CMP

"I think Vind is good to fight from the back Annie, he doesn't need to be in front to throw that...what is that? That is the dumbest spear I've ever seen."

Treasure items don't grow on trees. How would giving them gold equal to the value of treasures fix the problem you've outlined? It'd just make it much easier to profit from hoarding them.

"Right....well, at least we don't gotta use fake names this time. Shame, used to get paid to implicate the Bonapartes in things, damn good at it too....tell us about this caravan. What are they carryin'?"

Same here. I crop a square out of my image on paint, copy paste into MS Word to brighten it and add a border, copy paste back into paint, upload to Flickr, let them get it down to the right size.

"So we try and figure out what happened to their 'vast stores' of Mythril without them knowin' that we give a damn about it. Anythin' you can tell us about this other party of adventurers?"

Ancient should be enamored with Miderun. Oh, and for dual hit, 10+9 = 19 is Bobby's regular hit, so then you just multiply that by two. It's either 19 damage to the target and the next enemy in order or 19x2 = 38 damage to his target. But you'd have to take into account his Critical Hit or Mug if he had rolled one of those rather than just Hit. Miderun growls and moves up to the front row to club the Ancient again.

For future reference, 'shortly' does in fact mean within the next five hours. The torches are also not in fact fire elemental, but whatever. Hybros drops his torches just enough so that Illdria can look through the telescope. The silhouette of a ship is visible floating in the water. "That's her, alright....hard to make out much but she looks intact. Hopefully they haven't ruined the sails. Gods save them if they've messed anything up....wait. I think I see movement on the deck-" A low, ominous cracking from directly underneath the heroes interrupted the captain. She paused mid-sentence, still staring through the telescope as she let out a single, exasperated breath. "Shit." A moment afterward, the ground completely gave way underneath the heroes, the party tumbling down through a few of crumbling solid stone before landing in a heap on the floor below them, amidst a pile of rubble and flattened storage containers underneath them. Illdria lifted her head up in a daze. Despite the suddenness of the collapse and the shot nerves some of the heroes had, they could feel the ground below them trembling very slightly - certainly not enough to suggest another collapse was imminent, but there was surely something else present.

Sorry, I've been a bit busy. Atramor glances away from the commotion regarding armed hands disarming unarmed hands and lays down his Carcinos (Aquatic 8), picking up Eobald's last card before leaning back in his chair just enough to scoop up and take a sip of the proffered drink. "Good game, mate. Think that's 20 gold to me."

The standing Bonapartes' eyes start watering but beyond that, there's little reaction. There is some agitated movement around the ceiling, though. As soon as he reaches the sword-bearing soldier in the front and so much as pries a single finger off the hilt of his weapon, the living Bonapartes suddenly break out in a loud, furious chant. "INTRUDERS!! INTRUDERS!! INTRUDERS!!!" The Bonapartes suddenly spring up and attack them!! From the ceiling a small, sputtering bat descends, before landing in a small burst of black, shadowy magic, standing up straight as what looks like a vampire. "Why, hello! What have we here?" "INTRUDERS!!" "Oh, truly? I had not heard. All of you, silence." The Bonapartes all went quiet. The vampire shook his head and turned to the heroes. "Mindless minions. Am I right? My name is Malkoth. I can't guess why you've come here, but unfortunately you cannot be allowed to leave...so sorry. And what is all this smoke? What an excellent coincidence, my favorite spell! Although a bit more fiery than I would like. That was really unnecessary, though. I'm hurt you would invade my sanctuary like this and threaten my dinner for the foreseeable future. Luckily I think they will return the favor in hurting you. Please make no attempt to combat us. It will be just like old times. The young prince of a merchant empire and his humble servants. Well, at least those servants didn't try and resist and make me have to kill them. In any case, we will have to kill you. Quite sorry." He levels his staff at the party and the Bonapartes do the same with their handcannons. PREPARE FOR BATTLE!! Enemies Malkoth *Immune to doomed, petrified, asleep, sealed, blinded, hexed, and instant kill* *Lucky* *Hastened* *Reinforced* Level 70 Undead Humanoid Health: 885/885 Ether: 10/10 Defense: 0 Special: Blood Transfusion – Malkoth copies all of his positive effects he currently has onto a random ally at the cost of 1 ether. He also drains enough of the ally’s health to fully heal himself . If no allies are left he absorbs health from the hero who rolled Special Damage instead. If out of ether, Malkoth does nothing. Passive Special: Smokescreen – At the beginning of each round, Malkoth spends 1 ether to generate a Smokescreen that grants his entire party 25 Defense. Drops: Vampire Dust (+3 maximum health when consumed) Bonaparte Honor Guard Henry *Immune to fragile, blinded, weakened, stunned, petrified, hexed, and instant kill* Level 90 Humanoid Health: 1475/1475 Defense: 20 Special: Vengeance Smash - Deals damage equal to three times the hero's level and steals the first artifact equipped in the hero’s inventory, gaining its effects. Drops: 90 gold, Phoenix Essence Bonaparte Elite Cannoneer Robbie*Ranged* Level 30 Humanoid Health: 590/590 Special: Bombard - Cannoneer deals damage to all opponents, ignoring row and defense. Drops: 30 gold Bonaparte Elite Cannoneer Terrin*Ranged* Level 30 Humanoid Health: 590/590 Special: Bombard - Cannoneer deals damage to all opponents, ignoring row and defense. Drops: 30 gold Bonaparte Elite Cannoneer Lowes*Ranged* Level 30 Humanoid Health: 590/590 Special: Bombard - Cannoneer deals damage to all opponents, ignoring row and defense. Drops: 30 gold Bonaparte Elite Cannoneer Ander*Ranged* Level 30 Humanoid Health: 590/590 Special: Bombard - Cannoneer deals damage to all opponents, ignoring row and defense. Drops: 30 gold Bonaparte Lightning Bomber Reina *Deals stunned* *Immune to stunned* Level 20 Lightning Humanoid Health: 295/295 Special: Lightning Charge – Reina loads an Electro Bomb into Robbie's handcannon. Next round he will deal 30 lightning-elemental damage and the stunned effect to all heroes in place of Damage, Free Hits, and Special Damage. Drops: Electro Bomb (Deals 30 lightning-elemental damage and the stunned-effect to all enemies) Note: Uses Special Damage in place of Free Hits. Bonaparte Mud Bomber Pritch *Deals blinded* *Immune to blinded* Level 20 Earth Humanoid Health: 295/295 Special: Mud Charge – Pritch loads a Mud Bomb into Terrin's handcannon. Next round he will deal 30 earth-elemental damage and the blinded effect to all heroes in place of Damage, Free Hits, and Special Damage. Drops: Mud Bomb (Deals 30 earth-elemental damage and the blinded-effect to all enemies) Note: Uses Special Damage in place of Free Hits. Bonaparte Frost Bomber Gregor *Deals slowed* *Immune to slowed* Level 20 Icy Humanoid Health: 295/295 Special: Frost Charge – Gregor loads a Frost Bomb into Lowes' handcannon. Next round he will deal 30 ice-elemental damage and the slowed effect to all heroes in place of Damage, Free Hits, and Special Damage. Drops: Frost Bomb (Deals 30 ice-elemental damage and the slowed-effect to all enemies) Note: Uses Special Damage in place of Free Hits. Bonaparte Toxin Bomber Abe *Deals poisoned by 10* *Immune to poisoned* Level 20 Wood Humanoid Health: 295/295 Special: Toxic Charge – Abe loads an Toxin Bomb into Ander's handcannon. Next round he will deal 30 wood-elemental damage and the poisoned by 10 effect to all heroes in place of Damage, Free Hits, and Special Damage. Drops: Toxin Bomb (Deals 30 wood-elemental damage and the poisoned by 10-effect to all enemies) Note: Uses Special Damage in place of Free Hits. Party B Guts Holla (Scubacarrot) 45 year old male human Alchemist *Dancing* *Dualstriking* *Immune to all Elements, Weakened, Fragile, Asleep, Confused, Blinded and first negative effect* *Party Second in Command* *Hastened* *Lucky* *Encouraged* Level 38 Power Bonus: 2 Defense: 4 Health: 56/56 Gold: 8311 Equipment: Mythril Edge (WP: 64, Ice, Darkness, Light, attacks restore 3 health, dagger), Dancing Shoes (Wearer dances well, in the turn after a miss is rolled, the wearer can act twice. +Immunity to Asleep, Confused, Fragile, Weakened and Blinded, + Immunity to Darkness, Light, Fire, Air, Earth, Wood, Lightning, and Ice Elemental Damage, footwear), Crocodile Armour (+4 Defense +Immunity to Water Magic, bodywear), Magnar's Smaller Axe (Grants Dual Strike to classes wielding axes, can't wear shield. handwear), Grimmeau's Clothespin (Grants Immunity to first negative effect inflicted on the wearer each battle. Headwear) Inventory (1260): • Pronged Gauntlet (WP:6, dagger), M.U.C.A (WP: 12, bleeding 3, Axe) Giant Axe (WP:10, dual-strike, axe) • Jester's Hat (Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy, suitable for anyone), Rubber Gloves, Blessed Amulet(Immunity to Cursed, accessory), Pugilist's Gloves (2+ Power, Immune to Weakened, handwear) • Beholder's Eye, Shovel, Telescope, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Decamodifier • 1046x Potion (100 loaned to Hybros), 17x Grand Potion, 4x Health Core, 3x Diluted Arc Potion, 2x Arc Potion, 3x Elixir, 13x Phoenix Essence, 29x Remedy, Neutralizer, Tiger Balm, Crimson Serum (Grants Mutated Effect for one battle.), Arc Elixir, Hyper Arc Tonic (Restores All ether to allies, consumable), 2x Ambrosia, 20x Mead, 16x Smelling Salts, 12xNostrum, Bad Breath, 2x Wyvern's Breath, 2x Tonic, 4x Grand Tonic, 2x Purging Water, 3x Smile of the Gods, 3x Fortune Flush, 5x Venom, 3x Bone, Soma, Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), x2 Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Ether Core • 6x Smoke Bomb, Neptune Bomb, Dirt Bomb, 2x Water Bomb, 2x Blind Bomb, 2x Confuse Bomb, 2x Poison Bomb, 2x Seal Bomb, 2x Sleep Bomb, 5x Mystic Bomb • 6x Deadly Venom, Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned-by-7- and cursed-effects for the duration of one battle), • Topaz, Amethyst, Sapphire, Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 in magic shops) Mizuki Kimura (zakura) Assassin *50% More Gold Stolen* *Death Mask* *Ignores Positive Effects* Level 25.66 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 35/35 Gold: 0 Equipment: Dual Gladii (WP:12, Darkness and Light elemental, dual-strike), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up)), Death Mask (Increases assassination chances to 1/3 when the target’s health is lowered to 1/3, headwear, suitable for assassin), Fox Tail (user not affected by opponent's positive effects, backwear) Inventory: - Gladiator Trident (WP:11, causes bleeding effect; spear), Fleuret (WP:9, longsword), Sylph Shuriken (WP:12, wind elemental, retrievable), Top Hat (WP: 14, 50/50 chance of dealing the stunned-effect, retrievable), Orcish Shield (SP: 4, double if user is a greenskin), Voltedge (WP: 13, greatsword/longsword (loaned from Erik)) - Loaded Die (Gives holder the Lucky-effect, accessory, suitable for anyone (loaned to Erik)), Quickdraw Quiver (Gives wearer the Hastened-effect, backwear, suitable for rangers, loaned to Dyric), Kjorfalneire Tongue (The wearer’s restorative consumables are twice as potent, potions and tonics restoring twice as much health or ether, suitable for anyone, accessory (loaned to Hybros)) - 20 Venoms, 5 Nostrums, , 1 Think Jeeax Scales, , Tonic, Potion, Weak Potion, 2 Deadly Venoms, Weak Regeneration Potion, Grand Potion, 2 Ambrosias, Smelling Salts,Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Demon Repellent (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons during one battle unless the user is the only hero left standing; consumable) - Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Amethyst Erik Tyrvarr (Myrddyn) 19 years old male human Battle Mage *Restoration* *Lucky* *Immune to fragile, fire, and water* *Commands dogs* Level 23 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 11 Health: 40/40 Ether: 19/24 Gold: 10 Equipment: Darkstar Wand (WP:12; has 1/2 chance of inflicting hexed-effect; darkness-elemental wand), Brightly Polished Heavy Armour (SP: 6, immune to Fragile, fire, water, bodywear), Dog Fur Coat (SP:5, Grants Command over dogs, backwear), Loaded Die (Gives holder the Lucky-effect, accessory, suitable for anyone (loaned from Mizuki)) Inventory: - Titanic Axe (WP:12, Earth, fire, Light-elemental, has 1/6 chances of inflicting petrified-effect; axe), Silver Cup of Victory (WP:10; has 1/6 chance of causing doomed; club), Plunger (WP:2; 1/2 chance to cause sudden death to an aquatic enemy with each hit; club), Twin Axe (WP: 5, dual strike-axe), Voltedge (WP: 13, greatsword/longsword (loaned to Mizuki)). - Peacekeepers totem (Grants the "Diplomacy"-job trait; suitable to Erik only; accessory), Talisman of Enlightenment (Protects from hexed-effect; accessory), Sharkskin Armour (SP +1, bodywear), Shamanic Plate (Max. Health +2, Max. Ether +2; Blood Ritual does double damage to the target; suitable for shamans; bodywear), Lighter Armor (SP: 4, immune to Fragile, bodywear), Helmet (Health +1), Barbarian's Boots (Natural Respite>Restoration; footwear), Tricorne (SP: 3),Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max. Ether +4, suitable for mages, clerics, necromancers, scholars and weather mages; backwear.) - Amethyst, Ruby, Topaz, Sapphire (loaned from Hybros), Diamond (loaned from Thalion), Aquamarine (loaned from Thalion), Opal (loaned from Thalion) Garnet (loaned from Thalion) - Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.) - Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 4 Tonics, Nostrum, Venom, Ether Core, Remedy, 3 Potions, Health Core, Gold Statuette (Worth 100 gold), 3 Torches (WP:2, breaks after one use, suitable to all), Chair (WP:4, club), Crystal Ball (worth 50 gold, except in magic shops where it is worth 100 gold.), all loaned to Hybros Hoke Ablesword (UsernameMDM) Human male Dragoon *Immune fragile, weakened, confused, sealed, darkness, absorbs poison, Earns TRIPLE XP* Level 50.4 Power Bonus: 4 (+4 WP) Defense: 40 +3 Health: 88/88 Gold: 987 Equipment: Hollow Flagpole (WP:11, +3 SP to the whole party whenever equipped, Hollow (Phoenix Essence), lance), Steel Buckler (SP:31, darnkess-elemental),Samurai Helmet (WP:+4, immune Confused, Sealed suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors), Heavy Armor (SP:5, immune Fragile), Medal of Glory (Accessory - Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles),Pugilist Gloves (+2 to power, immune Weakened), Hydra Skin (SP: 2, wearer gains HP when poisoned instead of losing it, backwear), Warrior's Treads (SP:2, Health +1) Inventory: - Vintul (WP: 16; greatsword), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, causes the Bleeding-by-5 effect; spear), Wasabi Blade (WP: 4, Fire-elemental long-sword), Blade of Tranquility (WP: 2, deals the Sealed effect, Long-sword), Glistening Halberd WP:10 (½ chance to caused stunned effect, lance), Blue Steel Shield (SP:5, Immune to Blind), Fang Dagger (WP:5, double damage to beasts, dagger) - Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory), Cultist Hat (damage vs undead), Sharkskin Gloves (Accessory, provides immunity from water elemental attacks), Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2, accessory), Crocodile Belt (Max Health +2, accessory), Helm of Prestige (SP: 5, +10 Max HP, Wearer is Permanently Blessed, Headwear, suitable for Paragons, loaned to Thalion), 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, loaned from Thalion) - Opal (Ice), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Aquamarine (Water), Amethyst (Darkness), Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Garnet ( Earth), Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 in magic shops) - Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep -Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel 3x Smoke Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Water Bomb, Air Bomb, 2x Dirt Bomb, Confuse Bomb, Blind Bomb, Seal Bomb, Stun Bomb, Skadi Bomb - 2x Phoenix Essence, Potion, 7x Grand Potion, Health Core, 4x Remedy, Tonic, 2x Grand Tonic, 5x Ether Core, Elixir, Neutralizer, Ambrosia, Soma, 3x Mead, 3x Smelling Salts, 2x Nostrum, 2x Dragon Scale (Grants lucky- and blessed-effects when consumed), 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), 2x Flame-Distilled Brandy (Encouraged & Immune to Ice), 6x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Zoot's Plaything (Special 3/4 Edition), Hydra Tongue (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 3 and -1 SP effects permanently), Bone, Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used), Mythril, Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.) - Reaper (Dark 8), Stone Golem (Rock 8), Carcinos (Aquatic 8), Storm Elemental (Electric 8) Torc (UsernameMDM) Female dragon Adult Level 50.4 Health: 80/80 Element: Fire Everyone, please choose an action. Party leader, please create a battle order. I will update Party A shortly, I don't want these posts to merge in fear of formatting overload.

That's exactly what I'm referring to, Scuba. At least on your first quest you got a neat dagger. I remember an argument arose over a WP: 5 weapon in Quest #2.

I think it has to do more with the fact of how different the game was when the 'veterans' began playing. Artifacts weren't even a thing back then. Unless an artifact is apocalyptically powerful (in which case it'd probably get nerfed) the simple fact that low level characters can equip at best two artifacts at a time significantly limits power creep.

The Quiver is backwear so you'd have to swap the Cloak of the Red Assassin for it, Legonator. "It'd take a lot of powder to do that. That ship is enormous - it's likely got a lot of bulkheads, even if we managed to create a hole and flood an entire deck, they could just lock us down there and drown us. That's ignoring the ocean of people he probably has patrolling." Guts and Hoke can find no discernible traps on the topmost entrance. From their side, also they must do is turn a switch to unlock the large stone door. As it swings open, they can see the old combination lock keeping it closed from the inside. The code appears to have been changed. Going inside was a one-way trip. The air inside was cold, stale, and foreboding, somewhat strange considering it was supposedly in active use. "Agreed. They're a restless lot. Let's go." At Hybros' behest, the party splits. He leads his team to the left, while Guts' group heads to the right. Thalion leads the way, scanning the floors, walls, and ceiling the entire way. A momentary glance already reveals a snag in the plan, for the southernmost stairs have been completely collapsed. "Damn. I don't suppose you blew these up the last time you were here. These Bonies couldn't take a single ship without more than three squads, I suppose it was too much to assume they knew how to keep this place from falling apart. They managed to screw it up with solid stone, I suppose that's impressive in their own way..." They pass the other rooms without so much as a glance to arrive on the docks overlook. Unfortunately it's too dark to see anything below them - all they can hear is the slight echo of the sloshing water that the Magpie is assumedly floating in. "Typical. I need a telescope. And if anyone has any ideas on giving me a little light, that'd be helpful, too. Party A Hybros (JimButcher) 54-year-old male imp Alchemist *Permanently Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened, Poisoned, Bleeding* *Immune to all elements* *Intimidation* *Party Leader* Level 35.5 Power Bonus: 3 Defense: 0 Health: 49/54 Gold: 1884 Equipment: Zoot's Reaper (WP:15, permanently deals Cursed and Poisoned:7; scythe, suitable to Hybros), Golden Armor (user is permanently Hastened and Cursed, fire-, water-, earth-, wind-, ice-, lightning-, wood-, darkness-, light-elemental, immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened; bodywear), The Black Hat (grants Intimidation, immune to darkness and Cursed; headwear), Sterile Gloves (immune to Poisoned and Bleeding handwear), Kjorfalneire Tongue (The wearer’s restorative consumables are twice as potent, potions and tonics restoring twice as much health or ether, suitable for anyone, accessory (loaned to Hybros)) Inventory (238): • Justice (WP:8, causes blinded-effect; light-elemental dagger), Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike; darkness-elemental daggers), Hollow Dagger (WP:6, hollow [Phoenix Incense]; dagger), Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP:45.25, gains 1/4 WP every kill made with it; longsword (lent to Dyric)), Clock Cog (WP:14; throwing weapon), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all; throwing weapon (lent to Dyric)), Spinning Bolas (WP: 5 deals the Slowed effect, but the effect is removed when retrieved; throwing weapon), Skirmisher's Shield (SP:10; shield), • Sticky Gloves (gains 50% more gold, suitable for Rogues, handwear), Metal Claw (Unarmed attacks drain health from the enemy equal to 50% of the strength of the attack (rounded up); handwear), Baron's Epaulets (Suitable for short heroes, grants Command over short NPCs), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP:1, suitable to Rogues; backwear), Cloak of the Red Assassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear (lent to Dyric)), Fighting Boots (Power +5 on the front row; suitable to barbarians, knights, rogues, beast warriors, chi monks, dragoons, harlots, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators and winged warriors), Pugilist's Gloves (Power +2, protects from Weakened-effect; handwear), Alchemist's Cheatsheet (1/3 chance to make two of the same Mixture on rolls of Shield, accessory, suitable to Alchemists) • Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire (loaned to Erik), Opal • 41 Potions (100 loaned from Guts), 13 Grand Potions, 16 Health Cores, Diluted Arc Potion, 17 Remedies, 3 Neutralizers, 3 Elixirs, Diluted Arc Tonic, 2 Grand Tonics, Soma, 2 Feathers of White, Phoenix Essence, 3 Phoenix Incenses, Fenghuang Essence (After being consumed, automatically revives the target with full health once when knocked out; cannot revive targets that are already knocked out), 50 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, Wyvern's Breath, 5 Nostrums, Minimizing Dust, 4 Smoke Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, Baldur Bomb (100 light-elemental damage), Demeter Bomb (100 wood-elemental damage), Rudra Bomb (100 lightning-elemental damage), Pumpkin Bomb (causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used), 2 Gold Rings (Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver), Skeleton Decoy, Bone, 2 Tiger Balms, Last Resort, Fog Bomb, Baffle Bomb, Cloud of Celerity, Purging Water, x2 Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.) • Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, 4 Mythril Shards, Grating Stone, Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 in magic shops) - Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 4 Tonics, Nostrum, Venom, Ether Core, Remedy, 3 Potions, Health Core, Gold Statuette (Worth 100 gold), 3 Torches (WP:2, breaks after one use, suitable to all), Chair (WP:4, club), Crystal Ball (worth 50 gold, except in magic shops where it is worth 100 gold.), all loaned from Erik Dyric Rone (The Legonater) Human male, Assassin *1/3 chance to Instant Kill* *Immune to All Elements and Blinded* *Lucky* Level 29.66 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 6 Health: 41/41 Gold: 0 Equipment: Mockthril Longbow (WP: 27; Ice- and Darkness-elemental; Longbow), Lucky Die (User is permanently *Lucky*; suitable for anyone; Accessory), Night's Helmet (SP: 6; immune to Water, Wood, Earth, Ice, Fire, Wind,Lightning, Light, Darkness, and Blinded; suitable for anyone; Headwear), Cloak of the Red Assassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear (loaned from Hybros)) Inventory: • Requiem (WP: 20; Wood- and Light-elemental; Longbow), Tarok's Wrath (WP: 20, ½ chance to Instantly Kill orcs; Dagger), Double Chain Whip (WP: 10; Whip), Throwing Knife (WP: 4; Throwing Weapon), Pongcanis Dagger (WP: 8; Dagger), Crossbow of Incessant Warmongerers (WP: 20; on non-AoE rolls, also deals Damage to the enemies above and below the target upon a successful hit; Crossbow) , Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP:45.25, gains 1/4 WP every kill made with it; longsword (loaned from Hybros)), Clock Cog (WP:14; throwing weapon), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all; throwing weapon (loaned from Hybros)) • Winged Sandals (immune to Bound and Slowed; suitable for anyone; Footwear), Ambrose's Heart (Artifact, suitable to Evokers, Accessory, +5 power), , Sticky Gloves (increases amount of Gold stolen by 50%; suitable for Rogues and Beast Warriors; Handwear) • Diamond • Bedroll, Shovel, Magic Compass • Potions (3), Grand Potions (5), Tonic, Remedies (2), Banana (restores full HP to target), Elixir, Cosmic Essence, Meads (2), Nostrum, Mulled Wine, Soma, Venom (2), Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the Poisoned by 7 and Cursed effects for the duration of one battle), Mythril Shards (4/4 Mythril), Military Grade Light Bomb, Military Grade Darkness Bomb, Fire Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Diamond Lamp of Summoning (1/3 uses left), Bones (3), Skeleton Decoy, Level-Up Mushroom, Demon Repellent (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons during one battle unless the user is the only hero left standing; consumable), Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 in magic shops) Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-) 213 years old male elf Artisan *Immune to All Elements, Sealed, Blind, Weakened, Confused, Sleep, Fragile* *Reinforced* *Blessed* Level 31.5 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 14 28 Health: 60/60 Gold: 547 Equipment: Nightfall (WP:11, Darkness-elemental, absorbs 2 health on successful hits, Hollow [Grand Potion stored], dagger), Norgh Armor (SP:5, Immunity to Darkness, Light, Fire, Ice, Water, Wood, Wind, Lightning, Earth damage and Sealed, Blind, Fragile, Weaken, Sleep and Confused), Emerald Hood (SP:4, Immunity to Fragile, headwear), Marauder’s Mantle (Grants permanent Reinforced-effect, doubling defense; suitable to marauders; backwear), Helm of Prestige (SP: 5, +10 Max HP, Wearer is Permanently Blessed, Headwear, suitable for Paragons, loaned to Thalion) Inventory: - Sleeper (WP:5, deals Asleep to enemies it hits, Hollow Upgrade [Nostrum stored], melee/throwing weapon), Alpha and Omega (WP:13, dual healing/spellcasting at the cost of 2 ether, Hollow [nothing stored], staves), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, deals Stunned on successful hits, Hollow [nothing stored]) Broomstick (WP:5, ranged), Ribcage Shield (SP:9; 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), Handy Shield (SP:4, Immune to Blinded) - Cloak of Necrotic Shielding (SP:3, provides SPECIAL GUARD against Undead Enemies, backwear), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing, headwear), , Winged Sandals (Protects from Bound and Slowed effects, footwear), Blessed Amulet (Protects from Cursed-effect; accessory), Heart Locket (Protects from Enamored-effect; accessory), Snake-Eye Charm (Protects from Petrified-effect; accessory), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory), Paper Doll (Protects from Hexed-effect; accessory) Cloak of Espionage (Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle, backwear), 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, loaned to Hoke), Sterile Gloves (Immunity to Poisoned and Bleeding, handwear) - Zirconia (Gem containing all elements; cannot be merged into equipment), Amethyst (Darkness) x3, Diamond (Loaned to Erik), Aquamarine (loaned to Erik), Opal (loaned to Erik) Garnet (loaned to Erik) - Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, - Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope - 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 (9), Potion (4), Remedy (5), Mead (5), Smelling Salts (6), Nostrum (6), Mulled Wine (2), Elixir (2), Ether Core, Grand Tonic (2), Phoenix Essence, Bone (2), Smoke Bomb, Blind Bomb (2), Seal Bomb (2), Sleep Bomb (2), Deluxe Skeleton Decoy, Skeleton Decoy, Mythril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mythril), Demon Repellent (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons during one battle unless the user is the only hero left standing; consumable), Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.) Mortimer "Em" Mahzan (emjajoas) Unknown age human male Warden *Immune to Electricity, Fire, Water, and Ice* *Half damage from elemental attacks* Level 22 Power Bonus: 5 Defense: 28 Health: 41/41 Gold: 208 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 +3, SP +3, Max. Health +3, Max. Ether +3. The values will increase by 1 with each passing year), Frost Helm (SP: 3, immune to ice, suitable for anyone, headwear) Inventory: - Blazing Bow (WP: 14, Fire-elemental), Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield) - Health Core, Grand Potion x5, Potion, Phoenix Essence, Remedy, Mead, Venom, Smoke Bomb (5), Floral Bomb (2), Ice Bomb (2), Lightning Bomb (2), Fire Bomb, Water Bomb (2), Holy Bomb (2), Dirt Bomb (2), Air Bomb (2), Chaotic Bomb (100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Phoenix Esssence (2), Ambrosia (2), Mulled Wine (2)Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.) - Bedroll (2), Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope - Reaper's Heart, Silver Ore(2), Mythril Shard (1), Amethyst Captain Illdria (NPC, controlled by QM, takes suggestions) Human female Marauder *Immune to weakened, fragile, enamored, confused, and doomed* *Reinforced* *Deals enamored* *Command* Level 31 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 10 20 Health: 52/52 Gold: 8 Equipment: Rapier (WP: 20, light-elemental longsword), Flayer (WP: 20, darkness-elemental whip), Corset of Kickass (SP: 3, wearer deals the enamored-effect, bodywear, suitable for Illdria), Cap'n’s Sash (Immune to weakened, fragile, enamored, and confused, grants Command, accessory, suitable for Illdria), Marauder's Mantle (Permanent reinforced-effect, backwear, suitable for marauders), Grip of Death (SP: 7, wearer immune to doomed, handwear, suitable for Illdria) Inventory: 3 Phoenix Essences, 5 Grand Potions, Nostrum, Smelling Salts, Mead, 3 Remedies Meanwhile, the other party, led by Guts, heads straight for the barracks. The door has been left hanging wide open, but the strangest part is the days-old stench of death that wafts out into the corridor. Inside... The party immediately tenses in preparation for battle, but the group of Bonaparte soldiers (of which there are several, in identical rows along many other bunks in the room) stands completely still, unblinking, more or less oblivious to their presence. Only unsettling silence greets them, accompanied by the sight of other soldiers murdered in their beds. Party B Guts Holla (Scubacarrot) 45 year old male human Alchemist *Dancing* *Dualstriking* *Immune to all Elements, Weakened, Fragile, Asleep, Confused, Blinded and first negative effect* *Party Second in Command* *Hastened* *Lucky* *Encouraged* Level 38 Power Bonus: 2 Defense: 4 Health: 56/56 Gold: 8311 Equipment: Mythril Edge (WP: 64, Ice, Darkness, Light, attacks restore 3 health, dagger), Dancing Shoes (Wearer dances well, in the turn after a miss is rolled, the wearer can act twice. +Immunity to Asleep, Confused, Fragile, Weakened and Blinded, + Immunity to Darkness, Light, Fire, Air, Earth, Wood, Lightning, and Ice Elemental Damage, footwear), Crocodile Armour (+4 Defense +Immunity to Water Magic, bodywear), Magnar's Smaller Axe (Grants Dual Strike to classes wielding axes, can't wear shield. handwear), Grimmeau's Clothespin (Grants Immunity to first negative effect inflicted on the wearer each battle. Headwear) Inventory (1260): • Pronged Gauntlet (WP:6, dagger), M.U.C.A (WP: 12, bleeding 3, Axe) Giant Axe (WP:10, dual-strike, axe) • Jester's Hat (Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy, suitable for anyone), Rubber Gloves, Blessed Amulet(Immunity to Cursed, accessory), Pugilist's Gloves (2+ Power, Immune to Weakened, handwear) • Beholder's Eye, Shovel, Telescope, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Decamodifier • 1046x Potion (100 loaned to Hybros), 17x Grand Potion, 4x Health Core, 3x Diluted Arc Potion, 2x Arc Potion, 3x Elixir, 13x Phoenix Essence, 29x Remedy, Neutralizer, Tiger Balm, Crimson Serum (Grants Mutated Effect for one battle.), Arc Elixir, Hyper Arc Tonic (Restores All ether to allies, consumable), 2x Ambrosia, 20x Mead, 16x Smelling Salts, 12xNostrum, Bad Breath, 2x Wyvern's Breath, 2x Tonic, 4x Grand Tonic, 2x Purging Water, 3x Smile of the Gods, 3x Fortune Flush, 5x Venom, 3x Bone, Soma, Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), x2 Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Ether Core • 6x Smoke Bomb, Neptune Bomb, Dirt Bomb, 2x Water Bomb, 2x Blind Bomb, 2x Confuse Bomb, 2x Poison Bomb, 2x Seal Bomb, 2x Sleep Bomb, 5x Mystic Bomb • 6x Deadly Venom, Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned-by-7- and cursed-effects for the duration of one battle), • Topaz, Amethyst, Sapphire, Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 in magic shops) Mizuki Kimura (zakura) Assassin *50% More Gold Stolen* *Death Mask* *Ignores Positive Effects* Level 25.66 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 35/35 Gold: 0 Equipment: Dual Gladii (WP:12, Darkness and Light elemental, dual-strike), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up)), Death Mask (Increases assassination chances to 1/3 when the target’s health is lowered to 1/3, headwear, suitable for assassin), Fox Tail (user not affected by opponent's positive effects, backwear) Inventory: - Gladiator Trident (WP:11, causes bleeding effect; spear), Fleuret (WP:9, longsword), Sylph Shuriken (WP:12, wind elemental, retrievable), Top Hat (WP: 14, 50/50 chance of dealing the stunned-effect, retrievable), Orcish Shield (SP: 4, double if user is a greenskin), Voltedge (WP: 13, greatsword/longsword (loaned from Erik)) - Loaded Die (Gives holder the Lucky-effect, accessory, suitable for anyone (loaned to Erik)), Quickdraw Quiver (Gives wearer the Hastened-effect, backwear, suitable for rangers, loaned to Dyric), Kjorfalneire Tongue (The wearer’s restorative consumables are twice as potent, potions and tonics restoring twice as much health or ether, suitable for anyone, accessory (loaned to Hybros)) - 20 Venoms, 5 Nostrums, , 1 Think Jeeax Scales, , Tonic, Potion, Weak Potion, 2 Deadly Venoms, Weak Regeneration Potion, Grand Potion, 2 Ambrosias, Smelling Salts,Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Demon Repellent (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons during one battle unless the user is the only hero left standing; consumable) - Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Amethyst Erik Tyrvarr (Myrddyn) 19 years old male human Battle Mage *Restoration* *Lucky* *Immune to fragile, fire, and water* *Commands dogs* Level 23 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 11 Health: 40/40 Ether: 19/24 Gold: 10 Equipment: Darkstar Wand (WP:12; has 1/2 chance of inflicting hexed-effect; darkness-elemental wand), Brightly Polished Heavy Armour (SP: 6, immune to Fragile, fire, water, bodywear), Dog Fur Coat (SP:5, Grants Command over dogs, backwear), Loaded Die (Gives holder the Lucky-effect, accessory, suitable for anyone (loaned from Mizuki)) Inventory: - Titanic Axe (WP:12, Earth, fire, Light-elemental, has 1/6 chances of inflicting petrified-effect; axe), Silver Cup of Victory (WP:10; has 1/6 chance of causing doomed; club), Plunger (WP:2; 1/2 chance to cause sudden death to an aquatic enemy with each hit; club), Twin Axe (WP: 5, dual strike-axe), Voltedge (WP: 13, greatsword/longsword (loaned to Mizuki)). - Peacekeepers totem (Grants the "Diplomacy"-job trait; suitable to Erik only; accessory), Talisman of Enlightenment (Protects from hexed-effect; accessory), Sharkskin Armour (SP +1, bodywear), Shamanic Plate (Max. Health +2, Max. Ether +2; Blood Ritual does double damage to the target; suitable for shamans; bodywear), Lighter Armor (SP: 4, immune to Fragile, bodywear), Helmet (Health +1), Barbarian's Boots (Natural Respite>Restoration; footwear), Tricorne (SP: 3),Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max. Ether +4, suitable for mages, clerics, necromancers, scholars and weather mages; backwear.) - Amethyst, Ruby, Topaz, Sapphire (loaned from Hybros), Diamond (loaned from Thalion), Aquamarine (loaned from Thalion), Opal (loaned from Thalion) Garnet (loaned from Thalion) - Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.) - Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 4 Tonics, Nostrum, Venom, Ether Core, Remedy, 3 Potions, Health Core, Gold Statuette (Worth 100 gold), 3 Torches (WP:2, breaks after one use, suitable to all), Chair (WP:4, club), Crystal Ball (worth 50 gold, except in magic shops where it is worth 100 gold.), all loaned to Hybros Hoke Ablesword (UsernameMDM) Human male Dragoon *Immune fragile, weakened, confused, sealed, darkness, absorbs poison, Earns TRIPLE XP* Level 50.4 Power Bonus: 4 (+4 WP) Defense: 40 +3 Health: 88/88 Gold: 987 Equipment: Hollow Flagpole (WP:11, +3 SP to the whole party whenever equipped, Hollow (Phoenix Essence), lance), Steel Buckler (SP:31, darnkess-elemental),Samurai Helmet (WP:+4, immune Confused, Sealed suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors), Heavy Armor (SP:5, immune Fragile), Medal of Glory (Accessory - Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles),Pugilist Gloves (+2 to power, immune Weakened), Hydra Skin (SP: 2, wearer gains HP when poisoned instead of losing it, backwear), Warrior's Treads (SP:2, Health +1) Inventory: - Vintul (WP: 16; greatsword), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, causes the Bleeding-by-5 effect; spear), Wasabi Blade (WP: 4, Fire-elemental long-sword), Blade of Tranquility (WP: 2, deals the Sealed effect, Long-sword), Glistening Halberd WP:10 (½ chance to caused stunned effect, lance), Blue Steel Shield (SP:5, Immune to Blind), Fang Dagger (WP:5, double damage to beasts, dagger) - Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory), Cultist Hat (damage vs undead), Sharkskin Gloves (Accessory, provides immunity from water elemental attacks), Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2, accessory), Crocodile Belt (Max Health +2, accessory), Helm of Prestige (SP: 5, +10 Max HP, Wearer is Permanently Blessed, Headwear, suitable for Paragons, loaned to Thalion), 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, loaned from Thalion) - Opal (Ice), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Aquamarine (Water), Amethyst (Darkness), Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Garnet ( Earth), Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 in magic shops) - Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep -Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel 3x Smoke Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Water Bomb, Air Bomb, [/color]2x Dirt Bomb, Confuse Bomb, Blind Bomb, Seal Bomb, Stun Bomb, Skadi Bomb - 2x Phoenix Essence, Potion, 7x Grand Potion, Health Core, 4x Remedy, Tonic, 2x Grand Tonic, 5x Ether Core, Elixir, Neutralizer, Ambrosia, Soma, 3x Mead, 3x Smelling Salts, 2x Nostrum, 2x Dragon Scale (Grants lucky- and blessed-effects when consumed), 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), 2x Flame-Distilled Brandy (Encouraged & Immune to Ice), 6x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Zoot's Plaything (Special 3/4 Edition), Hydra Tongue (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 3 and -1 SP effects permanently), Bone, Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used), Mythril, Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.) - Reaper (Dark 8), Stone Golem (Rock 8), Carcinos (Aquatic 8), Storm Elemental (Electric 8) Torc (UsernameMDM) Female dragon Adult Level 50.4 Health: 80/80 Element: Fire

"Keep up your dumb words and I'll tear one of your arms off and beat you to death with it first," snapped Miderun. "What do you think happened to your sarl cendo? They were luckier than you're going to be. Go tell your boss to face us like a real tirn instead of sending us mouthy messengers to kill."

Indeed. It seems Tesni has been taking lessons from Boomingham.

Shhh, don't draw attention to it and just revel in the glories of Special Mirror before it gets nerfed.

Atramor plays his Stone Golem (Rock 8), followed by his Sandman (Ethereal 6). Atramor glances sideways as he notices Ellaria walk up behind him, a bit suspicious of this elf's intentions but not letting it show. "Oh, ya' know. Decamon business. As you can tell from my title I've got quite a bit of experience in the game."

"Excellent, let us be off then. Mind you don't tug on any of the spines." Everyone but Hoke slowly climbs onto the back of Volmuniix, the dragon growling low somewhere in the back of his throat, but remaining quite still until they were all firmly in place. The dragon curls his hind legs behind him, then launches almost straight up into the air, wine red wings unfurling as they quickly gain altitude. The night wind whipping by them becomes even colder as they slid above the clouds, the speed and intensity of the flight unlike anything the heroes had felt before. Barely half an hour had passed before he finally began to descend, easily topping the several hours the trip would've taken by ship. Slowly, what was once Jolly Roger's Grotto, now the so-called Fort Hemlock, slid into view. Oddly, the small fleet the heroes were expecting did not surround the small rocky island, but Illdria swore audibly to herself when she did see what lay in front of the mouth of the fortress: An enormous, iron-gray ship, floating imposingly just in front of the fort's interior dock. The Bonaparte colors had been painted onto the side, the thick black sails motionless in the dead of the night. The sheer number of guns was uncountable before Volmuniix finally landed, his wings sweeping the ground as he set his claws down, shifting so that the heroes could get off. Illdria was the first, stretching her fingers that were nearly frozen under her gloves. "Just bloody wonderful...thanks for the flight, Giuliana." "Of course. Be careful, all of you. I know you Heroicans hardly have to concern yourselves with death, but..." "THIS IS A DARK PLACE." "Exactly." Once the heroes had been unloaded, the dragoon and her mount took back off into the sky, leaving the heroes and Illdria alone once again on the tiny, grassy plain on top of the fort. The chunk of pirate ship that had been balanced precariously up here was gone, Hybros noticed. "I trust you saw that monstrosity of a vessel out front. That's the Apocalypse, Melville's personal flagship. One of the slowest ships in their fleet, but also the largest, pretty much completely armored, and holding enough cannons to destroy the Magpie in a single broadside. That's going to make things even worse. Remember how I mentioned it would take an armored warship to stand up to the Fort's guns?" Illdria sighed. "We'll have to come up with a plan for dealing with the Apocalypse later. For now, we need to start moving." She unfurled the second floor map. "We're on the top level. We need a team to put down anyone in the barracks. The other one should head to the docks overlook to see if they can spot the Magpie and get an idea of its condition. Who's going where, Hybros, and who's leading the other party?" Party Hybros (JimButcher) 54-year-old male imp Alchemist *Permanently Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened, Poisoned, Bleeding* *Immune to all elements* *Intimidation* *Party Leader* Level 35.5 Power Bonus: 3 Defense: 0 Health: 49/54 Gold: 1884 Equipment: Zoot's Reaper (WP:15, permanently deals Cursed and Poisoned:7; scythe, suitable to Hybros), Golden Armor (user is permanently Hastened and Cursed, fire-, water-, earth-, wind-, ice-, lightning-, wood-, darkness-, light-elemental, immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened; bodywear), The Black Hat (grants Intimidation, immune to darkness and Cursed; headwear), Sterile Gloves (immune to Poisoned and Bleeding handwear), Kjorfalneire Tongue (The wearer’s restorative consumables are twice as potent, potions and tonics restoring twice as much health or ether, suitable for anyone, accessory (loaned to Hybros)) Inventory (238): • Justice (WP:8, causes blinded-effect; light-elemental dagger), Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike; darkness-elemental daggers), Hollow Dagger (WP:6, hollow [Phoenix Incense]; dagger), Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP:45.25, gains 1/4 WP every kill made with it; longsword (lent to Dyric)), Clock Cog (WP:14; throwing weapon), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all; throwing weapon (lent to Dyric)), Spinning Bolas (WP: 5 deals the Slowed effect, but the effect is removed when retrieved; throwing weapon), Skirmisher's Shield (SP:10; shield), • Sticky Gloves (gains 50% more gold, suitable for Rogues, handwear), Metal Claw (Unarmed attacks drain health from the enemy equal to 50% of the strength of the attack (rounded up); handwear), Baron's Epaulets (Suitable for short heroes, grants Command over short NPCs), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP:1, suitable to Rogues; backwear), Cloak of the Red Assassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear (lent to Dyric)), Fighting Boots (Power +5 on the front row; suitable to barbarians, knights, rogues, beast warriors, chi monks, dragoons, harlots, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators and winged warriors), Pugilist's Gloves (Power +2, protects from Weakened-effect; handwear), Alchemist's Cheatsheet (1/3 chance to make two of the same Mixture on rolls of Shield, accessory, suitable to Alchemists) • Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire (loaned to Erik), Opal • 41 Potions (100 loaned from Guts), 13 Grand Potions, 16 Health Cores, Diluted Arc Potion, 17 Remedies, 3 Neutralizers, 3 Elixirs, Diluted Arc Tonic, 2 Grand Tonics, Soma, 2 Feathers of White, Phoenix Essence, 3 Phoenix Incenses, Fenghuang Essence (After being consumed, automatically revives the target with full health once when knocked out; cannot revive targets that are already knocked out), 50 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, Wyvern's Breath, 5 Nostrums, Minimizing Dust, 4 Smoke Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, Baldur Bomb (100 light-elemental damage), Demeter Bomb (100 wood-elemental damage), Rudra Bomb (100 lightning-elemental damage), Pumpkin Bomb (causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used), 2 Gold Rings (Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver), Skeleton Decoy, Bone, 2 Tiger Balms, Last Resort, Fog Bomb, Baffle Bomb, Cloud of Celerity, Purging Water, x2 Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.) • Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, 4 Mythril Shards, Grating Stone, Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 in magic shops) - Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 4 Tonics, Nostrum, Venom, Ether Core, Remedy, 3 Potions, Health Core, Gold Statuette (Worth 100 gold), 3 Torches (WP:2, breaks after one use, suitable to all), Chair (WP:4, club), Crystal Ball (worth 50 gold, except in magic shops where it is worth 100 gold.), all loaned from Erik Guts Holla (Scubacarrot) 45 year old male human Alchemist *Dancing* *Dualstriking* *Immune to all Elements, Weakened, Fragile, Asleep, Confused, Blinded and first negative effect* *Party Second in Command* *Hastened* *Lucky* *Encouraged* Level 38 Power Bonus: 2 Defense: 4 Health: 56/56 Gold: 8311 Equipment: Mythril Edge (WP: 64, Ice, Darkness, Light, attacks restore 3 health, dagger), Dancing Shoes (Wearer dances well, in the turn after a miss is rolled, the wearer can act twice. +Immunity to Asleep, Confused, Fragile, Weakened and Blinded, + Immunity to Darkness, Light, Fire, Air, Earth, Wood, Lightning, and Ice Elemental Damage, footwear), Crocodile Armour (+4 Defense +Immunity to Water Magic, bodywear), Magnar's Smaller Axe (Grants Dual Strike to classes wielding axes, can't wear shield. handwear), Grimmeau's Clothespin (Grants Immunity to first negative effect inflicted on the wearer each battle. Headwear) Inventory (1260): • Pronged Gauntlet (WP:6, dagger), M.U.C.A (WP: 12, bleeding 3, Axe) Giant Axe (WP:10, dual-strike, axe) • Jester's Hat (Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy, suitable for anyone), Rubber Gloves, Blessed Amulet(Immunity to Cursed, accessory), Pugilist's Gloves (2+ Power, Immune to Weakened, handwear) • Beholder's Eye, Shovel, Telescope, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Decamodifier • 1046x Potion (100 loaned to Hybros), 17x Grand Potion, 4x Health Core, 3x Diluted Arc Potion, 2x Arc Potion, 3x Elixir, 13x Phoenix Essence, 29x Remedy, Neutralizer, Tiger Balm, Crimson Serum (Grants Mutated Effect for one battle.), Arc Elixir, Hyper Arc Tonic (Restores All ether to allies, consumable), 2x Ambrosia, 20x Mead, 16x Smelling Salts, 12xNostrum, Bad Breath, 2x Wyvern's Breath, 2x Tonic, 4x Grand Tonic, 2x Purging Water, 3x Smile of the Gods, 3x Fortune Flush, 5x Venom, 3x Bone, Soma, Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), x2 Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Ether Core • 6x Smoke Bomb, Neptune Bomb, Dirt Bomb, 2x Water Bomb, 2x Blind Bomb, 2x Confuse Bomb, 2x Poison Bomb, 2x Seal Bomb, 2x Sleep Bomb, 5x Mystic Bomb • 6x Deadly Venom, Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned-by-7- and cursed-effects for the duration of one battle), • Topaz, Amethyst, Sapphire, Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 in magic shops) Mizuki Kimura (zakura) Assassin *50% More Gold Stolen* *Death Mask* *Ignores Positive Effects* Level 25.66 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 35/35 Gold: 0 Equipment: Dual Gladii (WP:12, Darkness and Light elemental, dual-strike), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up)), Death Mask (Increases assassination chances to 1/3 when the target’s health is lowered to 1/3, headwear, suitable for assassin), Fox Tail (user not affected by opponent's positive effects, backwear) Inventory: - Gladiator Trident (WP:11, causes bleeding effect; spear), Fleuret (WP:9, longsword), Sylph Shuriken (WP:12, wind elemental, retrievable), Top Hat (WP: 14, 50/50 chance of dealing the stunned-effect, retrievable), Orcish Shield (SP: 4, double if user is a greenskin), Voltedge (WP: 13, greatsword/longsword (loaned from Erik)) - Loaded Die (Gives holder the Lucky-effect, accessory, suitable for anyone (loaned to Erik)), Quickdraw Quiver (Gives wearer the Hastened-effect, backwear, suitable for rangers), Kjorfalneire Tongue (The wearer’s restorative consumables are twice as potent, potions and tonics restoring twice as much health or ether, suitable for anyone, accessory (loaned to Hybros)) - 20 Venoms, 5 Nostrums, , 1 Think Jeeax Scales, , Tonic, Potion, Weak Potion, 2 Deadly Venoms, Weak Regeneration Potion, Grand Potion, 2 Ambrosias, Smelling Salts,Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Demon Repellent (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons during one battle unless the user is the only hero left standing; consumable) - Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Amethyst Erik Tyrvarr (Myrddyn) 19 years old male human Battle Mage *Restoration* *Lucky* *Immune to fragile, fire, and water* *Commands dogs* Level 23 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 11 Health: 40/40 Ether: 19/24 Gold: 10 Equipment: Darkstar Wand (WP:12; has 1/2 chance of inflicting hexed-effect; darkness-elemental wand), Brightly Polished Heavy Armour (SP: 6, immune to Fragile, fire, water, bodywear), Dog Fur Coat (SP:5, Grants Command over dogs, backwear), Loaded Die (Gives holder the Lucky-effect, accessory, suitable for anyone (loaned from Mizuki)) Inventory: - Titanic Axe (WP:12, Earth, fire, Light-elemental, has 1/6 chances of inflicting petrified-effect; axe), Silver Cup of Victory (WP:10; has 1/6 chance of causing doomed; club), Plunger (WP:2; 1/2 chance to cause sudden death to an aquatic enemy with each hit; club), Twin Axe (WP: 5, dual strike-axe), Voltedge (WP: 13, greatsword/longsword (loaned to Mizuki)). - Peacekeepers totem (Grants the "Diplomacy"-job trait; suitable to Erik only; accessory), Talisman of Enlightenment (Protects from hexed-effect; accessory), Sharkskin Armour (SP +1, bodywear), Shamanic Plate (Max. Health +2, Max. Ether +2; Blood Ritual does double damage to the target; suitable for shamans; bodywear), Lighter Armor (SP: 4, immune to Fragile, bodywear), Helmet (Health +1), Barbarian's Boots (Natural Respite>Restoration; footwear), Tricorne (SP: 3),Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max. Ether +4, suitable for mages, clerics, necromancers, scholars and weather mages; backwear.) - Amethyst, Ruby, Topaz, Sapphire (loaned from Hybros), Diamond (loaned from Thalion), Aquamarine (loaned from Thalion), Opal (loaned from Thalion) Garnet (loaned from Thalion) - Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.) - Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 4 Tonics, Nostrum, Venom, Ether Core, Remedy, 3 Potions, Health Core, Gold Statuette (Worth 100 gold), 3 Torches (WP:2, breaks after one use, suitable to all), Chair (WP:4, club), Crystal Ball (worth 50 gold, except in magic shops where it is worth 100 gold.), all loaned to Hybros Dyric Rone (The Legonater) Human male, Assassin *1/3 chance to Instant Kill* *Immune to All Elements and Blinded* *Lucky* Level 29.66 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 6 Health: 41/41 Gold: 0 Equipment: Mockthril Longbow (WP: 27; Ice- and Darkness-elemental; Longbow), Lucky Die (User is permanently *Lucky*; suitable for anyone; Accessory), Night's Helmet (SP: 6; immune to Water, Wood, Earth, Ice, Fire, Wind,Lightning, Light, Darkness, and Blinded; suitable for anyone; Headwear), Cloak of the Red Assassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear (loaned from Hybros)) Inventory: • Requiem (WP: 20; Wood- and Light-elemental; Longbow), Tarok's Wrath (WP: 20, ½ chance to Instantly Kill orcs; Dagger), Double Chain Whip (WP: 10; Whip), Throwing Knife (WP: 4; Throwing Weapon), Pongcanis Dagger (WP: 8; Dagger), Crossbow of Incessant Warmongerers (WP: 20; on non-AoE rolls, also deals Damage to the enemies above and below the target upon a successful hit; Crossbow) , Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP:45.25, gains 1/4 WP every kill made with it; longsword (loaned from Hybros)), Clock Cog (WP:14; throwing weapon), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all; throwing weapon (loaned from Hybros)) • Winged Sandals (immune to Bound and Slowed; suitable for anyone; Footwear), Ambrose's Heart (Artifact, suitable to Evokers, Accessory, +5 power), , Sticky Gloves (increases amount of Gold stolen by 50%; suitable for Rogues and Beast Warriors; Handwear) • Diamond • Bedroll, Shovel, Magic Compass • Potions (3), Grand Potions (5), Tonic, Remedies (2), Banana (restores full HP to target), Elixir, Cosmic Essence, Meads (2), Nostrum, Mulled Wine, Soma, Venom (2), Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the Poisoned by 7 and Cursed effects for the duration of one battle), Mythril Shards (4/4 Mythril), Military Grade Light Bomb, Military Grade Darkness Bomb, Fire Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Diamond Lamp of Summoning (1/3 uses left), Bones (3), Skeleton Decoy, Level-Up Mushroom, Demon Repellent (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons during one battle unless the user is the only hero left standing; consumable), Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 in magic shops) Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-) 213 years old male elf Artisan *Immune to All Elements, Sealed, Blind, Weakened, Confused, Sleep, Fragile* *Reinforced* *Blessed* Level 31.5 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 14 28 Health: 60/60 Gold: 547 Equipment: Nightfall (WP:11, Darkness-elemental, absorbs 2 health on successful hits, Hollow [Grand Potion stored], dagger), Norgh Armor (SP:5, Immunity to Darkness, Light, Fire, Ice, Water, Wood, Wind, Lightning, Earth damage and Sealed, Blind, Fragile, Weaken, Sleep and Confused), Emerald Hood (SP:4, Immunity to Fragile, headwear), Marauder’s Mantle (Grants permanent Reinforced-effect, doubling defense; suitable to marauders; backwear), Helm of Prestige (SP: 5, +10 Max HP, Wearer is Permanently Blessed, Headwear, suitable for Paragons, loaned to Thalion) Inventory: - Sleeper (WP:5, deals Asleep to enemies it hits, Hollow Upgrade [Nostrum stored], melee/throwing weapon), Alpha and Omega (WP:13, dual healing/spellcasting at the cost of 2 ether, Hollow [nothing stored], staves), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, deals Stunned on successful hits, Hollow [nothing stored]) Broomstick (WP:5, ranged), Ribcage Shield (SP:9; 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), Handy Shield (SP:4, Immune to Blinded) - Cloak of Necrotic Shielding (SP:3, provides SPECIAL GUARD against Undead Enemies, backwear), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing, headwear), , Winged Sandals (Protects from Bound and Slowed effects, footwear), Blessed Amulet (Protects from Cursed-effect; accessory), Heart Locket (Protects from Enamored-effect; accessory), Snake-Eye Charm (Protects from Petrified-effect; accessory), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory), Paper Doll (Protects from Hexed-effect; accessory) Cloak of Espionage (Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle, backwear), 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, loaned to Hoke), Sterile Gloves (Immunity to Poisoned and Bleeding, handwear) - Zirconia (Gem containing all elements; cannot be merged into equipment), Amethyst (Darkness) x3, Diamond (Loaned to Erik), Aquamarine (loaned to Erik), Opal (loaned to Erik) Garnet (loaned to Erik) - Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, - Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope - 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 (9), Potion (4), Remedy (5), Mead (5), Smelling Salts (6), Nostrum (6), Mulled Wine (2), Elixir (2), Ether Core, Grand Tonic (2), Phoenix Essence, Bone (2), Smoke Bomb, Blind Bomb (2), Seal Bomb (2), Sleep Bomb (2), Deluxe Skeleton Decoy, Skeleton Decoy, Mythril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mythril), Demon Repellent (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons during one battle unless the user is the only hero left standing; consumable), Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.) Mortimer "Em" Mahzan (emjajoas) Unknown age human male Warden *Immune to Electricity, Fire, Water, and Ice* *Half damage from elemental attacks* Level 22 Power Bonus: 5 Defense: 28 Health: 41/41 Gold: 208 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 +3, SP +3, Max. Health +3, Max. Ether +3. The values will increase by 1 with each passing year), Frost Helm (SP: 3, immune to ice, suitable for anyone, headwear) Inventory: - Blazing Bow (WP: 14, Fire-elemental), Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield) - Health Core, Grand Potion x5, Potion, Phoenix Essence, Remedy, Mead, Venom, Smoke Bomb (5), Floral Bomb (2), Ice Bomb (2), Lightning Bomb (2), Fire Bomb, Water Bomb (2), Holy Bomb (2), Dirt Bomb (2), Air Bomb (2), Chaotic Bomb (100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Phoenix Esssence (2), Ambrosia (2), Mulled Wine (2)Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.) - Bedroll (2), Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope - Reaper's Heart, Silver Ore(2), Mythril Shard (1), Amethyst Hoke Ablesword (UsernameMDM) Human male Dragoon *Immune fragile, weakened, confused, sealed, darkness, absorbs poison, Earns TRIPLE XP* Level 50.4 Power Bonus: 4 (+4 WP) Defense: 40 +3 Health: 88/88 Gold: 987 Equipment: Hollow Flagpole (WP:11, +3 SP to the whole party whenever equipped, Hollow (Phoenix Essence), lance), Steel Buckler (SP:31, darnkess-elemental),Samurai Helmet (WP:+4, immune Confused, Sealed suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors), Heavy Armor (SP:5, immune Fragile), Medal of Glory (Accessory - Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles),Pugilist Gloves (+2 to power, immune Weakened), Hydra Skin (SP: 2, wearer gains HP when poisoned instead of losing it, backwear), Warrior's Treads (SP:2, Health +1) Inventory: - Vintul (WP: 16; greatsword), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, causes the Bleeding-by-5 effect; spear), Wasabi Blade (WP: 4, Fire-elemental long-sword), Blade of Tranquility (WP: 2, deals the Sealed effect, Long-sword), Glistening Halberd WP:10 (½ chance to caused stunned effect, lance), Blue Steel Shield (SP:5, Immune to Blind), Fang Dagger (WP:5, double damage to beasts, dagger) - Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory), Cultist Hat (damage vs undead), Sharkskin Gloves (Accessory, provides immunity from water elemental attacks), Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2, accessory), Crocodile Belt (Max Health +2, accessory), Helm of Prestige (SP: 5, +10 Max HP, Wearer is Permanently Blessed, Headwear, suitable for Paragons, loaned to Thalion), 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, loaned from Thalion) - Opal (Ice), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Aquamarine (Water), Amethyst (Darkness), Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Garnet ( Earth), Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 in magic shops) - Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep -Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel 3x Smoke Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Water Bomb, Air Bomb, [/color]2x Dirt Bomb, Confuse Bomb, Blind Bomb, Seal Bomb, Stun Bomb, Skadi Bomb - 2x Phoenix Essence, Potion, 7x Grand Potion, Health Core, 4x Remedy, Tonic, 2x Grand Tonic, 5x Ether Core, Elixir, Neutralizer, Ambrosia, Soma, 3x Mead, 3x Smelling Salts, 2x Nostrum, 2x Dragon Scale (Grants lucky- and blessed-effects when consumed), 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), 2x Flame-Distilled Brandy (Encouraged & Immune to Ice), 6x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Zoot's Plaything (Special 3/4 Edition), Hydra Tongue (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 3 and -1 SP effects permanently), Bone, Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used), Mythril, Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.) - Reaper (Dark 8), Stone Golem (Rock 8), Carcinos (Aquatic 8), Storm Elemental (Electric 8) Torc (UsernameMDM) Female dragon Adult Level 50.4 Health: 50/50 Element: Fire Captain Illdria (NPC, controlled by QM, takes suggestions) Human female Marauder *Immune to weakened, fragile, enamored, confused, and doomed* *Reinforced* *Deals enamored* *Command* Level 31 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 10 20 Health: 52/52 Gold: 8 Equipment: Rapier (WP: 20, light-elemental longsword), Flayer (WP: 20, darkness-elemental whip), Corset of Kickass (SP: 3, wearer deals the enamored-effect, bodywear, suitable for Illdria), Cap'n’s Sash (Immune to weakened, fragile, enamored, and confused, grants Command, accessory, suitable for Illdria), Marauder's Mantle (Permanent reinforced-effect, backwear, suitable for marauders), Grip of Death (SP: 7, wearer immune to doomed, handwear, suitable for Illdria) Inventory: 3 Phoenix Essences, 5 Grand Potions, Nostrum, Smelling Salts, Mead, 3 Remedies

Atramor plays his Unicorn (Luminous 5), scooping up the Vampire Bat, and puts down his Woodwose (Plant 7).

Atramor picks out his five cards and nods towards Eobald.

Atramor coughed quietly and turned his ears from the conversation of rebellion in Xu and the siege of R'klif. "Sure thing, mate. I'm a bit short on gold but I'll throw in the ten that I've got left. Leaves me without a coin to flip, though. Who's goin' first?"

Atramor stared for a moment. Either the elf had forgotten him, or if he was lucky, it was someone else entirely. He quietly hoped it was the latter. "That'd be me, aye. You a fan of the game?"

"Aye? And why is that?" remarked Atramor, sinking into a seat opposite the elf, shaking his head.

"And you as well. Lovely eyepatch. I'm sure there's quite a tale to go along with it, but I'm afraid I haven't the time to inquire." Volmuniix returned Guts' appraising gaze with a haughty, intimidating one. "I AM ELDER. I HAVE DESTROYED VILLAGES AND DISPERSED ARMIES WITH MY PRESENCE. I AM CAPABLE OF FERRYING YOU, YOUNG ONES." There was a slight hesitation before ferrying, as if the dragon considered such tasks beneath him. Volmuniix brought his head down to where Torc's was, hovering only a few feet off the ground, returning her gaze with an older, fiercer fire behind his orange eyes. To any of the heroes present it would seem as through they were about to break out into a battle, but nearly a minute passed before Volmuniix withdrew his head with a satisfied snort, exhaling a few tendrils of black smoke from between his fangs. "THIS ONE IS SILENT FEROCITY. MUCH BLOOD WILL BE SHED BY TOOTH, CLAW, AND FLAME ERE DAWN'S BREAK." "You shouldn't thought about unwanted encounters before bringing a young dragon along," interjected Giuliana with a wink. "We'll be flying above the cloud line. Even if they're actually watching the sky opposite the mouth of the grotto in the dead of night hoping to find something, they won't know we're there until you're chopping them up." "Volmuniix and I won't be going inside if that's what you mean. I'm just dropping you off as a favor to Illdria here." "A favor? You mean repay a debt you've already incurred?" snapped the captain with a smirk. "Distracting a few ships while we lit them up was easy, you hardly lifted a finger! Lugging around nine passengers is pushing my dearie's limit," replied the dragoon, rubbing one of her dragon's many wickedly serrated spines. "Anything else you'd like to wrap up before we head out?"

Miderun watched the pair of fools ride off, shaking her head as if in disappointment, but made no mention of it. "Sure, but you can't talk all your problems away. Solving problems usually ends in violence. If they didn't, there wouldn't be heroes around to solve them." Miderun shrugged, and turned to Vein. "Now about that ambush..."

"I imagine most of you have met one of them or another...besides myself, there are four." "My first mate is a hobgoblin named Knife-Tongue. Can't keep his mouth shut or get two coherent words out of it, but he's the closest thing my ship has a conscience. Used to be unable to hurt anything bigger than a seagull but I've been training him as a Marauder, he was putting up a good fight but got overwhelmed." "Zasies is our proper muscle, though. After the last guy tried selling us out to the Bonies I wanted someone nobody would screw with. She's a Selkreeth Berserker and I think she got both arms ripped off during the fight. I doubt they know what Selkreeth are because she'll just grow them back and be twice as pissed. She's unstable at her worst but she know what loyalty is and certainly isn't used to be captured. I can only assume they have to be keeping her separate from the others." "Our cook is Melvin - well, he fills a variety of roles, really. Friendly guy, quite sociable, especially for a dwarf. Makes good stew and good contacts with people we need to do business with. He's probably very used to being imprisoned and probably the easiest to contain. He's a bit of a Minstrel but those skills aren't going to help him all much in breaking out of a prison cell." "The last one is Jules.....and probably indirectly responsible for this necromancer that attacked you. He used to be one himself in a group called the Cold Circle but was smart enough to realize they were losing it and left. Very quiet...Omen is his cat. He was always a philosophical old asshoIe...hope he's alright. He's been ill recently so that probably puts a damper on any escape attempts of his." "Can't say I've heard of a dragon named Alatreon, sorry." "Possibly. The plan can be changed if needed. Hopefully it won't...but it likely will." "Good. Let's be off. Omen, get your furry butt off Diamond and let's get out of here." The cart leaped off of the wererabbit's lap and stretched. '<Heheh, what can I say? I am an attention-seeker!>' The captain lead the party downstairs, passing the enormous Madam Camorea again. "So. You're off, then." She croaked, and then adjusted her wig. "Don't give me that look Illdy, no, I still don't have any faith in heroes, but yes, I do wish you the best of luck. I did let you stay here again, did I not?" "Of course. I left the money with Diamond-" "Nonsense. Just humor this old bat and come back alive. Few enough old friends left in Eubric as it is." She gave the heroes a judging look and then slithered away. Illdria watched her go, then sighed and lead them out the door. By this point, night had fallen on Eubric. Luckily, none of the local gangs around the Hovels were dumb enough to pick on eight heroes, their dragon, and the captain that led them purposefully out of the city. Just on the plains off the road, in a clearing between some trees, the captain stopped, looking up. A few bird-shaped shadows passed over them as the trees around them were evacuated. The reason soon became clear - one of the shapes was only a distant blur. The shadow darkened and grew as it descended towards the ground as the sound of whooshing air fell down on the heroes' ears. Before they knew it, an enormous, blood red beast landed swiftly in front of them. Its movements were almost graceful, in a frightening sort of way, literal tons of muscle, bone, and scales all moving at once almost snakelike as it settled into the clearing. An enormous, spine-ridden head and neck slithered around half of the party, eyeing them with a fierce orange gaze. The mysterious rider on its back dismounted with ease, holding a tough round shield and an enormous pike. Once the dust settled from the dragon's landing, it occurred to the heroes this might be the most physically fit old woman they had ever seen. "Illdria! Ciao, buona serata, it is very good we are finally doing this. These are your heroes?" she inquired, her voice loud, bright, and accented appropriately in a manner that I can't type out. "Indeed. This is Giuliana Deathbell, a dragoon from the city-state of Venithe along the Fang Coast..." "AND I," interjected the enormous elder dragon with little indication he had interrupted anything, his voice very low and intimidating, but also oddly rich. "AM HER COMPANION. YOU ARE HEROES." A slim black tongue slid between his teeth as if tasting the air. "YOU ARE OF A POWERFUL KIND, IF NOT THE MOST HONORABLE. THAT IS THE KIND THAT BEFITS THE EXPLOITS THAT YOUR HEROICA IS BOTH FAMED AND FEARED FOR. I AM VOLMUNIIX. THAT WHO PRECEDES DEATH'S BELL."