The Sword of Voldiir DEMO

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Thank you for trying //The Sword of Voldiir//! This is a 5th Edition-inspired game that will include dice rolls, stat-based attacks and skill checks, and will be in the fantasy genre. There will be optional romanceables and boss battles that you may lose... will you prevail and retrieve //The Sword of Voldiir//? Before you begin, you need to build your character! What race will your character's race be? Keep in mind their bonuses and possible modifiers. <<listbox "$race" autoselect>> <<option "Siren" siren>> <<option "Human" human>> <<option "Half-elf" half-elf>> <</listbox>> Humans have a bonus to Constitution, morningstars or sickles, and can use fire magic. Sirens have a bonus to Charisma, tridents or shortbows, and can use water magic. Half-elves have a bonus to Intelligence, rapiers or long bows, and can use elemental magic. Choose wisely! [[Next Character Creation Question]]

<<if !tags().includes("menu")>><<set $current_scene = passage()>><</if>>

//The Sword of Voldiir// is written by Cy Lawson AKA Bottlecap Rabbit Games.

So, you are a $race! How exciting! Next up, we have to pick your weapon of choice. Keep in mind your race's bonuses: <<if $race is "human">>Humans excel with morningstars or sickles.<</if>> <<if $race is "siren">>Sirens excel with shortbows or tridents.<</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">>Half-elves excel with longbows or rapiers.<</if>> <label><<radiobutton "$weapon" "sickle" checked>>Sickle.</label> <label><<radiobutton "$weapon" "morningstar">>Morningstar.</label> <label><<radiobutton "$weapon" "shortbow">>Shortbow.</label> <label><<radiobutton "$weapon" "longbow">>Longbow.</label> <label><<radiobutton "$weapon" "trident">>Trident.</label> <label><<radiobutton "$weapon" "rapier">>Rapier.</label> Got your weapon? Next question then: Do you want to input your stats yourself or randomly roll them? [[Input them myself.]] Or [[Randomly roll them.]]

<<silently>> <<set $strength = random(1,6) + random(1,6) + random(1,6)>> <<set $dexterity = random(1,6) + random(1,6) + random(1,6)>> <<set $charisma = random(1,6) + random(1,6) + random(1,6)>> <<set $constitution = random(1,6) + random(1,6) + random(1,6)>> <<set $wisdom = random(1,6) + random(1,6) + random(1,6)>> <<set $intelligence = random(1,6) + random(1,6) + random(1,6)>> <</silently>> Your stats were just rolled! Let's see what you got. <<print $strength>> for Strength. <<print $dexterity>> for Dexterity. <<print $charisma>> for Charisma. <<print $constitution>> for Constitution. <<print $wisdom>> for Wisdom. <<print $intelligence>> for Intelligence. Next, what is your name? <<textbox "$name" "Averi">> <<textbox "$surname" "Tylanis">> [[Last set of questions.]]

Now, keep in mind, your total cannot exceed **65** points. You also may not set a stat to above **20** points. If you do, you will hit an error screen and have to come back here. <<textbox "$strength" "">> Strength. <<textbox "$dexterity" "">> Dexterity. <<textbox "$charisma" "">> Charisma. <<textbox "$constitution" "">> Constitution. <<textbox "$wisdom" "">> Wisdom. <<textbox "$intelligence" "">> Intelligence. Next, what is your name? <<textbox "$name" "Averi">> <<textbox "$surname" "Tylanis">> [[Please check your stats.]]

<<silently>> <<set $strength to Number($strength)>> <<set $charisma to Number($charisma)>> <<set $wisdom to Number($wisdom)>> <<set $dexterity to Number($dexterity)>> <<set $intelligence to Number($intelligence)>> <<set $constitution to Number($constitution)>> <</silently>> <<if $strength + $dexterity + $charisma + $constitution + $wisdom + $intelligence > 65>> Sorry, player! Your stats are too high! Please go back and reset them. <<back>> <<elseif $strength + $dexterity + $charisma + $constitution + $wisdom + $intelligence <= 65>> Okay, your stats are below or equal to 65! Let's check to make sure nothing is above 20... <</if>> <<if ($strength > 20) or ($dexterity > 20) or ($charisma > 20) or ($constitution > 20) or ($wisdom > 20) or ($intelligence > 20)>> Sorry, player! One or more of your skills are above the number 20. Please go back and rectify this. <<back>> <<elseif ($strength <= 20) and ($dexterity <= 20) and ($charisma <= 20) and ($constitution <= 20) and ($wisdom <= 20) and ($intelligence <= 20)>> Okay, it looks like everything is all set! Go ahead to the next set of questions. [[Next.|Last set of questions.]] <</if>>

<<set $charactercreation to false>> <<set $gender to false>> <<set $whoami to false>> <<set $plural to false>> <<set $health to 0>> <<set $race to "human">> <<set $personalization to false>> <<set $strength to 0>> <<set $charisma to 0>> <<set $wisdom to 0>> <<set $intelligence to 0>> <<set $constitution to 0>> <<set $dexterity to 0>> <<set $ahe to "he">> <<set $ahim to "him">> <<set $ahis to "his">> <<set $ahers to "his">> <<set $aman to "man">> <<set $relationships to false>> <<set $crom to false>> <<set $cromnorom to false>> <<set $lrom to false>> <<set $lromnorom to false>> <<set $arom to false>> <<set $aromnorom to false>> <<set $lrel to 50>> <<set $arel to 50>> <<set $crel to 50>> <<set $lflirt to 0>> <<set $aflirt to 0>> <<set $cflirt to 0>> <<set $ahealth to 0>> <<set $lhealth to 0>> <<set $chealth to 0>> <<set $ahealth to Math.clamp($ahealth + 10, 0, 30)>> <<set $chealth to Math.clamp($chealth + 12, 0, 32)>> <<set $lhealth to Math.clamp($lhealth + 10, 0, 30)>> <<set $health to Math.clamp($health + 0, 0, 50)>> <<set $selfish to 0>> <<set $flirty to 0>> <<set $caution to 0>> <<set $selfish to Math.clamp($selfish + 50, 0, 100)>> <<set $flirty to Math.clamp($flirty + 50, 0, 100)>> <<set $caution to Math.clamp($caution + 50, 0, 100)>> <<set $chimeral to false>> <<set $chimerac to false>> <<set $chimeraa to false>> /* Enemy health bars */ <<set $fiddlehealth to 0>> <<set $fthug1health to 0>> <<set $fthug2health to 0>> <<set $fthug3health to 0>> <<set $fiddlehealth to Math.clamp($fiddlehealth + 20, 0, 20)>> <<set $fthug1health to Math.clamp($fthug1health + 10, 0, 10)>> <<set $fthug2health to Math.clamp($fthug2health + 10, 0, 10)>> <<set $fthug3health to Math.clamp($fthug3health + 10, 0, 10)>> <<set $fight1 to false>> <<set $fthug1dead to false>> <<set $fthug2dead to false>> <<set $fthug3dead to false>> <<set $elandratalk to false>> <<set $chimerahealth to Math.clamp($chimerahealth + 30, 0, 30)>> <<set $fight2 to false>> /* the chimera rolls a d8 */ /* paths in act 3 */ <<set $diningpath to false>> <<set $roompath to false>>

<center><div class="button">[[Important Links]]</div></center> <center><div class="button">[[Template Credits]]</div></center> <center><div class="button">[[Trigger List]]</div></center> <<if $charactercreation>><center><div class="button">[[Character Sheet]]</div></center><</if>> <<if $relationships>><center><div class="button">[[Relationships]]</div></center><</if>> <<if $fight1>><center><div class="button">[[The Elandra Fiddle Fight]]</div></center><</if>> <<if $fight2>><center><div class="button">[[The Chimera Battle]]</div></center><</if>>

<<silently>> <<if $race is "siren">> <<set $charisma = ($charisma + 2)>> <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> <<set $intelligence = ($intelligence + 2)>> <</if>> <<set $charactercreation to true>> <<if $race is "human">> <<set $health = ($constitution + 2)>> <<set $constitution = ($constitution + 2)>> <</if>> <<if $race != "human">> <<set $health to $constitution>> <</if>> <</silently>> Your final questions: What gender do you describe yourself as? <label><<radiobutton "$gender" "non-binary" checked>>Non-binary.</label> <label><<radiobutton "$gender" "cis woman">>Cis woman.</label> <label><<radiobutton "$gender" "trans woman">>Trans woman.</label> <label><<radiobutton "$gender" "cis man">>Cis man.</label> <label><<radiobutton "$gender" "trans man">>Trans man.</label> What pronouns do you use? <label><<radiobutton "$mche" "he">>He/him.</label> <label><<radiobutton "$mche" "she">>She/her.</label> <label><<radiobutton "$mche" "they">>They/them.</label> Or, [[input your own.]] Elsewise, there's just [[one thing else you need to do.]]

<a href="https://bottlecaprabbitgames.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a> <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/bottlecaprabbitgames">Patreon</a> <a href="https://bottlecaprabbitgames.itch.io/">Itch.io</a> <a href="https://ifdb.org/viewgame?id=4wsjyom1kpg68ikr">IFDB</a> <a href="https://bottlecaprabbitgames.atabook.org/">Atabook. Leave me a comment!</a> [[Return to Story->$current_scene]]

The ''Settings Template'' was created by manonamora on Twine 2/Tweego with SugarCube (2.37.3). \ <h3>The Settings Template</h3>\ This template was made possible thanks to the assets and resources below: > //Code, APIs and Macros:// * the [[SugarCube documentation|https://www.motoslave.net/sugarcube/2/docs/]] * various posts from the [[Intfiction.org Forum|https://intfiction.org/c/authoring/twine]] and [[Reddit r/twinegames|https://www.reddit.com/r/twinegames/]] * [[Chapel's Notify Macros|https://github.com/ChapelR/custom-macros-for-sugarcube-2]] > //Assets:// * [[Canvas|https://www.canva.com]] * [[Freesound|https://freesound.org]] * [[GoogleFonts|https://fonts.google.com]] \ <h3>manonamora</h3>\ You can find: * my other templates on [[Itch|https://manonamora.itch.io/]], as well as my guides: ** [[SugarCube Guide|https://manonamora.itch.io/twine-sugarcube-guide]] ** [[Ready-to-Use Tweego and Guide|https://manonamora.itch.io/ready-to-use-tweego-folder]] ** [[ChoiceScript to SugarCube Guide|https://manonamora.itch.io/choicescript-sugarcube-guide]] * my games and IF experiments on [[Itch|https://manonamora.itch.io/]] * me, and ask me questions, over on [[Tumblr|https://manonamora-if.tumblr.com]] or [[my website|https://manonamora.neocities.org/]] * my Twine Resource Masterlist on the [[IntFiction Forum|https://intfiction.org/t/twine-resource-masterlist-wiki/65903]] (an out-of-date version is rebloggable on [[Tumbr|https://manonamora-if.tumblr.com/post/700577877042888704/]]). \ <h3>Twine and SugarCube</h3>\ You can download Twine over on the [[Twinery.org|https://twinery.org/]] website, which includes the SugarCube format. Thomas M. Edwards hosts the Documentation for the SugarCube format over on [[his website|https://www.motoslave.net/sugarcube/2/docs/]]. There are resources and help available with Twine and SugarCube: * on the [[IntFiction Forum|https://intfiction.org/c/authoring/twine/46]] * on the [[Twine Subreddit|https://www.reddit.com/r/twinegames/]] * in the [[Twine Discord|https://discord.gg/n5dJvPp]] * and more listed in this [[Masterlist|https://intfiction.org/t/twine-resource-masterlist-wiki/65903]] <hr>\ <h5>You can find my other SugarCube templates [[here|https://manonamora.itch.io/twine-sugarcube-templates]].</h5> [[Return to Story->$current_scene]]

* Blood * Murder, death * Animal death * TBD [[Return to Story->$current_scene]]

Hello $name $surname, this is your Character sheet. Your health is $health. Your race is $race. <<if $race is "human">>As a human, you have a +2 modifier to your health and constitution.<</if>> <<if $race is "siren">>As a siren, you have a +2 modifier to your charisma. <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">>As a half-elf, you have a +2 modifier to intelligence, giving you more power for magic spells. <</if>> You chose to wield a $weapon. ''Charisma'': <<print $charisma>> ''Constitution'': <<print $constitution>> ''Dexterity'': <<print $dexterity>> ''Intelligence'': <<print $intelligence>> ''Strength'': <<print $strength>> ''Wisdom'': <<print $wisdom>> <<if $personalization is true>>Your appearance is as follows: you have $skincolor skin, $eyecolor eyes, and $haircolor hair.<</if>> [[Return to Story->$current_scene]]

<<textbox "$mche" "they">> <<textbox "$mchim" "them">> <<textbox "$mchis" "their">> <<textbox "$mchers" "theirs">> Are you using plural or non-plural pronouns? <label><<radiobutton "$plural" "true">>Yes, they are plural.</label> <label><<radiobutton "$plural" "false" checked>>No, they are not plural.</label> There's just [[one thing else you need to do.]]

<<silently>> <<set $whoami to true>> <<if $mche is "he">> <<set $mchim to "him">> <<set $mchis to "his">> <<set $mchers to "his">> <</if>> <<if $mche is "she">> <<set $mchim to "her">> <<set $mchis to "her">> <<set $mchers to "hers">> <</if>> <<if $mche is "they">> <<set $mchim to "them">> <<set $mchis to "their">> <<set $mchers to "theirs">> <<set $plural to true>> <</if>> <</silently>> Do you prefer women or men? One of the romance options will change to your preference. <label><<radiobutton "$rompref" "men" checked>>Men.</label> <label><<radiobutton "$rompref" "women">>Women.</label> <label><<radiobutton "$rompref" "neither">>I prefer neither more than the other.</label> [[Let the journey begin.]]

<<silently>> <<set $relationships to true>> <<if $rompref is "women">> <<set $ahe to "she">> <<set $ahim to "her">> <<set $ahis to "her">> <<set $ahers to "hers">> <<set $aman to "woman">> <</if>> <</silently>> <center><span class="act">''ACT I''</span></center> The story opens on a group of four mercenaries, brought together by the Twilit Sky Mercenary Guild, on the search for a lost relic: the Sword of Voldiir. The sword is ancient as it is powerful: there are stories dating back before written word of its power. And what power is that, you may ask? Why, it can cleave through magical barriers and is immune to most magics, an ability it is said to pass on to its wielder… Our mercenaries are $name $surname, Aenwyn Rolen, Lorelei of Running Waters, and Cassian Winterluff. They had only met on occasion before being brought together now, and as it stands, they feel neutral about each other. Will a relationship blossom between two of our warriors, or will they become bitter rivals at the end? It’s your story; how it will play out depends entirely on you. <center>[[The road ahead.]]</center>

This is your relationships tab. You can see what the romance options look like and a small excerpt about them here. <span class="romances">Lorelei of Running Waters</span> Race: Siren Gender: Woman Relationship: <<print $lrel>> Flirtations: <<print $lflirt>> Health: <<print $lhealth>> Appearance: She has silvery skin, fin ears, loosely webbed fingers and toes. Her eyes are a deep pink with no sclera, and her hair is the color of night, and falls in a waterfall around her shoulders. Lorelei is from a small human clan in between two running rivers, hence her last name. She's quick-witted, smart, and conniving. <span class="romances">Aenwyn Rolen</span> Race: Half-elf Gender: <<print $aman.toUpperFirst()>> Relationship: <<print $arel>> Flirtations: <<print $aflirt>> Health: <<print $ahealth>> Appearance: <<print $ahe.toUpperFirst()>> has tawny skin the color of bronze, with bright green eyes, and wavy rosewood colored hair to $ahis ears. Aenwyn's ears are also pointed. Aenwyn is from a human mother who slept with a powerful Elvish ruler, granting $ahis magical prowess. <<print $ahis.toUpperFirst()>> is intelligent, rather quiet, and alert. <span class="romances">Cassian Winterluff</span> Race: Human Gender: Man Relationship: <<print $crel>> Flirtations: <<print $cflirt>> Health: <<print $chealth>> Appearance: Cassian has darkly tanned skin from days under the sun, but is quite fair-skinned under his clothes. He has blue-grey eyes, and rich, dark brown curls he keeps cropped short. Cassian comes from a poor village. He joined the paladins to make something of himself, but left a few years ago due to a power struggle and unrest in his brotherhood. [[Return to Story->$current_scene]]

You sigh softly as your horse neighs at being still on the road this late in the day. The cave where Voldiir is said to be housed is only maybe a mile or two more; the horse can wait till then. Or so you hope. You really, //really// hope so. You take a look at your companions, seeing how they are fairing in the summer weather. Aenwyn seems perfectly suited to the heat; $ahe is currently reading a book as $ahe rides, completely oblivious to the heat. Cassian has a straw hat on, shading his face from the summer sun as best he can; but with how he’s undone his shirt and the squint of his eyes, you have a feeling he’s not dealing too well with it. But the one fairing the worst is Lorelei; she has sweat pouring down her bare arms and face, and her skin is deep purple and looks irritated. She catches your look and raises a brow in question. [[“Just checking on everyone.”]] [[“Just checking on you.”]] [[Look away.]]

<<silently>> <<set $lrel to $lrel + 5, $crel to $crel + 5, $arel to $arel + 5>> <</silently>> "Just checking on everyone," you reply. She nods, then wipes her forehead. "I could use a break, but we'll be there soon. Right, Aenwyn?" "Hmm? Yes, we have maybe ten minutes or so to go." <<print $ahe.toUpperFirst()>> flips to another page in $ahis book. "You can see the cave up ahead." "So you can," Cassian comments, wiping his own brow. "Damn lucky too; it's gettin' hot out here." "Yeah..." You hum thoughtfully. <<include "intromeet">>

<<silently>> <<set $lrel to $lrel + 5>> <</silently>> "Just checking on you." "Aww, aren't you sweet?" She chuckles. "I'll be alright, $name. We're nearly there. Right, Aenwyn?" "Hmm? Yes, we have maybe ten minutes or so to go." <<print $ahe.toUpperFirst()>> flips to another page in $ahis book. "You can see the cave up ahead." "So you can," Cassian comments, wiping his own brow. "Damn lucky too; it's gettin' hot out here." "Yeah..." You hum thoughtfully. <<include "intromeet">>

You look away from her, focusing back on the road. Feeling her eyes roll, she huffs. "How close are we now, Aenwyn?" "Hmm? Oh, maybe ten minutes out," $ahe comments as $ahe changes the page of $ahis book. "Not far at all." "Yeah, you can see the cave off there," Cassian says, and you see his hand point in your periferal vision. "Hmm." You hum thoughtfully. <<include "intromeet">>

Your horse neighs again, and stomps her foot. "I know you," you hush her, patting her neck, "we're nearly there." When she bucks her head, you try to [[further calm her.]]

<<set _roll to random(1,6)>> <<if $charisma + _roll >= 15>> You succeed in calming her further, and she relaxes under you for the remainder of the ride to the cave. At the cave, you dismount and tie her to a nearby tree. <<elseif $charisma + _roll < 15>> You fail to calm her and she bucks wildly, nearly throwing you off of her! You quickly dismount and go to leading her instead, having to trot to keep up with the others, but at least she complies. At the cave, you tie her to a nearby tree. <</if>> The others follow suit, also tying their horses off to trees nearby to the mouth of the cave. With $ahis book put away, Aenwyn begins gathering firewood to start a campfire, while you, Lorelei, and Cassian prepare to venture into the cave. You grab a torch stick, your waterskein, and your travel bag with rope and other useful items in it before meeting Lorelei and Cassian at the mouth of the cave. [[In you go.]]

You all three file into the narrow mouth of the cave, careful to let each other have enough space to continue forward. Cassian is in front of you, then Lorelei, and bringing up the rear is Aenwyn with $ahis arms full of wood. The walk is slow and rather unbearable, but eventually the cave mouth opens into a rather large dome-like room, with a river running through it. Lorelei immediately runs over to the river and sinks into it, while Cassian and Aenwyn start to make a fire. Should you check in with someone? [[Check in with Lorelei.][$lrel to $lrel + 5]] [[Check in with Cassian and Aenwyn.][$crel to $crel + 5, $arel to $arel + 5]] [[Continue to the cave entrances.]]

You quickly light your torch, then continue to the entrances leading from the main part of the cave. There is three major options on where to go, and if you explore them all, you will go down the more narrow paths; for now, however, you save the narrow paths for Lorelei for now. [[First come, first served][$selfish to $selfish + 5]] [[She's smaller, so it's easier for her to go through them.][$caution to $caution + 5]]

You decide to check in on Lorelei. You walk to the edge of the river and squat down to where she is laying with only her head above water. Her skin is rather quickly recovering, going from purple to silvery again. <<if $race is "siren">>You put your own hand into the water, letting your magic absorb moisture to repair your own skin.<</if>> <<if $race != "siren">>You fill your waterskein while you do so.<</if>> "Can I help you, $name?" She murmurs, her deep pink eyes still closed. "Just checking in on you. The road seems to have been unkind to you." <<if $race is "siren">>"No more unkind to me than you," she comments, cracking open an eye. "But thank you. I'll be okay; go ahead to the caves."<</if>> <<if $race != "siren">>"I'll be fine... but thank you." She cracks open one eye. "Go explore the caves; I'll be alright."<</if>> "If you're sure." "I am." She waves a hand. "Go. Be our great pioneer inward." [[You leave her.|Continue to the cave entrances.]]

You decide to check in on Cassian and Aenwyn. Walking over to the two, you watch as they get a fire lit and growing on the cavern floor. "How are you two doing?" You ask as you arrive alongside the fire. "I'll be tending the fire, for now," Aenwyn comments, pulling out $ahis book again. "We need to make sure whoever is exploring has a light source to come back to." <<if $race is "half-elf">>It's not that you need it, but Cassian and Lorelei might.<</if>> <<if $race != "half-elf">>You definitely can appreciate that.<</if>> "Thank you, that's quite thoughtful, Aenwyn." "Of course. I don't want anyone to be lost; who knows how deep this cave goes." <<print $ahe.toUpperFirst()>> nods to your torch. "Don't forget to light it." "I won't." You turn to Cassian. "What of you, Cassian?" "I'll be keeping an eye out for trouble and to make sure no one steals the horses." He grins. "Don't worry, I'll be busy. You and Lorelei will be our main explorers." You nod to them both. "Be safe." "You, too," they chorus. [[You turn towards the caves.|Continue to the cave entrances.]]

First come, first served; she is needing to recover, but you are good to go. You get first pick. <<include "cavemeet">>

She's quite a bit slimmer and shorter than you, which gives her an easier time navigating small spaces; it's just the smartest thing to leave them to her. <<include "cavemeet">>

You turn back to the three cave entrances. Which will you go down first? <center>[[Go to the right.]]</center> <center>[[Go to the left.]]</center> <center>[[Go down the center.]]</center>

You go down the right pathway. It is the narrowest, but you find it fairly easy to navigate. Your torch casts shadows along the dark walls, making them dance and shake as you go further in. The path continues for some time, before it abruptly ends at a cave in. There is no way to get past it, either; the rocks are locked together air tight. You just hope the sword isn't beyond this point. [[Go back to the main area.|cavemeet]]

You head down the left path, this one a perfect balance between narrow and wide. You can easily walk forward with your torch high, although you do have to bend slightly as the roof is a little low. The path continues for some time, to the point you cannot see the fire back behind you. A little worrisome, but so long as the path doesn't through a weird fork at you, you should be fine. Eventually, you exit out into a large room, with two more paths to take. A small river runs through it, then disappears through a crack; likely the mother river to the one Lorelei was in earlier. Which path do you take? [[Take the left path.]] [[Take the right path.]]

You decide to go down the center, the widest of the cave openings. It is also the least dark of the three; you suspect there is an opening in the ceiling somewhere, letting in sunlight from the skies above. The path takes a few turns, but never forks, much to your appreciation. You don't want to imagine how big this cave is, nor how easily you could be lost. The path opens into a solitary room in the cave, with a hole in the ceiling, allowing light to trickle in and draw patterns on the cave floor. However, you see no sword; only boulders and rocks, and no further path. [[Go back to the main area.|cavemeet]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> You head towards the left path, careful to step over the river to avoid wetting your socks and shoes. Your torch casts a weird shadow for a moment, but then it normalizes once you enter the cave mouth. Down you go, the path growing steep as you continue down it. <<if $constitution + _roll > 13>> You nearly trip going down further into the cave, but manage to catch yourself on a cranny in the wall. That was a close one. <<elseif $constitution + _roll <=13>> <<set $health to $health - 1>> <<set $injury to "injured">> You trip on the way down, cracking your face pretty good on the rocky cave bottom. You climb back to your feet, but you can taste blood where you bit your lip. That'll definitely swell later. <</if>> Your path cuts off abruptly to a cliff, going down so far that not even the light of your torch reaches the bottom. You quickly turn back, not wanting to risk falling down into the pit. [[Go back.|Go to the left.]]

You decide to take the right path. It twists and turns like a large serpent, burrowing into the stony walls of the cave. Your torch casts eerie shadows, making your skin crawl as you grow further and further away from the main part of the cave. Eventually, you exit into a large room. You can feel the magic in the air; it sets your hairs on end and runs over your entire body. Looking around, you find the only place to go is into a small room straight ahead. [[You go towards it.]]

You walk towards the room, the magic growing stronger with every step. You feel apprehensive; you knew the Sword of Voldiir would be powerful, but this... it feels like your teeth are vibrating from it. You grow closer to the room. Closer. //Closer.// You reach it, duck down, and enter it. [[Oh, wow-]]

Not only do you see a gleaming sword, the ruby in the center of its hilt glowing in the darkness, but there is a load of coin to be had here. Piles of it are all around the sword, and its hard to ignore your mouth watering at the load. [[Take the sword... and some of the coin.]]

You gather the coin and dump as much of it as will fit into your travel bag, then you turn your attention to the sword. It practically hums with power... frightening amounts of power. But you were sent here to get it, and you will //not// fail. You reach out, your fingers only mere inches from it. The magic practically scalds your skin with its intensity. You grasp the hilt, and it comes away from its stand easily, fitting perfectly to your hand. The ruby glows brightly... then dims. You wonder what is happening with it. Did you break it somehow? But then it pulses with magic again, then another glow starts in the room. It is a leather sheath, worn with age. It is still held together, however. You grab it as well, sliding the sword in to the hilt, then sling it over your shoulder. You have the sword. It is time to head back. [[Head back to the main room.]]

It takes some time, but you eventually reach the main part of the cave again. You don't see Lorelei, but you do find Aenwyn by the fire and Cassian at the mouth of the cave. Lorelei must be exploring the other cave entrances, you realize. As you approach the campfire, Aenwyn looks up, $ahis eyes widening when $ahe spies the sword sheathed at your side. "My gods, did you actually find it?" "Sure did." You take it from over your shoulder as Cassian approaches, his interest drawn from the commotion. "You got it? Hot damn." Cassian holds his hand out and you hand it off to him. He slowly unsheaths it, revealing the silver its made of. He whistles. "What a beaut. Too bad we have to hand it over." "Agreed... imagine what we could do with it," Aenwyn sighs, shaking $ahis head sadly. "So much research." [["And we'd be targets the entire time."]] [["Unfortunate that we have to give it up."]]

"And we'd be targets the entire time we had it," you remind them both. "We would have bullseyes painted on our backs and foreheads." "Yeah, that's fair," Cassian admits, "but gods... imagine all we could do with it." "Too much," you comment, then take a seat. "It's not all I found, however." <<include "cavemeet2">>

"Unfortunate that we have to give it up," you agree. "You can feel how much magic is pouring off of it." "Precisely." Aenwyn nods. "We could easily find out so much using it." "Or make a shit ton of coin," Cassian adds. "Buy an island or somethin' somewhere." "That reminds me; the sword isn't all I found." <<include "cavemeet2">>

You open your bag, showing the mound of coin within it. "There was quite a bit of coin to take, as well." Both Cassian and Aenwyn's eyes grow large at the sight. "Lorelei is gonna shit herself." Aenwyn grimaces in distaste, but agrees. "That she will. Hopefully, she'll be back soon." "I hope so. We should get on the road by nightfall." "Agreed. I don't want us to linger," Cassian warns. [[Lorelei returns nearly an hour later.]]

She strides over, her axe at her side. You stand to meet her. "Lorelei, I found the sword." She pauses in her steps, staring at you for a moment. But then she smiles, revealing a row of sharp teeth. "Excellent; well done, $name. Did you find anything else as well?" You show her your bag of coin. "Just this." Her eyes widen hungrily. "Oh gods, that's... //delicious//." "So it is. We're set for the journey back, and then some." Lorelei stiffens. "How do you plan to split that?" [["Equally, of course."][$arel to $arel + 5, $crel to $crel + 5, $lrel to $lrel + 5, $selfish to $selfish - 5]] [["I want a bigger portion for finding it."][$arel to $arel - 5, $lrel to $lrel - 5, $crel to $crel - 5, $selfish to $selfish + 10]]

"Equally, of course. We all came on this journey together; it's only fair." Lorelei nods. "Generous of you; that's a kindness to us all." "Agreed, I will buy your next ten rounds of drinks." Cassian winks at you as he says it. "I will buy you any book you want the next time we're in a bookstore," Aenwyn promises. "Thanks, guys. But it's still only fair." <<include "coinmeet">>

"I want a bigger portion for finding it." Lorelei's nose crinkles, but she nods sharply. "So be it." You can feel Cassian's eyes on you, probably reapproachful, given his temperment. Aenwyn seems to care less about what you do, what with $ahis nose shoved in $ahis book. <<include "coinmeet">>

Lorelei rubs her forehead. "We should leave. Night is coming, I can sense it." "Agreed, we should go now." Cassian helps Aenwyn up off the floor of the cave, then stomps out the fire. He leads the way out of the cave, Lorelei right behind, you behind her, and Aenwyn coming up the rear. The cave's maw is still lit by daylight, but nowhere near as strongly as when you entered. You didn't even realize that much time had passed. [[Outside of the cave.]]

Outside of the cave, you find the horses still tied to their trees, but they seem to be uncomfortable. You wonder why as you approach your mare, trying to soothe her. "$name, wait-" Lorelei's words reach you too late, as you feel the cold metal of a blade press against your neck. "Don't move, merc, or I'll slit yer throat," comes a rough voice from behind you. You hold up your hands as the person moves you to face the others, where you see them in a similar predicament. "Shit," Cassian growls as the leader of the band of thieves comes walking forward, her long blonde hair pulled back from her face and a grin on her lips. "Why, thank you little mercenaries, for making this so much easier for me," she starts, cocking her hip. "My boss will be ever so pleased." "Eat shit," Lorelei snarls, showing her razor-like teeth. "You can't have it." "Oh? And what do you plan to do about it?" She whispers, coming close to Lorelei. "What will you do, little siren? Snarl and hiss?" [[Attempt to fight back!][$crel to $crel + 5, $lrel to $lrel + 5]] [[Try to talk them down.][$arel to $arel + 5]] [[Hold still and see what happens.]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $strength + _roll >= 15>> You slam your foot down into your capture's instep. There's a loud cry of pain from him, and it gives you a chance to be free enough of his blade to headbutt him from behind, busting his nose. He releases you, and as you are free, you start for the leader- Until you head the sound of a bow pull back quietly. You stop in your tracks, looking from the sides of your eye to see if you can see the archer, but to no avail. "Nice try, Merc. But you won't win," she purrs. <<elseif $strength + _roll < 15>> You attempt to step on the one holding you's instep, but he senses what you are planning and moves his foot out of your path, resulting in you slamming down your foot into dirt, not soft flesh. You feel the pressure all the way up through your knee and hip from it. "Aww, little merc, did you really think that would work? No, no." She grins wickedly at you. <</if>> <<include "thiefleadermeet">>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $charisma + _roll >= 18>> "Hey, listen, this doesn't have to go this way," you begin, getting the leader's attention. "You can take some of the gold I found in the caves and be on your way." "Tempting as that is, love, I have more gold than I need. But I applaud your efforts." She winks. "Too bad you are on the losing side." <<elseif $charisma + _roll < 18>> "Hey, uh, listen-" "Ssshhh," the leader hushes, "No time for talking; only time for handing over your things in exchange for your life." <</if>> <<include "thiefleadermeet">>

You hold still and see what happens, not wanting to make the situation worse. <<include "thiefleadermeet">>

She clears her throat. "Now, what you are going to do is hand over the sword, your horses, and your coin, and you get to leave alive." "Is that all? Why not take our knickers too, you-" Cassian's voice cuts off as one of the thugs chokes him. Another comes forward and pries the sword from him. "Shh, lovely. Be glad I'm letting you live, will you?" Next, she nods to you, and another thug takes your travel bag. "Now, be still, play nice. I have archers aimed at you, enough to take all four of you at once. I didn't come this far to leave empty handed." "Bitch," Lorelei snarls as she is released, her eyes locked on the leader. "I'll make sure you regret this, I promise you that." "I hope to see it, if you survive out here." She winks at her, then nods to her men. "Off we get, boys." She climbs aboard your horse as others of her men take the others' horses, and then they are full gallop away towards the next city over. And you four are stranded in the middle of nowhere. [[Shit.]]

You clap your hands, then turn to your companions. "What the fuck just happened?" Lorelei snorts. "We were highway robbed." She chitters her teeth. "What will be do now?" Aenwyn asks, wringing $ahis hands. "We get our things back and we gut the bloody bastards," Lorelei responds, snorting. "We paint the ground red in their blood." "I like the sound of that," Cassian agrees, a glint in his blue-gray eyes. "I am all for some bloodletting after that." "So, it's settled?" You ask. "We go after them?" Lorelei nods. "We go after them." [[Two days later.]]

Two days of walking has taken a toll on your companions, and you as well. But, the end is in sight; on the horizon is a growing city, coming into view steadily but surely. No more hiding out in the forest while the heat of the day cooks the ground and anything out from under the shade. No more walking for miles without a horse to make it easier, or supplies to last. A city is the best thing that could be on the horizon... especially as this is the direction the thieves went in. If nothing else, the lot of you can find some information about those sons of bitches. [[Closer.]]

Ever closer your group comes to the city. You can see individual guards now, standing tall on either side of the huge, iron gate. You can see the shadow of archers in the towers as well, likely already aiming for your group, should you make a wrong turn. Ever closer you grow to the city. To salvation itself. To a hot meal not involving jerkied meat and potatoes. You might even be able to get some actual bread with butter for once. Or even a delectable pastry. Your dry mouth finally waters at the idea of a pastry, and it puts a little pep in your step. //Hot food// lies only some steps away. "What's got you runnin'?" Cassian grouches, his bowlegged gait awkward as exhaustion is no doubt hitting all of you. "Hot food," you rasp, "horses. A comfortable bed to sleep in." "Good reasons to run," Lorelei agrees. Aenwyn gives a noise, but you are unsure if it is in agreement or just because $ahe thinks someone was talking to $ahim. [[The City of Davenport.]]

You come upon the city finally. The tall, iron walls are finally fully visible, the details on the guards' armor, the gleam of their weapons in the sunlight. There is a huge sign above the city gates reading in a deep blue, ''//Davenport//''. As the four of you reach the guards, one comes forward, holding up a hand. "Halt. What business do you have in Davenport?" [[:Persuade: "Sir, please, we've come a long way. Won't you just let us pass?"]] [["We had our horses stolen and think the thieves came here."]] [[Let Lorelei handle this.]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $charisma + _roll >= 12>> "Please, sir, we've come a long way. Won't you just let us pass?" You plead, hoping the desperation in your voice will work. "I... well..." He grumbles, thinking. "I can definitely tell you are in a bad way for some reason... alright, fine, you can go in, but if you cause any trouble-" "We won't, sir. We're just here to get supplies and go." "Alright." He moves out of the way and allows your group to pass, nodding to the side tower. "Before the second guard will let you in, you'll need to sign in. Then, you can go on into the city." <<elseif $charisma + _roll < 12>> "Please, sir-" "I don't want to hear it, pal," He starts, shaking his head. "State your business, or leave." Lorelei comes forward. "A group of thieves stole our horses, our coin, and other items belonging to us. We think they came here and are trying to find information about them." "Hmm." The guard considers her for a minute, thinking. "Well... I will let you in. Just try not to cause trouble." "Of course not, sir guardsmen." "Alright, when you go in, stop by the tower guard and sign in. Then, they'll let you on into the city." <</if>> [[Enter the city.]]

"We had our horses stolen and think the thieves came here," you explain to him plainly. He considers you for a minute. "Rather blunt, but I appreciate it." He sighs and cocks his hip. "Fine. You can go in, just don't cause trouble in your search. Sign in at the tower, then they'll let you pass." [[Enter the city.]]

Lorelei comes forward. "A group of thieves stole our horses, our coin, and other items belonging to us. We think they came here and are trying to find information about them." "Hmm." The guard considers her for a minute, thinking. "Well... I will let you in. Just try not to cause trouble." "Of course not, sir guardsmen." "Alright, when you go in, stop by the tower guard and sign in. Then, they'll let you on into the city." [[Enter the city.]]

The gates draw open, revealing cobblestone roads and buildings bigger than you have seen since your childhood. You lead the way into the city, then turn to the tower. "I'll sign us in." "Go ahead," Lorelei responds, eyeing one of the guards warily. Cassian follows suit, clearly sizing them up in case something goes wrong. Aenwyn? Aenwyn is standing between the two, clutching $ahis robes away from $ahimself due to the heat. Even $ahe succumbed to the heat, finally. You head into the guardsmen's office-like room in the bottom of the tower, where a woman sits behind a mahogany desk. A large ledger sits facing you, as well as a quill and ink well. "Sign in for your party here, here, here, and here," she commands, tapping the ledger with her long nails. "Sure." You grab the quill, but also take time to scan the newest arrivals. The last one was a day ago roughly, showing the name 'Elandra Fiddle', a group of eight, and four horses as well as a magic sword. //Your thieves are still here, as they never signed out.// "Hurry up," the woman grouches, tapping impatiently. "Right, sorry," you apologize, then write down the four names: $name $surname, Lorelei of Running Waters, Aenwyn Rolen, and Cassian Winterluff. After, you put the quill back in its well and return to your compatriots. [["I've been here before."]]

"I've been here before," Lorelei comments as you rejoin the group. "Oh, yeah?" You ask, raising a brow. "Yes. There's a decent in that I have enough coin left for from the stash in my boot." Lorelei eyes the guards again. "Let us go." "Yeah, lets," Cassian agrees, already heading off in a direction all his own. Lorelei quickly catches up to redirect him, leaving you and Aenwyn to bring up the rear. [[To Antigone Inn.]]

"We're headed to Antigone Inn," Lorelei informs the three of you. "It'll have fairly nice rooms, cost not as much as the other big inn in the city, and we can use it to figure out where the thieves are." "Did you see anything in the ledger?" Aenwyn asks, turning $ahis attention to you. "I noticed you lingered; did you discover something?" "I did, yeah. I think our thief is Elandra Fiddle; she came through with a group of eight, four horses that match the description of ours, and a magical sword." "Yeah, that pretty obviously sounds like our thief," Cassian agrees. He cracks his knuckles. "I say we do ourselves a little witchhunt soon." "Agreed," Lorelei responds. "We get settled in, then tomorrow we start fresh searching the city." "And hopefully they haven't done anything obscene with our sword," Aenwyn murmurs. [[Antigone Inn.]]

The four of you reach the Antigone Inn. It is a stately building with a slate roof and a cherrywood exterior, along with a cobbled rock foundation and trim. Lorelei leads the way inside, into a comfortable parlor room where a young woman stands behind a reception desk. She smiles when she spots the four of you, and nods to each one of you in turn. "Welcome to Antigone Inn. Are you look for four rooms?" "Yes, please," Lorelei states, pulling out her coin purse. "Is it still 8 silver a room?" "It is, yes!" The woman holds out her hand as Lorelei places silvers into it, then returns her coin purse to her boot. "That should cover it." The woman counts, then smiles. "Certainly does! Here are your keys. They are numbered, and all the rooms are upstairs. Please let me know if you need anything else." "Thank you." Lorelei leads the way upstairs, passing back keys as she goes. "Shall we meet for dinner after a good bath? We still have our clothes, even if we have nothing else." "Yeah, that sounds like a good plan," You comment, looking forward to changing out of your nauseatingly dirty clothes after a hot bath. "Yeah, the only thing keeping me out of that bath all evening is the hope for dinner," Cassian groans, rubbing the back of his neck. "A hot meal will be life-changing at this point," Aenwyn agrees, shaking $ahis head. "I'm so tired of jerky and potatoes." "Agreed," the other three of you chime in. Reaching your rooms, the four of you split up to go inside. [[Inside your room.]]

You get into your room and toss down your clothes bag on the bed; the only things the thieves //didn't// take was your clothes. Stripping off the dirty clothes, you go over to the tub and touch the knob, to which magically warmed and delivered water begins to spew out. While it fills, you look at yourself in the mirror. <<if $race is "siren">> Your skin color is... <<listbox "$skincolor" autoselect>> <<option "Blue" blue>> <<option "Purple" purple>> <<option "Dark blue" dark-blue>> <<option "Dark purple" dark-purple>> <<option "Green" green>> <<option "Dark green" dark-green>> <</listbox>> <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> Your skin color is... <<listbox "$skincolor" autoselect>> <<option "Fair" fair>> <<option "Tan" tan>> <<option "Tawny" tawny>> <<option "Bronze" bronze>> <<option "Brown" brown>> <<option "Dark brown" dark-brown>> <</listbox>> <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Your skin color is... <<listbox "$skincolor" autoselect>> <<option "Fair" Fair>> <<option "Golden brown" golden-brown>> <<option "Tan" tan>> <<option "Olive brown" olive-brown>> <<option "Dark bronze" dark-bronze>> <<option "Dark brown" dark-brown>>\ <</listbox>> <</if>> And your eye color is... <<if $race is "siren">> <<listbox "$eyecolor" autoselect>> <<option "Blue" blue>> <<option "Green" green>> <<option "Brown" brown>> <<option "Pink" pink>> <<option "Purple" purple>> <<option "Black" black>> <</listbox>> <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> <<listbox "$eyecolor" autoselect>> <<option "Blue" blue>> <<option "Green" green>> <<option "Brown" brown>> <<option "Silver" silver>> <<option "Gold" gold>> <<option "Black" black>> <</listbox>> <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> <<listbox "$eyecolor" autoselect>> <<option "Blue" blue>> <<option "Green" green>> <<option "Brown" brown>> <<option "Black" black>> <</listbox>> <</if>> And your hair is... <<listbox "$haircolor" autoselect>> <<option "Pink" pink>> <<option "Blue" blue>> <<option "Blond" blond>> <<option "Brown" brown>> <<option "Black" black>> <<option "Green" green>> <</listbox>> After checking yourself out in the mirror, examining the damage so to speak, you then turn back to the tub and climb in. [[Dinner time.]]

<<silently>> <<set $personalization to true>> <</silently>> On your way back down the stairs, you spy the dining room across from them and head that way. As you approach, you find... [[...Aenwyn already at the table.][$arel to $arel + 5]] [[...Lorelei already at the table.][$lrel to $lrel + 5]] [[...Cassian already at the table.][$crel to $crel + 5]]

You find Aenwyn already at the table and join $ahim there. <<print $ahe.toUpperFirst()>> looks up from $ahis book, smiling. "Hello, $name. Good to see you down here so soon." "Same to you, Aenwyn. How are you doing?" "I'm alright. How are you?" [[:Flirt: "I'm just happy to get some more you time."][$aflirt to $aflirt + 1, $arel to $arel + 5]] [[:Flirt: "I'm hoping I can convince you to join me tonight."][$aflirt to $aflirt + 1, $arel to $arel + 5, $flirty to $flirty + 5]] [["I'm doing alright, so far."]] [["I could be better."]]

You find Lorelei already at the table. She looks up from her drink, eyeing you curiously. "Hello, $name." "Hey, Lorelei. I see you made it down quickly." "Yes... I am quite hungry. I hope our companions join us soon." "As do I." You sit across from her, thinking. [[:Flirt: "You are quite beautiful, you know."][$lrel to $lrel + 5, $lflirt to $lflirt + 1]] [["What have you been up to?"]]

"I'm doing alright, so far." "That's good! I'm glad to hear it." Aenwyn smiles warmly. "Yeah! Much better now that we have a bed to sleep in." "Agreed... the bed will be a welcomed addition." Aenwyn turns back to $ahis book, but responds as you continue to chatter. [[The other two of your party joins you.]]

"I could be better, but then, I think we all could." "Isn't that true. I will say, these last two days have been the longest of my life." "Agreed, for sure. They were downright miserable." "Exactly." Aenwyn returns to $ahis book, but answers when you continue to chat. [[The other two of your party joins you.]]

"I'm just happy to get some more you time. You're quite interesting." "Oh! Thank you." Aenwyn smiles as $ahis face flushes, but $ahe seems pleased. "I quite like spending time with you so far as well." "Excellent, I'm glad to hear it." You don't hide your smile as $ahe turns $his attention to $ahis book, but you see $ahim peek and smile at you every few minutes. [[The other two of your party joins you.]]

"Well, I'm hoping I can convince you to join me tonight." You wink at $ahim as you say it, trying to make sure you get your point across. Aenwyn's cheeks immediately heat. "I-I... um... I would prefer to get to know you first." "That's fair and I respect it. Just know the offer is open." "I um... I will." <<print $ahe.toUpperFirst()>> buries $ahis nose into $ahis book, $ahis face blood red. You can't help the grin that appears on your lips. [[The other two of your party joins you.]]

Now, with all four of you at your table, it is finally time to order a hot dinner and some spiced wine to go with it. What will you order? [[Grilled chicken and a side of mash and vegetables.]] [[Roast rack of lamb and a side of carrots and asparagus.]] [[A platter of various vegetables, rubbed with spices and herbs.]]

You find Cassian already at the table. He looks up with a grin. "Oh, hello, stranger. What brings you here?" "A stiff drink and a hot meal." You take the seat across from him. "What about you?" "Same, same." [[:Flirt: "You are quite handsome."][$crel to $crel + 5, $cflirt to $cflirt + 1]] [["Now, just to wait for our comrades to join us."]]

"You are quite beautiful, you know." She looks up, surprised. "Well, thank you, charmer." "I'm being serious." She smiles. "So I can tell. Thank you, truly; I am not complimented often and I do so enjoy when an attractive person does it." "Why, thank you." [[The other two of your party joins you.]]

"What have you been up to?" "People watching." She nods to the people sitting all across the dining room. "Interest folk who come here. I always enjoy watching them." "That's fair enough. Have you seen anything interesting?" "Plently." She lets the conversation die there. [[The other two of your party joins you.]]

"You are quite handsome, you know." "I do know, but thank you. I enjoy when someone as attractive as me notices." He winks, tapping on the table. "Is this you expressing some interest in lil' ol' me?" "Ass. It might be, though." "Consider it noted and approved." His grin widens, showing his perfect teeth. "I'll definitely remember that later." "See that you do." [[The other two of your party joins you.]]

"Now, just to wait for our comrades to join us." "If they do. I half expect Aenwyn to get lost reading and for Lorelei to want to stay in the water." "Isn't that the truth. They may not join us at all." "And what a shame that would be." He grins, joking for sure. [[The other two of your party joins you.]]

You order a platter of grilled chicken with a side of mashed potatoes, broccoli, and roasted carrots. The food comes in a timely manner, and when it does... it looks absolutely //succulent//. You cut a bite of the chicken off, and it glistens with moisture. And the taste? //Divine//. The mashed potatoes is spiced with garlic, herbs, and butter, keeping them moist and absolutely flavorful. And lastly, the carrots have a sweet glaze that works well with them, offering a sweet treat with dinner. [[Dinner is a quiet afair.|mealmeet]]

You order a roasted rack of lamb, along with a side of glazed roasted carrots and grilled asparagus. The food comes in a timely manner, and when it arrives it looks utterly //divine//. You cut into the lamb and find it so tender that your knife cuts it like warmed butter. And the taste? A little cinnamon, a little rosemary, and utter deliciousness. Then the carrots are glazed with something sweet, offering a small sweet treat with dinner. And lastly? The asparagus has a delectable flavor, with a bit of a chargrilling from the grill marks. Absolutely delicious. [[Dinner is a quiet affair.|mealmeet]]

You order a platter of various vegetables, all rubbed with spices and herbs. It takes only about ten minutes or so for your food to arrive, and when it does, it looks heavenly. Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, roast potatoes, grilled zucchini, and roasted peppers. You try a bite of each one, marveling at how each and every type of vegetable has its own seasoning blend covering it, taking your palette on a culinary journey with every piece. Absolutely delectable. And with the spiced wine? Divinity. [[Dinner is a quiet fair.|mealmeet]]

Dinner is a quiet affair. Everyone is mostly focused on their own plate of delectable food, and exhaustion is finally sinking into your companions, and you as well. Once dinner is eaten, and a brief window of mild small talk occurs, everyone bids each other good night and climbs the stairs back to their rooms. You personally find yourself falling into your bed immediately upon entering your room, not even bothering to kick off your boots until you are already laying down. You curl under the warm comforter, into the soft fluffy pillows, and get the rest you have sorely needed for several days now. And, in your dream world, you imagine yourself defeating the thief and saving the sword, then earning heaps of gold for the effort. But, tomorrow is another day, and you have to actually find the thief to catch them. <center>[[Act II]]</center>

<<silently>> <<if $race is "human">> <<set $health to $constitution + 2>> <</if>> <<if $race != "human">> <<set $health to $constitution>> <</if>> <<set $health to $health + 5>> <<set $ahealth to $ahealth + 5>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth + 5>> <<set $chealth to $chealth + 5>> <</silently>> <center><span class="act">''ACT II''</span></center> Act II opens the next day after our intrepid adventurers make it into the city of Davenport, and rest up at the Antigone Inn. Lorelei, who has stepped into the roll as leader quite swimmingly, has led the charge to explore the city of Davenport in all its nooks and crannies to see if anyone in the group of companions can discover information on their quarry. What awaits them in the city of Davenport on this fine summer day? <center>[[Begin the Search of Davenport]]</center>

The city of Davenport is bustling this early in the morning. While Lorelei, Aenwyn, and Cassian have already left to explore their section of the city, you have lingered, watching the people. Watching the city come alive, like a great slumbering beast whose cave has been disturbed. There are all walks of life here, from Sirens to what seems to be full elves walking about. <<if $race is "half-elf">>Even as a half-elf, you have never really seen so many full-blooded elves in your life before here.<</if>> You watch on for some time, as the sun rises and the air grows hot and humid. Summer is killer this far south, and Davenport is no different. You should get a move on, before it grows to be smoldering outside. [[Go visit Lorelei first.][$lrel to $lrel + 5]] [[Go visit Aenwyn first.][$arel to $arel + 5]] [[Go visit Cassian first.][$crel to $crel + 5]] [[Go to your given section of the city.]]

You received the poorer recesses of the city; you will have an interesting time trying to get any information out of the tight-lipped mouths of such a tight-knit area. You head west from the inn's entrance. The cobblestones that are so neatly put together in the other parts of the city you have seen begin to drop off to hard-packed dirt as you go downhill into the poverty stricken area. Children in dirty and torn clothes dot the street, some with a beggar's cup or bowl, others watching you intently. Street urchins; numerous and the most forgotten part of a city. A sad display for what seemed to be a beautiful place, but a city is only as beautiful as its darkest corners. What will you do? [[Knock on doors to ask questions.]] [[Explore the area.]] [[Question the street urchins.]]

You decide to go visit Lorelei first, where she is stationed at the Docks. You turn south and head towards the open ocean, going down the wooden ramp build upon the cobblestones, likely to make it easier to bring wheelbarrows of supplies up. The smell of fish immediately assaults you, growing stronger the closer you get to the actual docking area for the ships. <<if $race is "siren">>It reminds you of home, a little.<</if>> You spy Lorelei before long, her silvery skin glittering in the direct sunlight. You also see people staring at her from the ships, the sailors seemingly struck by her. <<if ($rompref is "women") or ($rompref is "neither")>>You can understand why; she's quite the beauty in her own right. She's one of the most beautiful sirens you have ever seen.<</if>> You come up behind her and gently touch her arm. She starts, but relaxes some when she sees it is you. "Hello, $name." "Hey, Lorelei. How are things going?" "No thief in sight yet, nor have I heard running rumors of her yet." She squints her eyes at you. "What are you doing here?" [[:Flirt: "I came to see how lovely you look in the sun."][$lrel to $lrel + 5, $lflirt to $lflirt + 1]] [["Just checking in, seeing how things are before I go to my own section of the city."][$lrel to $lrel + 5]] [[Shrug.][$lrel to $lrel - 5]]

You decide to go visit Cassian at the Market area first, before setting off to your section of the city. The cobblestone roads clack peacefully below your boots as the chatter of passersby echo in your ears. It is oddly comforting to be in some place so loud; you do not stick out at all. Especially among so many different races and backgrounds of people. You see the market stalls come into view fairly quickly. Turns out, the inn practically borders the Market; not a far walk at all. You quickly spy Cassian's head above most of the others, given he's almost freakishly tall for a human. He even rivals full-blooded elves in height. As you grow closer through the crowd, you find him at the weapons vendor, unsurprisingly; he often enjoys looking over the craftsmanship of blacksmiths when it comes to weapons and armor. He is even a collector of weapons, if you remember correctly. You tap him on the arm as you reach his side, earning his attention. "Oh, hello, $name. What're you doin' here?" "Came to check in with you, see what you were up to." <<if $cflirt > 0>> "If I'd known you were coming, I would've gotten us somewhere to dine alone." "Alone?" "So I can hear more of this interest in me and express some of my own," he adds with a grin. "You happen to still be interested?" [["Absolutely." This will begin Cassian's romance.][$crom to true, $cflirt to $cflirt + 1]] [["Sorry, I'm not." This will lock you out of his romance.][$cromnorom to true]] [["We'll see, big guy."]] <</if>> <<if $cflirt is 0>> "Just here to check in on me, huh?" He grins. "I'm not up to much. Still haven't heard a word of our thief." "Unfortunate. Hmm, I hope we find something today... before she can get away." He sighs. "Yeah, that's the hope, right?" He claps you on the shoulder. "You should head on out, then." [[:Flirt: "Can I see you later tonight?" This will begin Cassian's romance.][$crom to true, $cflirt to $cflirt + 1]] [["Sure thing. I'll see you later, Cassian."]] <</if>>

You decide to go visit Aenwyn where $ahe is at the city's scholar plaza, a true haven for $ahim. The cobblestones clack pleasantly under foot as you head north, passing Cassian in the Market on the way. You can easily see him over the heads of all the others milling about; a freakishly tall human, hard to miss. You follow the cobblestone path until it changes into a mortar-and-stone paving. You walk on, seeing the plaza open up before you. Trees sit in a perfect line in the middle of the plaza, while the red stones accentuate the colors of the various buildings. If you remember correctly, Aenwyn was planning to stop in at the library first. You find the library after nearly ten minutes of searching the buildings along the edge of the plaza, but you //do// find it and find Aenwyn on the first floor, $ahis nose shoved into a book. You come up behind $ahim and tap $ahim on the shoulder. <<print $ahe.toUpperFirst()>> jumps, spinning around to face you. "Oh! $name!" "Yes... what are you doing reading, Aenwyn? We're hunting a thief." "Ah, yes, I was just wanting to get the information from this one so I might add it to my collection." <<print $ahe.toUpperFirst()>> closes the book and places it back on the shelf. "What are you doing here?" [["Checking in on you."][$arel to $arel + 5]] [[:Flirt: "I just wanted to see how you were getting on," you blush.][$arel to $arel + 5, $aflirt to $aflirt + 1]] [[:Flirt: "I wanted to see what you were up to, lovely."][$arel to $arel + 5, $aflirt to + 1, $flirty to $flirty + 5]]

"Absolutely. Do you... want to see me later tonight?" "Fuck yes." He grins. "You can have me at any time a day you want, gorgeous; just say the word." "Calm yourself, big guy. We'll wait till tonight; we have business in the day." He hisses air through his teeth. "Yeah, that we do. I'll see you later, then?" "Count on it." You head back in the direction of the inn, feeling his blue-gray eyes on you the entire time. [[Go to your given section of the city.]]

"Can I see you later tonight?" "As in..." He raises a brow, cocking his head. "Privately?" "Yes, that's what I was thinking." He grins widely. "You definitely can. I'll see you later tonight at the inn for //sure//." "Good! I'll be looking forward to it, handsome." You smile at him. "But for now, I need to head off." "Yeah, go get our thief," he winks. "But don't forget our plans." "Never." You head back towards the inn, feeling his blue-gray eyes the entire time. [[Go to your given section of the city.]]

"Sorry... I was flirting for fun last night. I'm not actually interested." "Ah, that's fair, $name. Maybe in another life." He smiles, clapping you on the shoulder. "No hard feelings." "Good, I'm glad." You take a look at the daylight above. "I'm going to head on. You got everything covered here?" "Certainly. Go on, $name, go catch us a thief." "I'll try." With that, you head back to the inn, preparing to head to your section of the city to search. [[Go to your given section of the city.]]

"We'll see big guy." "Alright, I can be patient. You'll see I'm the top choice eventually," he says with a wink. You can't help but roll your eyes. "We'll see. Anyway, I should head off. You got everything here?" "Sure do. See you later, $name." "See you later, Cassian." You head back towards the inn, to prepare to go to your designated part of the city. [[Go to your given section of the city.]]

"Sure thing, I'll see you later, Cassian." "See you, $name." You make your way back to the inn, then turn in the direction of where you will be going next. [[Go to your given section of the city.]]

"I came to see how lovely you look in the sun." Flirty, but true; she is absolutely stunning in the light with how her skin sparkles. <<if $lflirt > 1>> She laughs, smiling widely. "Why, you have become quite a flirt! Not that I'm complaining; I'm enjoying it quite a bit." "I certainly hope so, because I like giving you the compliments." "Hmm.... are you after something from me? I don't sleep with people for no reason." "I mean, I //am// interested in you, but I am feeling the waters for right now. I didn't want to crowd you." "Appreciate that." She runs the smooth backs of her fingers across your jaw. "Keep it up and... we'll see where things go." "Well noted." She smiles and turns back to the ships, her sharp gaze watching them intently. <</if>> <<if $lflirt is 0>> She smiles and laughs. "Why, thank you. I wasn't expecting that out of you today." "Just being honest and voicing my thoughts." "I appreciate it. I also wouldn't mind hearing it more often." She smiles softly. "I... can say I like hearing it from you." "Good, I like saying it." "Good." She turns back to the boats, her sharp gaze missing nothing. <</if>> You decide to leave her there and return to the inn, heading back up the ramp. You will leave to your section of the city once you get back, and see if there is anything else you can find. [[Go to your given section of the city.]]

"Just came to check in, see how things are before I go on my own search." "Fair enough, I suppose. Things seem fine so far; but still no sign of Ms. Fiddle. Unfortunate for us..." "Yeah... hopefully one of the others or I find something." "Let us hope so, $name." She turns away from you, focusing on the ships again, her sharp gaze missing nothing. You leave her be, returning up the ramp to the inn to prepare to set out to your own part of the city to search. [[Go to your given section of the city.]]

You shrug. "I don't really have a reason to be here." "Then //leave//. We are here to do a job, not lollygag." She rolls her pink eyes before turning her attention back to the waters, clearly dismissing you. You turn away from her with another shrug and head back up the ramp towards the inn, planning to regroup there to set out to your section of the city. [[Go to your given section of the city.]]

"Just checking in on you, seeing how you were fairing." "Oh! That's kind of you, $name." Aenwyn smiles. "I'm doing okay, so far. I've questioned a few scholars to see if they knew anything, but nothing so far." "A shame. Hopefully one of us finds something today." "I hope so. I dislike a job going this badly; it will look poorly upon us." "It will indeed." You clap $ahim on the arm. "I'll see you back at the inn tonight." "Yes, I'll see you then!" You wave bye as you exit the library and head on through the Market to the inn, preparing to [[Go to your given section of the city.]]

"I just wanted to see how you were getting on," you say with a light blush coming up. Aenwyn seems to notice and begins to blush $ahimself. "O-Oh, I see. W-Well, I'm doing fine, as you can see." "Y-Yeah! I see that." You both stand there awkwardly for a few minutes, both blushing at each other, unsure of where to take this conversation. "I'll get going-" "I should probably-" You both giggle, then you quickly abscond from the library, heading instead towards the Market and on to the inn. [[Go to your given section of the city.]]

"I wanted to see what you were up to, lovely, of course." "L-Lovely?" Aenwyn begins to blush and clutches $ahis robes. "I... well... I'm fine, as you can see." "Yes you are indeed," you smile, biting your lip a little. Aenwyn's eyes hone in on your lips, then go to the floor. "Are you... teasing me?" "Not at all! I'm genuinely interested in you." "Oh. Gods. Um." Aenwyn rubs the back of $ahis neck. "Can we... do this not right now? Preferably when there aren't others around?" "Of course. I'll be looking forward to seeing you at the inn tonight." "Y-Yeah! Me, too." With a smile, you leave $ahim to $ahis studies, and head for the inn, exiting through the Market again. [[Go to your given section of the city.]]

As awkward as it will be for them, it is certainly more awkward for you to go around knocking on doors. But you do so, hoping to ask someone or, really, //anyone// if they have seen your mystery blond thief. But, no one answers their doors. Even in houses you spy movement in, they refuse to come to the door. This side of town, people probably do not answer the door to a stranger... putting you at a disadvantage as you are not a familiar face. [[Explore the area.]] [[Question the street urchins.]]

You decide to explore the area. The homes are dingy with thatch roofs and what seems like dirt floors. The dirt roads lead a winding path through the section of the city, passing small, decrepid shops and buildings in various states of decay and destruction. There are even wild animals roaming about, especially raccoons and unafraid pigeons. You see trash lining the streets as well as excrement; it is unlikely any of these people can afford the magic supplies to have running water or working plumbing. What a damned mess of an area. Even as you look further around this section of the city, you can tell there is nothing to be found; these people have less than nothing, and if the thief passed through here, she may have bought their silence. [[Knock on doors to ask questions.]] [[Question the street urchins.]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,4)>> <</silently>> You decide to try to question the street urchins. At first, the only beg you for coin, but eventually you find a small girl, who seems to watch you intently. <<if $charisma + _roll > 13>> You approach her and squat down to her level, keep your $eyecolor eyes on her hands while still looking her in the eye. "Are you willing to answer some questions for me?" "Maybe. Depends on what the questions are." She crosses her arms. "A blond woman came into town a few days ago. She has a funny name; Fiddle. Have you met her?" "Why?" "She took something from me that she didn't have a right to, and I really need it back." The girl considers you, thinking. "Did she have a shiny sword?" "Yes. Did the sword have a big red stone on it?" "Yeah! She called it a rooby." "That's her! Do you know where she is?" The girl nods enthusiastically. "She's in the Butcherman's Hammock! It's over in the stockstills of the city. I can show you, if you like." "No, no sweetie, I don't want you to be part of this." "Aww, okay. Do you need anything else?" "No, ma'am, I sure don't." You stand up. "Thank you for the help." "Sure! Come back some time, with some food for us." "I'll see what I can do." <</if>> <<if $charisma + _roll <= 13>> You approach her and squat down to her level, keep your $eyecolor eyes on her hands while still looking her in the eye. "Are you willing to answer some questions for me?" "Maybe. Depends on what the questions are." She crosses her arms. "A blond woman came into town a few days ago. She has a funny name; Fiddle. Have you met her?" "Why?" "She took something from me that she didn't have a right to, and I really need it back." "I might know something for a coin." You sigh. "What kind of coin?" "Gold of course, you silly." You offer her one of the gold coins Lorelei gave you this morning in case this very thing happened. She eagerly grabs it from you, then turns her attention to you again. "Ready to talk?" "Did she have a big shiny sword with a rooby?" "She did, yes!" "Butcherman's Hammock, in the stockstills." She turns away and leaves, but stops midway. "Bring some food next time, I have other secrets you might like." "I'll see what I can do." You stand up. <</if>> Back on your feet, you quickly head back to the inn to wait for your companions; this is important information you have found. Possibly the answer to how to find your thief, should the information hold true. [[Later that same day, at the inn...]]

You and your four companions are hold up in your room. Your companions surround you on the bed as you repeat the information the street urchin gave you. "...and she's at the Butcherman's Hammock, over in the stockstills." Lorelei whistles lowly. "That's a crime-filled part of the city. It'll be stressful, but we are armed. We should go as soon as possible." "Crime or no crime, if that bitch is there, we get her," Cassian practically growls, standing from his seat. "I'm going to get my armor on and be ready downstairs." "I'll go get my staff and be waiting as well." Aenwyn rises from $ahis spot on the floor, shaking $ahis head. "We should resolve this without bloodshed, if possible." "Fuck that," Cassian snipes. "We kill her if we get the chance." "I agree," Lorelei states. "We can't risk her taking the sword from us again once we retrieve it." "I don't know, my friends... murder seems extreme in this moment." Aenwyn frowns, holding $ahis robes. "Consider the choice carefully, all of you." With that, $ahe leaves to $ahis room. Cassian follows $ahim out, then Lorelei, who pauses at the door, watching you intently. "I know you'll make the right decision if it comes down to you." "Thanks, Lorelei." She nods sharply, then leaves you alone to put your own armor on and retrieve your $weapon. A battle may be coming, and you have to be prepared for it. [[The Butcherman's Hammock.]]

You and your three companions stand in the shadow of a nearby building, watching the sky darken into night, waiting to enter the Butcherman's Hammock. Not long before you four reached the building, you saw a familiar blond head enter the tavern. Now, you four are waiting for her to settle into the the tavern's near empty dining room, and then spring your attack. "Aenwyn, you'll come up from the outside with magic. I suggest a fireball into the window," Lorelei commands, then turns to you and Cassian. "We three will approach from the front and get her and her thugs' attentions. Does that sound like a plan?" "Sounds good to me," Cassian says, tapping his morningstar's staff on his hand. "I can't wait to get at them." "Okay, lets get into formation. Keep your nerve, everyone; we //will// be victorious." The confidence in her voice is infectious; you can see the resounding effect on everyone's faces, and feel it in your own chest. "Let's go," you comment, leading the way into the tavern. [[Into the tavern.]]

You storm into the tavern, bowling over a drunkard trying to leave. You leave the way into the dining room, where Elandra Fiddle sits eating with three of her thugs. Her head immediately snaps up when she hears the commotion, and is immediately getting out of her chair, daggers drawn. You stop at the entry to the dining room, Lorelei and Cassian flanking you as you face Elandra Fiddle and her three men. "So, you found me," she breathes. "I thought you'd have ran back to the hole you crawled out of." "You are //so// dead," Lorelei snarls, baring her sharp teeth, her own daggers ready for combat. "I can't wait to spit on your corpse." "We'll see, won't we?" <center>[[Begin Battle #1!]]</center>

<center><span class="enemies">Elandra Fiddle</span></center> <center>Fiddle's Health: <<print $fiddlehealth>>/20</center> <center>Thug #1</center> <center>Thug #1's Health: <<print $fthug1health>>/10</center> <center>Thug #2's Health: <<print $fthug2health>>/10</center> <center>Thug #3's Health: <<print $fthug3health>>/10</center> [[Return to Story->$current_scene]]

<<silently>> <<if $race is "human">> <<set $health to $constitution + 2>> <</if>> <<if $race != "human">> <<set $health to $constitution>> <<set <</if>> <<set $fiddlehealth to 20>> <<set fthug1health to 10>> <<set fthug2health to 10>> <<set fthug3health to 10>> <</silently>> <center><span class="enemies">Elandra Fiddle</span></center> Elandra readies herself, as do her thugs. How will you proceed? [[Cast a magic spell.]] [[Use your weapon.]]

You have decided to cast a magic spell. <<if $race is "siren">> [[Cast Wave|wave]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> [[Cast Fireball|fireball]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> [[Cast Fireball|fireball]] [[Cast Wave|wave]] [[Cast Lightning|lightning]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,6)>> <<set _roll1 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll3 to random(1,8)>> <<if $race is "human">> <<set $health to $constitution + 2>> <</if>> <<if $race != "human">> <<set $health to $constitution>> <</if>> <</silently>> You have decided to use your $weapon. <<if $race is "siren">> <<if $weapon is "trident" or $weapon is "shortbow">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you get a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> <<if $weapon is "morningstar" or $weapon is "sickle">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> <<if $weapon is "longbow" or $weapon is "rapier">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $strength >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $strength < 12>> <<if $strength < 10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a -1 modifier. <</if>> <</if>> <<silently>> <<set $fiddlehealth to $fiddlehealth - _roll>> <</silently>> You turn to Elandra and deal <<print _roll>> damage to her, leaving her health at <<$fiddlehealth>>. Lorelei does <<print _roll1>> to Thug One. Cassian does <<print _roll3>> to Thug Three. Aenwyn fires a fireball through the window, dealing <<print _roll2>> to Thug Two. [[Next Phase|weaponbattle1]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll1 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll3 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence < 12>> <<if $intelligence < 10>> You rolled a <<print _roll>>, but have a -1 modifier. <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> <</if>> <<if $intelligence >= 10>> You rolled a <<print _roll>> and have no modifier. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> You rolled a <<print _roll>> and have a + 1 modifier. <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to all enemies. <<silently>> <<set $fiddlehealth to $fiddlehealth - _roll>> <<set $fthug1health to $fthug1health - _roll>> <<set $fthug1health to $fthug1health - _roll1>> <<set $fthug2health to $fthug2health - _roll>> <<set $fthug2health to $fthug2health - _roll2>> <<set $fthug3health to $fthug3health - _roll>> <<set $fthug3health to $fthug3health - _roll3>> <</silently>> Lorelei does <<print _roll1>> to Thug One. Cassian does <<print _roll3>> to Thug Three. Aenwyn fires a fireball through the window, dealing <<print _roll2>> to Thug Two. <<if $fthug1health is 0>> <<set $fthug1dead to true>> Thug One has Fainted. <</if>> <<if $fthug2health is 0>> <<set $fthug2dead to true>> Thug Two has Fainted. <</if>> <<if $fthug3health is 0>> <<set $fthug3dead to true>> Thug Three has Fainted. <</if>> [[Next Phase|spellbattle1]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll1 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll3 to random(1,4)>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> <</silently>> Elandra Fiddle does <<print _roll>> damage to you, setting your health to $health. <<if $health <= 0>> You have fainted. You must restart. [[Go back.|Begin Battle #1!]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. <<if $thug1dead is false>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll1>> Thug One deals <<print _roll1>> to Lorelei, leaving her health at <<print $lhealth>>. <</if>> <<if $thug3dead is false>> <<set $chealth to $chealth - _roll2>> Thug Three deals <<print _roll2>> to Cassian, leaving his health at <<print $chealth>>. <</if>> <<if $thug2dead is false>> <<set $ahealth to $ahealth - _roll3>> Thug Two deals <<print _roll3>> to Aenwyn through the window, leaving $ahis health at <<print $ahealth>>. <</if>> [[Next round.|castspell2]] <</if>>

You have decided to cast a magic spell. <<if $race is "siren">> [[Cast Wave|wave2]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> [[Cast Fireball|fireball2]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> [[Cast Fireball|fireball2]] [[Cast Wave|wave2]] [[Cast Lightning|lightning2]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll4 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll5 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll6 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> <<if $thug1dead is true>> With Thug One dead, Lorelei turns her attention to Elandra Fiddle, dealing <<print _roll4>>, leaving her health at <<print $fiddlehealth>>. <</if>> <<if $fiddlehealth < 5>> "I give! I give!" She screams, throwing down her daggers. "Please, stop!" <center>[[Win!|elandradefeat]]</center> <</if>> <<if $fiddlehealth >= 5>> [[Next Phase|weaponbattle2]] <</if>> <<if $thug2dead is true>> With Thug Two fainted, Aenwyn turns $ahis attention to Elandra Fiddle, dealing <<print _roll5>>, leaving her health at <<print $fiddlehealth>>. <</if>> <<if $fiddlehealth < 5>> "I give! I give!" She screams, throwing down her daggers. "Please, stop!" <center>[[Win!|elandradefeat]]</center> <</if>> <<if $fiddlehealth >= 5>> [[Next Phase|weaponbattle2]] <</if>> <<if $thug3dead is true>> With Thug Three fainted, Cassian turns his attention to Elandra Fiddle, dealing <<print _roll6>>, leaving her health at <<print $fiddlehealth>>. <</if>> <<if $fiddlehealth < 5>> "I give! I give!" She screams, throwing down her daggers. "Please, stop!" <center>[[Win!|elandradefeat]]</center> <</if>> <</if>> <<if $fiddlehealth >= 5>> [[Next Phase|spellbattle2]] <</if>>

<<if $elandratalk is true>> "Listen, what are we doing here?" Elandra begins, her daggers gleaming in the light. "You are clearly not going to defeat me. Just give up. It'll make this so much easier." "Never," Lorelei hisses. "Where is the sword?" "Aww, that thing? I already handed it off to my boss. Good luck getting it back," she grins, showing her teeth. "Nobles are hard to get these types of things from, you know." "Who is your boss?" You demand, waving your $weapon at her. "We deserve a chance to try, you right bastard." "Well, since you asked so nicely," Elandra snorts, "Noble Edmond Francais. Good luck worming it out from him." She looks at her nails. "Now, I am leaving. If you continue to try to kill me, I will have to ask our barkeep to call his mercenaries, and they are a //nasty// bunch." Lorelei's face has the look of a soured watermelon. "There's-" "Enough!" Grouses a loud voice from behind you. "You let her leave or you deal with m'boys, as she said. I'm sick of yer shit." Elandra smiles and walks out from between you, and what is left of her thugs scramble behind her. Lorelei's eyes never leave her as she leaves. "Son of a bitch." [[Elandra leaves.|elandraalive1]] <</if>> <<if $elandratalk is false>> She collapses to her knees, staring at the three of you. "What is it you want so badly?" Lorelei strides up to her, angling her dagger to her throat. "Where is the sword?" "That piteous thing? I already handed it off to my boss." When Lorelei's eyes gleam dangerously, Elandra swallows. "H-His name is Noble Edmond Francais. Please, let me go. I didn't kill you four when I stole; please give me the same mercy." Lorelei scoffs, but steps back, looking at you. "Make the decision; but know I vote we kill her." "I vote the same," Cassian growls. You remember Aenwyn spoke against killing her... [[Kill her.][$arel to $arel - 20, $crel to $crel + 10, $lrel to $lrel + 10]] [[Spare her.][$arel to $arel + 20, $crel to $crel - 20, $lrel to - 20]] <</if>>

You have decided to cast a magic spell. <<if $race is "siren">> [[Cast Wave|wave3]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> [[Cast Fireball|fireball3]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> [[Cast Fireball|fireball3]] [[Cast Wave|wave3]] [[Cast Lightning|lightning3]] <</if>>

<<if $thug1dead is true and $thug2dead is true and $thug3dead is true>> "I give! I give!" She screams, throwing down her daggers. "Please, stop!" <center>[[Win!|elandradefeat]]</center> <</if>> <<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll1 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll3 to random(1,4)>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> <</silently>> Elandra Fiddle does <<print _roll>> damage to you, setting your health to $health. <<if $health <= 0>> You have fainted. You must restart. [[Go back.|Begin Battle #1!]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. <<if $thug1dead is false>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll1>> Thug One deals <<print _roll1>> to Lorelei, leaving her health at <<print $lhealth>>. <<if $lhealth is 0>> Lorelei has Fainted. You must restart. [[Go back|Begin Battle #1!]] <</if>> <</if>> <<if $thug3dead is false>> <<set $chealth to $chealth - _roll2>> Thug Three deals <<print _roll2>> to Cassian, leaving his health at <<print $chealth>>. <</if>> <<if $thug2dead is false>> <<set $ahealth to $ahealth - _roll3>> Thug Two deals <<print _roll3>> to Aenwyn through the window, leaving $ahis health at <<print $ahealth>>. <<if $ahealth is 0>> Aenwyn has Fainted. You must restart. [[Go back|Begin Battle #1!]] <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <<if $ahealth != 0 and $lhealth != 0 and $health != 0>> <<set $elandratalk to true>> Elandra Fiddle waivers, holding up her hands. "Okay. Let's talk." [[Talk with Elandra|elandradefeat]] <</if>>

With Elandra alive, Lorelei seems besides herself in anger. Cassian seems to have a similar response. The group of four walk back to the inn in quiet, their health still in their hands and new information gathered; at least now they know who has their sword. The next big step? To get it //back//. [[Back at the inn.]]

You take one of Lorelei's daggers and slice Elandra's throat. She clutches at herself, trying to breath but unable to. Blood covers her hands and neck, soaking into her robes. As she deserves for leaving the lot of you to die. Aenwyn comes running in in a panicked frenzy. "What the hells are you doing?! She was unarmed!" "Doesn't matter, she could have come back to fuck us over again." You hand Lorelei her dagger back. "If you have a problem with it, you can leave, Aenwyn." "This is //barbaric//, $name. I thought you were better than this." Aenwyn shakes $ahis head, shooting a look between the three of you, then heads back outside, looking crestfallen. Lorelei lightly taps you on the shoulder. "It'll be alright; $ahe is just young and not used to this life yet. You did good work." "Agreed! I'll buy you a round of drinks when we get back." Cassian trudges out, and you and Lorelei follow in his footsteps. [[Back at the inn.]]

You take a long, deep breath. "You can go. But do know if you make me regret this decision, I will flay you alive next we meet." Elandra gets up off her knees and quickly runs out of the inn, her eyes full of fright as she passes Lorelei. "What the hells do you think you are doing? She might steal from us again!" Lorelei hisses, showing her teeth. "Foolishness." "Agreed, that was a shitsack of a move, $name," Cassian echoes, shaking his head. "Just hope this doesn't come back to bite us." "It won't," Aenwyn responds as $ahe comes through the tavern door. "$name did a good thing. You'll see." Lorelei scoffs and pushes past $ahim, and Cassian gives $ahim a wide berth. Aenwyn turns $ahis attention to you. "I promise, you did the right thing." "Lets hope so." [[Back at the inn.]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll1 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll3 to random(1,4)>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> <</silently>> Elandra Fiddle does <<print _roll>> damage to you, setting your health to $health. <<if $health <= 0>> You have fainted. You must restart. [[Go back.|Begin Battle #1!]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. <</if>> <<if $thug1dead is false>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll1>> Thug One deals <<print _roll1>> to Lorelei, leaving her health at <<print $lhealth>>.<</if>> <<if $lhealth is 0>> Lorelei has Fainted. You must restart. [[Go back|Begin Battle #1!]] <</if>> <<if $thug3dead is false>> <<set $chealth to $chealth - _roll2>> Thug Three deals <<print _roll2>> to Cassian, leaving his health at <<print $chealth>>. <</if>> <<if $thug2dead is false>> <<set $ahealth to $ahealth - _roll3>> Thug Two deals <<print _roll3>> to Aenwyn through the window, leaving $ahis health at <<print $ahealth>>. <</if>> <<if $ahealth is 0>> Aenwyn has Fainted. You must restart. [[Go back|Begin Battle #1!]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> [[Next Round|weaponbattle1a]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,6)>> <<set _roll1 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll3 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> You have decided to use your $weapon. <<silently>> <<if $race is "siren">> <<if $weapon is "trident" or $weapon is "shortbow">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you get a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> <<if $weapon is "morningstar" or $weapon is "sickle">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> <<if $weapon is "longbow" or $weapon is "rapier">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $strength >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $strength < 12>> <<if $strength < 10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a -1 modifier. <</if>> <</if>> <</silently>> <<silently>> <<set $fiddlehealth to $fiddlehealth - _roll>> <</silently>> You turn to Elandra and deal <<print _roll>> damage to her, leaving her health at <<print $fiddlehealth>>. Lorelei does <<print _roll1>> to Thug One. Cassian does <<print _roll3>> to Thug Three. Aenwyn fires a fireball through the window, dealing <<print _roll2>> to Thug Two. <<if $fiddlehealth < 5>> "I give! I give!" She screams, throwing down her daggers. "Please, stop!" <center>[[Win!|elandradefeat]]</center> <</if>> <<if $fiddlehealth >= 5>> [[Next Phase|weaponbattle2]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll1 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll3 to random(1,4)>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> <</silently>> Elandra Fiddle does <<print _roll>> damage to you, setting your health to <<print $health>>. <<if $health <= 0>> You have fainted. You must restart. [[Go back.|Begin Battle #1!]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. <</if>> <<if $thug1dead is false>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll1>> Thug One deals <<print _roll1>> to Lorelei, leaving her health at <<print $lhealth>>.<</if>> <<if $lhealth is 0>> Lorelei has Fainted. You must restart. [[Go back|Begin Battle #1!]] <</if>> <<if $thug3dead is false>> <<set $chealth to $chealth - _roll2>> Thug Three deals <<print _roll2>> to Cassian, leaving his health at <<print $chealth>>. <</if>> <<if $thug2dead is false>> <<set $ahealth to $ahealth - _roll3>> Thug Two deals <<print _roll3>> to Aenwyn through the window, leaving $ahis health at <<print $ahealth>>. <</if>> <<if $ahealth is 0>> Aenwyn has Fainted. You must restart. [[Go back|Begin Battle #1!]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> [[Next Round|weaponbattle2a]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,6)>> <<set _roll1 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll3 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> You have decided to use your $weapon. <<silently>> <<if $race is "siren">> <<if $weapon is "trident" or $weapon is "shortbow">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you get a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> <<if $weapon is "morningstar" or $weapon is "sickle">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> <<if $weapon is "longbow" or $weapon is "rapier">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $strength >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $strength < 12>> <<if $strength < 10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a -1 modifier. <</if>> <</if>> <</silently>> <<silently>> <<set $fiddlehealth to $fiddlehealth - _roll>> <</silently>> You turn to Elandra and deal <<print _roll>> damage to her, leaving her health at <<$fiddlehealth>>. Lorelei does <<print _roll1>> to Thug One. Cassian does <<print _roll3>> to Thug Three. Aenwyn fires a fireball through the window, dealing <<print _roll2>> to Thug Two. <<if $fiddlehealth < 5>> "I give! I give!" She screams, throwing down her daggers. "Please, stop!" <center>[[Win!|elandradefeat]]</center> <</if>> <<if $fiddlehealth >= 5>> [[Next Phase|weaponbattle2]] <</if>>

<<if $thug1dead is true and $thug2dead is true and $thug3dead is true>> "I give! I give!" She screams, throwing down her daggers. "Please, stop!" <center>[[Win!|elandradefeat]]</center> <</if>> <<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll1 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,4)>> <<set _roll3 to random(1,4)>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> <</silently>> Elandra Fiddle does <<print _roll>> damage to you, setting your health to $health. <<if $health <= 0>> You have fainted. You must restart. [[Go back.|Begin Battle #1!]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. <</if>> <<if $thug1dead is false>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll1>> Thug One deals <<print _roll1>> to Lorelei, leaving her health at <<print $lhealth>>.<</if>> <<if $lhealth is 0>> Lorelei has Fainted. You must restart. [[Go back|Begin Battle #1!]] <</if>> <<if $thug3dead is false>> <<set $chealth to $chealth - _roll2>> Thug Three deals <<print _roll2>> to Cassian, leaving his health at <<print $chealth>>. <</if>> <<if $thug2dead is false>> <<set $ahealth to $ahealth - _roll3>> Thug Two deals <<print _roll3>> to Aenwyn through the window, leaving $ahis health at <<print $ahealth>>. <</if>> <<if $ahealth is 0>> Aenwyn has Fainted. You must restart. [[Go back|Begin Battle #1!]] <</if>> <<if $ahealth != 0 and $lhealth != 0 and $chealth != 0>> <<set $elandratalk to true>> Elandra Fiddle waivers, holding up her hands. "Okay. Let's talk." [[Talk with Elandra|elandradefeat]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set $fight1 to false>> <</silently>> The four of you meet in Lorelei's room, huddled together as you make a plan... a plan to steal back a valuable sword from a noble of a foreign city. Would likely be easier to steal an Ogre's tooth than to do this, but what is done is done; you and your companions have no other choice. To come home empty-handed would be a misery and an embarrassment; you would be lucky to get a decent job for six months out. No. You //must// get that godsforsaken sword back. "So, let's make a plan." Lorelei rolls out a parchment on the desk she has moved to the center of the room, grabs a quill, and an ink well. "Who wants to go first?" "We should figure out who this Edmond Francais is and follow him," Aenwyn responds from where $ahe sits cross-legged on the bed. "We need to know his habits, when he's at home, what he does during the day." Lorelei hurriedly scribbles away, nodding her head. "Excellent plan. What else?" "We should survey the home, see what kind of guards he has," you add, thinking carefully. "We don't want to go in half-cocked." "We also will wanna do some research, see if any magic guards the place," Cassian pipes in. "Good, good, this is all good." Lorelei continues to write. "We'll start executing this plan tomorrow. We'll take a few days, gather intel, and then go in for the kill." "Yeah. That's the best thing we can do." You stretch one of your legs out. "And, maybe by the time a week passes, we'll have something to put together." "We have a plan, everyone. Let's see it to fruition." Lorelei puts the quill down. "We have a plan..." <center>[[Act III]]</center>

<<silently>> <<set $health to $constitution + 10>> <<if $race is "human">> <<set $health to $health + 2>> <</if>> <<set $ahealth to 20>> <<set $lhealth to 20>> <<set $chealth to 22>> <</silently>> <center><span class="act">''ACT III''</span></center> Act III opens a week after our intrepid mercenaries battled through their first big fight, against the thief Elandra Fiddle. Though adversity has hit them hard, they have followed through on their plan to watch the noble Edmond Francais; Lorelei has followed his every step, Aenwyn has researched his home through the ages, and Cassian has sized up the mercenary force inside. And some weaknesses have been found. The noble Edmond Francais leaves his home every day at noon to go to the horse races, and the mercenaries do not guard his quarters as well as they should... the four companions have a plan: send two of their numbers in to silently steal the sword, and make it out without attracting much attention. <center>[[Let the journey begin once more.]]</center>

You and your three companions sit in Lorelei's room, donned in your armors and prepared for the mission ahead: to sneak into noble Edmond Francais' home and steal back The Sword of Voldiir. No easy feat, but with options and coin running low, it is your best chance at getting the damnable sword back. "Are we prepared?" Lorelei asks, standing ready by her desk. "I think we're as ready as we can be, captain," Cassian comments, stretching his legs out in front of him. "Aye, men?" "Aye," Aenwyn responds with a bit of an eyeroll and nudge to Cassian. "Aye," you repeat, nodding your head. "Good. As I see it, $name, we need you in there." Lorelei's intense pink gaze turns on you. "You're a jack-of-all-trades type; we'd be foolish to not send someone in who can think on their feet." "Understood." "Given that, I'll let you choose who goes in with you." Lorelei nods between your other two companions. "Who'll it be?" [[Go in with Lorelei.|next][$chimeral to true, $lrel to $lrel + 5]] [[Go in with Cassian.|next][$chimerac to true, $crel to $crel + 10]] [[Go in with Aenwyn.|next][$chimeraa to true, $arel to $arel + 5]]

<<if $chimeral is true>> "I'll take you, Lorelei." "A wise choice; I won't let you down." She nods, looking eager to go. <</if>> <<if $chimerac is true>> "I'll take Cassian." "Hells yeah!" He claps his hands together. "This is gonna be //fun//." <</if>> <<if $chimeraa is true>> "I'll take Aenwyn." "Alright; we'll do our very best, I'm sure of it," Aenwyn says with a genuine smile. <</if>> "Alright, everyone. Let's get moving." Lorelei leads the way out of the room, down the stairs, and back out onto the streets. You follow behind her as she leads the way through the city of Davenport, moving with ease of people who do //not// have ulterior motives against an upstanding noble of the city. Your party moves to a back alley as it reaches the richer side of the city, approaching the Francais home from behind. The four of you reach the right half of the home, its gold-tipped iron gate standing tall against the alley. The home itself stands big enough to have an inner courtyard, where you can hear mercenaries talking. One of them passes by the window you will be using to break in, and you wait to move forward till he is out of sight. [[Out of sight and out of mind... for now.]]

The four of you approach the gate, Aenwyn casting a silencing spell on the window ahead of time. <<if $chimeral is true>> Aenwyn and Cassian give you and Lorelei a boost over the gate, and now you are presented the issue of how to get through the window. The simplest option? Break it. [[Break the window.|chimeralorelei1]] <</if>> <<if $chimerac is true>> Aenwyn and Lorelei give you a boost over the gate, while Cassian easily climbs over himself. Now over the wall, you are presented a new issue: how to get through the window? The simplest option? Break it. [[Break the window.|chimeracassian1]] <</if>> <<if $chimeraa is true>> Lorelei and Cassian give you and Aenwyn a boost over the gate, and once over it, you find yourself with a new dilemma: how to get through the window. The simplest option? Break it. [[Break the window.|chimeraaenwyn1]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> You break the window, the silencing spell keeping the sound from being heard by anyone outside of the small bubble it encompasses. Then, you climb through the window. <<if $dexterity + _roll < 15>> <<set $health to $health - 3>> As you are climbing through the window, you knick your hand pretty badly. You can patch it up, but it'll definitely hinder you later if you have to battle. <<elseif $dexterity + _roll >= 15>>As you climb through the window, you nimbly avoid cutting yourself on the glass.<</if>> Lorelei easily hops in through the window with her natural limberness, then nods to you. "Let's go," she whispers. You nod and she leads the way to the door, then listens with her ear by the door. She holds up a finger for a long minute, then nods. "We can go." She opens the door slightly and peers out, and it turns out there are three paths to take: a hallway down the center towards a dining room, a hallway towards a grouping of rooms, and a hallway towards a dungeon. Which do you take? [[Take the path to the dining room.]] [[Take the path towards the rooms.]] [[Take the path towards the dungeon.]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> You break the window, the silencing spell keeping the sound from being heard by anyone outside of the small bubble it encompasses. Then, you climb through the window. <<if $dexterity + _roll < 15>> <<set $health to $health - 3>> As you are climbing through the window, you knick your hand pretty badly. You can patch it up, but it'll definitely hinder you later if you have to battle. <<elseif $dexterity + _roll >= 15>>As you climb through the window, you nimbly avoid cutting yourself on the glass.<</if>> Cassian tosses a shirt onto the glass as he hauls himself inside. He looks at the door and heads over, whispering, "I'll check for anyone." You nod and he leads the way to the door, then listens with his ear by the door. He holds up a finger for a long minute, then nods. "We can go." He opens the door slightly and peers out, and it turns out there are three paths to take: a hallway down the center towards a dining room, a hallway towards a grouping of rooms, and a hallway towards a dungeon. Which do you take? [[Take the path to the dining room.|diningroom2]] [[Take the path towards the rooms.|rooms2]] [[Take the path towards the dungeon.|dungeon2]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> You break the window, the silencing spell keeping the sound from being heard by anyone outside of the small bubble it encompasses. Then, you climb through the window. <<if $dexterity + _roll < 15>> <<set $health to $health - 3>> As you are climbing through the window, you knick your hand pretty badly. You can patch it up, but it'll definitely hinder you later if you have to battle. <<elseif $dexterity + _roll >= 15>>As you climb through the window, you nimbly avoid cutting yourself on the glass.<</if>> Aenwyn uses magic to give $ahimself an easier time getting over the broken glass. Then, $ahe nods towards the door. "We should see if anyone is out there?" You nod and head towards the door, listening intently. You hear the pitter patter of feet passing... and then fading. When they fade into nothingness, you nod again. "We're good," you whisper. You open the door slightly and peers out, and it turns out there are three paths to take: a hallway down the center towards a dining room, a hallway towards a grouping of rooms, and a hallway towards a dungeon. Which do you take? [[Take the path to the dining room.|diningroom]] [[Take the path towards the rooms.|therooms]] [[Take the path towards the dungeon.|thedungeon]]

<<silently>> <<set $diningpath to true>> <</silently>> You nod towards the path to the dining room and slip by Lorelei, leading the way towards it. A few open doors are apparent down the hallway now, and you both carefully check each room as you move past it, looking for the sword the entire time. Down towards the dining room, you hear a noise. Both of you freeze... and suddenly, you hear someone coming! It's definitely mercenaries. You could fight your way out of this, but you should reserve your stamina for now; there is no telling what will await you when you //actually// find the sword. You both quickly and quietly head back down the hallway, Lorelei cursing under her breath the entire way, and now you are at two options: <<if $roompath is false>> You head back down the hall, with two options now: [[Take the path towards the rooms.]] [[Take the path towards the dungeon.]] <<elseif $roompath is true>> You have one option left: [[Take the path towards the dungeon.]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set $roompath to true>> <</silently>> You nod your head towards the rooms and Lorelei lets you lead the way there. As you start to pass the rooms, you open then, checking them quickly and carefully, in case anyone is lingering inside... or //something//. As you reach the last two doors, you two split off to check both. Your room has sleeping mercenaries inside, so you quickly close it, and turn to Lorelei. She bares her teeth in annoyance at what she found, shaking her head. Damned it all. <<if $diningpath is false>> You head back down the hall, with two options now: [[Take the path to the dining room.]] [[Take the path towards the dungeon.]] <<elseif $diningpath is true>> You have one option left: [[Take the path towards the dungeon.]] <</if>>

You nod your head towards the path leading down... into some form of a dungeon. Lorelei looks apprehensive, but follows your lead. The flooring changes to mortar and stone on the way towards it, and the stairs are made of similar material. Down, down, down you go, the spiraling staircase leading deep into the earth. You are in darkness for much of the path, needing to feel for the next stair. Lorelei hisses as she nearly stumbles behind you, but quickly regains her composure; as a rogue, you expect as much out of her. Down you continue, down you go. The dungeon stairs seem to continue to coil down, like a great big snake. You only hope no such serpent awaits you. [[The end comes into sight.]]

A light glows in front of you somewhere, softly but giving you enough light to see, finally. You exit the staircase out into a large room. Tunnels run around it, giving you an eerie feeling, but at the very least, you see... The sword! The sword is in the center of the room, unsheathed, glowing with white light. The light glowing in the room comes from it, that much is for sure. You run forward towards it, Lorelei hot on your heels, and reach out for it. Your hands grasp its hilt, and you lift it off the dias it is sat on. The ruby glows, and it almost feels like... it is looking at //you//. Strange, but then again, it is a strange sword. Magic runs through it so powerfully that you would be surprised if it //didn't// resonate through spaces it is in. "Lorelei, we have it!" She looks eagerly at it, grinning. "That we do. The others will be pleased, as am I." <<if $lflirt > 1>> She looks at you for a moment, then leans in and kisses your cheek. "Great work, $name." "Oh. Thank you." Your cheek tingles where her lips were, and soft blush comes to her cheeks. However, your sweet moment is ruined by a roar. <</if>> <<if $lflirt < 2 and $rompref is "women">> She smiles, then winks. "Maybe I should reward you for your hard work." "Oh? How so?" "You'll just have to see, won't you?" She opens her mouth to say more, but is cut off by a roar. <<elseif $lflirt < 2 and $rompref != "women">> She smiles. "I'll have to see if we can get you a reward of some kind for all this work." "I'd definitely appreciate it." "Of course. All your hard work-" She is cut off by a roar. <</if>> Turning, you find... a great beast guarding the stairway back out of here. It has the head of a male lion, its mane the color of fire, and... oh gods, a second head comes into view, a great green snake, hissing angrily. Lastly, the light hits its tail... one of a scorpion. //A chimera.// "Oh my gods, I thought they were extinct," Lorelei responds, her voice full of horror. "That is why there were no mercenaries here; he has something far more dangerous guarding the sword." [["We are so fucked."]] [["Keep calm, we can do this."][$lrel to $lrel + 5]] [["This was not how I wanted this to go."]]

"We are so fucked." "Gods above, you aren't joking." <center>[[Chimera Battle Begin.|chimeralmeet]]</center>

"Keep calm, we can do this." Lorelei looks to you, shivering. "I hope so, $name. I hope so." <center>[[Chimera Battle Begin.|chimeralmeet]]</center>

"This was //not// how I wanted this to go." "Nor me. Shit." <center>[[Chimera Battle Begin.|chimeralmeet]]</center>

<center><span class="enemies">Chimera</span></center> <center>Fiddle's Health: <<print $chimerahealth>>/30</center> [[Return to Story->$current_scene]]

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout1]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast1]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast1]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout1]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingbolt1]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> You choose to use your weapon. <<if $race is "siren">> <<if $weapon is "trident" or $weapon is "shortbow">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you get a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> <<if $weapon is "morningstar" or $weapon is "sickle">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> <<if $weapon is "longbow" or $weapon is "rapier">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $strength >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $strength < 12>> <<if $strength < 10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a -1 modifier. <</if>> <</if>> <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> <<if $weapon is "rapier" or $weapon is "sickle">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> slicing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "shortbow" or $weapon is "longbow">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> long-ranged damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "morningstar">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> bludgeoning damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "trident">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> stabbing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> Lorelei follows up with an attack with her daggers, dealing <<print _roll2>> slicing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>. [[Next Phase|chimeraweapon1a]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Lorelei, leaving her health at <<print $lhealth>>. <</if>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattle2a]]

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout2]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast2]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast2]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout2]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingbolt2]] <</if>>

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout3]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast3]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast3]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout3]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingbolt3]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Water Spout. Lorelei deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with her daggers. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeralwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattle4]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Lorelei deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with her daggers. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeralwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattle4]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Lorelei deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with her daggers. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeralwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattle4]] <</if>>

You and Lorelei slay the great beast. It lets out a final roar, and falls over, finally dead. With great wounds, the two of you exit the the dungeon back up through the spiraling staircase. You have a bad wound on your side, but Aenwyn can heal it when you get out. The only thing to focus on? Getting out alive. [[Back in the Noble's room.]]

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout4]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast4]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast4]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout4]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingbolt4]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Lorelei deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with her daggers. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeralwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattle5]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Lorelei deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with her daggers. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeralwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattle5]] <</if>>

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout5]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast5]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast5]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout5]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingbolt5]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Lorelei deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with her daggers. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeralwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattle6]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Lorelei deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with her daggers. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeralwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattle6]] <</if>>

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout6]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast6]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast6]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout6]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingbolt6]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Lorelei deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with her daggers. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeralwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattle6]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Lorelei deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with her daggers. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeralwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattle7]] <</if>>

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout7]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast7]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast7]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout7]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingbolt7]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Lorelei deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with her daggers. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeralwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattle8]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Lorelei deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with her daggers. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeralwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattle8]] <</if>>

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout8]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast8]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast8]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout8]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingbolt8]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Lorelei deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with her daggers. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeralwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattle9]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Lorelei deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with her daggers. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeralwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattle9]] <</if>>

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout9]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast9]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast9]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout9]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingbolt9]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Lorelei deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with her daggers. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeralwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattle10]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Lorelei deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with her daggers. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeralwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattle10]] <</if>>

You both make it back into the noble's room, Lorelei nursing an injured arm. You lead the way back out of the window, then Lorelei follows. Aenwyn is waiting with a rope ladder that $ahe brought along. Quickly, $ahe and Cassian fling it over the gate, allowing you and Lorelei to quickly climb up it. "Did you get it? You both look like shit," Cassian grunts as he holds the rope in place. "We got it," you huff as you come over the other side. "Chimera was waiting for us," Lorelei groans as she comes over next, wincing with every movement. "A //chimera//?" Cassian repeats, looking alarmed. "You two fought a chimera and //lived//?" "We're here, aren't we?" Lorelei grunts, landing a little hard on her feet. "Let's get somewhere that Aenwyn can heal us and we can discuss further." [[In a back alley...]]

Thank you for playing the demo for //The Sword of Voldiir//! I hope you enjoyed your journey so far, and I'll see you soon :) <a href="https://bottlecaprabbitgames.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a> <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/bottlecaprabbitgames">Patreon</a> <a href="https://bottlecaprabbitgames.itch.io/">Itch.io</a> <a href="https://ifdb.org/viewgame?id=4wsjyom1kpg68ikr">IFDB</a> <a href="https://bottlecaprabbitgames.atabook.org/">Atabook. Leave me a comment!</a>

<<silently>> <<set $diningpath to true>> <</silently>> You nod towards the path to the dining room and take it, leading the way towards it. A few open doors are apparent down the hallway now, and you both carefully check each room as you move past it, looking for the sword the entire time. Down towards the dining room, you hear a noise. Both of you freeze... and suddenly, you hear someone coming! It's definitely mercenaries. You could fight your way out of this, but you should reserve your stamina for now; there is no telling what will await you when you //actually// find the sword. You both quickly and quietly head back down the hallway, Aenwyn throwing looks over $ahis shoulder the entire way, and now you are at two options: <<if $roompath is false>> You head back down the hall, with two options now: [[Take the path towards the rooms|therooms]] [[Take the path towards the dungeon.|thedungeon]] <<elseif $roompath is true>> You have one option left: [[Take the path towards the dungeon.|thedungeon]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set $roompath to true>> <</silently>> You nod your head towards the rooms and Aenwyn lets you lead the way there. As you start to pass the rooms, you open then, checking them quickly and carefully, in case anyone is lingering inside... or //something//. As you reach the last two doors, you two split off to check both. Your room has sleeping mercenaries inside, so you quickly close it, and turn to Aenwyn. <<print $ahe.toUpperFirst()>> turns to look at you and shakes $ahis head, $ahis hair bouncing with every shake. Damned it all. <<if $diningpath is false>> You head back down the hall, with two options now: [[Take the path to the dining room.|diningroom]] [[Take the path towards the dungeon.|thedungeon]] <<elseif $diningpath is true>> You have one option left: [[Take the path towards the dungeon.|thedungeon]] <</if>>

You nod your head towards the path leading down... into some form of a dungeon. Aenwyn looks apprehensive, but follows your lead. The flooring changes to mortar and stone on the way towards it, and the stairs are made of similar material. Down, down, down you go, the spiraling staircase leading deep into the earth. You are in darkness, but not for long; Aenwyn casts a magelight spell, giving you some light to see the steps with. Down you continue, down you go. The dungeon stairs seem to continue to coil down, like a great big snake. You only hope no such serpent awaits you. [[The end comes into sight.|end1]]

A light glows in front of you somewhere, softly but giving you enough light to see, finally. You exit the staircase out into a large room. Tunnels run around it, giving you an eerie feeling, but at the very least, you see... The sword! The sword is in the center of the room, unsheathed, glowing with white light. The light glowing in the room comes from it, that much is for sure. You run forward towards it, Lorelei hot on your heels, and reach out for it. Your hands grasp its hilt, and you lift it off the dias it is sat on. The ruby glows, and it almost feels like... it is looking at //you//. Strange, but then again, it is a strange sword. Magic runs through it so powerfully that you would be surprised if it //didn't// resonate through spaces it is in. "Aenwyn, we have it!" <<if $aflirt > 1>> Aenwyn looks excitedly between you and the sword. "We have it! Lorelei is going to //flip//." Aenwyn smiles, blushing a little, then steps forward and kisses your cheek. "Good job, $name." You feel your brows rise in surprise, but before you can respond, there's an earth-shattering roar. <</if>> <<if $aflirt <= 1>> Aenwyn looks excitedly between you and the sword. "We have it! Lorelei is going to be stoked!" Aenwyn smiles and claps you on the shoulder. "Good work, $name." "Thanks!" Aenwyn opens $ahis mouth to say something further, but is cut off by a loud roar. <</if>> Turning, you find... a great beast guarding the stairway back out of here. It has the head of a male lion, its mane the color of fire, and... oh gods, a second head comes into view, a great green snake, hissing angrily. Lastly, the light hits its tail... one of a scorpion. //A chimera.// Aenwyn's eyes grow huge. "Oh. Oh, this is. This is very, very //bad//. Their sting can be deadly, but they are more likely to tear you apart." [["Great to hear, Aenwyn."]] [["We are fucked."]]

"Great to hear right now, Aenwyn." You stare at $ahim with distaste. "Sorry!" <center>[[Chimera Battle!|chimeraameet]]

"We are fucked." "We... yeah, we might be, honestly." <center>[[Chimera Battle!|chimeraameet]]

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspouta]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblasta]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblasta]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspouta]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingbolta]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> You choose to use your weapon. <<if $race is "siren">> <<if $weapon is "trident" or $weapon is "shortbow">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you get a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> <<if $weapon is "morningstar" or $weapon is "sickle">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> <<if $weapon is "longbow" or $weapon is "rapier">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $strength >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $strength < 12>> <<if $strength < 10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a -1 modifier. <</if>> <</if>> <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> <<if $weapon is "rapier" or $weapon is "sickle">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> slicing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "shortbow" or $weapon is "longbow">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> long-ranged damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "morningstar">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> bludgeoning damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "trident">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> stabbing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> Aenwyn follows up with an attack with a Fire Bolt, dealing <<print _roll2>> magical damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>. [[Next Phase|chimeraweapona1]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $ahealth to $ahealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Aenwyn, leaving $ahis health at <<print $ahealth>>. <</if>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlea1]]

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout1a]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast1a]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast1a]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout1a]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingbolt1a]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $ahealth to $ahealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Aenwyn, leaving $ahis health at <<print $ahealth>>. <</if>> <<if $health <= 0>> You have Fainted. You must go back. [[Go back.|chimeraameet]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. [[Next Phase|chimerabattlea2]] <</if>>

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout2a]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast2a]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast2a]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout2a]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingbolt2a]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Water Spout. Aenwyn deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with a Fire Bolt. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeraawin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlea3]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Aenwyn deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with a Fire Bolt. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeraawin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlea3]] <</if>><<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Aenwyn deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with a Fire Bolt. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeraawin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlea3]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $ahealth to $ahealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Aenwyn, leaving $ahis health at <<print $ahealth>>. <</if>> <<if $health <= 0>> You have Fainted. You must go back. [[Go back.|chimeraameet]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. [[Next Phase|chimerabattlea4]] <</if>>

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout3a]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast3a]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast3a]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout3a]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingbolt3a]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Water Spout. Aenwyn deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with a Fire Bolt. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeraawin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlea5]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Aenwyn deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with a Fire Bolt. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeraawin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlea5]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Aenwyn deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with a Fire Bolt. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeraawin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlea5]] <</if>>

You and Aenwyn slay the great beast. It lets out a final roar, and falls over, finally dead. With great wounds, the two of you exit the the dungeon back up through the spiraling staircase. You have a bad wound on your side, but Aenwyn can heal it when you get out and into safety. The only thing to focus on? Getting out alive. [[Back in the Noble's room.|nobleroom1]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $ahealth to $ahealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Aenwyn, leaving $ahis health at <<print $ahealth>>. <</if>> <<if $health <= 0>> You have Fainted. You must go back. [[Go back.|chimeraameet]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. [[Next Phase|chimerabattlea5a]] <</if>>

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout4a]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast4a]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast4a]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout4a]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingbolt4a]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Water Spout. Aenwyn deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with a Fire Bolt. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeraawin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlea6]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Aenwyn deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with a Fire Bolt. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeraawin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlea6]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Aenwyn deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with a Fire Bolt. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeraawin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlea6]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $ahealth to $ahealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Aenwyn, leaving $ahis health at <<print $ahealth>>. <</if>> <<if $health <= 0>> You have Fainted. You must go back. [[Go back.|chimeraameet]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. [[Next Phase|chimerabattlea6a]] <</if>>

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout5a]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast5a]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblast5a]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspout5a]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingbolt5a]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Water Spout. Aenwyn deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with a Fire Bolt. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeraawin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimeragameovera]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Aenwyn deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with a Fire Bolt. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeraawin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimeragameovera]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Aenwyn deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with a Fire Bolt. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeraawin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimeragameovera]] <</if>>

In an act of desperation, the chimera's tail strikes, piercing your chest, dealing a CRITICAL HIT. Your health is reduced to zero, and you must retry. [[Try Again.|chimeraameet]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Aenwyn, leaving $ahis health at <<print $ahealth>>. <</if>> [[Next Phase|chimeraweapona2]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> You choose to use your weapon. <<if $race is "siren">> <<if $weapon is "trident" or $weapon is "shortbow">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you get a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> <<if $weapon is "morningstar" or $weapon is "sickle">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> <<if $weapon is "longbow" or $weapon is "rapier">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $strength >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $strength < 12>> <<if $strength < 10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a -1 modifier. <</if>> <</if>> <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> <<if $weapon is "rapier" or $weapon is "sickle">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> slicing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "shortbow" or $weapon is "longbow">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> long-ranged damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "morningstar">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> bludgeoning damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "trident">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> stabbing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> Aenwyn follows up with an attack with a Fire Bolt, dealing <<print _roll2>> magical damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>. [[Next Phase|chimeraweapona3]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Aenwyn, leaving $ahis health at <<print $ahealth>>. <</if>> <<if $health <= 0>> You have Fainted. You must go back. [[Go back.|chimeraameet]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. [[Next Phase|chimeraweapona4]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> You choose to use your weapon. <<if $race is "siren">> <<if $weapon is "trident" or $weapon is "shortbow">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you get a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> <<if $weapon is "morningstar" or $weapon is "sickle">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> <<if $weapon is "longbow" or $weapon is "rapier">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $strength >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $strength < 12>> <<if $strength < 10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a -1 modifier. <</if>> <</if>> <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> <<if $weapon is "rapier" or $weapon is "sickle">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> slicing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "shortbow" or $weapon is "longbow">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> long-ranged damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "morningstar">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> bludgeoning damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "trident">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> stabbing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> Aenwyn follows up with an attack with a Fire Bolt, dealing <<print _roll2>> magical damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeraawin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimeraweapona5]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Aenwyn, leaving $ahis health at <<print $ahealth>>. <</if>> <<if $health <= 0>> You have Fainted. You must go back. [[Go back.|chimeraameet]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. [[Next Phase|chimeraweapona6]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> You choose to use your weapon. <<if $race is "siren">> <<if $weapon is "trident" or $weapon is "shortbow">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you get a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> <<if $weapon is "morningstar" or $weapon is "sickle">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> <<if $weapon is "longbow" or $weapon is "rapier">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $strength >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $strength < 12>> <<if $strength < 10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a -1 modifier. <</if>> <</if>> <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> <<if $weapon is "rapier" or $weapon is "sickle">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> slicing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "shortbow" or $weapon is "longbow">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> long-ranged damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "morningstar">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> bludgeoning damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "trident">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> stabbing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> Aenwyn follows up with an attack with a Fire Bolt, dealing <<print _roll2>> magical damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeraawin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimeraweapona7]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Aenwyn, leaving $ahis health at <<print $ahealth>>. <</if>> <<if $health <= 0>> You have Fainted. You must go back. [[Go back.|chimeraameet]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. [[Next Phase|chimeraweapona8]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> You choose to use your weapon. <<if $race is "siren">> <<if $weapon is "trident" or $weapon is "shortbow">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you get a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> <<if $weapon is "morningstar" or $weapon is "sickle">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> <<if $weapon is "longbow" or $weapon is "rapier">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $strength >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $strength < 12>> <<if $strength < 10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a -1 modifier. <</if>> <</if>> <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> <<if $weapon is "rapier" or $weapon is "sickle">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> slicing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "shortbow" or $weapon is "longbow">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> long-ranged damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "morningstar">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> bludgeoning damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "trident">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> stabbing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> Aenwyn follows up with an attack with a Fire Bolt, dealing <<print _roll2>> magical damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeraawin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimeraweapona9]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Aenwyn, leaving $ahis health at <<print $ahealth>>. <</if>> <<if $health <= 0>> You have Fainted. You must go back. [[Go back.|chimeraameet]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. [[Next Phase|chimeraweapona10]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,6)>> <</silently>> You choose to use your weapon. <<if $race is "siren">> <<if $weapon is "trident" or $weapon is "shortbow">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you get a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> <<if $weapon is "morningstar" or $weapon is "sickle">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> <<if $weapon is "longbow" or $weapon is "rapier">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $strength >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $strength < 12>> <<if $strength < 10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a -1 modifier. <</if>> <</if>> <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> <<if $weapon is "rapier" or $weapon is "sickle">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> slicing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "shortbow" or $weapon is "longbow">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> long-ranged damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "morningstar">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> bludgeoning damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "trident">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> stabbing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> Aenwyn follows up with an attack with a Fire Bolt, dealing <<print _roll2>> magical damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeraawin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimeragameovera]] <</if>>

You both make it back into the noble's room, Lorelei nursing an injured arm. You lead the way back out of the window, then Aenwyn follows. Lorelei is waiting with a rope ladder that she brought along. Quickly, she and Cassian fling it over the gate, allowing you and Aenwyn to quickly climb up it. "Did you get it? You both look like shit," Cassian grunts as he holds the rope in place. "We got it," you huff as you come over the other side. "There was also a Chimera. Scary stuff," Aenwyn huffs out as $ahe comes over the gate. "A //chimera//?" Cassian repeats, looking alarmed. "You two fought a chimera and //lived//?" "They're alive, and that is what matters," Lorelei halts him, helping you keep your footing. "Let's get somewhere we can get Aenwyn to heal $ahimself and $name, then we can discuss further." [[In a back alley...]]

<<silently>> <<set $diningpath to true>> <</silently>> You nod towards the path to the dining room and slip by Cassian, leading the way towards it. A few open doors are apparent down the hallway now, and you both carefully check each room as you move past it, looking for the sword the entire time. Down towards the dining room, you hear a noise. Both of you freeze... and suddenly, you hear someone coming! It's definitely mercenaries. You could fight your way out of this, but you should reserve your stamina for now; there is no telling what will await you when you //actually// find the sword. You both quickly and quietly head back down the hallway, Cassian cursing the entire way, and now you are at two options: <<if $roompath is false>> You head back down the hall, with two options now: [[Take the path towards the rooms.|rooms2]] [[Take the path towards the dungeon.|dungeon2]] <<elseif $roompath is true>> You have one option left: [[Take the path towards the dungeon.|dungeon2]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set $roompath to true>> <</silently>> You nod your head towards the rooms and Cassian lets you lead the way there. As you start to pass the rooms, you open then, checking them quickly and carefully, in case anyone is lingering inside... or //something//. As you reach the last two doors, you two split off to check both. Your room has sleeping mercenaries inside, so you quickly close it, and turn to Cassian. He curses and shakes his head. "Nothin' but expensive shit." Damned it all. <<if $diningpath is false>> You head back down the hall, with two options now: [[Take the path to the dining room.|diningroom2]] [[Take the path towards the dungeon.|dungeon2]] <<elseif $diningpath is true>> You have one option left: [[Take the path towards the dungeon.|dungeon2]] <</if>>

You nod your head towards the path leading down... into some form of a dungeon. Cassian curses loudly, but follows your lead. The flooring changes to mortar and stone on the way towards it, and the stairs are made of similar material. Down, down, down you go, the spiraling staircase leading deep into the earth. You are in darkness for much of the path, needing to feel for the next stair. Cassian's steps fall heavily on the stairs, echoing down them the entire time. Down you continue, down you go. The dungeon stairs seem to continue to coil down, like a great big snake. You only hope no such serpent awaits you. [[The end comes into sight.|end2]]

A light glows in front of you somewhere, softly but giving you enough light to see, finally. You exit the staircase out into a large room. Tunnels run around it, giving you an eerie feeling, but at the very least, you see... The sword! The sword is in the center of the room, unsheathed, glowing with white light. The light glowing in the room comes from it, that much is for sure. You run forward towards it, Cassian hot on your heels, and reach out for it. Your hands grasp its hilt, and you lift it off the dias it is sat on. The ruby glows, and it almost feels like... it is looking at //you//. Strange, but then again, it is a strange sword. Magic runs through it so powerfully that you would be surprised if it //didn't// resonate through spaces it is in. "Cassian, we have it!" <<if $cflirt > 1>> Cassian comes up with a great big grin, picks you up, and presses a kiss to your lips. You gasp is surprise, but quickly readjust, kissing him back. His lips are nice and warm, sweet, and they are very, very nice to kiss. After he sets you down, his mouth opens to say something, but he is cut off by a loud, vicious roar. <<elseif $cflirt <= 1>> He grins and claps you so hard on the shoulder, you nearly stumble. "Nice one, $name! Lorelei is gonna have kittens. Or, well, minnows? Ew." You open your mouth to make a remark back, but then a loud, vicious roar cuts through the air. <</if>> Turning, you find... a great beast guarding the stairway back out of here. It has the head of a male lion, its mane the color of fire, and... oh gods, a second head comes into view, a great green snake, hissing angrily. Lastly, the light hits its tail... one of a scorpion. //A chimera.// "Oh, shit. Oh, fucking //shit//. That can't be real." The lion's head roars again. "Okay! Okay, very real, very bad." "You're telling me." <center>[[Chimera Battle Begin!|chimerabattlec]]</center>

<<silently>> <<set $fight2 to true>> <<set $health to $constitution + 10>> <<if $race is "human">> <<set $health to $health + 2>> <</if>> <<set $ahealth to 20>> <<set $lhealth to 20>> <<set $chealth to 22>> <<set $chimerahealth to 30>> <</silently>> <center><span class="enemies">Chimera</span></center> The chimera approaches, its lion's head with its teeth bared, and the snake head waving around eerily above it. Suddenly, the stinger plunges towards you, hitting you in the chest. In that time, you notice a vial around its neck; likely an antidote, by the look of it. You hiss in pain as you feel venom flood your system, and the Chimera backs up. Knowing what you do about chimeras, you have ''six'' rounds to kill it and get that antidote, or else... well. You don't want to know what happens. What will you do? [[Cast a spell.|spellbattlec]] [[Use your weapon.|weaponc]]

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspoutc]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblastc]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblastc]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspoutc]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingboltc]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> You choose to use your weapon. <<if $race is "siren">> <<if $weapon is "trident" or $weapon is "shortbow">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you get a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> <<if $weapon is "morningstar" or $weapon is "sickle">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> <<if $weapon is "longbow" or $weapon is "rapier">> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your race, you receive a +1 modifier to your weapon damage. <</if>> <</if>> <<if $strength >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $strength < 12>> <<if $strength < 10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your strength score, you receive a -1 modifier. <</if>> <</if>> <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> <<if $weapon is "rapier" or $weapon is "sickle">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> slicing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "shortbow" or $weapon is "longbow">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> long-ranged damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "morningstar">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> bludgeoning damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> <<if $weapon is "trident">>You raise your $weapon and deal <<print _roll>> stabbing damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>.<</if>> Cassian follows up with abludgeoning attack, dealing <<print _roll2>> damage to the Chimera, leaving its health at <<print $chimerahealth>>. [[Next Phase|chimeraweaponc1]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Water Spout. Cassian deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with his morningstar. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. [[Next Phase|chimerabattlec1]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Cassian deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with his morningstar. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. [[Next Phase|chimerabattlec1]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Cassian deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with his morningstar. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. [[Next Phase|chimerabattlec1]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Cassian, leaving his health at <<print $chealth>>. <</if>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlec2]]

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspoutc1]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblastc1]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblastc1]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspoutc1]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingboltc1]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Cassian deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with his morningstar. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. [[Next Phase|chimerabattlec3]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Cassian deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with his morningstar. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. [[Next Phase|chimerabattlec3]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Cassian, leaving his health at <<print $chealth>>. <</if>> <<if $health <= 0>> You have Fainted. You must go back. [[Go back.|chimerabattlec]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. [[Next Phase|chimerabattlec4]] <</if>>

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspoutc2]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblastc2]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblastc2]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspoutc2]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingboltc2]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Cassian deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with his morningstar. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeracwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlec5]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Cassian deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with his morningstar. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeracwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlec5]] <</if>>

You and Cassian slay the great beast. It lets out a final roar, and falls over, finally dead. You rip the necklace off of its neck and down the antidote. You immediately feel the effects of the venom leaving your system, oozing back out of the hole in your shoulder. With great wounds, the two of you exit the the dungeon back up through the spiraling staircase. You have a bad wound on your side, but Aenwyn can heal it when you get out. The only thing to focus on? Getting out alive. [[Back in the Noble's room.|nobleroom3]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Cassian, leaving his health at <<print $chealth>>. <</if>> <<if $health <= 0>> You have Fainted. You must go back. [[Go back.|chimerabattlec]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. [[Next Phase|chimerabattlec6]] <</if>>

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspoutc3]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblastc3]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblastc3]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspoutc3]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingboltc3]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Cassian deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with his morningstar. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeracwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlec7]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Cassian deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with his morningstar. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeracwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlec7]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Cassian, leaving his health at <<print $chealth>>. <</if>> <<if $health <= 0>> You have Fainted. You must go back. [[Go back.|chimerabattlec]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. [[Next Phase|chimerabattlec8]] <</if>>

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspoutc4]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblastc4]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblastc4]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspoutc4]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingboltc4]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Cassian deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with his morningstar. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeracwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlec9]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Cassian deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with his morningstar. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeracwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimerabattlec9]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Cassian, leaving his health at <<print $chealth>>. <</if>> <<if $health <= 0>> You have Fainted. You must go back. [[Go back.|chimerabattlec]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. [[Next Phase|chimerabattlec10]] <</if>>

<<if $race is "siren">> You cast Water Spout. [[Cast Water Spout|waterspoutc5]] <</if>> <<if $race is "human">> You cast Fireblast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblastc5]] <</if>> <<if $race is "half-elf">> Choose which spell to cast. [[Cast Fireblast|fireblastc5]] [[Cast Water Spout|waterspoutc5]] [[Cast Lightning Bolt|llightingboltc5]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Fireblast. Cassian deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with his morningstar. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeracwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimeragameoverc]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _roll2 to random(1,8)>> <</silently>> <<if $intelligence >= 12>> <<set _roll to _roll + 1>> Your intelligence is high enough to grant you a +1 modifier. <</if>> <<if $intelligence <10>> <<set _roll to _roll - 1>> Due to your low intelligence, you take a -1 modifier. <</if>> You deal <<print _roll>> damage to the chimera with a Lightning Bolt. Cassian deals <<print _roll2>> damage to the chimera with his morningstar. <<silently>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll>> <<set $chimerahealth to $chimerahealth - _roll2>> <</silently>> The Chimera has <<print $chimerahealth>> left. <<if $chimerahealth <= 0>> The Chimera has fainted. You have defeated it. [[You have won.|chimeracwin]] <<elseif $chimerahealth > 0>> [[Next Phase|chimeragameoverc]] <</if>>

Six rounds have passed. The venom takes its effects, and you fall over, dead as stone. [[Retry.|chimerabattlec]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Cassian, leaving his health at <<print $chealth>>. <</if>> [[Next Phase|chimeraweaponc2]]

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Cassian, leaving his health at <<print $chealth>>. <</if>> <<if $health <= 0>> You have Fainted. You must go back. [[Go back.|chimerabattlec]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. [[Next Phase|chimeraweaponc4]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Cassian, leaving his health at <<print $chealth>>. <</if>> <<if $health <= 0>> You have Fainted. You must go back. [[Go back.|chimerabattlec]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. [[Next Phase|chimeraweaponc6]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Cassian, leaving his health at <<print $chealth>>. <</if>> <<if $health <= 0>> You have Fainted. You must go back. [[Go back.|chimerabattlec]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. [[Next Phase|chimeraweaponc8]] <</if>>

<<silently>> <<set _roll to random(1,8)>> <<set _chimerahead to random(1,2)>> <</silently>> <<if _chimerahead is 1>> <<set $health to $health - _roll>> The Chimera lashes out, its claws doing <<print _roll>> damage to you, leaving your health at <<print $health>>. <</if>> <<if _chimerahead is 2>> <<set $lhealth to $lhealth - _roll>> The Chimera's snake head strikes, dealing <<print _roll>> damage to Cassian, leaving his health at <<print $chealth>>. <</if>> <<if $health <= 0>> You have Fainted. You must go back. [[Go back.|chimerabattlec]] <</if>> <<if $health > 0>> You are still standing. [[Next Phase|chimeraweaponc10]] <</if>>

Six rounds have passed. The venom takes its effects, and you fall over, dead as stone. [[Retry.|chimerabattlec]]

You both make it back into the noble's room, Cassian nursing an injured leg. You lead the way back out of the window, then Cassian follows. Aenwyn is waiting with a rope ladder that $ahe brought along. Quickly, $ahe and Lorelei fling it over the gate, allowing you and Cassian to quickly climb up it. "Did you get it?" Lorelei grunts as she digs her feet into the dirt, propping her toes up on the gate. "We got it," you huff as you climb the ladder, feeling Cassian coming up behind you. "You two need healing, as soon as possible." Aenwyn's hands are bloody red from the rope. "We'll get somewhere out of sight, then have you heal them, Aenwyn. And regroup." Lorelei's statement is treated as an order as the lot of you follow behind her. [[In a back alley...]]