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

[Kintobor]

The sorcerer then looks at Lydia.

"And you, I don't pay for harlot services so don't expect any money from me."

He says with a voice full of disgust.

Lydia merely waves Heckz off, crossing her arms.

"I'm not one for childish games. You look more dressed for the profession of harlotry than anyone here, so I wouldn't be talking, city boy. Besides, I already said I wouldn't be needing any coin."

She looks the nord over, not sure what to make of his curious actions.

[Cutcobra]

Throlar delivers a spinning kick to Heckz's groin.

(OOC; Spinning because I doubt a normal kick would get high enough off the ground to connect.)

Heckz doubts that Throlar can get high enough due to the dwarf's armor so he just takes two steps back.

"Just so you know, taking an amethyst from a baby is as easy as taking candy from a baby. Trust me, I've tried."

"What does that have to do with it? If I say I want the damn Amethyst, then I want the damn Amethyst. I don't care if you have one or not. It's not my problem. The world isn't fair. Deal with it.", Eric viciously sneered. His sneer soon turned into an angry snarl when Heckz decided to go all "sainty" and bestow gifts to the poor and unworthy.

The Nord turned silent, but his anger could be felt radiating from his very presence. His eyes burned intensely, yet Eric himself remained quite an haughty and aloof posture. The corner of his mouth twitched and a sly grin slowly formed. Eric refused to accept the Murky Pearls when Hekcz distributed the loot, dropping them on purpose. With an arrogant look, he eyed Heckz and merely said "oops", followed by a soft, yet very audible, "I want the Amethyst".

Eric grinned and took some steps backward, creating a distance between him and the rest of the party. He was angry, like a child that didn't get the attention it craved.

"You want your amethyst? Go get it."

Heckz points at Throlar.

"As I said, as easy as taking candy from a baby. Especially for raiders like yourself, Mister E-eeek I Want My Amethyst. And if you won't be taking those pearls I'll gladly do. They make for fine jewelry."

Lydia merely waves Heckz off, crossing her arms.

"I'm not one for childish games. You look more dressed for the profession of harlotry than anyone here, so I wouldn't be talking, city boy. Besides, I already said I wouldn't be needing any coin."

Surprised that trying to hurt the mercenary's feelings failed and that she doesn't want any gold, Heckz backs away.

"Even if I would be a Harlot, I bet I'd do it much better than any of you."

Edited March 2, 2015 by Cutcobra

[Duvors]

"What does that have to do with it? If I say I want the damn Amethyst, then I want the damn Amethyst. I don't care if you have one or not. It's not my problem. The world isn't fair. Deal with it.", Eric viciously sneered. His sneer soon turned into an angry snarl when Heckz decided to go all "sainty" and bestow gifts to the poor and unworthy.

The Nord turned silent, but his anger could be felt radiating from his very presence. His eyes burned intensely, yet Eric himself remained quite an haughty and aloof posture. The corner of his mouth twitched and a sly grin slowly formed. Eric refused to accept the Murky Pearls when Hekcz distributed the loot, dropping them on purpose. With an arrogant look, he eyed Heckz and merely said "oops", followed by a soft, yet very audible, "I want the Amethyst".

Eric grinned and took some steps backward, creating a distance between him and the rest of the party. He was angry, like a child that didn't get the attention it craved.

"Eric, not to disparage your acting skills, but that is the worst impression of me I've ever heard."

Heckz doubts that Throlar can get high enough due to the dwarf's armor so he just takes two steps back.

"Just so you know, taking an amethyst from a baby is as easy as taking candy from a baby. Trust me, I've tried."

"Ech, why do I bother."

Surprised that trying to hurt the mercenary's feelings failed and that she doesn't want any gold, Heckz backs away.

"Even if I would be a Harlot, I bet I'd do it much better than any of you."

"..."

"Someone please shoot this moron, now."

[Kintobor]

As the party gathers their things, they hear a door creak as Featherhead surveys the damage done to his establishment, mouth agape in horror.

"M-my inn! Wh-what have you done? You've ruined it! D-did you throw a bomb?" Featherhead looks on in dismay. "Out! Get out! If I ever see you hear again, I'll ensure you're removed from the premises! You too!" He points at Lydia. The mercenary bitterly looks at Featherhead.

"I never liked this place, Justin." She turns on her heel and marches upstairs, clearly to gather her things as Justin shoos the party out of the inn and into the cold. It's early morning, as the sun rises over the mountains. It wouldn't be long before the party made it Eubric. Is the party ready to depart?

[Cutcobra]

"Ahh! A vampire!"

Heckz prepares to ask the innkeeper to bite him so he could never grow old until he realized who it was.

"Oh. Blah, blah, blah. Let's go."

[Khorne]

Eric shrugged. "I wouldn't even want to come back here. Besides, stop your whining, it's not like your inn is worse of than before"

The Nord then prepared to follow in Heckz' footsteps.

[Duvors]

"Whatever." said Throlar following them out the door.

[Kintobor]

Tired, the party head for Eubric, the ever changing city finally in view site. They feel a sense of relief wash over them as they make their way through the streets and too the Paladin Order, a clean, white building standing alone in a grimy and dirty city. Making their way up it's stairs, they finally come face to face with the woman who they were to deliver their package to. She smiles at them in a friendly manner.

"Greetings, Heroes. My name is High Priestess Alisameth of the Paladin Order. I heard word from a man named Gideon sending us a package with some worrisome items. Would you kindly hand them to me? I'll see to it their taken care of immediately." Alismeth looks worriedly at the party.

"Where is Paladin Rollinger? I specifically asked him to accompany you."

[Duvors]

"Where is Paladin Rollinger? I specifically asked him to accompany you."

"Dead. He was killed in his sleep by, someone. May I speak to you in private?"

[Cutcobra]

"Hello, High Priestess Alis-mmmIwantit. The i-"

Heckz was interrupted by Throlar. After hearing what the dwarf had to say, he quickly assumed the worst.

"Oh, come now Throlar, dear pal! You won't actually execute the plan of taking over the Paladin Order that you told us about. You're such a joker! You remember how he told us about 'being high commanboo', right Elias."

He asked the nord with a look that said "Say the right thing or we are deadededed."

[Khorne]

Eric hung at the back of the party as it entered the Temple of Ennoc. Like a curious child he feasted his eyes upon the, to him at least, very alien environment he found himself in. The Nords did not know the Eagle God, they had no Ennoc. The looks Eric cast upon the statue and sigils of Ennoc were of contempt mixed with a hint of intrigue. Deep inside, the Nord might've even felt a sliver of fear, being so deep in a divine hostile environment. He let his hand slide over the walls as the threesome made their way deeper inside the temple.

Once the others started talking, Eric was pulled back fully into reality. He felt obliged to speak, spurred on by Heckz, but even more so because of his distrust of Throlar. The Nord skulked forward from the back of the party. He was stooped slightly, as to appear less intimidating towards the High Priestess.

Eric tilted his head slightly and grinned sheepishly. In a soft voice he spoke, "Blessings, Lady Alisameth. You have indeed heard correct, we have indeed been burdened with the task of bringing some worrisome items here. It would be nothing more than our pleasure to surrender these peculiar items to you."

"Concering my stunted...," Eric paused slightly, not sure how to define his relationship to Throlar, "companion here, I beg you not to put too much faith in whatever he tells you. See, this man named Throlar has a history of stabbing people in the back. He is prone to bouts of rage which have impacted his reason quite negatively over time."

The Nord shook his head, like if he was truly telling a story that heart him. "This Dwarf believes the world solely revolves around him and he would stop at nothing to take out the competition and claim the reward for himself. Not even telling heinous lies to one as blessed as you are."

Eric looked up and smiled a honeyed smile. His icy blue eyes locked with those of the High Priestess. Once more he gently shook his head. "Do not believe whatever he confides in you."

[Duvors]

"Hello, High Priestess Alis-mmmIwantit. The i-"

Heckz was interrupted by Throlar. After hearing what the dwarf had to say, he quickly assumed the worst.

"Oh, come now Throlar, dear pal! You won't actually execute the plan of taking over the Paladin Order that you told us about. You're such a joker! You remember how he told us about 'being high commanboo', right Elias."

He asked the nord with a look that said "Say the right thing or we are deadededed."

"Shut up."

"Concering my stunted...," Eric paused slightly, not sure how to define his relationship to Throlar, "companion here, I beg you not to put too much faith in whatever he tells you. See, this man named Throlar has a history of stabbing people in the back. He is prone to bouts of rage which have impacted his reason quite negatively over time."

The Nord shook his head, like if he was truly telling a story that heart him. "This Dwarf believes the world solely revolves around him and he would stop at nothing to take out the competition and claim the reward for himself. Not even telling heinous lies to one as blessed as you are."

Eric looked up and smiled a honeyed smile. His icy blue eyes locked with those of the High Priestess. Once more he gently shook his head. "Do not believe whatever he confides in you."

"Eric, whatever your opinion of me may be, I am still the one with the bag."

[Kintobor]

The high priestess's warm welcome was turning into a stern look at the three of them as they began insulting each other.

"I am sorry to hear the three of you have low opinions of your companions. However, I hope you three remember that this temple is a place of worship to a deity that encompasses both honesty and justice. To lie in front of me and in Ennoc's temple should be considered blasphemy, and I will not tolerate it." She sighs, a look of deep insight washing over her.

"If what you say is true and Paladin Rollinger is indeed dead, than it sad news for our order. I hope you at least buried him, but considering you're current attitude in front of me I can only hope.

Master Throlar, if you wish to speak in private as soon as I receive those items. I wish for these items to be disposed of properly as soon as possible."

Edited March 9, 2015 by Kintobor

[Khorne]

Eric smiled slyly, "Actually we only mostly have low opinions of the Dwarf, feelings he reciprocates." The Nord then faked a flabbergasted look and brought his hands closer to his chest, "Me? Lying and blaspheming? Milady, even the very thought of such putrid actions dare not even cross my mind. I may come from the icy northern shores of Olegard, but I have deep respect for your god, Ennoc."

Inside, Eric cringed at the statement, but he managed to form another of his smooth grins to help sell what he was saying. He then stepped backward, resuming his position closer to the other members of the party. "And of course we buried poor Rollinger. We're not savages."

[Cutcobra]

"Shut up."

"You always amaze me with the way you weave such fine phrases."

Said Heckz sarcastically, not really knowing what 'weave' meant.

The high priestess's warm welcome was turning into a stern look at the three of them as they began insulting each other.

"I am sorry to hear the three of you have low opinions of your companions. However, I hope you three remember that this temple is a place of worship to a deity that encompasses both honesty and justice. To lie in front of me and in Ennoc's temple should be considered blasphemy, and I will not tolerate it." She sighs, a look of deep insight washing over her.

Heckz stood silent for half a second.

Wait. Which one is Ennoc...

He then made a fake voice like the one he used once to try and convince the people in the wicked story to not kill Drucilla.

"Honesty and justice are my second name. I actually had those words embeded on my shirt until our dear friend decided to ruin it with blood stains. We still don't know how he bloodied his sword."

He turns to Throlar with a malefic look on his face. A look he only used four times in his life before.

"Before you go, boo, just remember: There are no laws in Eubric."

Edited March 9, 2015 by Cutcobra

[Duvors]

The high priestess's warm welcome was turning into a stern look at the three of them as they began insulting each other.

"I am sorry to hear the three of you have low opinions of your companions. However, I hope you three remember that this temple is a place of worship to a deity that encompasses both honesty and justice. To lie in front of me and in Ennoc's temple should be considered blasphemy, and I will not tolerate it." She sighs, a look of deep insight washing over her.

"If what you say is true and Paladin Rollinger is indeed dead, than it sad news for our order. I hope you at least buried him, but considering you're current attitude in front of me I can only hope.

Master Throlar, if you wish to speak in private as soon as I receive those items. I wish for these items to be disposed of properly as soon as possible."

"It's more a matter of a question I want to ask than anything else, but anyway here are the items you asked for."

Eric smiled slyly, "Actually we only mostly have low opinions of the Dwarf, feelings he reciprocates." The Nord then faked a flabbergasted look and brought his hands closer to his chest, "Me? Lying and blaspheming? Milady, even the very thought of such putrid actions dare not even cross my mind. I may come from the icy northern shores of Olegard, but I have deep respect for your god, Ennoc."

"Hypocrite."

Inside, Eric cringed at the statement, but he managed to form another of his smooth grins to help sell what he was saying. He then stepped backward, resuming his position closer to the other members of the party. "And of course we buried poor Rollinger. We're not savages."

"I didn't see you help me dig the blasted hole."

Heckz stood silent for half a second.

Wait. Which one is Ennoc...

He then made a fake voice like the one he used once to try and convince the people in the wicked story to not kill Drucilla.

"Honesty and justice are my second name. I actually had those words embeded on my shirt until our dear friend decided to ruin it with blood stains. We still don't know how he bloodied his sword."

"Or yours, or his. Half truths are just as bad as lies."

He turns to Throlar with a malefic look on his face. A look he only used four times in his life before.

"Before you go, boo, just remember: There are no laws in Eubric."

"And what, may I ask, is that supposed to mean? It appears to have absolutely no connection to the current situation."

[Kintobor]

Alisameth takes the bag from Throlar, undoing the drawstring and looking inside. She frowned and hastily tied it up.

"It is done. The fifty gold as promised. Gideon will be pleased to know he can rest easily. I'll send him the message once I've dealt with Throlar. You are free to leave. The Order thanks you for your services."

The party is each handed a tidy sum, but they felt relieved as the package moved hands, as if a weight was being lifted off their shoulders. Each hero had been through a lot in some way, and they felt more experienced from their journey.

"Master Throlar, if you'd come with me. You said you had something to say?"

Alisameth led Throlar into the building, leaving Eric and Heckz in front of the gaze of a statue of Ennoc. They left the building, unsure of what happened to the five "cursed" items. Was it a curse? Was there some horrible affiliation with these items? Or was it all just a series of unfortunate events, strung together to lead our heroes into panic? How did Rollinger die? Was it one of the heroes... or something else? The heroes never felt the items presence again, but with a simple exchange they had left the fate of the items in a stranger's hands, one they'd hope would rid the world of these items for good.

"And with that my friends ends the Tale of the Caustic Collection..."

THE QUEST WAS SUCCESSFUL!!!

The Party

Eric (Khorne)

30 year old Human Nord

Level 26. 6 Raider *Natural Respite* *Evasion* *Protected from Fragile, Weakened and Asleep + Immune to Water and Earth*

Power: 42 (25+15+2)

Defense: 5

Health: 44/44 (8+24+7+4)

Gold: 928

Equipment: Conspirator (WP: 15, causes Blinded; longsword), Pugilist's Gloves (Power +2, protects from Weakened), Heavy Armor (SP:5, protects from Fragile), Boots of Evasion (Wearer takes half damage in front row + Immunity to Water, Earth and Asleep)

Inventory: Godricsleif (WP: 22; Ice-, Lightning-, Darkness-elemental; greatsword), 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, 5 Grand Potions, Health Core, 3 Remedies, Neutralizer, 6 Meads, 4 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), Mulled Wine x2, Ambrosia

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: 25.3 *Immune to Sealed* *Jinxed Spells*

Power Bonus: 10 (Spells)

Defense: 3

Health: 33/33

Ether: 36/36

Gold: 691

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, Blue Jelly, 7 Bones, Murky Pearls x3 (Worth 25 gold each)

Throlar Wineghilm

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

Level, 14

Power, 25 (12+12+1)

Defense, 6 (5+1)

Health, 28/28 (10+11+5)

Gold, 52

Equipped;Mopagsabre (WP 12, ice elemental 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), Elven Sword (WP 5, longsword)

Shields;

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 x2, Hint Coin (Gives the user a hint about a puzzle or a tricky situation, Useable only once, Has no monetary value.), Bone, Floral Bomb, Air Bomb, Dirt Bomb, Water Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb x4, Smoke Bomb, Deadly Venom, Phoenix Essence, Feather of Flight, Grand Tonic, 2 Mead, Ambrosia, Sack of Items (Quest Item), Amethyst (Dark Elemental Gem)

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)

QM Note: Thank you so much for bearing with me. I unfortunately had some troubles during the quest, and did go on a lot longer than what I intended it to, but thank you for holding in a dealing with me.

Needless to say, your roleplaying was phenomenal, and you guys deserve that extra level of experience. Thanks again!

Duvors, if you want to do this either over PM or in the thread is up to you. Just let me know.

Edited March 10, 2015 by Kintobor

[Duvors]

"Well M'lady, I'll be frank. I hate the Paladin Order. Oh it's not anything to do with Ennoc or the religious beliefs of the priesthood or anything like that; it's just that I dislike using something that happened well over two centuries ago as an excuse for needless violence and pointless racism. Now after harboring these feeling for a long time I meet a paladin who, in despite of my dislike of the order, I personally find likable. And then, almost as soon as I find him, he dies.

"Do you have any idea why things like this happen? A surmise? A conjecture? A vague hypothesis? Any idea at all?"

[Kintobor]

Aliasmeth listens to Throlar intently, taking his words in and reflecting before responding with a hint of sullen grief.

"You clearly have had a bad experience with paladins. I'm sorry to hear that. As much as there is this stigmatism about our order that we loathe orcs and hobgoblins and the rest of the races that form Baltarok, I personally don't share such sentiments, Throlar. I remember giving my blessing to a member of your order who was an orc paladin by the name of Cronk. I feel as if two centuries of fear mongering and bloodshed have led no where. It's an issue we still have, this hatred towards races, but I personally do not tolerate such acts.

Rollinger could be very sure minded in his ways. He wasn't the easiest of people to get along with, as he was opinionated, and I suppose you could say he was an excellent fighter, but to me he had a great sense of generosity to him. I'm certain wherever he is, he's spreading his generosity to others.

Paladins have perished throughout history at the hands of demons and those who would tilt the balance of order into chaos. Rollinger died trying to get these items here and his death was not in vain. As to why he died, Throlar, that is something that is hard to answer. Life is unfortunately a fragile thing, and death can be swift, cruel, and often unexpected. I unfortunately, even as high priestess, cannot tell you why people have to die, but only that it is the natural law of all things. Is it right? No, but it is how this world operates, and as much as we try, we can never fully bring people back from death. Bad things happen to good people, Throlar, but we cannot allow such things to draw us down, otherwise the world we're in would be a much different place.

The best we can each hope for is that history will remember us in some way or another, and Paladin Rollinger will be remembered for the man he was so long as people remember his legacy of generosity and bravery.

I hope my words help you in some way, Throlar. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?" Aliasmeth, finished speaking, seeming to have found some sense of closure.

[Cutcobra]

Heckz quickly leaves the building. Just in case Throlar decided to say the wrong thing and accused him.

[Khorne]

Eric wandered back outside slowly. He eyes darted from left to right, trying to soak in as much as was possible from this foreign environment. The Nord couldn't wait to be outside again, away from this feeble deity and its house of light. The Nord looked around for things to steal, maybe a loose diamond or a golden beaker that wouldn't be missed, but he found nothing.

Disappointed, he exited the temple, but before leaving he cast a malignant look over his shoulder at Throlar and snarled. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly. The Dwarf better not say the wrong thing. With that, he stepped into the bustling street and disappeared in the crowd.

So, umm, I hate to bring it up again, but was the thing with Rollinger's money resolved? According to the last party statistics you posted, I think you still left the Paladin's gold in Throlar's inventory, while it should in fact be in mine. But I may be mistaken. .

Thanks for the Quest ! I'll try and leave some thoughts in the QM Lounge.

[Kintobor]

So, umm, I hate to bring it up again, but was the thing with Rollinger's money resolved? According to the last party statistics you posted, I think you still left the Paladin's gold in Throlar's inventory, while it should in fact be in mine. But I may be mistaken. .

Thanks for the Quest ! I'll try and leave some thoughts in the QM Lounge.

Sorry about that. I fixed your stats. I also added the 50 gold quest reward.

[Duvors]

I hope my words help you in some way, Throlar. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?" Aliasmeth, finished speaking, seeming to have found some sense of closure.

"Thank you, but no. That's all I wanted to ask."