CMP

"What?! Extortion? Disgraceful humans." "Huh?.....ohhh, that was you guys. Thought I recognized that surly, employment-grubbing tone." "Aw foink. Uh, maybe we should get out of their way, Giv." "Not now Mincerind." "What, you think the clan leaders matter out here? It's a dangerous place out here near the edge of the wastes, my friends. A lawless frontier. the People of Baltarok's Armed Militia has dedicated itself to protecting lands where the influence of the clans falters. We are an organization beyond your ken, outsiders: where the government fails, we will succeed. Where the army cannot set foot, we will set boots! When our jobs are taken from us, we will see a greater horizon! We are the heart and the soul and Baltarok, and for a frequent supporter discount, for a mere ninety-EIGHT coins, we will bestow you with our favor and allow passa-" "YAAA!" A fierce-looking hobgoblin sprung up onto the pile of crumbling stone from behind. Giv stumbled backward right off of his perch, and judging by the resounding thud, had been knocked unconscious. With a shrill oink, the porc fled just as two other orcs approached the party. "You said you were going to try talking him down, Daske." "I did! I talked, and now he's down." "...Your antics dishonor our name." "Well.....my name's doing just fine, thanks." The hobgoblin sat down on the rubble. The tiny dragon wrapped around her gave the party an intent look. "I hope you didn't mind us barging in heroes. It's good to see you again, Mister Holla, Rone. Matthias, I believe? My name is Olmstyr, I think we met on the bridge - briefly. Seems our lovely country has a way of attracting work for you." The orc chuckled.

The party looked around for an escape route, but the door had sealed behind them. They could barely see the surroundings around them - if there was any light it was coming from the veritable army of automatons. With slow, mechanical steps, they began to walk forward, surrounding the party. "...hell, hell, hell," mumbled Avina softly. "We're usually the ones outnumbering people. The odds are against us, but this is the kind of thing you were hired for, heroes. So don't screw it up...please." She drew her knives at the same time the automatons finally reached the party, and slowly began to overwhelm them. A highly advanced automaton stepped ahead of the group. "UPLOADING ADVANCED TACTICS SOFTWARE." "UPLOAD RECEIVED. ADJUSTING ATTACK PATTERN." PREPARE FOR BATTLE!!! Enemies Eubric Knight Prototype X31 “Dispatcher” *Immune to poisoned, confused, hexed, bleeding, and blinded* Level 100 Humanoid Mechanical Health: 350/350 Special: EXECUTE – Dispatcher instantly knocks out the hero. The Dispatcher’s level is permanently halved. Passive Special: NETWORKED - Every three rounds, Dispatcher will signal a Snapshot Squad to join the battle. Drops: Mythril Shard Eubric Knight Automaton MK22A “Blackout” *Immune to magic* Level 10 Mechanical Health: 75/75 Special: BLACKOUT – Blackout disables all magic and ether use in battle for the duration of the next round. Drops: Grand Potion Eubric Knight Automaton MK22B “Blackout” *Immune to magic* Level 10 Mechanical Health: 75/75 Special: BLACKOUT – Blackout disables all magic and ether use in battle for the duration of the next round. Drops: Grand Potion Eubric Knight Automaton MK2K “Drone” Level 5 Humanoid Mechanical Health: 10/10 Special: SWARM – Drone deals damage ignoring row and defense equal to the number of Drones in its Mob. Passive Special: CLUSTER – Drone will form a Mob with another random Drone if left untargeted. Drops: 1 gold Eubric Knight Automaton MK2L “Drone” Level 5 Humanoid Mechanical Health: 10/10 Special: SWARM – Drone deals damage ignoring row and defense equal to the number of Drones in its Mob. Passive Special: CLUSTER – Drone will form a Mob with another random Drone if left untargeted. Drops: 1 gold Eubric Knight Automaton MK2M “Drone” Level 5 Humanoid Mechanical Health: 10/10 Special: SWARM – Drone deals damage ignoring row and defense equal to the number of Drones in its Mob. Passive Special: CLUSTER – Drone will form a Mob with another random Drone if left untargeted. Drops: 1 gold Eubric Knight Squad MK7LMN “Snapshot” Level 30 (10x3) Light Mechanical Health: 90/90 (30x3) Special: DEBILITATE – Snapshot stuns the target for the next turn and blinds them for the next three. Drops: Nothing Eubric Knight Squad MK7OPQ “Snapshot” Level 30 (10x3) Light Mechanical Health: 90/90 (30x3) Special: DEBILITATE – Snapshot stuns the target for the next turn and blinds them for the next three. Drops: Nothing Eubric Knight Squad MK7RST “Snapshot” Level 30 (10x3) Light Mechanical Health: 90/90 (30x3) Special: DEBILITATE – Snapshot stuns the target for the next turn and blinds them for the next three. Drops: Nothing Eubric Knight Automaton MK11H “Fixit” Level 15 Humanoid Mechanical Health: 50/50 Special: REPAIR – Fixit repairs the automaton with the lowest health by health equal to their combined levels. Drops: Nothing Party Mortimer "Em" Mahzan (Emjajoas) Unknown age human male Warden *Immune to Electricity, Fire, Water, and Ice* *Half damage from elemental attacks* *Party Leader* *Reinforced* Level 26 Power Bonus: 6 Defense: 29 56 Health: 47/47 Gold: 339 Equipment: Tritech Handcannon (WP:16, permanent poisoned 17, cursed), Vigilant (SP 12, halved damage from elemental attacks, immune to Electricity, Fire, and Water; shield), Iron Knuckle Armour (Body, foot, and hand wear. Counts as one artefact. Usable by knights and dragoons. SP: 10. Cannot be removed by enemies), Anniversary Medal (Artefact/Accessory, Power +4, SP +4, Max. Health +4, Max. Ether +4. The values will increase by 1 with each passing year), Frost Helm (SP: 3, immune to ice, suitable for anyone, headwear) Inventory: Weapons: Blazing Bow (WP: 14, Fire-elemental), Doppelganger (WP:10, Retribution: The user inflicts any negative effects he or she has on the target enemy on successful hits; longsword), Balanced Main-Gauce (WP: 10, Riposte has a 1/6 chance of instantly killing the/each target, dagger, suitable only for marauders), Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield), Carpenter's Gloves (Enhancement is automatically successful, traps deal double damage, handwear, suitable for artisans), Flash Cannon (WP: 10, has a 1/2 chance of dealing the blinded-effect, light-elemental handcannon) Consumables: Health Core x3, Remedy, Mead, Venom, Phoenix Essence, Ambrosia (3), Mulled Wine, Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Nostrum, Smelling Salts, Elixir, Bone, Smoke Bomb (5), Floral Bomb (2), Ice Bomb (2), Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb, Water Bomb (2), Holy Bomb (2), Dirt Bomb (2), Air Bomb (2), Chaotic Bomb (100 random elemental damage to all opponents) Misc: Bedroll (2), Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Reaper's Heart, Mythril Shard (1), Amethyst, 5 Silver Ore (Worth 60 gold), Oath of Renewal (When the targeted enemy is killed, the Vindicator regains full health. Oath, suitable for vindicators), Lover's Lyrics (Minstrel's Battle Song; deal the enamored-effect to all enemies at the cost of 1 ether per affected enemy.) Annienal Anavir (Kintobor) "19" year old elven female Mystic Knight *Bonaparte Reputation* *Immunity to Earth and Fragile* *Takes half damage from elemental attacks* *Encouraged* Level 17.5 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 13 Health: 32/32 Ether: 21/21 Gold: 240 Equipment: Bonaparte Cutlass (WP:9, doubled if the user has reputation among the Bonapartes; longsword), Crescent Shield (SP: 8, Halved Damage from elemental attacks; shield), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, immunity to fragile, body wear, suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers, regulators, and vindicators), Locustoid Greaves (Max Ether +4, immune to Earth, suitable to ether users, footwear) Inventory: Ammit (WP: 6; greatsword, user gains 5 ether for every kill), Anointed Gladius (WP: 8, deals damage undead; great sword), Sanctified Rito Longsword (WP: 4, Hits doubled against flying enemies, longsword), Training Sword (WP:4), Shark’s Tooth (Power increased by 5 against Aquatics, Accessory), Tridentian Cape (Max Ether +3; protects from Blinded effect; suitable for mages, clerics, necromancers and scholars; backwear), Lethauros Fellwings (SP: 3, wearer is immune to Sudden Death, backwear), Tobacco Pouch (1/2 Chance of Blinding with attacks, accessory), Helmet (Max Health +1, headwear), Pauldrons (SP: 2, suitable for knights, dragoons, and skirmishers; accessory), Plain Shield (SP: 5), Lethauros Mask (SP: 2, wearer deals double damage to Beasts and Vermin, headwear, suitable to everyone) Emerald (Wood), Sapphire (Wind), Aquamarine (Water), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Mythril Shard Consumables: 2x Potions, Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence, 4x Remedies, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, Bedroll, Shovel, Telescope, Pickaxe, 4 Depleted Ether Cores (Restores half the user's max ether) Scrolls: Scroll of Fire Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to fire for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether), Scroll of Ice Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to ice for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether), Scroll of Water Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to water for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether), Scroll of Wood Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to wood for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether), Lapis Lamp of Summoning (Summons the djinn Mayrene to conjure an Ethereal Barrier around the target at the cost of 5 ether, giving them a 50/50 chance to avoid Damage, Free Hits, and Special Damage. The barrier dissipates when the target takes damage from any source.) Calamity (Scubacarrot) *Inspired* 24 year old human Mage Level 9 Power bonus: 2 (spell) Health: 13/13 26/26 Ether: 8/13 Gold: 116 Equipment: Renegade’s Crook (WP: 10, successful healing also poisons the target’s weapon by 3, staff), Gold skin Gloves (Spell power +2, Usable by mages, Handwear) Inventory: Bedroll, 6x Potion, 2x Tonic,4x Remedy, Scroll of Blindness (Enables casting the Blinded-effect to the target, making it unable to use a physical attack for the next three rounds. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.), Amethyst, Skull-Topped Staff (WP: 3, staff) Keliim (Mencot) 35 years old male human Barbarian *Encouraged* *Hastened* Level 11.5 Power Bonus: (+5 WP for each hero with Wolfgang rep: x4) Health: 18/18 Defense: 0 Gold: 42 Equipment: Dwarven Orichalcum Axe (WP: 5), Wolfish Fedora (+5 WP for each standing hero with Wolfgang reputation and Wolfgang NPC in the party, headwear, suitable for heroes with Wolfgang reputation) Inventory: Order Imperial Longsword (WP: 5),Really Hard Helmet (SP: 2, Immunity to Rock), Королева's Blessing (When equipped the player gains the ability to Animal Speak to Spiders only, and all spiders are Enamored with him for the first three rounds of battle, accessory), Scarab Shield (SP3 Shield, bearer takes half damage from vermin), Heroic Helm (Headwear, SP:2, Helm's SP doubles on free hits) Consumables: x9 Potion, Grand Potion, Mead, 2X Smoke Bomb, 1X Poison, 1X Dirt Bomb, Demeter Bomb (Deals 100 wood-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), 5 Holy Bombs, Double Rainbow (Gives the user the encouraged, lucky, poisoned by 1, and confused effects.) Misc: Shovel, 2X Obsidian Shard: may be affixed to a blunt weapon to give the Bleeding 2 effect for one battle. 2X Charion beetle horn. 1 X Crystal Shard(treasure item, worth 20 gold) Avina Truenal, Crimson Crown Alchemaster 36 years old female human Alchemist (NPC, controlled by Emjajoas) *Immune to Cursed, Jinxed, Hexed, Transcended, and Blessed* Level 16 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 30/35 Gold: 40 Equipment: Zeta and Sigma (WP: 13, dual strike, daggers), Leather Gloves (For Mixture, the die is rolled three times instead of twice, and the highest two results determine the created item; suitable to alchemists; handwear), Masque (Immune to cursed, jinxed, hexed, transcended and blessed, accessory, suitable to members of the Order of the Crimson Crown) Inventory: Hyper Arc Tonic, 2 Gold Bars, Diluted Arc Tonic, 3 Depleted Ether Cores (Restores half the user's max ether), 6 Holy Bombs

Bain switches targets to Morticia. Miderun, Elnath, and Inki repeat. Same Order

Atramor attempts to cast his Scroll of Ice Armor on himself. "It's easier to beat the hell outta ya' than it is to...not beat the hell outta ya'. What did ya' expect to accomplish with this?"

The heroes are taken to a makeshift stables...though in actuality it's more just a large pen of aepyorni. Gor has one of his soldiers bring a few of them out and hitch them to a cart, which resembles the one Guts and Dyric had become familiar with in their previous time in Baltarok. The soldier mounts the cart as the heroes climb into the back. General Gor balances his sword on his soldier and raises his fist. "Fare-well, heroes. Best of luck to you in your quest....and as Gor said, be-ware the wastes." The ensuing trip is...considerably quick. The day is young and the aepyorni are very quick, not to mention the roads have not yet become slick with snow as they had during the heroes' last trip to the orcish homeland. In fact, it's almost offensively hot now, and by the time they get through Clan Aj-Kahr's territory, the heat is almost stifling. The cart stops as the ground becomes cracked earth and boiling sand, just on the outskirts of a fringe settlement. "This is as far as I go. Nothing but emptiness and clanless oshuulzomlo beyond this town. Be wary, Oro-cund. You are respected in Baltarok, but not in that wasteland." After both hero, Doctor, and Anvil are unloaded, the aepyorni kick up some dust and get going again back towards the bridge. Surprisingly, the trip has only taken a few hours. The light sprawl of the settlement against the wasteland sits ahead of them, but apparently the road ends here. The most pathetic excuse for an outpost lies before them, as well as two armed figures, appear to be acting as guards. "Damn it, more foreigners....this city is under the protection of the People of Baltarok's Volunteer Armed Militia." "Heh, or just POBVAM. But it's really just the twoink of us now." "Damn it Mincerind, shut up. Look, humans, I'm sure you came a long way to find your treasure in the wasteland, but your tourism is having an adverse effect on our town's reputation." "And economoink!" "And economy. But I won't attempt to dissuade you. I know how humans work. Hows about a hundred coins and I let you through."

"No. I don't. It's an empty claim when you can't be killed." "Give it time," replied Wally coldly. "You're new. You'll be killing anyone who disagrees with you soon enough. Ask your allies. See if they're willing to admit how many have died at their hands. See if they even remember." "You're blind," snapped the gnome. "Your kind has been killing people for years. The Crimson Crown isn't the only one with files - how many bandits did you let crawl out of Sundragon Gulch? Did you talk them down? Did you pull your punches? You are a fool if you think my claims are exaggerated. You simply choose to forget every time your blade's taken a life. It's all any of you heroes do. How many guards have you killed that were just doing their job, how many thieves that were forced to steal to live? You don't spare a thought for them. You have a job to do and payment to collect." "I would sacrifice myself if it came to that. It just might, seeing how this is playing out exactly as I anticipated." "That's what separates us. If I become corrupt, a worthy successor will come along and put an end to it...an end to me." "It's a necessary cycle. One that everyone with power is a part of." "Everyone....but Heroica." "I know exactly what power I wield. I designed every one of my machines. They are incorruptible. The don't kill. And they have more morals than your combined organization ever will. I know it. I've seen to it myself. They try to kill you on sight because Ervie and I suspected you couldn't be killed. We were testing a theory...and we were correct. To stop Heroica, we're going to need something that can break this....spell." "Yep. But we don't have anything like that right now. So..." "So, you're all going to stay right here while we depart. And when I find a way, we will return, and we will break this spell, we will break Heroica, and we will break this lie you've created for yourselves." Wally finally finished inputting the buttons he'd been pressing behind his back. The platform he, Ervie, and the workbench they were at separated from the ground, and slowly lifted upward via several cables attached to it. "Don't worry yourselves. We'll be long gone by the time you and your pet cultist finish dealing with the last of the Eubric Knight forces. You'll recall the birthplace of the race you destroyed, Mortimer. The device that spawned them was invaluable in designing my automatons...the very same device Heroica was once hired to protect. I suppose this is a suitable requiem." The gnome flipped another switch as he and the kobold ascended upwards into darkness. A bright, violent white light appeared just in front of the heroes....followed by many, many more behind it. "They would be happy to accept your surrender. But we all know how much heroes relish slaughter." Soon enough the young inventor's lift had vanished into the darkness, leaving the heroes alone against the silent army.

I'm going to be very busy over this weekend so updates for 139 and 140 will be a bit delayed (I have a bit of photo stuff to do for 140 or I would've updated it now). Sorry for any inconvenience.

"Tra-ders are all-owed in Bal-ta-rok, of course. If we see they are not hos-tile." "Foun-tain....Gor sees. Many myths about the Foun-tain. Many have looked. None have found. Heh, but if there any who can, it is you." "Heh heh, ve-ry true...just let Gor know when you wish to leave, Gor will find you trans-port."

Also, Sandy needs to bar Mindflayer as a PC race.

Dragon + Quest = Hoke And you always seem to have one floating around.

Atramor shuffles the Pegasus back into his deck as the glimmering steed vanishes in a flash of light. He looks around for a bit before realizing Twitzle had burrowed into his hat during the fight. Some things never appear to change. "Aye. It looks like we'll find whatever they're usin' the Mythril for up ahead."

Miderun smirks as the party slams against their enemies, and again swings her club at Lurch from the back row. "We are making ground, they will fall soon." Bain, Inki, and Elnath repeat. Same Order

"How does Heroica decide who is innocent? Kill the offenders and decide whoever is left standing was wronged? This goes beyond U'Reeka. You can't be killed. This has been feeding into your newfound corruption, and egotism...you don't deserve to deciding the fates of nations - you don't even deserve to step onto the streets of Eubric. WE will stamp out crime, without death, without murder, and we will succeed where you have failed for two and a half centuries." "Heroica is a problem I can't fix. Not yet. But when I do, you will see for yourself how much better things are, when your plan B isn't to just stab the problem until it dies. I looked into Heroica's records, your exploits are....'famed', here, nobody seems to think twice about how many lives could've spared. Over ninety heroes died when the Veterans slayed Tarokai. Perhaps that sacrifice is what your organization needs to truly understand the weight of a life." Wally's voice became sharper and far more accusatory. "I've seen no such care in what you've all done for the past few years. Nothing but...destruction. Is that what Heroica has become? A band of murderous sellswords that happens to get the best jobs in the business?" "None of you know what a hero really is, none of you. I'll show you what it means...and then I will break you, and your entire organization will crumble under its own corruption." "Nothing to say? Do you see it, too? This isn't revenge. My eyes were opened." "You know I'm right. You can see it. You know what my machines can accomplish." A spindly kobold dropped down from somewhere in the ceiling. "Wally, what's-...oh." "There you are Ervie. You were right." "I...was?" "They wouldn't die. You were right, I knew it. This isn't something we can..." The Eubric Knight trailed off, looking back at the party. He paused. "...tell me on thing honestly, heroes. How many of you would put your life on the line...not this sham that you are now, your one, sole life....for the greater good?" The young gnome stepped backward and tapped a few buttons on his console.

"In-deed, thank you much, friend. Er...Gor is afraid that his scouts will not accom-pany you into the Wasteland. They are not shy of fights, but it is something of....trad-ition. Tar-Valstyr, son of the son of Tar-ok, cast out those who would not fol-low or build, those that wished to fight to the death with King-doms. Bro-ken Tribes are shunned, iso-lated. Worse than the King-doms, sometimes. Few orcs would go there." "But there is a settle-ment, on the edge of the Wasteland. I will have a scout take you as far as there, but then Gor is afraid you must find your own way....why do you wish to go there? Oheheh, has Tar-valk hired you to kill Mar-ga? Heheh, that would make Gor's Grogmas."

This'll have an interesting impact on Miderun's faction choice.

"Yes, in-deed. Gor is clan leader of Aj-Kahr now. Gor has led the gar-ri-son for some time now. Keep-ing trou-ble out of Bal-ta-rok. Little so far. Mostly mer-chants and tra-ders. Heh, but you are armed visi-tors I am glad to see." "Good to meet again, Guts." "And you, lit-tle thing. You re-mind Gor of his father..." "Bah. Al-ways with the formal-ties in the King-doms. You will have a cart, heroes need pay no-thing. Aepy-orni can-not carry much load, but ours are strong and sturdy. Stables are just over over there." Gor pointed over his shoulder at a ramshackle building. "You can take one of Gor's scouts with you if you wish. They will know the way to....the Wasteland?" Gor made an odd guttural noise in the back of his throat. "...ahh....the Wasteland. Always watch your back heroes. The Wasteland is not part of Baltarok, but of the Broken Tribes. Law-less. Vic-cious. You remember Mar-ga? When we over-threw her rule, she fled, with her last priests. Formed a new tribe there. Aj-Vohl. Have not heard of them since. Gor doubts you will find her, the Vauno have bee un-able, but be wary of every-thing in that place."

Dragoons are powerful enough. I like Dragoon-specific equipment that enhances dragons, though.

Assuming direct control. The party moves across the bridge slowly as they appraise the history they've helped shape. Eventually they find themselves passing through the tower in the center, where the fate of both the Red Lizards and Baltarok was decided. And finally they pass into the territory of the orcs, where they find a garrison of soldiers. A barracks and barricades have been set up almost immediately where the bridge stops, but it doesn't appear to be blocked off. On sighting the armed group, several of the orcish archers tense - but on recognizing at least a few of the faces they relax instead, a few of them raising their fists in actual greeting to the heroes. The bridge still appears to be damaged from the battle - on this side, at least - and a few orcs are carrying materials over while others hammer some makeshift repairs in place. An imposing, armored hobgoblin approaches the heroes. "Hah hah, famil-iar face-es. Wel-come back to Bal-ta-rok, Hero-ca."

Atramor: Miderun: Heroica is a bit anachronistic so you may have to go to Sci-Fi/Modern in order to get some clothing and prop options. Atramor's donning a Mobster Hat.

"I'm not quite...wait..." "I came from Zylsta, yes. I was U'Reeka's apprentice." "What?! No! Of course not! How was I to- we don't even have a file on this kid!" Mortimer's gaze only reflected and distorted on Wally's goggles. "And I'm sorry it's come to this. But somebody needed to step up. Somebody needed to offer a better solution, to see the corruption in your ranks. Somebody needed to destroy Heroica, and if no others can, then I will." "You have no issue executing the innocent. Don't pretend you have morals beyond 'doing what is necessary'." "There was a time when I was a child like any other growing up in Zylstra. Always eager to see more. Always hearing of the mythical surface world. Tinkering with whatever came down from above was a reprieve from an isolated life." "And then...Heroica arrived." Wally crossed his arms. "I thought you really were heroes, that you were some sign that everything we knew about the surface was wrong. The others believed it was a hostile world of monsters and murderers. How right they were! There was a retired assassin hiding down in the city. The Baron of our town refused to let the heroes see him, until they got the bottom of some money problem. Three dead Wolfgangers later they returned with answers. They got their information and hunted down and killed their target up on the surface." "I left the town to see the surface. I was nearly attacked in an alley almost as soon as I arrived, were it not for the timely intervention of a man who got me a job as an apprentice to U'Reeka. He was a brilliant inventor. Never given into politics. Everything he made improved life. He sent me with one of his inventions and a few heroes to record a public spectacle that was bound to have trouble." An edge crept into the gnome's voice. "It turned out all the trouble ended up Heroica. Over a dozen people died...and only ever at the hands of heroes." "I continued helping U'Reeka with his experiments, until one day we got sloppy with it and-" "Spawned a race of abominations." "They were no more human than I am. They sought answers about their existence, their own mortality." "By abducting your entire town-" "They were mistaken, and none of us were harmed. You and Heroica, on the other hand? GENOCIDE. MURDER. You wiped out the ENTIRE RACE and KILLED U'Reeka!" His gloved hands clenched into fists. "What right do you have to determine who lives or dies? ANYONE who crosses your path is fair game, isn't it? You get to flippantly kill ever last one of your problems, hoping more death will fix EVERYTHING? And then...whenever it comes down it..." his hand tightened around the hilt of his sword. "I've seen heroes survive blows that should've killed them. I've seen your kind walk away from battles where ordinary people would have surely died. I had to test a theory of mine. An experiment. After that last clash with my automatons...now I know for certain." "You don't value life because none of you can die." "It's not a problem that I can fix....yet. When I do, your blight of an organization is getting removed. Permanently." "Heroica is corrupted and with time my machines will destroy it. They haven't killed a single thing in their quest for justice."

Those actions are fine by me.

Miderun nods at Kiray to switch targets to Fester. Miderun, Elnath, and Bain repeat. Inki targets Wednesday from the back row. Same Order

Fully prepared, the party waves one of their many Ether Cores before the sealed door of the tunnel. The light flickers and turns blue, and the metal doors clink and clunk as they slide open, revealing an intense darkness. With no way to go but forward, they ventured into the deep, meandering tunnel.... Minutes passed with no visible movement, nor sound before eachother's on-edge breathing as the seemingly endless tunnel just went on and on. Slowly, the churning hum of what sounded like a Vibrataphone - a proper one, assumedly - became apparent to them, mimicking the slow, but heightening tune of a violin. Finally, a dim red light ahead beckoned them onward, silhouetting a tall figure sharply against the light, working tirelessly on some sort of workbench. The air was stale and very cold. Before the party could get their act together, Avina quickly took the initiative, though even she didn't sound very pleased by the decidedly unfriendly atmosphere. "Eubric Knight, your machinations are at an end. Quite literally if I say so myself. Surrender yourself and your execution will be as swift as it was before, U'Reeka." A few spare moments passed, and then the figure tapped two more buttons. First the at this point frantic and dramatic violin tune ceased. Second, an immense, unearthly light shone down just in front of the workbench, highlighting a few key details of the room as the figure turned - and then stepped off of a small footstool. The gnomish child regarded the heroes quietly. "You look like you were expecting a ghost." Party Mortimer "Em" Mahzan (Emjajoas) Unknown age human male Warden *Immune to Electricity, Fire, Water, and Ice* *Half damage from elemental attacks* *Party Leader* *Reinforced* Level 26 Power Bonus: 6 Defense: 29 56 Health: 47/47 Gold: 339 Equipment: Tritech Handcannon (WP:16, permanent poisoned 17, cursed), Vigilant (SP 12, halved damage from elemental attacks, immune to Electricity, Fire, and Water; shield), Iron Knuckle Armour (Body, foot, and hand wear. Counts as one artefact. Usable by knights and dragoons. SP: 10. Cannot be removed by enemies), Anniversary Medal (Artefact/Accessory, Power +4, SP +4, Max. Health +4, Max. Ether +4. The values will increase by 1 with each passing year), Frost Helm (SP: 3, immune to ice, suitable for anyone, headwear) Inventory: Weapons: Blazing Bow (WP: 14, Fire-elemental), Doppelganger (WP:10, Retribution: The user inflicts any negative effects he or she has on the target enemy on successful hits; longsword), Balanced Main-Gauce (WP: 10, Riposte has a 1/6 chance of instantly killing the/each target, dagger, suitable only for marauders), Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield), Carpenter's Gloves (Enhancement is automatically successful, traps deal double damage, handwear, suitable for artisans), Flash Cannon (WP: 10, has a 1/2 chance of dealing the blinded-effect, light-elemental handcannon) Consumables: Health Core x3, Remedy, Mead, Venom, Phoenix Essence, Ambrosia (3), Mulled Wine, Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Nostrum, Smelling Salts, Elixir, Bone, Smoke Bomb (5), Floral Bomb (2), Ice Bomb (2), Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb, Water Bomb (2), Holy Bomb (2), Dirt Bomb (2), Air Bomb (2), Chaotic Bomb (100 random elemental damage to all opponents) Misc: Bedroll (2), Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Reaper's Heart, Mythril Shard (1), Amethyst, 5 Silver Ore (Worth 60 gold), Oath of Renewal (When the targeted enemy is killed, the Vindicator regains full health. Oath, suitable for vindicators), Lover's Lyrics (Minstrel's Battle Song; deal the enamored-effect to all enemies at the cost of 1 ether per affected enemy.) Annienal Anavir (Kintobor) "19" year old elven female Mystic Knight *Bonaparte Reputation* *Immunity to Earth and Fragile* *Takes half damage from elemental attacks* *Encouraged* Level 17.5 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 13 Health: 32/32 Ether: 21/21 Gold: 240 Equipment: Bonaparte Cutlass (WP:9, doubled if the user has reputation among the Bonapartes; longsword), Crescent Shield (SP: 8, Halved Damage from elemental attacks; shield), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, immunity to fragile, body wear, suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers, regulators, and vindicators), Locustoid Greaves (Max Ether +4, immune to Earth, suitable to ether users, footwear) Inventory: Ammit (WP: 6; greatsword, user gains 5 ether for every kill), Anointed Gladius (WP: 8, deals damage undead; great sword), Sanctified Rito Longsword (WP: 4, Hits doubled against flying enemies, longsword), Training Sword (WP:4), Shark’s Tooth (Power increased by 5 against Aquatics, Accessory), Tridentian Cape (Max Ether +3; protects from Blinded effect; suitable for mages, clerics, necromancers and scholars; backwear), Lethauros Fellwings (SP: 3, wearer is immune to Sudden Death, backwear), Tobacco Pouch (1/2 Chance of Blinding with attacks, accessory), Helmet (Max Health +1, headwear), Pauldrons (SP: 2, suitable for knights, dragoons, and skirmishers; accessory), Plain Shield (SP: 5), Lethauros Mask (SP: 2, wearer deals double damage to Beasts and Vermin, headwear, suitable to everyone) Emerald (Wood), Sapphire (Wind), Aquamarine (Water), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Mythril Shard Consumables: 2x Potions, Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence, 4x Remedies, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, Bedroll, Shovel, Telescope, Pickaxe, 4 Depleted Ether Cores (Restores half the user's max ether) Scrolls: Scroll of Fire Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to fire for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether), Scroll of Ice Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to ice for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether), Scroll of Water Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to water for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether), Scroll of Wood Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to wood for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether), Lapis Lamp of Summoning (Summons the djinn Mayrene to conjure an Ethereal Barrier around the target at the cost of 5 ether, giving them a 50/50 chance to avoid Damage, Free Hits, and Special Damage. The barrier dissipates when the target takes damage from any source.) Calamity (Scubacarrot) *Inspired* 24 year old human Mage Level 9 Power bonus: 2 (spell) Health: 13/13 26/26 Ether: 8/13 Gold: 116 Equipment: Renegade’s Crook (WP: 10, successful healing also poisons the target’s weapon by 3, staff), Gold skin Gloves (Spell power +2, Usable by mages, Handwear) Inventory: Bedroll, 6x Potion, 2x Tonic,4x Remedy, Scroll of Blindness (Enables casting the Blinded-effect to the target, making it unable to use a physical attack for the next three rounds. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.), Amethyst, Skull-Topped Staff (WP: 3, staff) Keliim (Mencot) 35 years old male human Barbarian *Encouraged* Level 11.5 Power Bonus: (+5 WP for each hero with Wolfgang rep: x4) Health: 18/18 Defense: 0 Gold: 42 Equipment: Dwarven Orichalcum Axe (WP: 5), Wolfish Fedora (+5 WP for each standing hero with Wolfgang reputation and Wolfgang NPC in the party, headwear, suitable for heroes with Wolfgang reputation) Inventory: Order Imperial Longsword (WP: 5),Really Hard Helmet (SP: 2, Immunity to Rock), Королева's Blessing (When equipped the player gains the ability to Animal Speak to Spiders only, and all spiders are Enamored with him for the first three rounds of battle, accessory), Scarab Shield (SP3 Shield, bearer takes half damage from vermin), Heroic Helm (Headwear, SP:2, Helm's SP doubles on free hits) Consumables: x9 Potion, Grand Potion, Mead, 1X Smelling salt, 2X Smoke Bomb, 1X Poison, 1X Dirt Bomb, Demeter Bomb (Deals 100 wood-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), 5 Holy Bombs, Double Rainbow (Gives the user the encouraged, lucky, poisoned by 1, and confused effects.) Misc: Shovel, 2X Obsidian Shard: may be affixed to a blunt weapon to give the Bleeding 2 effect for one battle. 2X Charion beetle horn. 1 X Crystal Shard(treasure item, worth 20 gold) Avina Truenal, Crimson Crown Alchemaster 36 years old female human Alchemist (NPC, controlled by Emjajoas) *Immune to Cursed, Jinxed, Hexed, Transcended, and Blessed* Level 16 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 30/35 Gold: 40 Equipment: Zeta and Sigma (WP: 13, dual strike, daggers), Leather Gloves (For Mixture, the die is rolled three times instead of twice, and the highest two results determine the created item; suitable to alchemists; handwear), Masque (Immune to cursed, jinxed, hexed, transcended and blessed, accessory, suitable to members of the Order of the Crimson Crown) Inventory: Hyper Arc Tonic, 2 Gold Bars, Diluted Arc Tonic, 3 Depleted Ether Cores (Restores half the user's max ether), 6 Holy Bombs

"Hm. That'd make sense. If may be looking for an automaton...hopefully part of one will suffice." Party Mortimer "Em" Mahzan (Emjajoas) Unknown age human male Warden *Immune to Electricity, Fire, Water, and Ice* *Half damage from elemental attacks* *Party Leader* Level 26 Power Bonus: 6 Defense: 29 Health: 47/47 Gold: 339 Equipment: Tritech Handcannon (WP:16, permanent poisoned 17, cursed), Vigilant (SP 12, halved damage from elemental attacks, immune to Electricity, Fire, and Water; shield), Iron Knuckle Armour (Body, foot, and hand wear. Counts as one artefact. Usable by knights and dragoons. SP: 10. Cannot be removed by enemies), Anniversary Medal (Artefact/Accessory, Power +4, SP +4, Max. Health +4, Max. Ether +4. The values will increase by 1 with each passing year), Frost Helm (SP: 3, immune to ice, suitable for anyone, headwear) Inventory: Weapons: Blazing Bow (WP: 14, Fire-elemental), Doppelganger (WP:10, Retribution: The user inflicts any negative effects he or she has on the target enemy on successful hits; longsword), Balanced Main-Gauce (WP: 10, Riposte has a 1/6 chance of instantly killing the/each target, dagger, suitable only for marauders), Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield), Carpenter's Gloves (Enhancement is automatically successful, traps deal double damage, handwear, suitable for artisans), Flash Cannon (WP: 10, has a 1/2 chance of dealing the blinded-effect, light-elemental handcannon) Consumables: Health Core x3, Remedy, Mead, Venom, Phoenix Essence, Ambrosia (4), Mulled Wine (2), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Nostrum, Smelling Salts, Elixir, Bone, Smoke Bomb (5), Floral Bomb (2), Ice Bomb (2), Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb, Water Bomb (2), Holy Bomb (2), Dirt Bomb (2), Air Bomb (2), Chaotic Bomb (100 random elemental damage to all opponents) Misc: Bedroll (2), Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Reaper's Heart, Mythril Shard (1), Amethyst, 5 Silver Ore (Worth 60 gold), Oath of Renewal (When the targeted enemy is killed, the Vindicator regains full health. Oath, suitable for vindicators), Lover's Lyrics (Minstrel's Battle Song; deal the enamored-effect to all enemies at the cost of 1 ether per affected enemy.) Annienal Anavir (Kintobor) "19" year old elven female Mystic Knight *Bonaparte Reputation* *Immunity to Earth and Fragile* *Takes half damage from elemental attacks* Level 17.5 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 13 Health: 32/32 Ether: 6/21 Gold: 40 Equipment: Bonaparte Cutlass (WP:9, doubled if the user has reputation among the Bonapartes; longsword), Crescent Shield (SP: 8, Halved Damage from elemental attacks; shield), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, immunity to fragile, body wear, suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers, regulators, and vindicators), Locustoid Greaves (Max Ether +4, immune to Earth, suitable to ether users, footwear) Inventory: Ammit (WP: 6; greatsword, user gains 5 ether for every kill), Anointed Gladius (WP: 8, deals damage undead; great sword), Sanctified Rito Longsword (WP: 4, Hits doubled against flying enemies, longsword), Training Sword (WP:4), Shark’s Tooth (Power increased by 5 against Aquatics, Accessory), Tridentian Cape (Max Ether +3; protects from Blinded effect; suitable for mages, clerics, necromancers and scholars; backwear), Lethauros Fellwings (SP: 3, wearer is immune to Sudden Death, backwear), Tobacco Pouch (1/2 Chance of Blinding with attacks, accessory), Helmet (Max Health +1, headwear), Pauldrons (SP: 2, suitable for knights, dragoons, and skirmishers; accessory), Plain Shield (SP: 5), Lethauros Mask (SP: 2, wearer deals double damage to Beasts and Vermin, headwear, suitable to everyone) Emerald (Wood), Sapphire (Wind), Aquamarine (Water), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Mythril Shard Consumables: 2x Potions, Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence, 4x Remedies, Mead, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, Bedroll, Shovel, Telescope, Pickaxe, Grand Tonic, 4 Depleted Ether Cores (Restores half the user's max ether) Scrolls: Scroll of Fire Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to fire for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether), Scroll of Ice Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to ice for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether), Scroll of Water Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to water for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether), Scroll of Wood Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to wood for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether), Lapis Lamp of Summoning (Summons the djinn Mayrene to conjure an Ethereal Barrier around the target at the cost of 5 ether, giving them a 50/50 chance to avoid Damage, Free Hits, and Special Damage. The barrier dissipates when the target takes damage from any source.) Calamity (Scubacarrot) 24 year old human Mage Level 9 Power bonus: 2 (spell) Health: 13/13 Ether: 8/13 Gold: 116 Equipment: Renegade’s Crook (WP: 10, successful healing also poisons the target’s weapon by 3, staff), Gold skin Gloves (Spell power +2, Usable by mages, Handwear) Inventory: Bedroll, 6x Potion, 2x Tonic,4x Remedy, Scroll of Blindness (Enables casting the Blinded-effect to the target, making it unable to use a physical attack for the next three rounds. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.), Amethyst, Skull-Topped Staff (WP: 3, staff) Keliim (Mencot) 35 years old male human Barbarian *Encouraged* Level 11.5 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 18/18 Defense: 2 (doubled against free hits) Gold: 42 Equipment: Dwarven Orichalcum Axe (WP: 5), Heroic Helm (Headwear, SP:2, Helm's SP doubles on free hits) Inventory: Order Imperial Longsword (WP: 5),Really Hard Helmet (SP: 2, Immunity to Rock), Королева's Blessing (When equipped the player gains the ability to Animal Speak to Spiders only, and all spiders are Enamored with him for the first three rounds of battle, accessory), Scarab Shield (SP3 Shield, bearer takes half damage from vermin), Wolfish Fedora (+5 WP for each standing hero with Wolfgang reputation and Wolfgang NPC in the party, headwear, suitable for heroes with Wolfgang reputation) Consumables: x9 Potion, Grand Potion, Mead, 1X Smelling salt, 2X Smoke Bomb, 1X Poison, 1X Dirt Bomb, Demeter Bomb (Deals 100 wood-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), 5 Holy Bombs, Double Rainbow (Gives the user the encouraged, lucky, poisoned by 1, and confused effects.) Misc: Shovel, 2X Obsidian Shard: may be affixed to a blunt weapon to give the Bleeding 2 effect for one battle. 2X Charion beetle horn. 1 X Crystal Shard(treasure item, worth 20 gold) Avina Truenal, Crimson Crown Alchemaster 36 years old female human Alchemist (NPC, controlled by Emjajoas) *Immune to Cursed, Jinxed, Hexed, Transcended, and Blessed* Level 16 Power Bonus: 0 Health: 30/35 Gold: 40 Equipment: Zeta and Sigma (WP: 13, dual strike, daggers), Leather Gloves (For Mixture, the die is rolled three times instead of twice, and the highest two results determine the created item; suitable to alchemists; handwear), Masque (Immune to cursed, jinxed, hexed, transcended and blessed, accessory, suitable to members of the Order of the Crimson Crown) Inventory: Hyper Arc Tonic, 2 Gold Bars, Diluted Arc Tonic, 3 Depleted Ether Cores (Restores half the user's max ether), 6 Holy Bombs

The door looks to be very securely sealed. Breaking their way in doesn't seem like a possibility. The light flickers, a narrow beam of light sliding back and for across Mortimer, but it doesn't seem to do anything. "Seems like it's looking for something." Nothing suspicious seemed to be waiting for the heroes. It was quite disturbingly quiet in the thicket of trees as the moon slowly rose over Uland. "I believe it got buried by the people of Zylstra. We should've burned it..."