Heroica RPG - Quest #82: Stop the Presses

[CMP]

The dark side of Crescent Hill is a dreary place. Wedged between the eastern walls of Eubric and the rest of the city, it sees daylight for only a few hours a day. But it's cheap and quiet, a good place to start a business that intends to become just the opposite. The sun rises over several hills to the east before rays of light finally shoot throughout the area. The four chosen heroes can finally see their hands more than a few inches from their face, as well as the freshly-painted sign hanging over one of the doors.

Guts Holla (Scubacarrot)

44 year old male human Raider *Immune to Weakened, Fragile, Asleep, Confused and Blinded* *Immune to all elements*

Level: 27.33

Power Bonus: 4

Health: 41/41

Defense: 4

Gold: 425

Equipment: Lifestealer (WP: 32, 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 and Blinded, + Immunity to Darkness, Light, Fire, Air, Earth, Wood, Lightningand Ice Elemental Damage, footwear), Pugilist's Gloves (2+ Power, Immune to Weakened, handwear), Crocodile Armour (+4 Defense +Immunity to Water Magic, bodywear)

Inventory: Stag Antlers (WP:10, Intimidation, halberd), 1x Ambrosia 10x Mead, 10x Smelling Salts, 9x Nostrum, 20x Grand Potion, 4x Health Core, 1x Elixir, 1x Grand Tonic, 1x Ether Core, 12x Remedy, 3x Phoenix Essence, 5x Smoke Bomb, 3x Deadly Venom, 3x Neutralizer, Shovel, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, 4x Mythril Shard, Metasimian Ale, Opal, Scroll of Weakening, Grating Stone, Voucher to the Guild of Invision (Good for one lesson in Alchemy), Chauncey's Diamond Lamp of Summoning (Summons ???), Clippard's Poison (When applied to a weapon, all damage dealt will instantly KO enemies unless they are immune to poison, deadly poison, or sudden death. Can be applied 3 more times)

Hybros

52-year-old male imp Assassin *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements*

Level: 26 2/3

Power Bonus: 1

Defense: 0

Health: 40/40

Gold: 340

Equipment: Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 15, gains 1 WP every kill made with it, light- and darkness-elemental; longsword), Golden Armor (user is permanently hastened and cursed, fire-, water-, earth-, wind-, wood-, ice-, lightning-, darkness-, light-elemental, grants immunity to Sleep, Blindness, Confusion, Frailty, and Weakening; bodywear), Cloak of the Red Assassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear), Blessed Amulet (protects from cursed-effect; accessory)

Inventory: Zoot's Reaper (WP:15, earth-elemental; scythe), Clock Cog (WP: 14, retrievable), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all, retrievable), Eye-poking Sai (WP:8, blinded-effect, dagger), Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike, dagger), Spinning Bolas (WP: 5, deals the Slowed effect, but the effect is removed when retrieved; retrievable) Wrench (WP:3, decreases the target’s level by 1, retrievable), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP:1, suitable to Rogues; backwear), 14 Potions, 14 Grand Potions, 22 Health Cores, 11 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, 2 Elixirs, 5 Phoenix Essences, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, 3 Lightning Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 13 Nostrums, 3 Meads, 5 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, 4 Mythril Shards

Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-)

213 years old male elf Sorcerer *Immune to Fragile, Sealed* *Party Leader*

Level: 19 1/2

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 7

Health: 27/27

Ether: 29/29

Gold: 7

Equipment: Batarang (WP:13, darkness-elemental throwing weapon), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from Sealed-effect), Emerald Hood (SP:4, Immunity to Fragile)

Inventory: Zirconia (Gem containing all elements; cannot be merged into equipment) Amethyst (Darkness), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Ruby (Fire), Opal (Ice), Emerald (Wood), Sapphire (Wind), Aquamarine (Water), Sleeper (WP:5, melee/throwing weapon, deals Asleep to enemies it hits, Hollow Upgrade [Grand Potion stored]), Ratsbane (WP:10, absorbs 2 health on successful hits, dagger), Veritas/Equitas (WP:10, Dual Strike, twin sais), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Cloak of Espionage (Artifact, backwear, Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle), Snake Eye Charm (Protects from Petrified-effect), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Magic Compass, Shovel, Bedroll, Smelling Salts (4), Nostrum (4), Phoenix Essence (2), Elixir, Health Core, Potion, Grand Potion, Grand Tonic, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bone

Maurice Ratibor (Etzel)

52 years old male human Paladin *Immune to Stun, Asleep and Light*

Level: 22

Power Bonus: 1

Defense: 13

Health: 46/46

Ether: 29/29

Gold: 125

Equipment: Manta Tail Staff (WP:12+50% Stun chance), Paladin Shield (SP:9), Helm of Haroka (+2 health, +1 Power, Immunity to Stun effect, headwear) , White Cloak (Max. Health +3, Immunity to Asleep effect, backwear), Paladin's Armour (SP:4, Max. Ether +2, Immunity to Light, bodywear)

Inventory: Glass Greatsword (WP:12, hollow blade; greatsword), Emerald Staff (WP:10 wood-elemental), Diamond, 3 Potions, Tonic, 3 Ether Cores, Phoenix Essence, 3 Nostrums, 2 Venom, Elixir, Floral Bomb, Water Bomb, 4 Fire Bombs, Torch, Bone, Plume, Rito Feather (consumable, grants the hastened- and blessed-effects upon use for one battle)

As soon as each hero enters, they're met with an atmosphere of anticipation.

A grumpy-looking U'kin works feverishly on the most eccentric-looking device to one side. Crammed behind it is what seems to be some sort of printing press. Whenever he mutters under his breath, the eager young gnome behind him passes him a tool. The girl in front of the desk is dressed for success about as well as one can be in the poorer areas of Eubric, polishing her bracelets and examining her appearance in them at the same time as the party walks inside. The Rockling behind her has a thick stack of papers on his desk, and rifles through them loudly, a stern expression of determination on his face, one that's probably been sitting there almost as long as he has. And in the back, away from the chaos of the room, is a figure in purple, staring unmovingly out the back window. The female waves at them after a moment.

"You're here, then? Excellent-"

"-But late."

"The sun's only just-"

"-been risen for at least a minute, with another half spent gawking at the operation here," he finishes, in a gruff, surprisingly fast manner of speech, especially for a Rockling. "News waits for nothing girl, not even those who make their living off of it. Dash Boulder, editor-in-chief. Remind me again what it is I'm paying you people for. Am I signing something, or is this a verbal contract? I'm not covering healing costs if you get shanked on the job. Red, if one them gets their short and heroic, but ultimately unsatisfied lives tragically snuffed out in this crude, unforgiving mistress of a city - write that down - recall your training: last words are the ones the people always remember. As long as someone's willing to sell them. Strike that. Share them."

Red mutters under her breath and starts scribbling rapidly in a small book she's got with her, leaving the heroes to wonder what exactly they've stepped in.

Welcome to Quest 82. Please finish up any shopping you want in the Marketplace before posting here. I'll wait for everyone to confirm before starting things up, but for now, you're free to talk to the NPCs.

[Scubacarrot]

"Hate to disappoint you, but none of us are going to die. What can you tell us about this new product the Guild is unveiling? And what scares you so much you need four people to keep your reporter safe?"

[-obelix-]

Thalion enters right after Guts, "Greetings everyone!" He says half-aloud and waits for Guts's question to be answered before continuing. In the meantime, he examines the person in the purple hood...

Edited September 25, 2013 by -obelix-

[CMP]

"Hate to disappoint you, but none of us are going to die. What can you tell us about this new product the Guild is unveiling? And what scares you so much you need four people to keep your reporter safe?"

"We'll just to have see about that, you learn not to take words at face value in my business. Still, you look like a survivor. An old one at that, but adaptable. You'll work."

"The product? Bah, another one of the Guild's supposed Miracle Elixirs. They put out a lot of fancy stuff these days, but these would-be cure-alls never seem to make much of an impact. Probably because they aren't worth troll shit. We're not interested in that. I have it from various sources the Masked Man's going to be making his first public appearance to unveil it. That's what we're going to be there for. An interview. Red's handling that while Junior tests out the...what the hell did you call it again?"

The U'kin sighed irritably.

"The AIUPIIUP, v2. The Apparatus to Imprint Upon Parchment an Image that is Imprinted Upon Parchment, version two. Is it too sophisticated for you to remember, Mister Boulder, for you to remember?" He glances at the party. "Professor U'Reeka. I invented the press and the AIUPIIUP and the press here. But I daresay you'll probably disregard it as just another object to have to protect, I daresay."

Thalion enters right after Guts, "Greetings everyone!" He says half-aloud and waits for Guts's question to be answered before continuing. In the meantime, he examines the person in the purple hood...

The figure in purple remains staring out the window for a few moments before finally turning to meet Thalion's gaze. He's remarkably well-dressed for an orc, but even more startling are his eyes, surely swimming with some magical power.

"Greetings. I am Rook."

"Our generous benefactor, but nothing more than that..." elaborated Boulder, his sarcasm evident from a mile away.

Edited September 25, 2013 by CallMePie

[Scubacarrot]

"Hm. What happened to the first version of the machine? And I can't help but notice you did not answer my second question."

[CMP]

"Hm. What happened to the first version of the machine? And I can't help but notice you did not answer my second question."

"It had a minor malfunction-"

"-that I had to sweep off the floor."

"Hush, Wally, and bring me the dwarven three-eighteenths and hush!"

The gnome quickly pokes around the chest behind him for another tool. Dash Boulder chuckles gravelly and jams his stony thumb to Rook. The strange orc regards Guts with a thin smile.

"Eubric is a ravenous city, especially with one of the six Houses at so prominent a public event, even moreso when one the leaders is said to be appearing for one of the first times. The Bonapartes in the Hovels, the Hinckwells and Shadeuax everywhere, the Six Houses at the Foundation Day party....trouble is always at their heels. I do not suspect this time will be any different, and I wish to maintain the well-being of my news team."

There was a snort from behind the desk.

"Your news team..."

"If I'm not mistaken, your organization has been present to calm each of these events in the past. I doubt this will be quite as large a commotion, but nevertheless it is always well-advised to have security."

[Scubacarrot]

"Fair enough... I have no more questions, and am ready to go." The raider turned to the wall, apparantly looking at something interesting. He quickly consumed a Nostrum, Mead and Smelling Salts, to be prepared for anything.

[JimBee]

Hybros stood silently near the doorway, listening to the exchanges. He nodded to Guts, to whom he was no stranger. He sighed. He hoped he wouldn't have to deal with any headstrong attempts at liberation as they had talked about in the Hall, but it wasn't the raider who was leading this time, rather, an elven face that was new to Hybros. He touched the brim of his crimson hat at the party leader. "Hello, I am Hybros, heh."

Down to business. He turned towards the orc. "And what is your connection to the Masked Man?"

[CMP]

Down to business. He turned towards the orc. "And what is your connection to the Masked Man?"

Rook's smile didn't move.

"He is a man of knowledge, and I value information."

[JimBee]

"I see... so you wish to get information from him through this interview?"

[CMP]

"I see... so you wish to get information from him through this interview?"

"Through an interview, through our mere presence at the event, through those attending...there is information and knowledge to be found everywhere. That is why I offer to fund businesses such as this. Eyes and ears and the insight they bring are more valuable to me than even the greatest of heroes."

[-obelix-]

Hybros stood silently near the doorway, listening to the exchanges. He nodded to Guts, to whom he was no stranger. He sighed. He hoped he wouldn't have to deal with any headstrong attempts at liberation as they had talked about in the Hall, but it wasn't the raider who was leading this time, rather, an elven face that was new to Hybros. He touched the brim of his crimson hat at the party leader. "Hello, I am Hybros, heh."

Thalion bowed, "My name is Thalion Dwinlas and it is my pleasure to meet you." he added with a smile.

He turned towards the orc, "So who will we be accompanying to this event?"

Edited September 25, 2013 by -obelix-

[Etzel]

Maurice noticed that the fast talking Rockling and the over-dressed orc seemed to have some sort of disagreement going on between them, but he decided to not pry further into details that were none of his business. Instead he focused on the mission ahead, the protection of the news team.

"Greetings, my name is Maurice Ratibor of the Paladin Order. I've understood that we will be responsible for your safety today, but there are some questions that might be good for us to get answers to before we set out.

How many of you are coming with us and will you, if you are several, stay together of split up?

Where is this unveiling taking place? The guilds headquarters?"

Maurice hoped that his comrades in the party would prove worthy, but he hadn't forgot the imp's treachery last time they quested together. Hopefully it would stay loyal to its employer this time.

[CMP]

He turned towards the orc, "So who will we be accompanying to this event?"

"Greetings, my name is Maurice Ratibor of the Paladin Order. I've understood that we will be responsible for your safety today, but there are some questions that might be good for us to get answers to before we set out.

How many of you are coming with us and will you, if you are several, stay together of split up?

Where is this unveiling taking place? The guilds headquarters?"

"Always good to meet more heroes, Misters Dwinlas and Ratibor. Just me and Wally are gonna be out in the field. I'll be doin' the reporting and he'll be operating the...ayupup thing. We'll stick together on the way there, but once there he'll stay and the back and take shots while we cut through the crowd - that the Masked Man is gonna be there was just a leak, but almost anyone who's heard it is going to be there trying to get a look at him, so I can promise a good-sized group of people. The unveiling is taking place at a small staging area not far from the Guildhouse. Apparently they still won't open that up to the public..."

"Wait, you're not coming, Professor?"

"You should know by now I do not operate well outside of my field of expertise, boy, you should know by now. I...trust you, I suppose, with operating the AIUPIIUP, but you're far too weak to carry the thing properly. I suppose one of you will have to do so, I suppose."

The U'kin folds up the spindly black contraption, casting the cloth over it and offering it to the party.

AIUPIIUP - (Gives the carrier the Slowed effect, accessory, suitable for heroes)

[-obelix-]

Thalion looking at Rook but getting the answer from another source sharply turns, and looks at Red, "Oh, OK. I suppose that's all that I can think of for now. If someone else has something to ask the should do so, otherwise I am ready to go."

He walks up to U'kin raising his hand, "I'll carry the AIUP thing for now."

OOC: I figure, if anything is to happen on the way there, best that Thalion ends up being slowed.

Edited September 25, 2013 by -obelix-

[JimBee]

Hybros simply nodded at the orc, also taking note of the white paladin who walked in, the very same that he had spoken to briefly in the Hall after his last quest. Then he suddenly remembered, the quest to Jolly Roger's Grotto all that time ago. He had barely remember it, not having seen Eric, Maurice, or any of the other heroes from that quest since. But the final moments of that journey had stuck out in his mind as the beginning of his quest for the help of the Ji Pei...

"Ehem, yes, Maurice is your name. Eheh... I think you should carry this device. I am afraid I am too small to do so, hehe..."

He turned towards his employers. "I am ready as soon as you are."

[Etzel]

"Always good to meet more heroes, Misters Dwinlas and Ratibor. Just me and Wally are gonna be out in the field. I'll be doin' the reporting and he'll be operating the...ayupup thing. We'll stick together on the way there, but once there he'll stay and the back and take shots while we cut through the crowd.

"Hold it right there! You are going to attack the Guild? I thought you were only going to do an interview and report about the unveiling. I can't be defending this young gnome if he is going to shoot at innocent people, that is not what I signed up for. And what is really this strange mechanical thing you want me to carry. It seems to do nothing but slow me down."

[Scubacarrot]

Guts cleared his throat. "Ratibor, pay attention. It's the device that paints images onto parchment, they explained it. The front resembles some sort of cannon, guess that's why they call it shots... Can't expect the gnome to carry it now, can we..."

[CMP]

"Hold it right there! You are going to attack the Guild? I thought you were only going to do an interview and report about the unveiling. I can't be defending this young gnome if he is going to shoot at innocent people, that is not what I signed up for. And what is really this strange mechanical thing you want me to carry. It seems to do nothing but slow me down."

"I didn't mean literally, Mister Ratibor. Only sayin' the crowd's gonna be thick and we're gonna have to work our way in there. It's called a..what's the word..?"

"Metaphor, girl, it's a literary device. Honestly."

"Right. And the thingy is just to take some sort of...instant painting of the scene. This'll be the test run."

Which artifact are you un-equipping, Obelix?

[Etzel]

Guts cleared his throat. "Ratibor, pay attention. It's the device that paints images onto parchment, they explained it. The front resembles some sort of cannon, guess that's why they call it shots... Can't expect the gnome to carry it now, can we..."

"Hrm, I've never quite understood the purpose of machines. What's wrong with people doing the work? Hard labour is what built this city and all of Olegia. I don't trust these techy things, and that black image painting machine does reassemble a cannon too much for my liking, are you sure it won't explode, Professor U'Reeka?"

[CMP]

"Hrm, I've never quite understood the purpose of machines. What's wrong with people doing the work? Hard labour is what built this city and all of Olegia. I don't trust these techy things, and that black image painting machine does reassemble a cannon too much for my liking, are you sure it won't explode, Professor U'Reeka?"

"My inventions are the future, Sir Maurice. Adapt to them or be lost to time like the rest of your Order, or adapt to them."

[Scubacarrot]

"This is not the time, nor the place for a philosophical debate. We've got a job, I suggest we get to it."

[-obelix-]

Thalion unequips his Robe and equips AIUP.

"Uhhhh, this is heavy..." He looks at Hybros, "I think you may be right master Hybros", he then turns and looks at Maurice, "Master Maurice, perhaps it would be better if you carried this thing!? Either way, we can proceed..."

[Etzel]

"No way! I'm not touching that thing!"

Maurice made sure to keep his distance from the black machine while giving the professor a sour look. The Paladin Order lost in time? One thing that made the Order so strong was its timelessness, there was always need for righteous and honourable defenders of the Light. All machines breaks sooner or later, but faith and ideals lasts forever.

"Lets get going if everyone is ready. If our elven friend is going to make it to the unveiling in time while dragging on that thing we better move now."

[CMP]

"This is not the time, nor the place for a philosophical debate. We've got a job, I suggest we get to it."

"Hah, starting to like you. Off you go."

He looks back down at his work without another word. U'Reeka hands over the AIUPIIUP to Thalion, with one last nervous look at the valuable device. Wally and Red walk outside with the party as Guts gets some drink flowing in his veins.

Party

Guts Holla (Scubacarrot)

44 year old male human Raider *Immune to Weakened, Fragile, Asleep, Confused and Blinded* *Encouraged* *Hastened* *Lucky* *Immune to all elements*

Level: 27.33

Power Bonus: 4

Health: 41/41

Defense: 4

Gold: 425

Equipment: Lifestealer (WP: 32, 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 and Blinded, + Immunity to Darkness, Light, Fire, Air, Earth, Wood, Lightningand Ice Elemental Damage, footwear), Pugilist's Gloves (2+ Power, Immune to Weakened, handwear), Crocodile Armour (+4 Defense +Immunity to Water Magic, bodywear)

Inventory: Stag Antlers (WP:10, Intimidation, halberd), 1x Ambrosia 9x Mead, 9x Smelling Salts, 8x Nostrum, 20x Grand Potion, 4x Health Core, 1x Elixir, 1x Grand Tonic, 1x Ether Core, 12x Remedy, 3x Phoenix Essence, 5x Smoke Bomb, 3x Deadly Venom, 3x Neutralizer, Shovel, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, 4x Mythril Shard, Metasimian Ale, Opal, Scroll of Weakening, Grating Stone, Voucher to the Guild of Invision (Good for one lesson in Alchemy), Chauncey's Diamond Lamp of Summoning (Summons ???), Clippard's Poison (When applied to a weapon, all damage dealt will instantly KO enemies unless they are immune to poison, deadly poison, or sudden death. Can be applied 3 more times)

Hybros

52-year-old male imp Assassin *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements*

Level: 26 2/3

Power Bonus: 1

Defense: 0

Health: 40/40

Gold: 340

Equipment: Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 15, gains 1 WP every kill made with it, light- and darkness-elemental; longsword), Golden Armor (user is permanently hastened and cursed, fire-, water-, earth-, wind-, wood-, ice-, lightning-, darkness-, light-elemental, grants immunity to Sleep, Blindness, Confusion, Frailty, and Weakening; bodywear), Cloak of the Red Assassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear), Blessed Amulet (protects from cursed-effect; accessory)

Inventory: Zoot's Reaper (WP:15, earth-elemental; scythe), Clock Cog (WP: 14, retrievable), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all, retrievable), Eye-poking Sai (WP:8, blinded-effect, dagger), Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike, dagger), Spinning Bolas (WP: 5, deals the Slowed effect, but the effect is removed when retrieved; retrievable) Wrench (WP:3, decreases the target’s level by 1, retrievable), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP:1, suitable to Rogues; backwear), 14 Potions, 14 Grand Potions, 22 Health Cores, 11 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, 2 Elixirs, 5 Phoenix Essences, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, 3 Lightning Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 13 Nostrums, 3 Meads, 5 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, 4 Mythril Shards

Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-)

213 years old male elf Sorcerer *Immune to Fragile* *Slowed* *Party Leader*

Level: 19 1/2

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 4

Health: 27/27

Ether: 24/24

Gold: 7

Equipment: Batarang (WP:13, darkness-elemental throwing weapon),, Emerald Hood (SP:4, Immunity to Fragile), AIUPIIUP (Gives the carrier the Slowed effect, accessory, suitable for heroes)

Inventory: Zirconia (Gem containing all elements; cannot be merged into equipment) Amethyst (Darkness), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Ruby (Fire), Opal (Ice), Emerald (Wood), Sapphire (Wind), Aquamarine (Water), Sleeper (WP:5, melee/throwing weapon, deals Asleep to enemies it hits, Hollow Upgrade [Grand Potion stored]), Ratsbane (WP:10, absorbs 2 health on successful hits, dagger), Veritas/Equitas (WP:10, Dual Strike, twin sais), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Cloak of Espionage (Artifact, backwear, Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle), Snake Eye Charm (Protects from Petrified-effect), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Magic Compass, Shovel, Bedroll, Smelling Salts (4), Nostrum (4), Phoenix Essence (2), Elixir, Health Core, Potion, Grand Potion, Grand Tonic, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bone, Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from Sealed-effect)

Maurice Ratibor (Etzel)

52 years old male human Paladin *Immune to Stun, Asleep and Light*

Level: 22

Power Bonus: 1

Defense: 13

Health: 46/46

Ether: 29/29

Gold: 125

Equipment: Manta Tail Staff (WP:12+50% Stun chance), Paladin Shield (SP:9), Helm of Haroka (+2 health, +1 Power, Immunity to Stun effect, headwear) , White Cloak (Max. Health +3, Immunity to Asleep effect, backwear), Paladin's Armour (SP:4, Max. Ether +2, Immunity to Light, bodywear)

Inventory: Glass Greatsword (WP:12, hollow blade; greatsword), Emerald Staff (WP:10 wood-elemental), Diamond, 3 Potions, Tonic, 3 Ether Cores, Phoenix Essence, 3 Nostrums, 2 Venom, Elixir, Floral Bomb, Water Bomb, 4 Fire Bombs, Torch, Bone, Plume, Rito Feather (consumable, grants the hastened- and blessed-effects upon use for one battle)

Red (NPC, controlled by JimButcher)

18 years old female human Rogue *Immune to Enamored, Confused, and Hexed*

Level: 16

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 1

Health: 30/30

Gold: 34

Equipment: Totally Not Stolen Dagger (WP: 8, dagger), Little Red Cloak (Immune to enamored, confused, and hexed, max health +8, backwear, suitable for Red), Completely Legitimately Obtained Bracelets (SP: 1, handwear, suitable for Red)

Wally (NPC, controlled by Scubacarrot)

11 years old male gnomish Artisan *Immune to Blinded, Fire, and Light*

Level: 8

Power Bonus: 0

Health: 28/28

Gold: 0

Equipment: Wrench (WP: 3, hammer), Neat-o Goggles (Immune to blinded, light, and fire, accessory, suitable for Wally), Telescope, Magnifying Glass, Bedroll

"Lets get going if everyone is ready. If our elven friend is going to make it to the unveiling in time while dragging on that thing we better move now."

"I'll say. We're actually almost late...hmm."

Red leads the way. It's a long walk to Way's End, on the other side of the city. The city's already waking up, and the streets are already full to bursting with people. The heroes can't tell where the reporter leads them until they all arrive staring at a blocked-off alleyway. She runs her hands along the wall, and starts pushing some small crates and rolling barrels out of the way. Soon, a small, solid-looking hatch is revealed in it, but there doesn't appear to be any handle.

"...Wait, where are we? Aren't we supposed to be taking-"

"Shut up, Wally," grumbles Red, pushing some rubble out of the way to reveal a faded Wolfgang logo carved into the stone. She pushes it inward, words drawing themselves onto the plank over the hatch. Her face falls into a frown.

"Oh, damn it..."