Heroica RPG- Quest #137: Where the Dead Go to Live

[Duvors]

"Zarovitch, while I do not dispute your authority, I would much rather talk about this with the countess actually present, if you don't mind."

[Endgame]

"We have settled the issue. She will be handled within her own home town."

[Asphalt]

"I believe we have made our position clear. Will you allow us to take her home Captain, or will you force our hand?"

[Kintobor]

"We're definitely not handing her over to you, her one time ally. You may be 'reformed', but you should know I'm not that trusting," he stays close to Amber. "Now we'll be on our way before this gets any messier,"

"Precisely. I wouldn't even pay for your services a second time, count, seeing as how you didn't manage to do your job and kill these idiots. I mean, seriously?" At her comment, Zarovitch audibly growls. Amber shrinks back behind Althior.

By the Wanderer, if not one thing than another.

He grinds his palm into his weary eyes and turns to face the captain.

Captain, as I have heard it said, we are viewed as Mercenaries. While I believe my goals to be loftier than that, the perception stands true in one case, we are men bound by the contract we put our name to. We were hired to find this woman and return her to her father. That is the oath we must honor. Just as we pledged ourselves to you to find your Countess. A pledge which we not only completed, but which we are still waiting for you to uphold your end. A promise now twice offered. Would you have us be oath breakers? I am afraid we cannot turn this "Woman" His voice drops slightly and becomes a bit rougher as he speaks of Makepeace over to you. Certainly if you are a being of honor, you can understand this. I would continue this path without further bloodshed. A battle here would benefit no one, save those in line to inherit our positions.

"I don't think you understand. It's my honour to dish out justice in this town, not you heroes. While I appreciate your sentiment in assisting the capture of Amber Makepeace, she ultimately falls within my jurisdiction. I will have her in my custody, or you can join her in a cell."

"Zarovitch, while I do not dispute your authority, I would much rather talk about this with the countess actually present, if you don't mind."

"The countess is no condition to be seeing anyone. She's weak, and she needs bedrest. You've seen her condition yourself. Hand Makepeace over."

"We have settled the issue. She will be handled within her own home town."

"She has committed crimes her in the town of Fellcrest, and the town demands justice! I have no idea what will happen to Amber once she makes it back to Eubric, but here, I know she'll face the axe for her crimes." Amber audibly gulps as she holds her hand to her neck.

"I believe we have made our position clear. Will you allow us to take her home Captain, or will you force our hand?"

"I think I've made my position clear enough as well. Guards! Seize the lot of them!" As the guards lower their spears on the party the sound of glass shattering erupts and a billow of smoke erupts as the guards surrounding the party let their stance up. A familiar robed figure emerges from the smoke, hand over his mouth, a frantic look in his eyes.

"Gentlemen! Now's your chance! Run for the East Gates and don't look back!"

[Asphalt]

Vindsval turns towards the explosion, wondering what it is that is going wrong now.

"By the seven Hells, what is going on now? Is this more of your doing Makepeace? If so, you make i difficult to keep my word. But as the Monk says, perhaps it is best we leave. And you will be coming with us."

Vindsval reaches out with his now LITERAL iron grip and picks up Amber, Easily Holding her in one arm as a parent would hold a wriggling child. With the other hand he reaches into his travel pouch and removes a SMOKE BOMB. He then throws it between the party and the captain.to

"The better cover our escape, I fear though we have saved citizens, gentry, and the city itself, we have made no friends here this day."

[K-Nut]

"Let's get the hell out of here," Althior says, following the party. He makes sure to keep Amber close to him.

[Endgame]

"What the hell?" was about the only thing going through my mind.

On instinct I sprint off with the rest of the party.

[Duvors]

"What."

[Asphalt]

Vindsval Grabs up the Dwarf and carries him under his under arm. Now moving with both the woman and small warrior in hand.

This is us leaving Throlar. Your friend the Captain sees not to honor our agreement with miss Makepeace.

[Duvors]

"I wasn't asking a question, I said 'what' to indicate the ludicrous nature of this sudden turn of events in a vaguely sarcastic way. And can you please put me down? I'm not a child you know."

[Asphalt]

Vindsval adjusts his grip on the dwarf, holding him by the scruff of his cloak so that the dwarf can match his speed with the ground, and lets him go.

We can debate the internal logic of your question when we return to the hall. For now, RUN. Apparently we will find away out of this thrice cursed village at the Eastern Gate.

[Duvors]

"Eh, fine."

Throlar runs.

[K-Nut]

Kint, can we get an update? We're really close to the end here and I'd really like to be back in time for 148, but the lack of updates isn't helping...

[Kintobor]

Vindsval turns towards the explosion, wondering what it is that is going wrong now.

"By the seven Hells, what is going on now? Is this more of your doing Makepeace? If so, you make i difficult to keep my word. But as the Monk says, perhaps it is best we leave. And you will be coming with us."

Vindsval reaches out with his now LITERAL iron grip and picks up Amber, Easily Holding her in one arm as a parent would hold a wriggling child. With the other hand he reaches into his travel pouch and removes a SMOKE BOMB. He then throws it between the party and the captain.to

"The better cover our escape, I fear though we have saved citizens, gentry, and the city itself, we have made no friends here this day."

"For once, no." Amber squeals as she's picked up. "Put me down! Ugh, really? You think I'm that treacherous? I'm... kind of flattered, really."

"No, I'm not here for her. I'm here to get Sorrow and his friend out of here. I've heard over the past few days that you lot have been helping the good people here. Silivia's treachery did not go unheard, and I'm here to ensure that this town's saviours don't go to the axe. Now go. Flee!"

The party rushes for the gates, as Vindsval's second smoke bomb covers their tracks even further. The party pushes their way past the mornings early risers as they make it to the East gates, for once unbarred and unmanned. A familiar face seems to be lingering around it, trying to close the gates. She turns around in panic as the party rushes past her.

"Guards! Guards! These men are fleeing! Gu-"

"Oh, shut it!" Amber shouts at the woman as the party flees the undead town and down the Red Brick Road. The town becomes gradually smaller, and it's not too long before Amber speaks. "Keep running to Dim Haven! If I remember correctly that bastard Zarovitch owned a horse. Stay off the main road and keep to the brush. If we're lucky we won't run into anything... especially mutants..."

The party skirts off the road and beelines to Dim Haven. Their running crawls to an inevitable walk, as they make their way to Dim Haven...

---

Two Weeks Later...

---

The journey back to Eubric was uneventful. As a gesture of good faith, Amber Makepeace paid for the boat trip with the gold on her person. The boat sailed along the coast of Dastan and into the Crystalline Seas with little trouble, except a small spat of rain near Charis. Amber was uncharacteristically quiet throughout most of the journey, often keeping to herself and watching the passing lands from the ship's railing. She made no attempts to escape.

Leaving the docks, the party made their way to the most reasonable place to look for Josiah McCreary: The Way's End Cathedral. Amber didn't say a word on the way to the building as they made their way through the streets to the old stone building. Opening the front doors, the party made their way through the pews to two individuals, their voices echoing through the room. They stopped their argument as they noticed the party.

"Look what the cat dragged in. Looks like somebody slept in." The orc mumbled. The smell of alcohol flew off his breath as soon as he opened his mouth.

"Jensen! I find your sarcastic attitude endearing at times, but now isn't the time for it!" Connor gave Jensen a surprisingly stern look before he turned on his heels to the party. "I'm glad you've finally made it. I was getting worried about you! We did have a group come out of the portal, but it wasn't you, er... five? Mind telling me who the dame is? And what happened in Fellcrest?" Jensen grabbed his flask and took a long swig.

[Endgame]

"It's a very long story... We helped some people, and they helped us out with Amber, our objective."

Carlos... You helped me enough by putting me in contact with Sarah. Hopefully you got out of that one okay.... I could've handled him. I'm not sure if you could've.

"All's well that ends well, though, hopefully.

...Wait. Someone else used the portal? Who?"

[Asphalt]

There were a great deal of favors offered some rewarded. Our actions were both at once praised and damned. And there was an aweful lot of running to do. This "dame" is who we sought.

[Duvors]

"Yeah, what they said."

[Asphalt]

Vindsval looks sideways at the dwarf. This is when he holds his tongue?

The Giant lays a hand on Amber's shoulder and grips it tightly.

Have you seen the good Father? We have business to conclude with him. I believe he would be anxious to hear of our endeavors on his behalf.

Edited March 22, 2016 by Asphalt

[K-Nut]

"I don't care about the portal. Where the hel is McCreary? He's our employer, I'll answer to him,"

[Kintobor]

"It's a very long story... We helped some people, and they helped us out with Amber, our objective."

Carlos... You helped me enough by putting me in contact with Sarah. Hopefully you got out of that one okay.... I could've handled him. I'm not sure if you could've.

"All's well that ends well, though, hopefully.

...Wait. Someone else used the portal? Who?"

"If I remember correctly, your goal was to figure out what Amber was doing, and stop her if she was in Fellcrest... and seeing how you've brought a woman with you, I'm assuming you took that as bring her back? Well... um, I suppose that counts as completing your objective." Amber shuffles her feet and says nothing at Connor's statement.

"Three ghosts. Two in hats. They seemed less malicious and more happy to be finished with Fellcrest. Said they were off to go hitch hike some more. I don't know, they were weird."

There were a great deal of favors offered some rewarded. Our actions were both at once praised and damned. And there was an aweful lot of running to do. This "dame" is who we sought.

"Ah, so it is Amber! Well, in that case, job well done! I suppose..." Connor looks at Vind curiously. "You don't happen to have any gems on you? Being a witch, it seems like you'd have no need for one."

"Yeah, what they said."

"Heh. I like this one. Straight to the point." Jensen replies, swishing his flash about.

Vindsval looks sideways at the dwarf. This is when he holds his tongue?

The Giant lays a hand on Amber's shoulder and grips it tightly.

Have you seen the good Father? We have business to conclude with him. I believe he would be anxious to hear of our endeavors on his behalf.

"I don't care about the portal. Where the hel is McCreary? He's our employer, I'll answer to him,"

The pressure Vindsval puts on Amber's shoulder seems to hurt her, as she seems to wince.

"Yes, well, um... about that-"

"He's gone." Jensen interrupts. "He packed a bag of supplies and told me he had things to attend to outside of the city. He did this shortly after the portal closed. He didn't tell me a word about where he was going or why, and since then I've had to take care of a lot more around here. McCreary's told me however to check up on you should you return and find out what happened. I'm going to need you to tell me how the Fellcrest trip went down and what Amber was doing. Unless, of course, Amber wishes to speak up herself?"

Amber grins at Jensen's remark, trying hard not to stifle a giggle.

"Oh, look at you lot. Poor daddy's gone missing and now you don't know how to run the cemetery. Ha! What a joke." Amber's mode seemed to improve greatly at Jensen's words. "Look, I have no idea what happened to daddy dearest, so before you start attacking me with such rhetoric, think again. I have no real gain from doing so.

Oh, and uh, since I'm now no longer with my group, they'll more or less assume to go through with the plans to turn Eubric into a necropolis. Of course, it's going to take awhile to coordinate themselves again, but they will eventually."

Amber attempts to sit in the pews, but Vind's grasp forces her to stand in her spot. Connor and Jensen take Amber's words in before responding.

"Well, it seems like we've managed to get some time to prepare ourselves and the city against an inevitable attack. Good show, lads."

"McCreary left you this as a sign of his gratitude. When he returns, I'll give him the good news." Jensen hands 1000 gold to Sorrow to split amongst the party.

"We're also going to need to come to a conclusion about what to do with Miss McCrea-"

"Makepeace... my name is Makepeace."

"I don't think your in any position to demand things." Jensen replies sternly. "Anyways, we obviously can't let her go. I'm more than certain Josiah would appreciate not killing her."

[Asphalt]

Vindsval pulls Amber back towards him.

Stay Put Child.

"Ah, so it is Amber! Well, in that case, job well done! I suppose..." Connor looks at Vind curiously. "You don't happen to have any gems on you? Being a witch, it seems like you'd have no need for one.

I have a number of Gems and This he holds up the geode ​Which from past experience I know to hold an additional stone. I have found them to be of great use in the past. What is it that you would offer in exchange?

​He adresses both his team and the two other men.

If her father is indeed gone, this leaves us at someone of an impasse. We gave Ms. Makepeace our word to return her her safely, assuming there would be someone to return her to. This decision left us with a number of enemies at our backs. What then do we do with her? We could always chain her to a headstone, a permanent groundskeeper here at the cemetery. Or perhaps a returned trip to the necropolis is in order. The captain may not welcome us, but he did seem eager to impress judgement upon this one.

[Duvors]

"Well, we could just leave her here if she promises to behave, and if not then, well, there's always the Paladin Order... I don't like them much but I like to think I'm on speaking terms with the High Priestess."

Edited March 23, 2016 by Lord Duvors

[Asphalt]

Do you jest? After all you have been through, you would just trust her to do no harm?

[Duvors]

Do you jest? After all you have been through, you would just trust her to do no harm?

"No, but I honestly can't think of anything to do with her. I suppose someone somewhere might be willing to keep her prisoner for us, but for the life of me I can't think who."

[Endgame]

"Amber. Your group. Contact them. Call them off."

Edited March 25, 2016 by Endgame