Like I said, there's no real trick to beating the Obsidian Dragon. You just have to kill it fast, and that's what the party did.

Pretty much. The party's been working at this battle for months. They used almost all their consumables and they were all very well prepared. Defeating the Obsidian Dragon quickly is the only way to effectively win that fight; it's designed to get rid of heroes fast. So as Doc says, it's more of a brute force kind of fight.

The title thing never came up, so you'll have to wait for Sandy to make a decision on that. It's up to you guys whether you go for the other Threshold Monsters, but you ate right through all your consumables, it'll be a hell of a lot harder.

Yeah, sure. I hereby bestow the title of Consumable Addicted Heartless Dragon Murderer upon all of you. Congratulations.

Bah. Too easy...

Round Two of Obsidian Dragon Obliteration Xander attacks Obsidian Dragon with Precision Bow, back row - Damage Critical Hit (((14 x 2) + 26) x 12) = 648 damage) Thormanil attacks Obsidian Dragon with Lightning Totem, back row - Hit Extra Critical Hit ((9 x 3) + 27) x 4 = 216 damage) Althior attacks Obsidian Dragon with water, back row - Damage Damage (60/2 - 4 = 26 damage) Docken uses Grand Potion on Althior - (+25 health to Althior) Benji uses Grand Potion on Althior - (+25 health to Althior) Xander attacks Obsidian Dragon with Precision Bow, back row - Critical Hit Critical Hit (((14 x 2) + 26) x 12) = 648 damage) Thormanil attacks Obsidian Dragon with Lightning Totem, back row - Damage Steal (60 gold stolen) Althior attacks Obsidian Dragon with water, back row - Damage Shield: Magical Vortex (42 x 4 = 168 damage, party healed 37 health) Docken throws Water Bomb - (10 damage to Obsidian Dragon) Benji throws Water Bomb - (10 damage to Obsidian Dragon) Thormanil leaps into the air, slashing a few glittering scales off the dragon that're certainly worth their weight in gold. Xander, meanwhile, fires a pair of devastating arrows, piercing the dragon's chest. Enemies Obsidian Dragon "DAMN YOU." Type: Fiery/Flying Level: 60 Health: 97/2517 Special I: Countdown (3/5) – The Obsidian Dragon takes a deep breath, preparing Omega Flare. It takes 5 deep breaths for the special attack to be ready. Special II: Omega Flare – Causes 100 fire-elemental damage to all opponents. Used after the Countdown hits zero. Drops: Dragonsbane Lance (WP:20, triple damage to enemies with “Dragon” in their names; lance), 10 Dragon Scales (Grants lucky- and blessed-effects when consumed), extra 10 GP to each standing hero Note: The Countdown will automatically decrease by 1 every second round. The Obsidian Dragon is immune to all effects, including sudden death. Party Althior Emorith (And Finnegan) *Inspired* *Hastened* *Lucky* *Encouraged* 33 years old male human Level: 27 Sage Power: 37 (42 for spells) Defense: 4 Health: 76/76 Ether: 35/35 Gold: 100 GP: 143 Equipment: Twin Sai Blades (WP:10, Dual Strike), Spellbound Gloves (+5 power when casting Spells, doubled if target is weak to Element), Robe of the Elven Necromancer (SP 4), Pointy Hat (+2 maximum ether) Inventory: Dragoro (WP 8), Skeleton Decoy, Potion x6, Tonic x9, Grand Tonic, Ether Core x4, Venom x4, Shovel, Bedroll, Remedy x7, Lightning Bomb x3, Smelling Salts, Amulet of Elven Horse Rider (Accessory), Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Garnet (Earth), Opal (Ice), Aquamarine (Water), Emerald (Wood), Grand Potion x4, Venom, Skull Shield (SP: 6, immune to darkness elemental damage), Fire Bomb, Bone x2, Water Bomb x5, Smoke Bomb, Black Pearl, Elixirs x3, Golden Fleece, Phoenix Essence x2 Bartholomew Docken (Brickdoctor) 32-year old human male, Warden Level 30 *Immune to Instant Kill, Fragile, and Defense Reduction* *Scary* *Hastened* *Encouraged* *Second Party Leader* Power: 40 Defense: 25 Health: 59/59 Gold: 46 GP: 141 Equipment: Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10; Blinded-effect, badly poisoned), Mythril Shield (SP: 20), Heavy Armor (SP: 5; immune to Fragile; bodywear), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level; handwear),Cobweb Cowl (immune to Instant-KO; backwear), Dread Hat (permanent Scary effect; Immune to Defense Reduction; headwear), Inventory: White Marksman's Hat (⅙ chance of Assassination vs. Flying monsters; headwear, lent to Thormanil Nihai), Lover's Locket (immune to Enamored; accessory), Potions (3), Grand Potion, Health Core, Remedy (5), Deadly Venom, Venom (5), Smoke Bomb (4), Grating Stone, Bedroll, Fire Bomb (2), Ice Bomb, Phoenix Essence (2), Silver Ore, Bone (3), Water Bomb, Health Cores (2), Black Pearl, Aquamarine Benji Carvenhall (Flare) 28 years old male half-elven Warden Level 27 *Counterstriking* *Double damage to Vermin* *Deals Poisoned* *Encouraged* *Hastened* *Party Leader* Power: 40 Defense: 7 Health: 41/41 Gold: 1 GP: 125 Equipment: Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:13; darkness-, ice-, fire-, wind-elemental, badly poisoned), Fauxthril Shield (SP:7), Ratmancer's Cowl (The wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin; headgear), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit they counter with strength equal to their level; handwear), Quiver of Poisoning (permanent Poisoned effect; backwear) Inventory: Grogmas Handcannon (WP:12 + the number of the round of battle), 8 Grand Potions, x2 Health Core, x5 Remedy, x4 Phoenix Essence, Nostrum, Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel, 3 Bones, Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth), Skeleton Decoy, Lightning Bomb, Pointy Hat (+2 maximum ether), Fire Bomb, 3 Bones, Wooden Shield (SP:5, immune to wood elemental), Potion, Water Bomb, x2 Black Pearls, Aquamarine, Golden Fleece x2, Topaz Thormanil Nihai (Played by swils) Level 27.33 Raider *Natural Respite* *Immune to Darkness, Water, Bound, and Slowed* *Hastened* *Encouraged* *Lucky* Power: 37 Defense: 3 Health: 41/41 Gold: 2716 GP: 122 Equipment: Frozen Saber (WP: 9; Stuns enemies, badly poisoned), Bright Armor (SP: 3, Null Darkness), Aqua Gear (Wearer deals and is immune to water elemental damage),Winged Sandals (Wearer is immune to bound and slowed effects) Inventory: Wyvern's Tailblade (WP: 12, suitable for Barbarians & Knights), Thundering Totem (WP:9, lightning), Tongue on a Stick (WP:1, Miss -> "Aim"), 2x Smelling Salts, 2x Deadly Venom, Phoenix Essence, 5x Remedy, Pickaxe, Shovel, 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), 2pc&biscuit, Jinxy Juice (Q35), Amethyst, Grating Stone, 2 Fire Bombs, Milk, Potion x2, Venom x3, Lightning Bomb, x2 Grand Potion, Smoke Bomb, Ice Bomb, 2 Bones, Wooden Shield (SP:5, immune to wood elemental), 5 Water Bombs, Mead, Tiger Balm Xander Unth'or (posades) 24 year-old male human Hunter Level 26 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Blindness and Fragile* *Favours Flying and Beast Monsters* *Lucky* *Hastened* *Encouraged* Power: 40 Defense: 5 Health: 39/39 Gold: 2 GP: 142 Equipment: Precision Bow (WP:12; all 'Aim's become 'Hit's, badly poisoned), Hunter's Quiver of Marksmanship (WP:2 to a bow, allows the hunter to favor two types at the same time; protects from blindness-effect), Heavy Armor (SP:5, protects from fragile-effect), Electro Gear (Wearer deals and is immune to lightning elemental damage, accessory) Inventory: Golden Handcannon (WP:9; lightning-, light-elemental), Pongcanis Club (WP:8), Enigmatic Hammer (WP:3), Amulet of the Elven Horse Rider (WP +1 from the front row, grants speed within quests; accessory), Aquamarine (Water), Topaz (Lightning) 3 Potions, 2 Grand Potions, 7 Remedies, Nostrum, Smelling Salts, 3 Venoms, Deadly Venom, Skeleton Decoy, Phoenix Essence x2, Silver Ore, 2 Smoke Bombs, Ice Bomb, 2 Bones, 5 Water Bombs, Golden Fleece x2, White Marksman's Hat (1/6 chance to assassinate flying monsters, headwear, borrowed from Barty Docken) Round Three of Obsidian Dragon Obliteration Xander attacks Obsidian Dragon with Precision Bow, back row - Aim Hit Critical Hit (((14 x 2) + 26) x 12) = 648 damage) As quick as the battle begins, it ends. Xander fires a third deadly arrow that buries itself in the dragon's throat. It gives a roar in fury, flame and smoke curling around its snout and causing the cavern to rumble and shake. It staggers to the side, and finally crumples to the ground. THE BATTLE IS VICTORIOUS! Everyone gains a third of a level, except for Docken, who gains a fourth. Everyone gains 26 GP. "MURDERS...ALL OF YOU. BUT YOU WOULDN'T CARE, WOULD YOU? I'M BUT ANOTHER MONSTER FOR TO RID THE WORLD OF IN YOUR EYES...IGNORANCE....IT WILL BE THE DEATH OF YOUR KIND....." The dragon's futile movements cease. The heroes proceed to loot it, as per the usual. Xander's keen eye spots a pile of odd, assorted items in the corner. He picks one up - a sleek, yet wicked weapon - and adds it to the pile of scales pried from the beast. Party leader, how will the loot be divided? Dragonsbane Lance (WP: 20, triple damage to enemies with 'Dragon' in their name, lance) x10 Dragon Scales (Grants the lucky and blessed effects when consumed) Party Althior Emorith (And Finnegan) 33 years old male human Level: 27.33 Sage Power: 37 (42 for spells) Defense: 4 Health: 38/38 Ether: 35/35 Gold: 100 GP: 169 Equipment: Twin Sai Blades (WP:10, Dual Strike), Spellbound Gloves (+5 power when casting Spells, doubled if target is weak to Element), Robe of the Elven Necromancer (SP 4), Pointy Hat (+2 maximum ether) Inventory: Dragoro (WP 8), Skeleton Decoy, Potion x6, Tonic x9, Grand Tonic, Ether Core x4, Venom x4, Shovel, Bedroll, Remedy x7, Lightning Bomb x3, Smelling Salts, Amulet of Elven Horse Rider (Accessory), Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Garnet (Earth), Opal (Ice), Aquamarine (Water), Emerald (Wood), Grand Potion x4, Venom, Skull Shield (SP: 6, immune to darkness elemental damage), Fire Bomb, Bone x2, Water Bomb x5, Smoke Bomb, Black Pearl, Elixirs x3, Golden Fleece, Phoenix Essence x2 Bartholomew Docken (Brickdoctor) 32-year old human male, Warden Level 30.25 *Immune to Instant Kill, Fragile, and Defense Reduction* *Scary* *Second Party Leader* Power: 40 Defense: 25 Health: 59/59 Gold: 46 GP: 167 Equipment: Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10; Blinded-effect, badly poisoned), Mythril Shield (SP: 20), Heavy Armor (SP: 5; immune to Fragile; bodywear), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level; handwear),Cobweb Cowl (immune to Instant-KO; backwear), Dread Hat (permanent Scary effect; Immune to Defense Reduction; headwear), Inventory: White Marksman's Hat (⅙ chance of Assassination vs. Flying monsters; headwear, lent to Thormanil Nihai), Lover's Locket (immune to Enamored; accessory), Potions (3), Grand Potion, Health Core, Remedy (5), Deadly Venom, Venom (5), Smoke Bomb (4), Grating Stone, Bedroll, Fire Bomb (2), Ice Bomb, Phoenix Essence (2), Silver Ore, Bone (3), Water Bomb, Health Cores (2), Black Pearl, Aquamarine Benji Carvenhall (Flare) 28 years old male half-elven Warden Level 27.33 *Counterstriking* *Double damage to Vermin* *Deals Poisoned* *Party Leader* Power: 40 Defense: 7 Health: 41/41 Gold: 1 GP: 151 Equipment: Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:13; darkness-, ice-, fire-, wind-elemental, badly poisoned), Fauxthril Shield (SP:7), Ratmancer's Cowl (The wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin; headgear), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit they counter with strength equal to their level; handwear), Quiver of Poisoning (permanent Poisoned effect; backwear) Inventory: Grogmas Handcannon (WP:12 + the number of the round of battle), 8 Grand Potions, x2 Health Core, x5 Remedy, x4 Phoenix Essence, Nostrum, Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel, 3 Bones, Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth), Skeleton Decoy, Lightning Bomb, Pointy Hat (+2 maximum ether), Fire Bomb, 3 Bones, Wooden Shield (SP:5, immune to wood elemental), Potion, Water Bomb, x2 Black Pearls, Aquamarine, Golden Fleece x2, Topaz Thormanil Nihai (Played by swils) Level 27.66 Raider *Natural Respite* *Immune to Darkness, Water, Bound, and Slowed* Power: 37 Defense: 3 Health: 41/41 Gold: 2716 GP: 148 Equipment: Frozen Saber (WP: 9; Stuns enemies, badly poisoned), Bright Armor (SP: 3, Null Darkness), Aqua Gear (Wearer deals and is immune to water elemental damage),Winged Sandals (Wearer is immune to bound and slowed effects) Inventory: Wyvern's Tailblade (WP: 12, suitable for Barbarians & Knights), Thundering Totem (WP:9, lightning), Tongue on a Stick (WP:1, Miss -> "Aim"), 2x Smelling Salts, 2x Deadly Venom, Phoenix Essence, 5x Remedy, Pickaxe, Shovel, 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), 2pc&biscuit, Jinxy Juice (Q35), Amethyst, Grating Stone, 2 Fire Bombs, Milk, Potion x2, Venom x3, Lightning Bomb, x2 Grand Potion, Smoke Bomb, Ice Bomb, 2 Bones, Wooden Shield (SP:5, immune to wood elemental), 5 Water Bombs, Mead, Tiger Balm Xander Unth'or (posades) 24 year-old male human Hunter Level 26.33 *Natural Respite* *Immune to Blindness and Fragile* *Favours Flying and Beast Monsters* Power: 40 Defense: 5 Health: 39/39 Gold: 2 GP: 168 Equipment: Precision Bow (WP:12; all 'Aim's become 'Hit's, badly poisoned), Hunter's Quiver of Marksmanship (WP:2 to a bow, allows the hunter to favor two types at the same time; protects from blindness-effect), Heavy Armor (SP:5, protects from fragile-effect), Electro Gear (Wearer deals and is immune to lightning elemental damage, accessory) Inventory: Golden Handcannon (WP:9; lightning-, light-elemental), Pongcanis Club (WP:8), Enigmatic Hammer (WP:3), Amulet of the Elven Horse Rider (WP +1 from the front row, grants speed within quests; accessory), Aquamarine (Water), Topaz (Lightning) 3 Potions, 2 Grand Potions, 7 Remedies, Nostrum, Smelling Salts, 3 Venoms, Deadly Venom, Skeleton Decoy, Phoenix Essence x2, Silver Ore, 2 Smoke Bombs, Ice Bomb, 2 Bones, 5 Water Bombs, Golden Fleece x2, White Marksman's Hat (1/6 chance to assassinate flying monsters, headwear, borrowed from Barty Docken)

This is why I only trust financial experts like Gurnam with my money.

Atramor tosses one of the Elven Bombs to Guts, tucking the other into his cloak. He then swaps his Counterstrike Gloves back on, handing the now-less-than Sterile Gloves to Ellaria. "Think that's everything."

Atramor hands one Deadly Venom to Ellaria, two Deadly Venoms and a Holy Bomb to Guts, and keeps two Holy Bombs for himself. He then pulls on the Sterile Gloves in place of his Counterstrike Gloves, grabs some bottles from the kitchen, and fills them up with the odd green liquid from the barrel in the corner. "These gloves are yours, Ellaria, I just wanna check this stuff out first..."

Atramor hands one bomb to each hero before checking the next few crates to the right, most of which are underneath a chest, which he unlatches and searches once he's done with the crates.

Stage daily gladiatorial matches for them.

Atramor shrugged, handing over his Neutralizer to Guts. "They could come in handy protectin' the alchemists, doubt the Guild would mind. And hell, at this point, I'd settle for that, too. Can't sit here until he comes lookin' for these three, could take weeks for that."

Atramor raised his eyebrow. "Don't think I do. Did ya' want onna these things? I agree about this place, though. John mentioned it was some kind of retreat for the guild leaders. I s'pose that makes sense, but I dunno why they're calling it a safehouse, I know a mage who could burn this place to the ground in three seconds flat."

Yeah, but once you cross the south pole, you're technically just going north again.

The north...where I thought he was from.

Where the heck did Haldor get a southern accent?

Atramor hands one Phoenix Essence and one Neutralizer to Ellaria, then keeps the same for himself, seeing as how Guts didn't seem to want any new items, and then opens the trio of crates to the right of the chest he just searched.