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

[Cutcobra]

The party, tired after an uneasy night, is quickly gathered outside the Bric'lin Inn as Rollinger frantically searches the street until he picks up a skull like mask.

"Heckz, why in all of Olegaia would you throw this out the window? Do you know what would happen if this item fell into the wrong hands?

Good lord, perhaps we should discuss what happened last night, because in case it wasn't clear, the sack that held the five potentially cursed items was ripped to shreds by... something, and one of the five items found their way into your rooms." Rollinger lifts up the sack, torn to pieces as if by some vicious, feral creature.

"Oh, did I say I threw it out the window? I meant to say it floated out the window when I politely asked it to get out of my way, it was in my bed,"

"I have this genius plan, so as I believe we each got one, who got the fifth one? By the way let's get a new sack, with good fabric instead of this."

He points at the ruined bag.

Edited November 24, 2014 by Cutcobra

[Duvors]

"I believe I had a small vision of the future. I sat upon a throne which was crowned by a golden, snarling wolf's head. I was like a king and all served my every whim. It's my destiny that I have seen. That is until it all started to rot and come down. Then I woke up and saw the cup was it the core of spoiling my dream."

The Nord smiled softly as he reminisced about his dream. Eric was now fully awake and it became clear to him. The cup wasn't his means to power. "The cup is in the way of my future. It should be destroyed."

"No Eric, that's not how it works, I believe that these dreams are not simply prophecies, mine was not prophetic at all, they are revelations. Revelations and, in Eric's case at least, a warning. The artifacts are only the engines of the visions, they are not part of them, they cannot affect our futures, but they can show us glimpses, hidden in riddles and enigmas. The cup was there the entire time you where dreaming Eric, it did not arrive and spoil the dream, that dream was spoiled from the moment you chose to... never mind."

"Oh, did I say I threw it out the window? I meant to say it floated out the window when I politely asked it to get out of my way, it was in my bed,"

"I have this genius plan, so as I believe we each got one, who got the fifth one? By the way let's get a new sack, with good fabric instead of this."

He points at the ruined bag.

"Rollinger got two, why, I don't know, but what you dream Heckz? Tell us." Edited November 25, 2014 by Lord Duvors

[Kintobor]

Shouldn't I be at full health? Raider have Natural Respite and heal after battle. Also, Eric had a "good" night's rest .

Eric grinned widely and chuckled as Rollinger berated Heckz for throwing the mask out. He found the antics of the bumbling mage genuinely funny.

"I believe I had a small vision of the future. I sat upon a throne which was crowned by a golden, snarling wolf's head. I was like a king and all served my every whim. It's my destiny that I have seen. That is until it all started to rot and come down. Then I woke up and saw the cup was it the core of spoiling my dream."

The Nord smiled softly as he reminisced about his dream. Eric was now fully awake and it became clear to him. The cup wasn't his means to power. "The cup is in the way of my future. It should be destroyed."

Rollinger frowned at the mention of Eric's dream.

"Although I question the validity of your dream being a vision, I do agree with your sentiment on the destruction of these items. Are you sure you still want to hold onto the cup? I am more than willing to take that burden from you."

"Oh, did I say I threw it out the window? I meant to say it floated out the window when I politely asked it to get out of my way, it was in my bed,"

"I have this genius plan, so as I believe we each got one, who got the fifth one? By the way let's get a new sack, with good fabric instead of this."

He points at the ruined bag.

Rollinger looks at Heckz unenthused by his comment.

"I don't really care whether it floated out of your window or not. What happened put us all in danger! These items have the potential to be powerful demonic artifacts, and what happened last night will hopefully stand as a testament to not mess with this stuff lightly. I was hoping my... erm, dream was just from the food I ate, but if you lot had it too... hmm."

"Rollinger got two, why, I don't know, but what you dream Heckz? Tell us."

"Who knows. It could've been sheer dumb luck, or horrible coincidence in this case, or it could be just about anything else. It could've been some horrible prank, too, but I seriously doubt it.

Are we finished in Bric'Lin? Shall we move on?"

[Khorne]

"No Eric, that's not how it works, I believe that these dreams are not simply prophecies, mine was not prophetic at all, they are revelations. Revelations and, in Eric's case at least, a warning. The artifacts are only the engines of the visions, they are not part of them, they cannot affect our futures, but they can show us glimpses, hidden in riddles and enigmas. The cup was there the entire time you where dreaming Eric, it did not arrive and spoil the dream, that dream was spoiled from the moment you chose to... never mind."

Eric shrugged and rolled his eyes. "Whatever, Dwarf. You know nothing, Throlar."

When the Nord would be made jarl under king Ulric, he'd make sure the Dwarf was going to be the first to taste his justice. Eric was sure of what he saw. He was certain it was an omen and a vision of things to come. The cup had to be destroyed and a glorious future would await him. Why else would the gods come to him in his dream?

Rollinger frowned at the mention of Eric's dream.

"Although I question the validity of your dream being a vision, I do agree with your sentiment on the destruction of these items. Are you sure you still want to hold onto the cup? I am more than willing to take that burden from you."

Are we finished in Bric'Lin? Shall we move on?"

The Raider raised an eyebrow an smirked. He held the cup in front of Rollinger's face. "It's a cup. Seriously? Think I can't handle a cup?", he viciously snorted. No way he'd let the Ennoc-worshipper lay his hands upon the item again. From now on, this was Eric's task.

Not waiting for Heckz to give the signal to leave, Eric motioned "let's go".

[Cutcobra]

"Rollinger got two, why, I don't know, but what you dream Heckz? Tell us."

"I dreamed that... uh..."

Heckz tried to make something similar to his dream."

"I was in a good theatre until it burned away. That is all."

Eric shrugged and rolled his eyes. "Whatever, Dwarf. You know nothing, Throlar."

When the Nord would be made jarl under king Ulric, he'd make sure the Dwarf was going to be the first to taste his justice. Eric was sure of what he saw. He was certain it was an omen and a vision of things to come. The cup had to be destroyed and a glorious future would await him. Why else would the gods come to him in his dream?

The Raider raised an eyebrow an smirked. He held the cup in front of Rollinger's face. "It's a cup. Seriously? Think I can't handle a cup?", he viciously snorted. No way he'd let the Ennoc-worshipper lay his hands upon the item again. From now on, this was Eric's task.

Not waiting for Heckz to give the signal to leave, Eric motioned "let's go".

"Excuse me! The party leader must say if we go or not..."

Heckz waited half a second.

"... okay we can go now."

Edited November 25, 2014 by Cutcobra

[Duvors]

Eric shrugged and rolled his eyes. "Whatever, Dwarf. You know nothing, Throlar."

"Bold words for a man that has never had any sort of formal education."

The Raider raised an eyebrow an smirked. He held the cup in front of Rollinger's face. "It's a cup. Seriously? Think I can't handle a cup?", he viciously snorted. No way he'd let the Ennoc-worshipper lay his hands upon the item again. From now on, this was Eric's task.

"Nobody is questioning your courage Eric, just your intelligence."

sigh.

"Look, no matter what any of us tries there is certainly going to be a repeat performance of last night in the next place we stop, so it doesn't matter who the hell has them, okay? Just give him the damn cup and stop arguing, I'm tired enough as it is already."

"I dreamed that... uh..."

Heckz tried to make something similar to his dream."

"I was in a good theatre until it burned away. That is all."

"The truth. Tell the truth."

"Excuse me! The party leader must say if we go or not..."

Heckz waited half a second.

"... okay we can go now."

[Kintobor]

QM Note: I've got some photos to take, and I've had a busy night. Update will come tomorrow. Sorry guys.

[Cutcobra]

"The truth. Tell the truth."

"I already told you the truth, do you not have ears? I was at an inn eating really good food and it disintegrated in my hands. How many times do I have to say it?!"

Edited November 26, 2014 by Cutcobra

[Duvors]

"I already told you the truth, do you not have ears? I was at an inn eating really good food and it disintegrated in my hands. How many times do I have to say it?!"

"First you said you we're in a theater, now it's an inn, but at least now we know enough to guess, and the message is clear for those who wish to see it, what did you see Rollinger?" Edited November 26, 2014 by Lord Duvors

[Cutcobra]

"I see that you really like causing trouble when there is none, Mister Whine- ghilm. You get the idea of what the dream is about, and I'd rather have a quiet road. So if you could please shut your mouth it would be most pleasant, unlike your facial features."

[Kintobor]

"Then let's go."

The party, having had an exhausting night, prepare their belongings and head back on the road, leaving the comfort of Bric'lin and continuing down the path towards Eubric, their cargo having made it's presence known the previous night. The party began their trip down the Eubric Highway, the fall breeze cool on their skin. The party occasionally hears a noise; the snapping of a twig, the wheels of a cart, the steps of a man, yet they see no one. It's quiet on the road yet again. Crows caw as the party progresses along the path.

Clop clop, clop clop, clop clop.

"Oh gods, not this broad again." The party looks about, not able to see anyone despite the clear weather, but it sounds like someone is approaching them... but from where?

What will the party do?

[Cutcobra]

"Throlar, prepare your Smoke Bomb."

He joked.

"Last time we encountered a hideous beast, it was because we kept going. We have two options: Stab the air randomly, which I think you people normally do but in my case I don't. Or keep going and possibly fight the headless-whatever again."

[Duvors]

"Ach, let's just keep going, I don't care what the hell is after us, or even if it is after us or not, come on."

[Kintobor]

"So, what are we doing? Throlar wants to move along, and I kind of have to agree with him. I don't want anymore encounters with little miss headless rider. Eric, Heckz?"

The sound of hooves on the cold ground grows as the party stands on the road together.

[Cutcobra]

"We keep going."

[Khorne]

D'oh, forgot to post .

Eric eyed his surroundings, but couldn't make out anything. He still felt the Mead coursing through his veins and it kept him on edge. If it was coming to a brawl, he wouldn't be brushed aside as easily as last time. Still, he uncorked one of his Smelling Salts, just to be sure.

"Yeah, let's just continue."

[Kintobor]

QM Note: Ugh. I still need to finish some photos, and I've been contending to phone calls all day from people wishing me a happy birthday. Update will come tomorrow, guys.

[Kintobor]

QM Note: Instead of having you guys wait for the image, I'm simply going to post the images once I get them finished, which will hopefully be soon. In the meantime though...

The party decides it best to ignore the hooves clopping on the cold ground, and continue their trek. As they move along, the sound of the horse slowly disappears on the wind... seemingly fading in the opposite direction.

The day whittles on with little interactions with others. The odd cart trundles past the party, but nothing worth noting. The sun begins it's descent, hiding behind the horizon as the party slows down for the day. Stepping off the path, the party finds a descent place to set up for the night as they soon find themselves losing light.

"Let's set up camp for the night. I'm certain we're all in need of some rest."

<Picture to come>

As the party spreads their bedrolls and prepare a cook fire, Rollinger lazily takes some of the more burdensome items off his person and puts them down, preparing to warm himself by the fire.

"Anyone worried about sleeping in the open tonight?"

The Party

Eric (Khorne)

30 year old Human Nord

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

Power: 42 (25+15+2)

Defense: 5

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

Gold: 1004

Equipment: Godricsleif (WP: 22; Ice-, Lightning-, Darkness-elemental; greatsword), 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: 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), 6 Grand Potions, Health Core, 3 Remedies, Neutralizer, 6 Meads, 5 Smelling Salts, 4 Nostrum, 3 Mulled Wine, Dragon Scale, Venom, Deadly Venom, Fire Bomb, Lightning 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.), Ancient Ritual Goblet (Quest Item)

Decamon Cards: Toxic Toad (Level 1)

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

32 year old male human Sorcerer

Level: 23 2/3 *Immune to Sealed* *Jinxed Spells*

Power Bonus: 10 (Spells)

Defense: 3

Health: 31/31

Ether: 27/34

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, 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*

Level, 12

Power, 25 (12+12+1)

Defense, 6 (5+1)

Health, 26/26 (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, Ice Bomb, Fire Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Deadly Venom, Phoenix Essence, Smelling Salts, Nostrum.

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).

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

Level 18 Paladin

HP: 38/38 (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)

[Cutcobra]

"Anyone worried about sleeping in the open tonight?"

"If you want someone can watch and not sleep, but I don't think anyone wants another of those bad dreams. Do they... ?"

Heckz doesn't warm himself by the fire because he think he's too "hot" for it.

[Duvors]

"No, not a bit."

(OOC; I'll probably be away for a few days, don't worry.)

[Khorne]

"Anyone worried about sleeping in the open tonight?"

Eric shook his head in disbelief. How ignorant this Paladin was, judging the heroes so low.

"Kids go out camping. I'm sure adults like us will manage."

The Nord cracked his knuckles. "It'll be hell to pay for anyone trying to disturb our sleep."

[Kintobor]

QM Note: Update will come tomorrow. Today was the last of the birthday related stuff, so tomorrow will see a big update.

[Kintobor]

"If you want someone can watch and not sleep, but I don't think anyone wants another of those bad dreams. Do they... ?"

Heckz doesn't warm himself by the fire because he think he's too "hot" for it.

"Not a bad idea. Does anyone wish to set up a rotation? Or do we simply want to elect one person to stay up and watch over the sleeping?"

Chrunch, crack, crunch. The sound of underbrush being stepped on and crushed echoes around the party, only their campfire's light illuminating far enough to the first rows of trees, it's warm glow edging across the trees like macabre dancers. Rollinger remains still looking around for any possible source of the encroaching noise.

[Cutcobra]

OoC: Happy (Late, sorry I didn't notice the comments about it before. ) birthday!

"Not a bad idea. Does anyone wish to set up a rotation? Or do we simply want to elect one person to stay up and watch over the sleeping?"

Chrunch, crack, crunch. The sound of underbrush being stepped on and crushed echoes around the party, only their campfire's light illuminating far enough to the first rows of trees, it's warm glow edging across the trees like macabre dancers. Rollinger remains still looking around for any possible source of the encroaching noise.

"Ugh, not this. Remind me to never go to this forest again, it's ugly like most people except me around here. If any of you want to flee then let's do it but if you want to fight and risk my life again I have a few meads and smelling salts."

He shows the drinks to anyone who wants them.

[Khorne]

Eric lay down and was looking to find a comfortable sleeping position. "I elect Rollinger to guard all night."

"I don't trust the dwarf to look after my back. I want to sleep and the mage probably needs a beauty sleep."

Not even caring to wait for a reply, he gruffly ended with a "goodnight".