Heroica RPG - Quest #150: A Moment of Silence

[Chromeknight]

I saw the madness that was unleashed last time. Personally. It is a big boast you make. But I do not doubt you. The effects of Tarokai still linger, I would not risk that again. You have my word.

She narrows her eyes, looking at the Executor.

We will have a reckoning on this when this is done.

[-obelix-]

Thalion nods, "You have my word as well."

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall gazed at Tarvalk trying to read the fire in his eyes. "Is it Tarokai? Does he live again, Tarvalk? Perhaps the wereviper was right in a way, was he trackin' a demon, or had he come across the trail of a spirit? Tis the only thing I can think of that the world would hunt your people down once more for. Will alliance with this power be worth the cost? Who are ya to dictate who knows the truth? What honor there is in deception will be short lived." Skrall paused once more. "I can give ya my word to see Baltarok kept stable and safe, nothin' else."

[Zepher]

"Don't see any reason any secrets need to leave this room," growls Boomingham as he glares at Tra-Serral. "But if we don't like it, don't see that you'll be leaving this room either."

[CMP]

I saw the madness that was unleashed last time. Personally.

"Then you know why nobody wants that."

She narrows her eyes, looking at the Executor.

We will have a reckoning on this when this is done.

"Don't see any reason any secrets need to leave this room," growls Boomingham as he glares at Tra-Serral. "But if we don't like it, don't see that you'll be leaving this room either."

Tra-Serral looked away and refused to respond. Her blade remained firm against Soryx's neck. The demon hunter shifted.

"Perhaps we might wait a moment before threatening one another."

Thalion nods, "You have my word as well."

Skrall gazed at Tarvalk trying to read the fire in his eyes. "Is it Tarokai? Does he live again, Tarvalk? Perhaps the wereviper was right in a way, was he trackin' a demon, or had he come across the trail of a spirit? Tis the only thing I can think of that the world would hunt your people down once more for. Will alliance with this power be worth the cost? Who are ya to dictate who knows the truth? What honor there is in deception will be short lived." Skrall paused once more. "I can give ya my word to see Baltarok kept stable and safe, nothin' else."

Tarvalk gaze at Skrall for a long moment, then looked to the rest of the party.

"I will hold all of you to your word. Know that mine still stands as well."

He turned to look back at the ogre.

"No, Skrall. Tarokai does not live again. Not...directly."

He opened his mouth to explain, but once more was interrupted.

"...Don't do this. It is not-...it is a test, one we will overcome. We always have, look at grandfather, he lasted-"

"This is a curse, child. Don't make it into something it is not."

Tarvalk leaned heavily against the wall.

"The Invasion affected everyone. Everything. So the entire world...has always held tales of who, or...what Tarokai represented. What he was. A victim...who overthrew his oppressors. A monster who devoured nations. A leader who could inspire a broken people, a war criminal, a sycophant looking for power. For us, he is nothing short of a god among orcs. After his death, his legend, his legacy, only grew among orcs. We, Clan Tarokin, his only living descendants, are recognized as the beating heart of Baltarok. Elsewhere..."

The old orc paused, face overcast with shadow.

"There are those among outsiders...perhaps even a few greenskins....they believe that...Tarokai..."

"....Tarokai was....possessed. Of something...not of this world. Manipulated, by-..." his voice came to a grinding halt, and took a very long while to start up again. "....he had a...demon in him."

The room was briefly silent.

"I don't....I don't believe that."

"You think we want to?"

"What you're saying...the...the implications of that," Olmstyr's face contorted into anger. "Tarvalk, that's..there's no chance. There's no WAY that can be true!"

"Demons have be-"

"Shut up. This isn't about damned demons! Tarvalk." Olmstyr rounded on Tarvalk. There were very nearly tears in his eyes. "You're WRONG. That would- it's NOT TRUE. You expect us to believe that-" Tarvalk opened his mouth, but Olmstyr didn't stop. "...what is this, then?! Was the whole invasion a...a GAME? Our ancestors fought and they BLED FOR US! AND YOU SAY- YOU'RE TELLING ME IT WAS ALL BECAUSE- BECAUSE OF- THIS CANNOT BE TRUE!!"

"I don't know. But it is true," replied the clan leader tiredly.

"..you're saying Tarokai wasn't...a hero or anything, he was...just.....controlled...?"

"DASKE!" Olmstyr glared at the hobgoblin, a furious mess at this point. "Do NOT BELIEVE HIM! There was...death, there were....REAL DEATHS, MILLIONS OF THEM! Tarvalk, you can't...you can't just....tell us....Tarokai made us what we are! YOU CAN'T TELL US WE WERE ALL PAWNS IN THAT...THING'S GAME!!" His voice cracked, burning tears running down his face. "What does that make Zardalvohl? The day we all died for NOTHING? It was all just-...just..." Olmstyr shuddered and fell back against the wall, looking absolutely crushed. Daske was almost speechless.

"We don't know anything, other than the demon had hold over Tarokai at some point. Perhaps it was later, long after he had begun the invasion. It could've been...earlier, and it's possible it sparked the invasion, perhaps even Tarokai's escape from imprisonment. We simply do not know."

"What...what do you know?" mumbled Olmstyr weakly. Tarvalk watched him for a moment longer before reaching up to his own face and brazenly ripping off what looked like a trickster's mask of disguise.

"I KNOW THAT ITS BLOODLUST WAS NEVER TRULY SATED."

"Sweet Pseudos," whispered Soryx, reflexively reaching for a weapon that wasn't there. Aazy fell off of Daske's shoulder, and she stumbled backward. Olmstyr barely reacted. Tra-Serral looked dead at the party.

"WE CALL IT IRZERKUTRAH. IT DID NOT LEAVE EVEN AFTER TAROKAI'S DEATH. IT FLED....TO HIS SON, TAR-VALSTYR. THEN TO HIS SON. AND SO OUR BLOODLINE HAS BORNE THIS CURSE FOR TWO AND A HALF CENTURIES. IT LEFT ME YEARS AGO, TO SUFFER UNTIL MY DEATH IN THIS STATE. NOW-"

"I keep him quiet. Entirely." added Tra-Serral after some time of silence, glancing at Olmstyr. "It is best you come to terms with this now. Some of my ancestors could not bear this burden and were consumed by it. That goes for you as well, heroes." She turned her cold eyes onto the heroes. Their sickly green hue suddenly seemed a lot more pronounced. "You had better pray to what gods you hold Irzerkutrah did not take hold of Tarokai before the invasion....otherwise, your Founders murdered an innocent man, and Heroica is just as much a lie as the rest of this."

Edited August 17, 2016 by CMP

[Chromeknight]

Peace Olmstyr.

I heard this long ago, nothing certain, but the tales of those left refugee pointed that way.

But does it matter? We have our word that this would not leave the room on our lips and that word stands. You will have to bear the burden of this knowledge. It will make you better prepared to serve clan Tarokin.

What remains however, is what to do with the red death. Does Tra Serral wish to inflict this curse on her descendants or will she risk the ritual. Does Sorryx think he can take the demon knowing it may be ready for him and has been active much longer than he thought.

[Zepher]

Boomingham places a calming hand on Olmstyr's shoulder. "Doesn't matter about Tarvokai. He was one man. Erm... one orc. Point is, I was there. I fought in the Orcish War. I'll let you figure out which side I was on. Saw a whole lot of individual orcs who seemed like they were possessed by demons even if they weren't. Whole lot of baddies in a war." He falls silent, glancing around the room at all the greenskin, his eyes lingering on Tarvalk's disgusting new visage.

"Turns out, of course, that given time I figured out there were a whole lot of nasties on my side too. Men who had it out for the orcs just the same way the orcs had it out for the men. Knew a lot of good men on my side as well. If I'm being generous... I'd say there were probably a few good green skins on the opposing side. Point being that it doesn't matter why Tarokai led the invasion. If you're proud of it, of him, you're really proud of each individual orc that had a good intention when they streamed into our lands. Who or what they were following doesn't change what they were trying to achieve."

Boomingham draws Scupperer, aware more than ever that he won it off an Orcish slaver. "Now, little lady, I think you'd do best to step away from the demon hunter. If this demon is such a curse, don't see why you wouldn't want it out. And I'd hate to see your pretty face fall apart like daddy dearest's."

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall's face soured at the truth of the situation. "Aye, no good can ultimately come from pacts with such power. History is not founded upon a single event, but a multitude of tiny decisions. Heroica, Baltarok, each moment of our lives has been shaped by millions upon millions of decisions. They shall not be defined by such a thing as this, one falsehood will not negate the foundings of such undertakings. As we have sworn, the events of this eve shall not leave this room, but I don't have a mind to let that 'thing' remain either. Baltarok would be good to end its servitude to its bloodlust once and for all."

[Zepher]

Boomingham's sword grows steadier as he realizes the ogre has his back once more. He tries to think back to a point in the quest where the two had significantly disagreed and finds himself unable to do so. His gaze darts over to Skrall appreciatively for a moment before returning to Tra-Serral.

[-obelix-]

"I agree with everything that was said. It does not matter what happened, was Tarokai truly possessed before or after the invasion. What's important is that it stops now; I gave my word that I will not talk about what I learned here, and I will stand by that of course, but I will not allow a demon to run around if it can be stopped."

Thalion turns to Soryx, "If the ritual you mentioned can truly banish the demon, I say we do it! I am no exorcist but I will gladly offer whatever assistance I can."

[Waterbrick Down]

"I agree with everything that was said. It does not matter what happened, was Tarokai truly possessed before or after the invasion. What's important is that it stops now; I gave my word that I will not talk about what I learned here, and I will stand by that of course, but I will not allow a demon to run around if it can be stopped."

Thalion turns to Soryx, "If the ritual you mentioned can truly banish the demon, I say we do it! I am no exorcist but I will gladly offer whatever assistance I can."

"Thalion, if Tra-Serral wishes to bear this curse, then so be it. But if not and if it intends harm for this country, then I will not stand by seeing it continue."

[-obelix-]

"Thalion, if Tra-Serral wishes to bear this curse, then so be it. But if not and if it intends harm for this country, then I will not stand by seeing it continue."

Thalion nodded at Skrall, "I agree with that." He turned to Tra-Serral and added, using diplomacy, "I just hope she will do what is best for her people."

Edited August 19, 2016 by -obelix-

[CMP]

What remains however, is what to do with the red death. Does Tra Serral wish to inflict this curse on her descendants or will she risk the ritual. Does Sorryx think he can take the demon knowing it may be ready for him and has been active much longer than he thought.

"It is not that simple."

"IT IS."

"This is something all our ancestors have dealt with...and you. I would not do it any differently, not if it means being...indebted to these outs-"

"TRA-SERRAL." Tarvalk stated bluntly. "THEY ARE NOT. OUTSIDERS. HEROICA IS OUR ALLY NOW."

"They could NEVER be our ally, father," she snapped back. "They ruined our entire race. They killed Tarokai, and-"

"THE PAST IS WHAT IT IS. TURN BACK NOW AND WE RE-OPEN A HOST OF OLD WOUNDS. LOOK TO THE FUTURE AND PERHAPS THEY HEAL."

Boomingham places a calming hand on Olmstyr's shoulder. "Doesn't matter about Tarvokai. He was one man. Erm... one orc. Point is, I was there. I fought in the Orcish War. I'll let you figure out which side I was on. Saw a whole lot of individual orcs who seemed like they were possessed by demons even if they weren't. Whole lot of baddies in a war." He falls silent, glancing around the room at all the greenskin, his eyes lingering on Tarvalk's disgusting new visage.

"Turns out, of course, that given time I figured out there were a whole lot of nasties on my side too. Men who had it out for the orcs just the same way the orcs had it out for the men. Knew a lot of good men on my side as well. If I'm being generous... I'd say there were probably a few good green skins on the opposing side. Point being that it doesn't matter why Tarokai led the invasion. If you're proud of it, of him, you're really proud of each individual orc that had a good intention when they streamed into our lands. Who or what they were following doesn't change what they were trying to achieve."

Olmstyr swallowed hard.

"It doesn't bother you, then, that your men did not in fact die in defense of your kingdom...but because it was all just some game of a demon's that they walked right into. That your history was built on one great lie."

"Olmstyr," replied Daske weakly. "Come on, he's right. Whatever really happened, Baltarok wouldn't be where it was without the invasion."

<"All my kin died because of one bad seed, too,"> squeaked Aazy, for the first time in quite a while. <"But it doesn't change one thing: I'm still here! And I'll do w-whatever it takes to keep it that way.">

"Yeah! You think this changes anything?! Tarokai is still THE MAN, I mean, whatever went on, just look around! Clearly it was for the best!"

Skrall's face soured at the truth of the situation. "Aye, no good can ultimately come from pacts with such power. History is not founded upon a single event, but a multitude of tiny decisions. Heroica, Baltarok, each moment of our lives has been shaped by millions upon millions of decisions. They shall not be defined by such a thing as this, one falsehood will not negate the foundings of such undertakings. As we have sworn, the events of this eve shall not leave this room, but I don't have a mind to let that 'thing' remain either. Baltarok would be good to end its servitude to its bloodlust once and for all."

"I am in complete agreement. As long as the bloodline of Clan Tarokin remains bound to this demon, you may very well still be serving its needs and not even know it."

"There is no 'servitude.' Do you think us so weak?"

"DO YOU THINK IRZERKUTRAH SO SUBMISSIVE? I WAS NEARLY DRIVEN MAD BY ITS WHISPERINGS. I DO NOT DOUBT YOUR RESOLVE TO SHUT THEM OUT...BUT I KNOW YOU CAN SEE THE THREAT OF HIS WORDS. IGNORING THEM IS NOT THE SAME AS SILENCING THEM."

"I agree with everything that was said. It does not matter what happened, was Tarokai truly possessed before or after the invasion. What's important is that it stops now; I gave my word that I will not talk about what I learned here, and I will stand by that of course, but I will not allow a demon to run around if it can be stopped."

Thalion turns to Soryx, "If the ritual you mentioned can truly banish the demon, I say we do it! I am no exorcist but I will gladly offer whatever assistance I can."

"ON BEHALF OF ALL MY ANCESTORS, I THANK YOU.'

"In a...manner of speaking." Soryx lowered his eyes slightly. "I have never seen such...extensive corruption before. Clan leader Tarvalk. I am...not certain there is...anything to be done."

"As I expected," he replied in a low growl, he replacing the mask upon his face. "This is something I have always expected. My father and his before him suffered the same fate. Perhaps I will live to the old age he did, or perhaps I have months left as the son of Tarokai did. Death is no different than any enemy of the orcs. I will stare it in the eyes and fight it to my grave."

"But as I said...I believe we can banish this demon from Tra-Serral." His eyes flick over to her almost suspiciously. "I am...disappointed I did not spot it sooner."

"I am very adept at covering my tracks. And Irzerkutrah's."

"Thalion, if Tra-Serral wishes to bear this curse, then so be it. But if not and if it intends harm for this country, then I will not stand by seeing it continue."

Thalion nodded at Skrall, "I agree with that." He turned to Tra-Serral and added, using diplomacy, "I just hope she will do what is best for her people."

Tra-Serral looked slowly at the heroes and then to Olmstyr, Daske, then Tarvalk.

"You really think this wise?"

"I do not know the circumstances surrounding the rise of this demon. I do know this, my daughter. Tarokai would not have wanted this brought down upon his descendants."

"....Fine."

Soryx slowly took his blade back from the assassin and began etching a large pentagonal shape into the ground.

"It would be best if you were not present, Tarvalk."

"I will stay as long as needed."

"With all due respect you are must vulnerable to this demon's manipulations, and although trapped here, we will still have it to banish it...manually."

"Go, father. It is as you say. No pride is worth the risk of this demon lingering."

"...Hmph." Tarvalk snorted a bit. Perhaps in a bit of pride anyway. "Of course. We will speak when this is over." He tilted his head towards Soryx, the Vauno, and the heroes. "Ash dir dyro dol oshuule, staalo. The extent of this demon's grasp, we might never know...but seeing it end today, that will be enough."

Tarvalk left the room, leaving Soryx to continue preparing his ritual.

"The same goes for you, unfortunately."

"Fine. No fighting. I get it."

"Don't worry! We'll kill whatever this thing is, then you can get back to cuttin' throats just in time for this last assassin."

"Best ready yourselves, heroes. I simply do not know how strong this Irzerkutrah is, but it's been festering in this bloodline for well over two centuries. No doubt it's...fed well. Also...if you would permit me, I would be glad to fight by your side."

Party

Nerwen Calmcacil, Champion of the North Kingdoms (Chromeknight) *Party Leader*

265 year old female elven Shaman

Level 42.4 *Immune to sealed* *Gains Double EXP* *Restoration* *Absorbs last element* *Counterstriking*

Power bonus: +8

Defense: 1

Health: 64/64

Ether: 48/50

Gold: 293

Equipment: Mourning Star (WP: 10; fire-elemental; inflicts Fragile-effect; mace), Lesser Ethereal cloak (SP:1, Max. ether +3, immune to sealed; backwear), Medal of Valor (Double experience from battles; accessory), Chameleon Vest (Max. Health +10, the user becomes able to absorb the last element it was damaged with; bodywear), Counterstrike Gloves, Barbarians boots (natural respite becomes restoration)

Inventory:

Weapons: Nocturne Flute (WP:6; causes asleep-effect; instrument), 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), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer), Singing Sword (WP 10; causes bleeding, longsword/instrument), Champion’s Voulge (WP: 14, gains 1 WP when the hero protects an ally by reducing or preventing Damage or Special Damage, axe)

Artifacts: Leather armour (SP:1; Bodywear), 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, 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), Encore Plectrum (if the same Battle Song is sung for more than one round in a row, the song’s ether cost for the consecutive rounds is halved; suitable to minstrels; accessory.)

Spell Items: 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),

Consumables: Phoenix Essence (3), Potions (10), Grand potion (2), Tonics (3), Grand tonic, Ether Core, Ambrosia (4), Elixirs (2), Remedies (6), Neutralisers (2), Tiger Balm (3), Nostrum (2), Smelling Salts, 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), Meads (3), Mulled Wines (2), Health Core

Tools/Treasure: Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, 3 Scrap Metal

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

213 years old male elf Mystic Knight

Level 34.5 *Immune to all elements, sealed, blinded, weakened, confused, sleep, fragile, cursed, doomed, sudden death, poisoned and bleeding* *Nimble* *Lucky*

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 15

Health: 45/45

Ether: 32/44

Gold: 1063

Equipment: Alpha and Omega (WP: 14, dual healing/spellcasting at the cost of 2 ether, Hollow [Grand Potion stored], staves), Ribcage Shield (SP:10; 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, bodywear), Blessed Amulet (Protects from Cursed-effect; accessory), Sterile Gloves (Immunity to Poisoned and Bleeding, handwear), Elven Boots (Wearer is permanently Nimble; suitable to elves; footwear)

Inventory:

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 [Grand Potion], dagger), Sleeper (WP: 4, deals Asleep to enemies it hits, Hollow Upgrade [Grand Tonic], melee/throwing weapon), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP: 10, deals Stunned on successful hits, Hollow [Phoenix Essence]) 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, lent to Boomingham), Paper Doll (Protects from Hexed-effect; accessory), Cloak of Espionage (Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle, backwear, lent to Nerwen), 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), Tin Helmet (Protects from Confused and Hexed effects; headwear), Sharkskin Hide (SP: 1, doubles water elemental spells, bodywear, suitable for mages, necromancers, chi monks, and weather mages), Vexing Vestaments (SP: 3, +8 max ether, the user can no longer heal undead to damage them, but healing humanoid, holy, and luminous enemies will now deal damage and inflict the hexed-effect, suitable for clerics and chi monks)

Spell Items: Zirconia (Gem containing all elements; cannot be merged into equipment), 3 Amethysts, (Diamond, Aquamarine, Opal, Garnet, lent to Tra-Serral), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Elemental Aura

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 (7), Potion (4), Remedy (24), Mead (5), Smelling Salts (8), Nostrum (5), Mulled Wine (4), Elixir (3), Ambrosia, Ether Core (2), Grand Tonic (6), Phoenix Essence (4), Bone (4), Smoke Bomb, Blind Bomb (2), Seal Bomb, Sleep Bomb (2), Deluxe Skeleton Decoy, Feather of White, Feather of Flight (2), Demon Repellent, Skeleton Decoy (2), Ethereal Essence (Revives a fallen ally with full health and ether and the transcended effect)

Tools/Treasure: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Compass, Mythril Shard, Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 at magic shops), 3 Scrap Metal

Skrall, Krakenwhacker, Titan Smiter (Waterbrick Down)

81 year old male ogre Hunter

Level 44.8 *Natural Respite* *Favors Humanoid and Dark enemies* *Immune to fragile, blinded, and confused* *1/3 chance to revive when KO'd* *Second Party Leader*

Power Bonus: +2 WP for bows and crossbows

Defense: 11

Health: 58/58

Gold: 3346

Equipment: Unlucky Crossbow (WP: 13, causes jinxed Effect, poisoned by 10), 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), Axe of the Minotaur Champion (WP: 30, user is slowed and immune to hastened, axe)

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), Winged Sandals (Immune to bound and slowed, footwear), Cloak of Espionage (Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle, backwear, lent by Thalion)

Consumables: 3 Potions, Phoenix Essence, 3 Phoenix Incenses, 10 Meads, 8 Nostrums, 3 Remedy, 3 Smelling Salts, Deadly Venom, 9 Smoke Bomb, 2 Dirt Bombs, Fire Bomb, 5 Water Bombs, 6 Bone, Blind Fury, Grating Stone, 2 Neutralizers, Letter of Recommendation, Ethereal Essence (Revives a fallen ally with full health and ether and the transcended effect), Feather of Darkness (The weather is changed to Dim (see Weather Mage), consumable)

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

Lord Lawrence Boomingham, True Hero Who is Actually Worth Something (Zepher)

48 year old male human Vindicator

Level 37.75 *Immune to darkness, fire, fragile, sleep, weakened, and blinded* *1/2 chance of being reinforced* *Zweihänder Grip*

Power Bonus: +5 on the front row

Defense: 15

Health: 60/60

Gold: 365

Equipment: Scupperer (WP:17; darkness-, fire- and earth-elemental; inflicts bleeding and poisoned by 10; has 1/2 chance each to inflict blinded, sealed, weakened and fragile; greatsword), Vest of Faded Trials (SP:8, 1/2 chance of granting reinforced effect at the start of every battle, Immune to Fragile; Suitable for Knights, Barbarians, Dragoons, Skirmishers, Regulators, Vindicators; bodywear and headwear), Fighting Boots (Power +5 on the front row; suitable to barbarians, knights, rogues, beast warriors, chi monks, dragoons, harlots, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators, vindicators and winged warriors; footwear.), Tome of Affluence (+10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle; grants immunity to fragile, asleep, weakened, blinded, darkness and fire; accessory), Round Metal Shield (SP:7)

Inventory:

Weapons: Epidemic Halberd (WP:8, causes all negative effects that the user has to the target when attacking; halberd), Venom Fang Blade (WP:9, causes poisoned equal to WP; longsword), Lullaby Wand (WP:6, inflicts asleep), Silver Sword (WP: 18, Longsword), Frozen Saber (WP: 15; light-, ice- and wind-elemental; inflicts stunned; great sword), ,

Artifacts: Crown of the Desert King (SP:6; absorbs fire, wind, and earth; suitable for Boomingham only, headwear.), Venomari Helmet (SP:2, absorb poison as health; helmet), Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (Power +4; Ether -6; headwear), Scarlet Hood (SP:4, grants immunity to stunned), Chains of the Pongcanis Chief (Hero Pierces SP if fighting from Front, Enemies ignore SP if hero fights from the back row, cannot be removed in battle), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; accessory, suitable to Erdathcath only), 2x Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.), Counterstrike Gloves (If the wearer is damaged by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level; handwear.), Crimson Suit of Armor (SP:12, allows wearer to pose as Crimson Bear Knight; takes three artifact slots: bodywear, headwear and footwear), , Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory, lent by Thalion)

Spell Items: Amethyst (Darkness), Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile; costs 5 Ether; 50/50 chance), Emerald Lamp of Summoning (0/3), “True Love Serenade” (restores 50 health to the rest of the party per round; costs 10 ether; Battle Song), Ethereal Diamond (Light-elemental spells deal the blinded-effect; one ethereal gem can be imbued in a weapon to deal the same effect)

Consumables: Potion, 2x Remedy, 2x Phoenix Essence, Danab's Apple (Revives all fallen party members, restores full health and ether to the whole party and removes all negative effects from them; consumable), 12x Mead, 4x Smelling Salt, 4x Nostrum, 2x Ambrosia, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immune to Ice), Fireball Whiskey (Immunity to Fire One Battle OR 20 Fire Damage All Enemies), Hamantasch (Lucky, Blessed), Jinxy Juice, 2x Floral Bomb, Seal Bomb, Poison Bomb, Stun Bomb, Seth Bomb (Deals 100 darkness-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Hair of the Dog, 2x Grating Stone, Oculoid Miasma, Oculoid Fireworks, Saber Teeth, Bone, x2 Bright Polish, Tarok's Blood (The user deals double damage to humans and no damage to orcs for the duration of one battle), Ethereal Essence (Revives a fallen ally with full health and ether and the transcended effect), Feather of Darkness (The weather is changed to Dim (see Weather Mage), consumable)

Tools/Treasure: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Vindicator's Seal (Grants access to the Vindicator expert job class; cannot be given away), Mythril Shard

Olmstyr, Strakvaun (Controlled by Chromeknight)

35 years old male orc Vindicator

Level 41.2 *Half Damage from Humans* *Immune to stunned, weakened, fragile, blinded, asleep, and afraid* *Zweihänder Grip*

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 15

Health: 65/65

Equipment: Serstyr (WP: 25, light-elemental, longsword), Strakvaun’s Longcoat (SP: 6, backwear, immune to stunned, weakened, fragile, blinded, asleep, and afraid, suitable for the Strakvaun), Orc-Made Chainmail (SP: 9, half damage from humans, bodywear, suitable for Olmstyr), The Righteous Hand (Vindicators in the party can use any of the oaths in the wearer’s inventory, handwear, suitable for vindicators)

Inventory: Phoenix Essence, Oath of Reclamation (Vindicator’s Oath: After the targeted enemy damages an ally, the enemy immediately becomes stunned, and the vindicator becomes encouraged.), Vindicator’s Seal (Grants access to the Vindicator expert class)

Daske, Marykvaun (Controlled by Waterbrick Down)

21 years old female hobgoblin Dragoon

Level 31.25 *Immune to bound, slowed, jinxed, poisoned, bleeding, and petrified*

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 20

Health: 53/53

Equipment: Dragon’s Tongue (WP: 20, pierces defense, wood-elemental, spear), Baltarok Buckler (SP: 15, shield), Marykvaun’s Greaves (SP: 5, immune to bound, slowed, jinxed, poisoned, bleeding, and petrified, legwear, suitable for the Marykvaun), Ally’s Shoulderguards (The dragoon absorbs all attacks that would knock out their dragon, accessory, suitable for dragoons), Ancient Dragoon Visor (Grants a dragoon's companion The Last of His Kind: Uses Fury from Above as its SHIELD and manifests its element early, headwear, suitable for the last Baltarok dragoon)

Inventory: 3 Remedies

Aazy, Aazuuldrahkcand (pet dragon controlled by Daske)

2 years old male dragon Hatchling

Level 31.25 *The Last of His Kind*

Health: 31/31

Element: Wood

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall downs a nostrum and a mead before switching out his talisman for the paper doll he carried. "Olmstyr, to be directed by the past is to be chained to it. Let the present guide yer footsteps. Ya are no more defined by the history of one orc's madness than the Heroica of today is defined by its founders. We make our own decisions fer our own reasons now, not for a dead commander, no matter how great he was. Now let us set things right, let the nightmare end so that the orcs may forge a path of their own volition and not as the whim of some power from beyond."

Skrall ensured that Soryx had all of his equipment returned. "I'd be happy to have ya stand beside us, just remember we're countin' on ya to be the expert about this thing."

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen nods at Skrall's words to the exorcist.

If you have preparations to make, make them now.

[-obelix-]

Thalion also nodded at Skrall words and added, "I am ready."

He turned to Soryx, "Gladly. All the help you can provide will be welcome."

[Zepher]

Boomingham drinks a nostrum and widens his stance.

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen speaks to Soryx

We are ready. Begin.

Edited August 24, 2016 by Chromeknight

[CMP]

Waiting for a response in PM, Chrome and Obelix.

[CMP]

Skrall downs a nostrum and a mead before switching out his talisman for the paper doll he carried. "Olmstyr, to be directed by the past is to be chained to it. Let the present guide yer footsteps. Ya are no more defined by the history of one orc's madness than the Heroica of today is defined by its founders. We make our own decisions fer our own reasons now, not for a dead commander, no matter how great he was. Now let us set things right, let the nightmare end so that the orcs may forge a path of their own volition and not as the whim of some power from beyond."

"...right. You're right, of course."

"It is something you learn quickly when given no other option," added Tra-Serral, perhaps with the slightest hint of bitterness.

Skrall ensured that Soryx had all of his equipment returned. "I'd be happy to have ya stand beside us, just remember we're countin' on ya to be the expert about this thing."

If you have preparations to make, make them now.

Thalion also nodded at Skrall words and added, "I am ready."

He turned to Soryx, "Gladly. All the help you can provide will be welcome."

Soryx took his weapon in hand and spun it in preparation, readying his shield. The blade of his weapon glinted with a fierce crimson light.

"Pseudos protects us all. That is all the preparation I require - now the burden falls to us and our blades."

He looked sideways at the Vauno. Daske was looking as pumped as ever, and even Aazy was rearing for combat.

"I'm using to things falling on my blade. Let's do this!"

Olmstyr turned to gaze out the window for a moment.

"Ev zersuuln dal Tarokai azh zark caz trav. I am ready."

Tra-Serral remained quiet for a moment. Then she strode into the center of the pentagram.

"I expected this...curse....to remain part of us forever. One more, in a long list of reasons, why we are hated, and will fight the rest of the world 'til its death. And now this is being entrusted to....well, you are not orcs. But perhaps you are our ceznd, you...allies. Do this for us, and perhaps the descendants of both Tarokai and Heroica will see this long grudge ended." She tilted her head towards Soryx. "Do it. And be ready. Irzerkutrah.....is displeased."

Soryx nodded and knelt before the shape in the ground. Red light flooded the inside of it, and the demon hunter began to glow with channeled power...whether holy might, or perhaps just the power of light, it wasn't clear, but one thing was certain; whatever Irzerkutrah was, it was not enjoying the experience. Twisted, maddening thoughts seemed to storm throughout the room. Morbid ideas planted themselves in the minds of the heroes. Their allies didn't seem quite so much like allies. The shadows dancing on the floor looked ready to peel themselves off the dusty stone floor and attack. A distorted...voice? echoed from Tra-Serral, but she never opened her mouth. The words were borderline indecipherable. The tone of them was like a parasite whispering from the inside of one's head. Something black was seeping from her eyes.

<" ">

Soryx didn't move from his place kneeling the floor. The creature, Izerkutrah, turned to face the party, even as its voice became louder, and its essence seemed to be pulled from Tra-Serral.

<" ">

The blackness slid onto the floor like a spilled inkwell. The puddle split into five, and something green and pulsing bubbled forth from inside of each, the indistinct blackness serving as a foundation to construct four very distinct figures.

None of them even seemed capable of speech. A gurgling roar that sounded as though it came from a million miles away was the only sound they could make, as they charged the party with whirling tentacles that clearly hadn't been present in their original forms.

"This-" Soryx can barely find the words as he picks himself up to fight, backing up into the ring that has formed in the party. Horror is barely restrained on his face. "-more than...I anticipated. Make sure to-...keep your heads, above all else!"

PREPARE FOR EXORCISM!!!!

SANITY

- Against Irzerkutrah, the party must maintain its sanity.

- Sanity recovers at a rate of 1 per round. Being healed with consumables recovers 3 sanity, being healed with healing magic recovers 5.

- Irzerkutrah will find good use for insane heroes. If the entire party goes insane, the quest will fail.

Enemies

Tarvalk

Level 40 Eldritch Demon

Health: 414/414

Special: Warlord - Tarvalk gains 10 levels, and all allies deal one additional Free Hit at the end of the round.

Passive Special I: Repulsive- When defeated, Irzerkutrah will fuse Tarvalk with the enemy with the most health, to maddening results, dealing 5 insanity damage to all party members.

Passive Special II: I Know Your Secrets: Irzerkutrah will remember effects inflicted on this target.

Drops: Something Repulsive

Note: Eldritch enemies are weak against light- and fire- elemental, but strong against darkness-, water-, ice-, and wood-elemental. In addition, they deal insanity damage equal to one quarter of their level on attacks and Free Hits.

Tarknal

Level 48 Eldritch Demon

Health: 621/621

Special: Blind Seer - Tarknal deals the blinded- and sealed- effects and is lucky for the duration of the round.

Passive Special I: Monster - When defeated, Irzerkutrah will fuse Tarknal with the enemy with the most health, to maddening results, dealing 5 insanity damage to all party members.

Passive Special II: I Know Your Secrets: Irzerkutrah will remember effects inflicted on this target.

Drops: Something Monstrous

Note: Eldritch enemies are weak against light- and fire- elemental, but strong against darkness-, water-, ice-, and wood-elemental. In addition, they deal insanity damage equal to one quarter of their level on attacks and Free Hits.

Taerun

Level 56 Eldritch Demon

Health: 931/931

Special: Ruthless Pillager - Taerun steals all of his attacker's temporary effects and copies all permanent ones and immunities. If he has already done this, then he drains health equal to the attacker's level and returns health to himself equal to twice the amount taken.

Passive Special I: Fiend - When defeated, Irzerkutrah will fuse Taerun with the enemy with the most health, to maddening results, dealing 5 insanity damage to all party members.

Passive Special II: I Know Your Secrets: Irzerkutrah will remember effects inflicted on this target.

Drops: Something Fiend

Note: Eldritch enemies are weak against light- and fire- elemental, but strong against darkness-, water-, ice-, and wood-elemental. In addition, they deal insanity damage equal to one quarter of their level on attacks and Free Hits.

Tar-Valstyr

Level 64 Eldritch Demon

Health: 1397/1397

Special: Inheritor - Tar-Valstyr deals damage equal to the average level of all allies divided equally among the party. One quarter of taken damage is also dealt as insanity damage.

Passive Special I: Horrific - When defeated, Irzerkutrah will fuse Tar-Valstyr with the enemy with the most health, to maddening results, dealing 5 insanity damage to all party members.

Passive Special II: I Know Your Secrets: Irzerkutrah will remember effects inflicted on this target.

Drops: Something Horrifying

Note: Eldritch enemies are weak against light- and fire- elemental, but strong against darkness-, water-, ice-, and wood-elemental. In addition, they deal insanity damage equal to one quarter of their level on attacks and Free Hits.

Tarokai

Level 72 Eldritch Demon

Health: 2096/2096

Special: The Orc King - Tarokai gives himself a passive 1/6 chance to doom humans, 1/6 chance to hex greenskins, and a 1/6 chance to instantly kill Heroicans for the duration of the battle, and he then immediately attacks.

Passive Special I: Abomination- When defeated, Irzerkutrah will fuse Tarokai with the enemy with the most health, to maddening results, dealing 5 insanity damage to all party members.

Passive Special II: I Know Your Secrets: Irzerkutrah will remember effects inflicted on this target.

Drops: Something Abominable

Note: Eldritch enemies are weak against light- and fire- elemental, but strong against darkness-, water-, ice-, and wood-elemental. In addition, they deal insanity damage equal to one quarter of their maximum health on attacks and Free Hits.

Party

Nerwen Calmcacil, Champion of the North Kingdoms (Chromeknight) *Party Leader* *SANITY: 89*

265 year old female elven Shaman

Level 42.4 *Immune to sealed* *Gains Double EXP* *Restoration* *Absorbs last element* *Counterstriking*

Power bonus: +8

Defense: 1

Health: 64/64

Ether: 48/50

Gold: 293

Equipment: Mourning Star (WP: 10; fire-elemental; inflicts Fragile-effect; mace), Lesser Ethereal cloak (SP:1, Max. ether +3, immune to sealed; backwear), Medal of Valor (Double experience from battles; accessory), Chameleon Vest (Max. Health +10, the user becomes able to absorb the last element it was damaged with; bodywear), Counterstrike Gloves, Barbarians boots (natural respite becomes restoration)

Inventory:

Weapons: Nocturne Flute (WP:6; causes asleep-effect; instrument), 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), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer), Singing Sword (WP 10; causes bleeding, longsword/instrument), Champion’s Voulge (WP: 14, gains 1 WP when the hero protects an ally by reducing or preventing Damage or Special Damage, axe)

Artifacts: Leather armour (SP:1; Bodywear), 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, 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), Encore Plectrum (if the same Battle Song is sung for more than one round in a row, the song’s ether cost for the consecutive rounds is halved; suitable to minstrels; accessory.)

Spell Items: 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),

Consumables: Phoenix Essence (3), Potions (10), Grand potion (2), Tonics (3), Grand tonic, Ether Core, Ambrosia (4), Elixirs (2), Remedies (6), Neutralisers (2), Tiger Balm (3), Nostrum (2), Smelling Salts, 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), Meads (3), Mulled Wines (2), Health Core

Tools/Treasure: Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, 3 Scrap Metal

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

213 years old male elf Mystic Knight

Level 34.5 *Immune to all elements, sealed, blinded, weakened, confused, sleep, fragile, cursed, doomed, sudden death, poisoned and bleeding* *Nimble* *Lucky* *SANITY: 67*

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 15

Health: 45/45

Ether: 32/44

Gold: 1063

Equipment: Alpha and Omega (WP: 14, dual healing/spellcasting at the cost of 2 ether, Hollow [Grand Potion stored], staves), Ribcage Shield (SP:10; 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, bodywear), Blessed Amulet (Protects from Cursed-effect; accessory), Sterile Gloves (Immunity to Poisoned and Bleeding, handwear), Elven Boots (Wearer is permanently Nimble; suitable to elves; footwear)

Inventory:

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 [Grand Potion], dagger), Sleeper (WP: 4, deals Asleep to enemies it hits, Hollow Upgrade [Grand Tonic], melee/throwing weapon), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP: 10, deals Stunned on successful hits, Hollow [Phoenix Essence]) 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, lent to Boomingham), Paper Doll (Protects from Hexed-effect; accessory), Cloak of Espionage (Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle, backwear, lent to Nerwen), 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), Tin Helmet (Protects from Confused and Hexed effects; headwear), Sharkskin Hide (SP: 1, doubles water elemental spells, bodywear, suitable for mages, necromancers, chi monks, and weather mages), Vexing Vestaments (SP: 3, +8 max ether, the user can no longer heal undead to damage them, but healing humanoid, holy, and luminous enemies will now deal damage and inflict the hexed-effect, suitable for clerics and chi monks)

Spell Items: Zirconia (Gem containing all elements; cannot be merged into equipment), 3 Amethysts, (Diamond, Aquamarine, Opal, Garnet, lent to Tra-Serral), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Elemental Aura

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 (7), Potion (4), Remedy (24), Mead (5), Smelling Salts (8), Nostrum (5), Mulled Wine (4), Elixir (3), Ambrosia, Ether Core (2), Grand Tonic (6), Phoenix Essence (4), Bone (4), Smoke Bomb, Blind Bomb (2), Seal Bomb, Sleep Bomb (2), Deluxe Skeleton Decoy, Feather of White, Feather of Flight (2), Demon Repellent, Skeleton Decoy (2), Ethereal Essence (Revives a fallen ally with full health and ether and the transcended effect)

Tools/Treasure: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Compass, Mythril Shard, Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 at magic shops), 3 Scrap Metal

Skrall, Krakenwhacker, Titan Smiter (Waterbrick Down)

81 year old male ogre Hunter

Level 44.8 *Natural Respite* *Favors Humanoid and Dark enemies* *Immune to fragile, blinded, hexed, and confused* *Second Party Leader* *Lucky* *Encouraged* *SANITY: 58*

Power Bonus: +2 WP for bows and crossbows

Defense: 11

Health: 58/58

Gold: 3346

Equipment: Unlucky Crossbow (WP: 13, causes jinxed Effect, poisoned by 10), 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), Paper Doll (Immunity to Hexed)

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), Axe of the Minotaur Champion (WP: 30, user is slowed and immune to hastened, axe)

Artifacts: Medal of Glory (Wearer gains 3x experience from battles, accessory), Pugilist's Gloves (+2 Power, Immunity to Weakened), Lucky Doubloon (Grants "Special Guard"; accessory), Winged Sandals (Immune to bound and slowed, footwear), Cloak of Espionage (Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle, backwear, lent by Thalion), Vorpalis Talisman (1/3 chance of instantly resurrecting with 1 HP and 1 Ether upon being knocked out; accessory),

Consumables: 3 Potions, Phoenix Essence, 3 Phoenix Incenses, 9 Meads, 7 Nostrums, 3 Remedy, 3 Smelling Salts, Deadly Venom, 9 Smoke Bomb, 2 Dirt Bombs, Fire Bomb, 5 Water Bombs, 6 Bone, Blind Fury, Grating Stone, 2 Neutralizers, Letter of Recommendation, Ethereal Essence (Revives a fallen ally with full health and ether and the transcended effect), Feather of Darkness (The weather is changed to Dim (see Weather Mage), consumable)

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

Lord Lawrence Boomingham, True Hero Who is Actually Worth Something (Zepher)

48 year old male human Vindicator

Level 37.75 *Immune to darkness, fire, fragile, sleep, weakened, and blinded* *1/2 chance of being reinforced* *Zweihänder Grip* *Lucky* *SANITY: 60*

Power Bonus: +5 on the front row

Defense: 15

Health: 60/60

Gold: 365

Equipment: Scupperer (WP:17; darkness-, fire- and earth-elemental; inflicts bleeding and poisoned by 10; has 1/2 chance each to inflict blinded, sealed, weakened and fragile; greatsword), Vest of Faded Trials (SP:8, 1/2 chance of granting reinforced effect at the start of every battle, Immune to Fragile; Suitable for Knights, Barbarians, Dragoons, Skirmishers, Regulators, Vindicators; bodywear and headwear), Fighting Boots (Power +5 on the front row; suitable to barbarians, knights, rogues, beast warriors, chi monks, dragoons, harlots, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators, vindicators and winged warriors; footwear.), Tome of Affluence (+10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle; grants immunity to fragile, asleep, weakened, blinded, darkness and fire; accessory), Round Metal Shield (SP:7)

Inventory:

Weapons: Epidemic Halberd (WP:8, causes all negative effects that the user has to the target when attacking; halberd), Venom Fang Blade (WP:9, causes poisoned equal to WP; longsword), Lullaby Wand (WP:6, inflicts asleep), Silver Sword (WP: 18, Longsword), Frozen Saber (WP: 15; light-, ice- and wind-elemental; inflicts stunned; great sword), ,

Artifacts: Crown of the Desert King (SP:6; absorbs fire, wind, and earth; suitable for Boomingham only, headwear.), Venomari Helmet (SP:2, absorb poison as health; helmet), Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (Power +4; Ether -6; headwear), Scarlet Hood (SP:4, grants immunity to stunned), Chains of the Pongcanis Chief (Hero Pierces SP if fighting from Front, Enemies ignore SP if hero fights from the back row, cannot be removed in battle), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; accessory, suitable to Erdathcath only), 2x Prayer Beads (Makes the wearer permanently blessed; accessory.), Counterstrike Gloves (If the wearer is damaged by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level; handwear.), Crimson Suit of Armor (SP:12, allows wearer to pose as Crimson Bear Knight; takes three artifact slots: bodywear, headwear and footwear), , Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory, lent by Thalion)

Spell Items: Amethyst (Darkness), Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile; costs 5 Ether; 50/50 chance), Emerald Lamp of Summoning (0/3), “True Love Serenade” (restores 50 health to the rest of the party per round; costs 10 ether; Battle Song), Ethereal Diamond (Light-elemental spells deal the blinded-effect; one ethereal gem can be imbued in a weapon to deal the same effect)

Consumables: Potion, 2x Remedy, 2x Phoenix Essence, Danab's Apple (Revives all fallen party members, restores full health and ether to the whole party and removes all negative effects from them; consumable), 12x Mead, 4x Smelling Salt, 3x Nostrum, 2x Ambrosia, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immune to Ice), Fireball Whiskey (Immunity to Fire One Battle OR 20 Fire Damage All Enemies), Hamantasch (Lucky, Blessed), Jinxy Juice, 2x Floral Bomb, Seal Bomb, Poison Bomb, Stun Bomb, Seth Bomb (Deals 100 darkness-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Hair of the Dog, 2x Grating Stone, Oculoid Miasma, Oculoid Fireworks, Saber Teeth, Bone, x2 Bright Polish, Tarok's Blood (The user deals double damage to humans and no damage to orcs for the duration of one battle), Ethereal Essence (Revives a fallen ally with full health and ether and the transcended effect), Feather of Darkness (The weather is changed to Dim (see Weather Mage), consumable)

Tools/Treasure: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Vindicator's Seal (Grants access to the Vindicator expert job class; cannot be given away), Mythril Shard

Olmstyr, Strakvaun (Controlled by Chromeknight)

35 years old male orc Vindicator

Level 41.2 *Half Damage from Humans* *Immune to stunned, weakened, fragile, blinded, asleep, and afraid* *Zweihänder Grip* *SANITY: 65*

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 15

Health: 65/65

Equipment: Serstyr (WP: 25, light-elemental, longsword), Strakvaun’s Longcoat (SP: 6, backwear, immune to stunned, weakened, fragile, blinded, asleep, and afraid, suitable for the Strakvaun), Orc-Made Chainmail (SP: 9, half damage from humans, bodywear, suitable for Olmstyr), The Righteous Hand (Vindicators in the party can use any of the oaths in the wearer’s inventory, handwear, suitable for vindicators)

Inventory: Phoenix Essence, Oath of Reclamation (Vindicator’s Oath: After the targeted enemy damages an ally, the enemy immediately becomes stunned, and the vindicator becomes encouraged.), Vindicator’s Seal (Grants access to the Vindicator expert class)

Daske, Marykvaun (Controlled by Waterbrick Down)

21 years old female hobgoblin Dragoon

Level 31.25 *Immune to bound, slowed, jinxed, poisoned, bleeding, and petrified* *SANITY: 53*

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 20

Health: 53/53

Equipment: Dragon’s Tongue (WP: 20, pierces defense, wood-elemental, spear), Baltarok Buckler (SP: 15, shield), Marykvaun’s Greaves (SP: 5, immune to bound, slowed, jinxed, poisoned, bleeding, and petrified, legwear, suitable for the Marykvaun), Ally’s Shoulderguards (The dragoon absorbs all attacks that would knock out their dragon, accessory, suitable for dragoons), Ancient Dragoon Visor (Grants a dragoon's companion The Last of His Kind: Uses Fury from Above as its SHIELD and manifests its element early, headwear, suitable for the last Baltarok dragoon)

Inventory: 3 Remedies

Aazy, Aazuuldrahkcand (pet dragon controlled by Daske)

2 years old male dragon Hatchling

Level 31.25 *The Last of His Kind* *SANITY: 31*

Health: 31/31

Element: Wood

Soryx Dourskull (Controlled by -obelix-) *Orderly* *Favors Demons* *Counterstriking* *Immune to darkness, ice, hexed, and confused* *SANITY: 51*

45 years old male wereviper Regulator

Level 30

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 20

Health: 51/51

Gold: 326

Equipment: Vanquisher (WP: 25, wielder Favors Demons, deals poisoned by 7 and the cursed effect, greatsword), Riveted Charge (SP: 7, shield) Darksteel Armor (Suitable for anyone, SP: 6, max health +3, immune to darkness, hexed, and confused, bodywear), Counterstrike Gauntlets (SP: 7, if the wearer is damaged by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level, suitable for Soryx, handwear), Pseudos’ Sash (The wearer is permanently Orderly, suitable for regulators)

Inventory: Cracked Starbeam Dagger (WP: 10, damages undead, double WP from dusk until dawn, breaks after one use, throwing weapon), Phoenix Essence, 3 Remedies, Health Core

Everyone, please choose an action. Party leader, please create a battle order.

Edited August 29, 2016 by CMP

[Zepher]

OoC: Hey CMP - two questions. Is the "I Know Your Secrets" passive special intentionally vague as to what it actually does? If so, that's totally cool, just checking! And secondly are you sure you wrote that insanity thing right? Just because as it stands, every single enemy will turn any given hero insane if they successfully land a hit. Which is again fine, just not sure if that's what the battle was meant to do.

Boomingham clenches his jaw and mumbles along: "Pseudos protect us all," missing one of the key letters of Soryx's earlier prayer.

"Any ideas?" Boomingham stares at the Orcish King who invaded his homeland, who he had failed to meet on the battle field hundreds of years ago. The Orc wasn't directly responsible for what Boomingham had lost, though it was hard to not think that if he had never left home, never been on the field, never lost his army to such disastrous cowardliness and betrayal... his wife... Barthelomew...

Boomingham lunges at Torakai from the back row, shield up.

[Waterbrick Down]

OoC: Is there a limit on how high sanity can go? I'm slightly confused how it was calculated in the first place?

Skrall shudders at the loathsome creature before them. Standing resolutely the ogre loads his Unlucky Crossbow and fires at Tar-Valstyr from the back row. "Back into the shadows with you!"

Daske and Aazy moved, the goblin dodging back to one side unable to strike his opponent, but creating an opening for the dragon to attack Tarvalk from the back row.

Edited August 29, 2016 by Waterbrick Down

[CMP]

OoC: Hey CMP - two questions. Is the "I Know Your Secrets" passive special intentionally vague as to what it actually does? If so, that's totally cool, just checking! And secondly are you sure you wrote that insanity thing right? Just because as it stands, every single enemy will turn any given hero insane if they successfully land a hit. Which is again fine, just not sure if that's what the battle was meant to do.

Yes, it's vague, and you're totally right - that's supposed to be a quarter of their LEVEL, not maximum health, sorry.

OoC: Is there a limit on how high sanity can go? I'm slightly confused how it was calculated in the first place?

There's no sanity limit. Your current sanity is calculated by your level added to half of your ether score, if applicable.

[-obelix-]

Thalion casts a Light spell at Taerun (and Tar-Valstyr) from back row.

Soryx attacks Tarknal from front row.

If Enchantment is rolled, Thalion will enchant his weapon.

Edited August 29, 2016 by -obelix-

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen grips her mourning star and her sanity tight.

She swings at Tarokai from the back row.

Olmstyr steps beside her, striking the same target from the same position.

Battle Order

> Olmstyr

> Boomingham

> Skrall

> Daske

> Soryx

> Thalion

> Nerwen