Jebediahs

En Sabah Nur approached the naga. "Sarick? I believe I have need of your services." The two heroes conversed for some time while curious patrons looked on. Finally Nur got up from the table, clasped wrists with his fellow mage and handed Sarick 100 gold.

Alexis walks to the agreed upon position. The hound began pacing, still keeping the party from making an attempt to free Oliveri. The orc ranger stands near Alexis yet out of the way should she try to attack him. "Don't mess up," The orc taunted. Results of Alexis vs. The Ranger Challenge: Alexis Fenral vs. Target - Hit(1) (Damn! Bullseye) "I trust your abilities Alexis." "Try the shot." "..take the challenge." "I know you can make the shot." "I'd rather battle the orc." "Just make up your minds already!" The words of her friends rang loudly in the young elf's ears as she prepared her shot. She took aim, exhaled then released her arrow. Alexis was experienced beyond her 18 years of life as the arrow hit dead center of the target on Oliveri's head. "AWESOME! My friends won't believe this!" Before the party could celebrate, the orc ranger clapped loudly as he retrieved the target. "Well done elf! I had my doubts about a youngling such as yourself but a bullseye?! A high calibre of heroes produced from Heroica it seems." The orc's smile slowly faded as his mood became serious. "Ah you remind me of myself at that age. Same skill and confidence in my ability as you. Of course that was not always the case. When I had reached about four seasons of age, my family and I moved to a peaceful free-orc settlement. The surrounding communities didn't want us there which led to much tension. Things finally erupted when an elven war party raided our village. As we were simple farmers and merchants, my people were easily slaughtered." The party listened intently as the orc made his way back to the hound. "My mother hid me well...I was the only one to survive. I was discovered by a pair of liberal forest elves who adopted me and taught me their ways. Unfortunately for them, I slit their throats in their sleep once I felt I learned everything I could from them." He turned his gaze towards Alexis. "I never forgot my hatred for elves and your party travels with one. I will not let you have the boy. Prepare yourselves!" Results of Shrinking Sickness in Battle versus Maa'ri Ranger: Haldor Skovgaard - Sealed Ellaria Arbour - Poisoned Hoke Ablesword - Encouraged The prospect of battle activates the side effects from the Microfigunator 7268. Haldor's mouth seals shut once again as Hoke welcomes the familiar feeling of encouragement. Ellaria feels as if she has a stomach bug and becomes poisoned. PREPARE FOR BATTLE! Enemies: Maa'ri Ranger Type: Humanoid Level: 5 (10 vs. Elves) Health: 120/120 Special: Camouflage – Ranger retreats into the brush receiving half damage from attacks. Rain of Arrows - Shoots an arrow for 5 damage each, regardless of row to the first three targets in the battle order Blown Cover – Ranger reenters the field of combat, receiving full damage from attacks. Drops: 50 gold, Magic Compass Note: The orc's extreme hatred for the fey causes his normal attack to do double damage against elves in the party! Maa'ri Hound Type: Beast Level: 3 Health: 80/80 Special: Charge – Damages all targets for 4 damage regardless of row. Bite - Hound bites and tears at the target inflicting 2 initial damage and causing a bleed effect of 1 damage/round Questionable Loyalty - Alexis's talk has confused the hound. 50/50 chance of attacking orc ranger for 4 damage. Drops: 50 gold, Spiked Collar(Power +1) Party: Tesni Hightribe (played by Peppermint_M) Level 12 Barbarian (Party Leader) Power: 20 Health: 18/18 Gold: 110 Inventory: Cysgodion the Great Sword of Darkness (WP: 8, Darkness), Cryfder (WP:6), Training Spear (WP: 2), Training Morning Star (WP: 2), 2 Potions, Phoenix Essence, 2 Meads, Venom Haldor Skovgaard (played by Scorpiox) Level 6 Cleric ~Sealed~ Power: 13 Health: 13/14 Ether: 10/10 Gold: 17 Inventory: Heavy Metal Rod (WP:7), Frying Pan (WP: 1, +1 Health), Shovel, Pickaxe, Remedy, Venom and a fur-lined bedroll Alexis Fenral (played by Masked Builder) Level 12 Ranger Power: 20 Health: 11/16 Gold: 32 Inventory: Mockthril Longbow (WP:8, Lightning), Smoke Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Potion, Venom, Pickax, Shovel, Bedroll, Bone, Ancient Throwing Dagger (WP:7), Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass Ellaria Arbour (played by Sandy) Level 8 Cleric ~Poisoned~ Power: 18 Health: 12/16 Ether: 10/12 Gold: 82 Inventory: Ignis Fatuus (WP: 10, fire-elemental), 1 Potion, 2 Tonics, Phoenix Essence, Lightning Bomb, Water Bomb, Bedroll, Pickaxe, 2x Ladle of Goblin Gumbo(Haste for one battle, expires at end of quest) Hoke Ablesword (played by UsernameMDM) Level 8 Knight ~Encouraged~ Power: 32 (16) Health: 12/17 Gold: 166 Inventory: Vintul, the Greatsword of Wind (Great sword: WP 8, wind), Kriegsmesser (Long Sword: WP 3), Steel Buckler (Shield: SP 2), Cultist Hat, Emerald, Potion x2, Venom, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Telescope Party Leader, choose the order of action. All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, or if you want to use an item instead of attacking. Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone have acted. QM Note: Specials occur in order listed.

Well, we made that mirror fight ridiculous by not taking advantage of the bombs from the beginning. I honestly forgot we had them hahah. But thanks to that fight I did learn you don't target a specific enemy when using bombs opening yourself up for a free hit. I wanted to fight the statues but didn't want to fail so close to the end.

En Sabah Nur was thankful Erdathcath had volunteered to relay the details of the academy mission. He had other business to attend to. The mage stood patiently near the questboard awaiting the hero he was scheduled to meet. "Soon..." Nur was curious about the Thorny Diadem Ratibor had entrusted to him. He didn't see anything "thorny" about the item. En Sabah Nur removed his bandana and put on the diadem. The item quickly slid from the mage's smooth bald head. "Heh." He tried again but this time he simply placed the diadem under his bandana. Tendrils of energy leapt from the diadem into his head. The pain the mage felt was like a million thorns pricking him on every cell of his body at the same time. The experience caused Nur to convulse briefly before he recovered. The mage felt exhausted and weary yet strangely more powerful. He decided to leave the cruel thing on his head and suffer through the weakness his body was feeling in the hopes of shaking its effects. En Sabah Nur grinned. He would not be destroying this dark item.

"Indeed." The mage waited patiently for the provost's response. He had a meeting with an interesting character that should have arrived to the Hall by now.

I don't know how he's going to wield magic at 15.

Nur nearly falls as the barbarian's "pat on the back" feels like being struck by a large troll.

"Hah ha! Sounds great, my friend. Even looking out for Jensen. You're a good man, Ratibor." En Sabah Nur reaches into his pouch. He hands Maurice Ratibor a diamond. "Here, I don't think this thing'll work for me without you around anyway."

Sorry those in Quest 12. I forgot to put in Oliveri's comment earlier. I'll let you guys make a final decision now.

"C'mon! I thought you guys were heroes and heroes take chances! Don't worry if you hit me, I won't tell my dad as long as you don't kill me! Ha ha!" The boy manages to wriggle just enough to display the quiver the orc somehow missed upon his last inspection of the gnome's bindings. "I can't hide this thing from him forever!" Ranger Challenge Reward Quickdraw Quiver - (Permanent Haste effect, suitable for Rangers

"The diadem can be sold to a member of the Hall if none want it. It will be a good item once we've gotten so much fortitude from battles that the amount of health sacrificed will be miniscule." En Sabah Nur glances at Alf. "If none of you are brave enough to carry the item, I shall store it in my pouch."

The orc yawned deeply and waved dismissively at the knight. "Your flowery words have no effect on me, knight. Those mind tricks are for the feeble-minded." The orc slapped his knees before hopping off the rock. "So elf, are you ready to shoot or must we settle this in a more barbaric fashion?"

Yeah but wight is going to die this round and statues are going to leave. Don't need to damage them. Mage shield chooses from random gems in possession anyway. EDIT: LOLOL

/shrug. Ennoc abandoned him last round! Alf's going to finish it anyway. None of my spells have bonus vs vermin.

Yes, I think we've stretched our luck during this quest as far as possible. Sorry to those wanting to see/get their hands on those pretty weapons.

En Sabah Nur was clipped by the Wight as he retreated to the back row. Unfortunately for the spectre, the mage was baiting her into position for Alf's vicious strike. The mage grinned. "I'll attack the Wight from the back row with an Earth spell."

"Agreed. Our lives before loot. I shall use Ennoc's Light to attack the Wight from the back row."

"Bah, another spirit..." The mage grumbled to himself. He was becoming irked by the undead. "Perhaps we should complete our search of the sewers."

The orc ranger rises, walks over to young Oliveri Szalinski and tightens his bindings. Alexis uses the opportunity to use her Animal Talk job trait. The hound's ears perk up and he growls softly as Alexis slowly approaches. The elf senses an above normal intelligence behind the canine's eyes. She sticks out her hands to calm the beast who after a few moments visibly relaxes. Translated: "Bark bark! Stay back! We found the boy first fair and square! Oh, you are a ranger. I like rangers. Before he found me I used to live with a whole family of rangers. We used to go into the forest for weeks on grand hunting trips. It was fun." The hound's tail began to wag. "This orc and his friends are grrreat to me but the magic one is pretty scary. I'd stay away from him if I were you. He was the first to capture a Szarinski pup." The canine's wagging tail stopped as he cocked his head looking over his shoulder at the orc who was finishing up with the captured gnome child. "I rike you! Good ruck if you accept challenge." "Hey, get away from my dog!" The orc scowled at the hound as Alexis quickly returned to the party and relayed what she'd learned. "Have you reached a decision?" The orc sat on a nearby boulder-size rock and began sharpening his arrows.

En Sabah Nur nodded in approval as Alf smashed the final statue. He watched as the barbarian hefted the Meteor Blade effortlessly. "Impressive..."

Yikes Zephyr! Draco's a hard hitting dude. The weary combatants going in exhausted, without Cronk and without normal items/gear. One normal hit and a bunch of you guys are KO'd. Hardest fight so far. Good luck guys.

Tesni passes a venom to Alexis and pockets the other two for now along with the jester hat. Updated Party: Tesni Hightribe (played by Peppermint_M) Level 12 Barbarian (Party Leader) Power: 20 Health: 18/18 Gold: 110 Inventory: Cysgodion the Great Sword of Darkness (WP: 8, Darkness), Cryfder (WP:6), Training Spear (WP: 2), Training Morning Star (WP: 2), 2 Potions, Phoenix Essence, 2 Meads, 3 Venom, Jester Hat(quest item) Alexis Fenral (played by Masked Builder) Level 12 Ranger Power: 20 Health: 11/16 Gold: 32 Inventory: Mockthril Longbow (WP:8, Lightning), Smoke Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Potion, 2 Venom, Pickax, Shovel, Bedroll, Bone, Ancient Throwing Dagger (WP:7), Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass The party ventures forth when they see a small boy bound to the trunk or stem of a plant. By the cocky expression on his face, the party concludes this is Szalinski's adventurous son, Oliveri. He appears to be in FAIR CONDITION. Before they can untie him, three arrows rush towards the party. Tesni's battle hardened senses aid her as she spins around, deflecting two arrows with Cysgodion. Hoke's shield diverts the third as Alexis nocks an arrow and takes aim in the direction the attack originated from. A large hound positions itself between the party and the boy while an orc bowman slowly emerges from the brush. "Greetings heroes. Szalinski sent you sooner than expected. And you've gotten past the twins. Annoying little shits, aren't they?" The orc takes another step towards the party whose weapons are ready for action. His gaze lands on Alexis. Fire burns in his eyes. "Ah, I see you have a ranger with you and an elf no doubt. You will not believe it but I was raised and trained by elves. It must be why I'm more civilized than my companions." The orc walked around the party and petted his hound. He looked to the sky and sighed. "I grow weary of this quest. I wish to return home. I'll tell you what, I'll give you the boy if your archer can win my challenge. You have one shot to simply hit the target on top of the boy's head...from over there." He points to an incredibly far distance. "Or, your entire party can fight us for him. The choice is yours. Discuss it among yourselves. We're not going anywhere soon." Tail wagging, the giant hound lies on the ground and the orc squats next to him. QM Note: ATTENTION HEROES! Alexis must roll a 1, 2, or 3 to successfully knock the target from Oliveri's head. A 4 misses the target and a 5 hits the boy for damage, lowering his CONDITION. A roll of 6 kills the boy. I don't think Szalinski would appreciate that. REMEMBER, Alexis has only one shot (/roll)! What will the party do? - Accept Ranger Challenge - Fight the Ranger - Other "Awesome! Accept the offer, heroes of Heroica! When you win I'll give you that guy's special quiver!" Ranger Challenge Reward: Quickdraw Quiver - (Permanent Haste effect, suitable for Rangers) "How did you...?"

Alexis clears her mind and thinks of Szalinski's poor lost children. The magic compass points straight ahead.

"Enchanted Statue of Antiphone from the back row with a water spell."

"Alf, switch with me. Get that Focker! Enchanted Statue of Antiphone from the back row with a water spell."