Heroica RPG - Quest#75: Falling Stars

[-obelix-]

Thalion waits for Tarn and the others to respond before speaking himself. Instead, he takes of his helmet, equips his Cloack of Espionage and examines the remaining Stars.

Edited August 14, 2013 by -obelix-

[Peppermint_M]

The room was tidy and well appointed. Bar the fact it was said these bandits had entered the sacred caves uninvited, it looked to Tesni like her old home in the Hightribe mountains. Jun was hale and healthy.

"Yeah... Well Jun, we were certainly mercenaries as it was!" She sheathed her weapon. "If you are happy with this company, I am willing to hear them out."

[Flare]

Benji spits and stares venonmously at Jun. "We were hired to rescue you. If you weren't in trouble, why didn't you return home? I bet you would've spared your mother a lot of worry."

[CMP]

Atramor stared at the scene and processed Jun's words for a moment before blurting out at once.

"We fly across half the damn world on a ship, scale a friggin' waterfall, cut down over two dozen of the toughest bastards I've ever met, to find the megablock in distress is sharin' a cup of tea with the leaders of the bandits we're s'post to be killin' to avenge him?"

The witch grumbled loudly.

"And we're the irrational ones..."

[Costy]

"His face reminds me of someone true to their word, so I will listen to what he says."

[Sandy]

Thalion waits for Tarn and the others to respond before speaking himself. Instead, he takes of his helmet, equips his Cloack of Espionage and examines the remaining Stars.

Thalion gathers valuable information about the remaining nine Stars.

Blue-faced Beast (17^th Star)

*Immune to stunned, blinded, sealed, confused, petrified, minimized, doomed and sudden death*

Type: Humanoid

Level: 59

Defense: 5

Health: 2728/2728

Special I: Aoi Legacy – Causes encouraged, lucky and reinforced effects to self.

Special II: Bound By Fate – Damages the target and the opponent next in order equal to the difference between the targets’ current health.

Drops: Xiaolin’s Bident (WP:16; instantly kills Aoi; ice- and lightning-elemental spear), 100 gold

Cloud Dragon (4^th Star)

*Immune to poisoned, badly poisoned, minimized, petrified, doomed and sudden death*

Type: Humanoid/Flying

Level: 54

Health: 2314/2314

Special: Dragon’s Wings – Causes 32 wind-elemental damage to all enemies and hastens all allies.

Drops: White Dragon’s Greaves (SP:3, avoid traps on the ground, immunity to earth and petrified; suitable to knights, dragoons, skirmishers and winged warriors; footwear), 101 gold

Double Clubs (8^th Star)

*Immune to all negative effects*

Type: Beast/Fiery

Level: 55

Health: 3463/3463

Special: Double Whack-a-mole – Causes 55 damage regardless of SP to the target and 1-6 other random opponents.

Drops: 2 Phoenix Essences. 102 gold

Note: Double Spears always damages the target and the opponent next in order.

Fiery Thunderbolt (7^th Star)

*Immune to stunned, sealed, confused, minimized, petrified, doomed and sudden death*

Type: Fiery/Electric

Level: 52

Health: 1887/1887

Ether: 5/5

Special I: Heavenly Fireworks – Causes 52 fire- and lightning-elemental damage regardless of row to all opponents. Costs 1 ether.

Special II: Kamikaze – Deals damage equal to own health left to one opponent, instantly killing herself in the process. Used only if ether has ran out.

Drops: Phoenix Dress (Max. Ether +5, full ether restored upon revival, immunity to fire and lightning, suitable only to female mages, clerics, chi monks, minstrels and necromancers; bodywear), 103 gold

Note: Fiery Thunderbolt’s attacks are fire- and lightning-elemental.

Jade Unicorn (2^nd Star)

*Immune to minimized, petrified, doomed and sudden death*

Type: Humanoid

Level: 57

Defense: 7

Health: 2571/2571

Special I: Cleansing Horn – Transfers all negative effects from herself to the target, and all positive effects from the target to herself. Used only if she has negative effects.

Special II: Piercing Horn – Causes 57 damage regardless of SP to the target. Used if she has no negative effects.

Drops: Unicorn Helmet (SP:1; the wearer can only receive one negative effect at a time, with a new effect replacing the old one; usable by barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, regulators, skirmishers, and winged warriors; headwear), 104 gold

Great Blade (5^th Star)

*Immune to stunned, sleep, blinded, sealed, petrified, doomed and sudden death*

Type: Humanoid

Level: 56

Health: 2222/2222

Special: Great Divide – Halves the health of all opponents regardless of row and defense.

Drops: Great Blade (WP:25, greatsword), 105 gold

Panther Head (6^th Star)

*Immune to blinded, confused, hexed, petrified, doomed and sudden death*

Type: Beast

Level: 53

Health: 2415/2415

Special I: Roar of Rage – Causes enraged-effect to all opponents and makes them berserk, preventing them from changing targets until the current one has been defeated.

Special II: Camouflage – Prevents the Panther Head from getting targeted with any actions for the remainder of the round. Used if all opponents are enraged.

Drops: Nunchaku (Dual strike, suitable to Chi Monks; handwear), 106 gold

Resourceful Star (3^rd Star)

*Immune to stunned, sealed, petrified, doomed and sudden death*

Type: Humanoid/Holy

Level: 58

Health: 2683/2683

Ether: 8/8

Special: Stardust – Restores health to all allies equal to the amount of Stars of Destiny killed. Costs 1 ether.

Drops: 6 Elixirs, 107 gold

Note: The Resourceful Star uses Stardust as a Free Hit.

Protector of Justice (1^st Star)

*Immune to Light, Darkness, all negative effects and sudden death*

Type: Humanoid

Level: 60

Defense: 6

Health: 3026/3026

Special I: Galactic Justice ~ Meteor Shower – Causes 30 light-elemental damage regardless of row to members of the opposing party 2-12 times. The hits are divided as equally as possible.

Special II: Galactic Justice ~ Black Hole – Causes 30 darkness-elemental damage to all opponents regardless of row over three rounds, starting from the current round.

Special III: Galactic Justice ~ Heaven’s Gate – Restores one random fallen Star of Destiny back to life to join the battle. The revived Star does not drop anything.

Drops: Galactic Armor (SP:6, Max. Health +6, immunity to light, darkness and doomed; bodywear), 108 gold

Note: Specials alternate.

[Peppermint_M]

"So? You knew the deal when you signed up. Hells, we could have got here and found a note with directions to the nearest bordello and a request for more beer money!" Tesni shook her head. "We hire ourselves out for coin and reputation with higher ups so we can get more power for more coin. Honestly, a free ride out to a new and exotic place, a chance to really get our teeth into a battle and loot. Though I am none too impressed with the company they kept at the pagoda, finding them 'sipping tea' in a cave seems like a better deal than falling on my big behind on icey floors."

[CMP]

"Didn't say it's a bad run, said I was annoyed the whole reason we're out here riskin' our lives is to avenge someone who's damn well alive and livin' it up with the people we're meant to take out. Ya' know, there was a time when Quests used to be straightforward..," mumbled Atramor, crossing his arms.

[-obelix-]

Thalion whispers information about the Stars to others, takes off his cloak and puts Duplovian Helmet of the Guard back on. "I am willing to listen to what they have to say. Explanation to this particular tea party in the cave situation would certainly be nice..."

Edited August 14, 2013 by -obelix-

[Rumble Strike]

Tarn smiled at Jun, "I am delighted to see you are alive. When you did not appear with us outside the pagoda, I feared the worst. Your mother sent us on a mission of vengeance but I always held a forlorn hope that you survived. But I have to admit, I thought if that came to pass, it would be a rescue. It does not appear to be the case. We will hear what your Master has to say."

[Flare]

Benji discreetly drinks a mead and intently stares at the Aoi. He thought to himself that it would be best to stay quiet for now, and to speak up when things start getting hot.

[Rumble Strike]

Tarn likewise discreetly hands out a Smelling Salts to Tesni and Nagure.

[-obelix-]

While waiting for a reply from the Stars, Thalion took out his sais, nudged Tarn and handed them to him.

[Sandy]

Master Kai Tsi stands up.

"I thank you for not making any rushed decisions, although I can see you have not let your guard down. 'Tis only wise, considering the company you are in. The Constellation is formed from my most powerful and loyal followers, who have been with me since the beginning of this daring enterprise. You see, our one and only goal is to dethrone the Council of the Blue Hand and end the tyrannic rule of the aoi in Xu. Ironic, you might say, considering my own skin color, but indeed, I am a betrayer of my own kind. Manyfold so, since I let my followers into the Pagoda of Nine Elements where they killed all my Tao Warrior colleagues and students. It was the hardest thing I have had to do during this uprising, but it was inevitable."

"You see, our brotherhood was solemnly sworn to protect the Council, and their bodyguards contain solely Tao Warriors. It would have been my destiny as well, had fate not have different plans for me. And Jun would have also gained a position in the Azure Guard, had he stayed in Xu. We would have served the oppressors together, but alas, our paths took us to different directions."

"Xiaolin, that's enough of your romantic tirades. Listen, I am aware we have been coined as a band of thieves and thugs, but that is untrue. While our members came from all walks of life, we were brought together by a common cause: to end the tyranny and oppression of the aoi. It is not right that one race holds itself so high above everyone else that they see themselves as gods, and others as their slaves. Apart from Lee Long, you are not from around here, so you do not have an inkling of what it is like to live in Xu. The Council of the Blue Hand has always promoted war, whether it is against the nagas of Nagashan, the Empire of Njag or the horsemen of the northern Genghis Steppe. That way they can keep collecting taxes from commoners to put into their technological experiments, and keep everyone's minds occupied lest they start to have dangerous thoughts of what it would be like to live in a free country. It is a self-sustaining system that the aoi have kept going for millennia, and during my meditations over the years I came to the conclusion that only an aoi could stop the vicious cycle. That is how I became the Protector of Justice."

"Do you want to hear the story of how I became known as the Blue-faced Beast? The name was given to me by a man..."

"Xiaolin, for the ancestor's sake, be quiet! I apologize for my daughter, she has no sense of dignity in her. If only her mother would have lived past the childbirth, she could have gotten a totally different upbringing... In any case, have you heard enough of our motives? I only wish you will let me and my company go. We swear we will not bother the werepanthers anymore, but find another place to recuperate and build our ranks. If only we can spread the flames of rebellion among the common people throughout Xu, the Council will soon have a Million Stars of Destiny against them!"

Jun looks thoughtful.

"I imagine I would still be kept as your 'guest' to ensure that my mother won't report you to the Council?"

"You have always been a smart boy, Jun."

"Smart, yes, and prone to keep a grudge. As much as I admire your noble cause, Master Kai Tsi, I still cannot get over the fact that you butchered the other masters and my old friends at the Pagoda. But most of the culprits are dead as well now, so I'm torn whether you should be left alive or not. I let Tarn and the others decide."

"You're merciless, Jun. That's what I've always loved about you, tehehe."

"Xiaolin..."

Party:

Atramor Gibbin (CallMePie)

30 year old male human Witch

Level 28 2/3

*Poisoned Hits*

*Counterstrike*

*Immune to

Water

,

Lightning

, and

Wood

*

*Negative Effects Last One Round*

*

Lucky*

*

Inspired*

*Hastened*

Power:

40

(28+12)

Defense:

4

Health:

96/96

48/48

(7+27+8+6)

Ether:

23/26

(1+28-3

)

Gold:

145

Equipment:

Tiger Claws (WP:12, double against humanoids; dual strike dagger),

Amulet of the Court

(Suitable for anyone, negative effects last only one round on the wearer, immune to

water

,

lightning

, and

wood

, accessory),

Counterstrike Gloves

(When hit by a Free Hit, immediately deals damage equal to level, handwear),

Rat's Hide

(Suitable for anyone, SP:4, backwear)

Inventory:

Pheles Rod

(WP: 20, user generates an Aura, doubling the user's health but drawing all attacks to them,

fire

,

ice

,

earth

,

wind

,

light

,

darkness

elemental staff),

Conspirator (WP: 15, deals the

Blinded

effect,

darkness

elemental, longsword),

General's Dagger (WP: 7, pierces SP, cannot be upgraded, dagger), Ratsbane (WP: 10, absorbs 2 health on successful strike, dagger), Robust Shield (SP: 8, shield), Sylvania's Cowl (Suitable for anyone, grants

Animal Talk

, headwear), Ruby (

Fire

),

Potion,

2 Grand Potions,

3 Health Cores,

2 Grand Tonics,

Ether Core,

Elixir, Remedy, 2

Phoenix Essences, 3 Mulled Wines

, Soma,

Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb,

Bomb XX (Deals 30 damage to all enemies and 10 damage to all heroes, all damage ignoring SP/row),

Shovel, Pickaxe

Benji Carvenhall

, the Dragonslayer

(Flare)

28 years old male half-elven Beast Warrior

Level 34 1/4

*Natural Respite*

*Gains Triple XP*

*Immune to

Asleep

,

Blinded

,

Confused

,

Fragile

, and

Weakened

Effects

and

Wood

Element*

*Encouraged*

*L

ucky*

*I

nspired*

*Hastened*

Power:

52

(34+15+3)

Defense:

10

(4+6)

Health:

110/110

55/55

(6+33+15+1)

Gold:

1410

(owes 500 to Alexis Fenral)

Equipment:

Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:15;

darkness-

,

ice-

,

fire-

,

wind

-,

earth-

elemental

),

Medal of Glory

(accessory, mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, immunity to

asleep, blinded, confused, frail, and weakened effects)

,

Emerald Hood (SP:4, Immunity to Fragile),

Brown Dragon Girdle (bodywear, power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors)

, Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (SP:6, backwear, suitable for Ranger and Barbarian Oriented Classes and Beast Warriors)

Inventory:

Grogmas Handcannon (WP:12 + the number of the round of battle),

Flagpole (WP:3, +3 SP to the whole party whenever equipped, lance), Kusarigama (WP:10, whip),

Ratmancer's Cowl (headgear, the wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin),

Tricorne (headwear, SP:3),

Topaz (

Lightning

), Diamond (

Light

),

Potion (2),

Grand Potion (12),

Health Core (8),

Remedy (6), Phoenix Essence (4),

Phoenix Incense (2), Dragon Scales (3),

Nostrum (3), Smelling Salts (3), Mead (5), Mulled Wine (3), Venom, Smoke Bomb (3),

Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb 2x, Water Bomb,

Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel,

Skeleton Decoy, Bone

,

Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once)

Nagure (Costy)

34 year old Male Yeti Berserker.

Level 19 1/2

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to

Ice

,

Fire

,

Fragile

and

Blinded

*

*Counterstrike*

*Lucky*

*Inspired*

*Hastened*

Power:

29

(19+10)

Defense:

22

( 12+10)

Health:

72/72

36/36

(8+14+10)

Gold:

49

Equipment:

Axe of the Croise (WP: 10,

Light

-elemental axe),

Shield

(SP:10),

Yeti Fur Coat

(Artefact,

bodywear,

SP:12, immunity to

Ice,

Fire,

Fragile and Blindness

; suitable for yetis only),

C

ounterstrike Gloves

(Artefact,

handwear;

After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level)

Inventory:

Stone Hammer (WP: 15,

Earth

&

Darknes

s-elemental, hammer)

,

Tiger Slayer (WP:10, double against enemies with “tiger” in their name; spear),

Helmet (SP:1), Potion x2, Grand Potion x8, Remedy x2,

Tiger Balm,

Phoenix Essences x2,

Phoenix Incense, Mead x2, Deadly Venom x2,

Smoke Bomb x3,

Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Pickaxe

,

Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once)

Tarn Valco

(Rumble Strike)

*Party Leader*

22 year old human male Raider

Level 24 1/3

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to

Weakened

*

*Counterstrike*

*

Lucky*

*

Inspired*

*Hastened*

Power:

37

(24+13)

Defense

: 6

Health

: 80/80

40/40

(7+23+7+3)

Gold

: 241

Equipment

:

Lion’s Heart

(WP: 13,

darkness

-elemental,

stun

-effect; greatsword),

Darksteel Armor (SP:6, Max. Health +3, Immunity to

Weakened

; bodywear), Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear), Counterstrike Gloves

(handwear, after the wearer is struck by a Free Hit they counter with strength equal to their level)

Inventory

:

Veritas/Equitas (WP:10, Dual Strike, twin sais

)

,

Helbaerend

(WP: 10;

water

-,

ice

- and

lightning

-elemental, Hollow Blade; axe, Grand Potion equipped),

Bagpipes (WP:8,

wind

-elemental instrument), Fauxthril Spear (WP: 6, spear),

Skull Shield (SP:6; immunity to

darkness

; suitable to Black Knights only),

Amulet of U'Kin Nobility (Grants Diplomacy to wearer when addressing a U'Kin),

Death Mask (Increases assassination chances to 1/3 when the target’s health is lowered to 1/3; suitable to assassins; headwear),

Horned Hat (SP +1, Power +1, suitable for barbarians and beast warriors; headwear), Opal (

Ice

),

Potion,

Grand Potion x3,

Health Core,

Grand Tonic, Remedy,

Phoenix Essence x2,

Mead x5, Nostrum x5,

Venom x2, Smoke Bomb x2,

Shovel, Pickaxe, Bucket, Bone x2

, Cannon Parts (quest item),

Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once)

Tesni Hightribe (Peppermint_M)

Level 31 1/4

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to

Afraid

*

*

Lucky*

*

Inspired*

*Hastened*

Power

: 48

(31+10+3+4)

Defense

: 14

(8+2+4)

Health

: 100/100

50/50

(8+29+10+2)

Gold

: 1135

Equipment

:

Mellt (WP:10,

ice

- and

lightning

-elemental; hammer)

,

Sir Roderick’s Shield (SP:8, Immunity to afraid), Bone Claws (WP:3, SP:2; handwear), Dragon Bone Armor (SP:4, Max. Health +2; bodywear)

Inventory

:

Fàelàn (

WP:20, 8x damage to enemies weak to fire,

fire

-elemental longsword))

,

Ġ

eofon

(WP:20, deals 4x damage to enemies weak to water, axe),

Cysgodion (WP:11,

darkness

-elemental; greatsword),

Cryfder (WP:6), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, light-elemental; longsword), Party Maracas (WP:4, user is hastened, instrument),

Rebel's Dagger (WP: 5), 2

Shackles of War (prevents all fleeing, accessory), Magic Mirror (The user reflects all ether-based attacks back to the caster without getting damaged by them; accessory),

Red Dragon Plume (artifact, accessory, immunity to Weakened and Fire, suitable to Barbarians, Knights, Skirmishers, Winged Warriors), Samurai Helmet (WP:4, suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors),

King's Crown (Headwear, protects against Doom and Petrified, Suitable for all classes),

Ruby (

Fire

), Scroll of Sleep, Remedy, Tiger Balm, 2 Phoenix Essences, 5 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 2 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Soma, Deadly Venom,

Minimizing Dust

, Smoke Bomb,

2x Grating Stone, Bright Polish, Cannon Parts (quest item), Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning,

Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once)

Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-)

213 years old male elf Sorcerer

Level 19

*Dual Strike* *

Immune to

Sealed,

Magic and Healing

*

*L

ucky*

*I

nspired*

Power:

32

(19+13)

Defense

: 5

(3+2)

Health:

54/54

27/27

(5+18+4)

Ether:

29/29

(5+18+1+5)

Gold

: 249

Equipment:

Batarang (WP:13,

darkness

-elemental throwing weapon),

Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from

Se

aled

-effect),

Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to

Magic and Healing

)

Inventory:

Sleeper (WP:5, melee/throwing weapon, deals

Asleep

, Hollow [

Grand Potion

]),

Cloak of Espionage (

allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle; backwear)

,

Snake Eye Charm

(Protects from

Petrified

-effect),

Amethyst (

Darkness

), Diamond (

Light

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Garnet (

Earth

), Ruby (

Fire

), Opal (

Ice

),

Emerald (

Wood

), Aquamarine (

Water

),

Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Frailty

, Scroll of Weakening

,

Potion, Grand Potion (3)

,

Health Core, Grand Tonic

, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Nostrum,

Deadly Venom,

Smoke Bomb,

Bedroll

, Magic Compass, Bone

,

Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once)

Lee Long (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike)

42 years old male human Chi Monk

Level 50 2/5

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to

Blinded

,

Sealed

,

Confused

,

Asleep

&

Weakened

*

*Dragons cause halved damage*

*L

ucky*

*I

nspired*

*Hastened*

Power

: 52

(50+2)

Defense

: 10

Health

: 117/124

62/62

(12+50)

Ether

: 51/53

(3+50)

Gold

: 0

Equipment

: Chi Facepaint (protects from blinded-, sealed-, confused- & asleep-effect; suitable for Lee only; accessory) Long Changbao (SP:10, halves damage done by enemies named "dragon"; suitable for Lee only; bodywear), Pugilist's Gloves (Power +2, protects from weakened-effect; handwear)

Inventory

: Diamond (

Light

), Amethyst (

Darkness

)

Topazor (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike)

Topaz G.E.M. Automaton

Level 27 2/3

*Immune to all effects and

Lightning

* *Automatic

lucky

-effect to allies*

Power: 27

Element:

Lightning

Condition: 100/100

Defense: 10

Emeray (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike)

Emerald G.E.M. Automaton

Level 26 2/3

*Immune to all effects and

Wood

* *Automatic

inspired

-effect to allies*

Power: 26

Element:

Wood

Condition: 76/100

Defense: 10

[CMP]

"Aye? And what happens when ya' succeed, and there's no law left? Do ya' take over and start dealin' out whatever you think is justice?"

Edited August 15, 2013 by CallMePie

[Peppermint_M]

"That is the way it goes, but at least they might come up with some reason better than colour or birth nation." Tesni shrugged. "We are faced with a problem however. If we decide to leave them be, we have failed once more as I doubt Lee will keep this one under his hat." She looked to the warrior. "Am I correct?"

[Rumble Strike]

"No killing is honourable, whatever the motive behind it. This is something I learned to my cost in Dastan." Here Tarn looked across at Atramor, before focusing again on the aoi. "I am not naive enough to think any revolution comes without bloodshed, however your hands are definitely stained with too much blood, Protector. I have seen wondrous things from the Ji Pei, technological marvels that could one day benefit the whole world. The Lady Shanxian is a strong-willed and perhaps ruthless leader, of that I have no doubt, but from what I understand, she rules legitimately. I will not take part in an uprising, although my friends here may think differently."

[CMP]

Atramor crossed his arms and nodded at Tarn's words. He couldn't help but be surprised at his own opinion. In older times he probably would've sided with the Stars since, well....rebellion was a pretty common thing with rogues and those like him. The law never seemed to do anyone any good. But Dastan had changed his mind on that....as had Eubric, to a point. The Ji Pei didn't seem to be imposing on anyone.

"Maybe your intentions are decent enough, but followers at the bottom of the ladder might not be as devoted to the cause as you are. At the head of things, ya' might be the righteous leader you're aimin' for. The idiots carryin' out your orders more likely than not have a less than noble goal, seein' as how they seemed perfectly happy to massacre everyone at the Pagoda."

[-obelix-]

"I wasn't present to witness what happened at the Pagoda, but from what I've heard it was not something you'd wish to see. Your intentions may be noble, but the way of getting things done just doesn't seem right..." Thalion said, shaking his head.

[Flare]

"If you consider terrorizing the people you claim to want to protect, then you have a serious flaw in your system. In my books..." Benji slowly transforms into a hideous reptilian. "...you're as good as dead." He dramatically loads his crossbow. "Jun is coming with us."

[Sandy]

"We are faced with a problem however. If we decide to leave them be, we have failed once more as I doubt Lee will keep this one under his hat." She looked to the warrior. "Am I correct?"

"I am here to bring Jun back home to his mother. The Xuan politics are of no concern to me anymore."

"I am not naive enough to think any revolution comes without bloodshed, however your hands are definitely stained with too much blood, Protector."

"What is too much blood? And who are you to judge me? You have just killed 26 of my companions, and I've been told you had a hand of killing the other 73 at the Pagoda before that. Did the Stars threaten your life in any way? No, you were hired to slaughter them. So don't preach me about the dishonor of killing."

"I have seen wondrous things from the Ji Pei, technological marvels that could one day benefit the whole world. The Lady Shanxian is a strong-willed and perhaps ruthless leader, of that I have no doubt, but from what I understand, she rules legitimately. I will not take part in an uprising, although my friends here may think differently."

"Lady Shanxian Ji Pei would of course be free to continue her life on the Free Islands, despite being an emissary of the Council. We will not be persecuting officials sent abroad. The simple fact is that the current government must be overthrown and replaced with people of various races and origins, if we ever hope to have justice in this land. It is true that the blood of my brotherhood is on my hands, but they were warriors, each and every one of them, trained to fight and die for us aoi. You must see that I had no choice but to strike where it would hurt the Council the most."

"Maybe your intentions are decent enough, but followers at the bottom of the ladder might not be as devoted to the cause as you are. At the head of things, ya' might be the righteous leader you're aimin' for. The idiots carryin' out your orders more likely than not have a less than noble goal, seein' as how they seemed perfectly happy to massacre everyone at the Pagoda."

"Power corrupts, that much I know. Which is why I am willing to be only the instigator for the rebellion and give the power to the hands of a new council chosen by the people of Xu. What comes after that, it is in the hands of fate."

"I wasn't present to witness what happened at the Pagoda, but from what I've heard it was not something you'd wish to see. Your intentions may be noble, but the way of getting things done just doesn't seem right..." Thalion said, shaking his head.

"The Council of Blue Hand has been in power for thousands of years, and nobody has been able to dethrone them during all that time - although there have been countless attempts, believe me. How would you suggest we should have started the rebellion, if not by eliminating the Council's personal guards?"

"If you consider terrorizing the people you claim to want to protect, then you have a serious flaw in your system."

"Excuse me, but who have we terrorized, exactly? Ah, you mean the lies being spread about us? Panther Head told me about those when he returned from his old hometown of Baokun. I swear, we have not been robbing or pillaging the countryside neither here nor in Hoshin province, despite what the nasty rumors tell. The government wants everyone to see us as bandits rather than rebels. It seems you have been under the same misguided allusion."

[CMP]

Atramor rubbed his chin for a moment.

"Don't like the idea of ya'll killin' your way to 'freedom' and assumin' anyone who's not an aoi would make better leaders than the Council. I've seen countries like this face rebellion before, and the aoi aren't the source of the problem, believe me. Maybe things are messed up in Xu. But the worst I've seen come from a group of 108 rebels destroyin' an entire order to prove a point. I'm all for finsihin' this. Fate doesn't fix things."

[-obelix-]

"Me too. I've just returned from the mission of foiling the assassination attempt in High Kingdoms, allegedly caused by the exact problems. Its the same story over and over, wherever we go..."

[Rumble Strike]

"My hands are stained with blood, Protector, I agree. Even the blood of innocents. The path of the righteous man is not an easy one to walk, but throughout my life I have done more good than harm, of that I am sure. The balance of the ledger falls in my favour. I do not believe you can say the same, with your casual justification of slaughtering those Tao Warriors. Then you correctly point out that we have done the same to you Stars of Destiny, but you had forcefully and brutally stolen something that did not belong to you. Did you not think there would be a reckoning?

You should have found another way to make your point to the Council. Killing never solves anything, it just creates more problems. Hand over Jun, and we may yet be able to stop this descending into further bloodshed."

[Flare]

"I say, may the better fighters win." Benji said with a gleam in his eyes.