Heroica RPG - Quest #53: Chaos in Eubric

[Masked Builder]

Alexis feels her strength leave her, and she glowers at Atramor as she falls. She rubs her head as she stands again. Then shoots Wren from the back row with her bow.

[Pandora]

"Cronk, here's how I see it, we've got enough essences to revive at least 5 of us this round. You can heal Ms. Nyx with a health core to make sure she stays up. Those revived will make sure we survive the free hits. You can put Haldor's Jinn first, he'll have to take the free hit from Wren."

"Well, I quite like the idea of not dying. I guess I'm using my Phoenix Essence, but who do you and Cronk think I should use it on? Unless you want me to try to beat some sense into Wren, of course, but it looks like we're going down the reviving road."

[Waterbrick Down]

"Go ahead and get Atramor or Arthur up."

[Professor Flitwick]

"Either revive the one who incapacitated half our numbers, or the turncoat who worships the woman we're waging war against? Bah! Get Emperor Philius up, Ms. Nyx! His death will create a power vacuum in Dastan! They don't need another civil war!"

[Pandora]

"You know, I'm inclined to agree with you there Thothy, but I will defer to Cronk. He's the boss."

[Professor Flitwick]

Smiling weakly at Nyx, Thothwick turns to Cronk.

"Mr. Cronk, I implore you, for the sake of those in Dastan we're fighting to save, Emperor Philius must survive this!"

[UsernameMDM]

"Let's finish this, whether she goes down, or we go down. This needs to come to an end!"

[Flipz]

"Save...Poletad...save...Phil..." It was too much. Arthur fell into blackness once more, his final act a hate-filled glare at the Witch who had cost him so much...

Now, remember that Alexis deals Paralyzed to all the enemies on a successful attack. That means, if she's successful, you only have to target the Chaos Beast of Death (which Alexis herself can do as her first attack normally do but can't this round because f*ck Wren's f*cking passive specials) and Wren (which Skrall can do), and all Free Hits are managed (remember, the beast of Life cannot hurt anyone at all.)

The above only applies to most rounds. Gee, gotta love that Passive. OK, we need to revive Hans because he has more health and more SP, which means he can live slightly longer if the f*cking area Specials are rolled.

If you DO stay and fight, don't even bother with any NPC besides Hans OR Felton (ONE of the two), since they're the only ones who are even remotely capable of seriously damaging this thing--maybe Phil, although his rolls completely suck. Atramor is a danger to the party and to himself, but he's a healer and a good meatshield...then again, even if he Hexed all of the vulnerable Chaos Beasts, it wouldn't do much good, since they'd be Paralyzed and half their Specials involve self-damage (meaning they'd just kill him or the party again). Dyric doesn't want to be revived...I honestly would

OK. OK. I think I've got it.

Suggested Battle Strategy:

Vipera revives ??? (Take your pick, though keep in mind Gnash, and Atramor are rather poor choices mechanically; also, MAKE SURE all revival actions are CONDITIONAL, so if your target is already up you move on to the next revial target in line.)

>Emerald Jinn vs. Chaos Beast P (Back Row) (this ensures it will survive to take Wren's Free Hit, and there's a chance it will protect Haldor next Round)

>Cronk uses Health Core on Nyx (Back Row)

>Hoke uses Phoenix Essence on Alexis (Back Row) (Cronk and Hoke can take the Free Hits of the Masters)

McColt Encourages Alexis

>Thothwick (Banana Sabre) vs. Chaos Beast of Death (Back Row) (Thothwick can take a Free Hit from Beast P so Nyx doesn't have to)

>Nyx revives Felton (Back Row) (I'm going Felton, because if he rolls Rally, we're all safe from Free Hits while if he rolls a SHIELD, then Alexis and Skrall have an easier time of it.

>Felton (Sabre) vs. Wren (Back Row) (we need him to do this, simply for the shot at Rally or a SHIELD; it's better he goes before Skrall and Alexis, so that if he gets a SHIELD, Skrall can one-hit Wren)

>Haldor revives Mallelio (because either we revive him now or else we lose the Essence he's got anyway, so sure why not)

>Mallelio revives someone (Back Row) (my rolls are better than Phil's, but if you insist on saving an NPC instead, go with Phil for added meatbagginess, or if Phil's already up and you still want to save an NPC, pick Poletad)

>Skrall (Hunter's Crossbow) vs. Wren (Back Row) (duh)

>Alexis (Mockthril Longbow) vs. Wren (Back Row) (clearly)

>Alexis (Mockthril Longbow) vs. Wren (Back Row) (obvious)

>whoever is revived vs. Wren (Back Row), OR if Poletad, heal most injured ally (Back Row) OR if Arthur, Healing Staff vs. Mallelio, Back Row

Just keep in mind the overall revival order:

Alexis -> Felton -> Phil -> Arthur or Poletad or Hans

Edited March 24, 2013 by Flipz

[CorneliusMurdock]

The Jinn should attack Beast of Life. If Jinn falls before free hits are dealt, Wren will knock out a party member. This way there's a chance the Beast of Life won't heal enemies. He has one health, correct? Better not risk it.

Vipera, revive Phil, please. Letting fate decide. Plus Zepher stated that he was going to do that anyway.

Alexis, target Wren once but also target Death with second turn. Be lucky, please.

Thothwick, take on Beast P from back row, please.

The Masters will get free hits on Hoke and Cronk but won't do much damage since both will be in back row. Friends cannot afford for special damages from those beasts.

Beasts H, N and O don't need targeting this round.

Cronk will try to heal Nyx from back row for first turn. If Cronk succeeds in healing, Cronk will try healing Skrall from back row for second turn. If Cronk does not heal Nyx on first turn, Cronk will use Health Core on Nyx from back row instead.

Nyx, revive Mallelio from back row.

Mallelio will revive Poletad from back row once up.

Poletad will heal Hoke from back row once awakened.

McColt already knows to encourage Alexis.

Order:

Vipera- revives Phil

Emerald Jinn- Beast of life -- Free hit WREN

Hoke- Revives Alexis-- Free Hit Master A

Cronk- heals Nyx-- Free Hit Master B

Cronk- action dependant on previous action

Haldor- revives Felton

Thothwick- attacks Beast P

Nyx- revives Mallelio

Mallelio- Revives Poletad

Poletad- heals hoke

Felton- attacks Wren

Skrall- attacks Wren

McColt- encourages Alexis

Alexis- Attacks Wren

Alexis- Attacks Beast of Death

Phil (if revived)- attacks Wren

This plan has good offense but also gives party a chance next round if battle not over.

If Wren rolls a "Chaotic Burn" before a "Lose and Gain" while under 100 health, will she be KO'd?

[Flipz]

The Jinn should attack Beast of Life. If Jinn falls before free hits are dealt, Wren will knock out a party member. This way there's a chance the Beast of Life won't heal enemies. He has one health, correct? Better not risk it.

No, it should have 21 since it was summoned AFTER Atters rolled Special Damage, meaning it can't be KO'd by the Beast of Death. This way, Alexis has another shot at Wren.

[CorneliusMurdock]

No, it should have 21 since it was summoned AFTER Atters rolled Special Damage, meaning it can't be KO'd by the Beast of Death. This way, Alexis has another shot at Wren.

Yes but Alexis is also lucky and has a much lesser chance of triggering special damage. If the Jinn should trigger a 20 damage all attack, we're screwed. Now lay there and play dead.

[Professor Flitwick]

Smiling slightly, Thothwick changes his attack to Chaos Beast P.

[Masked Builder]

Alexis changes her second target to the Best of Death.

[Pandora]

Nyx kneels next to Mallelio and whispers "Here we are again old friend. Please revive Poletad when you're up on your feet again" as she sprinkles the Phoenix Essence over him.

She moves next to the lifeless form of Poletad and whispers softly "Heal Hoke, my brave little frog, when you hop up again."

[CMP]

Zepher, did Dyric's assassination go through? Mentioned it earlier but I'm reminding you here because it could significantly affect the next round if it did, since we'd be up the two or three more people that took damage from the Chaos Beast he was targeting.

Edited March 24, 2013 by CallMePie

[Zepher]

It did not. I sometimes don't note it if there's just the chance to assassinate one as opposed to a group. It's a little sloppy, admittedly.

[Scorpiox]

Haldor rubbed his head.

"We're really cutting it close here, mates, pray to your gods that we can take this bitch and take her fast. Felton, get your a.rse up off that floor, we need you in this fight!"

The nord lobbed a pheonic essence over at the wren hunter.

[Waterbrick Down]

Haldor rubbed his head.

"We're really cutting it close here, mates, pray to your gods that we can take this bitch and take her fast. Felton, get your a.rse up off that floor, we need you in this fight!"

The nord lobbed a pheonic essence over at the wren hunter.

Felton rose to his feet, shaking his head at all the fallen around him and unsheathing his saber he attacked Wren from the back row.

[Flipz]

Battle Summary:

Vipera revives Phil

Emerald Jinn vs. Chaos Beast of Life (Front Row)

>Hoke uses Phoenix Essence on Alexis (Back Row)

>Cronk heals Nyx (Back Row)

>Cronk uses Health Core on Nyx (Back Row) OR if Nyx already healed, heals Skrall (Back Row)

>Haldor uses Phoenix Essence on Felton (Back Row)

>Thothwick (Banana Sabre) vs. Chaos Beast P (Back Row)

>Nyx uses Phoenix Essence on Mallelio (Back Row)

>Mallelio uses Phoenix Essence on Poletad (Back Row)

>Poletad heals Hoke (Back Row)

>Felton (Sabre) vs. Wren (Back Row)

>Skrall (Hunter's Crossbow) vs. Wren (Back Row)

McColt encourages Alexis

>Alexis (Mockthril Longbow) vs. Wren (Back Row)

>Alexis (Mockthril Longbow) vs. Chaos Beast of Death (Back Row)

>Phil (if revived) Hammer of Dastan vs. Wren (Back Row)

Free Hits:

Wren vs. Emerald Jinn

Master Chaos Beast A vs. Hoke

Master Chaos Beast B vs. Cronk

All actions are in.

Edited March 24, 2013 by Flipz

[Zepher]

Final Battle Round Fifteen

Vipera revives Phil - Success!!!!!

Emerald Jinn v. Beast of Life - Special Damage (4: Heals all by 25)

>Hoke revives Alexis

>Cronk heals Nyx - Heal Less Heal Less (+29 health, -1 ether)

>Cronk heals Skrall - Heal Shield

>Haldor revives Felton

>Thothwick v. Beast P - Critical Hit

>Nyx revives Mallelio

>Mallelio revives Poletad

>Poletad heals Hoke - Critical Hit

>Felton v. Wren - Special Damage (Sealed, -1 ether)

>Skrall v. Wren - Special Damage Critical Hit ([([6*3]+24)*2*3]-5=257)

McColt encourages Alexis - Success (3)

Alexis Attacks Wren - Aim (9-5=4)

Alexis v. Beast of Death - Aim (9-10=0)

Phil v. Wren - Extra Critical Hit... ([15*3]+22=KO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Skrall, Alexis and the now raised Phil surround Wren and beat her into submission... the day... is won...

EXP BREAK DOWN

All heroes (first half of battle): 1 exp

All heroes still alive at end of second battle: 1 exp

The Party

Cronk

Level 30 Paladin *Party Leader* *Counterstriking* *Immune to Fragile*

Power

: 46 (+2 due to cookies)

Defense

: 14

Health

: 48/48

Ether

: 8/31

Gold

: 132

Equipment

: Beast Skewer (Lance; WP: 12), Ennoc's Blessing (Shield, SP: 9), Paladin's Armour (Suitable for Paladins, +5 SP, +2 Max Ether), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level), Cloak of Deception (Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent)

Inventory

: Amethyst, Rapier (WP: 10), Healing Staff (WP: 5; healing effect), Ennoc's Gratitude (Artifact, Accessory, User Perma-Blessed, Requires Light Weapon), Sword of Bashing (Longsword; WP:5), Bedroll, Shovel, Holy Bomb, 3 Stakes (WP:1 to each of them), 2 Remedies, Bennetton's Seal, Topaz, Health Core, 2 Lightning Bombs, Bloody Pointy Stick (WP: 1), Health Core, Phoenix Incense

Alexis Fenral

Level 28 2/3 Assassin *Hastened* *Lucky* *Damage Undead*

Power

: 37

Health

: 47/47

Gold

: 4431

Equipment

: Cat-o'-Nine-Tails (WP:9, damage divided between all enemies, Suitable For Rouges), Quickdraw Quiver (permanent hastened-effect), Loaded Die (permanent lucky-effect; accessory), Cultist Hat (damage vs undead)

Inventory

: Mockthril Longbow (WP:14, ranged), Flute of the Magi (WP:3, asleep-effect), Diamond, Tonic, Mead, Venom, Fire Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Pickaxe, Shovel, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Holy Bomb, 2 Remedies, 2 Somas, Carrot, Fifty Shades of Bley, 2 Lightning Bomb, Venom, 2 Health Cores, Potion, Grand Zoot Cookie

Haldor Skovgaard

Level 25 2/3 Shaman *Immune to Weakened and Fragile* *Natural Respite*

Power

: 37

Defense

: 5

Health

: 8/43

Ether

: 7/31

Gold

: 184

Equipment

: Heavy Metal Rod (WP:12, Water Elemental), Pugilist's Gloves (+2 Power, Weakened Immunity), Heavy Armour (SP:+5, Fragile Immunity).

Inventory:

Twin Broadswords (WP:21, user can attacks 2 enemies in the same turn, user is unable to use a shield), Bear Claw Gloves (WP:8, SP:+2), Shovel, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Potion (x4), Remedy (x4), Venom

Nyx

Level 25 2/3 Battle Mage *Natural Respite*

Power

: 39 (+1 Heels)

Defense

: 3

Health

: 33/36

Ether

: 14/35

Gold

: 91

Equipment

: Zee Standerd (Staff, WP: 13 Ice Elemental, Necromancer's Raise Enemies with 2 extra levels), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from sealed-effect), High Heels (+1 Power), Amulet of the Court (Negative Effects last one round)

Inventory

: Hunter's Crossbow (WP:11, +4 vs. Beasts), Dawnstar II (WP: 9), The Fishstick (WP:7 Double damage while on ships), Healing Staff (WP: 5), Ruby (Fire), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), Diamond (Light), Opal (Ice), Potion, 3 Tonics, 2 Grand Tonics, Ether Core, 2 Bedrolls, 5 Bones, Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear), Remedy, Shiny Helmet (+1 max health), Phoenix Essence, Monkey Bar (all minions, pets, summons etc are Hastened), Scroll of Frailty, Fire Bomb, Scrap Metal, Smoke Bomb, X2 (May be combined with a bomb to get it to ignore SP), Dawnstar II (WP: 9), Grand Zoot's Cookie

Skrall

80 year old Male Ogre Hunter

Level 25 1/3 *Favors Goddess and Beast Enemies* *Immunity to Fragile* *Natural Respite*

Power

: 32

Defense

: 8

Health

: 38/38

Gold

: 178

Equipment

: Precision Bow (WP: 6, Aims become hits), Hunter's Quiver (Bows and Crossbows +2WP, allows Hunters to favor two types of enemies, back wear), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, wearer is immune to fragile effect, body wear), Tricorne (SP: 3)

Inventory

: Book of a Thousand Creatures (WP:14, each roll has a 1/6 chance to summon a creature to aid the hero), Smoke Bomb, Grand Potion, Potion, Minimizing Dust, Lucky Doubloon (Grants "Special Guard"), Grand Zoot's Cookie

Atramor Gibbin

Level 24 2/3 *Deals Badly Poisoned* *Immune to Blind*

Power

: 36

Health

: 0/47

Defense:

2

Ether

: 0/26

Gold

: 207

Equipment

: Explosive Staff – WP: 12 (Does 1/2 damage to all enemies on a successful hit (normal damage to targeted enemy) and 1/2 WP damage to self on a roll of 4 (disregarding SP/row)), Witch's Talisman (Suitable for witches, Posioned Hits become Badly Poisoned Hits, accessory), Ethereal Cloak (SP:+2, +4 Ether, Blinded Immunity), Jester's Hat (Gains one immunity from targeted enemy)

Inventory

: Ratsbane (WP: 10, absorbs 2 health on successful strike, fire, ice, earth, wind elemental), Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 6, gains 1 WP every kill made with it), Staff of the Elven Warlock (WP: 5, wood elemental), Heavy Flail (WP: 5, deals the Fragile effect), White Cloak (Suitable for clerics, +3 maximum health, backwear), Topaz, Amethyst (Loaned to Mallelio), Fire Bomb, Bomb XX (Deals 30 damage to all enemies and 10 damage to all heroes, all damage ignoring SP/row), Shovel, Pickaxe, Grating Stone, Health Core, Pongcanis Flail (WP: 6), Grand Tonic

Phil (Victor)

Level 22 2/3 Dragon Knight *Immune to Fire, Air and Earth Elemental Attacks* *Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects* *Natural Respite*

Power

: 37

Health

: 0/40

Defense

: 2

Gold

: 50

Equipment

: Hammer of Dastan (WP: 15, Fire/Earth Elemental), Helmet of Dastan (SP: 2), Ancient Crown (Deals Cursed Effect on First Successful Hit), Sandman's Parasol (Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects)

Inventory

:

Thothwick

Level 23 Black Knight *Damage Undead* *Immune to Stunned and Hexed*

Power

: 36 (31 Ranged) (+2 due to cookies)

Defence

: 10

Health

: 38/38

Gold

: 339

Equipment

: Banana Sabre (WP: 12, Heals Metasimians when used on them), Skull Shield (SP:6; immunity to darkness-elemental damage; suitable to Black Knights only), Black Knight's Armour (SP:4, protects from stunned-effect), Cultist's Hat (regular attacks do Damage to Undead), Paper Doll (Hexed immunity)

Inventory

: Shuriken (WP 8), 1 Bedroll, 1 Telescope, 1 Potion, 1 Bone, Venom, 2 Health Cores, Grand Zoot Cookie

Hoke Ablesword

Level 22 1/3 Mystic Knight *Counterstriking* *Immune to Fragile*

Power

: 37

Defense

: 15

Health

: 15/40

Ether

: 1/22

Gold

: 233

Equipment

: Vintul (Great sword: WP 15), Steel Buckler (SP: 10), Warrior's Treads (SP:2, Health +1), Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from fragile), Counterstrike Gloves (When hit by a Free Hit, immediately deals damage equal to level, handwear)

Inventory

: Zoot er Isen (WP:14, Ice and Light Elemental, Suitable only for Haldor), Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Aquamarine, Amethyst, Diamond, Topaz, Phoenix Essence, 4 Potions, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Hollow Blade (Dagger: WP 6), Grating Stone, Nostrum, Ether Core, Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Fire Bomb, Scrap Metal, Ether Core, 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), Grand Zoot Cookie

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

Level 21 2/3 Sorcerer, *Immune to Sealed*

Power

: 29

Health

: 33/33

Ether

: 21/31

Defense

: 3

Gold

: 1842

Equipment

: Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to Sealed), Sticky Gloves (Increases amount of gold stolen by 50%; handwear), Scarf of Misfortune (Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round, accessory)

Inventory

: City Watch Halberd (WP: 8), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics),

Gems

: 2 Opal (Ice), 2 Amethyst (Darkness), 2 Topaz (Lightning), 2 Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Ruby (Fire), Aquamarine (Water), Sapphire (Wind)

Tools

: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass

Consumables

: Remedy, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the Badly Poisoned effect for the duration of the battle and the Confused effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle), Potions (x2), Zoot's Plaything

Dyric Rone

Level 20 1/3 Assassin *Immune to Blinded and Slowed*

Power

: 32 (+1 due to cookie)

Health

: 1/32

Defense

: 2

Gold

: 3365

Equipment

: Briar Bow (WP: 11; wood-elemental), Ring of Sight (protects from blinded), Elaborate Helmet (SP: 2), Winged Sandals,

Inventory

: Double Chain Whip (WP:10), Throwing Knife (WP:4, ranged, retrievable), Longsword (WP: 3), Aquamarine (Water), 4 Potions, 4 Grand Potions, Elixir, 2 Remedies, Mead, 2 Venoms, Smoke Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, 2 Mythril Shards (2/4 of a Mythril), Silver Ore (Worth 60 gold), Bone, Grand Potion

Sir Earl Poletad

Level 20 Frog Paladin

Power

: 20

Health

: 20/20

Ether

: 12/20

Felton

Level 16 1/2 Chaos Regulator *Orderly*

Power

: 26

Health

: 28/28

Gold

: 56

Equipment

: Sabre (WP 10)

Inventory

: Zoot's Bane (Suitable only for Cronk; WP: 12, Light)

Mallelio

Level 17 1/2 Sage *Fragile (Perma)*

Power

: 18

Health

: 32/32

Ether

: 1/24

Gold

: 0

Equipped

: Wooden Staff (WP: 1), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.)

Inventory

: Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the Badly Poisoned effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Luck (Grants target the Lucky-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether)

McColt

(Controlled by PL)

Has a 1/2 chance of either encouraging or hastening any given hero. Alternatively, has a 1/6 chance of inspiring a hero.

Vipera

Has 1/2 change of making a selected hero lucky or blessed. Alternatively, has a 1/6 chance of reviving a fallen hero.

The party stands... weak. Mallelio kneels down next to Hans and finds no pulse. Phil does the same for Gnash.

"May the Dragons set fire to their hearts and fly them away."

<Hans?>

"I'm sorry Poletad. They will help you carry him out."

<They? What about you, Felton? Won't you come with us?>

"No, my poor brave frog. I will not be accompanying any of you out of this temple."

The entire temple rumbles. Wren coughs.

"I don't want to die," she whispers meekly. "I want to live and see the beauty forever."

"We all do," Felton says. "But that can't be the case. That's the chief beauty of the world, of chaos. It is fleeting. No mortal may hold onto it. It all just flows by. Each moment is new and unique from the last."

The temple shutters again.

<You speak very wisely, Felton. I have always found something strange about you in the Spirit Pools when we first met, but it has always been masked. I assumed that it was some sort of residual power that you were unaware of. I realize now... it explains why I could not tell you and your doppleganger apart.>

The temple shudders a final time, and the world crumbles around the heroes. They are jolted into some place between time and space. The conversation continues, just floating voices. Visions appear before of them, meaning nothing.

"I have always wondered if you knew. It is true. I am no mortal, but that does not mean the time I have spent here with you is any less real to me. I was born as you were, though out of Chaos, not out of a woman. The bestial Chaos Beasts, they are my brothers in a lesser form. I lived and learned. Many moments I made real choices. I have a soul and a brain just as all of you do."

"I was put here for a purpose, but like many I outgrew it. I was meant to see the end of Wren and her reign. But other actions were there. I grew affections. For Hans, for Poletad, Nyx, Atramor, Victor, Skrall, Cronk, all of you are my friends, there is no lie in that."

"I will miss you all terribly, but this is where my line ends. I have completed my purpose, seen the beauty of the world, lived life, contemplated death- I too don't know-"

"-what lays ahead, but whatever it may be-"

"-I hope that I enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed the beauty-"

"-of this world. Lady Wren you stood no chance. But you have seen more beauty of the world than most people. You are a Queen of Chaos-"

"-of that, I have no doubt. Would you like to come see the next world with me? See what swirls around in the empty spaces there, what collides, what explodes, what falls apart? Yes, I would. I am-"

"-ready."

The heroes stand in the temple. The Gray Wizard, Hans, Gnash and Sphinx are dead all around them. Felton and Wren are gone. The temple is quiet.

Loot in a few hours, gotta bounce, talk about it.

[Scorpiox]

Haldor stumbled back and shook his head. He couldn't believe that after all this, it was finally over.

"Oh gods, we did it. By Thoric's name, we did it. She's gone. But Felton, and Gnash, and Hans..."

The nord hobbled over to the man's corpse, kneeling down to look at his face.

"Brother, you were always so straight, so unfaltering. I will not forget your courage."

Haldor bit back a cry, he would not dishonour Hans' memory by weeping beside his body, it would not be right; he had never once been weak in all they time they'd known each other. The shaman looked around at his friends in the darkness.

"I wish that I could have done something for them."

In a burst of emotion, fueled by the final end and the loss of so many in the process, a small tear appeared on Haldor's cheek.

"Look at me, this is what I've come to? We've just saved the whole damn world."

[Waterbrick Down]

She was gone, the blasted witch could not even give them the satisfaction of perishing before them. She had fled to die in a corner like a coward, leaving him. Why were they always leaving him? Skrall slung his bow over his shoulder, digging the Book of a Thousand Creatures from his satchel he passed the tome to Nyx as he walked over to Haldor and the body of Hans.

"Saved? No. Just pushed its destruction back a little further. Wren may be gone, but I have no doubt there will always be others like her. Now then friend Haldor, there is nothing to be done for the man, check up on Dyric, Atramor, and even Regulus, there might still be hope for them."

Skrall gently picked up the body of the Wren Hunter, "Cronk, we should spend as little time as possible in this hole of Hel."

[Pandora]

Nyx watches all the events with a lump in her throat. She sees the visions so clearly; XX! And her heart jumps; she internally chides herself.

As Felton walks calmly away, into the next world, she has to resist every temptation to follow. She wants to see, so much, but it isn't meant to be. Not now. Barely able to speak, she merely breathes:

"No regrets Felton my friend, no regrets."

She walks over to the body of Hans, where she bows her head respectfully, and mutters a few words no-one can hear. It's only when she picks up Poletad caringly, and full of relief that she notices a mild tremor to her hands. She bites her lip, and maintains her composure, but the swelling emotion only makes her angry with herself. For a second she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, before walking over to Skrall.

"I think this is yours?" she hefts the mighty crossbow from her back with her spare hand and hands it to Skrall with a wink. "Well fought Mr Skrall, very well fought." and she smiles warmly, accepting back her book, and resisting the urge to hug the great ogre - generally concluding he may not appreciate such attention.

"You too Cronk, you made a fine leader. Strong yet compassionate, you do the Paladin order proud." she nods to Cronk as she walks over to Atramor, grabbing him by his arm to help him to his feet.

"Sorry dude." is all she can manage to say, and she smiles weakly at him, knowing the bitterness he must feel for not seeing Wren's demise. She could make a joke, make him feel bad, but... she doesn't want to. Not now, not after everything he'd done for the team and everything he'd been through.

She idly strokes Poletad, really wondering what on earth they could do next that wouldn't seem a bit lame after saving the world.

[CMP]

Just when I think you're out of plot twists....

Beyond the Chaos Beast of Death's blow...Atramor could remember little. Past the wave of Chaotic power that ravaged its own party, he couldn't recall what transpired. The first image after seeing the blast was that of Wren, and the first sounds of Felton. He couldn't grasp the situation, but the meaning of his words and the tone were clear. It was the end. The end of Wren...the end of the Regulators. He could've sworn he saw them again, passing into a Void...Death? But why was he there? He didn't have a place there.

​It took a moment for this thought to sink in before he finally found his way back to consciousness, greeted by a stone floor and a few chipped teeth as a result. He grasped Nyx's arm and pulled himself to his feet, his strength, physical and magical, more or less gone. His eyes found Hans and Gnash. One last memory swam to surface in his mind, and everything seemed to grow cold. For all their efforts against it, for all this...pointless philosophy about Chaos....he had tasted it. No sweetness could compare...nor bitterness. He had finally found Wren's reasoning...and Felton's, for that matter. It was a paltry revelation for the price Hans and Gnash had paid.

"....I guess....that's over with," he muttered, unable to feel any less victorious than he already did. Far from keeping everyone alive....he may as well have killed two of them himself. "Skrall's right. I'm not stayin' in here any longer than I have to. It's been a long day. I've seen too much blood, and not enough rum."

[The Legonater]

Kailasi... I mutter softly. The world is dark, yet there is a strange brightness to it. A peace. A beauty. A serenity. Kailasi... My eyes open up. For a moment I frown - twas a dream, a specter of the past. I look around, taking in the ash and smoke around the battlefield. Wren's body. We have done it.

Yet something is wrong. Different. I watch in sadness as Felton leaves the world, and wonder if I will ever meet him again, in this other world. Yet something is still...

...Hans. Hans is gone. Passed into a world which just seconds ago - or perhaps hours? It was so hard to tell - I had marveled at its gates. I could have swore I saw father. Father and everyone else... Kailasi...

I sigh deeply. The past is still the past, no matter how close to death one comes.

"Look at me, this is what I've come to? We've just saved the whole damn world."

Do not hold back your tears, Haldor Skovgaard. Some things move even the strongest of men. This victory, it can hardly be called one. It is bittersweet, I feel. Hans should have a proper burial. He deserves as much. Gnash as well, the poor man had much to live for in this life.

I look down at the body of Hans.

It would seem that this is the end of the Wren Hunter. The Chaos Regulators. Great men they were, and their names shall be remembered in legend for eons to come. This is not the end of them, however. For it seems to me that there will always be chaos, and there always must be someone there to fight it when it comes. Indeed, the Chaos Regulators will continue on, forever, until the days are done.

I sit down on a nearby log, somehow surviving through the flames. I look at the spot where Wren and Felton stood before, and sigh. This was a bittersweet victory indeed. Much had been lost. Perhaps Skrall was right, perhaps they had only pushed back the world's demise. Perhaps these events were merely a vision of the future. But if so, then they had made a difference, if only for a time. I smile faintly.

I never did get her head.