CMP

Oh come on, couldn't you have waited after the Quest to do that?! All he has to do is slap on 'Immune to Instant Kill' on a few more opponents and you're just a Ranger... I didn't even know you were able to change classes mid-quest. Atramor nearly rolls his eyes as Alexis tries to fire an arrow at Wren. If it was that easy, she'd've been dead a long time ago. He practically ignores the witch herself - well, mostly her ramblings about the heroes getting on her bad side - and then turns to Cronk shortly after their options are laid out before them. "We can't leave anyone behind, mate, but I know we can't all split up like that again. I think we should all choose two locations, I'd suggest at least one be to the Manor, and then someone gets a Smoke Bomb and goes and grabs either Triad or Mallelio. We can't nail down all the spires, but we can at least prevent another needless death; especially considerin' how good of a possibility that is now."

It's okay, but I prefer the most recent one. Looks more Nord-ish to me.

Great work. The 'head' on the tank is just hilarious.

My hopes aren't high at this point. 6 townies down already. I probably should've unvoted Hinck - and was considering it - but the day was almost over and he seemed to be flailing suspicions are everyone he'd found suspicious so far. And this is why, now his two highest suspects are probably going to spend all day attacking eachother. This could be completely reasonable or an attempt to deflect suspicion that has a positive spin on it. But Hinck was suspicious of him, and he has been quite quiet... I almost wish Scubacarrot was here.

Thanks, fixed.

Round Four of Raging Rapids Showdown Docken uses Darksteel Crossbow on Aepyornis A, back row - Critical Hit ((10 x 2) + 26 = 46 damage, Aepyornis A Blinded) Benji uses Golden Handcannons on Silver Carp A, back row - Shield: Aura (Benji gains 31 health, attacks split between Docken and Benji) Xander uses Precision Bow on Aepyornis C, back row - Damage (Drawn to Benji, 19/2 - 7 = 3 damage) Thormanil uses Frozen Sabre on Aepyornis B, back row - Steal (19 gold stolen) Althior uses fire on White Rabbit B, back row - Greater Spell (((10 x 2) + 5 + 23) x 4 = 192 damage, White Rabbit B KO'd, -1 ether) Aepyorni A, C, Volt Ants A, C, E, and White Rabbit C use Free Hit on Docken - ((0 + 19 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 17)/2 - 25 = 0 damage) Docken counterstrikes Aepyorni A, C, Volt Ants A, C, E, and White Rabbit C - (26/2 = 13 damage to each, White Rabbit C KO'd) Aepyorni B, Silver Carp B, Volt Ants B, D, and White Rabbit A use Free Hit on Benji - ((19 + 16 + 7 + 7 + 0)/2 - 7 = 18 damage) Benji counterstrikes Aepyorni B, Volt Ants B, D, and White Rabbit A - (23/2 = 12 damage to each) Docken fires a bolt right through the eye of one Aepyornis. Benji raises his shield beside him, so that one of the other flightless birds' beaks glances off. Thormanil spots some gold splashed up on the rocks, and snatches it. Althior roasts one of the rabbits, and Docken finishes off another as he and Benji start fighting with the horde of monsters hand-to-hand. Things are looking up for the party. Enemies Aepyornis A Type: Flying? *Hastened* *Blinded, 3 rounds* Level: 19 Health: 147/282 Special: Road Runner – Causes slowed-effect to the target. Drops: Smelling Salts Note: Aepyornis is permanently hastened. Aepyornis B Type: Flying? *Hastened* Level: 19 Health: 244/282 Special: Road Runner – Causes slowed-effect to the target. Drops: Smelling Salts Note: Aepyornis is permanently hastened. Aepyornis C Type: Flying? *Hastened* Level: 19 Health: 217/282 Special: Road Runner – Causes slowed-effect to the target. Drops: Smelling Salts Note: Aepyornis is permanently hastened. Silver Carp A Type: Aquatic Level: 16 Health: 92/116 Special: Reflection – Causes damage equal to the target’s level, regardless of row and SP. Drops: Silver Ore (worth 60 gold) Silver Carp B Type: Aquatic Level: 16 Health: 91/116 Special: Reflection – Causes damage equal to the target’s level, regardless of row and SP. Drops: Silver Ore (worth 60 gold) Volt Ant A Type: Vermin/Electric Level: 7 Health: 41/67 Special: Paralyzing Sting – Causes 7 damage to the target and stuns it for the next round. Drops: Lightning Bomb Volt Ant B Type: Vermin/Electric Level: 7 Health: 42/67 Special: Paralyzing Sting – Causes 7 damage to the target and stuns it for the next round. Drops: Lightning Bomb Volt Ant C Type: Vermin/Electric Level: 7 Health: 15/67 Special: Paralyzing Sting – Causes 7 damage to the target and stuns it for the next round. Drops: Lightning Bomb Volt Ant D Type: Vermin/Electric Level: 7 Health: 18/67 Special: Paralyzing Sting – Causes 7 damage to the target and stuns it for the next round. Drops: Lightning Bomb Volt Ant E Type: Vermin/Electric Level: 7 Health: 41/67 Special: Paralyzing Sting – Causes 7 damage to the target and stuns it for the next round. Drops: Lightning Bomb White Rabbit A *Blinded, 1 round* Type: Beast/Icy Level: 17 Health: 160/195 Special: I’m Late! – White Rabbit flees the battle. Drops: 1 Glory Point Party Althior Emorith (And Finnegan) 33 years old male human Level: 23.33 Sage Power: 33 (38 for spells) Defense: 4 Health: 16/34 Ether: 27/29 Gold: 100 GP: 32 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), Inventory: Dragoro (WP 8), Skeleton Decoy, Potion x2, Tonic x7, Grand Tonic, Nostrum, Mulled Wine, Ether Core, Venom x3, Shovel, Bedroll, Remedy x4, Lightning Bomb x2, 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 Bartholomew Docken (Brickdoctor) 32-year old human male, Warden Level 26.33 *Scary* *Immune to Defense Reduction and Fragile* Power: 36 Defense: 25 Health: 55/55 Gold: 16 GP: 31 Equipment: Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10; Blinded-effect), Mythril Shield (SP: 20), Dread Hat (permanent Scary effect; Immune to Defense Reduction; headwear), 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) 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 Potions (2), Health Core, Remedy (2), Deadly Venom, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Grating Stone, Bedroll, Fire Bomb, Cobweb Cowl (immune to Instant-KO; backwear) Benji Carvenhall (Flare) 28 years old male half-elven Warden Level 23.33 *Counterstriking* *Aura* *Deals Poisoned**Double damage to Vermin* *Party Leader* Power: 36 Defense: 7 Health: 41/37 Gold: 1 GP: 14 Equipment: Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:13; darkness-, ice-, fire-, wind-elemental), 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) Golden Handcannon (WP:9; lightning-, light-elemental), 7 Grand Potions, Health Core x2, Remedy, x2 Phoenix Essence, 4 Meads, 2 Nostrums, 2 Venoms, 2 Smoke Bombs, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel, 3 Bones, Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth), Skeleton Decoy Thormanil Nihai (Played by swils) Level 23.66 Raider *Natural Respite* *Immune to Darkness* Power: 33 Defense: 3 Health: 17/37 Gold: 481 GP: 11 Equipment: Frozen Saber (WP: 9; Stuns enemies), Bright Armor (SP: 3, Null Darkness) Inventory: Wyvern's Tailblade (WP: 12, suitable for Barbarians & Knights), Thundering Totem (WP:9, lightning), Tongue on a Stick (WP:1, Miss -> "Aim"), Smelling Salts, Deadly Venom, Phoenix Essence, 3x 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, Fire Bomb, Milk, Potion, Venom Xander Unth'or (posades) 24 year-old male human Hunter Level 22*Natural Respite* *Immune to Blindness and Fragile* *Favours Vermin and Aquatic Monsters* Power: 36 Defense: 5 Health: 34/35 Gold: 2 GP: 32 Equipment: Precision Bow (WP:12; all 'Aim's become 'Hit's), 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), White Marksman's Hat (1/6 chance to assassinate flying monsters, headwear, borrowed from Barty Docken) Inventory: 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), 3 Potions, Grand Potion, 3 Remedies, Nostrum, 2 Smelling Salts, Venom, Deadly Venom, Fire Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, Phoenix Essence Heroes, please choose an action for this round. All untargetted opponents will get a Free Hit at the end of the round. Party leader, post the battle order for this round.

The Hobbit. Finally. It's been about 20 minutes since I got back and I have a half a mind to head back to the theater to catch the next showing. That was just a fantastic movie in every way. Hard to compare it to the Lord of the Rings until I've seen one or twice a couple dozen more times, but my first reaction is that LotR hardly compared at all. Most all of the dwarves at least got a bit of screen time and dialogue. Bofur is so far my favorite, both in the movie and in minifig form.

I've had a concept for an Unlimited Quest in mind, where heroes are pretty much dropped into some country (I've considered Babeleth or even Baltarok) and are given complete free roam, but ultimately are expected to fix problems large and small pretty much everywhere. So small stuff like that and overarching sidequests within it would make up the entire region, with a drop-in/drop-out function pretty much identical to the Fields of Glory. But as of right now and probably for a long time, it's still just a vague idea.

"Is it Passion?"

Atramor looked between Cronk and Regret. To break Cronk like that...to break, bar none, the most righteous hero in Heroica? He could hardly wrap his mind about what that meant. "Birth brings Hope...life creates Regret...." he glances sideways at Gray. "....and Passion in death?"

"In that case, I think you're the odd one out in all of 'em. Ya' want people to be born, live, and die, because you're dependent on the souls of mortals to survive. Ya' thrive on it." Atramor turned, and his face fell into a frown as their party leader simply seemed to fall apart. "Cronk? What's the problem, mate?"

Atramor chuckled dryly at Regret's induction of each of them into the Court. It was a rather painful stab at each of them. Well, they had that coming. Far too many people focused on the past, in his eyes. And almost all the time, it was about a misstep. A failure. He'd had plenty of those, but as long as they weren't focused in on, Regret didn't have damn thing on him. "How many guesses do we get?"

I suppose. It has been 36 hours... Round Three of Raging Rapids Showdown Docken uses Darksteel Crossbow on Silver Carp A, back row - Shield: Aura (Docken gains 55 health, all attacks drawn to Docken) Benji uses Grand Potion on himself - (Benji gains 25 health) Xander uses Grand Potion on himself (Xander gains 25 health) Thormanil uses Frozen Sabre on White Rabbit C, back row - Damage (Drawn to Docken, 17/2 - 25 = 0 damage) Althior heals himself, back row - No Heal (Nothing happens) White Rabbit B no longer stunned Aepyorni A, A, B, B, C C, Silver Carp B, Volt Ants A, B, C, D, E, and White Rabbit A use Free Hit on Docken - ((19 + 19 + 19 + 19 + 19 + 19 + 16 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0)/2 - 25 = 40 damage) Docken counterstrikes Aepyorni A, A, B, B, C C, Silver Carp B, Volt Ants A, B, C, D, E, and White Rabbit A - (26/2 = 13 damage to each, 26 to Aepyorni) Benji, Althior, and Xander licks their wounds, while Docken's shield is slammed with hit after hit after hit, each opponent receiving a hasty shield bash in return. Enemies Aepyornis A Type: Flying? *Hastened* Level: 19 Health: 206/282 Special: Road Runner – Causes slowed-effect to the target. Drops: Smelling Salts Note: Aepyornis is permanently hastened. Aepyornis B Type: Flying? *Hastened* Level: 19 Health: 256/282 Special: Road Runner – Causes slowed-effect to the target. Drops: Smelling Salts Note: Aepyornis is permanently hastened. Aepyornis C Type: Flying? *Hastened* Level: 19 Health: 230/282 Special: Road Runner – Causes slowed-effect to the target. Drops: Smelling Salts Note: Aepyornis is permanently hastened. Silver Carp A Type: Aquatic Level: 16 Health: 92/116 Special: Reflection – Causes damage equal to the target’s level, regardless of row and SP. Drops: Silver Ore (worth 60 gold) Silver Carp B Type: Aquatic Level: 16 Health: 103/116 Special: Reflection – Causes damage equal to the target’s level, regardless of row and SP. Drops: Silver Ore (worth 60 gold) Volt Ant A Type: Vermin/Electric Level: 7 Health: 54/67 Special: Paralyzing Sting – Causes 7 damage to the target and stuns it for the next round. Drops: Lightning Bomb Volt Ant B Type: Vermin/Electric Level: 7 Health: 54/67 Special: Paralyzing Sting – Causes 7 damage to the target and stuns it for the next round. Drops: Lightning Bomb Volt Ant C Type: Vermin/Electric Level: 7 Health: 28/67 Special: Paralyzing Sting – Causes 7 damage to the target and stuns it for the next round. Drops: Lightning Bomb Volt Ant D Type: Vermin/Electric Level: 7 Health: 30/67 Special: Paralyzing Sting – Causes 7 damage to the target and stuns it for the next round. Drops: Lightning Bomb Volt Ant E Type: Vermin/Electric Level: 7 Health: 54/67 Special: Paralyzing Sting – Causes 7 damage to the target and stuns it for the next round. Drops: Lightning Bomb White Rabbit A *Blinded, 2 rounds* Type: Beast/Icy Level: 17 Health: 172/195 Special: I’m Late! – White Rabbit flees the battle. Drops: 1 Glory Point White Rabbit B Type: Beast/Icy Level: 17 Health: 165/195 Special: I’m Late! – White Rabbit flees the battle. Drops: 1 Glory Point White Rabbit C Type: Beast/Icy Level: 17 Health: 3/195 Special: I’m Late! – White Rabbit flees the battle. Drops: 1 Glory Point Party Althior Emorith (And Finnegan) 33 years old male human Level: 23.33 Sage Power: 33 (38 for spells) Defense: 4 Health: 16/34 Ether: 28/29 Gold: 100 GP: 32 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), Inventory: Dragoro (WP 8), Skeleton Decoy, Potion x2, Tonic x7, Grand Tonic, Nostrum, Mulled Wine, Ether Core, Venom x3, Shovel, Bedroll, Remedy x4, Lightning Bomb x2, 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 Bartholomew Docken (Brickdoctor) 32-year old human male, Warden Level 26.33 *Scary* *Aura* *Immune to Defense Reduction and Fragile* Power: 36 Defense: 25 Health: 70/55 Gold: 16 GP: 31 Equipment: Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10; Blinded-effect), Mythril Shield (SP: 20), Dread Hat (permanent Scary effect; Immune to Defense Reduction; headwear), 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) 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 Potions (2), Health Core, Remedy (2), Deadly Venom, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Grating Stone, Bedroll, Fire Bomb, Cobweb Cowl (immune to Instant-KO; backwear) Benji Carvenhall (Flare) 28 years old male half-elven Warden Level 23.33 *Counterstriking* *Deals Poisoned**Double damage to Vermin* *Party Leader* Power: 36 Defense: 7 Health: 31/37 Gold: 1 GP: 14 Equipment: Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:13; darkness-, ice-, fire-, wind-elemental), 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) Golden Handcannon (WP:9; lightning-, light-elemental), 7 Grand Potions, Health Core x2, Remedy, x2 Phoenix Essence, 4 Meads, 2 Nostrums, 2 Venoms, 2 Smoke Bombs, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel, 3 Bones, Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth), Skeleton Decoy Thormanil Nihai (Played by swils) Level 23.66 Raider *Natural Respite* *Immune to Darkness* Power: 33 Defense: 3 Health: 17/37 Gold: 462 GP: 11 Equipment: Frozen Saber (WP: 9; Stuns enemies), Bright Armor (SP: 3, Null Darkness) Inventory: Wyvern's Tailblade (WP: 12, suitable for Barbarians & Knights), Thundering Totem (WP:9, lightning), Tongue on a Stick (WP:1, Miss -> "Aim"), Smelling Salts, Deadly Venom, Phoenix Essence, 3x 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, Fire Bomb, Milk, Potion, Venom Xander Unth'or (posades) 24 year-old male human Hunter Level 22*Natural Respite* *Immune to Blindness and Fragile* *Favours Vermin and Aquatic Monsters* Power: 36 Defense: 5 Health: 34/35 Gold: 2 GP: 32 Equipment: Precision Bow (WP:12; all 'Aim's become 'Hit's), 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), White Marksman's Hat (1/6 chance to assassinate flying monsters, headwear, borrowed from Barty Docken) Inventory: 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), 3 Potions, Grand Potion, 3 Remedies, Nostrum, 2 Smelling Salts, Venom, Deadly Venom, Fire Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, Phoenix Essence Heroes, please choose an action for this round. All untargetted opponents will get a Free Hit at the end of the round. Party leader, post the battle order for this round.

We're looking in the box on the bottom left, where every figure looks just about finalized, unfortunately.

"Aye, mate, if you're gonna leave, leave. You're not as important to this quest as ya' might think, we're just wastin' time sittin' here tryin' to convince you otherwise."

"We're not turnin' the city over to the damn Court, the hell does that even mean? We're not doing crap for these maniacs. If anything, we're usin' them to defeat Wren ourselves. If joinin' 'em is what it takes to get rid of Wren and keep Eubric safe, then, well, that's what we'll do. "

It's been nearly 30 hours. I'd rather not wait for Flare, but he's done for if he doesn't use a Grand Potion, and only he can decide whether or not to use an item, so we're a bit stuck here until he posts.

Atramor stared. "If you're gonna turn your back and make it that much harder for us to stop Wren by ourselves, then by all means, go. I'm not gonna force you just because your ego's so damn inflated. I don't like manipulatin' people to make life-alterin' decisions, that belief I can hold because it's not standin' in the way of us and Wren. If you have this much pride, mate, you're more of a liability that anythin'." His eyes were locked now with a glare onto Arthur, but he made no move to try and hex the sorcerer. "If you're so damn selfish that you're not willin' to shelve your beliefs for all of one quest to probably save Eubric, then you belong with the Court more than you belong with Heroica."

Given where this deal's coming from, I have no doubt we're all gonna regret this...

"Mate, do ya' think any of us want to do this? There ain't always a way around a decision like this. It's just one of those times where the quest comes before your beliefs, as much as I hate to say it."

This explains so much. And in such a cool way. Atramor's eyes darkened, and he looked down at floor. It was necessary. That much was clear. But to renounce the organization that elevated him from a street dwelling rogue into....well, a hero? Ultimately, if it gave them a shot at this Mephisto, and a shot at Wren...it had to be done. Even if they failed, and could not return to it, Heroica was doomed anyway. He looked back up at the Master of Regret and nodded slowly. "Alright."

Undead can't be hurt by normal weapons, though. I think it's fair enough.

Atramor turns at Skrall's thoughts, blinked, and nodded a bit. "Aye, it fits that this girl is the Magician we're fightin' against now." ​"And I hope Gray wasn't speakin' about us, 'cuz he'll be sorely disappointed."

If it's not an ordinary Nazgul horse, I'll be satisfied. I just hope it looks anything like that.

Could've been worse. He could've written the riddle in that language.