Heroica RPG - Quest #70: The Syndicate

[Shoker86]

"Pint of your best larger sir " Arnulf ordered a drink "Arthur I'll try to talk to those gentleman over there" Arnulf strode to the table where three men sat "Mind if I join in ?"

[Endgame]

The man gives a slight smile.

"Which one would you consider 'best', sir?"

Tiger Balm - Grants immunity to all effects (positive and negative) for one battle. Costs 100 gold.

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

Mulled Wine - Causes the inspired-effect, doubling the target's current and maximum health for the duration of one battle. Costs 60 gold.

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

Arnulf takes his seat next to the two men, sipping their drinks. One of them raises their glass as he greets Arnulf.

"Aye. Name's Renald, nice to meet ya."

"And I'm Captain Crimson, how do ya do?"

The other man guffaws.

"Oh, gimme a break, Greg. Who else calls ya that besides yerself? You're a deck hand, for Neron's sake! Have you ever touched a steering wheel in your life?"

"Well... No, but it can't hurt."

"Hmph. I got you the ale, didn't I?"

"That you did friend, that you did."

They chuckle and clink glasses taking another gulp of their drinks.

Edited June 15, 2013 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

Karie sits at the bar, longing for a drink.

"Two Meads, two Mulled Wines, and a bottle of Falana wine if you got any."

Karie slammed the 160 gold on the table, leaving her with 224 gold.

20+20+60+60=160

384-160=224 Gold.

[Shoker86]

"One mead, one mulled wine" Arnulf hands the 80 gold to the bartender. "Nice to meet you lads, Arnold Strong" said Arnulf as he sat near the crew "How's it going with you chaps, any juicy rumors around. I'm in for a good story. I just came from the dirtiest brothel east of Charis, i have some juicy stories to tell you if ya interested "

[Emjajoas]

"I'll take two mead," Em called to the bartender, handing him the appropriate amount of gold and looking around the room. "And something strong." After collecting his drinks, he finds a table in the corner and seats himself, back facing the wall. He didn't feel safe or comfortable here. Thus far the Stealer was a few steps ahead of him, and the way he operated... Em figured that soon, no place in the city would be safe. He maintained an air of aloof concentration and furrowed his brow in thought, taking a swig of his drink.

Edited June 15, 2013 by emjajoas

[Flipz]

"Need any help around here, Bartender? Could do with some extra coin, and I've got time to kill."

[Zepher]

Boomingham sits down across from the drunk woman and begins to sharpen Scupperer on his Grating Stone. "Lord Lawrence Boomingham, how do you do? Care for a drink?" Boomingham raises his voice and addresses the bar keep. "I'll have a mead myself! My serving boy can bring it over to me." Boomingham indicates Arthur.

[Endgame]

The Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

46 Years Old, Human, Level 25 1/3 Paladin *Immune to Fragile, Sleep and Weakened*

Power: 38 (+4**)

Defense: 12

Health: 45/46 (+2*)

Ether: 15/24

Gold: 148

Equipment: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 11, Darkness Fire, causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Counterstrike Gloves (On Free Hits, Deals damage to enemy equal to Boomingham's level), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immunity to Fragile), Tome of Affluence (Generates 10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle, immunity to sleep and weakened, accessory) ****Pseudo's Blessing's Blessing (Not an Artifact, +4 Power)

Inventory: Frozen Saber (Great Sword, WP: 9, Light Ice, stunned effect), Bedroll, 3 Meads, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immunity to Ice), Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Marksman's Monocle, Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile for rest of battle, 5 ether, 50/50 chance), Scroll of Blindness, 1 Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragility, Scroll of Sealing, Garnet, Sapphire, Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (+4 to Power, -6 to Ether), Hamantasch (consumable, lucky + blessed effects upon consumption for the length of one battle), Admantite Shard, Everlasting Venom. Remedy, Seventh Heaven, Phoenix Essence,

Debts: 128 Gold Arthur, 1 gold Docken, 75 gold Sorrow

Arthur Justus Regulus VII (played by Flipz), Level 25 1/3 Sorcerer, 21-year-old male Human *Immune to Sealed* [ Currently in: Quest #70: The Syndicate]

Power: 38 (25 + WP:13)

Health: 37/37 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 23 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*)

Ether: 25/35 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 23 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5)

Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi)

Gold: 1435 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham; owed 50 gold by Grimwald Gjinko; owed 70 gold by En Sabah Nur,)

Equipment: Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), Robe of the Archmagi (Bodywear, SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to Sealed), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), Overkill Gloves

Inventory:

Weapons: Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics), Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [Mulled Wine]), Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear; unsuitable)

Artifacts: Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent), Ancient Crown (Headwear, First successful strike of battle deals Cursed-effect), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Stingy Gloves, Sticky Gloves

Gems: Opal (Ice), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth),

Tools: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass

Scrolls: Scroll of Blindness, 2x Scroll of Sealing (1x Lent to De'kra), Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, 2x Scroll of Frailty (1x Lent to Nyx), Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the Badly Poisoned effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Luck (Grants target the Lucky-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.), Scroll of Weakening,

Consumables: Grand Potion x4, Remedy x8, Elixir x2, Nostrum x 3, Smelling Salts x 4, Mead x 3, Jinxy Juice, Ether Core, Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the Badly Poisoned effect for the duration of the battle and the Confused effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Zoot's Plaything, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Tesla Bomb, Grand Tonic, Double Rainbow, Bright Polish

Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintobor)

22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 13

Power: 18 (lvl 13 + WP: 6)

Health: 19/19

Gold: 224

Defence: 1

Equipment: Sexy (WP: 6, Rapier, Disregards SP, usable by Knights and Rogues), Lover's Locket (Protects from enamoured effect), Leather Armor (Bodywear, SP: 1)

Inventory: Potion (3), Mead (4), Remedy (2), Venom (1), Smoke bomb (1), Telescope (1), Bedroll (1), Heirloom Dagger (WP:3), Map of Brendenton (1), Spider Coin (worth 1 gp) (1),, Topaz, Scroll of Newtity (costs 10 ether)(usable by ex-Amphibians only), Ethereal Cloak (SP +2, Max. Ether +4), Catsuit (Wearer has 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits; suitable to women only; bodywear), Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Mulled Wine (2)

Arnulf Bishop (Shoker86)

30 yrs old male human Rogue

Level 11.5

Power: 20 (10+9+1)

Defense: 3

Health: 16/16 (7+9)

Gold: 265

Equipment: Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Tricorne (SP:3), Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round)

Inventory: Leather Armor(SP:1), 4 Potions, 3 Venoms, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, 3 Meads, Smelling Salts, Mulled Wine

Name: Unknown. Most call him "Em," though his real name remains largely mysterious.

Unknown age male human ranger

Level 11.5

Power: 19

Health: 16/16

Gold: 70

Equipment: Aquabow (WP: 7, Water-elemental), Ranger's Quiver (+1 WP to all Bows/Crossbows), White Marksman's Hat - (⅙ chance of Assassination vs. Flying monsters; Headwear)

Inventory: Smoke bomb, Grating Stone, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion x5, Remedy x3, Gentleman's Hat (SP: 1, suitable for men, headgear. The wearer has a 1/2 chance to not be affected by Asleep.), Venom, Ice Bomb, Grand Potion, Bow(WP:5), Mead x2

Karie sits at the bar, longing for a drink.

"Two Meads, two Mulled Wines, and a bottle of Falana wine if you got any."

Karie slammed the 160 gold on the table, leaving her with 224 gold.

20+20+60+60=160

384-160=224 Gold.

The bartender hands Karie 2 capped mugs of mead and two bottles of wine, sifting under his counter for a bottle of Falana Wine.

"Falana. Good choice."

"I'll take two mead," Em called to the bartender, handing him the appropriate amount of gold and looking around the room. "And something strong." After collecting his drinks, he finds a table in the corner and seats himself, back facing the wall. He didn't feel safe or comfortable here. Thus far the Stealer was a few steps ahead of him, and the way he operated... Em figured that soon, no place in the city would be safe. He maintained an air of aloof concentration and furrowed his brow in thought, taking a swig of his drink.

The barkeep pushes his drinks over to Em, pouring a rather frothy looking shot.

"Neron's shot, strongest I have. Think you can hold your liquor, sir?" He gives another slight smile.

"Need any help around here, Bartender? Could do with some extra coin, and I've got time to kill."

"No thanks - its plenty of help when people just come to my counter - though it seems your cohort over there would like his mead."

The barkeep tosses Arthur a mead

"Besides, I've already recieved plenty of help from those little critters over there. They cleaned the inn's gutters in a rather... impromptu... method."

The red and purple larvae look up from their arguement, the red one adamant his glass of water was a martini. They wave their tails at Arthur - the Progg equivalent of waving "hello", it seems.

"Hi there, mister!"

"How do you do?"

Boomingham sits down across from the drunk woman and begins to sharpen Scupperer on his Grating Stone. "Lord Lawrence Boomingham, how do you do? Care for a drink?" Boomingham raises his voice and addresses the bar keep. "I'll have a mead myself! My serving boy can bring it over to me." Boomingham indicates Arthur.

"Miss Pigeon, at your service!" she slurs.

"Doin' plenty fine, suh. What else is better in life then sitting down for the night and just gulpin down heaven's drinks? Nothin', that's what!"

She frowns as she takes a sip of her drink.

"Goin' cold on me, huh?"

Suddenly, her hand is engulfed in a ring flame, making the drink steam. The embers recede back into her palm as she takes another sip.

"Muuuuch better. Yep, I could go for another..."

"She has already had 16 tonight..." the barkeep mumbles to Arthur.

"One mead, one mulled wine" Arnulf hands the 80 gold to the bartender. "Nice to meet you lads, Arnold Strong" said Arnulf as he sat near the crew "How's it going with you chaps, any juicy rumors around. I'm in for a good story. I just came from the dirtiest brothel east of Charis, i have some juicy stories to tell you if ya interested "

"Eh, most of it isn't excitin' stuff. Unless you're keen on trade trends or the like."

"Forgetting that intercepted pair of crates, aye?"

"Aw, yea, that box of scrap for the Ji Pei. They were actually sendin' some scrap pieces and obsolete parts overseas or something. Useless to them, so they were just making room in their warehouse. Send em' overseas, get someone to melt em' down, and collect the part's gold worth in molten metal."

"Til' someone nabbed it. Thing is, though, if the Ji Pei thought the parts useless, I'm guessing whatever thief grabbed em' just wanted to melt them down himself."

QM Note: You may retire to your room whenever, but for now, drink and socialize a bit!

Edited June 15, 2013 by Endgame

[Emjajoas]

The biting liquid shot needles down Em's throat as he swallowed. He pressed a closed fist to his chest and squinted as the burning brew made its descent.

Em grinned. "That's the stuff," he muttered, swirling the contents of the glass again.

He looked around the bar. Perhaps he should speak to the Progg-- He was curious about them, after all. Their species intrigued him, like most unusual wildlife. Perhaps he should speak to his party members in order to get to know them better. Perhaps he should sit with his drink and lose himself in thought.

Unsure of what to do and content to sit with his drink for a while, he did just that.

Edited June 15, 2013 by emjajoas

[Shoker86]

"Eh, most of it isn't excitin' stuff. Unless you're keen on trade trends or the like."

"Forgetting that intercepted pair of crates, aye?"

"Aw, yea, that box of scrap for the Ji Pei. They were actually sendin' some scrap pieces and obsolete parts overseas or something. Useless to them, so they were just making room in their warehouse. Send em' overseas, get someone to melt em' down, and collect the part's gold worth in molten metal."

"Til' someone nabbed it. Thing is, though, if the Ji Pei thought the parts useless, I'm guessing whatever thief grabbed em' just wanted to melt them down himself."

"So they're dumping old technology stuff" Ji Pei again. Arnulf could still remember the wonders of Ji Pei's technology. "Do you know more about the cargo, what sort of staff they were dumping, just metal junk, or something more. Interesting, very interesting. I figure they have ways to bypass Bonaparte's inspection"

Edited June 15, 2013 by Shoker86

[Endgame]

"Never even reached ship, I heard. Set to get shipped away, and just nabbed before anyone could load it."

"Exact contents? Hell if we know."

[Kintobor]

Karie tossed the bartender a coin for a tip.

"Thanks."

She looked around the bar and noticed the Progg kids from the alley. She was surprised they hadn't noticed the party walk in.

Well, better get this over with.

Karie stood up from the bar, glass of wine in hand, and pulled up a chair at the end of the table the Proggs were sitting at.

"So... hi."

[Endgame]

Three of the Proggs turn to say hello, only to be cut off by their elder brothers' bickering.

"It is a martini!"

"Just because it's served in a martini glass doesn't mean-"

The two cut off their arguing when they see Karie staring intently at them.

"Um... hi."

"Hello again!"

"Your make up is different..."

"Apologies for our juvenile behavior!"

"And stuff!"

"What are you doing here, miss?"

[Kintobor]

Karie shrugs her shoulders.

"Stuff. Cooling off before I go to sleep. And no, my make up is not different, I just don't have any on my... face."

Karie twiddled her thumbs as she looked the Proggs over. Strange little creatures they were.

"So... what are you kids doing here?"

[Endgame]

"We cleaned the gutters!"

"Well, "clean" isn't the right word..."

"We kinda ate everything in the gutters."

"Very nutricious."

"Could've used salt and sutff."

[Kintobor]

"Oh."

Karie swilled here drink around, staring into the glasses abyss. What a strange lot.

"To tell you the truth, I've had a bad day, and I intend to get drunk. Worse than her over there."

She nods in the direction of the tipsy woman.

"So, yeah, part of the reason why I'm here."

[Endgame]

"Um... okay."

[Kintobor]

Karie took a long swig of her drink then rested the glass on the table. She then gave the Proggs an awkward stare.

"Wait, why am I telling you guys this? Ugh, it doesn't matter. I'll just sit here and pretend I'm interested in the rest of your conversation. Go on, keep talking, it's not like I'm going to gossip about whether or not a Progg was drinking a martini or not."

Karie slumped in her chair, crossed her arms on the table and hid her head in them. She then raised her one arm and twirled her hand around, motioning for the Proggs to continue talking.

[Endgame]

The Progg larvae turn away and continue their light conversation. Only the soft-spoken orange larva remains, seemingly glum. Maybe still waters run deep... Karie's sadness seems almost visible to him.

"...There aren't enough nice people in this world, is there?'

[Kintobor]

Karie looks up, if only slightly, and looks at the little Progg. He was rather cute, for a scaly insect creature.

"No. No there's not. And what do you see me as? A nice person? Or something else?"

Karie's voice had a sense of sincerity to it. She wasn't forcing the answer she wanted to hear out of him. She just wanted an answer.

[Flipz]

Arthur carries the Mead to Boomingham with brisk professionalism, then overhears the two men speaking of the Ji Pei cargo. "What sort of cargo, exactly? Have there been any leads as to who took it?" A sinking feeling in Arthur's stomach tells him he already knew the answer, and that he wouldn't like it.

[Endgame]

"You're a hero, right? Heroes are nice. Everyone needs a hero."

The larva's tail sags and he averts his gaze a bit, glum.

"I haven't seen many nice people in Eubric. Besides heroes, the only other nice person I've met was the man in purple..."

Arthur carries the Mead to Boomingham with brisk professionalism, then overhears the two men speaking of the Ji Pei cargo. "What sort of cargo, exactly? Have there been any leads as to who took it?" A sinking feeling in Arthur's stomach tells him he already knew the answer, and that he wouldn't like it.

Both of the men shake their heads.

"Gone without a trace. Like we said, obsolete parts."

Edited June 15, 2013 by Endgame

[Flipz]

"Odds that this is the Stealer gleaning supplies to make additional Harvesters rising..." Arthur mutters to Arnulf.

Passing by the Progg larvae, Arthur asks, "So, you all have names, or am I going to have to call your orange friend 'And Stuff'?" He chuckles lightly at his joke.

[Endgame]

"Well, we were named in Proaghh - Progg tongue. The closest you can get to my name in your language is Nervo."

"Trajin."

"Hadrius."

"Pius."

"Marcus."

[Zepher]

Boomingham smiles wanly as the woman lights her drink on fire. "Quite a nifty trick. Once upon a time that would have frightened me, but the company I keep has forced me to no longer be surprised when fire spurts out of no where. Have you ever had a Flaming Gumball?" Boomingham looks around for Arthur. "Boy, where the Hel did you go with my mead?"

"So, what brings you to the Albatross, my dear Miss Pigeon?"