Heroica RPG - Quest #70: The Syndicate

[Flipz]

Karie noticed Arthur flicking his compass needle impatiently. The party was, for better terms, lost.

"Arthur, you sure your compass works?"

Karie walks up to Arthur, her posture still extensively less bouncy than before.

"Look, Arthur, just try shaking it or something. Flick it or something."

"My compass works just fine." Karie gets the impression that subconsciously, he may not be referring to his compass.

It is shockingly humble - the party would expect something lavish, but the inn rooms they had stayed in the previous night were far more luxurious. A simple bed sits in the corner of the room, two stools used for seating. A chest sits next to the bed. A small wooden table is pressed up against the wall, 2 objects standing atop it: a bottle of wine and an odd red vial A weathered photograph is tacked up to the wall.

What will the party do?

Using his Magnifying Glass for safety, Arthur examines the photograph.

[Endgame]

The Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

46 Years Old, Human, Level 26 Paladin *Immune to Fragile, Sleep and Weakened* *Encouraged!*

Power: 40 (+5**)

Defense: 12

Health: 48/48 (+3*)

Ether: 13/25

Gold: 108

Equipment: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 11, Darkness Fire, causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health, permanently Deadly Envenomed) 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, Remedy, Seventh Heaven, Tonic, Milk, Emergency Essence, Mead

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

Arthur Justus Regulus VII (played by Flipz), Level 26 Sorcerer, 21-year-old male Human *Immune to Sealed* [ Currently in: Quest #70: The Syndicate]

Power: 39 (25 + WP:13)

Health: 38/38 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 25 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*)

Ether: 6/36 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 25 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5)

Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi)

Gold: 1480 (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, contains an Elixir), 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 x11, Remedy x10, Elixir x4, 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, Grand Tonic

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

30 yrs old male human Rogue

Level 12.5

Power: 22 (12+9+1)

Defense: 4

Health: 15/18 30/38 (7+11)

Gold: 186

Equipment: Chromoid Drill (Dagger, WP: 9, succesful hits drop enemy's SP by 1.), 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), Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Topaz

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

Unknown age male human ranger

Level 12.5

Power: 20

Health: 16/17

Gold: 120

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 x2, 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)

"It would seem the end is near..."

Nevron Utral, Level 14.5 Rogue

HP: 11/20

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) *Inspired!* *Encouraged!*

22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 15

Power: 21 (lvl 15 + WP: 6)

Health: 20/21

Gold: 321

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: Mead, 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, Leather Armor (Bodywear, SP: 1)

Boomingham takes a swig from the bottle of wine, recognizing it as one of the bottles the Albatross Inn put into their guests' rooms. Boomingham picks up and inspects the red vial. It was simply marked "ANTI-DEPRESSANTS" in bold print.

Arthur takes out his magnifying glass, inspecting the old photograph intently. It wasn't loaded wiuth traps, but with the magnifying glass's aid Arthur can tell the photograph is more than a decade old.

It seems to depict a scene from The Stealer's childhood, the man only about 11 years old in this photograph. His cousin stands beside him, grinning ear to ear. However, Masson serves as a stark contrast, giving only a slight smile. There was a look of knowingness in his eyes, the boy already aloof and detached at this age. It seemed that he had already seen much of the evil in the world. Looking at the young boy was almost tragic - recalling what The Stealer had said earlier, he had already killed several people by this age, forced into the art of murder by the Wolfgang. This may have been one of the few bittersweet moments in his life. His adoptive parents stand behind them, happy despite the poverty they were stuck in.

Edited July 4, 2013 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

"My compass works just fine." Karie gets the impression that subconsciously, he may not be referring to his compass.

Karie gets a sudden impression of what Arthur's looking for.

"Oh."

Karie simply stands in the doorway as the party looks about Masson's room. She takes the photo off the wall.

"Someone needs to remember his story."

Edited July 4, 2013 by Kintobor

[Endgame]

The Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

46 Years Old, Human, Level 26 Paladin *Immune to Fragile, Sleep and Weakened* *Encouraged!*

Power: 40 (+5**)

Defense: 12

Health: 48/48 (+3*)

Ether: 13/25

Gold: 108

Equipment: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 11, Darkness Fire, causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health, permanently Deadly Envenomed) 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, Remedy, Seventh Heaven, Tonic, Milk, Emergency Essence, Mead

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

Arthur Justus Regulus VII (played by Flipz), Level 26 Sorcerer, 21-year-old male Human *Immune to Sealed* [ Currently in: Quest #70: The Syndicate]

Power: 39 (25 + WP:13)

Health: 38/38 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 25 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*)

Ether: 6/36 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 25 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5)

Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi)

Gold: 1480 (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, contains an Elixir), 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 x11, Remedy x10, Elixir x4, 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, Grand Tonic

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

30 yrs old male human Rogue

Level 12.5

Power: 22 (12+9+1)

Defense: 4

Health: 15/18 30/38 (7+11)

Gold: 186

Equipment: Chromoid Drill (Dagger, WP: 9, succesful hits drop enemy's SP by 1.), 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), Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Topaz

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

Unknown age male human ranger

Level 12.5

Power: 20

Health: 16/17

Gold: 120

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 x2, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion x4, 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)

"It would seem the end is near..."

Nevron Utral, Level 14.5 Rogue

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) *Inspired!* *Encouraged!*

22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 15

Power: 21 (lvl 15 + WP: 6)

Health: 20/21

Gold: 321

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: Mead, 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, Leather Armor (Bodywear, SP: 1), Masson's Photo

Will the party move back to the foyer?

Edited July 4, 2013 by Endgame

[Shoker86]

Arnulf enters the room and examines the chest

[Emjajoas]

OOC: I just noticed how low on health Nevron was. Eep.

Em hands a potion to Nevron. "Heal up," he states simply. Em's mannerisms were more mechanical, his face stone. It seemed as though Em was steeling himself for the final battle; a battle that would no doubt bother him.

Edited July 4, 2013 by emjajoas

[Endgame]

Arnulf goes over to the chest, noticing it is unlocked. he flips open the lid... only to find that the ehcest is simply where The Stealer kept his clothes.

Nevron gratefully downs the potion. Straightneing his posture as the brew repairs his body.

"Much appreicated, Em. Those were some nasty machines, huh?"

[Emjajoas]

"Indeed," Em replies, making his way back to the foyer. "I imagine we'll see more yet."

[Endgame]

With the Stealer's room fully swept, the party returns to the foyer.

"Where to next?"

Two doors remained: the frame with the door and the frame without.

[Flipz]

Arthur heads through the frame with the door.

[Endgame]

Arthur walks out of Masson's room and heads straight to the door adjacent to it, opening it to let the rest of the party in. He is treated to quite the sight:

The Stealer's laboratory.

The walls transition from a biege to a gray, thick stone walls surrounding the entire corridor. Several vials of chemcials are suspended by a stand, the liquids bubbling softly. Three chromoid heads are plugged into a console, a small terminal apparently able to feed instructions to the work-in-progress bots. A small rack of tools sits on the second table, containing common utilities: wrenches, hammers, tweezers, screwdrivers - everything needed for engineering. And Masson seems to be quite the engineer: a protoype head like that of Magnus's sits on the table, seemingly recently tinkered with. Em, Arnulf, and Karie recognize the odd apparutus at the end of the second table. It was the dock for the Harvester, the heroe spreviously encountering the peculiar machine back when they encountered the Apprentice in the Locunon. In the middle of the impressive set-up sits a small table and stool, a journal on top of the small island.

[Flipz]

Arthur reads the journal.

[Kintobor]

Karie investigates the different colored vials near the chromoid heads, pondering on Arthur's compass.

Great, another guy who has the hots for me.

Edited July 4, 2013 by Kintobor

[Shoker86]

"He's got harvester, see, the dock is empty" Arnulf checks rack of tools

[Endgame]

Arthur reads the journal.

Arthur flips open the journal, and is greeted by Masson's surprisingly abysmal script. Arthur begins reading, complex calculations scattered around the journal. One of the entires seems to have been written only a few hours ago.

Entry 01

Magnus is nearly completed. All that is left is to fine tune his chassis and to run through one last check of his programming. I'd obviously like to be able to turn on my own creation without it attempting to decapitate me. Many hours of sleep were sacrificed - it has been nearly four days since I've retired for some rest. Smelling Salts are a god send, and I intend to buy more in the near future. However, despite the problems I've encountered while building this automaton, I feel it will be worth it.

Entry 02

And thus, the votes are in. The tiertary color for The Syndicate will be... Purple. I wonder where they got that idea from? I personally voted for dark green, to honor my fallen Apprentice. Theo may have been twisted and demented, but he was family... Someone who I loved. I will find other ways to honor him, however. The banners are little more then a motif.

Entry 03

Octavyn's sweeps have divined the location of a Wolfgang armory, embedded deep into Sceleris Alley. Though I'd prefer not to wander into that cesspool of crime, new allies will be welcome. I've heard rumors of an alligator meandering about in those alleys... Nothing The Syndicate can't handle, however. I have two associates who were involved in the taming of the reptile. Hopefully they can soothe the beast. I personally have no use for a pet giant reptile, but I'll turn the poor fellow free in one of Uland's marshes if I get the chance. We depart for Sceleris by the end of the month.

Entry 04

After various meals at the soup kitchen, I have recruited Charity the cook to our cause. Wonderful chef, but I hardly even eat anymore. She has done us the great service of wrapping the first round of care packagaes, which I hope to deliver soon.

Entry 05

One night after the previous entry, I have distributed the care packages. Now every family in the hovels is a few gold richer, and has some food to work with. Some of the Syndicate's gold and food supply is a small price to pay for the happiness of many behind the Hovel Wall. We're already preparing a second wave of care packages.

Entry 06

I have just recently learned of the various office pots going on between Syndicate comrades. The biggest being "What color hair will The Stealer's girlfriend have?" I suspect that the majority of the money is currently placed on "Will remain single", as Octavyn likes to remind me. Hmph. They can have their fun, though. It's only a sign of becoming a family. And, desptie the respect my followers have for me, some taunting is natural. I would lighten up, but I have so many things to attend to and not enough time to accomplish it.

Entry 07

I've been seeing these odd, worm-like creatures on Eubric's rooftops. They only appear to be young, though. I wonder what an adult one looks like? I'll have to see if I can talk to one briefly, since the animals seem to be fluent in English.

Entry 08

As cliched as this is, even in writing: Eureka. I've perfected the Chromoid design. Hopefully I'll be able to outfit the inferior prototype chromoids with my new design, and salavage them. To think the Ji Pei throws away so many parts. Outdated, yes. Obsolete? Hardly. Rubbish? Absolutely not. The Syndicate is not a wasteful operation.

Entry 09

The Armory operation was completed, though only one Syndicate member made it out alive. I'm a fool. My tactical error cost four lives back in that Armory, plus the two Peons that accompanied me. Six lives were lost in that accursed alley, all of them my fault. How much more guilt can I take?

Entry 10

Speaking to a group of people who may very well be your assassins is... an odd feeling, to say the very least. Some were nice enough, and we parted on good terms. Others were less then amiable, but civil nonetheless. Though I will wonder until the die I day what the sorcerer had hoped to accomplish by removing his clothes in front of me. Is human anatomy considered some sort of scare tactic now? Wouldn't surprise me.

Still, cordial conversations with people who may murder you the day after is a peculiar experience. It brought back a thought I was trying to banish for a long time, and now that it has resurfaced, it refuses to be silenced. I am not scared by death. What I am afraid of is the fact that the notion of dying no longer daunts me. Am I that close? That close to the edge? Have I gone insane?

Or... or perhaps I have been insane for a long, long time.

Entry 11

The undefined has had no place in my life, for a long time. I stuided, practically worshipped, the rational. I appren tice din science and engineering, my entire life based on rational and constant concepts: science, mathematics, chemistry. All can be reduced to easily understandable rational concepts. Logical ideas, easy to expand upon and utilize to achieve great things. The irrational... Well, I am far from master of the irrational. Most concepts that can't be quantified I could easily break down to a simple chain of logic. Other times, I used the ideals I have formed to answer the hard questions. Some, I simply avoided, banished from my mind. But, to my eternal shame, some I could only answer by blaming myself. I've been doing it for the past twenty five years, and I fear it is a habit I won't be able to break.

Irrational concepts sometimes daunted me. Terrified me, on some occasions. But... one has been constantly making itself known for the past few days: Love.

Love is a far cry from quantififiable, and may be the biggest irrational of all. The feeling is practically foreign to me, at this point. And yet, I enjoy it. I felt truly happy for the first time in a long while when I was with Karie. And I'm fairly certain everyone could notice that. Only question is... would Karie reciprocate? For the first time, a whole new realm of feelings has become apparent to me. Some I simply buried or forgotten, others completely foreign. But I do not mind them - in fact, I welcome them. I can only hope the affection is shared...

So, yes, to put it in writing: I am in love with Karie Alderflask.

Why must everything be so complicated?

Karie investigates the different colored vials near the chromoid heads, pondering on Arthur's compass.

The vials seem to vary in purpose, some bubbling more then others: One appears to be Exterlate, while the other appear to be components of some sort of potent remedy.

"He's got harvester, see, the dock is empty" Arnulf checks rack of tools

Arnulf finds one tool in the rack that he can use:

Heavy-Duty Wrench: Can be used an enemy to undo their SP, dropping it to 0. Consumable, breaks after one use.

Edited July 4, 2013 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

"Hmm. Nothing of use."

Karie walks around, admiring Masson's handiwork.

"Well, there's not much here."

She was oblivious to what was written in the diary.

[Flipz]

Arthur's eyes scan quickly back and forth, stopping suddenly near the end.

Well, obviously. The Cleric as much as said so. So why do I feel so bad about it?

Shutting the book, he slides it across the table to Karie. "Catch." He turns to the mechanical heads, examining the components with his Magnifying glass to determine their enhancements.

[Emjajoas]

Em inspects the Protoype's head and workbench, intrigued by the Stealer's work. "Genius," he muttered to himself, almost afraid to disturb Masson's workspace.

[Kintobor]

Karie had Masson's diary on her side of the table.

"I think it's a little rude to go through someone else's belongings."

She was dying to know what was in there, but it didn't feel right to peep through Masson's personal life.

"Is there anything in here about... me, Arthur?"

Edited July 4, 2013 by Kintobor

[Flipz]

Arthur turns his head to look at Karie, giving her an unreadable look. "...I think you should read it." He turns back to the objects of his examination.

Edited July 4, 2013 by Flipz

[Kintobor]

Karie nervously picks up the diary, clutching it in her hands. Was he actually spying on her, stalking her and only he knew? Was there something about him that involved her past? Karie opens the diary and begins to read, making it to the tenth entry before turning back to Arthur.

"There's nothing in here about me, Arthur. I remember hearing about the office pot, but that's..."

Karie's mind anchored on the last entry, reading it over carefully.

Entry 11

Irrational concepts sometimes daunted me. Terrified me, on some occasions. But... one has been constantly making itself known for the past few days: Love.

Love is a far cry from quantifiable and may be the biggest irrational of all. The feeling is practically foreign to me, at this point. And yet, I enjoy it. I felt truly happy for the first time in a long while when I was with Karie. And I'm fairly certain everyone could notice that. Only question is... would Karie reciprocate? For the first time, a whole new realm of feelings has become apparent to me. Some I simply buried or forgotten, others completely foreign. But I do not mind them - in fact, I welcome them. I can only hope the affection is shared...

So, yes, to put it in writing: I am in love with Karie Alderflask.

Why must everything be so complicated?

Karie rubbed the shoulder where Masson had put his arm out earlier. Her everything was a flutter. She felt butterflies in her stomach and her head felt dizzy. It was all making sense.

"I'll... I have a bit to think about."

Karie leaves the laboratory and waits outside of the laboratory door, ripping the page of the eleventh entry from the diary out .

[Endgame]

The prototype Chromoid heads seemed identical to the ones they fought - by giving them the enchancements, he had brought the inferior models up to snuff with the new standard. The blue light in the Chromoid's heads pulses quietly, the robotic skulls unprogrammed.

Karie rips out the latest entry of Massons' entry, briskly exitting the lab and leaning on the wall outside of it. She had a lot to think about...

The Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

46 Years Old, Human, Level 26 Paladin *Immune to Fragile, Sleep and Weakened* *Encouraged!*

Power: 40 (+5**)

Defense: 12

Health: 48/48 (+3*)

Ether: 13/25

Gold: 108

Equipment: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 11, Darkness Fire, causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health, permanently Deadly Envenomed) 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, Remedy, Seventh Heaven, Tonic, Milk, Emergency Essence, Mead

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

Arthur Justus Regulus VII (played by Flipz), Level 26 Sorcerer, 21-year-old male Human *Immune to Sealed* [ Currently in: Quest #70: The Syndicate]

Power: 39 (25 + WP:13)

Health: 38/38 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 25 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*)

Ether: 6/36 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 25 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5)

Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi)

Gold: 1480 (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, contains an Elixir), 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 x11, Remedy x10, Elixir x4, 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, Grand Tonic

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

30 yrs old male human Rogue

Level 12.5

Power: 22 (12+9+1)

Defense: 4

Health: 15/18 30/38 (7+11)

Gold: 186

Equipment: Chromoid Drill (Dagger, WP: 9, succesful hits drop enemy's SP by 1.), 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), Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Topaz

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

Unknown age male human ranger

Level 12.5

Power: 20

Health: 16/17

Gold: 120

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 x2, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion x4, 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)

"It would seem the end is near..."

Nevron Utral, Level 14.5 Rogue

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) *Inspired!* *Encouraged!*

22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 15

Power: 21 (lvl 15 + WP: 6)

Health: 20/21

Gold: 321

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: Mead, 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, Leather Armor (Bodywear, SP: 1), Masson's Photo, Entry 11

[Flipz]

Arthur inspects the potions. After checking with his Magnifying Glass to see if he can safely take the mixture, he confiscates the Exterlate and examines the others to see if they can be safely mixed.

[Endgame]

Arthur pockets the Exterlate, but the other two vials didn't seem stable yet: mixing could have terrible consequences.

The Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

46 Years Old, Human, Level 26 Paladin *Immune to Fragile, Sleep and Weakened* *Encouraged!*

Power: 40 (+5**)

Defense: 12

Health: 48/48 (+3*)

Ether: 13/25

Gold: 108

Equipment: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 11, Darkness Fire, causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health, permanently Deadly Envenomed) 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, Remedy, Seventh Heaven, Tonic, Milk, Emergency Essence, Mead

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

Arthur Justus Regulus VII (played by Flipz), Level 26 Sorcerer, 21-year-old male Human *Immune to Sealed* [ Currently in: Quest #70: The Syndicate]

Power: 39 (25 + WP:13)

Health: 38/38 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 25 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*)

Ether: 6/36 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 25 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5)

Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi)

Gold: 1480 (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, contains an Elixir), 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 x11, Remedy x10, Elixir x4, 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 x2, Tonic, Emergency Essence, Grand Tonic

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

30 yrs old male human Rogue

Level 12.5

Power: 22 (12+9+1)

Defense: 4

Health: 15/18 30/38 (7+11)

Gold: 186

Equipment: Chromoid Drill (Dagger, WP: 9, succesful hits drop enemy's SP by 1.), 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), Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Topaz

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

Unknown age male human ranger

Level 12.5

Power: 20

Health: 16/17

Gold: 120

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 x2, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion x4, 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)

"It would seem the end is near..."

Nevron Utral, Level 14.5 Rogue

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) *Inspired!* *Encouraged!*

22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 15

Power: 21 (lvl 15 + WP: 6)

Health: 20/21

Gold: 321

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: Mead, 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, Leather Armor (Bodywear, SP: 1), Masson's Photo, Entry 11

[Flipz]

"All right, we should probably go back and head through the open arch, since there doesn't seem to be anything else here."

Arthur sets off, not waiting for the others to follow him.