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DAY TWO ~ DAWN OF THE DEAD At the crack of dawn, Scheherazade is the first one up, as usual. As she enters the main hall, she sees the body of Heron Jujube lying on the floor. "You've got to be kidding me. I just mopped up this floor!" Muttering curses, the matron goes to summon the Veterans. They investigate the cleric and find him to be loyal to Heroica. "Such a shame to lose another young promise..." "The blood-splatters all across the hall suggest that Heron wasn't the only one who got attacked last night." "Umm, guys..." The Copper Fox points behind the others. The Fenarian, Retak Ysp, is standing there with someone the Veterans didn't expect to see up and about this morning. "What?! I'm a necromancer, dammit!" The rest of the heroes start to wake up as well, and soon the Hall is filled with little groups quietly recounting the events of the last night. Some slept like babies, while others had fierce encounters with the same people that were now nonchalantly chatting away with the rest of them. Wandering about the Hall, some heroes stumble into the Library, where Byblos shows them a book he had been studying all night. "Glad you are here! I've been searching every book about angels I could find for a reference about a fallen one called Lucifuge, and now I think I finally got one! There is a chapter on myths related to Ennoc and his angels in this first edition of Mythica Historica, and I think I found a passage about the angel we are up against. However, most of the letters have been wiped away by time. Can you help me to fill them in?" ***** BYBLOS THE LIBRARIAN'S CHALLENGE #1: Help Byblos complete the sentence below by filling in missing letters. Send your suggestion privately to the host within this phase to receive bonus experience if you are correct. You get one try. RULES: 1. ALIGNMENTS: There are two sides in this game, trying to beat each other. Heroica wins if they manage to find and kill all of the Nephilim. The Nephilim win if they outnumber the heroes loyal to Heroica. The Nephilim know each other, but the others don’t know who the Nephilim are. There are also neutral players, who have their own special victory conditions. 2. PHASES: The game is played in two alternating phases - "Days" and "Nights", both lasting up to 48 hours - during which the players can use their abilities on each other. All players can use one ability per phase. During the Night-phase, the game is played through Private Messages between the host and the players, and all actions are private, revealed only to the target. During the Day-phase, all actions are public, and are shown in the Day-topic to everyone. Ranged attacks and spells are anexception, their performer is never revealed. 3. RESULTS: The results of the abilities are tallied at the beginning (for Night-actions) and the end (for Day-actions) of the Day-phase. When a player’s health is completely depleted, they are killed off from the game. The player who delivered the killing blow will get all of the victim’s gold and items, and gain experience (see Leveling Up). The alignment of each killed player is revealed when they die. Anyone who kills a Nephilim will gain 50 extra gold from the Veterans. 4. STATISTICS: Level signifies the player character’s overall experience. Health is initially equal to level, and attacks reduce it while healing restores it. Ether is equal to about a half of the level, and is used for spellcasting, healing and scroll-reading.Defenseis gained from shields and most artefacts, and it reduces the damage taken. WP means weapon power, while SP means shield power. All statistics except Level are kept a secret from other players. 5. ABILITIES: All player characters have their own sets of 3-6 abilities they can use during the game, related to their job classes. These skills include (but are not limited to) attacks, spellcasting, healing, tracking, stealing items, blocking, buffing, debilitating and using items. To best make use of these varied skills, the players should consider forming alliances. 6. ITEMS: All players start out with 10 gold, a weapon with 2-6 WP and a random array of other items, such as restorative potions, artefacts and tools. Like the statistics, these inventories are kept as a secret from other players. During the Day-phases of the game, upgrades and more items can be bought from Sham Poo in exchange for gold. You are free to trade items with other players, but you need to notify the host whenever you do that. 7. LEVELING UP: Gaining a level increases the player character’s current and maximum health and ether by 1. When a player kills another player, they will gain experience according to this chart: - Level 1-9: a full level - Level 10-19: 1/2 of a level - Level 20-29: 1/3 of a level - Level 30-39: 1/4 of a level - Level 40 onwards: 1/5 of a level 8. ELEMENTS & EFFECTS: There are five elements in the game: fire, ice, lighting, light and darkness. Elemental spells and attacks are twice as effective as normal attacks, but consume ether. They can also be blocked with the right piece of equipment. There are both positive and negative effects in the game as well, including encouraged, enforced, stunned, poison, sleep, blinded, sealed, confused and enamored. These can be inflicted by certain abilities and scrolls. Negative effects last until removed by a Remedy or a suitable ability. 9. BEHAVIOR: When you play this game, you are bound by honor to your alignment – even if it changes mid-game. That is why you must not discuss the game outside of the topics and PMs related to it, under the threat that you are instantly killed off if you do. Sharing information via PMs and forming alliances between the players is allowed, but must be done by knowing the risk that the other might be lying or deceiving you. Things will get brutal and cut-throat in this game, and you can get killed off at any time, but any of that is not to be taken as a personal insult. Please post in-character at all times to ensure that your player persona is separated from your real self. Remember that the dead don't talk, so once you are out of the game, you must not speak of what you know to anyone until the whole game is over. You are free to roleplay with your character, and most of all, have fun!PLAYER CHARACTERS: Brienne Deercourt (Brickdoctor) ~ 29 years old female human Paladin Calico Meatpie (CallMePie) ~ 16 years old female halfling Rogue Capriccia Gianpaolo (Capt.JohnPaul) ~ 123 years old female vampire Cleric Corelin Moordog (CorneliusMurdock) ~ 282 years old female dwarf Warden Cromeo Nightingale (Chromeknight) ~ 22 years old male half-elf Harlot Doranee Grandeur (Dragonator) ~ 44 years old female elf Ranger Ein Surefoot (Esurient) ~ 397 years old male dwarf Cleric Emmanuelle Janus (emjajoas) ~ 33 years old female human Knight Enya Dorgamel (Endgame) ~ 23 years old female human Evoker Eris (Eric Su) ~ 26 years old female orc Sorcerer Ezeal (Etzel) ~ 28 years old male werelion Barbarian Fernandu Elysiam (Fred Daniel Yam) ~ 36 years old male minotaur Shaman Fleyra (Flare) ~ 29 years old female Rito Winged Warrior Geosmos Phiephyrphoe (joeshmoe554) ~ 52 years old male cyclops Infiltrator Jeddam Ashenbow (Jedi master Brick) ~ 25 years old female hobgoblin Ranger Jinnipher Buchaire (JimButcher) ~ 71 years old female elf Knight Kharybdis (Kadabra) ~ 26 years old female Octopial Beast Warrior Lorth-Anoob (LordoftheNoobs) ~ 42 years old female Pantanan Witch Luridan Voros (Lord Duvors) ~ 53 years old male gremlin Alchemist Maxi Ebdul (Masked Builder) ~ 35 years old male Asteriad Rogue O’Blix (-obelix-) ~ 27 years old male goblin Regulator Pallas Thaddicus (Palathadric) ~ 103 years old male Lucustoid Druid Panduin Oreheart (Pandora) ~ 148 years old male dwarf Barbarian Percival Montmartre (Peppermint_M) ~ 24 years old male human Ranger Piro the Visionary (Pyrovisionary) ~ 227 years old male wereturtle Battle Mage Retak Ysp (PsyKater) ~ 2013 years old male Fenarian Necromancer Sir Rubinstein (Rumble Strike) ~ 47 years old male human Skirmisher Scamander Taurros (Scubacarrot) ~ 34 years old male satyr Minstrel Shadir Oswain (Shadows) ~ 466 years old male elf Mystic Knight Skrupp Oxstrong (Scorpiox) ~ 30 years old male norseman Raider Swinehurst (swils) ~ 31 years old male porc Berserker Theodor Legion (The Legonater) ~ 73 years old male human Cannoneer U’dargan (Darkdragon) ~ 29 years old male U’kin Dragoon Usharnam Madima (UsernameMDM) ~ 38 years old male Naga Chi Monk Werther Brickton (Waterbrick Down) ~ 49 years old male zombie Assassin Weyrdág (Wedge09) ~ 341 years old female Nôrn Hunter Zarissa Curie (Zakura) ~ 58 years old female gnome Sage Zelphie (Zepher) ~ 815 years old female fairy Artisan Zpilf (Flipz) ~ 85 years old male ogre Black Knight DEAD CHARACTERS: Kob (Kintobor) ~ 21 years old male orc Mage ~ Heroica (killed on Day One, raised as an undead on Night One) Pauline Jillian Boyle (Purpearljellyblob) ~ 18 years old female Mopag Mage ~ Heroica (killed on Day One) Heron Jujube (herrJJ) ~ 19 years old male human Cleric ~ Heroica (killed on Night One) SHAM POO’S EMERGENCY SHOP FOR HEROES IN NEED: "You can visit my shop any time during the day! Remember that buying stuff only costs you gold, so you won't spend your action by doing business with me." Weapons: Axe (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Bow (WP:1, ranged weapon) – Costs 10 gold Dagger (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Handcannon (WP:1, ranged weapon) – Costs 10 gold Hammer (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Instrument (WP:1, ranged weapon) – Costs 10 gold Spear (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Staff (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Sword (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Whip (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Shield (SP:1, defensive equipment) – Costs 10 goldArtefacts: Flameproof Armor (Artefact: +1 SP, nullifies fire-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Warm Boots (Artefact: +1 SP, nullifies ice-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Conductor Helmet (Artefact: +1 SP, nullifies lightning-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Sunglasses (Artefact: +1 SP, nullifies light-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Shadow Cloak (Artefact: +1 SP nullifies darkness-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Counterstrike Gloves (Artefact: allows you to instantly counter a close-ranged attack if you survive it, damaging your attacker equal to the damage you received.) – Costs 25 goldGems & Scrolls: Ruby (Gem: allows casting fire-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Opal (Gem: allows casting ice-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Topaz (Gem: allows casting lightning-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Diamond (Gem: allows casting light-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Amethyst (Gem: allows casting darkness-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Scroll of Sleep (Scroll: prevents target from taking action and seeing who targets them until woken up by an attack. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 30 gold Scroll of Blinding (Scroll: prevents target from performing attacks and seeing who targets them. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 30 gold Scroll of Sealing (Scroll: prevents target from performing ether-based actions. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 30 gold Scroll of Confusion (Scroll: causes target’s actions to hit a random person with a 1/2 chance. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 30 goldConsumable Items: Potion (Consumable: restores full health to target when used.) – Costs 5 gold Tonic (Consumable: restores full ether to target when used.) – Costs 10 gold Remedy (Consumable: removes negative effects from target when used.) – Costs 5 gold Venom (Consumable: causes poison to the target, depleting it’s health by 1 per every phase when used.) – Costs 15 gold Bomb (Consumable: causes 10 damage to the target from a distance when used.) – Costs 20 gold Phoenix Essence (Consumable: revives a dead person with full health when used.) – Costs 100 gold Grating Stone (Consumable: increases a weapon’s WP by 1 when used) – Costs 25 gold Bright Polish (Consumable: increases a shield’s or an artefact’s SP by 1 when used.) – Costs 25 gold. Level-Up Mushroom (Consumable: gain a level when used.) – Costs 50 goldTools: Bedroll (Tool: restores full health and ether and removes negative effects whenever used.) – Costs 20 gold Telescope (Tool: allows the user to see all actions aimed at the target on the current phase whenever used.) – Costs 40 gold Magnifying Glass (Tool: allows the user to see the target’s alignment whenever used.) – Costs 60 gold

FINAL DAY ~ QUESTIONS OF LIFE AND DEATH Once more Scheherazade was the first one to discover the bodies left from the bloody night. Heron Jujube was dead again, and so was Zpilf, the ogre that had suddenly sprouted wings. "By gods, how long will this carnage last?!" The matron had her answer as the vision of the dark angel appeared again, this time over Zpilf, and this time brighter than ever before. {You may thwart me over and over again, but you can never slay an angel! Heroica will fall as Azazot rises again from the ashes of Mercution! Your destruction is inevitable, heirs of Morduin the Doomsayer!"} "Yeah yeah, quit flapping your lips and fly back to whatever nest you crawled out of!" As the Veterans awoke, Scheherazade recounted the angel's words to them at the Saloon. "I cannot sense the dark wings over us anymore. But there is a shroud of darkness over this city, something even more sinister than the angel..." "You really sound like the heir of the Doomsayer when you talk like that, dear Sand Queen! Sheesh, can't we just rejoice the fact that we can stop killing each other now?" "If the threat is really over, that is. I almost can't believe it...." "Uh, I think we ought to tell those guys that, too." The Feathered Serpent pointed down at the main hall, where the remaining heroes had gathered, armed and ready for another arduous day of bloodshed and paranoia. "Everyone, drop your weapons, this instant! And listen up!" The confused heroes did as the Dragonlord told, and the Veterans gathered on the balcony to explain the situation. "...so we firmly believe that the last of the Nephilim died with Zpilf. We can finally reopen the doors to the world outside and continue performing great acts of heroism in the footsteps of the original Veterans. Why don't you join us for a celebratory toast here in the Saloon, first?" Silence fell on the crowd below. "Forget about it, just let us out!" someone shouted. "Yeah, I've had just about enough of this crap. I quit!" "Me too! This isn't what I signed up to!" There was no talking them around. As the doors were opened, all of the surviving heroes marched out, leaving Heroica behind for good. Six days and nights of killing their friends and companions had just been too much for any of them to bear. There was but one hero who lingered behind, but only because she wanted to talk with her aunt Scheherazade first. "All this Heroica stuff was really boring, you know? I can't believe you talked me into this! And just when it was about to get exciting, I was killed! My head was lobbed right off by a dwarf, can you believe that?! So no, nothing you say will make me change my mind - I'm outta here!" "So am I, momma! Off to find new fools to sucker and drain out of their gold. I'm going to get you that Inn you always dreamed about, just you wait!" "Fine, get lost, both of you! Don't worry about little old me, I can manage fine all on my own! Especially now that all my customers are gone... Well, at least I don't have to start each day by mopping up blood from the floors anymore!" Scheherazade literally kicked both Sham and Eris out of the Hall, and returned to tending the Saloon, grumbling about insolent and ungrateful youngin's all the way up the stairs. Some time later, the doors of the Hall were opened once again, and in stepped the three enlisted heroes that the organization had left: Åsa Niflheimr, a Nôrnish Battle Mage; Ezekiel Drake, a roguish explorer; and Madame Adeline Rouge Doux, socialite extraordinaire. The Copper Fox was the first to greet them. "Mr. Copper Fox, I am so relieved to see you alive! I ran into Weyrdág at the Nôrn building, and she told me all about what happened here!" "Yeah, we arrived from our quest a few days ago and were perplexed to see the Hall's doors shut tight. Nobody would even answer our knocks!" "Phew! This place reeks of death! Did you really lynch each other here?" "Wow, we had almost forgotten about you guys! Glad to see we have at least some active members left. Wait here, I'll go fetch the others." The Veterans told the whole story to the three puzzled heroes, beginning from the death of Lothoros Eldar and ending with the fact that everyone else quit the organization. "We have already gotten messages from the Six Houses that their trust in Heroica has been seriously damaged by this incident. If we can't even keep our own members from killing each other, how can they trust us to uphold peace and order in the Free Island? Joining Heroica has always been a risky business, but it's not like we can cheat death, can we?" "Actually, I might have something that could benefit Heroica. We Nôrns have kept them a secret for now, but we brought something with us when we fled Nôrnia: relics from our Goddess... At that moment, Byblos the Librarian dashed into the Hall from a side door. "By Orang Pendek's fists, I'm free again! Last night I uncovered something that will help us solve this case without further bloodshed! Only I was kidnapped and tied into a closet, and only now I was able to set my self free, and..." The Metasimian froze as he saw a familiar face in the crowd. A deep blush spread over his cheeks. "Ooh, Madame Rouge Doux! How did you get in?" "The case is closed, Byblos. The Nephilim are dead, so you can save your breath." "B-b-but... Did you know that Lucifuge must've dwelled underneath the Doomsayer's Island? It used to be called Angel Island before the Veteran settled in there. And just recently, a group of heroes went on a quest there..." "Yes, we figured that all out when the last of the Nephilim died. They had all been on the same quest, save for Brienne Deercourt, who must've been recruited later. The island has now been put under a quarantine - no hero of Heroica must ever step onto it again. We don't know what the Doomsayer did to that angel there, but Lucifuge sure as hell ain't dead. We can't risk him brainwashing any more of our kind." "They're all dead, then... So all these nights spent awake to study had been for naught?!" "Don't say that, Byblos-darling! I love a man with brains." "M-madame Rouge Doux!!!" After the incident was over, Åsa Niflheimr was promoted as the sixth Veteran, and she took the monicker of the Valkyrie. The Veterans became more careful about covering their true identities, in the fear that Heroica would one day be infiltrated again. But despite the mistrust the organization had gained among the Six Houses ruling Eubric Freeport, the organization recovered - mostly thanks to the Nôrns' miraculous items that prevented heroes of Heroica from dying as long as they were members - and grew larger than ever. The Dragonlord ended his story by drinking his goblet empty. Scaro and Hoptet looked at the Veteran in awe. "So yeah, that was how it all went down. Now off you go, gentlemen - make me proud!" The two champions looked at each other as they left the Saloon. "I always say, city people are crazy!" "Yes, agreed. To kill friends because birdman say so... No Metasimian would never do so." "Neither werehyena. We smart." The two nodded in agreement. ~FIN~ SPECIAL ENDING: Town Watch Barracks, two years ago... "Constable Phiephyrphoe, report at once! Why haven't I heard from you in six days? Was your secret mission to spy on Heroica endangered?" "To say... the least... Captain Lilbelly! Where should I...even begin..." ***** Thank you so much for playing, everyone! I know the game concept wasn't the most successful one, but I truly hope you guys at least had fun with it! I sincerely apologize for the people who played as Nephilim - you did an outstanding job, but unfortunately the mechanics made it impossible for you to win, and I realized it too late. I will post the entry PMs for everyone later, so you can see what kind of skills and items your fellow players had, but that will have to wait for tomorrow. Here's the final list of players (and winners): PLAYER CHARACTERS: Ein Surefoot (Esurient) ~ 397 years old male dwarf Cleric ~ Heroica (survived) Emmanuelle Janus (emjajoas) ~ 33 years old female human Knight ~ Heroica (survived) Enya Dorgamel (Endgame) ~ 23 years old female human Evoker ~ Heroica (killed on Night Three but resurrected on Night Five, survived) Eris (Eric Su) ~ 26 years old female orc Sorcerer ~ Heroica (killed on Day Two but resurrected on Day Six, survived) Fleyra (Flare) ~ 29 years old female Rito Winged Warrior ~ Heroica (survived) Geosmos Phiephyrphoe (joeshmoe554) ~ 52 years old male cyclops Infiltrator ~ Neutral (survived) Jinnipher Buchaire (JimButcher) ~ 71 years old female elf Knight ~ Heroica (survived) Lorth-Anoob (LordoftheNoobs) ~ 42 years old female Pantanan Witch ~ Heroica (survived) Luridan Voros (Lord Duvors) ~ 53 years old male gremlin Alchemist ~ Heroica (survived) O’Blix (-obelix-) ~ 27 years old male goblin Regulator ~ Heroica (survived) Pallas Thaddicus (Palathadric) ~ 103 years old male Lucustoid Druid ~ Heroica (survived) Panduin Oreheart (Pandora) ~ 148 years old male dwarf Barbarian ~ Heroica (survived) Piro the Visionary (Pyrovisionary) ~ 227 years old male wereturtle Battle Mage ~ Heroica (killed on Day Two but resurrected on Day Three, survived) Sir Rubinstein (Rumble Strike) ~ 47 years old male human Skirmisher ~ Heroica (survived) Scamander Taurros (Scubacarrot) ~ 34 years old male satyr Minstrel ~ Heroica (survived) Swinehurst (swils) ~ 31 years old male porc Berserker ~ Heroica (survived) Theodor Legion (The Legonater) ~ 73 years old male human Cannoneer ~ Heroica (survived) Usharnam Madima (UsernameMDM) ~ 38 years old male Naga Chi Monk ~ Heroica (survived) Werther Brickton (Waterbrick Down) ~ 49 years old male zombie Assassin ~ Heroica (survived) Weyrdág (Wedge09) ~ 341 years old female Nôrn Hunter ~ Heroica (survived) Zarissa Curie (Zakura) ~ 58 years old female gnome Sage ~ Heroica (survived) Zelphie (Zepher) ~ 815 years old female fairy Artisan ~ Heroica (survived) DEAD CHARACTERS: Kob (Kintobor) ~ 21 years old male orc Mage ~ Heroica (killed on Day One, raised as an undead on Night One but perished again on Day Three) Pauline Jillian Boyle (Purpearljellyblob) ~ 18 years old female Mopag Mage ~ Heroica (killed on Day One) Ezeal (Etzel) ~ 28 years old male werelion Barbarian ~ Nephilim (killed on Day Two) Skrupp Oxstrong (Scorpiox) ~ 30 years old male norseman Raider ~ Heroica (killed on Day Two) U’dargan (Darkdragon) ~ 29 years old male U’kin Dragoon ~ Heroica (killed on Day Two) Calico Meatpie (CallMePie) ~ 16 years old female halfling Rogue ~ Heroica (killed on Day Three) Doranee Grandeur (Dragonator) ~ 44 years old female elf Ranger ~ Heroica (killed on Day Three) Retak Ysp (PsyKater) ~ 2013 years old male Fenarian Necromancer ~ Nephilim (killed on Day Three) Fernandu Elysiam (Fred Daniel Yam) ~ 36 years old male minotaur Shaman ~ Nephilim (killed on Day Four) Maxi Ebdul (Masked Builder) ~ 35 years old male Asteriad Rogue ~ Heroica (killed on Day Four) Shadir Oswain (Shadows) ~ 466 years old male elf Mystic Knight ~ Nephilim (killed on Day Four) Jeddam Ashenbow (Jedi master Brick) ~ 25 years old female hobgoblin Ranger ~ Heroica (killed on Night Four) Brienne Deercourt (Brickdoctor) ~ 29 years old female human Paladin ~ Nephilim (killed on Day Five) Capriccia Gianpaolo (Capt.JohnPaul) ~ 123 years old female vampire Cleric ~ Heroica (killed on Night Five) Cromeo Nightingale (Chromeknight) ~ 22 years old male half-elf Harlot ~ Nephilim (killed on Night Five) Kharybdis (Kadabra) ~ 26 years old female Octopial Beast Warrior ~ Heroica (killed on Night Five) Corelin Moordog (CorneliusMurdock) ~ 282 years old female dwarf Warden ~ Nephilim (killed on Day Six) Percival Montmartre (Peppermint_M) ~ 24 years old male human Ranger ~ Heroica (killed on Day Six) Heron Jujube (herrJJ) ~ 19 years old male human Cleric ~ Heroica (killed on Night One, raised as an undead on Night Two but perished again on Day Three, then resurrected on Day Four but killed yet again on Night Six) Zpilf (Flipz) ~ 85 years old male ogre Black Knight Winged Warrior ~ Nephilim (killed on Night Six) Thank you again! Long live Heroica! Oh, and just in case someone wonder's where I pulled off such a quirky title for the event, it's actually the name of the main theme of the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. Here's an English fan-version of the song:

DAY THREE ~ FALSE HOPE Like the other residents of the Hall, Scheherazade had barely slept a blink during the previous night. The strange noises echoing from the hallways chilled even the hard-boiled matron's spine, and she had kept a crossbow pointed at the door just in case one of the Nephilim decided to burst in. Again she was the first one up. "Alright, time to pick up the mop again. Let's see how many bodies we have accumulated last night..." But much to her surprise, there were no corpses anywhere. Scheherazade shrugged, and started preparing breakfast. Soon others got up as well. The Copper Fox was the first to see the eldricht abomination that suddenly crawled on the Hall's floor. The Veteran immediately hollered for help. "Don't be that way, Foxy-pie - it's just me, Kharybdis!" A little later, Retak Ysp made an appearance, but not with just one undead follower. The shambling corpse of Heron Jujube now followed him as well. "Morning, everyone! Kob, Heron, fetch me a bun and a cup of strong coffee. Chop chop!" Some of the Veterans had gathered at the Saloon to break their fast. "No deaths last night. Could it be that the werelion was the only one under the angel's spell, after all?" "Ha! Don't delude yourself, Hestia. This is calm before the storm, I tell you." "I agree. If we are to find out the rest of the Nephilim, we have to start thinking about how the Nephilim were created. Now that we found one of them, we can start making connections." With new-found determination, the Veterans left to do some investigations of their own. At the Library, Byblos had also made progress with his studies. "Good morning! Yesterday, we found out that Lucifuge was also called the Lightshunner. I think I found a mention of that name, but the reference is written in the ancient language of Lylzuhylzu, so I would appreciate some help in the translation process." ***** BYBLOS THE LIBRARIAN'S CHALLENGE #2: Solve the meaning of the sentence below by replacing each letter with another one. Proper names that do not need to be translated are italized, and the word Lightshunner is somewhere in the text. Send your solution privately to the host. You only get one try. If you get it right, your character will gain bonus experience. RULES: 1. ALIGNMENTS: There are two sides in this game, trying to beat each other. Heroica wins if they manage to find and kill all of the Nephilim. The Nephilim win if they outnumber the heroes loyal to Heroica. The Nephilim know each other, but the others don’t know who the Nephilim are. There are also neutral players, who have their own special victory conditions. 2. PHASES: The game is played in two alternating phases - "Days" and "Nights", both lasting up to 48 hours - during which the players can use their abilities on each other. All players can use one ability per phase. During the Night-phase, the game is played through Private Messages between the host and the players, and all actions are private, revealed only to the target. During the Day-phase, all actions are public, and are shown in the Day-topic to everyone. Ranged attacks and spells are anexception, their performer is never revealed. 3. RESULTS: The results of the abilities are tallied at the beginning (for Night-actions) and the end (for Day-actions) of the Day-phase. When a player’s health is completely depleted, they are killed off from the game. The player who delivered the killing blow will get all of the victim’s gold and items, and gain experience (see Leveling Up). The alignment of each killed player is revealed when they die. Anyone who kills a Nephilim will gain 50 extra gold from the Veterans. 4. STATISTICS: Level signifies the player character’s overall experience. Health is initially equal to level, and attacks reduce it while healing restores it. Ether is equal to about a half of the level, and is used for spellcasting, healing and scroll-reading.Defenseis gained from shields and most artefacts, and it reduces the damage taken. WP means weapon power, while SP means shield power. All statistics except Level are kept a secret from other players. 5. ABILITIES: All player characters have their own sets of 3-6 abilities they can use during the game, related to their job classes. These skills include (but are not limited to) attacks, spellcasting, healing, tracking, stealing items, blocking, buffing, debilitating and using items. To best make use of these varied skills, the players should consider forming alliances. 6. ITEMS: All players start out with 10 gold, a weapon with 2-6 WP and a random array of other items, such as restorative potions, artefacts and tools. Like the statistics, these inventories are kept as a secret from other players. During the Day-phases of the game, upgrades and more items can be bought from Sham Poo in exchange for gold. You are free to trade items with other players, but you need to notify the host whenever you do that. 7. LEVELING UP: Gaining a level increases the player character’s current and maximum health and ether by 1. When a player kills another player, they will gain experience according to this chart: - Level 1-9: a full level - Level 10-19: 1/2 of a level - Level 20-29: 1/3 of a level - Level 30-39: 1/4 of a level - Level 40 onwards: 1/5 of a level 8. ELEMENTS & EFFECTS: There are five elements in the game: fire, ice, lighting, light and darkness. Elemental spells and attacks are twice as effective as normal attacks, but consume ether. They can also be blocked with the right piece of equipment. There are both positive and negative effects in the game as well, including encouraged, enforced, stunned, poison, sleep, blinded, sealed, confused and enamored. These can be inflicted by certain abilities and scrolls. Negative effects last until removed by a Remedy or a suitable ability. 9. BEHAVIOR: When you play this game, you are bound by honor to your alignment – even if it changes mid-game. That is why you must not discuss the game outside of the topics and PMs related to it, under the threat that you are instantly killed off if you do. Sharing information via PMs and forming alliances between the players is allowed, but must be done by knowing the risk that the other might be lying or deceiving you. Things will get brutal and cut-throat in this game, and you can get killed off at any time, but any of that is not to be taken as a personal insult. Please post in-character at all times to ensure that your player persona is separated from your real self. Remember that the dead don't talk, so once you are out of the game, you must not speak of what you know to anyone until the whole game is over. You are free to roleplay with your character, and most of all, have fun!PLAYER CHARACTERS: Brienne Deercourt (Brickdoctor) ~ 29 years old female human Paladin Calico Meatpie (CallMePie) ~ 16 years old female halfling Rogue Capriccia Gianpaolo (Capt.JohnPaul) ~ 123 years old female vampire Cleric Corelin Moordog (CorneliusMurdock) ~ 282 years old female dwarf Warden Cromeo Nightingale (Chromeknight) ~ 22 years old male half-elf Harlot Doranee Grandeur (Dragonator) ~ 44 years old female elf Ranger Ein Surefoot (Esurient) ~ 397 years old male dwarf Cleric Emmanuelle Janus (emjajoas) ~ 33 years old female human Knight Enya Dorgamel (Endgame) ~ 23 years old female human Evoker Fernandu Elysiam (Fred Daniel Yam) ~ 36 years old male minotaur Shaman Fleyra (Flare) ~ 29 years old female Rito Winged Warrior Geosmos Phiephyrphoe (joeshmoe554) ~ 52 years old male cyclops Infiltrator Jeddam Ashenbow (Jedi master Brick) ~ 25 years old female hobgoblin Ranger Jinnipher Buchaire (JimButcher) ~ 71 years old female elf Knight Kharybdis (Kadabra) ~ 26 years old female Octopial Beast Warrior Lorth-Anoob (LordoftheNoobs) ~ 42 years old female Pantanan Witch Luridan Voros (Lord Duvors) ~ 53 years old male gremlin Alchemist Maxi Ebdul (Masked Builder) ~ 35 years old male Asteriad Rogue O’Blix (-obelix-) ~ 27 years old male goblin Regulator Pallas Thaddicus (Palathadric) ~ 103 years old male Lucustoid Druid Panduin Oreheart (Pandora) ~ 148 years old male dwarf Barbarian Percival Montmartre (Peppermint_M) ~ 24 years old male human Ranger Retak Ysp (PsyKater) ~ 2013 years old male Fenarian Necromancer Sir Rubinstein (Rumble Strike) ~ 47 years old male human Skirmisher Scamander Taurros (Scubacarrot) ~ 34 years old male satyr Minstrel Shadir Oswain (Shadows) ~ 466 years old male elf Mystic Knight Swinehurst (swils) ~ 31 years old male porc Berserker Theodor Legion (The Legonater) ~ 73 years old male human Cannoneer Usharnam Madima (UsernameMDM) ~ 38 years old male Naga Chi Monk Werther Brickton (Waterbrick Down) ~ 49 years old male zombie Assassin Weyrdág (Wedge09) ~ 341 years old female Nôrn Hunter Zarissa Curie (Zakura) ~ 58 years old female gnome Sage Zelphie (Zepher) ~ 815 years old female fairy Artisan Zpilf (Flipz) ~ 85 years old male ogre Black Knight DEAD CHARACTERS: Kob (Kintobor) ~ 21 years old male orc Mage ~ Heroica (killed on Day One, raised as an undead on Night One) Pauline Jillian Boyle (Purpearljellyblob) ~ 18 years old female Mopag Mage ~ Heroica (killed on Day One) Heron Jujube (herrJJ) ~ 19 years old male human Cleric ~ Heroica (killed on Night One, raised as an undead on Night Two) Eris (Eric Su) ~ 26 years old female orc Sorcerer ~ Heroica (killed on Day Two) Ezeal (Etzel) ~ 28 years old male werelion Barbarian ~ Nephilim (killed on Day Two) Piro the Visionary (Pyrovisionary) ~ 227 years old male wereturtle Battle Mage ~ Heroica (killed on Day Two) Skrupp Oxstrong (Scorpiox) ~ 30 years old male norseman Raider ~ Heroica (killed on Day Two) U’dargan (Darkdragon) ~ 29 years old male U’kin Dragoon ~ Heroica (killed on Day Two) SHAM POO’S EMERGENCY SHOP FOR HEROES IN NEED: "You can visit my shop any time during the day! Remember that buying stuff only costs you gold, so you won't spend your action by doing business with me." Weapons: Axe (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Bow (WP:1, ranged weapon) – Costs 10 gold Dagger (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Handcannon (WP:1, ranged weapon) – Costs 10 gold Hammer (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Instrument (WP:1, ranged weapon) – Costs 10 gold Spear (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Staff (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Sword (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Whip (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Shield (SP:1, defensive equipment) – Costs 10 goldArtefacts: Flameproof Armor (Artefact: +1 SP, nullifies fire-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Warm Boots (Artefact: +1 SP, nullifies ice-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Conductor Helmet (Artefact: +1 SP, nullifies lightning-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Sunglasses (Artefact: +1 SP, nullifies light-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Shadow Cloak (Artefact: +1 SP nullifies darkness-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Counterstrike Gloves (Artefact: allows you to instantly counter a close-ranged attack if you survive it, damaging your attacker equal to the damage you received.) – Costs 25 goldGems & Scrolls: Ruby (Gem: allows casting fire-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Opal (Gem: allows casting ice-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Topaz (Gem: allows casting lightning-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Diamond (Gem: allows casting light-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Amethyst (Gem: allows casting darkness-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Scroll of Sleep (Scroll: prevents target from taking action and seeing who targets them until woken up by an attack. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 30 gold Scroll of Blinding (Scroll: prevents target from performing attacks and seeing who targets them. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 30 gold Scroll of Sealing (Scroll: prevents target from performing ether-based actions. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 30 gold Scroll of Confusion (Scroll: causes target’s actions to hit a random person with a 1/2 chance. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 30 goldConsumable Items: Potion (Consumable: restores full health to target when used.) – Costs 5 gold Tonic (Consumable: restores full ether to target when used.) – Costs 10 gold Remedy (Consumable: removes negative effects from target when used.) – Costs 5 gold Venom (Consumable: causes poison to the target, depleting it’s health by 1 per every phase when used.) – Costs 15 gold Bomb (Consumable: causes 10 damage to the target from a distance when used.) – Costs 20 gold Phoenix Essence (Consumable: revives a dead person with full health when used.) – Costs 100 gold Grating Stone (Consumable: increases a weapon’s WP by 1 when used) – Costs 25 gold Bright Polish (Consumable: increases a shield’s or an artefact’s SP by 1 when used.) – Costs 25 gold. Level-Up Mushroom (Consumable: gain a level when used.) – Costs 50 goldTools: Bedroll (Tool: restores full health and ether and removes negative effects whenever used.) – Costs 20 gold Telescope (Tool: allows the user to see all actions aimed at the target on the current phase whenever used.) – Costs 40 gold Magnifying Glass (Tool: allows the user to see the target’s alignment whenever used.) – Costs 60 gold

DAY ONE ~ AN UNOPPORTUNE VISITOR Heroica Hall, about two years ago... There was a knock at the door. Everyone froze as the Copper Fox, one of the leaders of the organization (who were collectively known as the Veterans), went to unravel the spells and locks placed on the great double doors and pushed one of them open. It was pouring rain outside, and immediately a pool of water appeared on the floor in front of the doors. "What do you want? We're a bit... busy here at the moment." A dripping wet wide-brimmed hat peeked inside, with a toothy grin showing underneath it. "Don't you remember poor Sham Poo, who spent his childhood toddling around this very hall? I'm here to meet my mother, like every good son should." "This really isn't the time for social calls..." "Nonsense! Mother has always said I'm welcome back any time. Besides, it's raining out here. Please let me in, Mr. Fox!" "Very well, but don't say I didn't warn you, Sham." The half-orc (half-who-knows-what) walked in, and the Veteran resealed the door behind him. Everyone present at the hall stared at the visitor incredulously. "Welcome to what's about to become a hell on earth", said the Copper Fox before leaving. Sham Poo wondered what the Veteran was yammering about as he made it up the staircase carrying his fully-loaded backpack. On top of the stairs was his mother Scheherazade's saloon, which she had inherited from the man that saved her from slavery. Greenskins - orcs, goblins, hobgoblins, ogres and gremlins - were not particularly liked in this corner of the world after the Orcish Invasion 250 years ago. The future generations of greenskins had paid dearly for the war ever after that, as they had been taken as slaves by the nations their ancestors sacked. But things were changing, and Sham had been born and raised as a free greenskin. Well, free from everything except his mother's whims. For some reason, Scheherazade was not pleased at all to see her son even after so long had passed since his last visit. "Sham Poo! What in Azazot's flames are you doing here?! Who let you in? I'm going to wrangle that person!" "But mother, I'm here to see you, after a year spent abroad selling my wares and making a fort..." "No, no, no! You must leave, immediately! Follow me, we'll find the Veterans and tell them to let you out." "Mother, it's raining..." But the orcish matron wouldn't hear any of it. She led her son into the library of the Hall, where Byblos the Librarian - a member of the gorilla-like Metasimian race - was searching for books about angels for the Dragonlord and the Sand Queen, two more of the Veterans. Scheherazade explained the situation to the Veterans, but they just shook their heads. "I'm deeply sorry, but we cannot let news of these events pass to anyone outside the Hall. Nobody would be able to trust Heroica if they heard that we were being attacked from the inside." "Sham should not have been let inside in the first place! Now he's stuck with us." "What's going on, mother?" Letting out a heavy sigh, Scheherazade explained the whole situation to his son. Heroica had been inflitrated by a cult calling themselves the Nephilim. Already they had killed several heroes, including one of the Veterans. Nobody knew who they were, except that they were among the members of the organization. Every single member who was present in Eubric Freeport was summoned to the Hall and sealed inside until the Nephilim had been discovered. The Veterans were afraid that there would be no way to avoid bloodshed. Something lit in Sham Poo's eyes. Scheherazade knew that glimmering look all to well. His son was sensing a good business. "Bloodshed, you say? Then they should be very interested in what I have to offer..." Grinding her teeth, Scheherazade led Sham into a recluse corner of the Heroes' Gallery, where portraits of all members of Heroica - past and present - were hanging on the walls. "Here. The place is packed with everyone staying here for now, so this is the only spot for you to run your business. Break a leg." Sham Poo rubbed his hands together. This situation could be lucrative, and mother wouldn't hold a grudge towards him if he bought her a brand new gold necklace after it was all over. Meanwhile, the last two of the surviving five Veterans, the Feathered Serpent and the Falconer, ran into each other. They exchanged worried looks. "Can you feel the tensity in here? I could cut it with a blade... It's only a matter of time before someone snaps." "Yes. The Nephilim won't dare to show themselves in broad daylight, but who is to say it's them who draw the first blood? I am uncertain if locking everyone in here was the best idea..." "We have to protect outsiders from our internal matters. The letter that the Nephilim sent said they wanted to destroy Heroica from the inside. This is the only way we can hope to catch them, even if it means the loss of more valiant souls. I just wish I could have said goodbye to my husband and daughter... But no, they must not know anything about this. Maybe we will survive, and I will get to see them again." "We can only hope that you do." Yes, the way the locked-up champions of Heroica glared at each other and spreaded rumours was a sure sign that things would go downhill sooner than later. Who would make the first move? ***** RULES: 1. ALIGNMENTS: There are two sides in this game, trying to beat each other. Heroica wins if they manage to find and kill all of the Nephilim. The Nephilim win if they outnumber the heroes loyal to Heroica. The Nephilim know each other, but the others don’t know who the Nephilim are. There are also neutral players, who have their own special victory conditions. 2. PHASES: The game is played in two alternating phases - "Days" and "Nights", both lasting up to 48 hours - during which the players can use their abilities on each other. All players can use one ability per phase. During the Night-phase, the game is played through Private Messages between the host and the players, and all actions are private, revealed only to the target. During the Day-phase, all actions are public, and are shown in the Day-topic to everyone. Ranged attacks and spells are anexception, their performer is never revealed. 3. RESULTS: The results of the abilities are tallied at the beginning (for Night-actions) and the end (for Day-actions) of the Day-phase. When a player’s health is completely depleted, they are killed off from the game. The player who delivered the killing blow will get all of the victim’s gold and items, and gain experience (see Leveling Up). The alignment of each killed player is revealed when they die. Anyone who kills a Nephilim will gain 50 extra gold from the Veterans. 4. STATISTICS: Level signifies the player character’s overall experience. Health is initially equal to level, and attacks reduce it while healing restores it. Ether is equal to about a half of the level, and is used for spellcasting, healing and scroll-reading.Defense is gained from shields and most artefacts, and it reduces the damage taken. WP means weapon power, while SP means shield power. All statistics except Level are kept a secret from other players. 5. ABILITIES: All player characters have their own sets of 3-6 abilities they can use during the game, related to their job classes. These skills include (but are not limited to) attacks, spellcasting, healing, tracking, stealing items, blocking, buffing, debilitating and using items. To best make use of these varied skills, the players should consider forming alliances. 6. ITEMS: All players start out with 10 gold, a weapon with 2-6 WP and a random array of other items, such as restorative potions, artefacts and tools. Like the statistics, these inventories are kept as a secret from other players. During the Day-phases of the game, upgrades and more items can be bought from Sham Poo in exchange for gold. You are free to trade items with other players, but you need to notify the host whenever you do that. 7. LEVELING UP: Gaining a level increases the player character’s current and maximum health and ether by 1. When a player kills another player, they will gain experience according to this chart: - Level 1-9: a full level - Level 10-19: 1/2 of a level - Level 20-29: 1/3 of a level - Level 30-39: 1/4 of a level - Level 40 onwards: 1/5 of a level 8. ELEMENTS & EFFECTS: There are five elements in the game: fire, ice, lighting, light and darkness. Elemental spells and attacks are twice as effective as normal attacks, but consume ether. They can also be blocked with the right piece of equipment. There are both positive and negative effects in the game as well, including encouraged, enforced, stunned, poison, sleep, blinded, sealed, confused and enamored. These can be inflicted by certain abilities and scrolls. Negative effects last until removed by a Remedy or a suitable ability. 9. BEHAVIOR: When you play this game, you are bound by honor to your alignment – even if it changes mid-game. That is why you must not discuss the game outside of the topics and PMs related to it, under the threat that you are instantly killed off if you do. Sharing information via PMs and forming alliances between the players is allowed, but must be done by knowing the risk that the other might be lying or deceiving you. Things will get brutal and cut-throat in this game, and you can get killed off at any time, but any of that is not to be taken as a personal insult. Please post in-character at all times to ensure that your player persona is separated from your real self. Remember that the dead don't talk, so once you are out of the game, you must not speak of what you know to anyone until the whole game is over. You are free to roleplay with your character, and most of all, have fun! PLAYER CHARACTERS: Brienne Deercourt (Brickdoctor) ~ 29 years old female human ~ Level 26 Paladin Calico Meatpie (CallMePie) ~ 16 years old female halfling ~ Level 9 Rogue Capriccia Gianpaolo (Capt.JohnPaul) ~ 123 years old female vampire ~ Level 11 Cleric Corelin Moordog (CorneliusMurdock) ~ 282 years old female dwarf ~ Level 25 Warden Cromeo Nightingale (Chromeknight) ~ 22 years old male half-elf ~ Level 35 Harlot Doranee Grandeur (Dragonator) ~ 44 years old female elf ~ Level 12 Ranger Ein Surefoot (Esurient) ~ 397 years old male dwarf ~ Level 8 Cleric Emmanuelle Janus (emjajoas) ~ 33 years old female human ~ Level 6 Knight Enya Dorgamel (Endgame) ~ 23 years old female human ~ Level 22 Evoker Eris (Eric Su) ~ 26 years old female orc ~ Level 27 Sorcerer Ezeal (Etzel) ~ 28 years old male werelion ~ Level 14 Barbarian Fernandu Elysiam (Fred Daniel Yam) ~ 36 years old male minotaur ~ Level 18 Shaman Fleyra (Flare) ~ 29 years old female Rito ~ Level 38 Winged Warrior Geosmos Phiephyrphoe (joeshmoe554) ~ 52 years old male cyclops ~ Level 32 Infiltrator Heron Jujube (herrJJ) ~ 19 years old male human ~ Level 7 Cleric Jeddam Ashenbow (Jedi master Brick) ~ 25 years old female hobgoblin ~ Level 10 Ranger Jinnipher Buchaire (JimButcher) ~ 71 years old female elf ~ Level 13 Knight Kharybdis (Kadabra) ~ 26 years old female Octopial ~ Level 39 Beast Warrior Kob (Kintobor) ~ 21 years old male orc ~ Level 5 Mage Lorth-Anoob (LordoftheNoobs) ~ 42 years old female Pantanan ~ Level 28 Witch Luridan Voros (Lord Duvors) ~ 53 years old male gremlin ~ Level 41 Alchemist Maxi Ebdul (Masked Builder) ~ 35 years old male Asteriad ~ Level 13 Rogue O’Blix (-obelix-) ~ 27 years old male goblin ~ Level 31 Regulator Pallas Thaddicus (Palathadric) ~ 103 years old male Lucustoid ~ Level 15 Druid Panduin Oreheart (Pandora) ~ 148 years old male dwarf ~ Level 12 Barbarian Pauline Jillian Boyle (Purpearljellyblob) ~ 18 years old female Mopag ~ Level 8 Mage Percival Montmartre (Peppermint_M) ~ 24 years old male human ~ Level 14 Ranger Piro the Visionary (Pyrovisionary) ~ 227 years old male wereturtle ~ Level 20 Battle Mage Retak Ysp (PsyKater) ~ 2013 years old male Fenarian ~ Level 37 Necromancer Sir Rubinstein (Rumble Strike) ~ 47 years old male human ~ Level 34 Skirmisher Scamander Taurros (Scubacarrot) ~ 34 years old male satyr ~ Level 33 Minstrel Shadir Oswain (Shadows) ~ 466 years old male elf ~ Level 21 Mystic Knight Skrupp Oxstrong (Scorpiox) ~ 30 years old male norseman ~ Level 16 Raider Swinehurst (swils) ~ 31 years old male porc ~ Level 19 Berserker Theodor Legion (The Legonater) ~ 73 years old male human ~ Level 30 Cannoneer U’dargan (Darkdragon) ~ 29 years old male U’kin ~ Level 40 Dragoon Usharnam Madima (UsernameMDM) ~ 38 years old male Naga ~ Level 36 Chi Monk Werther Brickton (Waterbrick Down) ~ 49 years old male zombie ~ Level 17 Assassin Weyrdág (Wedge09) ~ 341 years old female Nôrn ~ Level 24 Hunter Zarissa Curie (Zakura) ~ 58 years old female gnome ~ Level 23 Sage Zelphie (Zepher) ~ 815 years old female fairy ~ Level 42 Artisan Zpilf (Flipz) ~ 85 years old male ogre ~ Level 29 Black Knight SHAM POO’S EMERGENCY SHOP FOR HEROES IN NEED: "You can visit my shop any time during the day! Remember that buying stuff only costs you gold, so you won't spend your action by doing business with me." Weapons: Axe (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Bow (WP:1, ranged weapon) – Costs 10 gold Dagger (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Handcannon (WP:1, ranged weapon) – Costs 10 gold Hammer (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Instrument (WP:1, ranged weapon) – Costs 10 gold Spear (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Staff (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Sword (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Whip (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 10 gold Shield (SP:1, defensive equipment) – Costs 10 gold Artefacts: Flameproof Armor (Artefact: +1 SP, nullifies fire-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Warm Boots (Artefact: +1 SP, nullifies ice-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Conductor Helmet (Artefact: +1 SP, nullifies lightning-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Sunglasses (Artefact: +1 SP, nullifies light-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Shadow Cloak (Artefact: +1 SP nullifies darkness-elemental damage.) – Costs 25 gold Counterstrike Gloves (Artefact: allows you to instantly counter a close-ranged attack if you survive it, damaging your attacker equal to the damage you received.) – Costs 25 gold Gems & Scrolls: Ruby (Gem: allows casting fire-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Opal (Gem: allows casting ice-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Topaz (Gem: allows casting lightning-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Diamond (Gem: allows casting light-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Amethyst (Gem: allows casting darkness-elemental spells) – Costs 15 gold Scroll of Sleep (Scroll: prevents target from taking action until woken up by an attack. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 30 gold Scroll of Blinding (Scroll: prevents target from performing attacks. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 30 gold Scroll of Sealing (Scroll: prevents target from performing ether-based actions. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 30 gold Scroll of Confusion (Scroll: causes target’s actions to hit a random person with a 1/2 chance. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 30 gold Consumable Items: Potion (Consumable: restores full health to target when used.) – Costs 5 gold Tonic (Consumable: restores full ether to target when used.) – Costs 10 gold Remedy (Consumable: removes negative effects from target when used.) – Costs 5 gold Venom (Consumable: causes poison to the target, depleting it’s health by 1 per every phase when used.) – Costs 15 gold Bomb (Consumable: causes 10 damage to the target from a distance when used.) – Costs 20 gold Phoenix Essence (Consumable: revives a dead person with full health when used.) – Costs 100 gold Grating Stone (Consumable: increases a weapon’s WP by 1 when used) – Costs 25 gold Bright Polish (Consumable: increases a shield’s or an artefact’s SP by 1 when used.) – Costs 25 gold. Level-Up Mushroom (Consumable: gain a level when used.) – Costs 50 gold Tools: Bedroll (Tool: restores full health and ether and removes negative effects whenever used.) – Costs 20 gold Telescope (Tool: allows the user to see all actions aimed at the target on the current phase whenever used.) – Costs 40 gold Magnifying Glass (Tool: allows the user to see the target’s alignment whenever used.) – Costs 60 gold Host Note: Welcome to the game! Please read through the rules again, since there has been some important additions, especially to the section about behaviour. Remember that these Day-topics are meant for in-character discussion and using actions only.

DAY FIVE ~ HASTY DECISIONS Scheherazade wasn't surprised to find another corpse from the main hall when she awoke. She began her day by moving the body of Jeddam Ashenbow to the cellar to be investigated by the Veterans and mopping up her blood. "Another innocent hero's blood soaks these tiles." Suddenly she heard a spine-chilling shriek and footsteps running towards her. She spun around to see her son at the verge of tears. "Mother! You can't believe what they did now!" "Sham, what's the matter? Are you hurt?" "Not me, but my stuff! Those bastards managed to break into my enchanted backbag! Most of the items inside were smashed to pieces! Just think of all the potential income I lost - just like that!" "Sham, you're hopeless! Get out of my sight or I'll make you finish this mopping!" "Eep!" The Veterans then gathered all the surviving heroes into the hall for an important announcement. A disgusting stench filled the room, as Sheherazade descended the stairs carrying a tray-full of steaming cups. "May I have your attention, please! We fear that time is not on our side, so Scheherazade will be serving some special drinks for you today. Everyone must drink, make no mistake about that. These drinks will make you quicker, allowing you to take two actions each day and night from now on. However, the two actions must be different from each other, so you cannot take the same action twice in one phase. You also have to perform them at the same time. If I've made myself clear, please drink up!" The heroes had no choice but to obey. As they gulped down the smelly liquid, the Dragonlord spoke once again. "That's right, no more slacking around! From here-on out, if you don't state an action every day and night, I'll feed you to Smaragdea without a warning!" The heroes were then called to the Library once more. It was a lot messier now, with piles of books all over the room. "Sorry about the disorder! I was so busy last night that I would have probably passed out if I didn't have my secret stash of *cough* bananas. I did find an interesting passage from the Annals of Ennon, but its been tampered with magic as well. What's wrong with these books of mine nowadays...?" ***** BYBLOS THE LIBRARIAN'S CHALLENGE #4: Fit the words from the list to the sentence below. Send your answer to the host. You only have one try. angels bottom continent creator cultists demons Elven Ennon x2 evil forces Free guardian hordes immortal Islands kingdom Mercution x2 Moon Moone Nephilim x2 ocean paladins priests war wizard RULES: 1. ALIGNMENTS: There are two sides in this game, trying to beat each other. Heroica wins if they manage to find and kill all of the Nephilim. The Nephilim win if they outnumber the heroes loyal to Heroica. The Nephilim know each other, but the others don’t know who the Nephilim are. There are also neutral players, who have their own special victory conditions. 2. PHASES: The game is played in two alternating phases - "Days" and "Nights", both lasting up to 48 hours - during which the players can use their abilities on each other. All players can use two abilities per phase, but the abilities must be different from one another. During the Night-phase, the game is played through Private Messages between the host and the players, and all actions are private, revealed only to the target. During the Day-phase, all actions are public, and are shown in the Day-topic to everyone. Ranged attacks and spells are an exception, their performer is never revealed. You must send both of your actions at the same time, as you only have one turn per phase. If you fail to send in an action or do not state that you do nothing, you will be killed off. 3. RESULTS: The results of the abilities are tallied at the beginning (for Night-actions) and the end (for Day-actions) of the Day-phase. When a player’s health is completely depleted, they are killed off from the game. The player who delivered the killing blow will get all of the victim’s gold and items, and gain experience (see Leveling Up). The alignment of each killed player is revealed when they die. Anyone who kills a Nephilim will gain 50 extra gold from the Veterans. 4. STATISTICS: Level signifies the player character’s overall experience. Health is initially equal to level, and attacks reduce it while healing restores it. Ether is equal to about a half of the level, and is used for spellcasting, healing and scroll-reading.Defenseis gained from shields and most artefacts, and it reduces the damage taken. WP means weapon power, while SP means shield power. All statistics except Level are kept a secret from other players. 5. ABILITIES: All player characters have their own sets of 3-6 abilities they can use during the game, related to their job classes. These skills include (but are not limited to) attacks, spellcasting, healing, tracking, stealing items, blocking, buffing, debilitating and using items. To best make use of these varied skills, the players should consider forming alliances. 6. ITEMS: All players start out with 10 gold, a weapon with 2-6 WP and a random array of other items, such as restorative potions, artefacts and tools. Like the statistics, these inventories are kept as a secret from other players. During the Day-phases of the game, upgrades and more items can be bought from Sham Poo in exchange for gold. You are free to discard items or trade them with other players, but you need to notify the host whenever you do that. 7. LEVELING UP: Gaining a level increases the player character’s current and maximum health and ether by 1. When a player kills another player, they will gain experience according to this chart: - Level 1-9: a full level - Level 10-19: 1/2 of a level - Level 20-29: 1/3 of a level - Level 30-39: 1/4 of a level - Level 40 onwards: 1/5 of a level 8. ELEMENTS & EFFECTS: There are five elements in the game: fire, ice, lighting, light and darkness. Elemental spells and attacks are twice as effective as normal attacks, but consume ether. They can also be blocked with the right piece of equipment. There are both positive and negative effects in the game as well, including encouraged, enforced, stunned, poison, sleep, blinded, sealed, confused and enamored. These can be inflicted by certain abilities and scrolls. Negative effects last until removed by a Remedy or a suitable ability. 9. BEHAVIOR: When you play this game, you are bound by honor to your alignment – even if it changes mid-game. That is why you must not discuss the game outside of the topics and PMs related to it, under the threat that you are instantly killed off if you do. Sharing information via PMs and forming alliances between the players is allowed, but must be done by knowing the risk that the other might be lying or deceiving you. Things will get brutal and cut-throat in this game, and you can get killed off at any time, but any of that is not to be taken as a personal insult. Please post in-character at all times to ensure that your player persona is separated from your real self. Remember that the dead don't talk, so once you are out of the game, you must not speak of what you know to anyone until the whole game is over. You are free to roleplay with your character, and most of all, have fun!PLAYER CHARACTERS: Brienne Deercourt (Brickdoctor) ~ 29 years old female human Paladin Capriccia Gianpaolo (Capt.JohnPaul) ~ 123 years old female vampire Cleric Corelin Moordog (CorneliusMurdock) ~ 282 years old female dwarf Warden Cromeo Nightingale (Chromeknight) ~ 22 years old male half-elf Harlot Ein Surefoot (Esurient) ~ 397 years old male dwarf Cleric Emmanuelle Janus (emjajoas) ~ 33 years old female human Knight Fleyra (Flare) ~ 29 years old female Rito Winged Warrior Geosmos Phiephyrphoe (joeshmoe554) ~ 52 years old male cyclops Infiltrator Heron Jujube (herrJJ) ~ 19 years old male human Cleric (killed on Night One, raised as an undead on Night Two but perished again on Day Three, then resurrected on Day Four) Jinnipher Buchaire (JimButcher) ~ 71 years old female elf Knight Kharybdis (Kadabra) ~ 26 years old female Octopial Beast Warrior Lorth-Anoob (LordoftheNoobs) ~ 42 years old female Pantanan Witch Luridan Voros (Lord Duvors) ~ 53 years old male gremlin Alchemist O’Blix (-obelix-) ~ 27 years old male goblin Regulator Pallas Thaddicus (Palathadric) ~ 103 years old male Lucustoid Druid Panduin Oreheart (Pandora) ~ 148 years old male dwarf Barbarian Percival Montmartre (Peppermint_M) ~ 24 years old male human Ranger Piro the Visionary (Pyrovisionary) ~ 227 years old male wereturtle Battle Mage (killed on Day Two but resurrected on Day Three) Sir Rubinstein (Rumble Strike) ~ 47 years old male human Skirmisher Scamander Taurros (Scubacarrot) ~ 34 years old male satyr Minstrel Swinehurst (swils) ~ 31 years old male porc Berserker Theodor Legion (The Legonater) ~ 73 years old male human Cannoneer Usharnam Madima (UsernameMDM) ~ 38 years old male Naga Chi Monk Werther Brickton (Waterbrick Down) ~ 49 years old male zombie Assassin Weyrdág (Wedge09) ~ 341 years old female Nôrn Hunter Zarissa Curie (Zakura) ~ 58 years old female gnome Sage Zelphie (Zepher) ~ 815 years old female fairy Artisan Zpilf (Flipz) ~ 85 years old male ogre Black Knight DEAD CHARACTERS: Kob (Kintobor) ~ 21 years old male orc Mage ~ Heroica (killed on Day One, raised as an undead on Night One but perished again on Day Three) Pauline Jillian Boyle (Purpearljellyblob) ~ 18 years old female Mopag Mage ~ Heroica (killed on Day One) Eris (Eric Su) ~ 26 years old female orc Sorcerer ~ Heroica (killed on Day Two) Ezeal (Etzel) ~ 28 years old male werelion Barbarian ~ Nephilim (killed on Day Two) Skrupp Oxstrong (Scorpiox) ~ 30 years old male norseman Raider ~ Heroica (killed on Day Two) U’dargan (Darkdragon) ~ 29 years old male U’kin Dragoon ~ Heroica (killed on Day Two) Calico Meatpie (CallMePie) ~ 16 years old female halfling Rogue ~ Heroica (killed on Day Three) Doranee Grandeur (Dragonator) ~ 44 years old female elf Ranger ~ Heroica (killed on Day Three) Retak Ysp (PsyKater) ~ 2013 years old male Fenarian Necromancer ~ Nephilim (killed on Day Three) Enya Dorgamel (Endgame) ~ 23 years old female human Evoker ~ Heroica (killed on Night Three) Fernandu Elysiam (Fred Daniel Yam) ~ 36 years old male minotaur Shaman ~ Nephilim (killed on Day Four) Maxi Ebdul (Masked Builder) ~ 35 years old male Asteriad Rogue ~ Heroica (killed on Day Four) Shadir Oswain (Shadows) ~ 466 years old male elf Mystic Knight ~ Nephilim (killed on Day Four) Jeddam Ashenbow (Jedi master Brick) ~ 25 years old female hobgoblin Ranger ~ Heroica (killed on Night Four) SHAM POO’S EMERGENCY SHOP FOR HEROES IN NEED: "Boohoo! I'm so devastated for the break-in that I'll give you all a discount on all of my remaining items. Buy them all while you still have the chance!" Weapons: Axe (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 5 gold Bow (WP:1, ranged weapon) – Costs 5 gold Dagger (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 5 gold Handcannon (WP:1, ranged weapon) – Costs 5 gold Hammer (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 5 gold Instrument (WP:1, ranged weapon) – Costs 5 gold Spear (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 5 gold Staff (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 5 gold Sword (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 5 gold Whip (WP:1, melee weapon) – Costs 5 gold Shield (SP:1, defensive equipment) – Costs 5 goldGems & Scrolls: Ruby (Gem: allows casting fire-elemental spells) – Costs 10 gold Opal (Gem: allows casting ice-elemental spells) – Costs 10 gold Topaz (Gem: allows casting lightning-elemental spells) – Costs 10 gold Diamond (Gem: allows casting light-elemental spells) – Costs 10 gold Amethyst (Gem: allows casting darkness-elemental spells) – Costs 10 gold Scroll of Sleep (Scroll: prevents target from taking action and seeing who targets them until woken up by an attack. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 15 gold Scroll of Blinding (Scroll: prevents target from performing attacks and seeing who targets them. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 15 gold Scroll of Sealing (Scroll: prevents target from performing ether-based actions. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 15 gold Scroll of Confusion (Scroll: causes target’s actions to hit a random person with a 1/2 chance. Costs 1 ether to use.) – Costs 15 goldConsumable Items: Venom (Consumable: causes poison to the target, depleting it’s health by 1 per every phase when used.) – Costs 5 gold Bomb (Consumable: causes 10 damage to the target from a distance when used.) – Costs 10 gold Grating Stone (Consumable: increases a weapon’s WP by 1 when used) – Costs 15 gold Bright Polish (Consumable: increases a shield’s or an artefact’s SP by 1 when used.) – Costs 15 gold. Level-Up Mushroom (Consumable: gain a level when used.) – Costs 25 gold