Heroica RPG - Quest #31: Lions and Lambs

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall watched as the Knights circled around the Pogs, "Hopefully they'll move in on' em now that they're in the rear," he thought to himself. Meanwhile, at least one of his troops had fallen, but numbers were still on their side. "Keep at 'em lads, show these squids how ya make calamari in Dastan." Skrall rallied the Imperial Pikeman and once again charged the Rebel Scout unit.

Battle Order:

Arthur

Isabella

Skrall

Alexandre

[Dharkan]

"Yeah I heard it loud and clear! I think we can just crush them if you guys attack them with your troops aswell!"

Attacking Brutes with my boys. :P

[Brickdoctor]

Results of Round Two of the Pursuit of the Rebels:

Lion Crossbowmen vs. Unarmed Teuthisal Rebels - Damage (no Damage taken)

Lion Knights vs. Pongcanis Brutes - Hit (4-1=3 Damage)

Lion Knights vs. Pongcanis Brutes - Miss

Imperial Pikemen vs. Teuthisal Rebel Scouts - Critical Hit (3*2=6 Damage)

Lion Pikemen vs. Pongcanis Brutes - Hit (4-1=3 Damage)

Arthur, you order your crossbowmen to continue their attack, but they have become overconfident and you watch as their shots sail over their targets, missing badly. Isabella, you lead your knights in two attacks; you catch the Pongcanae by surprise the first time and kill a few of them, but they are ready for you the second time and you take out none. Skrall, you have your men regroup and attack again, and, with the crossbowmen providing a flanking bonus, you watch with satisfaction as they tear the rebel's formation to shreds. Alexandre, seeing the Pongcanae caught between the knights and the crossbowmen, you order your pikemen to charge, and they manage to drop a good number of the brutes before pulling back.

"We have them outflanked! The battle continues..."

Enemies:

Unarmed Teuthisal Rebels

Type:

Unarmed

Level:

1

Health:

4/10

Defense:

0

Passive Special:

None

Drops: nothing

Pongcanis Brutes

Type:

Footsoldier

Level:

2

Health:

4/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Level flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Drops: nothing

Allies:

Lion Pikemen

, Level 3 Footsoldiers (lead by Capt.JohnPaul)

Power:

3

Health:

6/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Lion Knights

, Level 4 Mounted (lead by Dharkan)

Power:

4

Health:

10/10

Defense:

2

Passive Special:

Mounted units can act twice in a Round. (move two hexes, move one hex and attack, or attack twice)

Lion Crossbowmen

, Level 3 Ranged (lead by Flipz)

Power:

3

Health:

10/10

Defense:

0

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away, they cannot take Damage.

Imperial Pikemen

, Level 2 Footsoldiers (lead by Waterbrick Down)

Power:

2

Health:

9/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Party Leader, choose the order of actions and which unit each hero will command.

All of you, choose the action your unit will perform.

Any enemy not targeted will get a free action at the end of the Round.

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Men, attack the Pongcanis brutes again!"

[Dharkan]

"Join Pikemen in their attack! Try to get one of the brutes alive!"

[Flipz]

"Aim for the knees, gentlemen, and take your time lining up your shots. Take out those unarmed peasants!

[Waterbrick Down]

"Imperials, forward march. I don't want a single scrap of steel makin' to those rebel camps," Skrall roared as he and the Imperial Pikemen advanced upon the Unarmed Rebels.

Battle Order:

Arthur

Skrall

Isabella

Alexandre

[Brickdoctor]

Results of Round Three of the Pursuit of the Rebels:

Lion Crossbowmen vs. Unarmed Teuthisal Rebels - Miss

Imperial Pikemen vs. Unarmed Teuthisal Rebels - Shield (2*2=4 Damage)

Lion Knights vs. Pongcanis Brutes - Miss

Lion Knights vs. Pongcanis Brutes - Damage (2-2=0 Damage Taken)

Lion Pikemen vs. Pongcanis Brutes - Damage (2-1=1 Damage Taken)

Arthur, your crossbowmen are distracted by the charging pikemen, and they never get a shot off. Skrall, seeing an opening, you order your men to charge in, and they just manage to take down the last of the unarmed Teuthisal. Isabella and Alexandre, you simultaneously engage the brutes, but, standing back to back, they push you back. The knights are protected by their armor, but one of the pikemen falls

"They are surrounded! The battle continues..."

Enemies:

Pongcanis Brutes

Type:

Footsoldier

Level:

2

Health:

4/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Level flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Drops: nothing

Allies:

Lion Pikemen

, Level 3 Footsoldiers (lead by Capt.JohnPaul)

Power:

3

Health:

5/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Lion Knights

, Level 4 Mounted (lead by Dharkan)

Power:

4

Health:

10/10

Defense:

2

Passive Special:

Mounted units can act twice in a Round. (move two hexes, move one hex and attack, or attack twice)

Lion Crossbowmen

, Level 3 Ranged (lead by Flipz)

Power:

3

Health:

10/10

Defense:

0

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away, they cannot take Damage.

Imperial Pikemen

, Level 2 Footsoldiers (lead by Waterbrick Down)

Power:

2

Health:

9/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

QM Note:

As there is only one weak enemy remaining, the battle will continue automatically.

Results of Round Four of the Pursuit of the Rebels:

Lion Crossbowmen vs. Pongcanis Brutes - Critical Hit (3-1=2 Damage)

Imperial Pikemen move one hex south-west.

Lion Knights vs. Pongcanis Brutes - Hit (4-1=3 Damage)

Lion Knights vs. Pongcanis Brutes - Special Damage (2-2=0 Damage Taken)

Lion Pikemen vs. Pongcanis Brutes - Critical Hit (4-1=3 Damage)

Arthur, you have your crossbowmen spin around quickly and acquire a new target, which they take down with better luck. As Skrall's pikemen approach from the north-east, Isabella, your knights eliminate the final enemies.

"We are victorious!"

Each member of the party, as commanders of the troops, gain the appropriate amount of XP, so update your signatures accordingly. The enemies drop an additional 20 Gold.

Allies:

Lion Pikemen

, Level 3 Footsoldiers (lead by Capt.JohnPaul)

Power:

3

Health:

5/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Lion Knights

, Level 4 Mounted (lead by Dharkan)

Power:

4

Health:

10/10

Defense:

2

Passive Special:

Mounted units can act twice in a Round. (move two hexes, move one hex and attack, or attack twice)

Lion Crossbowmen

, Level 3 Ranged (lead by Flipz)

Power:

3

Health:

10/10

Defense:

0

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away, they cannot take Damage.

Imperial Pikemen

, Level 2 Footsoldiers (lead by Waterbrick Down)

Power:

2

Health:

9/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Party:

Skrall

, Level 16 Hunter (Waterbrick Down) *Party Leader*

*Favors Humanoid Enemies*

Power:

24

Health:

29/29

Defense:

0

Gold:

8

Inventory:

Heavy Crossbow: WP 8 (Knockback)

, Hunter's Crossbow: WP 10 (+4 vs beasts), Potion, Tonic, Smoke Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, Emperor Alandri's Letter

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

, Level 10.5 Mage (Flipz) *Party Second-in-Command*

Power:

15

Health:

14/14

Ether:

14/14

Defense:

1

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Arthur's Staff of Elven Necromancy (WP: 5)

,

Robe of Magi (SP:1)

, Amethyst (Darkness), Opal (Ice), Potion(x2), Bedroll, Telescope, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Shovel, Grand Tonic

Isabella del Toboso

, Level 8 Rogue (Dharkan)

Power:

15

Health:

14/14

Defense:

1

Gold:

101

Inventory:

Fauxthril Dagger (WP:7)

, Golden Dagger (WP:3),

Cloak of the Invisible Elf (SP: 1;

untargetable for first 2 Rounds of every Battle

)

, Venom, Potions (2), Bedroll, Fire Bombs (2)

Alexandre le Chevalier

, Level 10.5 Knight (Capt.JohnPaul)

Power:

16

Health:

17/19

Defense:

7

Gold:

30

Inventory:

Sword of the Elven Blademaster (WP: 6; ignores SP)

, Cross Heater Shield (SP: 7), Potions (2), Fire Bombs (2), Bedroll

Luke

, Level 16.5 Sage (controlled by Waterbrick Down)

*Pacifist*

Power:

17

Health:

31/31

Ether:

23/23

Defense:

0

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Wooden Staff (WP: 1)

, Diamond (Light)

Count Lewis Knyghton

, Level 11.5 Engineer (controlled by Flipz)

Power:

13

Health:

18/18

Defense:

0

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Spatha (WP: 3)

Party Leader, please divide the loot:

40 Gold

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall joined the rest of the company with the Imperial Pikemen, "Well done all, reminds me of when I was in Ennoc havin' to bring down some of those bearish brutes. Though I regret havin' to do it again so soon." Skrall speedily passed out 10 gold to Arthur, Alexandre, and Isabella, pocketing the remainder, before turning to Luke and the Count. "Well now, how is everyone back at the camp, Lady Leofwena is recovering I assume?"

Skrall watches as the Imperial troops start collecting and surveying their equipment. Something was stirring in Skrall but he hadn't been able to put his finger on it quite yet. Walking over to the men, he pulled out 9 Gold pieces and flipped a coin to each of the troops. "Well fought men. See to it that ya get yer equipment looked after and some rest and vittles in before the end of the day. I look forward to yer presence on the hunt later on."

[Flipz]

Arthur checks to see if any of the rebels are still alive. "If we can manage to get some information out of one of them..."

OOC: Am I Level 11 or just Level 10.5? The rules say 1-10 gets 1 Level per battle, but I'm pretty sure in practice it's only a half-level increase...

Edited April 30, 2012 by Flipz

[Waterbrick Down]

Arthur checks to see if any of the rebels are still alive. "If we can manage to get some information out of one of them..."

"Aye take it you don't go in fer the raisin' dead bodies thing either do ya? Live rebels are bad enough, but undead ones I'm sure would be a hassle." Skrall surveyed the rest of the party. "Well now that I've got yer attention at least, I should relay to ya that we may have more than rebels on our hands. I've been informed through an old friend from a past quest that there is a group of rogue lion knights goin' by the name of the "Cult of the Chimera". From our history lesson, ya can probably figure out what they're up to. The source is a good friend, and if the Cult is allowed to rise up, we may be dealin' with more than just a few peasants and pogs with spears and swords."

[Flipz]

"Aye take it you don't go in fer the raisin' dead bodies thing either do ya? Live rebels are bad enough, but undead ones I'm sure would be a hassle." Skrall surveyed the rest of the party. "Well now that I've got yer attention at least, I should relay to ya that we may have more than rebels on our hands. I've been informed through an old friend from a past quest that there is a group of rogue lion knights goin' by the name of the "Cult of the Chimera". From our history lesson, ya can probably figure out what they're up to. The source is a good friend, and if the Cult is allowed to rise up, we may be dealin' with more than just a few peasants and pogs with spears and swords."

Arthur lowers his voice, so only Skrall and perhaps a passing Hero could hear. "You speak of the Wren Fighters, don't you? This battle reminds me uncannily of the wars you had to face in Haddon. I would not be surprised if your friends got word of such things and suspected her presence. Though whether or not she is actually here, I cannot say." To forestall any confusion, Arthur pulled out his copy of the Quest Book of that Quest. "I kept this one because, well, because you were on this Quest. I brought along your others as well. Pity I had to leave the rest behind, but, books of such length are quite heavy..." Arthur shrugs. "I would wager on the Cult of the Chimera allying themselves with the rebels we are after--or worse, being one in the same." Arthur appears nervous, and looks over his shoulder frequently. "Damn," he mutters, "what I wouldn't do for a Magnifying Glass. Without Dad's..." he shakes his head. "Never mind. Knights, did you find any survivors?"

[Brickdoctor]

Party:

Skrall

, Level 16 Hunter (Waterbrick Down) *Party Leader*

*Favors Humanoid Enemies*

Power:

24

Health:

29/29

Defense:

0

Gold:

9

Inventory:

Heavy Crossbow: WP 8 (Knockback)

, Hunter's Crossbow: WP 10 (+4 vs beasts), Potion, Tonic, Smoke Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, Emperor Alandri's Letter

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

, Level 10.5 Mage (Flipz) *Party Second-in-Command*

Power:

15

Health:

14/14

Ether:

14/14

Defense:

1

Gold:

10

Inventory:

Arthur's Staff of Elven Necromancy (WP: 5)

,

Robe of Magi (SP:1)

, Amethyst (Darkness), Opal (Ice), Potion(x2), Bedroll, Telescope, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Shovel, Grand Tonic

Isabella del Toboso

, Level 8 Rogue (Dharkan)

Power:

15

Health:

14/14

Defense:

1

Gold:

111

Inventory:

Fauxthril Dagger (WP:7)

, Golden Dagger (WP:3),

Cloak of the Invisible Elf (SP: 1;

untargetable for first 2 Rounds of every Battle

)

, Venom, Potions (2), Bedroll, Fire Bombs (2)

Alexandre le Chevalier

, Level 10.5 Knight (Capt.JohnPaul)

Power:

16

Health:

17/19

Defense:

7

Gold:

40

Inventory:

Sword of the Elven Blademaster (WP: 6; ignores SP)

, Cross Heater Shield (SP: 7), Potions (2), Fire Bombs (2), Bedroll

Luke

, Level 16.5 Sage (controlled by Waterbrick Down)

*Pacifist*

Power:

17

Health:

31/31

Ether:

23/23

Defense:

0

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Wooden Staff (WP: 1)

, Diamond (Light)

Count Lewis Knyghton

, Level 11.5 Engineer (controlled by Flipz)

Power:

13

Health:

18/18

Defense:

0

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Spatha (WP: 3)

Skrall joined the rest of the company with the Imperial Pikemen, "Well done all, reminds me of when I was in Ennoc havin' to bring down some of those bearish brutes. Though I regret havin' to do it again so soon." Skrall speedily passed out 10 gold to Arthur, Alexandre, and Isabella, pocketing the remainder, before turning to Luke and the Count. "Well now, how is everyone back at the camp, Lady Leofwena is recovering I assume?"

Skrall watches as the Imperial troops start collecting and surveying their equipment. Something was stirring in Skrall but he hadn't been able to put his finger on it quite yet. Walking over to the men, he pulled out 9 Gold pieces and flipped a coin to each of the troops. "Well fought men. See to it that ya get yer equipment looked after and some rest and vittles in before the end of the day. I look forward to yer presence on the hunt later on."

"Thank you, sir. We'll be sure to do that.

"I'm not sure where Lady Leofwena is. None of us - the imperials, that is - have seen her."

OOC: Am I Level 11 or just Level 10.5? The rules say 1-10 gets 1 Level per battle, but I'm pretty sure in practice it's only a half-level increase...

QM Note:

Oops. For some reason, I remembered not to give Alexandre a full Level, but I forgot not to give you one.

"Never mind. Knights, did you find any survivors?"

"One Teuthisal, sir."

You follow as a pair of Lion Pikemen lead you through the bodies to a rock, against which you see a wounded Teuthisal, one of the scouts, leaning. As you approach, he turns his head ever so slightly and speaks in a voice that sounds almost watery and is understandable by men, though he seems unable to clearly pronounce the harder sounds of 't's and 'd's.

"What do you want?"

[Flipz]

"I'm not sure where Lady Leofwena is. None of us - the imperials, that is - have seen her."

"One Teuthisal, sir."

You follow as a pair of Lion Pikemen lead you through the bodies to a rock, against which you see a wounded Teuthisal, one of the scouts, leaning. As you approach, he turns his head ever so slightly and speaks in a voice that sounds almost watery and is understandable by men, though he seems unable to clearly pronounce the harder sounds of 't's and 'd's.

"What do you want?"

"All right, Alexandre, use your Diplomacy to play good cop, I'll play bad cop. Skrall, you play whatever role you feel is most appropriate, same for you Isabella."

Arthur holds out both his staves, charging his ordinary staff with darkness bolts enough to cause pain but not further injury. He holds them above the Tethusial's shoulders, his Healing Staff in his left hand. "Alright, rebel, here's the deal. In my left hand, above your right shoulder, is a Healing Staff. It does exactly what it says on the tin." He drops the tip of the staff for a brief moment, so the Tethusial can get a tiny taste of the healing power within the staff. "In my right hand--my staff. My combat staff. Currently channeling the raw power of darkness from within me and my elemental gem." He uses his left hand to open his robe to reveal the amethyst tucked inside an inner pocket, "accidentally" brushing the tip of the staff against the Tethusial's shoulder for a brief moment of pure pain. "Here's how it works: you tell us something we want to hear, I drop my left hand; lie, resist, or try to escape, and I drop my right. Got it? Good. First question: what is the Rebels' next target?"

[Brickdoctor]

Arthur holds out both his staves, charging his ordinary staff with darkness bolts enough to cause pain but not further injury. He holds them above the Tethusial's shoulders, his Healing Staff in his left hand. "Alright, rebel, here's the deal. In my left hand, above your right shoulder, is a Healing Staff. It does exactly what it says on the tin." He drops the tip of the staff for a brief moment, so the Tethusial can get a tiny taste of the healing power within the staff. "In my right hand--my staff. My combat staff. Currently channeling the raw power of darkness from within me and my elemental gem." He uses his left hand to open his robe to reveal the amethyst tucked inside an inner pocket, "accidentally" brushing the tip of the staff against the Tethusial's shoulder for a brief moment of pure pain. "Here's how it works: you tell us something we want to hear, I drop my left hand; lie, resist, or try to escape, and I drop my right. Got it? Good. First question: what is the Rebels' next target?"

"How would I know? I'm a Teuthisal. We don't get anything on this accursed continent, including information from our commanders beyond what is necessary."

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall glanced down at the Teuthisal, "I'm afraid the mage can be rather tempermental and I cannot speak for his actions. Perhaps you can tell us how many of your countrymen have joined the rebels and I can see to it that the mage is restrained."

[Brickdoctor]

Skrall glanced down at the Teuthisal, "I'm afraid the mage can be rather tempermental and I cannot speak for his actions. Perhaps you can tell us how many of your countrymen have joined the rebels and I can see to it that the mage is restrained."

You see the Teuthisal roll his big eyes at you.

"You'd have to be stupid to be a Teuthisal in Dastan and not join a rebellion against the Empire."

[Waterbrick Down]

"Than why not pack up and leave. In such an arid and dry place as this, it surprises me that ya would stay."

[Brickdoctor]

"Than why not pack up and leave. In such an arid and dry place as this, it surprises me that ya would stay."

"All you heroes, pampered by Heroica. You think Gold grows on trees? Don't have the resources to leave."

[Flipz]

"All you heroes, pampered by Heroica. You think Gold grows on trees? Don't have the resources to leave."

Arthur once again "accidentally" lets the shadow staff fall again. "Oops. Look, if you've got a problem with your empire, you should've called us first. If gold's the issue, I hear one of Heroica's sponsors has an excellent long-term repayment program. What was his name, Girly? Gundam? Anyhow, new question: why'd you join with the Lion Knight rebels? Did you really think that'd go unnoticed back in Eubric, especially with the Lion Knights setting up shop in the Free Islands?"

[Brickdoctor]

Arthur once again "accidentally" lets the shadow staff fall again. "Oops. Look, if you've got a problem with your empire, you should've called us first. If gold's the issue, I hear one of Heroica's sponsors has an excellent long-term repayment program. What was his name, Girly? Gundam? Anyhow, new question: why'd you join with the Lion Knight rebels? Did you really think that'd go unnoticed back in Eubric, especially with the Lion Knights setting up shop in the Free Islands?"

"Of course not. We believe that the Lions can become a major military power capable of challenging the Empire. We want them to notice us. The only reason they responded as they did is their fear of the Empire."

[Flipz]

"So, wait, you're saying the Rebels are planning to try and convince our troops to defect? What would convince them to do that?" Arthur drops the Healing Staff this time--he clearly liked this answer, yet somehow the brief act of healing seemed even more menacing than the torture. He leans in close to the Tethusian, his intended expression of conspiratorial reassurance coming off as an unsettling pleasure. "We heroes have been known to switch sides, if our employers have been in the wrong," he tells the rebel quietly, standing back up with a panic-inducing wink.

[Brickdoctor]

"So, wait, you're saying the Rebels are planning to try and convince our troops to defect? What would convince them to do that?" Arthur drops the Healing Staff this time--he clearly liked this answer, yet somehow the brief act of healing seemed even more menacing than the torture. He leans in close to the Tethusian, his intended expression of conspiratorial reassurance coming off as an unsettling pleasure. "We heroes have been known to switch sides, if our employers have been in the wrong," he tells the rebel quietly, standing back up with a panic-inducing wink.

"It's not just Lions who're noticing. In case you haven't noticed, the rebellion has become prominent enough that one of the emperors has resorted to contacting Heroica for help. He clearly thinks that we're a major threat. You, my good hero, are nothing more than a tool for publicity."

[Flipz]

"So what do you Rebels want? What is your purpose here?"

[Brickdoctor]

"So what do you Rebels want? What is your purpose here?"

"We want a government that doesn't ignore us because we're Teuthisal, Mr. Philosopher. One that will build a decent plumbing system throughout the city so that our skin doesn't dry out so easily. One that isn't controlled by three emperors and their army of dragon riders."