Heroica RPG - Quest #70: The Syndicate

[Shoker86]

Arnulf attacks duelist from back row

[Endgame]

QM Note: Right you are, Flipz! Thankfully, the damage distribution is the same.

Karie's demeanor slumps like it did before back in the warehouse, her character and facade shattered like a broken mirror.

"I'm fighting for everything I stand against. I'm traveling down the same path my sister took. I'm throwing away everything Maxwell did for me. All in the name of revenge. My adoptive mother was right. I am a poverty stricken numbskull, and a pox-ridden waste of space. I am not Karie Alderflask. I'm a screw up."

Karie stands there, head down, broken mentally, her thoughts shutting down as the memories flow back, and her tears running like a river. She makes not a noise, but the noise in her head won't stop, as every mistake and decision comes flooding back.

"This isn't like you, Karie. You'll find a way. I know you will."

Karie can't hold back. She yells as loud as she can, which makes her speech more garbled through her short breaths.

"No, I won't! Not now, Cliff! I'm a loser and a knave and a good-for-nothing friend and a traitor and you know it! Go away!"

The Peons startle backwards, concerned. Even the automatons emit an odd whirring sound.

"Karie... Karie, we'll get you through this, alright?"

"Stay safe until you're okay to fight, alright? Magnus can defend you if need be. We all can."

Round Three of the Syndicate HQ Brawl

>Arthur casts Frailty on Syndicate Peon (Duelist) (back): Success!

>Boomingham VS Karie (front): Hit (0 damage; Karie dodges!)

>Arthur (Darkness) VS Syndicate Peon (Cleric) (back): Damage Critical Hit (13x2=26+25=51x4=204 damage)

>Arnulf VS Syndicate Peon (Duelist) (back): Hit (8+12=20x2=40/2=20-2=18 damage)

>Em chugs a potion (back)

>Nevron VS Syndicate Duelist (back): Shield: Mug (7x3=21+14=35x2=70x2=140/2=70-2=68 damage, 68 gold earned)

>Magnus VS Arthur (back): Blind!

>Chromoid A VS Boomingham: 17-12=5 damage - Boomingham counterstrikes, turns Green

>Chromoid B VS Arthur: 17-3=14 damage

>Chromoids revert back to Blue

Karie's mind shatters, the once energetic woman reduced to sobs. Arthur weakens the Duelist, Boomingham rushing the treasonous rogue. She evades a collosal attack that would've left her half dead. Arthur flings a ball of darkness at the Cleric, the peon reeling backwards from the blow. Em stands back and heals up as Arnulf locks sword with the duelist, scoring a good hit. Nevron rushes in and with a skillful manuever repels the duelist's sword backwards, disarming up by bashing the hilt of his rapier into the Syndicate member's wirst. he follows up with a stab that leaves the duelist on the brink of death, the bleeding finishing the job.

The battle rages on!

"@ ~ ."

Magnus, Level 42 Mechanical *Blind! 2 rounds remaining*

HP: 972/1000

SP: 8

Immune to Confusion, Jinxing, and Frailty

Specials:

Quad-Dazer: Sweeps the entire enemy party with a blue beam of energy. All heroes lose 3 power, 3 max and current ether, 3 max and current HP, and two SP, regardless of SP or Row for the rest of the battle. All permanent stats will be restored when the battle is complete.

Trident Turmoil: Cuts the HP of the hero who rolled Special damage, as well as the heroes above and below him in the battle order in half, disregarding row and SP.

Rotor Manuever: Magnus rotates its trident around like a rotor, effectively creating a bladed shield around him. For the next 2 rounds he will Counterstrike.

Specials decided by die roll.

Passive Specials:

Surge Protector: After magnus is under half HP, Magnus' surge protectors kick in, removing its weakness to Electricity.

Drops:

Topaz

"Blue is safe."

Chromoid A, Level 17 Mechanical

HP: 1/1

Color: Blue

Immune to Jinxing!

Specials:

Drill Drive: The Chromoid drives its drill appendage into the hero who rolled Special Damage. That hero takes 22 damage (disregarding SP) and has their SP disabled for the next 3 rounds.

Swift Servos: The Chromoid picks up the pace, hastening itself at the end of the round for the next 3 rounds.

Passive Specials:

Color-Coded: The Chromoid cannot take damage until it is in the red. Each succesful hit on the Chromoid brings it down one color in the cycle: Blue -> Green -> Yellow -> Red. (Hit the Chromoid while it is Blue and it'll turn Green.)

Maitenace Protocol: At the end of every round, the Chromoid's color will move back one in the rotation. (If left Red at the end of the round, it'll move back to yellow.)

Machine Logic: The Chromoid defies row when attakcing a hero of higher level then it.

Drops:

Chromoid Drill

"Blue is safe."

Chromoid B, Level 17 Mechanical

HP: 1/1

Color: Blue

Immune to Jinxing!

Specials:

Drill Drive: The Chromoid drives its drill appendage into the hero who rolled Special Damage. That hero takes 22 damage (disregarding SP) and has their SP disabled for the next 3 rounds.

Swift Servos: The Chromoid picks up the pace, hastening itself at the end of the round for the next 3 rounds.

Passive Specials:

Color-Coded: The Chromoid cannot take damage until it is in the red. Each succesful hit on the Chromoid brings it down one color in the cycle: Blue -> Green -> Yellow -> Red. (Hit the Chromoid while it is Blue and it'll turn Green.)

Maitenace Protocol: At the end of every round, the Chromoid's color will move back one in the rotation. (If left Red at the end of the round, it'll move back to yellow.)

Machine Logic: The Chromoid defies row when attakcing a hero of higher level then it.

Drops:

40 gold.

"Hang in there, Karie."

Syndicate Peon (Cleric), Level 11 Humanoid

HP: 213/500

Immune to Jinxing, Sealing, and Stun!

Specials:

Miracle: The Syndicate Cleric removes 1 round from every negative effect that is inflicted to the enemy party, restoring 50 HP to all of his allies.

Passive Specials:

Utter Defiance: The Cleric defies both SP and Row while attacking.

Adept Healer: Rolls of Damage have a 50/50 chance of becoming Special Damage.

Drops: Grand Potion, Grand Tonic

"..."

Syndicate Peon Karie, Level 23 Humanoid *Dodgy! 1 rounds remaining* *Blind! 2 rounds remaining*

HP: 300/300

SP: 3

Immune to Jinxing and Frailty!

Specials:

Mass Mugging: Karie mugs every hero. All heroes lose 10 gold (cannot be retrieved) and take 11 damage, disregarding SP.

Quick Reflexes: Karie becomes Dodgy for the next 3 rounds, having a 1/2 chance of evading physical attacks.

Specials decided by die roll.

Passive Specials:

Lust: Karie seeks Masson's favor, defying the SP of those who have a higher level then her.

Strong Will: Darkness does not deal double damage to Karie.

Drops:

80 gold.

The Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

46 Years Old, Human, Level 25 2/3 Paladin *Immune to Fragile, Sleep and Weakened* *Encouraged!*

Power: 39 (+5**)

Defense: 12

Health: 32/47 (+3*)

Ether: 21/24

Gold: 38

Equipment: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 11, Darkness Fire, causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Counterstrike Gloves (On Free Hits, Deals damage to enemy equal to Boomingham's level), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immunity to Fragile), Tome of Affluence (Generates 10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle, immunity to sleep and weakened, accessory) ****Pseudo's Blessing's Blessing (Not an Artifact, +4 Power)

Inventory: Frozen Saber (Great Sword, WP: 9, Light Ice, stunned effect), Bedroll, Mead, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immunity to Ice), Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile for rest of battle, 5 ether, 50/50 chance), Scroll of Blindness, 1 Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragility, Scroll of Sealing, Garnet, Sapphire, Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (+4 to Power, -6 to Ether), Hamantasch (consumable, lucky + blessed effects upon consumption for the length of one battle), Admantite Shard, Everlasting Venom. Remedy, Seventh Heaven, Tonic, Milk, Emergency Essence

Debts: 128 Gold Arthur, 1 gold Docken, 75 gold Sorrow

Arthur Justus Regulus VII (played by Flipz), Level 25 2/3 Sorcerer, 21-year-old male Human *Immune to Sealed* [ Currently in: Quest #70: The Syndicate] *Encouraged!* *Hastened!* *Lucky!*

Power: 38 (25 + WP:13)

Health: 8/37 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 23 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*)

Ether: 26/35 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 23 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5)

Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi)

Gold: 1000 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham; owed 50 gold by Grimwald Gjinko; owed 70 gold by En Sabah Nur,)

Equipment: Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), Robe of the Archmagi (Bodywear, SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to Sealed), Overkill Gloves, Marksman's Monocle

Inventory:

Weapons: Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics), Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade), Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear; unsuitable)

Artifacts: Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent), Ancient Crown (Headwear, First successful strike of battle deals Cursed-effect), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Stingy Gloves

Gems: Opal (Ice), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth),

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

Scrolls: Scroll of Blindness, 2x Scroll of Sealing (1x Lent to De'kra), Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, 2x Scroll of Frailty (1x Lent to Nyx), 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.), Scroll of Weakening,

Consumables: Grand Potion x10, Remedy x10, Elixir x5, Nostrum x 2, Smelling Salts x 3, Mead x 2, Jinxy Juice x2, Ether Core, 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.), Zoot's Plaything, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Tesla Bomb, Grand Tonic, Double Rainbow, Bright Polish, Exterlate, Tonic, Emergency Essence x2

Arnulf Bishop (Shoker86) *Encouraged!* *Immune to Fragile!*

30 yrs old male human Rogue

Level 12

Power: 22 (12+9+1)

Defense: 4

Health: 11/18 (7+11)

Gold: 186

Equipment: Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Emerald Hood (SP: 4, Immunity to Fragile), Sticky Gloves

Inventory: Leather Armor(SP:1), 4 Potions, 2 Venoms, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, 1 Mead, Smelling Salts, Mulled Wine, Remedy x2, Tricorne (SP:3),

Name: Unknown. Most call him "Em," though his real name remains largely mysterious.

Unknown age male human ranger

Level 12

Power: 20

Health: 16/17

Gold: 90

Equipment: Aquabow (WP: 7, Water-elemental), Ranger's Quiver (+1 WP to all Bows/Crossbows), Syndicate Cowl (SP: 2, Immune to Doomed effect),

Inventory: Smoke bomb, Grating Stone, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion x5, Remedy x4, Gentleman's Hat (SP: 1, suitable for men, headgear. The wearer has a 1/2 chance to not be affected by Asleep.), Venom, Ice Bomb, Grand Potion, Bow(WP:5), Mead x2, White Marksman's Hat - (⅙ chance of Assassination vs. Flying monsters; Headwear) Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round)

"We have a conspiracy to snuff out."

Nevron Utral, Level 14 Rogue *Encouraged!*

HP: 20/20

Power: 21

SP: 1

Equipment: Standard Issue Rapier (WP: 7), Gallant Gauntlets (SP: 1, Handwear. User has a 1/6 chance to become Encouraged at the start of every battle.)

Inventory: Trial Brew, Soma, 30 gold, Remedy

Edited June 27, 2013 by Endgame

[Flipz]

"I've got the Cleric. Em, Arnulf, Nevron, if you could take one of those Chromoids, I'll finish it off round after next."

Arthur's Actions:

>Arthur (Healing Staff) VS self (back):

Darkness VS Cleric (back)

[Shoker86]

"No problem Arthur" Arnulf attacks Chromoid A from back row

[Emjajoas]

"Listen up, Alderflask," Em barks, making eye contact with the hero. "You can't live for anyone but yourself. Living for revenge, living to impress others, living for praise-- none of it's worth jack if you're not living for yourself, if you're not making choices for yourself. Make your choice-- don't let someone else choose for you because you feel circumstances permit it. Find your life and live it how you want. And I don't want to hear any more of that damn worthless talk, because you've saved my sorry megablocks more than once. Just because you're confused doesn't make you a bad friend. Take the time you need to find your heart, then grab a hold of it and never let go."

In one fluid motion, Em draws back his bow and fires at Chromoid A from the back row.

"And you'd better be damn sure not to let anyone stand in your way."

Edited June 27, 2013 by emjajoas

[Shoker86]

Arnulf never saw Em so fired up. So the betrayal hurts him more than Arnulf thought. "You could still change your mind, and face the consequences."

[Zepher]

"I'm keeping you around, Ranger," says Boomingham with a smile. "You may be one of the smartest chaps I've met since I've come to Heroica. Karie, again. This time, let's one of us hit the other."

Same Battle Order

[Emjajoas]

Em grins slightly, nodding to Boomingham in thanks. "Impossible to get around without learning a thing or two," he remarks.

[Kintobor]

"Listen up, Alderflask," Em barks, making eye contact with the hero. "You can't live for anyone but yourself. Living for revenge, living to impress others, living for praise-- none of it's worth jack if you're not living for yourself, if you're not making choices for yourself. Make your choice-- don't let someone else choose for you because you feel circumstances permit it. Find your life and live it how you want. And I don't want to hear any more of that damn worthless talk, because you've saved my sorry megablocks more than once. Just because you're confused doesn't make you a bad friend. Take the time you need to find your heart, then grab a hold of it and never let go."

"And you'd better be damn sure not to let anyone stand in your way."

Karie sunk to her knees, still breathing heavily, her face red and wet still blinded by Arthur's spell, yet somehow Em's speech had calmed her slightly.

"Em... after what I've done... you still wanna stick up for me? Why? I've betrayed you, the team, everything we were hired to do! Why do you want to help me still, after all I've done?"

[Emjajoas]

Em thinks for a moment before replying. "I consider you a friend, for starters. Second, we're all still alive," he states simply. "That means there's room to make amends. And as far as I'm concerned, you haven't betrayed us, considering we're all fine.You haven't betrayed what we were hired to do, either, considering we haven't even done it yet."

Sighing, Em tries to humour his friend. "Besides, you look better in Hero colours. The Syndicate uniform doesn't suit you."

Edited June 27, 2013 by emjajoas

[Kintobor]

Karie gives a small but noticeable laugh at Em's remark.

"Thanks, I needed that."

Karie, still upset, but feeling somewhat more stable, tosses her rapier to the ground, and puts her hands on her head.

She was still crying, and still breathing heavily, but she had at least calmed down.

[Endgame]

Karie gives a small but noticeable laugh at Em's remark.

"Thanks, I needed that."

Karie, still upset, but feeling somewhat more stable, tosses her rapier to the ground, and puts her hands on her head.

She was still crying, and still breathing heavily, but she had at least calmed down.

The cleric averts his eyes, dropping his voice to a murmur.

"What... what will Masson do?"

[Kintobor]

The cleric averts his eyes, dropping his voice to a murmur.

"What... what will Masson do?"

"I still feel Masson can be redeemed, I still care about the boy who lost everything to the Wolfgang. He's as messed up as I am, and just like me, he needs a shoulder to lean on."

Karie looks at Em, with a small, but significant smile on her face. She turns her attention to the cleric once again.

"For Masson's sake, for the sake of the Syndicate, drop your weapon. There's been enough bloodshed already."

[Endgame]

The cleric raises an eyebrow.

"What good will that do? Your former party - or your current party now, I suppose... Want Masson dead."

[Flipz]

"I want him off the streets, and more importantly I want that Harvester of his dismantled, or if that's not possible, at least locked up somewhere no one will ever find it. If we can do that without bloodshed, that seems fine to me."

"I've told your boss all along he's doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. If he's willing to reform, I'm willing to give him the same second chance I've been given."

[Endgame]

The cleric at least seems to contemplate the option.

"Hm. The Stealer lives for his work - As Karie saw, he has almost no personal possessions. His work is his obsession - It is the only thing that keeps him going. He hardly eats; he rarely sleeps. I've seen him go three days without a morsel of food or a second of sleep. Even then, he is hardly happy... The only time I've ever seen him really happy was when he was with you, Karie.

His work, his ideals, is the only things that he lives for. I don't think he'd be content wandering the streets of Eubric, seeing the city degrade into the very thing he was trying to stop - to put it lightly. Whether or not you could convince him to stand down is... Dubious."

Edited June 27, 2013 by Endgame

[Flipz]

"You can't live for a cause. At least...not by itself. You stand strong in your ideals, but living your whole life within them will consume you whole. A great man once told me that direction is important, but you have to just bash evil when you see it and enjoy what you've got while you've got it. If something's preventing you from being happy, you bash it."

"We exist in this world so we're not alone. It's the connections we make that decide the future. Mortals can't change the world--they're too small, too insignificant, and die too soon. It's not as important what we fight for so much as who we fight for it with. You said it yourself--the happiest he's been was when he was with Karie. Perhaps a shift in goals is in order for him."

"And in reality, it's not like we're asking you not to fight the Wolfgang. We oppose the methods, not the goal. Work with the law, not against it, and not only will you accomplish more with less opposition, but you'll make new connections with firm friends along the way. Despite our faults, there's brotherhood within the red and blue, and only together can we improve ourselves and our city."

[Endgame]

The Cleric stares at his feet for a few moments, silently mulling over his options. He raises his head and locks eyes with the party.

"I cannot agree with everything you have stated. Some of it, in my mind, is simply false. The Town Watch is little more then damage control, Arthur. Only by pushing forward and being on the offensive can we change this world. Only tyrants fuel change... But, unlike Ulric, Masson doesn't need to fuel his revolution with the blood of innocents.

However, he has accepted conversation with heroes in the past. Thus..."

The Cleric walks over to Magnus, reaching a hand underneath the slim gap between its head and neck. His fingers probe around, eventually locking around a small switch. He flicks it, a small look of confusion drawing across his face as he does so... Only for the look to be replaced by a grimace of pain as a thousand volts erupt from the automaton, searing the peon's hand. He pulls it out, panting with pain over the shock - only for the automaton to lash out at the cleric, batting him down with its trident. The Cleric's slumped body skids across the floor, colliding with a pillar. He breathes sharply, obviously in severe pain.

"Hnnnrgggh... I forgot... Almost all of his devices... Check for blood before... they can be used or deactivated. I can't shut Magnus down, heroes. And... it has been given programming to incapacitate you."

The cleric breathes deeply, fumbling for his staff, as Magnus rotates on his heel - turning to face the heroes. He recites off a complex series of shrill beeps, seemingly yelling at the heroes.

".-- .- .-. -. .. -. --.! ..- -. .- ..- - .... --- .-. .. --.. . -.. / -.. . .- -.-. - .. ...- .- - .. --- -.! .-- .- .-. -. .. -. --.! ..- -. .- ..- - .... --- .-. .. --.. . -.. / -.. . .- -.-. - .. ...- .- - .. --- -.! .-- .- .-. -. .. -. --.! ..- -. .- ..- - .... --- .-. .. --.. . -.. / -.. . .- -.-. - .. ...- .- - .. --- -.!"

The loud chittering seems to invigorate the Chromoids, the party having no choice but to take the automatons down and out. The machines wouldn't even obey their masters now - these 3 were the last road block before Masson!

QM Note: Kintobor, if you want Karie to rejoin this battle, go ahead. If not I'll probably give you roleplay exp anyway down the line.

"-.. . .-.. . - . / -.. . .-.. . - . / -.. . .-.. . - ."

Magnus, Level 44 Mechanical *Blind! 2 rounds remaining*

HP: 972/1000

SP: 8

Immune to Confusion, Jinxing, and Frailty

Specials:

Quad-Dazer: Sweeps the entire enemy party with a blue beam of energy. All heroes lose 3 power, 3 max and current ether, 3 max and current HP, and two SP, regardless of SP or Row for the rest of the battle. All permanent stats will be restored when the battle is complete.

Trident Turmoil: Cuts the HP of the hero who rolled Special damage, as well as the heroes above and below him in the battle order in half, disregarding row and SP.

Rotor Manuever: Magnus rotates its trident around like a rotor, effectively creating a bladed shield around him. For the next 2 rounds he will Counterstrike.

Specials decided by die roll.

Passive Specials:

Surge Protector: After magnus is under half HP, Magnus' surge protectors kick in, removing its weakness to Electricity.

Drops:

Topaz

"Blue is safe."

Chromoid A, Level 19 Mechanical

HP: 1/1

Color: Blue

Immune to Jinxing!

Specials:

Drill Drive: The Chromoid drives its drill appendage into the hero who rolled Special Damage. That hero takes 22 damage (disregarding SP) and has their SP disabled for the next 3 rounds.

Swift Servos: The Chromoid picks up the pace, hastening itself at the end of the round for the next 3 rounds.

Passive Specials:

Color-Coded: The Chromoid cannot take damage until it is in the red. Each succesful hit on the Chromoid brings it down one color in the cycle: Blue -> Green -> Yellow -> Red. (Hit the Chromoid while it is Blue and it'll turn Green.)

Maitenace Protocol: At the end of every round, the Chromoid's color will move back one in the rotation. (If left Red at the end of the round, it'll move back to yellow.)

Machine Logic: The Chromoid defies row when attakcing a hero of higher level then it.

Drops:

Chromoid Drill

"Blue is safe."

Chromoid B, Level 19 Mechanical

HP: 1/1

Color: Blue

Immune to Jinxing!

Specials:

Drill Drive: The Chromoid drives its drill appendage into the hero who rolled Special Damage. That hero takes 22 damage (disregarding SP) and has their SP disabled for the next 3 rounds.

Swift Servos: The Chromoid picks up the pace, hastening itself at the end of the round for the next 3 rounds.

Passive Specials:

Color-Coded: The Chromoid cannot take damage until it is in the red. Each succesful hit on the Chromoid brings it down one color in the cycle: Blue -> Green -> Yellow -> Red. (Hit the Chromoid while it is Blue and it'll turn Green.)

Maitenace Protocol: At the end of every round, the Chromoid's color will move back one in the rotation. (If left Red at the end of the round, it'll move back to yellow.)

Machine Logic: The Chromoid defies row when attakcing a hero of higher level then it.

Drops:

40 gold.

The Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

46 Years Old, Human, Level 25 2/3 Paladin *Immune to Fragile, Sleep and Weakened* *Encouraged!*

Power: 39 (+5**)

Defense: 12

Health: 32/47 (+3*)

Ether: 21/24

Gold: 38

Equipment: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 11, Darkness Fire, causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Counterstrike Gloves (On Free Hits, Deals damage to enemy equal to Boomingham's level), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immunity to Fragile), Tome of Affluence (Generates 10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle, immunity to sleep and weakened, accessory) ****Pseudo's Blessing's Blessing (Not an Artifact, +4 Power)

Inventory: Frozen Saber (Great Sword, WP: 9, Light Ice, stunned effect), Bedroll, Mead, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immunity to Ice), Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile for rest of battle, 5 ether, 50/50 chance), Scroll of Blindness, 1 Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragility, Scroll of Sealing, Garnet, Sapphire, Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (+4 to Power, -6 to Ether), Hamantasch (consumable, lucky + blessed effects upon consumption for the length of one battle), Admantite Shard, Everlasting Venom. Remedy, Seventh Heaven, Tonic, Milk, Emergency Essence

Debts: 128 Gold Arthur, 1 gold Docken, 75 gold Sorrow

Arthur Justus Regulus VII (played by Flipz), Level 25 2/3 Sorcerer, 21-year-old male Human *Immune to Sealed* [ Currently in: Quest #70: The Syndicate] *Encouraged!* *Hastened!* *Lucky!*

Power: 38 (25 + WP:13)

Health: 8/37 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 23 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*)

Ether: 26/35 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 23 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5)

Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi)

Gold: 1000 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham; owed 50 gold by Grimwald Gjinko; owed 70 gold by En Sabah Nur,)

Equipment: Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), Robe of the Archmagi (Bodywear, SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to Sealed), Overkill Gloves, Marksman's Monocle

Inventory:

Weapons: Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics), Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade), Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear; unsuitable)

Artifacts: Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent), Ancient Crown (Headwear, First successful strike of battle deals Cursed-effect), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Stingy Gloves

Gems: Opal (Ice), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth),

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

Scrolls: Scroll of Blindness, 2x Scroll of Sealing (1x Lent to De'kra), Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, 2x Scroll of Frailty (1x Lent to Nyx), 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.), Scroll of Weakening,

Consumables: Grand Potion x10, Remedy x10, Elixir x5, Nostrum x 2, Smelling Salts x 3, Mead x 2, Jinxy Juice x2, Ether Core, 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.), Zoot's Plaything, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Tesla Bomb, Grand Tonic, Double Rainbow, Bright Polish, Exterlate, Tonic, Emergency Essence x2

Arnulf Bishop (Shoker86) *Encouraged!* *Immune to Fragile!*

30 yrs old male human Rogue

Level 12

Power: 22 (12+9+1)

Defense: 4

Health: 11/18 (7+11)

Gold: 186

Equipment: Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Emerald Hood (SP: 4, Immunity to Fragile), Sticky Gloves

Inventory: Leather Armor(SP:1), 4 Potions, 2 Venoms, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, 1 Mead, Smelling Salts, Mulled Wine, Remedy x2, Tricorne (SP:3),

Name: Unknown. Most call him "Em," though his real name remains largely mysterious.

Unknown age male human ranger

Level 12

Power: 20

Health: 16/17

Gold: 90

Equipment: Aquabow (WP: 7, Water-elemental), Ranger's Quiver (+1 WP to all Bows/Crossbows), Syndicate Cowl (SP: 2, Immune to Doomed effect),

Inventory: Smoke bomb, Grating Stone, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion x5, Remedy x4, Gentleman's Hat (SP: 1, suitable for men, headgear. The wearer has a 1/2 chance to not be affected by Asleep.), Venom, Ice Bomb, Grand Potion, Bow(WP:5), Mead x2, White Marksman's Hat - (⅙ chance of Assassination vs. Flying monsters; Headwear) Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round)

"Accursed automatons...!"

Nevron Utral, Level 14 Rogue *Encouraged!*

HP: 20/20

Power: 21

SP: 1

Equipment: Standard Issue Rapier (WP: 7), Gallant Gauntlets (SP: 1, Handwear. User has a 1/6 chance to become Encouraged at the start of every battle.)

Inventory: Trial Brew, Soma, 30 gold, Remedy

Edited June 28, 2013 by Endgame

[Emjajoas]

Em draws back his bow and fires at Chromoid A from the back row.

He curses under his breath. "I'm buying us all a round when we get back to the hall," he snarls ferociously.

Edited June 28, 2013 by emjajoas

[Kintobor]

"Damnit! No!"

Karie bull charges for the cleric, checking his wounds, healing him if possible. The Syndicate could still be saved, and so could Masson. She had her party back on her side, but her mind turned to Masson.

"Hold in there! I'm not letting you die! Not now!"

Edited June 28, 2013 by Kintobor

[Flipz]

"Right. Lord Boomingham, if you could put me last in the order, I should be able to vape those Chromoids before Magnus recovers from his blindness. Em should go first, and everyone should make conditional action only to attack if the Chromoid isn't already red--if it is, switch to a Chromoid that isn't red and attack, or else take Magnus."

Arthur's Actions:

Arthur switches out Marksman's Monocle for Lens of Speed Reading

Frailty vs. Chromoid A (back)

Frailty vs. Chromoid A (back) OR if already Frail and in the red, Lightning vs. Chromoid A (back) OR if already Frail but not in the red (or otherwise unable to attack), Frailty vs. Chromoid B

(Not sure if I get to add the free turn to the turn I equip the Lens, if I do then my fourth action will be identical to the third.)

Edited June 28, 2013 by Flipz

[Zepher]

"Righto, Arnulf, help down that Chromoid. Nevron, you've got the same job. The sooner we get rid of them, the better. You can both stick to the back, because it doesn't matter much which way you whack it."

Boomingham himself whirls on the Magnus unit and thrusts Scupperer into its machinery from the front.

Battle Order

Boomingham

Em

Arnulf

Nevron

Arthur

Arthur

[Shoker86]

Arnulf attacks Chromoid A from back row "Got it"

Edited June 28, 2013 by Shoker86

[Endgame]

QM Note: Sorry for the delay! On the bright side, you'll get to see the fruits of my past three hours of labor soon enough. I'm using Danny as my guenea pig for it.

Round Four of the Syndicate HQ Brawl

>Karie heals Syndicate Peon (Cleric) (back)

>Em VS Chromoid A (back): Special Damage (Swift Servos: Chromoid A Hastened for 3 rounds)

>Arnulf VS Chromoid A (back): Hit (Chromoid turns Green)

>Nevron VS Chromoid A (back): Shield: Mug (Chromoid turns Yellow)

>Arthur equips Lens of Speed Reading

>Arthur casts Frailty on Chromoid A (back): Success!

>Arthur casts Frailty on Chromoid B (back): Failure!

>Chromoids shift back one color

The battle rages on. The party gangs up on the viscious automatons while karie comes to her new friend's aid.

". . . "

Magnus, Level 44 Mechanical *Blind! 1 rounds remaining* *Bleeding!*

HP: 881/1000

SP: 8

Immune to Confusion, Jinxing, and Frailty

Specials:

Quad-Dazer: Sweeps the entire enemy party with a blue beam of energy. All heroes lose 3 power, 3 max and current ether, 3 max and current HP, and two SP, regardless of SP or Row for the rest of the battle. All permanent stats will be restored when the battle is complete.

Trident Turmoil: Cuts the HP of the hero who rolled Special damage, as well as the heroes above and below him in the battle order in half, disregarding row and SP.

Rotor Manuever: Magnus rotates its trident around like a rotor, effectively creating a bladed shield around him. For the next 2 rounds he will Counterstrike.

Specials decided by die roll.

Passive Specials:

Surge Protector: After magnus is under half HP, Magnus' surge protectors kick in, removing its weakness to Electricity.

Drops:

Topaz

"Green is... safe."

Chromoid A, Level 19 Mechanical *Hastened! 3 rounds remaining* *Fragile! 3 rounds remaining*

HP: 1/1

Color: Green

Immune to Jinxing!

Specials:

Drill Drive: The Chromoid drives its drill appendage into the hero who rolled Special Damage. That hero takes 22 damage (disregarding SP) and has their SP disabled for the next 3 rounds.

Swift Servos: The Chromoid picks up the pace, hastening itself at the end of the round for the next 3 rounds.

Passive Specials:

Color-Coded: The Chromoid cannot take damage until it is in the red. Each succesful hit on the Chromoid brings it down one color in the cycle: Blue -> Green -> Yellow -> Red. (Hit the Chromoid while it is Blue and it'll turn Green.)

Maitenace Protocol: At the end of every round, the Chromoid's color will move back one in the rotation. (If left Red at the end of the round, it'll move back to yellow.)

Machine Logic: The Chromoid defies row when attakcing a hero of higher level then it.

Drops:

Chromoid Drill

"Blue is safe."

Chromoid B, Level 19 Mechanical

HP: 1/1

Color: Blue

Immune to Jinxing!

Specials:

Drill Drive: The Chromoid drives its drill appendage into the hero who rolled Special Damage. That hero takes 22 damage (disregarding SP) and has their SP disabled for the next 3 rounds.

Swift Servos: The Chromoid picks up the pace, hastening itself at the end of the round for the next 3 rounds.

Passive Specials:

Color-Coded: The Chromoid cannot take damage until it is in the red. Each succesful hit on the Chromoid brings it down one color in the cycle: Blue -> Green -> Yellow -> Red. (Hit the Chromoid while it is Blue and it'll turn Green.)

Maitenace Protocol: At the end of every round, the Chromoid's color will move back one in the rotation. (If left Red at the end of the round, it'll move back to yellow.)

Machine Logic: The Chromoid defies row when attakcing a hero of higher level then it.

Drops:

40 gold.

The Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

46 Years Old, Human, Level 25 2/3 Paladin *Immune to Fragile, Sleep and Weakened* *Encouraged!*

Power: 39 (+5**)

Defense: 12

Health: 32/47 (+3*)

Ether: 21/24

Gold: 38

Equipment: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 11, Darkness Fire, causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Counterstrike Gloves (On Free Hits, Deals damage to enemy equal to Boomingham's level), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immunity to Fragile), Tome of Affluence (Generates 10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle, immunity to sleep and weakened, accessory) ****Pseudo's Blessing's Blessing (Not an Artifact, +4 Power)

Inventory: Frozen Saber (Great Sword, WP: 9, Light Ice, stunned effect), Bedroll, Mead, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immunity to Ice), Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile for rest of battle, 5 ether, 50/50 chance), Scroll of Blindness, 1 Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragility, Scroll of Sealing, Garnet, Sapphire, Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (+4 to Power, -6 to Ether), Hamantasch (consumable, lucky + blessed effects upon consumption for the length of one battle), Admantite Shard, Everlasting Venom. Remedy, Seventh Heaven, Tonic, Milk, Emergency Essence

Debts: 128 Gold Arthur, 1 gold Docken, 75 gold Sorrow

Arthur Justus Regulus VII (played by Flipz), Level 25 2/3 Sorcerer, 21-year-old male Human *Immune to Sealed* [ Currently in: Quest #70: The Syndicate] *Encouraged!* *Hastened!* *Lucky!*

Power: 38 (25 + WP:13)

Health: 8/37 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 23 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*)

Ether: 24/35 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 23 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5)

Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi)

Gold: 1000 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham; owed 50 gold by Grimwald Gjinko; owed 70 gold by En Sabah Nur,)

Equipment: Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), Robe of the Archmagi (Bodywear, SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to Sealed), Overkill Gloves, Marksman's Monocle

Inventory:

Weapons: Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics), Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade), Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear; unsuitable)

Artifacts: Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent), Ancient Crown (Headwear, First successful strike of battle deals Cursed-effect), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Stingy Gloves, Lens of Speed Reading

Gems: Opal (Ice), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth),

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

Scrolls: Scroll of Blindness, 2x Scroll of Sealing (1x Lent to De'kra), Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, 2x Scroll of Frailty (1x Lent to Nyx), 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.), Scroll of Weakening,

Consumables: Grand Potion x10, Remedy x10, Elixir x5, Nostrum x 2, Smelling Salts x 3, Mead x 2, Jinxy Juice x2, Ether Core, 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.), Zoot's Plaything, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Tesla Bomb, Grand Tonic, Double Rainbow, Bright Polish, Exterlate, Tonic, Emergency Essence x2

Arnulf Bishop (Shoker86) *Encouraged!* *Immune to Fragile!*

30 yrs old male human Rogue

Level 12

Power: 22 (12+9+1)

Defense: 4

Health: 11/18 (7+11)

Gold: 186

Equipment: Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Emerald Hood (SP: 4, Immunity to Fragile), Sticky Gloves

Inventory: Leather Armor(SP:1), 4 Potions, 2 Venoms, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, 1 Mead, Smelling Salts, Mulled Wine, Remedy x2, Tricorne (SP:3),

Name: Unknown. Most call him "Em," though his real name remains largely mysterious.

Unknown age male human ranger

Level 12

Power: 20

Health: 16/17

Gold: 90

Equipment: Aquabow (WP: 7, Water-elemental), Ranger's Quiver (+1 WP to all Bows/Crossbows), Syndicate Cowl (SP: 2, Immune to Doomed effect),

Inventory: Smoke bomb, Grating Stone, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion x5, Remedy x4, Gentleman's Hat (SP: 1, suitable for men, headgear. The wearer has a 1/2 chance to not be affected by Asleep.), Venom, Ice Bomb, Grand Potion, Bow(WP:5), Mead x2, White Marksman's Hat - (⅙ chance of Assassination vs. Flying monsters; Headwear) Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round)

"Accursed automatons...!"

Nevron Utral, Level 14 Rogue *Encouraged!*

HP: 20/20

Power: 21

SP: 1

Equipment: Standard Issue Rapier (WP: 7), Gallant Gauntlets (SP: 1, Handwear. User has a 1/6 chance to become Encouraged at the start of every battle.)

Inventory: Trial Brew, Soma, 30 gold, Remedy

Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintobor) *Encouraged!*

22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 14.5

Power: 20 (lvl 14 + WP: 6)

Health: 19/20

Gold: 271

Defence: 0

Equipment: Sexy (WP: 6, Rapier, Disregards SP, usable by Knights and Rogues), Lover's Locket (Protects from enamoured effect), Catsuit (Wearer has 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits; suitable to women only; bodywear)

Inventory: Potion, Mead (2), Remedy (1), Venom (1), Smoke bomb (1), Telescope (1), Bedroll (1), Heirloom Dagger (WP:3), Map of Brendenton (1), Spider Coin (worth 1 gp) (1),, Topaz, Scroll of Newtity (costs 10 ether)(usable by ex-Amphibians only), Ethereal Cloak (SP +2, Max. Ether +4), Nostrum, Mulled Wine (2), Leather Armor (Bodywear, SP: 1)

The Cleric nearly retches as the potion goes down his mouth, but his breathing slows and calms as he drinks the brew. Karie looks the battered peon over: There was blood caked onto his shirt, his chest bleeding out. His hand was burnt nearly to a crisp, but it remains moveable, slowly flinching as the cleric rasps.

"T-thanks, Karie..." The Cleric groans, his voice stricken by pain.

"Think... that Magnus... busted a couple of ribs. This is my fault. I... I should've rmembered that... For high-end devices like those... Only Masson can operate them. I'm an idiot, and... and I pissed off the robot in the process."

[Emjajoas]

OOC: Sounds exciting!

Em grunts, firing at Chromoid A from the back row a second time.

If Chromoid A is red when Em attacks, he attacks Chromoid B instead.

Edited June 28, 2013 by emjajoas