Heroica RPG- Quest #144: The Pen is Mightier than the Sword

[-obelix-]

"I suggest the male elf or Ellaria will suffice. I assume they will be most impartial as they have yet to align themselves with an allied Eubric faction. Ms. Arbour successfully and tactfully led the last quest I participated in."

"I've personally led six parties to date, but Alfred makes sense. I've seen Ms. Arbour in action, I think she'd be a fine candidate."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence. I also think Ms. Arbour will make a fine leader. Though I did not see it first hand, like master Skrall's, I have heard about her exploits in the Hall. If need be I can jump in and use diplomacy whenever the need arises."

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen replies evenly

So be it. Lead on Ellaria.

[Jebediahs]

"I've personally led six parties to date, but Alfred makes sense. I've seen Ms. Arbour in action, I think she'd be a fine candidate."

Yes, the Ape-thing is strong! He should lead! The crow walked around without purpose eventually stopping near Thalion.

Alfred's head slowly turned at the mention of Skrall's many successfully led parties. "Yes...despite the current incompetence of this character I now serve, he and other Followers of Ulric were instrumental in my liberation from life as a seneschal following the commands of masters who had passed long ago. Not that it mattered to me as a golem only requires shelter and a purpose, both of which I did have. I believe this ogre will win us the day as well while also displaying the strength, fairness, kindness and loyalty I have come to expect from Ulric Wolfkin's associates." Alfred could most likely make a case for anyone. He just wanted the Party to know all the facts...

[Sandy]

Ellaria felt warm inside after hearing the encouraging words from her questmates. Skrall, Nerwen and Alfred had all travelled with her previously, and even the elven mystic knight seemed to know her by reputation. When did this sudden rise to fame happen?!

"I thank you all for your confidence in me, and I will do my everything not to let you down. We will get to the bottom of this, Mr. Homawae, you can trust us." She then motioned for the others to enter the house after her. "Let's go, gang!"

[Kintobor]

-The Party-

En Sabah Nur (Played by Jebediahs)

31 year old male human, Beast Warrior

Level 32.75 *Natural Respite*, *Immunity: Blinded, Fragile, Sealed and Lightning elemental attacks*, *Nimble on first round of combat*, *Deals double damage to enemies weak to fire*

Power: 47 (Level 32 + Axe 15)

Defense: 7 (Artefact Bonus 7)

Health: 61/61 (Mage Base 5 + Level Up Bonus 31 + Beast Warrior Bonus 15 + Raw Meat Bonus 5 + Raw Meat Bonus 5)

Gold: 25

Equipment: Mythril Axe (WP: 15, Axe), Traveler's Cloak (SP: 1, Backwear ), Custom Fitted, Grounded and Sealed Heavy Armour of Brilliance(SP:5,Immune: fragile, blinded, sealed and lightning, suitable for En Sabah Nur, Bodywear, ), Flexible Greaves (SP: 1, imparts the Nimble effect during the first round of combat, Footwear ), Fire Amulet (Makes physical attacks do double damage to all enemies that are weak to fire, Accessory )

Inventory:

Weapons: Sangriste Dagger (WP: 5), En, Sabah, Nur (Shurikens 3/3, WP: 5), Poisonous Rod (WP:5, causes poisoned by 5-effect; staff), Quarterstaff (WP: 22/44 against humanoids, suitable for mages, clerics and necromancers ), Earthy Wooden Shield (SP:6, grants immunity to wood and earth-elemental attacks)

Artefacts: Cobra Nemes (Absorbs poison, recovering health instead of taking damage from poisoning, suitable to clerics, mages, chi monks and necromancers, Headwear ), Little Jane's Muff (Mage's Muffler, Protects from sealed-effect, Accessory ), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles, Accessory ), Lock & Chain (Prevents items in the inventory from getting stolen; Accessory ), Carapace (SP: 3, Immunity to SP Reduction, Bodywear ), Helm of Horror (Successful hits impart the Afraid effect to the target; headwear ), Lichen Armour (The wearer’s ether is counted as additional health if health is depleted and Darkness Immunity, suitable to classes with ether, Bodywear ), Sedge Hat (+4 Ether, Headwear ), Magic Mirror (The user reflects all ether-based attacks back to the caster without getting damaged by them, Accessory )

Spell Items: Garnet (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), Topaz (Lightning), Ruby (Fire), Scroll of Confusion

Consumables: 3 Potions, Grand Potion, 3 Ether Cores, 6 Remedies, Phoenix Essence, Phoenix Incense, 2 Meads, Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), 5 Venoms, Deadly Venom, Feather of Lithe (Makes the user nimble for three rounds, giving them a 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits.), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Warforged Alfred (Nur can call his golem minion twice per battle to protect him from all damage and effects for the remainder of the round or once per battle to protect him and another party member from all damage and effects for the remainder of the round.), 2 Elixers. 1 Mythril Shard

Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass

Decamon Deck: Shy Shell (Aquatic 2), Demon Ray (Aquatic 3), Will-o'-the-Wisp (Fiery 1), Barghest (Electric 2), Automaton (Electric 5), Vampire Bat (Flying 3), Specter(Icy 2), White Widow (Icy 3), Golden Scorpion (Luminous 2), Gold Golem (Luminous 6), Toxic Toad (Plant 1), Tangleweed (Plant 3), Scarab (Rock 1), Mud Frog (Rock 2), Stone Golem (Rock 8)

81 year old Male Ogre Hunter

Level 43.4 *Natural Respite* *Favors Humanoid and Ancient enemies* *Immune to Fragile, Blinded, and Confused* *1/3 chance to revive when KO'd*

Power Bonus: +2 WP for bows and crossbows

Defense: 11

Health: 57/57

Gold: 3546

Equipment: Unlucky Crossbow (WP: 13, causes Jinxed Effect), Hunter's Quiver (Bows and Crossbows +2WP, allows Hunters to favor two types of enemies, back wear), Tricorne (SP: 3, head wear), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, wearer is immune to fragile, blind, and confused effects, body wear), Moone Greaves (SP: 3), Vorpalis Talisman (1/3 chance of instantly resurrecting with 1 HP and 1 Ether upon being knocked out; accessory)

Inventory

Weapons: Oversized Greatsword (WP:16, double damage on targets that are clearly smaller than the hero, greatsword), Composite Bow (WP:12, ignores SP,light,lightning,water, wood, and earth-elemental; bow), Giant Hammer (WP: 13, deals Confused); Hunter's Crossbow (WP:12, double WP against beasts, fire, ice, wind, and darkness-elemental)

Artifacts: Medal of Glory (Wearer gains 3x experience from battles, accessory), Paper Doll (Immunity to Hexed) Pugilist's Gloves (+2 Power, Immunity to Weakened), Lucky Doubloon (Grants "Special Guard"; accessory)

Tools: Spyglass (Reveals if there are spies and eavesdroppers in the vicinity when used; tool),

Consumables: 3x Potion, Phoenix Essence, 3x Phoenix Incense, 8 Meads, 6 Nostrums, 3 Remedy, 3 Smelling Salts, 2 Deadly Venoms, 9 Smoke Bomb, 2 Dirt Bombs, Fire Bomb, 5 Water Bombs, 6 Bone, Blind Fury, Grating Stone, Level-Up Mushroom, 2 Neutralizers, Letter of Recommendation

Role-Play Items: Black Goo, Wolfgang Insignia,

Thalion Dwinlas, the Super Sleuth and School Inspector (-obelix-)

213 years old male elf Mystic Knight

Level: 32.75 *Immune to All Elements, Sealed, Blind, Weakened, Confused, Sleep, Fragile, Cursed, Doomed, Sudden Death, Hexed, Poisoned and Bleeding*

Power: 45 (Level 32 + WP 13)

Defense: 17 (5 + 12)

Health: 43/43 (5 + 31 + 7)

Ether: 42/42 (5 + 31 + 5 + 1)

Gold: 1063

Equipment: Alpha and Omega (WP: 13, dual healing/spellcasting at the cost of 2 ether, Hollow [Grand Potion stored], staves), Ribcage Shield (SP:12; every time the wielder takes a hit, the shield loses one SP; gives immunity to Doomed and Sudden Death for as long the shield has SP left), Norgh Armor (SP:5, Immunity to Darkness, Light, Fire, Ice, Water, Wood, Wind, Lightning, Earth damage and Sealed, Blind, Fragile, Weaken, Sleep and Confused, bodtwear), Blessed Amulet (Protects from Cursed-effect; accessory), Sterile Gloves (Immunity to Poisoned and Bleeding, handwear), Tin Helmet (Protects from Confused and Hexed effects; headwear)

Inventory:

Gems: Zirconia (Gem containing all elements; cannot be merged into equipment), Amethyst (Darkness) x3, Diamond (Light), Aquamarine (Water), Opal (Ice) Garnet (Earth),

Scrolls: Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep,

Weapons: Despair (WP: 21, darkness-elemental, physical attacks and spells deal double damage to enemies inflicted with any negative effects, staff), Nightfall (WP: 11, Darkness-elemental, absorbs 2 health on successful hits, Hollow [Nothing stored], dagger), Sleeper (WP: 4, deals Asleep to enemies it hits, Hollow Upgrade [Nothingstored], melee/throwing weapon), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP: 10, deals Stunned on successful hits, Hollow [nothing stored]) Broomstick (WP:9, ranged), Handy Shield (SP:4, Immune to Blinded)

Artifacts: Slightly Less Lucky Die (Randomly causes the Lucky or Jinxed effect when used, costs 3 ether), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing, headwear), , Winged Sandals (Protects from Bound and Slowed effects, footwear), Heart Locket (Protects from Enamored-effect; accessory), Snake-Eye Charm (Protects from Petrified-effect; accessory), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory), Paper Doll (Protects from Hexed-effect; accessory), Cloak of Espionage (Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle, backwear), Bumble Fanshirt (SP:1, vermin with level less than half of the wearer's are scared and won't directly attack the wearer; bodywear), Dragoon's Helmet (SP:3, makes wearer absorb attacks of the element of their pet dragon, gaining health instead of damage; suitable for dragoons; headwear), Emerald Hood (SP:4, Immunity to Fragile, headwear), Cloak of Necrotic Shielding (SP:3, provides SPECIAL GUARD against Undead Enemies, backwear)

Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Compass

Consumables: Earthwyrm Fang (Grants the Encouraged, Lucky, Reinforced, and Blinded effects for the duration of one battle), Copy of The Eubric Herald (Gives the target the transcended and inspired effects for the duration of one battle), Kraken Fang (Grants hastened and reinforced effects when consumed), Grand Potion (9), Potion (4), Remedy (25), Mead (5), Smelling Salts (10), Nostrum (5), Mulled Wine (4), Elixir (3), Ambrosia, Ether Core, Grand Tonic (8), Phoenix Essence (5), Bone (2), Smoke Bomb, Blind Bomb (2), Seal Bomb, Sleep Bomb (2), Deluxe Skeleton Decoy, Feather of White, 2x Feather of Flight, Demon Repellent, Skeleton Decoy (2), Mithril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mithril), Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 at magic shops)

Ellaria Arbour (Sandy) *Party Leader*

25 years old female human Alchemist

Level 34 2/4 *Immune to Fire* *Three rolls for Mixture* *Transfer poisoned and bleeding upon being hit* *No Free Hits for 3 rounds*

Power: 44 (34+10)

Defense: 6 (1+5)

Health: 55/55 (9+33+10+1+2)

Gold: 33

Equipment: Mythril Mallet (WP: 20, wood- and darkness-elemental; Hollow [Diluted Arc Potion (Restores 15 health to all allies)]; hammer), Rubber Gloves (For Mixture, the die is rolled three times instead of twice, and the highest two results determine the created item; suitable to alchemists; handwear.), Robe of the Magi (SP:1, suitable for mages, clerics, alchemists, chi monks, decamon drafters, necromancers, regulators, scholars and weather mages; bodywear.), Spider Helmet (SP:5, passes poisoned and bleeding effects to the enemy when the wearer is hit; immunity to fire; headwear), Spirit Robe (Renders wearer invisible to the enemy for the first three rounds of battle so they do not take free hits; backwear)

Inventory:

Weapons Ignis Fatuus (WP:13, permanently poisoned by 15, fire- and lighting-elemental staff), Sylvania's Crossbow (WP:10, wood-elemental crossbow), Pan Flute (WP: 7, instrument), Wizard's Staff (WP:1, fire-, wind-, water- and earth-elemental staff), Wormtail Whip (WP:15, earth-elemental, whip)

Artifacts: Ranger's Quiver (WP: +1 to bows and crossbows, suitable for rangers, beast warriors, infiltrators, and winged warriors; backwear), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max Ether +5, protects from sealing; suitable for mages, clerics, necromancers, scholars and weather mages, bodywear)

Spell Items: Scroll of Inspiration (Inspired for rest of battle, 10 ether, 50/50 chance) Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Serenade of Water (Causes Water damage equal to the minstrel's level to all enemies per round for as long as the song is sung. Costs 10 ether per round. Battle Song)

Consumables: 10 Grand Potions, 2 Health Cores, 4 Tonics, Diluted Arc Tonic (Restores 10 ether to all allies), 3 Grand Tonics, Ether Core, 2 Hyper Arc Tonics (Restores full ether to all allies), 2 Elixirs, Arc Elixir (Restores 60 health and 15 ether to all allies and removes negative effects.), 4 Remedies, Neutralizer, Tiger Balm, 3 Phoenix Essences, 3 Meads, 4 Smelling Salts, 2 Nostrums, 2 Soma, 2 Mulled Wines, 2 Smoke Bombs, Hot'n'Cold Bomb (Causes 30 fire- and ice-elemental damage to all enemies), Holy Rain Bomb (Causes 20 water-, wind- and light-elemental damage to all enemies), Bad Breath (Poisoned by 1-effect to all enemies), Wyvern's Breath (Poisoned by 10-effect to all enemies), Feather of White

Tools etc.: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Chemistry Set (Allows the user to use Mixture outside of battle, costs 2 Gold Bars/un-modified roll, suitable for alchemists; tool), 2 Gold Bars

Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) Champion of The Northern Kingdoms, Sungold Alliance,

265 year old female Elven Minstrel

Level 39 *Immune to sealed* *Gains Double EXP*

Power bonus:,+8 (quest #102)

Defence: 2 (lesser etherial cloak 1 +leather amour 1)

Health: 53 (Base Cleric 9 +Level bonus 38 -Quest #102 5 +Minstrel Bonus 11)

Ether: 51 (Base Cleric 5 +Level bonus 38 +Minstrel Bonus 4 +zoot cookie #102 1 +Lesser Etherial cloak 3)

Gold: 145

Equipment: Nocturne Flute (WP:6; causes asleep-effect; instrument), Lesser etherial cloak (SP:1, Max. ether +3, immune to sealed; backwear), Medal of Valor (Double experience from battles; accessory), Leather armour (SP:1; Bodywear)

Inventory: Mutt's Flute (WP:10; inflicts Weakened-effect; instrument), Party Maracas (WP:4; user is hastened; instrument), Battered wooden flute (WP:6; Darkness-elemental; instrument), Sword of the Warrior of the Light (WP: 14; Light-Elemental, Meditate becomes hits; longsword), Mourning Star (WP: 10; Fire-elemental; inflicts Fragile-effect; mace), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer), Axe of the Minotaur Champion (WP: 30; user is Slowed and Immune to Hastened, cannot be equipped at the same time as a shield; axe),

•Zap-Tap Badge (1/2 chance to Electric counterstrike an opponent who has dealt damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level; Accessory), Shield (SP: 5), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3; Immunity to Ice and Water; Bodywear; Suitable for Barbarians, Regulators, and Beast Warriors), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2; Immune to Blind), Seal of the Warrior Priestess (At the beginning of the battle the user has a 1/6 chance to be Transcended, a 1/6 chance to be Blessed, and a 1/6 chance to be Inspired; Accessory; Suitable for Paladins), Trickster's Mask of the Angel, Order Imperial's Assassin Cowl (Immune to Light and Darkness, Wearer is Nimble; headwear; Suitable for Assassins, Chi Monks, Infiltrators, Rogue Thieves, Paragons), Razor (user is Blessed and Immune to Bleeding, Enraged, and Encouraged; May take up any artifact slot; requires a shaved head), Helm of the Lord of Light (Immune to Light and Jinxed; headwear; Suitable for Knights), Sylvania's Cowl (Permits Animal Talk, Headwear), Counterstrike Gloves,

•Opal (2), Topaz (2), Diamond (2), Amethyst, Garnet, Sapphire, Emerald, Aquamarine, Ruby

• Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion, Hundred Hero Hymn (Inspired-effect to all allies for 10 ether; song),

•Phoenix essence (3), Potions (10), Grand potion (2), Health Core, Tonics (3), Grand tonic, Ether Core (2), Ambrosia (4), Elixirs (2), Remedies (6), Neutralisers (2), Tiger Balm (2), Nostrum (2), Smelling Salts (2), Venom (4), Mulled Wine, Dragon Scale (lucky & blessed), Titan Heart (encouraged & inspired), Fire Bomb, Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bomb, Water Bombs (2), Dirt Bombs (2), Air Bomb, Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Red Death Blood (Once applied to a weapon the first successful hit deals doomed, consumable) (2), Sushi (restores 5 health and ether), Feather of Lithe (user is nimble for three rounds, 1/3 chance to avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits), Grating Stone, Bright Polish (2),

•Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass, Telescope,

"Do be careful! If you need me for anything I'll be out here, although I'll admit I'm not a fighter." The party climbs the front steps and opens the door. Peering inside the party gets their first glimpse of Ernesto's house... or what remained of it.

The entire house's insides didn't reflect its outside at all, almost as if his house's door was a portal to another realm of being. The floor was a cold stone with the odd piece of debris littering the stonework. What was most peculiar though was the various doors lining the walls and the decor that was creeping across the floors. Each door was surrounded by various pieces of scenery and objects to help distinguish each other. The only familiar item left in the room was a table with a lantern on it.

To the party's right, a wooden door surrounded by wooden walls lay, water leaking from underneath it. A creaking noise seemed to emanate from behind the walls here. Close to it seemed to be the entrance to mine. It was hard to make out what lay behind the iron gate, but various wooden beams and crystals grew around the area surrounding the door.

The door next to the cavern entrance seemed to be made out of sandstone, a large anubis head carved into it. Sand and various pieces of ruined rock littered the floor. The sand occasionally blew about, covering up the grass next to it which seemed to be stemming from the door next to it. A wooded area seemed to have cropped up, with flowers, mushrooms, and a tree stump surrounding it. Looking up, the party could see tree leaves covering the door. There didn't seem to be a ceiling. The walls ascended upwards into a black oblivion.

What would the party like to do?

QM Note:

, if you don't mind. Edited December 29, 2015 by Kintobor

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall scratched his head as he pondered at the doors before reaching for the lantern. "The Coven of Delita's Woods, the Tower of Nac-Ri, Journey to the Centre of Olegaia, and The Fish in the Sea, respectively I'd guess," The ogre pointed at each door.

[Sandy]

"The stories are truly coming alive... There is no sense splitting up because we have no idea what awaits us beyond those doors. If you don't have a preference, we'll take the creaky, wooden door on the right first. Every good quest starts with a ship battle, after all."

Ellaria waited to hear if any of her companions objected before reaching for the door.

[Waterbrick Down]

"Seems as good as a place as any to start."

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen slips on her counterstrike gloves then nods to Ellaria.

[Sandy]

"Then it is settled. Prepare to get wet." Ellaria gathered the hems of her long white coat and opened the wooden door on the right.

[-obelix-]

Thalion placed his hand on the weapon and nodded to Ellaria, "Onward!"

[Jebediahs]

Alfred opens a bottle of mead for the Nur-crow to consume then brings up the rear as he follows the Party.

[-obelix-]

Before he steps through the door, Thalion rolls S.L.L. Die until he becomes Lucky. If he becomes Jinxed during the process, he drinks a Remedy.

[Kintobor]

The heroes prepare, and proceed to the wooden door, the sounds of a creaking ship growing as they approach. As the open the door a powerful wave of water crashes over them, drenching them in salt water. Their visions go dark and cloudy as the party feels themselves underwater. It's not for long though as they reemerge in a new surrounding.

THE FISH IN THE SEA

Chapter 12: The Third Trip

Captain Quinton stood at the front of the longboat as we all sat around as the rain poured down on us. It did not give up for anything as the waves rushed over the boat. Bless the Two that we managed to get this far. We could hardly see anything, even in these shallow waters. We knew there was an island nearby, but Quinton's own damned determination wouldn't let him postpone the hunt for Bruce any longer. He continually thudded his newly attached wooden leg on the boats hull, his notched harpoon in hand.

"Ready your eyes! I will have this beasts head on my mantle! Mark my words! Do you hear me, Neredice? Neron? I WILL HAVE MY JUST REVENGE!"

The crew grew cautious in the flimsy boat. We looked into the dark churning waters, unable to see anything in that abyss. We all clutched our weapons as the rowers continued aimlessly in some vain attempt to find the creature before it found us.

Finding themselves onboard the boat, the party felt as if they already knew what was going on, as if they were a part of the story even though their weapons, clothes, and items were vastly different from the sailors surrounding them. They could only see everyone on the boat, the longboat they were on, the rain pelting them from above and the water surrounding the boat, as if the world was only giving them things on a need to know basis.

"You lot, in the back!" The captain shouted, his hair messy and unkept and his uniform soiled and wrinkly. He was soaked to the core yet unfazed by his current condition. "What are you doing dawdling? Either start rowing or keep your eyes to the sea!" What would the party do?

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall scrunched up his eyebrows, somewhat confused. "Aye captain, I reckon the creature be 'round here somewhere's." Skrall attempted to track "Bruce".

[Sandy]

"Aye, captain!" Ellaria shouted back, and took out her telescope to peer to the roaring sea around them. After spending so much time on board ships during her many quests, Ellaria felt familiar with the current environment.

"Better just to play along", she said to her companions. "The sea monster will show itself sooner or later, that is how stories always go."

[-obelix-]

"Aye, captain!" Thalion takes out his magic compass an attempts to locate the correct bearing to "Bruce".

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen bends her strength to the oars, rowing. She sings a fragment of song

Oh, you may seek it with thimbles—and seek it with care;

You may hunt it with forks and hope;

You may threaten its life with a railway-share;

You may charm it with smiles and soap.

[Jebediahs]

Alfred noticed the crow standing near a small puddle along the bottom of the longboat. 'Crow on the fence, rain will go hence. Crow on the ground, rain will come down.' He registered movement as the mass of something displaced the other items of his master's satchel prompting him to dig through the bag.

The crow stood with head withdrawn, bill pointed towards the rain, body upright and feathers sleeked to maximize the chance for rain drops to slide off its feathers rather than being absorbed and freezing the bird to death. Suddenly, the crow broke from this posture to walk around aimlessly. He truly recognized questmates Ellaria and Skrall and immediately understood his position as being involved in a quest. He heard singing and noticed the pin of the 'Alliance.

Alfred completed his search of the satchel once he revealed the Beast Totem. He looked up to see that the bird had stopped pacing and was looking in his direction. The bird and the golem shared a knowing glance as Nur's mind had fully returned. If the golem's appearance hadn't been permanently carved in mythril-infused stone and the crow had a mouth instead of a beak, an observer would have seen the grins.

[-obelix-]

While waiting for the compass to stop spinning around, Thalion swaps his Tin Helmet for the Elven Boots he got as a Grogmas gift.

(Its been a while since I had an item of true elven craftsmanship with me... These are magnificent!), he thought to himself as he started to feel the magic that was woven into the boots.

OOC: I am going on a short trip tomorrow and will be without internet access. If any actions need to be taken, Sandy has control of Thalion.

[Kintobor]

Skrall scrunched up his eyebrows, somewhat confused. "Aye captain, I reckon the creature be 'round here somewhere's." Skrall attempted to track "Bruce".

Through the choppy and dark water, Skrall and Ellaria cannot find anything "Bruce-like", seeing as how he's not sure what Bruce is, but he does notice many other sea creatures swimming close to the surface near the boat.

"Aye, captain!" Ellaria shouted back, and took out her telescope to peer to the roaring sea around them. After spending so much time on board ships during her many quests, Ellaria felt familiar with the current environment.

"Better just to play along", she said to her companions. "The sea monster will show itself sooner or later, that is how stories always go."

Ellaria notices a ship in the distance, most likely the ship they rowed out on. What might be a dorsal fin props out of the ocean on occasion to the port side of the long boat, but the rough waves and poor visibility might be causing illusions.

"Aye, captain!" Thalion takes out his magic compass an attempts to locate the correct bearing to "Bruce".

The magic compass's needle spins around until it points to the port side.

A streak of lightning pans across the side as Quinton shouts back towards the rowers.

"Do you see the carnivorous fiend? I will have this beast tonight, or I will have him tomorrow! Neron and Neredice will not stop me on my campaign to rid these waters!"

[Waterbrick Down]

OoC: Could you clarify how we're supposed to know what's going on, but don't know what "Bruce" is?

"Pardon me fer askin' captain, but how do ya intend to bring the beast down?" Skrall notes the swarming fish in the sea, "If those things are swimmin' away from the monster, I imagine we'll have company soon enough. Mr. Dwinlas, yer a magic user aren't ya? Perhaps ya'd like to shed a little light on our present situation?"

[Sandy]

"Do you see the carnivorous fiend? I will have this beast tonight, or I will have him tomorrow! Neron and Neredice will not stop me on my campaign to rid these waters!"

"There is something in the water, port side, captain! Looks like a dorsal fin!" Ellaria called back.

[Jebediahs]

Hearing Ellaria's call to the captain, Nur hopped up on the port side of the boat and peered down. Using animalism he cried out to any of the sea creatures that would answer. <"You there! What are you fleeing from? Anyone?! Hey! These here who walk on two limbs are here to help!">

[-obelix-]

Mr. Dwinlas, yer a magic user aren't ya? Perhaps ya'd like to shed a little light on our present situation?"

Thalion turns and whispers to Skrall, "I'd be happy to master Skrall, however I am not sure what you mean... If you mean that I can cast a light spell, sure I can do that. However, I dont know how helpful that would be... But if you mean how a predicament like this came to be, I do indeed have some idea of what might be behind something like this. This is not the first story I have been transported into..."

He made a long pause and whispered even softer, more to himself than to others, "Last time it was an archdemon, I sincerely hope this time that is not the case..."