Heroica RPG - Quest#124: The Song of My Heart

[Sandy]

"Yo, what about the song Lovebird? You know that one? That one is tight. I bet you'd dig it." Bobby starts to hum it. "Ever heard of that one? It's a pretty new one."

Bellanotte blushed.

"Oh, I know it well. It was I who gave the notes for that song to Carly. I got them from my brother, who asked me to play the song for him. I thought it was so beautiful that I wanted Carly to sing it. My feeble voice could not do it justice... Apparently it became an instant hit, but I do not want to take any credit for it. I just want to spread the beauty of that song. Could you please not mention about it on your article?"

[Zepher]

"Yo, I can dig that. That's groovy." Bobby blushes too. There's a whole lot of blushing going around. "Nuitan is your bro, right? Do you know where he's at, yo? I friggin' love that song, I want to know if he thought it up or what's the deal, you know? It's cool that you gave it to Carly though, that was super generous. But I'm sure you're voice is rad too."

[Sandy]

"Yo, I can dig that. That's groovy." Bobby blushes too. There's a whole lot of blushing going around. "Nuitan is your bro, right? Do you know where he's at, yo? I friggin' love that song, I want to know if he thought it up or what's the deal, you know? It's cool that you gave it to Carly though, that was super generous. But I'm sure you're voice is rad too."

"He is upstairs, but he is probably asleep by now. He likes to get a good night's sleep. But he has zero musical abilities, so even suggesting that he wrote the song is absurd. No, he got it as a gift from his friend, Lyren Hi..." Bellanotte suddenly gasped slapped her hand over her mouth. "Umm, I probably shouldn't have told you that. I promised I wouldn't tell anyone. Oh gods..."

[Comrade Commander]

"Lyren Hinkwell?" Darksten says, not really knowing the kid but recalling some of information he had read about him

"hmm, well no worries, we can strike that from the record" Darksten says reassuringly, but lying through his teeth "Just interesting to know the back story."

"How does it make you feel to hear Carly sing Lovebird knowing that you gave it to her? Does she do it the justice you had hoped?" The ranger asked not caring about the answer, but hoping to bury the previous topic from the girls mind. He had what he wanted and now he felt he was ready to go

[Sandy]

"Lyren Hinkwell?" Darksten says, not really knowing the kid but recalling some of information he had read about him

"hmm, well no worries, we can strike that from the record" Darksten says reassuringly, but lying through his teeth "Just interesting to know the back story."

"I beg of you, nobody must know! If people found out my brother has gotten love songs as a gift from a Hinckwell..." Bellanotte gasped again. "What if our father found out?! Please, I'll do anything for you if you just don't release this to the public."

QM Note: If you keep Bellanotte's secret, the quest will fail but you will get Shadeaux reputation. If you tell the truth to Laureline, the quest will be successful and you will gain Hinckwell reputation.

"How does it make you feel to hear Carly sing Lovebird knowing that you gave it to her? Does she do it the justice you had hoped?"

"Yes, she doubled the beauty of that song...Darnit..." Bellanotte still twisted her hands in despair, waiting for the heroes' answer.

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Uhh... men, there might be a way we make sure this doesn't make public attention, but still tell Laureline?"

[Comrade Commander]

"Uhh... men, there might be a way we make sure this doesn't make public attention, but still tell Laureline?"

"That is what I was thinking. We will need to talk to the Hinkwell boy to get his side of the story, as well as an agreement to play along, but I see no reason not to blend fact with fiction when we tell the final tale"

[Zepher]

"Yo, Bellanotte, I promise you that we won't tell anyone 'bout it. Don't worry, aight?"

Bobby turns to the others. "Yo, you can try to make up some story, don't know how though. But I personally don't see the big deal. If we don't tell Laurline, the boys get to still chill and the song is still out there. If we do, the boys might not get to chill, and the song is still out there. You dig? Why fux with that?"

[Sandy]

QM Note: This has to be a collective decision. You obviously cannot get both reputations, and neither can you get a successful quest unless you tell Laureline the truth. CC, please bold the final choice so I know for sure what it is you have decided to do.

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Well, Laurine still wanted to know how the song got out there. Don't we have to tell her?"

[Comrade Commander]

"Well, Laurine still wanted to know how the song got out there. Don't we have to tell her?"

"As our employer, I feel we are bound to fulfil the contract with her. I am perfectly fine glossing over facts, or skipping parts of the chain of events, but we will still have to answer to her. Hopefully we can talk to the Hinkwell boy before we talk to Laurine. If we get his side of the story maybe we can coach an answer for him." Darksten says, slightly conflicted about the situation

"There is no reason for us to not say that Carly is now singing the song. We can say it originated with Lyren and that Carly got it through a friend of his. Laurine shouldn't need to know the middle men as she will have the original point of origin, and Carly doesn't know Bellanotte and Lyren won't give away his connection to the Shadeaux so they will be safe. So long as we keep our mouths shut, we can honor both agreements." The ranger states hopefully, grasping at straws

[Zepher]

"Yo bro, I want everything to be gucci on both sides too, but I don't think that's gonna fly. We gotta just pick one. I think it'd be sort of effed up to ruin a friendship because of some dope song, but you know, you gotta do you."

[Comrade Commander]

"Aye, we may have to pick one. However, if we side with this girl we are still going to have to come up with a story to explain how the song came out. And with Carly blasting it out everywhere, it will be pretty obvious where most people are hearing it.

I say we uphold the honor of Heroica and do what our contract entails.

We can try to keep the secret, but if it is forced out then hopefully the children's continued friendship will unite the families verse divide them."

Darksten says, making his decision to stay on task and finish the contract

[Zepher]

Bobby shrugs, but his face falls. "Your call, dude."

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Aye, I feel we need to honor the contract. "

[Comrade Commander]

With his mind made up, and at least some of his team in agreement with him, he officially decides that the party will honor the original contract. To the girl he simply states.

"We will do our best to mitigate any fallout" Before giving a nod to his party and preparing to depart

[Sandy]

With his mind made up, and at least some of his team in agreement with him, he officially decides that the party will honor the original contract. To the girl he simply states.

"We will do our best to mitigate any fallout" Before giving a nod to his party and preparing to depart

"Very well", Bellanotte answered, looking distressed. "Good luck writing the article, I guess..." She still had no idea who the heroes were and what they had actually wanted.

Although it was late, the heroes returned to the Hinckwell Villa to bring their findings to Lady Hinckwell. The guards told them she was still up, but when they approached the Music Hall, they heard familiar voices inside.

"Blasted! This still isn't the vault!"

"Get out of here this instant, you filthy cretins! Guards!"

But the heroes were faster than the guards, and upon recognizing the dark dwarf's voice they ran into the room with their blades ready. This time they did not have to face the dwarves alone, for Laureline had her instruments nearby, ready to smite the burglars with her battle songs.

PREPARE FOR BATTLE!

Enemies:

Dark Dwarf Sneaky

*Immune to blinded, sealed and petrified*

Type: Dark

Level: 5

Defense: 4

Health: 65/65

Special: Mine, All Mine! – Deals 5 damage and steals up to 30 gold from the target at the same time.

Drops: 30 gold, Pickaxe (Allows the hero to dig through a breakable wall or obstacle, tool)

Dark Dwarf Shifty

*Immune to blinded, sealed and petrified*

Type: Dark

Level: 6

Defense: 3

Health: 92/92

Special: Chop Legs – Causes 6 damage and the slowed-effect to the target.

Drops: 30 gold, Shovel (Allows the hero to dig the ground in search for treasure, tool)

Dark Dwarf Crafty

*Immune to blinded, sealed and petrified *

Type: Dark

Level: 7

Defense: 5

Health: 126/126

Special: Gold Rush - Deals damage to all opponents equal to the amount of gold they carry divided by 10.

Drop: 30 gold, Twin Axe (WP:5, Dual Strike, axe)

Party:

Darksten (Comrade Commander)

35 year old male human Ranger *Party Leader*

Level 15 *Immune to poisoned, bleeding, cursed, jinxed and blinded*

Power: 19 (15+4)

Defense: 2

Health: 21/21 (6+14+1)

Gold: 452

Equipment: Spider String Bow (WP:4, darkness-elemental bow), Sand-Worm Hide (SP: 2, bodywear), Tribal Amulet (Wearer is immune to poisoned, bleeding, cursed, jinxed, and blinded; suitable to barbarians, rangers, beast warriors; accessory)

Inventory:

Weapons: Crossbow (WP:6)

Artifacts: Safety Blanket (SP:1, protects from Afraid, backwear), Vampire Cape (Halves damage from undead enemies; backwear)

Spell Items: Murder on the Dancefloor (Has 1/6 chance of instantly knocking out each opponent (unless immune to sudden death) when sung; costs 30 ether per round; Battle Song)

Consumables: 7x Potion, Health Core, 6x Remedy, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, 4x Mead, 2x Smelling Salts, 2x Nostrum, Soma, Ambrosia, Root Beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against undead enemies for 20 damage. The Root Beer does not affect non-undead enemies), Aeolus Bomb, Floral Bomb, 5x Lightning Bomb, Smoke Bomb, 3x Venom, 2x Bone

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

Bobby "Young" Bucks Jr. (Zepher)

19 year old human Rogue

Level 6 *Immune to cursed**Attacks cause enamored*

Power: 16 (6+10)

Defense: 3

Health: 7/12 (7+5)

Gold: 33

Equipment: Hue and Saturation whip (WP:10; causes Enamored), Nondescript Cape (SP: 3; protects from Cursed effect; suitable for rogues; backwear)

Inventory: 3x Potion, Grand Potion, Grand Tonic, Health Core, 2x Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Mead

Leofwein Twynam (Capt.JohnPaul)

18 Year Old Human Barbarian

Level 5 *Natural Respite*

Power: 11 (5+5+1)

Defense: 1

Health: 6/13 (8+4+1)

Gold: 122

Equipment: War Axe (WP:5), Mr. Snuggles (Accessory, +1 HP, +1 Power, +1 SP, cannot be imbued with scrolls, suitable for barbarians)

Inventory: War Axe (WP:3), Amethyst (Darkness), 3x Potion, Grand Potion, 2x Remedy, 2x Mead, 2x Venom, Smoke Bomb

Laureline Hinckwell (NPC, controlled by Comrade Commander)

49 years old human Minstrel

Level 30 *Nimble*

Power: 45 (30+15)

Health: 41/41 (30+11)

Ether: 34/34 (30+4)

Gold:0

Equipment: Fine-tuned Flute (WP:15, user is nimble; instrument)

Inventory: Fine-tuned Guitar (WP:15, user is lucky; instrument), Fine-tuned Bagpipes (WP:15, user is encouraged; instrument), Fine-tuned Saxophone (WP:15, user is transcended; instrument)

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Let me get Sneaky, front row! Argh come here!"

[Zepher]

"Oh shiz, dudes!" Bobby attacks Shifty from the front row.

[Comrade Commander]

"Aww crap" Darksten mutters to himself when he sees the dwarves that got the best of them earlier.

He quickly grabs his crossbow to attack them, but keeps his distance from the one that had ransacked him last time.

The ranger sees the Hinckwell matriarch preparing for battle, and shouts out to her.

"Ma'am, may I suggest using your guitar? We could use some luck against these three...and at the very least it will be the better melee weapon if needed..."

Battle order:

Bobby: shifty from the front

Darksten: shifty from the back with crossbow

Leofwein: Sneaky from the front

Laureline: Crafty from the back with guitar

[Sandy]

"Mythra's sandy crack! Not these guys again!"

"Didn't we give you enough of a beating the last time, meddling paleskins?"

"Sneaky! Shifty! Focus on thy mission! The Hinckwell gold is within our grasp!"

Result of Round One of the Encore Battle:

Bobby vs. Shifty - Special Damage (Chop Legs - Bobby: 7 health+3 SP-6 dmg=4 health+slowed)

>Darksten (Crossbow) vs. Shifty - Special Damage (Chop Legs - Darksten: 21 health+2 SP-(6/2=3 dmg)=20 health+slowed)

Leofwein vs. Sneaky - Special Damage (Mine, All Mine! - Leofwein: 6 health+1 SP-5 dmg=2 health, -30 gold)

>Laureline (Fine-tuned Guitar) vs. Crafty - Shield/Cheer Up (Sound of Music - Lucky Chant: all allies lucky for the remained of the round)

The dark dwarves assault the heroes fiercely, wounding them all. Leofwein even loses a portion of his gold. Only Laureline remains unharmed, trying to clear her throat for her powerful songs. All three enemies are still standing strong.

Enemies:

Dark Dwarf Sneaky

*Immune to blinded, sealed and petrified*

Type: Dark

Level: 5

Defense: 4

Health: 65/65

Special: Mine, All Mine! – Deals 5 damage and steals up to 30 gold from the target at the same time.

Drops: 30 gold, Pickaxe (Allows the hero to dig through a breakable wall or obstacle, tool)

Dark Dwarf Shifty

*Immune to blinded, sealed and petrified*

Type: Dark

Level: 6

Defense: 3

Health: 92/92

Special: Chop Legs – Causes 6 damage and the slowed-effect to the target.

Drops: 30 gold, Shovel (Allows the hero to dig the ground in search for treasure, tool)

Dark Dwarf Crafty

*Immune to blinded, sealed and petrified *

Type: Dark

Level: 7

Defense: 5

Health: 126/126

Special: Gold Rush - Deals damage to all opponents equal to the amount of gold they carry divided by 10.

Drop: 30 gold, Twin Axe (WP:5, Dual Strike, axe)

Party:

Darksten (Comrade Commander)

35 year old male human Ranger *Party Leader*

Level 15 *Immune to poisoned, bleeding, cursed, jinxed and blinded* *Slowed*

Power: 21 (15+6)

Defense: 2

Health: 20/21 (6+14+1)

Gold: 452

Equipment: Crossbow (WP:6), Sand-Worm Hide (SP: 2, bodywear), Tribal Amulet (Wearer is immune to poisoned, bleeding, cursed, jinxed, and blinded; suitable to barbarians, rangers, beast warriors; accessory)

Inventory:

Weapons: Spider String Bow (WP:4, darkness-elemental bow)

Artifacts: Safety Blanket (SP:1, protects from Afraid, backwear), Vampire Cape (Halves damage from undead enemies; backwear)

Spell Items: Murder on the Dancefloor (Has 1/6 chance of instantly knocking out each opponent (unless immune to sudden death) when sung; costs 30 ether per round; Battle Song)

Consumables: 7x Potion, Health Core, 6x Remedy, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, 4x Mead, 2x Smelling Salts, 2x Nostrum, Soma, Ambrosia, Root Beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against undead enemies for 20 damage. The Root Beer does not affect non-undead enemies), Aeolus Bomb, Floral Bomb, 5x Lightning Bomb, Smoke Bomb, 3x Venom, 2x Bone

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

Bobby "Young" Bucks Jr. (Zepher)

19 year old human Rogue

Level 6 *Immune to cursed**Attacks cause enamored* *Slowed*

Power: 16 (6+10)

Defense: 3

Health: 4/12 (7+5)

Gold: 33

Equipment: Hue and Saturation whip (WP:10; causes Enamored), Nondescript Cape (SP: 3; protects from Cursed effect; suitable for rogues; backwear)

Inventory: 3x Potion, Grand Potion, Grand Tonic, Health Core, 2x Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Mead

Leofwein Twynam (Capt.JohnPaul)

18 Year Old Human Barbarian

Level 5 *Natural Respite*

Power: 11 (5+5+1)

Defense: 1

Health: 2/13 (8+4+1)

Gold: 92

Equipment: War Axe (WP:5), Mr. Snuggles (Accessory, +1 HP, +1 Power, +1 SP, cannot be imbued with scrolls, suitable for barbarians)

Inventory: War Axe (WP:3), Amethyst (Darkness), 3x Potion, Grand Potion, 2x Remedy, 2x Mead, 2x Venom, Smoke Bomb

Laureline Hinckwell (NPC, controlled by Comrade Commander)

49 years old human Minstrel

Level 30 *Lucky*

Power: 45 (30+15)

Health: 41/41 (30+11)

Ether: 34/34 (30+4)

Gold: 0

Equipment: Fine-tuned Guitar (WP:15, user is lucky; instrument)

Inventory: Fine-tuned Flute (WP:15, user is nimble; instrument), Fine-tuned Bagpipes (WP:15, user is encouraged; instrument), Fine-tuned Saxophone (WP:15, user is transcended; instrument)

[Zepher]

Bobby takes a remedy from the back row.

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"What has happened!?!" Leofwein takes a grand potion, backrow.

[Comrade Commander]

"Effing hell"

Darksten's anger starts to grow as once again the Dwarves start off with the upper hand. While it is nice having the extra help this battle, relying on an older lady to help fight off the intruders didn't do much for for the Ranger's pride

Battle Order:

Laureline: Crafty from back

Darksten: Shifty from back (slowed)

Bobby: Remedy from back (slowed)

Leofwein: Grand Potion from back

[Sandy]

Result of Round Two of the Encore Battle:

>Laureline vs. Crafty - Cheer Up/Cheer Up (Laureline: no effect)

>Darksten vs. Shifty - Special Damage (Chop Legs - Darksten: 20 health+2 SP-(6/2=3 dmg)=19 health)

>Bobby uses Remedy on himself - (Bobby: slowed removed)

>Leofwein uses Grand Potion on himself - (Leofwein: +25 health)

Sneaky - Free Hit vs. Laureline (Laureline: 41 health-(5/2=3 dmg)=38 health)

The heroes still don't manage to land any hits on the dark dwarves, but at least they get a chance to heal themselves. Darksten is still slowed, so he cannot act on the next round.

Enemies:

Dark Dwarf Sneaky

*Immune to blinded, sealed and petrified*

Type: Dark

Level: 5

Defense: 4

Health: 65/65

Special: Mine, All Mine! – Deals 5 damage and steals up to 30 gold from the target at the same time.

Drops: 30 gold, Pickaxe (Allows the hero to dig through a breakable wall or obstacle, tool)

Dark Dwarf Shifty

*Immune to blinded, sealed and petrified*

Type: Dark

Level: 6

Defense: 3

Health: 92/92

Special: Chop Legs – Causes 6 damage and the slowed-effect to the target.

Drops: 30 gold, Shovel (Allows the hero to dig the ground in search for treasure, tool)

Dark Dwarf Crafty

*Immune to blinded, sealed and petrified *

Type: Dark

Level: 7

Defense: 5

Health: 126/126

Special: Gold Rush - Deals damage to all opponents equal to the amount of gold they carry divided by 10.

Drop: 30 gold, Twin Axe (WP:5, Dual Strike, axe)

Party:

Darksten (Comrade Commander)

35 year old male human Ranger *Party Leader*

Level 15 *Immune to poisoned, bleeding, cursed, jinxed and blinded* *Slowed*

Power: 21 (15+6)

Defense: 2

Health: 19/21 (6+14+1)

Gold: 452

Equipment: Crossbow (WP:6), Sand-Worm Hide (SP: 2, bodywear), Tribal Amulet (Wearer is immune to poisoned, bleeding, cursed, jinxed, and blinded; suitable to barbarians, rangers, beast warriors; accessory)

Inventory:

Weapons: Spider String Bow (WP:4, darkness-elemental bow)

Artifacts: Safety Blanket (SP:1, protects from Afraid, backwear), Vampire Cape (Halves damage from undead enemies; backwear)

Spell Items: Murder on the Dancefloor (Has 1/6 chance of instantly knocking out each opponent (unless immune to sudden death) when sung; costs 30 ether per round; Battle Song)

Consumables: 7x Potion, Health Core, 6x Remedy, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, 4x Mead, 2x Smelling Salts, 2x Nostrum, Soma, Ambrosia, Root Beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against undead enemies for 20 damage. The Root Beer does not affect non-undead enemies), Aeolus Bomb, Floral Bomb, 5x Lightning Bomb, Smoke Bomb, 3x Venom, 2x Bone

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

Bobby "Young" Bucks Jr. (Zepher)

19 year old human Rogue

Level 6 *Immune to cursed**Attacks cause enamored*

Power: 16 (6+10)

Defense: 3

Health: 4/12 (7+5)

Gold: 33

Equipment: Hue and Saturation whip (WP:10; causes Enamored), Nondescript Cape (SP: 3; protects from Cursed effect; suitable for rogues; backwear)

Inventory: 3x Potion, Grand Potion, Grand Tonic, Health Core, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Mead

Leofwein Twynam (Capt.JohnPaul)

18 Year Old Human Barbarian

Level 5 *Natural Respite*

Power: 11 (5+5+1)

Defense: 1

Health: 13/13 (8+4+1)

Gold: 92

Equipment: War Axe (WP:5), Mr. Snuggles (Accessory, +1 HP, +1 Power, +1 SP, cannot be imbued with scrolls, suitable for barbarians)

Inventory: War Axe (WP:3), Amethyst (Darkness), 3x Potion, 2x Remedy, 2x Mead, 2x Venom, Smoke Bomb

Laureline Hinckwell (NPC, controlled by Comrade Commander)

49 years old human Minstrel

Level 30 *Lucky*

Power: 45 (30+15)

Health: 38/41 (30+11)

Ether: 34/34 (30+4)

Gold: 0

Equipment: Fine-tuned Guitar (WP:15, user is lucky; instrument)

Inventory: Fine-tuned Flute (WP:15, user is nimble; instrument), Fine-tuned Bagpipes (WP:15, user is encouraged; instrument), Fine-tuned Saxophone (WP:15, user is transcended; instrument)