Heroica RPG- Quest #117: The Tale of The Caustic Collection

[Cutcobra]

"What Throlar said: The hell kind of hallway are you talking about?"

He then turned more serious.

"While I'd really like to get on with my beauty sl- ehem normal sleep, I'd say we continue. I want my money now."

[Kintobor]

QM Note: Going to see what Khorne has to say on this before moving this along.

[Khorne]

"I thought it was clear as was ready to move on?", Eric said, already having set quite a few steps in a direction away from the party and closer towards their goal.

"No point in staying here."

Sorry, I really thought it was clear that I too was ready to move on.

Also, could you add the prizes of the Decamon Tournament to my inventory and remove the Toxic Toad? Thanks

1x Potion, 3x Elixir, 1x Aeolus Bomb. My current Gold is at 966, also due to the Decamon Tournament. Sorry for the trouble.

Edited December 18, 2014 by Khorne

[Kintobor]

Through the use of wibbly wobbly timey wimey, Eric found himself in the possession of some fancy new items.

The Party

Eric (Khorne)

30 year old Human Nord

Level 25. 3 Raider *Natural Respite* *Evasion* *Protected from Fragile, Weakened and Asleep + Immune to Water and Earth*

Power: 42 (25+15+2)

Defense: 5

Health: 43/43 (8+24+7+4)

Gold: 996

Equipment: Godricsleif (WP: 22; Ice-, Lightning-, Darkness-elemental; greatsword), Pugilist's Gloves (Power +2, protects from Weakened), Heavy Armor (SP:5, protects fromFragile), Boots of Evasion (Wearer takes half damage in front row + Immunity to Water, Earth and Asleep)

Inventory: Conspirator (WP: 15, causes Blinded; longsword, Drengazuli Grom'az (WP:6; Dual Strike; axe), 6 Silverfish Wings (WP:8, retrievable, throwing dagger), 2 Diseased Silverfish Wings (WP:8, causes cursed-effect, retrievable, throwing weapon), Garnet (Earth), 1 Potion 6 Grand Potions, Health Core, 3 Remedies, Neutralizer, 6 Meads, 5 Smelling Salts, 4 Nostrum, 3 Mulled Wine, Dragon Scale, 3 ElixirVenom, Deadly Venom, Fire Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Aeolus Bomb, Bone, Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Feather of White, Raw Meat (Consumable, +5 Max. Health), Ancient Ritual Goblet (Quest Item)

Decamon Cards: (N/A)

John 'Heckz' Brutenhal, the Ghostbuster, the Super Sleuth and the School Inspector (Cutcobra) *Party Leader*

32 year old male human Sorcerer

Level: 24 *Immune to Sealed* *Jinxed Spells*

Power Bonus: 10 (Spells)

Defense: 3

Health: 14/32

Ether: 20/35

Gold: 649

Equipment: Solemn Scythe (WP: 12, Darkness elemental Scythe, 1/2 chance of dealing the Sealed Effect), Magician's Gloves (Spellpower +10; suitable for mages; handwear), Robe Of The Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether + 5, immune to sealed; bodywear), Bad Luck Charm (Makes the sorcerer’s spells - including Razzmatazz and Sleight of Hand - cause an additional jinxed-effect, increasing their ether cost by 1; suitable for sorcerers; accessory)

Inventory: 2x Skeleton Decoy, 2x Deadly Venom x2, Rawr (WP:9, dagger), Lovelorn Wand (WP:6, deals enamored-effect), Rat Scepter (WP:3, 4x damage to enemies named “rat”; wand), Pitchfork of Abomination (WP:1, pierces all defenses including SP but breaks after one use; suitable to all classes), Bone Whip (WP:9, damages undead, whip), Wyrd Shield (SP:4, prevents ether reduction; suitable to mystic knights and paladins), Harlot's Outfit (SP: 2, immune to poisoned; suitable for Witches, Sorcerers and Harlots; bodywear/footwear), Buffoon's Hat (Prevents anyone from taking the wearer seriously; protects from Free Hits unless the wearer is the last hero standing; headwear),Watt's Artifact (Makes the user’s attacks and spells three times more effective against demons; accessory), Spellbound Gloves (Spellpower +5; handwear), Opal (Ice), Garnet (Earth), Amethyst (Darkness), Aquamarine (Water), Ether Core, Elixir, Neutralizer, Soma, 3x Mead, 3x Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel, Wicked Perfume (Makes all male humanoid enemies enamored to the user, but makes all female humanoid enemies encouraged; consumable), Blue Jelly, 7 Bones

Throlar Wineghilm

135 year old male Dwarven Knight. *immune to ice and weakened* *avoids free hits from flying enemies* *Hastened!*

Level, 12.5

Power, 25 (12+12+1)

Defense, 6 (5+1)

Health, 9/26 (10+11+5)

Gold, 1

Equipped; Elven Sword (WP 5, longsword), Poncanis Shield (SP 5, ice elemental),, Lion's Plate (Max health +5, Power +1, Immune to weakened, suitable for knights and barbarians, bodywear), Counterstrike Gloves (If the wearer is damaged by a free hit they counter with strength equal to their level, handwear)

Inventory;

Weapons; Mace and Chain (Mace, WP 3), Mopagsabre (WP 12, ice elemental longsword)

Shields; Elven Shield (SP 5, All elves in the party gain an equal amount of SP so long as the wielder is standing.).

Artifacts; Crow Helmet (SP 1, flying enemies do not deal free hits to the wearer, suitable for Knights and Dragoons, headwear).

Consumables; Potion x3, Remedy x3, Hint Coin (Gives the user a hint about a puzzle or a tricky situation, Useable only once, Has no monetary value.), Bone, Holy Bomb, Floral Bomb, Air Bomb, Dirt Bomb, Water Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb x4, Smoke Bomb, Deadly Venom, Phoenix Essence, Nostrum, Feather of Flight

Equipment; Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass.

Treasures; None.

Decamon Deck, x2 Magic Carp (Aquatic 1), Volt Ant (Electric 1), Tweetybird (Flying 1) Ursa Minor (Eithereal 1).

"Onwards, then."

Paladin Dameon Rollinger *Immune to Light elemental attacks* *Listens to Throlar*

Level 18.5 Paladin

HP: 32/38 (10+11+17)

Ether: 18/19 (17+2)

SP: 5

Gold: 101

Equipment: Rollinger's Paladin Armour (SP: +4, Max Ether: +2, Suitable for Rollinger, body wear), Holy Symbol (Protects from Light based elemental attacks, accessory, suitable for Rollinger) Silver Greatsword (WP: 8, damages undead, suitable for Rollinger), Round Shield (SP: +3)

Inventory: Grand Tonic, Mead, Sack (Includes Mask, Dagger, Scroll, and Totem. Quest Item)

The party stamps out their fire, rolls up their beds, and hastily leave their campsite, not wanting another run in with anything. Moving along, the rest of night seems to fly by, as morning turns to mid-afternoon, which then turns to the late evening. The highway continued to provide the party with little sign of life, although occasionally the sound of hooves would lull behind the party, only for nothing to be there. Exhausted and without sleep, the party worries about another night out in the open.

"Hold on a minute.... is... that an inn?"

Alongside the highway a little ways up was a small building. It's chimney was billowing out a layer of smoke, it's light's warm and inviting to the party standing out in the open, cold and damp field. Rolling looks inquisitively at the building.

"Curious... shall we head inside? Perhaps they'll have rooms available?"

[Duvors]

Alongside the highway a little ways up was a small building. It's chimney was billowing out a layer of smoke, it's light's warm and inviting to the party standing out in the open, cold and damp field. Rolling looks inquisitively at the building.

"Curious... shall we head inside? Perhaps they'll have rooms available?"

"Hmm... I think I've heard of this one, what was it called? The Weeping Angel? Something like that. Lets go in!"

[Cutcobra]

"... or it could be just a demonic trap like the last inn. But who cares, let's go inside."

[Khorne]

Eric stretched his arms. A day spent walking and nothing else had happened. Perhaps the inn would bring some welcome diversion. The Nord's stomach rumbled. Eric took out the bear's Raw Meat and ate it. Only half finished chewing, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and said: "Come on, let's head inside."

[Kintobor]

QM Note: Apologies for the lack of an update yesterday, I wound up becoming pre-occupied in preparing for a dinner with relatives. I hope you understand.

Wanting to get out of the cold, the party decides to enter the establishment. Reaching the building's doorstep, it's sign wavered in the wind; "The Wayward Angel Inn". Hesitantly, the party enters the establishment.

The inn's quiet space is filled with the crackle and roar of a fire. It seems as if no one else has stopped in for the night, all of the table's empty. A large statue of a gothic angel seeming looms over the inn, her presence felt throughout the room. There was a pungent smell of cigar smoke lingering about, despite there being no such source.

The innkeeper's already ecstatic expression seems ready to leap off his face as he notices the company entering his inn.

"Well, hello, hello! Seems to be a rather uneventful night, wouldn't you agree? Come! Pull up some chairs, I'll get you some drinks if you'd like!"

[Cutcobra]

OoC: I should have one more Deadly Venom. And no problem-o about the delay.

Heckz glares at the statue.

"Looks more like a deformed were-bat..."

He then sits in a stool and talks to the innkeeper.

"So, do you have any idea how long until we reach the Paladin Order? It has been a long journey. I'd also like to see what drinks you have to offer."

Edited December 20, 2014 by Cutcobra

[Duvors]

"Drinks? I hope they're free. May I ask why you have a statue of what appears to be Lucifuge in the corner there?"

[Kintobor]

Heckz glares at the statue.

"Looks more like a deformed were-bat..."

He then sits in a stool and talks to the innkeeper.

"So, do you have any idea how long until we reach the Paladin Order? It has been a long journey. I'd also like to see what drinks you have to offer."

Will fix once I post your stats again, which will be soon.

The man behind the counter continues to grin wildly, speaking to Heckz peppily.

"The Paladin Order in Eubric? Well, that's about another two days from here, isn't it?"

"Yes, we shouldn't be too much longer. One more night at another inn and we'll be finished this arduous task."

"What are you interested in drinking there?"

The Wayward Angel Inn's Liquor Cabinet

Flame-distilled Brandy - Causes the encouraged- and the immune to ice-effects for the duration of one battle. Costs 25 gold.

Mulled Wine - Causes the inspired-effect, doubling the target's current and maximum health for the duration of one battle. Costs 50 gold.

Mead (Causes the encouraged-effect, doubling the target's attack power for the duration of one battle.) Costs 20 gold.

Ambrosia (Causes the reinforced-effect, double the target's defense for the duration of one battle. Costs 70 gold)

Water (Refreshing and clean. Also diminishes the possibility of dehydration.) On the house.

"Drinks? I hope they're free. May I ask why you have a statue of what appears to be Lucifuge in the corner there?"

The bartender looks at Throlar confused, but still looking incredibly upbeat.

"I'm sorry, who's Lucifuge? If you'd like, I can pour you a glass of water!"

[Duvors]

The bartender looks at Throlar confused, but still looking incredibly upbeat.

"I'm sorry, who's Lucifuge? If you'd like, I can pour you a glass of water!"

"Fallen Angel, nothing important. As for water, yes please."

[Cutcobra]

"I'll take a water as well. At least that's not worth five gold more..."

He said, clearly annoyed by the prices.

[Kintobor]

The bartender giddily pours both Heckz and Throlar a drink.

"Two water, for the two of you! So, gentlemen, will you be staying the night? 10 gold for a room, or you could all sleep in the common room for free! It's up to you, of course."

"Bartender, a bottle of Flame Distilled Brandy." Rollinger motions for the bartender, who gets to work getting the paladin's bottle ready. "I'm surprised none of us really talked about ourselves. Well with the nord I kind of understand why," Rollinger grins at Erik, "but still, it feels weird how we've travelled for three days yet I hardly know you three. Shall we share stories? I have the time."

[Khorne]

Eric casually looked around, scanning the inn. There was very little to pique his interest. The bartender was over-the-top happy. That somewhat intrigued the Nord and sparked a small sliver of jealousy within the Raider, since the bartender actually had very little to be so happy about. The inn was dull: no girls and booze was sold at excruciatingly high prices. "Who knew the key to happiness was not giving a shit about your current situation", the Nord mused.

"What's a guy got to do around here to be able to pay these prices? Turn on the Houses and side with the Wolfgang?", Eric muttered and chuckled at his own wit.

The Nord glared at Rollinger and said to the bartender: "I'll take a room. No need to spend more time with the Dwarf and Paladin than is necessary, seeing I can afford a room." While stating those last words, Eric eyed Throlar wolfishly like some bully.

He paid the 10 Gold, but waited before retreating to his room. After all, like all Norse, Eric too, enjoys a good tall tale and Rollinger's suggestion the party shared stories was the sole clever thing the Paladin had said the entire time.

"Why don't you enlighten us, Paladin? Tell us a story", Eric grinned.

[Cutcobra]

Heckz took a sip of his drink, clearly regreting it afterwards. "Are you sure this is clean water? One might have suspicious when I didn't see any pond for hours. Don't even get me started on clean ones."

He then put 10 gold next to the bartender. "I'm taking the room, I am in no way 'common'."

He turned his attention towards Rollinger and the other people he didn't really care about.

"Yeah... sure... stories."

Shit. Last time was easy making one up since the guy was drunk. How do I even convice the nord or that smartass dwarf.

He was about to say something until Eric interrupted.

"What Ethan said. Tell us a story Rollinger."

[Kintobor]

Eric casually looked around, scanning the inn. There was very little to pique his interest. The bartender was over-the-top happy. That somewhat intrigued the Nord and sparked a small sliver of jealousy within the Raider, since the bartender actually had very little to be so happy about. The inn was dull: no girls and booze was sold at excruciatingly high prices. "Who knew the key to happiness was not giving a shit about your current situation", the Nord mused.

"What's a guy got to do around here to be able to pay these prices? Turn on the Houses and side with the Wolfgang?", Eric muttered and chuckled at his own wit.

The Nord glared at Rollinger and said to the bartender: "I'll take a room. No need to spend more time with the Dwarf and Paladin than is necessary, seeing I can afford a room." While stating those last words, Eric eyed Throlar wolfishly like some bully.

He paid the 10 Gold, but waited before retreating to his room. After all, like all Norse, Eric too, enjoys a good tall tale and Rollinger's suggestion the party shared stories was the sole clever thing the Paladin had said the entire time.

"Why don't you enlighten us, Paladin? Tell us a story", Eric grinned.

Heckz took a sip of his drink, clearly regreting it afterwards. "Are you sure this is clean water? One might have suspicious when I didn't see any pond for hours. Don't even get me started on clean ones."

He then put 10 gold next to the bartender. "I'm taking the room, I am in no way 'common'."

He turned his attention towards Rollinger and the other people he didn't really care about.

"Yeah... sure... stories."

Shit. Last time was easy making one up since the guy was drunk. How do I even convice the nord or that smartass dwarf.

He was about to say something until Eric interrupted.

"What Ethan said. Tell us a story Rollinger."

"Don't you fret, sir! Our water is as fresh as you can get!

Of course, sirs!" The bartender grins, as he hands the duo their room keys.

"A story, eh?" Rollinger muses, scratching his chin. "Well, I've got one, although I'll admit I'm no story teller.

I was in and around the countryside here in Uland with two other knights of the cloth. It was my first outing as a paladin, and I was going to meet a man who would help me find my angel. We were walking through the woods when we were approached by a young woman who was fret with worry. She told me a beast had attacked her brother and that it had dragged him to it's cave. The three of us agreed to track the beast down and slay it, with the assistance of a huntsman who lived in the young woman's village. We followed the beasts trail to a steep ravine in which it hid in its cave. When we came upon the beast we soon realized this thing was not normal. It had scars across its face and muzzle, fur had been falling off in clumps, and the smell of death seemed to stick to the creature like a foul aura. It didn't look at us for a second before this misshapen beast charged us, digging into one of my comrades in arms. We swung at it mercilessly, praying for some divine intervention. Soon it was only me and the bear left, myself bleeding and the wild beast seemingly near death. It charged at me, ready to gobble me up in a single bite; yet that did not happen. I do not know why, but I got onto my knee and I prayed to my god, sincerely and honestly. Through some higher calling, my angel appeared before me for the first time. Defending me from the creatures maw, I took the opportunity to drive my blade into the creature's head, slaying it for good. I managed to find the young woman's brother, surprising still alive but close to death, and saved him. To this day I still do not know why my angel is androgynous; every time I try and ask it why, it does not talk to me. It only asks of me to reflect on myself. I am no perfect man, but no one is. That was the day I became a member of the Paladin Order, and I took my true first steps into enlightenment, and to stop the forces of evil.

Like I said, not the greatest story in the world, but one I hold dear. So, is this going to be Uncle Rollinger's Story Time or do you three have any stories to share?"

[Cutcobra]

"You are right, it's not the greatest story of all time. It's not even in the top 10."

"Now you tell a story Throlar."

Said Heckz quickly.

[Khorne]

"What a powerful tale of divine intervention and superhuman strength", Eric dryly stated. It was clear his sentence steeped in sarcasm. "Reminds me of that time I killed a hungry and raving mad bear. Which was actually yesterday.", the Nord also remarked, not one pass up on a chance to gloat.

Eric's lips were somewhat dry, but the stubborn, cheap Nord refused to pay coin for Mead. There was the other option of drinking water, which was free, but that was beneath him. Water is for fish. Thus, he licked his lips. He cocked an eyebrow when Heckz invited Throlar to tell a tale and quickly intervened. Eric knew many tales of his people and even though his current audience, a rather daft dandy pre-occupied with his good looks, an Ennoc-worshipping paladin and the dwarf, probably didn't really care much for those stories, the Nord began to speak. After all, a Norse story was always better than listen to one of those mad Throlar ramblings.

"The star-dotted black sky is but a Veil separating the Worlds of Matter, all intertwined through the great World Tree, from the Void. The Void is a realm of Darkness, the abode of the immaterial, the domain of Sasooti. There are no known words to describe the realm in which Sasooti lives. It is beyond mere Human comprehension. It is reigned by Chaos, the element of Sasooti. All and everything is found there, yet there is also vast nothingness."

"A long time ago, before a High King sat atop the throne in Värtland, before the Norse tribes had one ruler. In a time of mythical heroes and great deeds, there were no lights in the sky. There were no stars as we know them now. There was only the moon that sparsely lit the nights on Olegard, the World of Men. Every day of light was followed by a nighttime of darkness. The might of Sasooti's Darkness and Chaos could not be contained and spilled over Olegard every night, breaking through the Veil."

"As the Northern tribes grew in numbers, so too did the power of Sasooti the Dark, fueled by the raw emotions and perturbed by the Chaos in which these early Men thrived. The nights grew longer and dragged on, eventually surpassing the days and Olegard was covered in Sasooti's Darkness and the fledgling societies of Vikings spiraled into chaos and madness."

"Torrik, the Creator God, watched closely as he saw his favorite creation render itself apart solely for the greater pleasure of the Dark God. His acts of bravery and bouts of courage are untold, but even mighty Torrik knew his divine and primal strength were no match for the power of Sasooti. Thus, he turned to the All-Father, most powerful and wise of all Gods to save the Humans."

"Wartan, a fickle deity, reluctantly agreed. He stood indifferent towards Torrik's beloved creation and saw them as one of many creatures to govern. Wartan was already a wise diety, a master of War, lording over many other domains of life. Yet, he was always in want of more knowledge, more power. Wartan was curious to find out what secrets lay in the Void. He wanted to peer into the domain of Sasooti and steep himself in all the knowledge and wisdom contained there."

"Under the guise of seeking a means to push back the Darkness enveloping the World of Men, Wartan looked into the Void. Through means of magic and unknown god-like powers, the All-Father's gaze was so strong it pierced the Veil and allowed the diety's conscience to experience the Everything and Nothing of Chaos. There was much to be learned, much to take in. Too much to learn, too much to take in. Even the most powerful mind of Wartan could not handle the Mad Realm. Unable to avert his eys, Wartan was slowly driven insane."

"It was Wartan's wife, the Ice Mother Helvetia, that brought him salvation. Witnessing the struggle of her husband, she burned out Wartan's eyes. It rendered him blind, but saved him from insanity. Even though Wartan had not learned all their was to learn from the knowledge contained within the Void, he now know things no other God, let alone mortal could comprehend. The god was physically blind, but his mind was sharp and all-seeing. He had sacrificed his eyesight for a taste of unlimited power."

"The taking of Wartan's eyesight brought great sorrow to Helvetia, who shed many tears and wept for the pain she had inflicted. Watery tears rolled over the goddess' cheecks, but crystalized before they hit the ground. White, glistening sparkles covered the ground. The Blind God scraped his hand over the floor and blew life into Helvetia's tears. They shone a bright light and like fireflies they fluttered way, taking their place in the sky, lighting the dark nights. Helvetia's icy tears were brought to life and now guarded the Veil, keeping Darkness somewhat at bay."

"Wartan then roamed Olegard, as a blind magician who aided the Norsemen to rebuild and shape their societies. By observing his pet-bats, the Wargod learned how to live a live of physical blindness and ascend above himself."

"Of all the knowledge he had gained, the most painful lesson he had learned was that Chaos and Darkness can never be fully banished. It can be somewhat be mastered and harnessed. It can only be contained and learned to live with. It is a matter of time before Sasooti fully breaks through the Veil once more and brings upon the End Times and aeons of Darkness."

Eric paused. His throat was so very dry now. "I admit, no bear was slain in my tale, but what are simple acts of Humans compared to the great struggles of the gods?"

[Cutcobra]

OoC: And now my gold is 584 (because of Decamon and paying for the room.

Heckz clearly didn't care about Eric's story, even if the nord made a whole wall of text tale about it. When Eric finished the sorcerer was a little annoyed.

"Oh I'm sorry, I thought the dwarf was Throlar."

He then turns to Throlar again.

"You were saying?"

Edited December 23, 2014 by Cutcobra

[Kintobor]

Rollinger seems less than enthralled about Eric's story.

"Humans are imperfect, Erik. Our struggles are probably far more interesting and life changing than the gods could ever understand. Why did someone decide to create five ritualistic relics? Why were they left where they were? How did they end up here, in our hands? The gods may work in mysterious ways, but in the end it is us mortals who must make decisions. Our gods, or ancestors, or whom ever you look to in times of need can only try and guide you in the right direction. Otherwise, why bother with us being here if they could directly answer us? My angel and lord guide me on my journey; whether I take their council is my choice, same goes for you." Rollinger takes a moment and leans back in his stool.

Edited December 24, 2014 by Kintobor

[Duvors]

"Eh, well, to tell the truth I'd rather wait till last to tell any tales of my own, they aren't really very interesting and I'm not a very good storyteller anyways."

[Cutcobra]

"But everyone did just tell their tale... It's your turn now..."

Heh, these people are really buying it. You are so smart John.

Heckz thought to himself.

[Duvors]

"But everyone did just tell their tale... It's your turn now..."

Heh, these people are really buying it. You are so smart John.

Heckz thought to himself.

"You didn't, come on Heckz, tell us about yourself. Now. Please."

[Khorne]

"Humans are imperfect, Erik. Our struggles are probably far more interesting and life changing than the gods could ever understand. Why did someone decide to create five ritualistic relics? Why were they left where they were? How did they end up here, in our hands? The gods may work in mysterious ways, but in the end it is us mortals who must make decisions. Our gods, or ancestors, or whom ever you look to in times of need can only try and guide you in the right direction. Otherwise, why bother with us being here if they could directly answer us? My angel and lord guide me on my journey; whether I take their council is my choice, same goes for you." Rollinger takes a moment and leans back in his stool.

Eric grunted, severely displeased with the lack of praise or attention his tale had garnered. Ignorant fools. The Nord scratched his chin and then waved away Rollinger's statement. "That's just your opinion, then." He didn't even try to argue with the Paladin. There was no point. Eric knew his own views were right, but no matter how much he'd try to convince Rollinger, in the end the man would remain a slave of the weak Eagle God.

He then turned his attention to the other conversation at hand. He smiled wickedly. "Come one, wizard boy. Tell us a story."