[User]
 The warm atmosphere of the Yawning Portal tavern offers a blessed relieffrom the bitter winter chill outside. Here, pipesmoke and the scent of spiced wine mingle with dozens of dialogues bleeding into one, while the snowy world lies trapped outside the heavily fogged glass. In the midst of the folk talking and dancing is a wide circular well lit by everburning torches: the eponymous Yawning Portal, which, the leBend holds, is an entrance to Undermountain, the leBendary dungeon.

Intent on adventure-whether for sheer thrills or for matters material and financial-you settle into the smoky common room, talking about for a wealthy patron or a rumor of treasure to be found.

Within a mere moment of your entrance, a lovely musical laugh seizes your attention: At the next table, a nobly-dressed half-elf woman with a shock of crimson hair and bright eyes is discussing just such a quest with two adventurous-looking types: a dwarf and a tiefling wizard. You hear her mention " gold " and " ancient magic ".

[User]
 Ezekial

Drawn by the sound of her laugh and her striking red hair, Ezekial makes his way over to the half-elf's table.  Pulling out a chair and slouching down into it,   What is a beautiful creature like you doing with these two louts?  If you wish to sponser a quest to Undermountian, I would be happy to oblige you for something that you can probably more easily part with than they demand.

[User]
 Finren, Gnome Ranger

Finren takes a seat at a table alone and orders a drink. He sits idly running his finger along the blade of his scimitar, looking wearily about the room.  When the talk between the half-elf and her companions becomes too load to ignore, something in him perks up to listen closely.  He briefly thinks of the lightness of his wallet.  But he pushes the thought aside. For now. Would that his skills could get him some normal, honest, and  safe  work for a change. He sighs and mutters to himself,   "This is no way to make a living."

[User]
 Thoradin sits at a bones with a rather gruff looking group. A pipe rest in his mouth and more than one empty drink sits on the table in front of him to ease his growing losses. He wears fine dwarvern plate with an ancient look and covered in golden runes. A well used but well kept dwarvern hammer rests on the floor next to his chair along with a backpack.

His ears, hidden beneath a mane of rough brown hair, perk up.   "'Scuse me, gentlemen. I've some..business to attend to."   He drops a few coins onto the table, picks up his things and ambles over toward the growing group of adventurers.

"Pardon me, I couldn't help overhear a dicussion of a most interesting nature. My name is Thoradin, perhaps I could be of assistance."

[User]
 " I'm sorry, " the half-elf woman says to you, " but these two gentlemen have already accepted the task ".

She turns to the tiefling and says " Now, we need a private place to discuss the terms. "

" How about the alley? " he suggests.

You notice an evil glint in his eye. The dwarf grins.

[User] Finren hasn't stopped listening, despite himself.  Now he throws a casual glance toward the three at the near table.  He doesn't like what he sees.    Can she really be so stupid?   he thinks, then heaves an even deeper sigh than before.  It may shortly become moot whether he wants to get involved or not, if the half-elf is really so naive.  He keeps a tight grip on his pack, ready to move if the half-elf proves willing to leave alone with her shifty companions.

[User] A puff of smoke comes from Thoradin's pipe as he scratches his beard in thought.   "An alley is no place for a lady or for business. You might run into  disreputable  folk of unagreeable nature. Please, allow me to get you a room upstairs. It's the least I could do for intruding."

[User]
 The shady looking dwarf grabs Thoradin's arm. " You best not be messing with me, welp! Mid your own business. "

You notice that under his clothing is a rusty chain shirt, and there is a knife concealed in his belt.

[User] Thoradin looks down at the hand holding his arm. He keeps a measured expression but his bushy brows raise in interest.   "I believe I was talking to the lady here,  goodsir . No need to do anything rash."

[User]
 Ezekial
  Whoa, no need to get angry.  Aren't we all among friends here?  Why don't we all order another drink and settle this like gentlemen.    Ezekial says with a disarming grin before sweeping off his enormous feathered hat and gesturing to a serving girl.

[User]
 The half-elf looks at Thoradin and Ezekial, incredulous.

" Who are you? " she askes, " And what do you care? "

[User]
 Ezekial
  Ah, forgive me for not introducing myself sooner m'lady.    Ezekial rises from his seat and makes a deep bow before kissing the half-elf's hand.    I am Ezekial, a mage in search of adventure.  Maybe you have heard of me, I have been banned from most of the other drinking establishments in this fair city.

[User] Thoradin shares a wide eyed expression with the half-elf at Ezekial's flourishings. "  As I said before, miss, I..err, several people.."   he says, looking at Ezekial and then giving the room a quick glance. "  Seem to be interested in your current affairs."   He uses his free arm to fish out a key from his belt and holds it up to her.   "A room for your privacy. You won't have to hear from me again. What have you got to lose?"

[User]
 Finren has seen situations like this erupt too many times.  He sets his ale down and rises, and then he sidles silently up to the shady looking dwarf.  A head shorter than him, Finren looks up with a soft smile.   "Looks like the lady might be getting charmed away from you,"   he says affably.   "Happens to the best of us sometimes.  How about if I buy you and your friend a consolation drink?"

 Spoiler

 Diplomacy:   (1d20+1)[ 16 ]

[User]
 " Fair enough, " the dwarf says, and the tiefling nods.

The half-elf speaks. " Allow me to apologise. I was rude. I am Lisren Sunglade, and these are my new associates. The dwarf is Magnin Irongut, and the tall fellow simply calls himself Sleer. "

[User]
 Ezekial

Releasing the lady's hand, Ezekial straightens before again taking a seat at the table.    No apologies necessary, but what of this expedition to Undermountain you were discussing?

[User] I really can't believe that worked , Finren thinks to himself as he flags down a barmaid and hands her 2 sp for a pitcher of ale. He keeps a pleasant smile on his face, but inwardly feels weary that he's been pulled into the discussion after all.

[User]
 Ezekial
  You've gone quiet all of a sudden Lisren, what troubles you?    Ezekial asks with a disarming grin.

 Spoiler
Diplomacy:  (1d20+6)[ 10 ]
Insight:  (1d20+3)[ 19 ]

[User] Thoradin retracts his hands and and looks awkwardly around.   "Well, good to see things aren't as bad as they seemed."   he mumbles.   "I'll just be off then.."

[User] Lisren says " I have just hired these two brave gentlemen to scout out a newly discovered entrance which may lead to the famous subterranean network known as Undermountain. I'm I cannot disclose to you the exact location. "

[User]
 Ezekial
  Well, that is most unfortunate m'lady.  One should be more careful when choosing employees in order to avoid those loutish types.

[User]
 Finren, Gnome Ranger

Finren keeps a placid smile on his face, inwardly wincing as Ezekial continues to needle the dangerous looking pair.  He thanks the barmaid who returns with the pitcher of ale, proffering it to the tiefling and dwarf.

  "Perhaps you'd be interested in additional help? In case these two gentlemen are . . . too small in number for the challenge?"

[User]
 Ezekial
  Well, it appears there is no reason for us to continue this conversation if you are going to be so obstinant about it.

Ezekial stands, dips another deep bow before sweeping his hat back onto his head and moving off in search of an empty table.

[User] " Wait! Additional help is not out of the question. What kind of skills so you good fellows posess? "

[User]
 Ezekial

Slowing his departure, Ezekial turns to address the question.    I am an enchanter m'lady, skilled in the arts magical.

[User] " Could you demonstrate? "

[User] Half way back to his table, his disappearance not as flashy or vocal as the "enchanter", Thoradin turns around upon hearing the resumed conversation. He too would like to see a show and perhaps his retirement was ending. A small grin came onto his face.

[User]
 Ezekial
  A demonstration?  Why of course, I never thought you'd ask.   With a flouish Ezekial summons a spectral hand over the table and causes it to pour the lady a drink.

[User]
 Ezekial
  Did my demonstration not impress you m'lady?

[User] " An apprentice mage could preform such a simple trick. Come outside and show me something more ... destructive. "

[User]
 Ezekial
  It almost sounds as if you are trying to get me either arrested or banned from another drinking establishment.  What did you have in mind for a focus for my power?

[User] " Perhaps a little firework display? I on't want anyone to get hurt, of course, but a simple mage hand spell is not impressive. "

[User]
 Ezekial
  Firework display?  What do you take me for?  A lowly Pyromancer?  I madam, am an enchanter.  I will not produce fireworks for your amusement!

[User] " Display your powers of enchantment, then. "

[User]
 Ezekial
 If you insist, though you may not like the results.

 Spoiler
Beguiling Strands:
1d20+9 vs Will against everyone withint blast  5  6 (edit, I did the math wrong), push each target that is hit 5 squares. not sure how many targets I am looking at, I would like to deal 0 damage.

[User] Lisren watches your display seriously, slowly nodding. " Very well, " she says. " You may join the venture. But I warn you: it will be dangerous, and you may not return. "

[User]
 Ezekial
  Sounds like my kind of expedition.  Will you be accompanying us?


[User]
 Arena Tournament, Round 108:  Brumph  vs.  Ranko
 Map:
 Spoiler

 XP Award:  300 XP
 GP Award:  300 GP

 Brumph  - ybot
 Ranko  - Scorer

 All Combatants, please roll initiative and declare final purchases, if any

[User]
 initiative  (d20-1)[ 17 ]
no purchases

lets try to do this without any DQs.

[User]
 Reporting in...

Init

 (1d20+6)[ 23 ]

No, no DQs 😉

I've never gone in a DQ in the 3 years I've been around.

Purchases tomorrow

[User]
 ok, buy list:

2x Tanglefoots
20 Masterwork arrows

Any reactive before starting?

[User] no reactives.

[User]
 Ranko 1st Turn

 Spoiler

Ranko starts in M1 holding Grappling Hook...

Carrying all consumables, therefor medium load...

Standard: Secure Grappling Hook DC 14

 Use Rope  (+2 silked rope)
 (1d20+8)[ 27 ]

Move: (If succesful, start accelerated climbing, autosucced)
15' up

 End of Turn

STATS

 Spoiler

Ranko started @  M1
Ranko ended @  M!  (maybe 15' up)
HP 9/9
AC 19 (10 +6 dex, +1 size, +2 armor) Touch 17 FF 13

53 arrows left
20 MW arrows left

Hand 1: Grappling Hook
Hand 2: Grappling Hook
Mouth: None

No consumables used yet

[User]
 Brumph - round 1

LOS:

 Spoiler
move: open door
standard: move to J23

stats

 Spoiler
starting in m25 holding a longspear and wearing chainmail

hp 12/12
AC 14
spells:
0 level
3 cure minor
1 level
1 enlarge person
2 faith healing

done

[User]
 Ranko 2nd Turn

 Spoiler

Move: Finish climbing and
Move: Retract Grappling Hook

All of this trying to hide

 Hide  (penalty for medium load not included in roll)
 (1d20+15)[ 18 ]

 End of Turn

STATS

 Spoiler

Ranko started @  M1  15' up
Ranko ended @  M1
HP 9/9
AC 19 (10 +6 dex, +1 size, +2 armor) Touch 17 FF 13

53 arrows left
20 MW arrows left

Hand 1: Grappling Hook
Hand 2: Grappling Hook
Mouth: None

No consumables used yet

[User]
 Brumph - round 2

LOS:

 Spoiler
Full round: run to J7

stats

 Spoiler
hp 12/12
AC 14
spells:
0 level
3 cure minor
1 level
1 enlarge person
2 faith healing

done

[User]
 Ranko 3rd Turn

 Spoiler

Move: Draw Bow
Move: To  L3  at half speed

All of this trying to hide

 Hide  (penalty for medium load not included in roll)
 (1d20+15)[ 26 ]

 End of Turn

STATS

 Spoiler

Ranko started @  M1
Ranko ended @  L3
HP 9/9
AC 19 (10 +6 dex, +1 size, +2 armor) Touch 17 FF 13

53 arrows left
20 MW arrows left

Hand 1: Longbow
Hand 2: Longbow
Mouth: None

No consumables used yet

We may need a LoS check

[User] Requested LoS Check

[User]
 LoS recived, strike ended. 😎

@Refs

 Spoiler
Brumph Spot R1 DC 18 -3 +11 distance... impossible
Brumph Spot R2 DC 26 -3 +... impossible.

Brumph

 Spoiler
No LoS.
The gate is shut.

Ranko

 Spoiler
I'm assuming you climbed up to L1 and didn't try balancing on thin air at M1. 😁

Anyway, when you finish your climb you see Brumph in J-23.

Round 2, Brumph runs to J-7.

You may revise your Round-3 actions if you wish.

Optional rewind back to Ranko, Round-3.

[User] no revision, Brumph may proceed...

[User]
 Brumph - round 3

LOS:

 Spoiler
move: move to m4
standard: open door

stats

 Spoiler
hp 12/12
AC 14
spells:
0 level
3 cure minor
1 level
1 enlarge person
2 faith healing

done

[User]
 Ranko 4th Turn

 Spoiler

Move: Snipe

Hide
 (1d20-5)[ 8 ]
Standard: Attack

 Attack  (+1pbs +1MW +2 unseen)
 (1d20+13)[ 22 ]
 Damage
 (1d6+1)[ 4 ]
 If Crit
 (1d20+13)[ 26 ]
 Additional Crit Damage
 (2d6)[ 4 ]

 End of Turn

STATS

 Spoiler

Ranko started @  L3
Ranko ended @  L3
HP 9/9
AC 19 (10 +6 dex, +1 size, +2 armor) Touch 17 FF 13

53 arrows left
19 MW arrows left

Hand 1: Longbow
Hand 2: Longbow
Mouth: None

No consumables used yet

[User] I asked for LOS in the waiting room. It may effect your turn.

[User]
 refs:

 Spoiler
los through brumph reaching m4 - still impossible 23 max v 26 hide.

post snipe spot  (1d20+3)[ 4 ]  vs dc 8

brumph

 Spoiler
no los, after during rankos turn you are attacked by an arrow with:
Attack:[22]
Damage:[4]
 If Crit:[26]
Additional Crit Damage:(2d6):[4]

still no los

ranko

 Spoiler
brumph moves to M4 and opens the door.

proceed

[User]
 Brumph - round 4

LOS:

 Spoiler
swift: activate animal devotion Hawk
move: spiral up (m4 ,n4+5 ,n5+10, m5+15, m4+20) 20 feet ending in m4 +20

stats

 Spoiler
hp 8/12
AC 14
buffs
rage claws
hawk devotion 10/10
spells:
0 level
3 cure minor
1 level
1 enlarge person
2 faith healing

not done need los

[User] No need to wait for Ref, you see Ranko in L3 kneeled. Ranko gasps as she didn't expect you to fly fly fly 😦😦😦 😎 😁

[User]
 Brumph - round 4 - part 2

standard: stab Ranko with longspear
attack  (d20+5)[ 18 ]
damage  (d8+7)[ 11 ]

stats

 Spoiler
hp 8/12
AC 14
buffs
rage claws
hawk devotion 10/10
spells:
0 level
3 cure minor
1 level
1 enlarge person
2 faith healing

done

[User] Well, usually my AC is 19, but Im kneeled and also I have med load... so that kills me... 😦 ☹ GG 😉😁😁 😁

[User] wow that was lucky. good match.

[User]
 Master Ref PsiDog
 Brumph rises to vitory on Eagle's Wings


[User]
 About fifty feet from the famous King of Fire tavern in Hareth's Folly is a rickety wooden bridge passing over a deep chasm, the rooftops of Lower Dura visible far below on a clear day. The bridge leads into the side of a massive cylindrical granite tower. At the top are the residences of the aristrocrats of Upper Dura, but you can't get there from here. What you  can  get to is a little neighborhood called The Nook.

The Nook is stone circle about two hundred feet across and twenty high. It was once a landing of a mighty staircase traversing the height of the tower, but centuries ago, stonemasons sealed it off for reasons long-forgotten, leaving no way to access the chamber until some industrious soul knocked a hole in the wall and built a bridge.

Buildings and tents of varying levels of permanence line the outer wall of The Nook, most of them bearing a sign indicating their business. A handful are small-scale restaurants and pubs, each with less than a dozen tables. One purple canvas tent proclaims itself The Uncommon Rose, with a crude sign bearing a motif clearly designed to evoke the vulva of a green-skinned woman. An old gnome sits outside his roofless sheet-metal hut drinking something blue out of a clear glass flask.

A well-dressed half-elf man picks his way past goblin food carts selling eye-on-a-stick and seedy-looking mongrelfolk hawking magical gewgaws, heading toward the most solid building in The Nook-- a two-story oak construction with a brass plaque nailed above the door:  FINDLAY&KITTON , it reads,  FOR HIRE.  He opens the door and steps inside.

[User]
 Kitton sits at his desk, perusing a relatively recent tome on the summoning and binding of devils.   "Stuff and nonsense!"  he mutters.   "Utter, utter stuff and nonsense!  Archmage Garibaldi has his head firmly planted in his backside if he thinks for one moment that any self-respecting denizen of hell...llo, sir!  How may Mssrs. Findlay and Kitton help you today?"  he finishes brightly, as the bell above the door tinkles and the half-elf steps inside.

 Mini Statblock
 Spoiler

   L. Kitton
  AC:  11 (10 flat-footed, 11 touch)
 HP:  14/14
 CMB:  +1  CMD:  12
 Fort:  +1  Reflex:  +1  Will:  +2

 Perception:  +6
 Initiative:  +3
 Arcane bolt:  8/8, 1d4+1
 Spells/day (1st):  6/6, DC 15*

 Current Weapon in Hand:  None
 Current Conditions in Effect: None

[User] "Yes, I had heard from... someone I know... that you... gentlemen... can research certain... issues?"  He seems very uncomfortable being here.  "Personal issues, that is. With, er, discretion."

[User]
 "Of course, sir!  Discretion is our middle name.  Well, our watchword, in any event.  We handle everything from abyssal incursions to zombified housewives, all at very reasonable prices.  My partner has stepped out for a moment, but please, have a seat, and tell me what seems to be troubling you."

 Mini Statblock
 Spoiler

   L. Kitton
  AC:  11 (10 flat-footed, 11 touch)
 HP:  14/14
 CMB:  +1  CMD:  12
 Fort:  +1  Reflex:  +1  Will:  +2

 Perception:  +6
 Initiative:  +3
 Arcane bolt:  8/8, 1d4+1
 Spells/day (1st):  6/6, DC 15*

 Current Weapon in Hand:  None
 Current Conditions in Effect: None


[User] Hear you go enjoy the communications.


[User]
 Given that it's the season of Halloween, I wanted to start a zombie themed game.  Regular D&D zombies, made by magic, are boring to me, so we're going to do a more fun infectious zombie theme.  If you get bitten by a zombie, you will become one eventually, unless a cure is found for you, or you are treated for the zombie wound (for example, a bite on the arm or leg can be cured by amputation, leaving your character as an amputee).  Characters who become zombies will become leaders of the zombie horde, and will be allowed a choice of playing their character as a zombie (fighting against their former allies) or rolling a new character.

Play will be broken into days, during which players can try to defend, reinforce, or exterminate in one sector of the city (the first city will be broken into seven sectors, a ring of six sectors and a middle city center).  Defending a sector prevents its outbreak level from rising, and may reduce its level by one if successful.  Reinforcing a sector makes it harder for its outbreak level to increase, and has the best chance of success at outbreak level 0 (it is impossible at outbreak level 5 or higher).  Exterminating a sector of the city will reduce its outbreak level by up to 3, but is very dangerous as you are actively seeking the zombies.  Only sectors adjacent to those with an outbreak level of 2 or more are at risk of becoming infected, but because of the nature of the sectors, each sector threatens at least 3 others (with the center threatening all 6 and being threatened by all 6).  The higher the outbreak level in a sector, the more likely it is to spread, and the more sectors with outbreak adjacent to a sector, the more likely it is that an outbreak will occur.  Special missions may crop up that allow you to take different actions, especially once you find information on the nature of the outbreak.  You may then be able to undertake research missions, which will give you a bonus like the other missions upon completion, but at the DM's discretion (so a research mission might lower the outbreak level, or act like a reinforce mission instead).

So, with those rules in mind, I'd like some preferences

1. Level: 1, 3, or 6

2. E6 rules: yeah or nay?

3. Difficulty: Easy, Moderate, or Hard (nightmare unlocks later).

4. Multiple Parties: have 2 or more groups running in the same city.  Outbreaks will be more numerous.

5. Multiple cities; if you succeed at taming this crisis, do you want to move on to a bigger city?

BTW, these zombies are immune to most abilities that effect undead.  If you have an ability like ranger's favored enemy, and choose undead, then you can still gain the benefit, but you will not be able to turn or control undead.

That is also the only hint you will get about the nature of the outbreak.

[User] bumping this to see if there is any interest.


[User]
 THE TEMPORAL GUARDIANS

PROLOGUE
Junon - Once a small fishing village, now a naval city reminiscent of Midgar. The citizens are in preparation of the welcoming Ceremony of new president, Rufus Shinra; the smell of the sea drifting in the air.

As the streets filled up with the citizens waiting for the parade to begin, a sort of discomfort and negative tension can be felt in the atmosphere. No one wanted to show the new president up, nor did they want to be arrested for ruining his day.

Let's have our heroes introduce themselves.

[User] Gabriel had finally found this SOLDIER 3rd Class, which Shinra had assigned him with, though he hadn't really been talking that much with the guy. Gabriel had only intoduced himself and not much else.

[User]
 Hime staggers through the streets, smelling faintly of fish and brine, wanting for nothing more than a proper, hot shower.  And maybe some cocoa.  And some new headphones - a stray bullet broke her old pair as she made her daring escape, leaving her to spend her time as a stoaway listening to nothing but the voices.  Something seemed a little different about them for some reason.  Like they were accepting.  But she didn't want to trust them, no.  It was bets if she never mentioned them to anyone again.  She'd had a week of sailing to figure out what she'd do when she reached Junon, but nothing like what she had hoped for - or that had been hoped for her - seemed attainable anymore.  The key to using an assumed name was to not get involved in too much business; she certainly wouldn't be able to continue her doctor training.  Perhaps she could at least find some understanding man and be a housewife that only ever talks to about 3 people for the rest of their life.  It would make hiding possible at least - and she could only run for so long.  Especially in these heels because DAMN, if she knew she'd be on teh run that day, she'd have at least worn trainers.

Hime checks in with a local inn.  Thinking of how best to throw people off her track, she rents the room for a week, but decides she'll leave by this time tomorrow.  All under a fake ID of course.  An odl boyfriend hooked her up once for attending parties - she wouldn't be fooling any Shinra Turks with it, but it was good enough to get a room.  She can't exactly sleep that night, lying awake all throughout even if uninterrupted


[User]
 Day 98 of the 551st Year of the Hunter.
 "Hand me that two-by-four, will ya? Thanks."
City, the larger of the two settlements on World, overflows with life. Preparations for the End-of-Year Celebration keep everyone busy. The hunters languish together in Tavern, chattering about...something. Eccentric group that lot. Heretic was a Hunter, but now is not the time to dwell on dark histories, it's a time of celebration! The smell of pies, peach and bindleberry, waft into your nostrils, filling you with warm anticipation for the party to come. Mmmm, bindleberry pie...They're only in season this time of year, and even Old Poe admits that Phoebe Baker, at the tender age of 16, makes the best bindleberry pie he's ever had. And who knows what tricks she's learned since last year? I mean, she and Bern are always making some sort of deliciousness in that little shop. Apple Pie, Peach Pie, Pumpkin Pie, AND THE APPLE CRISP! O Father, last year had just the most unbelieva-
 "Who's up for a game of Hoops?"  A sharp nasal voice rudely cuts short your thoughts of pastries. You see Noah Hunter standing with a group of others, Willem Farmer, Tarm Carpenter, and Earl Hunter. Noah's a lanky fellow, and his long arms seem to hide the group behind him as he spreads them wide in challenge. Willem and Tarm were both simpletons, strong, and not too bright, unlike their friend Earl, who possessed both strength and wit. His arms seem to engulf the leather ball they hold.
 "Anyone? Or are y'all a bunch of yellowbellies?"

[User]
 Gerard considered the offer for a moment. He didn't play all that much, and never practiced at it, but he was fast, and could probably take on Willem and Tarm easily.

 "Quiet your tongue, Noah. A game of hoops against you would be no call for cowardice. I'll take you on, if anyone's willing to team with me."

[User]
 Total opens his eyes annoyed at Noah for disturbing his thoughts. He swivels around in his seat to look at him.

 "I'm up for a short game. Maybe it will be interesting."

He eyes Noah, giving him a smirking smile. 😏

[User]
 Job downs the rest of his bindleberry cider, and wipes his mouth with the back of a meaty hand.

 "Aye Noah, I'll play.  I still owe you a bustin' for last months game, Ha!

He stands, and joins the forming team.

[User]
 Rall nods once at the company, unable to pass up a game.

 "I'm in."

[User]
 A number of others gather around, looking to watch a little of the game before returning to work.
 Alright! It looks even, four on four...shall we begin?
 Is this a game of Hoops?  You recognize the voice, deep, rich, powerful, its owner walks towards you with broad strides, dressed in simple work clothes rather than his usual garnished raiments. Eidolon. If you fellows don't mind, I'd like to participate. But if you're all too afraid, then I suppose I could return to my duties.  The corners of his perfectly formed mouth turn upwards in a playful smile.
 Of course Great Prophet! There would-
 Please, call me Eidolon, at least when we're in such an informal setting.
 Yes Great Eidolon! It would be an honor if I could play alongside my Prophet.  Noah bows deeply, oblivious to Eidolon's obvious amusement.
After looking around at the rest of the players, the newcomer walks over to Noah's group and stares each of you down, starting with Job and ending with Rall, the same slight smile still pasted on his face.

[User] Gerard nods to his master.  "Good day, sir. Will you be taking Noah's side in this game?"

[User]
 Job stammers, all but grovelling before the Prophet...

 "Great Prophe- ahh, er, Eidolon...  You do us impossible honor by your presence!"

He looks shamefully about,

 "But surely you must realize, even if you were to play against all eight of us, we might only hope to get you to break a sweat."

[User]
 "Please, no need for such praise, I assure you, I am no better than any other at Hoops,"  he says, his lips still locked in the same half-smile. He looks around,  "Are we waiting for someone?"
Noah jolts straight,  "You heard the Prophet! Go! Go! Spread out!"  He retreats to his own hoops before tossing the ball out in front of him, and before anyone is ready, he kicks the ball forward, advancing down the field at speed.

[User]
 Rall immediately runs after him, trying to steal the ball and turn the play around. He has a big grin on his face.

Take:  (d20+3)[ 6 ]

[User]
 As the game's start becomes apparent, Job lumbers forward as fast as he can, taking up a defensive position behind Rall, and preparing to block any offensive charge down the field.

 Spoiler

Job moves to Column H, Row 7.

Initiative: (1d20)[ 11 ]
Hoops Defense:  (1d20+4)[ 11 ]  (Str mod)

[User]
 Toal steps back to the goals (D6) ready to to guard them.

 Spoiler
Initiative  (1d20+3)[ 7 ]

[User]
 Gerard takes Rall's other flank, trying to defend him along with Job.

 Spoiler
Move to H3
Initiative:  (1d20+4)[ 9 ]
Defend:  (1d20+4)[ 21 ]

[User] Noah spins to the left, deftly guiding the ball away from Rall's feet and towards Job. He taps the ball between Job's sturdy legs, and heads right, sprinting towards Toal.

[User] Gerard will move to G4.


[User]
 Winter, Year 7500 [turn 1]

Its been a couple days since you have landed on the planet.  You are all in high spirits, and have received your parcels of land.  The Constructomatic 4300's that were shipped out with you are eager to begin building (and conveniently come with a bill accepter to facilitate payment).  The interstellar transceiver array is powered up, and the company that shipped you out was nice enough to provide a list of contact information for nearby merchants, should you need anything.

 Building Costs:
Production Center: 5000 credits for powered, 2500 for unpowered (requires 1/4 sq mile of land)
Resource Center: 2500 credits for powered, 1250 for unpowered (requires 1/2 sq mile of land)

 The Exchange:  Interstellar pricing is subject to change
{table]Good | Sell Price (they pay)  | Buy Price (you pay)
Grain | 25 | 200
Livestock | 50 | 400
Food | 100 | 1000
Renewables | 25 | 400
Fossil Fuel | 50 | 200
Energy | 100 | 1000
Ore | 25 | 200
Recyclables | 50 | 400
Metal | 100 | 1000
Bricks | 25 | 200
Wood | 50 | 200
Building Materials | 100 | 1000
[/table]

Currently, traders in the area can accept 20 units of goods per turn as exports, and import any number of goods.

[User]
 John Smith, fifth son of the third son of the West Wind Trading House, has come out and begun building a business of his own. There is little chance he was going to inherit anything when his Great-Grandfather died, so staking his own claim would have to do. And the old bugger was 134, and didn't look like he was going to lie down anytime soon.

 Spoiler

John orders the 4300 to build him an unpowered production center, (metal smelter) and an two unpowered resource center (Ore mine) (total cost: 5000)


[User] you have just arrived in Gulg. Drahcir and Yan' Jang are in complete bed rest and Meacham is attempting to gather information on the rumors of the two thugs

[User] Drahcir Sandstrider rolls around lazily in the far-from-comfortable bed, bored out of his lizard-y mind. To his right Yan' Jang is still resting off his grievous injuries, but he cannot see Karasu anywhere...  "Oh well... I'm sure he can handle himself on his own... And I'm too tired to look for him regardless" , he says with a slight grunt of pain  "And hurt. Maybe these beds aren't so bad after alll..." , he mutters to himself before dozing off again.

[User] lost my tutrle he big my *****..... lol i found u guys

[User] kurso or watever my name is leaves the inn and sells the large metalic arm to a shady lookin darwf witha eyepatch

[User] since Drahcir and Yan' are in bed rest do you want to gather information on the rumors you over heard in the inn?

[User] you no longer have that item because chris already sold it

[User] kurso heads out to gather info

[User]
 [roll]id6[/roll]  '
..............................

[User] [roll]1d20[roll]

[User] roll again please and be sure to add the modifiers

[User]
 (1d20+3)[ 4 ]

im trying

[User]
 (1d20+0)[ 5 ]
lets try this again

[User]
 With a short grunt, Drahcir decides bed rest is boring and goes to help Karasu with "the hunt."
 After a short time searching, he finds a sad Karasu with no information.  "Let's try this again, and let's hope we're a little more successful this time."

[User] Karasu   attempts to ask random citizens in hopes of finding even a snippet of information on these thugs whereabouts but is unsuccessful. it takes him  (1d4+1)[ 5 ]  hours with no success. he sits down on a box in the middle of a crowded bazaar and lets out a sigh of defeat as he watches the daily chaos of the Gulgan market.

[User]
 Spoiler
 (1d20-1)[ 4 ]

[User]
 sad face
kursaso
staheads to the nearest pub/bar

[User] (I should have mentioned that was a roll to attempt to aid Karasu on his Gather Info check. For future reference, I will use this color when talking out of character.)

[User] a Pterran is standing outside of a bar attempting to squeeze information out of random passer-byes but they usualy respond to his questioning with an akward smile or an "I don't know what your talking about." Inside the bar, his friend is slumped over a table sulking in his defeat, he can hear the faint unsuccessful questions of his partner from outside the bar which only discourages him further

[User] I walk inside the bar and ask the 'tender for  "The drink that will make me the happiest."

[User] this ought ta do the trick  he repies in a raspy tone

[User] kurso looks up sharigan activated making eye conctact with the bartender (atemptting a hypno) (works as suggest he can make a will save agaisnt my concentration i think )possiblke -1 or -2 for reasonible suggestion) okay so he trys to hyponotize the bartender into giving up any info he has

[User] the bartender rolls- (1d20+1)[ 3 ]  will

[User]
 (1d20+11)[ 22 ]
kuraso makes eye conctact with the bar tender and...............

[User] Karasu slumps over to the bar and hypnotizes the bartender into saying all that he knows. but it isn't mutch  "I've only erd useless banter 'bout how they trash this er smash that but it is usually state officials who are complain'in"

[User]
 Slightly confused but still knowing there is nothing he can do to help with hypnosis, Drahcir goes over to one side of the bar and enters a rather unstructured knife throwing competition with some sober and some not-so-sober competition.

 Spoiler
 (1d20+5)[ 15 ]

[User]
 big green lets go tlk to some officals
dun dun dun dun ....

[User] Drahcir turns away from his short sport and walks out of the bar after Karasu. Just a moment after the pass through the door, there is a short exclamation of pain. It doesn't take a genius to realize you shouldn't mix drunken fools with sharp knives.  "Oh well, I'm sure it's just a little cut..." , he says with a slight chuckle.

[User]
 so Karasu and Drahcir walk to the closest Templar barracks and are greeted by a pair witch doctors in front of a giant ornamental door hinged in the trunk of a tree

 PS. from now on so we can have some organization I will post, then the the pcs get 1 post each and I will post again

[User] Has there been an issue with thugs recently? We might be able to offer our assistance."  Drahcir says with a smile and a tongue flick (he is a lizard after all)

[User] kurso stairs at the gaurds quiet

[User] "we are not authorized to talk to foreigners" he replies

[User] With a grumble, Drahcir steps back and nods towards Karasu to take the lead. He crosses his arms and stares at the two witches.

[User] kuraso activates sharigan again staring into the eyes of the witch (hypno) (suggestion-itll will be okay just tell us were they are ) (i dont say that it just in there head)  (1d20+11)[ 21 ]

[User] (1d20+10)[ 27 ]  will save

[User] walks away with my big green friend  lets wait till the night and follow the guards in case they respond to reports of the thugs

[User] "listen I cant disclose any information unless you can prove to me you are a citizen or deserve it otherwise I wont tell you, its the word of Lali Puey"  his partner says in a very frank voice.

[User] Without another word, I follow Karasu away from the guards, my experience in combat helping me understand that these guards would decimate us in a fight.

[User] "We can't be sure they are going to leave their posts though, friend. And even if they do, why would they go to the thugs?"  says Drahcir after Karasu updates him and tells him the plan.  "I think we should just wait and try our luck at some of the taverns again tomorrow. The thugs will probably still a problem then too."

[User] walks back to the inn for the night to plan our next move


[User]
 "El imperio en el que nunca se pone el sol."
- Fray Francisco de Ugald, to the Holy Roman Emperor

The coast of Wodan, on the northern and southern sides, is a treacherous pass covered with low reefs and deadly whirlpools. Only the bravest of mariners dare the stormy, treacherous weather, with most opting to take the long route around the deadly phenomena. Such is life, however, and most prefer the dangers of the sea to dealing with the insular and hostile natives of the mountains.

Of the sailors of the world, only two nations have their sights on the sea: Tierce and Naranja. Fierce naval battles on the other side of the world are fought, unseen by the rest of the world, with great hurricanes summoned by the Tiercian noblemen daunted by the tenacity of the captains of the Naran.

For one reason or another, time is of the essence for you. You have boarded on a small clipper, helmed by a fierce woman named Vanessa - and your gamble seems to have paid of. Days of nausea and creaking wood have passed into sunlight and fair winds. You are awakened from the dark depths of the hold to the smell of frying bacon on the deck. Hungry from a week of hardtack and stewed fish, you emerge from below into the day...

[User]
 The ventriloquist arrived aboard the deck, a constant grin on his face.  "Good morning everyone!"
 "Last night, I saw a sea serpent in my pajamas. How it got into my pajamas, I'll never know."

[User] "Well not the best of vessals but she did fine all the same."  said the thief twriling his dagger in his hand.  "Anyone know when we will be served a decent meal anytime soon, the last time I ate the blasted dogs cooking had my tossing my bones over the rail."

[User] I'll be glad to take any food you don't want off your hands.  as if to prove her point, Aella lets out a belch that would put the average man to shame

[User]
 Originally Posted by Herpestidae

 I'll be glad to take any food you don't want off your hands.  as if to prove her point, Aella lets out a belch that would put the average man to shame

The dummy let out a whistle.  "What did you say your name was, lad?"
  "Quiet, Lufty, I think it's a girl."

[User]
 Originally Posted by Penguinator

The dummy let out a whistle.  "What did you say your name was, lad?"
  "Quiet, Lufty, I think it's a girl."

 "Aye, I can see her playing the lad but in either case you have to go jump the stern to get what was left of my vittles."  Smirking the entire time as he wandered about.

[User] Th'name's Aella, and it's in your best interest for your puppet to watch ’is wooden tongue, else I'll rip it out 'is mouth.

[User] "Now don't go blaming the puppet for speaking what we were all thinking lass, its not his fault you show more guts then half of my old molety crew."

[User]
 Originally Posted by Herpestidae

 Th'name's Aella, and it's in your best interest for your puppet to watch ’is wooden tongue, else I'll rip it out 'is mouth.

 "Joke's on you, haven't got a tongue."
 "That's enough, Lufty. Keep quiet."

[User]
 The young mage emerged from below deck and paused on deck, blinking rapidly. And she stood blinking for a long time. Apparently the sun was new to this one.

 "Ow.....Why must the sun set fire to my eyes when the weather is finally kind enough to relent? And when there's actually food that isn't made of wood to be had? I'll miss all the decent food. Again."

[User]
 The captain holds a pig on her right thigh, feeding it choice bits of fried bacon with her hands. She smiles at you when you arise from below.
 "A damn beautiful sight, isn't it? I was saving Lucky and Unlucky when we crossed the Dragonback Reefs."  She stokes the small oven a smidge, crackling food cooking on it.  "Unfortunately, Lucky didn't make it, I'm afraid to say."   She looks at the thief.  "Hardtack and bilgewater too fancy for your kind, eh? Want me to serve you with a silver spoon and a lacey dress? Aie. But I'd appease you, Milord, stay your wrath and enjoy some sausage."

And it is a beautiful day, indeed. The coast is not far off, the water sparkling clear, showing the shoals of fish swimming along side your wake.

[User]
 Originally Posted by Orosboru

The captain holds a pig on her right thigh, feeding it choice bits of fried bacon with her hands. She smiles at you when you arise from below.

 "Just goes to show what a pig-eat-pig world it is."

[User]
 Finally manages to blink the glare out of her eyes and look around the deck before walking up to the man with his puppet and staring at the wooden doll then the man, then the doll again.

 "Did you somehow get a spirit in this doll?"

[User]
 The barbarian came up from belowdecks. He speaks politely, with an easy smile.  Good morning. I will take some sausage. And some for my horse as well?  He glances around at the crew and fellow passengers as he makes his way to get food. He pretty obviously doesn't know what to make of the man with the puppet.
 Spoiler
Ok. The pig-eat-pig joke was pretty funny. >.>

[User]
 Originally Posted by Dante Falcon

Finally manages to blink the glare out of her eyes and look around the deck before walking up to the man with his puppet and staring at the wooden doll then the man, then the doll again.

 "Did you somehow get a spirit in this doll?"

 "Lotta spirits. But I prefer a strong ale."

[User]
 Originally Posted by Penguinator

 "Lotta spirits. But I prefer a strong ale."

She pauses for a moment, considering what was said before smiling and then laughing a little.

 "That was pretty clever actually. My name is Morgan. And I'm guessing that you don't get the doll drunk before it starts talking."

[User]
 Originally Posted by Dante Falcon

She pauses for a moment, considering what was said before smiling and then laughing a little.

 "That was pretty clever actually. My name is Morgan. And I'm guessing that you don't get the doll drunk before it starts talking."

He chuckled a little.  "Not often. I'm Gaibo, and this is Lufty."

The puppet's hand was extended for a shake.

[User] "And I"  the cloaked figured said with a slight bow  "am Dirrun, Devil in the night and Master in the ..... ummm."  stumbling over the last part he long at the young girl  "Ahh, excuse me not ust to having a lady on a ship."

[User]
 Originally Posted by Scholar23

 "And I" the cloaked figured said with a slight bow "am Dirrun, Devil in the night and Master in the ..... ummm."  stumbling over the last part he long at the young girl  "Ahh, excuse me not ust to having a lady on a ship."

 'Scuse me?

[User]
 Turning around  "Well any time I had a umhm, lady on a ship something unlucky ... always happen. The prettier the worst the luck. Thankfully we got you to balance out the spry young girl over there."  Hand resting on hip while leaning on the railing he began to chuckle.

OOC

 Spoiler
Sorry acting in character😦

[User] You do realize I could blow your sorry behind off this ship, right? See how lucky you are in the middle of the ocean.

[User] Chuckling as he stands straight up and said  "By the time you hit my with your little spell we would've reached land. See now what I mean about women, always starting problems."

[User]
 "Ah, enough caterwauling over nothing, landlubbers! You'll upset Unlucky's appetite!"  Vanessa strokes the pig's back.

In the distance, a massive chunk of bedrock dips below the cloud cover, part of the base of a great floating castle. It slowly tumbles away from the coast and towards the water. To everyone riding on the boat, it looks like a meteor is blazing directly for them.

 "Ah, hell. Dirrun, if we throw you off now, any chance that it will miss us?"

[User] "At this rate I might jump off, though I might take the boat with me and leave all of you behind. Who in his right mind needs a floating castle. Isn't that thing geeting a liitle close?"  Dirrun grumbled as he gazed up at the huge castle.

[User] Morgan takes a step back, not that the small movement changes the predicament she's in.  "That....I don't suppose we can get out of the way of that? And for the record Dirrun this one is not my fault."

[User] "... That's a new one."  Freydun notes, bemused. He sets his plate down and goes downstairs to get his horse.


[User]
 Gun-toting faculty babes function our guides.As author and director, Korine desires U.S.A. to be afraid and aroused, spellbound and excited. He desires to ridicule the riot of women gone wild whereas at the same time reveling in it. And he pulls it off.Advertisement"Spring Breakers" Selena Gomez, arthropod genus Hudgens, James Francisco Franco, Ashley Benson, married woman KorineDirected by: Harmony KorineOther: A A24 Films unleash. Rated R for robust sexual content, language, nudity, drug use and violence. ninety two minutesThis is that the rare film that I truly found myself feeling additional the longer I spent aloof from it and also the additional i believed concerning it — chiefly as a result of i could not stop considering it. within the moment, I found it numbingly repetitive, even boring at times: a plain juxtaposition of sex and violence, of unreal aesthetics inside a nightmare situation. And it's all of these things.
 Download Spring Breakers
However it curst American state, and it created American state appreciate the genius of Korine's approach.There is an excellent deal of real prowess during this film, that is that the most polished and thought to this point. The exquisite pictures, that vary from intimately gritty to spookily glowing, return from Belgian camera operator Benoit Debie, and drop Martinez ("Drive") enhances them with a hypnotic score. however "Spring Breakers" is additionally provocative in varied ways in which — wholly unstartling from the guy World Health Organization wrote Larry Clark's "Kids" at age nineteen — betting on the viewer. In super slo-mo, as beer-soaked party women disport on the beach to the thump of electronic popular music genre, is that however it truly feels within the middle of it? Or is that the scary extreme adults imagine after they dare to muse what their youngsters ar up to every March?The corruption of once squeaky-clean film producer Channel superstars Selena Gomez and arthropod genus Hudgens could also be Korine's cleverest trick of all.
 Download Warm Bodies
They get to point out some vary, we tend to get to gawk. however James Francisco Franco steals the complete film away once he arrives concerning halfway through as a cornrowed, wanna-be felon rapper named Alien (pronounced a-LEEN). it is a showy, splendidly weird performance, however Francisco Franco additionally finds the vulnerability at a lower place the bluster. And in taking part in an advanced, blemished provoker, he is rather more effective here than he was in "Oz the nice and Powerful."The young ladies of "Spring Breakers" have their own treacherous road to follow. The four old friends (Gomez, Hudgens, Ashley Benson of "Pretty very little Liars" and married woman Korine, the director's wife) long to flee the labour of their dreary faculty life. respite in Florida beckons, and once a quick-and-dirty, coked-up diner theft — that 3 of the women achieve while not the assistance of Gomez's character, the religious religion — they are headed South.Clearly these ladies already were headed for hassle long before they arrived the car; they are basically wild animals in hot pink nail varnish.
 Download Jack The Giant Slayer
They only required a bit shove, that the promise of non-stop partying provides. after they get busted for narcotics possession — and also the flashy Alien shows up to bail them out — their fates ar sealed. He talks lots of trash, jumping up and down on his cash-covered bed with a machine gun in every hand, flashing a devious smile through a sparkly grill. however he is additionally lonely and destitute, and in these women — or a minimum of during a number of them — he thinks he is found his soul mates.A scene during which Korine conspicuously (and effectively) uses Britney Spears' "Everytime" could be a model of the remainder of the film, and its mixture of playfulness and danger. Alien sits down at his oh-so tasteful poolside piano and looks to reveal himself showing emotion by activity the haunting, sorrowful ballad; Korine then plays the particular song over pictures of Alien's new living quarters bouncing in bikinis and girly-pink ski masks, hoisting rifles within the air and making ready to travel on against the law spree. however a stunning quantity of suspense reveals itself inside the bunk of it all; that is what makes "Spring Breakers" therefore laborious to shake.They ne'er desire real individuals, these curvy banditas, however they're the longer term of America, and this may be the last, best time of their lives. it's extremely unhappy — however additionally kind of horny.The actresses taking part in the faculty women embrace former teenage darlings Selena Gomez and arthropod genus Hudgens, corporal punishment a two-middle-fingers-in-the-air scorched earth attack on their film producer reputations. desirous to expertise respite, the women execute Associate in Nursing heist - the surprising getaway driver-view footage of the crime is that the 1st major sign that this may be a true film - and use the money to induce to Florida.After a bacchic hysteria and a predatory rescue by Alien, things get disturbingly weird, gloriously weird then semi-coherent for a couple of minutes, before a Peckinpah-inspired acid trip of a finale. All the whereas, Korine screws with time and area sort of a 3-year-old playing with the rewind key on his dad's stereo. The wheels on the bus go spherical and spherical. The wheels on the bus ... The wheels ...What ought to be displeasing is sensible within the context of the director's twisted medium rulebook. the feminine actors, significantly Hudgens and Ashley Benson, ar game for the ride. And Francisco Franco is indispensable, conveyance humor and pathos to at least one of the additional repulsive medium creations in recent memory.It would be simple to blow holes within the logic of the film (no one enjoyed time teaching the actresses a way to hold a gun convincingly), if Korine was making an attempt realism. you do not go away from "Spring Breakers" learning one issue concerning respite, the criminal mind or perhaps sex.It would not be stunning to find out that Korine has ne'er been to Florida. Ultimately, it does not matter. there is nothing happening in St. Petersburg that is additional fascinating than the twisted inspiration that ricochets around this writer/director's head.
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"Spring Breakers" could be a mood piece, a piece of music that washes over your brain like waves imbrication against the shore. A 0.5 hour, four hours, 2 days once walking aloof from it you would possibly still flashback to its attractive, neon-lit, dayglow world.The film is director Harmony Korine's spin on the annual March ritual and also the manner its revelry and naked, moving flesh connects to notions of freedom and recreation from everyday routine. it is also a quest of contemporaries and its disconnect from reality. once the lead characters stick up a diner to steal the money they have to move to Florida, they psyche themselves up by oral communication, "pretend it is a game, act like you are during a film."The film itself is equally disconnected from the $64000 world, similarly as from the principles and conventions of ancient cinema. Korine does not have a lot of use for narrative or character development, he is additional concerning making a sense, and within the movie's unreal, unreal mind state, "Spring Breakers" recollects Caspar Noe's equally trippy "Enter the Void."Korine leers at his stars (Disney darlings Selena Gomez and arthropod genus Hudgens, at the side of Ashley Benson and Korine's partner, Rachel) together with his camera, typically uncomfortably therefore, and it's unclear whether or not he is daring U.S.A. to appear or inculpative U.S.A. for trying. however his looker special effects adds to the film's soothing, hypnotic feel."Spring Breakers" spins off into its own orbit once James Francisco Franco shows up, taking part in a grill-wearing rapper/drug dealer World Health Organization goes by Alien. It's Franco's most bugged-out performance to this point, and he is hypnotic as a soi-disant "gangster with a heart of gold." He leads "Spring Breakers" down a dark path, however with Korine at the helm, this was ne'er planning to stop at beaches and brew bongs.Korine is fascinated by one thing rawer, one thing additional dangerous, and "Spring Breakers'"
buzz lasts long once the film ends.


[User]
 Your party is now approaching the Village of Hommlet, having ridden up from lands of the Wild Coast. You are poorly mounted, badly equipped, and have no large sums of cash. In fact, all you have is what you wear and what you ride, plus the few coins that are hidden in purses and pockets. What you do possess in quantity, though, is daring and desire to become wealthy and famous. Thus your group comes to Hommlet to learn. Is this indeed a place for adventurers to seek their fortunes? You all hope, of course, to gain riches and make names for yourselves. The outcome of this is uncertain, but your skill and daring, along with a good measure of luck, will be the main ingredients of what follows, be it for weal or woe.

The small community at the crossroads is a completely unknown quantity. What is there? Who will be encountered? Where should you go? These are your first explorations and encounters, so chance may dictate as much as intelligence. Will outsiders be shunned? Are the reports true—is the whole community engaged in evil practices? Are the folk here bumpkins, easily duped? Does a curse lay upon those who dare to venture into the lands which were once the Temple's? All of these questions will soon be answered.

The dusty, rutted road is lined with closely-grown hedges of brambles and shrubs. Here and there it cuts through a copse or crosses a rivulet. To either hand, forest and meadow have given way to field and orchard. A small herd of kine graze nearby, and a distant hill is dotted with the wand stone chimneys with thin plumes of blue smoke rising from them. A road angles west into the hill country, and to either side of the road ahead are barns and buildings—Hommlet at last!

The adventure begins...

[User]
 Coming to a stop after the long and wearisome day, Magus sighs and takes stock of the situation.  Unknown number of hostiles, unknown locations, unknown resources.  Available assets?  An elf, two swordsmen, a halfling and himself.

Bother.

"   Now that we're here, perhaps we should finally discuss a plan.  A plan that'll need to take into account the fact that we're likely outnumbered by the bandits reported in the area.  " He looks about the crossroads, sizing up the village. "   I suggest we poke around town, and find out how we can ingratiate ourselves to the locals, especially whomever holds sway over the local militia.  An extra sword arm or two would not unappreciated, that is for certain  ." The thin man draws his cloak tighter about himself.    I certainly don't have a particular hankering to wind up dead in a gutter in this backwater.  "

"   Comments?  Concerns?   "

[User]
 "In-grey-shiii-ate?"     Rekna asks himself, having not heard the word before.
 "Eh? I'm not so sure we'd want to find another sword here. Not sure if these people can be trusted. You've heard the rumors, no? Wouldn't want to end up with a knife to my neck to an altar."  Rekna composes himself after a visible shudder.  "I don't see a problem with talking to some of them though. Has Hommlet a tavern?"

[User]
 Self rolls his eyes, one of the humans is speaking again, they seemed to have that tendency. Although, he liked this one, it was smart to rely on magic. Not elven, but close enough. He had better start listening...

 Oh uh, Yes, of course, extra meat shields would be useful. I mean swordsmen, of course. One thing, any chance we could scout the local parish or church? A healer might be a useful minion against the bandits, keep the halfing and fighters when they take any hits.

[User]
 Leonarg raised up his fur coat and took in his surroundings, he knew all to well that foes could be anywhere and it paid to be cautious especially on the road.

 "Sounds like a good idea, a warm meal and a pint would be most welcome.  I do hope this place does have some good help, I'm not willing to part with my gold for men of weak character."

[User] Magus does not quite -smile- per say, but he draws his mouth into a line suggesting something of the sort.  "   I do not know that we shall have to pay them a copper bit.  We are the ones risking ourselves for the safety and comfort of their little burg, are we not? Brigands, and who knows what else threatening their hearth and home.  " He gestures to the northern horizon. "   What brave man would not volunteer to oppose such hazards?  I'm sure they'll listen to reason.  Now, Kal, use that halfling sense of yours to find us the local watering hole, will you?  "

[User]
 Kal snorts with impatience.  "Aye, was just about to head there myself if you fools kept jabbering on out here in the cold. My rations ran out a while back, and I am starving. Bloody disgusting things they were too, I could use a decent meal for once."

Kal stomps off towards the buildings up ahead, searching for one labeled as an inn or rest-house.

[User]
 Following in Kal's footsteps you quickly pass the outerlying farms and barns that are scattered on the outer rim of the hamlet. Men and boys are working the fields why rose-cheeked goodwives sit on their benches outside sewing or peeling potatoes. Soon you reach the village square, holding a smithy, the small shop of a leatherworker, the village hall and last but not least, a large building with a wooden sign;

The square wooden sign shows a buxom and smiling girl holding a flagon of beer. This must be the Inn of the Welcome Wench, a place renowned for its good food and excellent drink! Passing merchants make a point of stopping, as do many other sorts of wayfarers, and it is said that the place is always filled with patrons.

Inside, this large place is bright and cheerful. It contains several roughhewn tables and chairs, boards, and benches. Natural tree trunk pillars support the ceiling overhead, all dark with smoke and age. A motley group of people is here.

You count 13 men in the common room, sitting on benches and at the bardesk, from where a bumbling innkeep in a neat apron serves brandy and ale for the thirsty patron. Half of the guests would be merchants, in exotic clothing and tricorne hats especially popular among them this season. The rest, expect for one guest, would be local peasants and workers. Of particular note is a hulk of a man, filling nearly two chairs by a private table. He is scowling at you with a distrustful look.

[User]
 Rekna turns his gaze from the distrustful man, and takes a seat at the bardesk. If/When the barkeep approaches, Rekna'll ask for  something to eat, and something to drink, please!

While he waits, Rekna turns his ear to eavesdrop on the other patrons, determined to learn a bit more about the town than "they might be evil!"

[User] "Aye and for me as well"  Leonarg says as he pulls up a seat.  "And a drink for the man over there, he looks like he could use one."  He raises his mug when the lumbering man receives his drink as a show of good faith.

[User]
 " Aye, drinks, let us celebrate being alive."
Self said as walked from behind the two to the counter and ordered a frosty mug.
When he gets his drink,  " To life"  as he raises his mug.

[User] Magus does his level best to procure a bowl of soup, and inhales it when he does.  Presented with comfort after the long road, he finds it much more compelling than a bunch of backwoods yokels.

[User]
 The innkeep happily obliges and gets busy serving your orders. Soon you each have a mug of ale in hand and after your toast he asks you:

 "You are new here strangers. I see every man, woman and horse that passes through Hommlet and I never forget a face. The name is Ostler Grundigoot, now tell me, what brings you to our humble village out here on the frontier?"

Prices:

 Spoiler

5 sp for a regular meal (mutton, soup, bread and cheese etc.)
Ale: 2sp a mug

[User]
 Rekna removes a gold piece from his bag and offers it to the innkeep as payment for the meal.

 "Adventure. Don't know what they're after, but so long as I've had a bit of fun, it's all good."

[User] Irked somewhat at his compatriots' over-the-top antics, Kal obtains a meal from the innkeeper and takes a space near the local peasants. After scarfing down a few mouthfuls, he indicates the surly man at the private table:  "So what's his beef? Doesn't like adventurers or something?"

[User]
 If it's adventure you want, you might want to take a ride down to the old moathouse. Young Pat says the bandits that robbed him last week rode off in that direction. Best be wary of the moat though. I'm not sure that's just water and algae down there.

The innkeep directs his attention towards Kal;

 Ah, quite the opposite stranger. He has been looking for adventurous souls to take him and his companion along for weeks. The sour look is a permanent feature though, I don't think I've ever seen him without it.

[User] Rekna beams and continues consuming his food far faster than is probably good for him. He says nothing more while he eats.

[User] "Well then I suppose that'll be our first destination once we've got a lay of the town and a good night's rest."  Leonarg says before beginning his meal.

[User] If you're looking for rooms you're in luck. I have two regulars open for five electrum pieces, a smaller room with a view to the streets for two gold, and the noble suite stands empty until someone hands me five gold, though I'll have to throw you out if one of the local nobles decides to come visit. If you are as poor as you look you can take a night on the pallets in the common room for five silver. There'll be bread and tea for the thirsty in the morning.

[User] Rekna, somewhat elated, offers three gold pieces.  "I'll take a regular, then."  He'll then toy around with the miniature catapult in his room until he goes to sleep.

[User]
 "The Noble Suite for me, and a bottle of wine for the night, marvelous food by the way, my compliments. Now that man that's looking for work with for him and his friends, what else can you tell me about them?"

Leonarg finishes his meal while listening to Ostler before retiring to his room.

[User]
 I'll take the 5 silver for the common room, I'm not rich till we finish a quest or open a treasure chest.
Said the elf looking in his money pouch.

[User] Kal tosses a gold coin onto the counter to pay for his meal and lodging, muttering  "Common room's good, it's better than a bedroll on the cold ground, and that's enough for me."

[User] As they day comes to a halt the common room suddenly fills up with burly men. Their chatter makes is apparent that they are construction workers, working on a stronghold at the outskirts of town. None of them pay particular attention to you, travelers and adventurers must be common in this region. Hours later the Inn slowly comes to silence as its guests heads off to their rented rooms and beds while others simply pass out at the tables. The night passes by without disturbances and you all wake up feeling rested and refreshed.

[User] Self yawns, scratches his head before to see the others, " So, now that we got a good rest, what will out first step be? Magus, if we have the time, we should share spell secrets soon."

[User] Rekna will have some of the bread, humming to himself as his friends decide what they want to do.

[User]
 Leonarg orders a plate of bread and cheese, and takes his seat at the table.

 "Well the Innkeeper did say that bandits were spotted riding off in the direction of the old moat house, we should make our way out there and poke around, see if we can find the hooligans. At the very least see if we can find some clues, once the wizards are done with their business of course."

[User] "That sounds good!"  Rekna exclaims, eager to go out.

[User] "Sounds good to me too"  Kal mumbles, still bleary-eyed in the morning. He procures himself some bread and tea, and sets about attempting to obtain some dried rations to replenish his stores.

[User] "Huzzah! Let's go!"  Rekna shouts with the enthusiasm of a cheerful bard.  "Walk! Walk! Walk! Walk to the moat house to talk to some people!"  he sings badly as he does so.


[User] Kanna has just finished her lunch and is sitting in the shade of a tree near the fountain. She's been eating at the park recently for two reasons. Firstly, she really enjoys the scenery and the atmosphere, although it's very different to what she's used too. And secondly it's usually filled with duelists at this time of day and she's looking for a game.

[User]
 She approaches someone she doesn't think she's seen before, it's always good to duel new peopl after all. " Fuimt oui lyna -  " She pauses and shakes her head. " Excuse me, would you care for a duel right now? If you're not to busy that is. "

 Initiative:   (1d20)[ 12 ]
 Hand:   (5d40)[ 5 ][ 14 ][ 22 ][ 31 ][ 18 ](90)
 Re-rolls:   (4d40)[ 26 ][ 19 ][ 28 ][ 4 ](77)

{table=head]1|2|3|4|5
-|-|-|-|-
-|-|-|-|-[/table]

 Life Points:  8000

 Spoiler

 Hand  ~ 5

 Spoiler
.

 Face Downs

 Spoiler
.

 Graveyard  ~

 Spoiler
.

 Banished

 Spoiler
.

Deck –  Like Clockwork  ~ 40 cards

 Spoiler

1 Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”
2 Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”
3 Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”
4 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”
5 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”
6 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”
7 Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”
8 Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”
9 Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”
10 Karakuri Muso mdl 818 “Haipa”

11 Karakuri Muso mdl 818 “Haipa”
12 Karakuri Muso mdl 818 “Haipa”
13 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick”
14 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick”
15 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick”
16 Machina Fortress
17 Machina Fortress
18 Machina Gearframe
19 Machina Gearframe
20 Machina Gearframe

21 Cyber Dragon
22 Cyber Dragon
23 Dark Hole
24 Machine Duplication
25 Machine Duplication
26 Machine Duplication
27 Solidarity
28 Solidarity
29 Mystical Space Typhoon
30 Mystical Space Typhoon

31 Monster Reborn
32 Karakuri Showdown Castle
33 Karakuri Showdown Castle
34 Karakuri Showdown Castle
35 Overload Fusion
36 Call of the Haunted
37 Solemn Judgement
38 Solemn Warning
39 Solemn Warning
40 Mirror Force

 Extra Deck  ~ 15 Cards

 Spoiler

3 x Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 “Burei”
1 x Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
1 x Lightning Warrior
2 x Black Rose Dragon
2 x Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X “Bureido”
2 x Chimeratech Fortress Dragon
2 x Chemeratech Overdragon
1 x Stardust Dragon
1 x Red Archfiend Dragon

[User]
 The figure turned to the Al Bhed, nodding.  "I'd be much obliged; I'm trying to pass the time, you see. If you'll help me do so with a duel,"  she said, a duel disc snapping into place on her arm.  "I'd be grateful."
 (1d20)[ 18 ]
 (1d40)[ 39 ]
 (1d39)[ 39 ]
 (1d38)[ 1 ]
 (1d37)[ 3 ]
 (1d36)[ 34 ]

{table=head]1|2|3|4|5
-|-|-|-|-
-|-|-|-|-[/table]

 Life Points
8000

 Spoiler
 Hand  - 5

 Spoiler
-Blast with Chain
-Blast with Chain
-Scrap Beast
-Scrap Chimera
-Solemn Judgement

 Facedown

 Spoiler
-

 Graveyard

 Spoiler
-

 Banished

 Spoiler
-

 Slightly Scrappy  ~ 35

 Spoiler

 Scrap Beast
 Scrap Beast
 Scrap Chimera
 Scrap Chimera
 Reborn Tengu
 Reborn Tengu
 Reborn Tengu
 Gravekeeper's Spy
 Gravekeeper's Spy
 Scrap Goblin
 Effect Veiler
 Effect Veiler
 Thunder King Rai-Oh
 Thunder King Rai-Oh
 Pot of Duality
 Pot of Duality
 Pot of Duality
 Mystical Space Typhoon
 Mystical Space Typhoon
 Mind Control
 Heavy Storm
 Monster Reborn
 Dark Hole
 Book of Moon
 Scrapyard
 Scrapyard
 Scrapstorm
 Scrapstorm
 Scrapstorm
 Fiendish Chain
 Fiendish Chain
 Fiendish Chain
 Dark Coffin
 Torrential Tribute
 Trap Dustshoot

 Spoiler
1x Steelswarm Roach
1x Number 39: Utopia
1x Evigishki Merrowgeist
1x Gem-Knight Pearl
1x Ally of Justice Catastor
1x Arcanite Magician
1x Black Rose Dragon
3x Scrap Dragon
1x Stardust Dragon
1x Crimson Blader
1x Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
1x Scrap Twin Dragon

[User]
 "You'll forgive me,"  she said, drawing six cards,  "if I lead?"
 (1d35)[ 21 ]
 "I'll summon Scrap Beast to the field, and then set one face-down. Your turn."

{table=head]1|2|3|4|5
-|-|B|-|-
-|-|F|-|-[/table]
Scrap  B east -  1600 /1400

 Life Points
8000

 Spoiler
 Hand  - 4

 Spoiler
-Blast with Chain
-Scrap Chimera
-Solemn Judgement
-Heavy Storm

 Facedown

 Spoiler
-

 Graveyard

 Spoiler
-

 Banished

 Spoiler
-

 Slightly Scrappy  ~ 35

 Spoiler

 Scrap Beast
 Scrap Beast
 Scrap Chimera
 Scrap Chimera
 Reborn Tengu
 Reborn Tengu
 Reborn Tengu
 Gravekeeper's Spy
 Gravekeeper's Spy
 Scrap Goblin
 Effect Veiler
 Effect Veiler
 Thunder King Rai-Oh
 Thunder King Rai-Oh
 Pot of Duality
 Pot of Duality
 Pot of Duality
 Mystical Space Typhoon
 Mystical Space Typhoon
 Mind Control
 Monster Reborn
 Dark Hole
 Book of Moon
 Scrapyard
 Scrapyard
 Scrapstorm
 Scrapstorm
 Scrapstorm
 Fiendish Chain
 Fiendish Chain
 Fiendish Chain
 Dark Coffin
 Torrential Tribute
 Trap Dustshoot

 Spoiler
1x Steelswarm Roach
1x Number 39: Utopia
1x Evigishki Merrowgeist
1x Gem-Knight Pearl
1x Ally of Justice Catastor
1x Arcanite Magician
1x Black Rose Dragon
3x Scrap Dragon
1x Stardust Dragon
1x Crimson Blader
1x Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
1x Scrap Twin Dragon

[User]
 She nods enthusiastically. " Not a problem! I'm Kanna, by the way. "

 Draw:   (1d35)[ 8 ]

" Let's start things off with a bang! Since you have a monster on the field, I can special summon Cyber Dragon from my hand. Then I summon  Strategist Nishipachi  to the field. Nishipachis tunes with my Dragon to summon  Steel Shogun Buriedo . When he's synchroed up he allows me to summon  Muso Haipa  from my deck. In the battle phase Bureido will destroy your Scrap Beast, while Haipa attacks you directly together they deal 3,300 damage to your life points. When Haipa attacks he's switched to defence mode at the end of the battle phase, which means Bureido will let me draw a card. But before I do I'll stop to see if you have a counter for my moves. "

[User]
 ((Sorry about the wait... ^^;; ))

 "I have none; take your draw."

[User]
 Bureido:   (1d33)[ 3 ]

" Hmm... I'm afraid  don't have anything else to do this turn. Your move. "

{table=head]1|2|3|4|5
-|818|00X|-|-
-|-|-|-|-[/table]
00X =  Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00x Bureido  2800/1700 (ATK)
818 =  Karakuri Muso 818 “Haipa”  2100/1100 (DEF)

 Life Points:  8000

 Spoiler

 Hand  ~ 5

 Spoiler
 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu” Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick” Monster Reborn Machina Gearframe Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”

 Face Downs

 Spoiler
.

 Graveyard  ~

 Spoiler
.

 Banished

 Spoiler
.

Deck –  Like Clockwork  ~ 32 cards

 Spoiler

1 Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”
2 Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”
 Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”
3 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”
 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”
4 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”
5 Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”
6 Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”
 Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”
7 Karakuri Muso mdl 818 “Haipa”

8 Karakuri Muso mdl 818 “Haipa”
 Karakuri Muso mdl 818 “Haipa”
9 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick”
 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick”
10 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick”
11 Machina Fortress
12 Machina Fortress
 Machina Gearframe
13 Machina Gearframe
14 Machina Gearframe

15 Cyber Dragon
 Cyber Dragon
16 Dark Hole
17 Machine Duplication
18 Machine Duplication
19 Machine Duplication
20 Solidarity
21 Solidarity
22 Mystical Space Typhoon
23 Mystical Space Typhoon

 Monster Reborn
24 Karakuri Showdown Castle
25 Karakuri Showdown Castle
26 Karakuri Showdown Castle
27 Overload Fusion
28 Call of the Haunted
29 Solemn Judgement
30 Solemn Warning
31 Solemn Warning
32 Mirror Force

 Extra Deck  ~ 11 Cards

 Spoiler

3 x Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 “Burei”
1 x Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
1 x Lightning Warrior
2 x Black Rose Dragon
1 x Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X “Bureido”
2 x Chimeratech Fortress Dragon
2 x Chemeratech Overdragon
1 x Stardust Dragon
1 x Red Archfiend Dragon

[User]
 "Now then, it's my turn."
 (1d34)[ 31 ]

((No links because I'll have to run in a second.))

 "I summon Scrap Chimera to the field; it's effect resurrects my Beast, and I tune the two together to Synchro Summon Scrap Dragon! I activate my face-down Blast with Chain and equip it to Dragon; Dragon's effect allows me to destroy it to destroy your Steel Shogun. Once Blast with Chain is in the graveyard, it also activates: it allows me to destroy your Muso as well! With that done, my Dragon can attack directly, and I end my turn."

[2800LP of damage]

{table=head]1|2|3|4|5
-|-|D|-|-
-|-|F|F|-[/table]
Scrap  D ragon -  2800 /2000

 Life Points
4700

 Spoiler
 Hand  - 2

 Spoiler
-Solemn Judgement
-Heavy Storm

 Facedown

 Spoiler
(S/T3) - Blast with Chain
(S/T4) - Fiendish Chain

 Graveyard

 Spoiler
-Scrap Beast
-Scrap Chimera
-Blast with Chain

 Banished

 Spoiler
-

 Slightly Scrappy  ~ 35

 Spoiler

 Scrap Beast
 Scrap Beast
 Scrap Chimera
 Scrap Chimera
 Reborn Tengu
 Reborn Tengu
 Reborn Tengu
 Gravekeeper's Spy
 Gravekeeper's Spy
 Scrap Goblin
 Effect Veiler
 Effect Veiler
 Thunder King Rai-Oh
 Thunder King Rai-Oh
 Pot of Duality
 Pot of Duality
 Pot of Duality
 Mystical Space Typhoon
 Mystical Space Typhoon
 Mind Control
 Monster Reborn
 Dark Hole
 Book of Moon
 Scrapyard
 Scrapyard
 Scrapstorm
 Scrapstorm
 Scrapstorm
 Fiendish Chain
 Fiendish Chain
 Dark Coffin
 Torrential Tribute
 Trap Dustshoot

 Spoiler
1x Steelswarm Roach
1x Number 39: Utopia
1x Evigishki Merrowgeist
1x Gem-Knight Pearl
1x Ally of Justice Catastor
1x Arcanite Magician
1x Black Rose Dragon
2x Scrap Dragon
1x Stardust Dragon
1x Crimson Blader
1x Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
1x Scrap Twin Dragon

[User]
 " Wow, well done! Let's see what my turn has in store then! "

 Draw:   (1d32)[ 31 ]

" Okay here if comes! I start by summoning  Komachi Ninishi  to the field. I'll then use her effect to normal summon  Soldier Nisamu . Komachi tunes with Nisamu to summon   Shogun Burei  who brings another Muso Haipa with him. Next I'll use Burei's effect, swapping your Scrap Dragon to defence mode, Then, Haipa will destroy your dragon while Burei takes attacks directly for 2,600. I'll then set one card facedown and end my turn. Barring any counters it's your move!  "

{table=head]1|2|3|4|5
-|-|00|818|-
-|-|F|-|-[/table]
00 =   Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 “Burei”  2600/1900 (ATK)
818 =  Karakuri Muso 818 “Haipa”  2100/1100 (DEF)

 Life Points:  5200

 Spoiler

 Hand  ~ 3

 Spoiler
 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick” Monster Reborn Machina Gearframe

 Face Downs

 Spoiler
S/t 3 = Solemn Warning

 Graveyard  ~ 6

 Spoiler

Cyber Dragon
Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”
Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00x Bureido
Karakuri Muso 818 “Haipa”
Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”
Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”

 Banished

 Spoiler
.

Deck –  Like Clockwork  ~ 30 cards

 Spoiler

1 Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”
2 Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”
 Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”
3 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”
 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”
4 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”
5 Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”
6 Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”
 Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”
7 Karakuri Muso mdl 818 “Haipa”

 Karakuri Muso mdl 818 “Haipa”
 Karakuri Muso mdl 818 “Haipa”
8 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick”
 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick”
9 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick”
10 Machina Fortress
11 Machina Fortress
 Machina Gearframe
12 Machina Gearframe
13 Machina Gearframe

14 Cyber Dragon
 Cyber Dragon
15 Dark Hole
16 Machine Duplication
17 Machine Duplication
18 Machine Duplication
19 Solidarity
20 Solidarity
21 Mystical Space Typhoon
22 Mystical Space Typhoon

 Monster Reborn
23 Karakuri Showdown Castle
24 Karakuri Showdown Castle
25 Karakuri Showdown Castle
26 Overload Fusion
27 Call of the Haunted
28 Solemn Judgement
29 Solemn Warning
 Solemn Warning
30 Mirror Force

 Extra Deck  ~ 13 Cards

 Spoiler

2 x Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 “Burei”
1 x Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
1 x Lightning Warrior
2 x Black Rose Dragon
1 x Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X “Bureido”
2 x Chimeratech Fortress Dragon
2 x Chemeratech Overdragon
1 x Stardust Dragon
1 x Red Archfiend Dragon

[User] As Ninishi arrived on the field, a network of chains sprang up around it, as a dark glow ran between them.  "My Fiendish Chain trap prevents your Komachi from gaining it's effect, and you can thus not summon again in this turn."

[User] " Alright then, in that case instead of using her effect, I'll play Monster Reborn to summon Muso Haipa from my graveyard. Ninishi will tune with Haipa and the rest of my turn will proceed as it would have, unless you have another counter. "

[User] "You'll do me no damage; when my Dragon is destroyed, it resurrects my Beast in defence position. Is this acceptable, and do you have any counters?"

[User] " E's yh eteud. I'd forgotten about Scrap Dragon's other effect sorry. Nope I've got nothing else, your turn! "

[User]
 "Worry not; you did a remarkable job, all the same. Draw!"
 (1d33)[ 8 ]
 "I'll set two face-downs and end my turn."

{table=head]1|2|3|4|5
-|-|F|-|-
-|-|F|F|-[/table]

 Life Points
4700

 Spoiler
 Hand  - 2

 Spoiler
-Solemn Judgement
-Heavy Storm

 Facedown

 Spoiler
(M3) - GK Spy
(S/T3) - Blast with Chain
(S/T4) - SJ

 Graveyard

 Spoiler
-Scrap Beast
-Scrap Chimera
-Blast with Chain
-Fiendish Chain
-Scrap Dragon

 Banished

 Spoiler
-

 Slightly Scrappy  ~ 35

 Spoiler

 Scrap Beast
 Scrap Beast
 Scrap Chimera
 Scrap Chimera
 Reborn Tengu
 Reborn Tengu
 Reborn Tengu
 Gravekeeper's Spy
 Scrap Goblin
 Effect Veiler
 Effect Veiler
 Thunder King Rai-Oh
 Thunder King Rai-Oh
 Pot of Duality
 Pot of Duality
 Pot of Duality
 Mystical Space Typhoon
 Mystical Space Typhoon
 Mind Control
 Monster Reborn
 Dark Hole
 Book of Moon
 Scrapyard
 Scrapyard
 Scrapstorm
 Scrapstorm
 Scrapstorm
 Fiendish Chain
 Fiendish Chain
 Dark Coffin
 Torrential Tribute
 Trap Dustshoot

 Spoiler
1x Steelswarm Roach
1x Number 39: Utopia
1x Evigishki Merrowgeist
1x Gem-Knight Pearl
1x Ally of Justice Catastor
1x Arcanite Magician
1x Black Rose Dragon
2x Scrap Dragon
1x Stardust Dragon
1x Crimson Blader
1x Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
1x Scrap Twin Dragon

[User]
 " Okay then, let's go! "

 Draw:   (1d30)[ 15 ]

" I'll start by summoning Machina Gearframe to the field, its effect allows me to fetch a Machina Fortress from my deck. I'll then switch Haipa to attack mode. Next up, Burei will swap your monster into attack position and attack it, while Haipa and Machina Gearframe attack directly I'll end my turn there unless you've got any counters.  "

{table=head]1|2|3|4|5
-|MG|00|818|-
-|-|F|-|-[/table]
00 =   Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 “Burei”  2600/1900 (ATK)
818 =  Karakuri Muso 818 “Haipa”  2100/1100 (DEF)
MG =  Machina Gearframe  1800/0 (ATK)
F = Facedown

 Life Points:  5200

 Spoiler

 Hand  ~ 4

 Spoiler
 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick” Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”
Machina Fortress, Dark Hole

 Face Downs

 Spoiler
S/t 3 = Solemn Warning

 Graveyard  ~ 6

 Spoiler

Cyber Dragon
Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”
Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00x Bureido
Karakuri Muso 818 “Haipa”
Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”
 Monster Reborn

 Banished

 Spoiler
.

Deck –  Like Clockwork  ~ 28 cards

 Spoiler

1 Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”
2 Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”
 Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”
3 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”
 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”
4 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”
5 Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”
6 Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”
 Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”
7 Karakuri Muso mdl 818 “Haipa”

 Karakuri Muso mdl 818 “Haipa”
 Karakuri Muso mdl 818 “Haipa”
8 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick”
 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick”
9 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick”
10 Machina Fortress
 Machina Fortress
 Machina Gearframe
11 Machina Gearframe
12 Machina Gearframe

13 Cyber Dragon
 Cyber Dragon
 Dark Hole
14 Machine Duplication
15 Machine Duplication
16 Machine Duplication
17 Solidarity
18 Solidarity
19 Mystical Space Typhoon
20 Mystical Space Typhoon

 Monster Reborn
21 Karakuri Showdown Castle
22 Karakuri Showdown Castle
23 Karakuri Showdown Castle
24 Overload Fusion
25 Call of the Haunted
26 Solemn Judgement
27 Solemn Warning
 Solemn Warning
28 Mirror Force

 Extra Deck  ~ 13 Cards

 Spoiler

2 x Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 “Burei”
1 x Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
1 x Lightning Warrior
2 x Black Rose Dragon
1 x Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X “Bureido”
2 x Chimeratech Fortress Dragon
2 x Chemeratech Overdragon
1 x Stardust Dragon
1 x Red Archfiend Dragon


[User]
 Globs of sweat run down your brow as you complete your last branch-hanging crunch, and you practically slump off of the smooth red maple in exhaustion.  For a style that touts the motto of "Ingenuity over force", it certainly has a demanding regimen.  Wiping yourself down a bit, you make to go for a wash in the Grand River, but you are interrupted by the faintest sound of rustling.

You turn to face it, fists drawn.  You can't imagine how anyone would be able to single you out, but that's how it was when your master had been kidnapped by the X.  You are confident in your stance, but hope it is unnecessary.

As it turns out, it is.  Given the complete lack of any visitors in the past few weeks, you'd feared the worst.  Instead, you are greeted by the graceful Orcish runner, Konwatsi'tsiaienni of the Attawandaron tribe.  She mutters something in a language that is definitely neither Common nor Dwarven before handing you a parcel.

You do not delay on opening the message- there is no one watching you.   Pax Acer  has finally sent you instructions, and they're even fancier than usual.  The embroidered paper and wax seal definitely add some officialism to your summons, but you secretly wonder if a plain letter would be more secretive.  As it stands, Attawandaron runners are about as reliable as they come- a honourable race, to be certain.

In fact, it's striking to you that the message is unciphered; you'd become so accustomed to troublesome letters that you memorized the key after you'd nearly lost it in the river.  Breathing a sigh of relief, you inspect the missive carefully.

 " Vagabond ," , it begins. That's you, by the way- or at least, the name you go by in the organization. Usually they just write "Agent V" or even just "V", so you can tell that they mean business.

 "Two points of business. First, Pax Acer hath securid the funding of the Lord of Trafalgar- thou art officiallie into service of The Crowne, now. Be that as it maye, however, thou aren't authorizede to make public this facte, unless situ. calleth apon its neede. Enclosed art thy officialle seal, and thy magicked contract."

You find a small royal crest of bronze inside, engraved with the outcropping of a shield, a maple leaf and a stylized "T". There is also a parchment still hidden in the parcel- it is made from the pulp of sacred wood, and acts as a medium for passing thoughts through writing.  Behind that is a curious silver coin marked with the likeness of a clover.  Something about it strikes you as suspicious.  You continue reading your missive.

 "Lastly, we hath received word of sightings that may be relatid to the X. Three art they; in ordered Chronologiecal to the most late:

-Clifton-Drummondale (Freebuary)
-Goderich (March)
 -Windsea (April) ASSIGNEDE TO AGENT F.

although they are but unconfirmid reportes, this coulde be the highest activity of the X. in nearly a decade. Our firste agent is already en route to his destin. but you can have your pick of the remanening two. Mark thy destin. upon thy magicked papers and we shalt accomidate. Touch base with our informynt there. thy word is "crabgrass".

X. is watching. Stay Vigilant, Ex Acer Virtuous.

-B.

P.S. Finally, to account for Agent F.'s first pick of destin., we will awarde you with this treasure, the coin of clovers.  When you flip it, those around you shalt finde missfortune.  Use it with wisdome."

[User]
 Taking the coin of clovers in his fingers, V stashes it into his pocket for safe keeping alongside the seal. Thinking a moment, he decides that it may be more fruitful for him to visit Clifton-Drummondale, where the first sighting was held. The more time that may have passed, the more rumors may have spread.

Removing his pen and some ink, V scribbles down his decision.

[User]
 Your decision made, Konwatsi'tsiaienni mutters some more incomprehensibles before handing you a cartograph of the general area.  You decide not to bother looking at it just yet, relying on your keen instincts to get you where you're going.

You gather the necessities before starting off towards your destination.  By your count it is likely to take two weeks, if you don't delay.  You've been to Clifton-Drummondale before, after all.  Something that gives you slight pause, however, is a wanted poster for a notorious criminal, Faargate.  A substantial cash reward for his capture or killing, 2000 gold, is posted.  From the looks of it, the crook in question is a fairly tough customer, sporting a ragged blond beard and showing teeth like they could take a chunk out of his curvéd longsword.  Inexplicable, however, are his extremely thin eyelashes.

After removing one of the solid nails that has attached the parchment to the tree, you note that in the rather poorly-weathered bottom section of the note that he was last seen in Holy Catherine's.  This is not far out of your way- maybe a couple days, tops.  From what you know of the town, it is a centre of trading, and the fine clay nearby fosters the perfect environment for growing grapes.  It is of no surprise that many of the finest glasses of Hontaire Wine hail from there.

You paid little attention to it from the perview of military importance, but it does have one thing - a fighter's college on the Ridley Campus.  Even that is tangential, as most of its graduates go on to become mercenaries.  Indeed, there may be some merit to visiting the place given its proximity to Clifton-Drummondale, so you mark it on your map.

 Spoiler

After reviewing your map, you determine your heading.

[User]
 (SUDDENLY, FIRST PERSON)

I weigh my options and decide that I will make a course to drop by Holy Catherine's. If it takes me two weeks to reach my final destination, I should have a day or two to spare. However, I determine that I will not linger for long.

[User]
 Although your intent is to make haste, as you race through the thicket and foliage you hear a yelp of pain.  You are quickly directed, out of self-interest, to the source of this cry.

It appears to be a reddish dog; you suspect a coyote- whose leg is ensnared in an iron vice.  A half-eaten dead mouse lay on the ground beside the struggling animal, whose ears perk up when it finally spots you.  To your great surprise, it speaks to you.

 "Human, human!"  It yells to you,  "Get me outta this contraption!  I'm dying here!"

[User]
 Refusing to waste a moment, I retrieve the crowbar from my backpack and set the pack down next to me while I try to see first if I can disarm the iron vice quickly. Barring that, I am ready to pry it open with my crowbar.

 "Are you okay? How bad are you hurt?"  I ask, as I proceed it attempting to disarm it.

 Spoiler
I roll to disarm the iron vice: 12 (1d20+3) (Survival)

Possible roll for prying the iron vice open: 15 (1d20+4) (Strength + Crowbar)