Open RPG-Quest: Digging Your Heels In

Kalin has become the regular to-go adventurer for the mayor's midara troubles, it seems. "You're a real lifesaver, Kalin, and always worth my coins," the man compliments. "This time you have to travel to a mine in the hills to the north. Oddly enough, the midara sighted seems to have never bothered any of our workers, and just seems to be digging around in certain abandoned shafts. Still, be wary, I'd say." Thanking the mayor for the instructions, Kalin grabs a torch and a tinderbox and goes on his way.

After half a day of walking, he arrives at the now abandoned mine entrance and enters and lights his torch. He doesn't have to look very far: the midara seems to have already put up torches of her own. Kalin follows the trail down a neglected shaft, and spies on a temptress digging around with a pickaxe. "Ugh, I need to remember to mark the places better where I put my treasures!" she admonishes herself. Never mind that a shovel would be more effective, Kalin thinks. He steps out and orders the midara: "This place belongs to the miners, and you're not wanted here. You have half a day to collect your stuff and leave." The midara turns around: http://jeffzoet.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v18/p314761484-3.jpg

She's beautiful, but also pretty muscled. "No way, this is the spot at which I store all my mementos from the adventurers I've bested!" she challenges. "And it looks like I'm going to get the chance to defeat another one!" she says, seemingly spilling for a fight.

Battle Start!

Adventurer: Kalin(Lv. 3.5 Journeyman)

Equipment:
Weapon: Spiked Knuckles(+2 Power)
Body: Common Travel Clothes(+1 Tougness)
Head: Hunter's Cap(+1 Aim)
Feet: Leather Boots(+1 Reflex)
Accessory: None

Stats:
St- 24
Wp- 15
P- 6(+2)
S- 1
T- 2(+1)
F- 1
A- 3(+1)
R- 3(+1)
Rec- 1

Abilities:
Dual Strike-action-costs 3 Stamina
Attack twice! The second attack has a -2 penalty to the total Aim score.
Whirlwind-action-costs 4 Stamina
Hit all opponents for 2/3 of your total Power score for this attack. Due to the wildness of this attack, any succesful dodge by a target exhausts your Stamina for another point.
Temper-passive-
If you suffer Stamina damage, you'll gain a +2 bonus to the total Power score of your next attack.

Inventory: 1xHerbs
Remaining coins: 50

Opponent: Missgnomer

Faction: The Wild Ones

Stats:
St- 40
Wp- 30
P- 5
S- 2
T- 4
F- 1
A- 3
R- 3
Rec- 2

Abilities:
Dirt Trick-action-
A basic Power attack. The user finishes an attack by throwing dirt in the target's eyes. On an Aim roll of 5 or higher, it succeeds and the target has a -2 penalty on his next total Aim score.
Groundbreaker-action-costs 5 Willpower
Ruptures the earth, creating outcroppings for the combatants to hide behind, giving them a +2 bonus to their total Toughness score. This Field Effect lasts 3 rounds, unless it is replaced by another Field effect in the meantime.
Tremor-action-costs 6 Willpower
An attack that breaks the very earth apart. It hits all opponents and adds +3 to the basic Power score. If the Aim roll is a 5 or higher, targets must choose to discard a consumable item from their inventory(it can't be used for the remainder of the quest, but it is given back at the end of it no matter the quest's outcome).
Power Play-action-costs 3 Stamina
A Sensuality attack. The user wrestles with the target, roughly and friskily. Only works on targets with 1/2 or lower of their Max Stamina remaining. The attack does Sensuality damage equal to the difference between the user's and the target's Stamina, capped at 7. In case of a Glancing attack, halving is applied after damage capping.
Emergency Stash-action-costs 3 Stamina
The user frantically digs around for a consumable item to use in case of an emergency, and makes a roll. On 1 and 2 nothing is found, 3 nets a Tonic, 4 a Minor Potion, 5 a Throwing Dart and 6 nets a Perfume Bomb. The item is stashed in the inventory and has to be used on a separate turn.
Temper-passive-
If the user suffers Stamina damage, they'll gain a +2 bonus to the total Power score of their next attack.
Rockblocker-passive-
The user is very good at using the terrain to prevent her prey from escaping. All opponents get a -2 penalty on their Flee rolls.

Kalin's turn!
Your options are:
>Attack(Power or Sensual)
>Use Ability
>Use Item
>Defend
>Flee

"Hate to break it to ya, but I'm the last guy you'll ever fight!" Kalin says attacking with a Dual Strike

Kalin takes up her challenges, and goes in swinging!
Kalin's Aim: 3+(equipment 1)+(roll 4)=8
Missgnomer's Reflex: 3+(roll 2)=5
Succes! Kalin clocks her!
Kalin's Power: 6+(equipment 2)=8
Missgnomer's Toughness: 4
Succes! 4 Stamina damage! Missgnomer's Stamina is now 36!
Missgnomer grunts as she takes a hit, while Kalin swings his other fist!
Kalin's Aim: 3+(equipment 1)+(roll 3)-(Dual Strike penalty 2)=5
Missgnomer's Reflex: 3+(roll 5)=8
Failure! Missgnomer blocks Kalin's knuckles with the handle of her pickaxe!
-3 Stamina cost for the ability! Kalin's Stamina is now 21!
"Ha, you're a challenge!" Missgnomer says elated.

"Let's change the playing field!" the midara shouts enthusiastically. She swing her pickaxe and strikes the ground.
Groundbreaker-action-costs 5 Willpower
Ruptures the earth, creating outcroppings for the combatants to hide behind, giving them a +2 bonus to their total Toughness score. This Field Effect lasts 3 rounds, unless it is replaced by another Field effect in the meantime.
Cracks rip through the surface, and Kalin barely manages to stand as the terrain shifts and rocks shoot up from the floor.
All combatants have +2 to their total Toughness score for the next 3 rounds!
"Let's get this battle of the ground!" the temptress finishes.
Kalin groans, surveying the changed terrain.

Field Effect lasts 3 more rounds!

It's Kalin's turn!
>Attack(Power/Sensual)
>Use Ability
>Use Item
>Defend
>Flee

"You need to work on your puns, lady" Kalin snarks, deciding to risk a Dual Strike

Kalin can't stand bad humour!
Kalin's Aim: 3+(equipment 1)+(roll 6)=10
Missgnomer's Reflex: 3+(roll 4)=7
Succes! Kalin leaps over an outcropping and strikes!
Kalin's Power: 6+(equipment 2)=8
Missgnomer's Toughness: 4+(Field Effect bonus 2)=6
Succes! 2 Stamina damage! Missgnomer's Stamina is now 34!
The uneven terrain gives her an advantage in her footing!
Kalin attacks again!
Kalin's Aim: 3+(equipment 1)+(roll 5)-(Dual Strike penalty 2)=7
Missgnomer's Reflex: 3+(roll 3)=6
Succes! Kalin strikes true!
Kalin's Power: 6+(equipment 2)=8
Missgnomer's Toughness: 4+(Field Effect bonus 2)=6
Succes! 2 Stamina damage! Missgnomer's Stamina is now 32!
The midara is thrown backwards, but catches herself on an outcropping!
-3 Stamina cost for the ability! Kalin's Stamina is now 18!
"Okay, you're starting to piss me off with your martial arts nonsense!" she growls.
Temper-the midara gains a +2 bonus on her next total Power score when sustaining Stamina damage(doesn't stack).

The midara lifts her pickaxe and slams it into the ground again.
Tremor-action-costs 6 Willpower
An attack that breaks the very earth apart. It hits all opponents and adds +3 to the basic Power score. If the Aim roll is a 5 or higher, targets must choose to discard a consumable item from their inventory(it can't be used for the remainder of the quest, but it is given back at the end of it no matter the quest's outcome).
A shockwave of stone comes towards Kalin!
Missgnomer's Aim: 3+(roll 5)=8
Kalin's Reflex: 3+(equipment 1)+(roll 3)=7
Succes! The adventurer is buffeted by the avalanche!
Missgnomer's Power: 5+(Tremor bonus 3)+(Temper bonus 2)=10
Kalin's Toughness: 2+(equipment 1)+(Field Effect bonus 2)=3
Succes! 5 Stamina damage! Kalin's Stamina is now 13!
Rocks bombard the man, hurting him badly, but the outcroppings protect him partly!
Tremor(aim roll 5)-discard a consumable item for the remainder of the quest!
Kalin's Herbs fall out of his pouch while he is flung from his feet, and disappear under the dirt!
Herbs lost for remainder of quest!
-6 Willpower cost for the ability, Missgnomer's Willpower is now 19!
Temper-Kalin gains a +2 bonus on her next total Power score when sustaining Staminia damage(doesn't stack).
Kalin is pretty angry for losing his supplies, and gets up, ready to continue the fight!

The Field Effect lasts 2 more rounds!

It's Kalin's turn!
>Attack(Power/Sensual)
>Use Ability
>Use Item
>Defend
>Flee

"You'll pay for that" Kalin angrily unleashes another Dual Strike

(sarcasticspidey want to join, is that okay with you?)
Kalin charges in anger!
Kalin's Aim: 3+(equipment 1)+(roll 4)=8
Missgnomer's Reflex: 3+(roll 2)=5
Succes! He nails the midara with an uppercut, as she didn't expect he'd recover so fast from the attack.
Kalin's Power: 6+(equipment 2)+(Temper 2)=10
Missgnomer's Toughness: 4+(Field Effect bonus 2)=6
Succes! 4 Stamina damage! Missgnomer's Stamina is now 28!
The loose soil doesn't give Kalin much foothold, but he still hits her quite hard!
Kalin doesn't stop at just one punch!
Kalin's Aim: 3+(equipment 1)+(roll 6)-(Dual Strike penalty 2)=8
Missgnomer's Reflex: 3+(roll 4)=7
Succes! Kalin is on a roll today!
Kalin's Power: 6+(equipment 2)=8
Missgnomer's Toughness: 4+(Field Effect bonus 2)=6
Succes! 2 Stamina damage! Missgnomer's Stamina is now 26!
The midara is thrown backwards, but turns the fall into a roll, limiting her damage!
-3 Stamina cost for the ability! Kalin's Stamina is now 10!
The midara spits some dirt out. "You're a tough cookie, but nowhere near my level!"

She suddenly drops her pickaxe to the floor and jumps at Kalin!
Power Play-action-costs 3 Stamina
A Sensuality attack. The user wrestles with the target, roughly and friskily. Only works on targets with 1/2 or lower of their Max Stamina remaining. The attack does Sensuality damage equal to the difference between the user's and the target's Stamina, capped at 7. In case of a Glancing attack, halving is applied after damage capping.
>Kalin's Stamina is at 1/2 or lower of his Maximum
Missgnomer's Aim: 3+(roll 4)=7
Kalin's Reflex: 3+(equipment 1)+(roll 3)=7
Partial succes! The two roll about why Kalin tries to push her off!
Sensuality damage=Missgnomer's Stamina-Kalin's Stamina=16
Kalin's Focus: 1
>damage cap of the attack is 7*(glancing 0.5)=3.5>4
Succes! 4 Willpower damage! Kalin's Willpower is now 11!
Even though he's wrestled only briefly with her, the midara's body rubbing against him sends all blood rushing to his groin!
-3 Stamina cost for the ability, Missgnomer's Stamina is now 23!
"See how much stronger I am? I'm going to have my way with you!" she announces to the adventurer!

The Field Effect lasts one more round!

It's Kalin's turn!
>Attack(Power/Sensual)
>Use Ability
>Use Item
>Defend
>Flee

(Sure that's fine)

"We'll see who's stronger!" Kalin goes for another Dual Strike

Drake enters the cave, angry and humiliated at his previous failure. He had underestimated the power of the midara, but that was a mistake he wouldn't make again. Their seduction powers were much more powerful than he had anticipated, giving him an idea. "Maybe..." But before his thoughts can go anywhere, he notices a burly woman wrestling with a man. She must be a midara. This is Drake's chance. "I can't fail again," he thinks to himself, (ignoring a sneaking approach due to the numerous lanterns and the man needing immediate help) running into the fray of battle.

Kalin does what he does best: punching!
Kalin's Aim: 3+(equipment 1)+(roll 4)=8
Missgnomer's Reflex: 3+(roll 1)=4
Succes! The spikes of the knuckle are especially harming!
Kalin's Power: 6+(equipment 2)=8
Missgnomer's Toughness: 4+(Field Effect bonus 2)=6
Succes! 2 Stamina damage! Missgnomer's Stamina is now 21!
The footing is just terrible here!
Here comes the second punch!
Kalin's Aim: 3+(equipment 1)+(roll 2)-(Dual Strike penalty 2)=4
Missgnomer's Reflex: 3+(roll 5)=8
The midara deftly dodges!
-3 Stamina cost for the ability! Kalin's Stamina is now 7!
"You're starting to run out of steam, aren't you?" the midara taunts.

At that moment, another adventurer comes charging in, daggers in hand.
====Dynamic Entry!====
Adventurer: Drake Beckett

Equipment
Weapons: Worn Daggers(+1 Power)
Body: Common Cloak(+1 Toughness)
Head: None
Feet: Leather Boots(+1 Reflex)
Accessory: None

St-15
Wp-15
P-3(+1)
S-1
T-2(+1)
F-1
A-3
R-5(+1)
Rec-1

Abilities:
Nimble-passive-
If you roll a 5 or higher on the dice roll for Reflex, you gain a +1 bonus to your next total Reflex score.

Weaknesses:
Group Attack(Take 1 direct Willpower damage whenever more than one midara attacks you in a round-calculated at the end of the round)

Items: none
Coins: none
=================
"Don't worry, help is here!" he tells Kalin.
Kalin is somewhat annoyed that he's bailed out again, but doesn't bother to chide the rookie.

"What, two against one? I'm going to need a little pick-me-up for that just to be safe," the midara thinks. She backs away and starts looking around, pick-ax in hand.
Emergency Stash-action-costs 3 Stamina
The user frantically digs around for a consumable item to use in case of an emergency, and makes a roll. On 1 and 2 nothing is found, 3 nets a Tonic, 4 a Minor Potion, 5 a Throwing Dart and 6 nets a Perfume Bomb. The item is stashed in the inventory and has to be used on a separate turn.
(dice roll 3)=Tonic!
Picking a spot, she starts hacking at the ground, eventually breaking through a stone to unearth what appears to be a Tonic. "I got this from one of your colleagues I beat! I wonder what treasures you guys will give me?" the temptress ponders.
-Missgnomer adds a Tonic to her inventory-
"This will come in handy for any foul tricks you may play!"
-3 Stamina cost for the ability, Missgnomer's Stamina is now 18!

Drake has just entered battle and thus can't take action!

The outcroppings crumble and collapse back into the floor! Field Effect is gone!

The new team gets ready to fight with renewed vigor!

It's the party's turn!
Kalin's options:
>Attack(Power/Sensual)
>Use Ability
>Use Item
>Defend
>Flee

Drake's options:
>Attack(Power/Sensual)
>Defend
>Flee

"Foul tricks? Look who's talking" Kalin goes for another Dual Strike

Drake goes in for a slash with his daggers

Kalin does the old one-two!
Kalin's Aim: 3+(equipment 1)+(roll 2)=6
Missgnomer's Reflex: 3+(roll 4)=7
Failure! The Missgnomer rolls under the punch!
Kalin strikes down at the rolling midara!
Kalin's Aim: 3+(equipment 1)+(roll 5)-(Dual Strike penalty 2)=7
Missgnomer's Reflex: 3+(roll 3)=6
Succes! Kalin figuratively nails her!
Kalin's Power: 6+(equipment 2)=8
Missgnomer's Toughness: 4
Succes! 4 Stamina damage! Missgnomer's Stamina is now 14!
With better footing, Kalin's strikes hit harder!
-3 Stamina cost for the ability! Kalin's Stamina is now 4!
The midara is bruised and battered, but still ready to fight!

Drake follows up on Kalin's attack!
Drake's Aim: 3+(roll 1)=4
Missgnomer's Reflex: 3+(roll 6)=9
Failure! The midara darts around the slash!

"Let's see how tough you are!" the midara taunts.
Dirt Trick-action-
A basic Power attack. The user finishes an attack by throwing dirt in the target's eyes. On an Aim roll of 5 or higher, it succeeds and the target has a -2 penalty on his next total Aim score.
Missgnomer's Aim: 3+(roll 2)=5
Drake's Reflex: 5+(equipment 1)+(roll 1)=7
Failure! The temptress swings her pickaxe, but Drake is a tad too agile to be hit by the attack!

"Tsk, quick dodging and take the blow like a man!" she chides.

It's the party's turn!
Kalin's options:
>Attack(Power/Sensual)
>Use Ability
>Use Item
>Defend
>Flee

Drake's options:
>Attack(Power/Sensual)
>Defend
>Flee

Drake remains silent and ignores the missgnomer's comment, once again attempting to attack her

Kalin's starting to get tired so he decides to preserve his stamina and go for a basic attack

Kalin simply punches the midara!
Kalin's Aim: 3+(equipment 1)+(roll 4)=8
Missgnomer's Reflex: 3+(roll 3)=6
Succes! The temptress is focusing on Drake!
Kalin's Power: 6+(equipment 2)=8
Missgnomer's Toughness: 4
Succes! 4 Stamina damage! Missgnomer's Stamina is now 10!
The midara is looking increasingly roughed up!

Drake stabs at the midara, daggers in hand!
Drake's Aim: 3+(roll 6)=9
Missgnomer's Reflex: 3+(roll 1)=4
Succes! The midara is cut!
Drake's Power: 3+(equipment 1)=4
Missgnomer's Toughness: 4
Failure! The cut is only superficial, as Drake didn't put too much force behind the swing.

"Ugh, I'm going to need a Potion if I want to keep fighting!" the midara thinks out loud.
The midara starts digging again!
(roll 6)=Perfume Bomb!
The midara adds a Perfume Bomb to her inventory.
-3 Stamina cost for the ability, Missgnomer's Stamina is now 7!
"Not what I need, but it might come in handy!" she ponders.

It's the final stretch of the fight!
It's the party's turn!
Kalin's options:
>Attack(Power/Sensual)
>Use Ability
>Use Item
>Defend
>Flee

Drake's options:
>Attack(Power/Sensual)
>Defend
>Flee

"Alright let's end this!" Kalin strikes with another attack

Drake also strikes again, this time putting a bit more force in his attack

(Post fixed)
Kalin gives a backwards strike with his knuckle!
Kalin's Aim: 3+(equipment 1)+(roll 4)=8
Missgnomer's Reflex: 3+(roll 1)=4
Succes! The seductress is still fumbling with her inventory!
Kalin's Power: 6+(equipment 2)=8
Missgnomer's Toughness: 4
Succes! 4 Stamina damage! Missgnomer's Stamina is now 3!
The midara is keeps hanging on, determined to win the fight!

Drake throws all his power into the swing!
Drake's Aim: 3+(roll 3)=6
Missgnomer's Reflex: 3+(roll 5)=8
Failure! He overswings!
The midara is laughing at his efforts!

"Let me help you to sleep, little man, so I can focus on the real threat!" she gloats.
Missgnomer's Aim: 3+(roll 5)=8
Drake's Reflex: 3+(roll 4)=7
Succes! She clocks Drake with her pickaxe!
Missgnomer's Power: 5+(Temper 2)=7
Drake's Toughness: 2+(equipment 1)=3
Succes! 4 Stamina damage! Drake's Stamina is now 11!
Dirt Action: (roll 5)=succes!
Drake hits the ground and the temptress use her foot to grind his face in the dirt, getting sand in his eyes!
-2 penalty on next total Aim score!
"Hahaha, what a bore!" she chides.

Kalin pulls Drake up, who is eager to get back at the midara!

It's the party's turn!
Kalin's options:
>Attack(Power/Sensual)
>Use Ability
>Use Item
>Defend
>Flee

Drake's options:
>Attack(Power/Sensual)
>Defend
>Flee

(post fixed)

Realizing it would be foolish to attack the missgnomer as there's sand in his eyes, Drake takes a step backwards into a defensive position

"Let's end this" Kalin unleashes another attack

Drake steps back into a defensive position.
Toughness and Focus are doubled this round!

Kalin winds up a punch!
Kalin's Aim: 3+(equipment 1)+(roll 5)=9
Missgnomer's Reflex: 3+(roll 3)=6
Succes! The exhausted enticer doesn't have it in her to dodge!
Kalin's Power: 6+(equipment 2)=8
Missgnomer's Toughness: 4
Succes! 4 Stamina damage! Missgnomer's Stamina is now 0!
The midara takes the punch, but stumbles backwards. Blood flows from her head. With a guttural cry, she raises her pickaxe and strikes the ground. Kalin and Drake jump backwards as a part of the floor collapses, with the temptress falling right through. She exploited a structural weakness to escape, without collpasing the floor on her previous attacks? Drake stares in disbelief as Kalin digs around through the rubble to find his Herbs again. He stumbles upon a few sets of Throwing Darts hidden in the ground before encountering the Herbs. The pair briefly gazes upon the damage before returning to the village.

The two men try to answer the many questions they have on the way back. Why did the midara not simply take out Kalin first? Did she lose on purpose? How is she able to manipulate the soil and stone in such a way? The motives and magic of midara is a fascinating subject.

At the time they arrive at the mayor's residence, the leader of the mine workers is also there, as well as a mysterious woman. The leader instantly wants to hear everything about the damage to the mine. He grumbles at the midara's handiwork, but believes she did not cause any major setbacks. He hands Kalin a Miner's Cap, seeing as he did most of the work. The mayor gives both men their coins, before introduce the mysterious woman as a local animist.

The woman explains animists are people that hone a sensibility for the world around them, eventually gaining the ability to channel the spirits of land and people in an effort to aid them. The midara that have been spotted at the fishing pond, in the forest and in the mine all seemed to have a connection to the natural world, and them venturing so close to the human one could mean the balance of nature has been disturbed. She alone cannot cover that much terrain, so she has agreed with the mayor that more people should be trained in the art of animism, to serve as feelers for this inquiry. Kalin and Drake listen to the story with interest. Something much bigger seems to be going on in the world!

==Digging Your Heels In cleared!==
==New Subclass Unlocked: Animist==
Each adventurer:
+1 Level
Drake is now level 2.5! +2 stat points, 1 new ability to pick
Kalin's now level 4.5! +2 stat points, 1 new ability to pick
+300 coins
+3xThrowing Dart(if it hits, does 6 Power damage regardless of penalties/bonuses)

Kalin has gained the Miner's Cap(halves the bonuses/penalties of Field Effects)
(goes to the party member who did the most Stamina damage)

Thanks for playing! Update your character sheets in the Profile updates thread using the template as the basis. Also include any shopping purchases you make as well as their price so I can check if you've calculated your remaining coins right. Pick your next quest, or relist the one you already picked in the Hub thread. An explanation of Subclasses will follow shortly in the Hub thread.

Quick question caustic. Where is the shop, and what items are available to purchase?

The shop inventory is on the first page of the Character Hub thread.