Heroica RPG - Quest #127: A Light in the Darkness

[Palathadric]

Yu Shu snarls, but her eyes are so unfocused its difficult to tell what she's snarling at - Simon, or some invention of her mind.

"Easy," I mutter.

Stepping forward, I too offer my hand to Simon.

"This is a very impressive fortress. How old is it? How old are the Imperial Guards?"

I ask all this chattily and pleasantly.

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen, having said all she is going to say to the boy, lets the party's knight speak.

[Zepher]

"Bella was your sister. I remember hearing about you earlier. Does the Order Imperial work like a monarchy? Or were you just the next highest level person in the chain of command? I know you come from a noble family, though."

Kiray unceremoniously digs into Nerwen's satchel and produces Bella's Ashes. "I'm not exactly sure what to say. We all may disagree, or maybe you and the rest of us don't. But Bella was your family, and these should be with you." Kiray hands the ashes to Simon.

"Have you suddenly taken an interest in my Order's work now that you've killed over half of the people serving in this fortress? Shouldn't you have asked what they believed in before, instead of after?" His smile doesn't waver. "I am the next in command because they will follow me and respect me. I am no general, but you've killed all the generals. I am trying to spare their lives, and they thank me for that. So they follow me."

He accepts the ashes graciously.

"I will cherish them as long as I live." And here he smiles even more widely, at some joke only he knows. "Thank you."

"This is a very impressive fortress. How old is it? How old are the Imperial Guards?"

I ask all this chattily and pleasantly.

"This fortress is from the Orcish War. The Order Imperial is as old as time can remember. Once we were called Paladins, but then a more cowardly and corrupt order stole that name from us."

Simon turns his gaze to Nerwen and Grimwald, and then returns to the other two heroes. "I believe your companions have already passed judgement on me, and perhaps I on them as well. But you two... I would like to leave this day with as little blood shed as possible. I am sure that we can come to a peaceful agreement between us. I am not my sister. She was a warrior of light, and I am a protector of it. Will you hear my piece?"

[LordoftheNoobs]

Grimwald hesitates at the proposition at first, but finally concedes to the idea that the boy should be able to say his piece.

"All right, then. Let's hear it."

[KotZ]

"Have you suddenly taken an interest in my Order's work now that you've killed over half of the people serving in this fortress? Shouldn't you have asked what they believed in before, instead of after?" His smile doesn't waver. "I am the next in command because they will follow me and respect me. I am no general, but you've killed all the generals. I am trying to spare their lives, and they thank me for that. So they follow me."

"Just trying to figure out a little more about you since we're at a peaceful moment."

Simon turns his gaze to Nerwen and Grimwald, and then returns to the other two heroes. "I believe your companions have already passed judgement on me, and perhaps I on them as well. But you two... I would like to leave this day with as little blood shed as possible. I am sure that we can come to a peaceful agreement between us. I am not my sister. She was a warrior of light, and I am a protector of it. Will you hear my piece?"

"If it's reasonable I'm sure we can come to some sort of agreement."

[Palathadric]

"This fortress is from the Orcish War. The Order Imperial is as old as time can remember. Once we were called Paladins, but then a more cowardly and corrupt order stole that name from us."

Simon turns his gaze to Nerwen and Grimwald, and then returns to the other two heroes. "I believe your companions have already passed judgement on me, and perhaps I on them as well. But you two... I would like to leave this day with as little blood shed as possible. I am sure that we can come to a peaceful agreement between us. I am not my sister. She was a warrior of light, and I am a protector of it. Will you hear my piece?"

"You are free to speak. Speaking has never hurt anyone but the weak."

What is that about a new organization having stolen the title of Paladins? How odd. Although it would explain why so the Paladins of Ennoc seem so different now than they used to be...

My mind drifts to the old days. Years ago, charging at the orcish line and decimating dozens of the enemy in a single battle. But those time were past...surely...weren't they?

[Zepher]

"I find it quite reasonable. It is not even an eye for an eye - there is no goodness in that. But those who have done evil must be punished. I explained to Lady Nerwen earlier that the Paradise of Ennoc will have no room for those who kill for hate. And so, I will ask only that you leave those of your party who have killed with murderous intent to me." He scans the party. "Abel and Samuel may go, of course. They are traitors to this Order, but there is Light in their hearts." He stares hard at Deborah. "She may go too."

"I ask only that you leave me the Assassin, the greenskin, and Yu Shu. One lives to kill, indiscriminate of her target. Marcellus and Yu Shu entered this place to kill all who stood here." He crouches to face Marcellus. "If you stay behind and get judged, I will let Morta go. If not, she may perish with you. Did you come here to save her, or to put her in danger? Your answer here will define if you are lower than the base beast my sister viewed your are as, or not."

The parties allies shuffle, all save Avery, who stands with a faint smile staring down Simon, and Yu Shu, who by necessity leans against a wall. Marcellus cracks his knuckles.

"If you leave them, they will be judged in combat. Ennoc will see that the righteous win. If you stand by them, you too will be judged in combat. Or, if you wish to wash your hands of this day, of these murders, of this darkness, you may walk out that door. That is my offer."

[LordoftheNoobs]

"The rest of you do what you want, but I'm not leaving.

[Palathadric]

"Marcellus and Avery will make their own decisions. We are not with them, per se, so we cannot control their actions. I have a feeling they may rather like to stay. I will certainly not prevent you from taking Marcellus. Yu Shu, however, is coming with us. She has been poisoned by a demon and I will not allow her to be subject to trial by combat in this state."

[KotZ]

"If Yu Shu is to fight she needs to be rested. I feel your Ennoc would not rightfully judge one who was not ready to be judged. I will remain with them."

[Chromeknight]

I believe you have the answer of the party. Yu Shu has our support. And Avery, whatever she has done here has been at Yu Shu's command. Whatever she has done elsewhere is not yet Ennoc's to judge.

Before combat can we have an updated party stats please?

[KotZ]

"If I may add, Simon," Kiray jumps in, "not all of us are up to our best. Some of us are bleeding and poisoned."

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen doses Kiray and Monk with soma.

That should hold some of the symptoms at bay.

Yu Shu, Is that seal of the warrior priestess having any effect?

Would tiger balm have any affect on Yu Shu's posion counter?

Edited May 23, 2015 by Chromeknight

[Zepher]

OoC: Updated stats before battle, in case you want to prepare further. Yu Shu is suffering from, as you'd call it, RPitis... but I suppose if you bring her into battle and use a tiger balm on her, I'd say her "counter" would only decrease by 2 still (aka she'd be treated as "outside of battle" but still be able to act) since you'd have effectively cured the strain the act of battling would put on her. Sound fair?

I believe you have the answer of the party. Yu Shu has our support. And Avery, whatever she has done here has been at Yu Shu's command. Whatever she has done elsewhere is not yet Ennoc's to judge.

"It is Ennoc's right to judge everywhere."

"If I may add, Simon," Kiray jumps in, "not all of us are up to our best. Some of us are bleeding and poisoned."

"Some of you shall never be at your best. Even if the green-skin realized his full potential, he would still not be at his best by his very nature. That is something we must all live with." He closes his eyes. "If you will not take my offer, allow me a moment to pray that Ennoc shall judge us this day."

The Party

Avery the Red Assassin

Level 39.5 Assassin

Health: 50/50

Gold: 54

Equipment: Red Assassin’s Dagger (WP: 10, Deals Cursed), Cape of the Red Assassin (Chance of Assassination 1/3)

Inventory: Light Throwing Knife (WP: 8, Light-Elemental, 1/3 to Deal Doomed), Dark Throwing Knife (WP: 8, Darkness-Elemental, 1/3 Chance to Deal Doomed), Smelling Salts, Hidden Red Assassin Dagger (WP:2, Suitable to Avery, Impossible to Steal/Disarm)

Monk Pretzel and His 99 Pieces

, the Super Sleuth (Played by Palathadric)

463-year-old male "hermit" Artisan

*reinforced*

*Poisoned -12 (permanent)* *Blessed*

Level:

33.75

Power:

40

33 + 7

Defense:

36

Health:

58/58

9 + 15 + 31 + 2*

Gold:

1760

Equipment:

Dual Staff (WP: 7,

Ice

,

Lightning

,

Fire

,

Wind

,

Light

; dual strike; staff), Heavy Armour (SP:5, Immune to Fragile), Marauder’s Mantle (Grants permanent reinforced-effect; suitable to marauders; backwear), Armour of Dark Arts (Takes up: Bodywear, Handwear, Footwear slots; counts as one artifact; SP:10; Suitable to Knight classes, Dragoons, Skirmishers), Cloak of the Barbaric Runecaster (SP: 3; wearer creates and deploys a Skeleton Decoy at the start of every battle; suitable for Battle Mages, Necromancers, and Scholars; backwear)

Inventory:

Weapons and Shields:

Flying Cross (WP: 11,

Darkness

; broomstick), Splinter Broom (WP: 9; broomstick; defies SP), Whip of Savage Overlords (WP: 9; ⅙ chance of inflicting the Slowed-effect; Whip), Steak (WP: 1, instantly kills vampires on successful hits; suitable for all), Staff of the Necromancer (WP: 12; damages Undead; +1 Level to raised Undead; Staff),

Artifacts:

Duplovian Helmet (SP:2, immune to Magic and Healing; headwear), Bumble Fanshirt (SP:1, Vermin with level less than half of the wearers are scared and won't directly attack the wearer; bodywear), Rock Gauntlets (Suitable for anyone, grants the wearer Iron Fist at no ether cost, handwear), Counterstrike Gloves (handwear), Soothing Slippers (meditation restores 5 ether; footwear), Magic Viper Skin (heals 1 health to wearer each round of battle unless knocked out; accessory), Shackles of War (accessory), Clan Enzima Armor (SP: 8, Immune to Fire, Wind, Stunned and Instant Death, Suitable to Enzimas)

Gems:

2 Amethysts

,

Emerald

,

Garnet,

2 Aquamarines

,

Ruby

Scrolls:

Consumables:

2 Potions, 8 Grand Potions, Cherry (Restores 1 ether), Tonic, 2 Ether Cores, 3 Remedies, Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 2 Phoenix Incenses, Phoenix Essence, 3 Meads, 2 Smelling Salt, 2 Nostrum, 5 Venoms, 5 Deadly Venoms, 2 Paralyzing Venoms, 3 Jinxy Juice, 2 Smoke Bombs, 2 Fire Bombs, Holy Bomb, Military Grade Fire Bomb, Blind Bomb, Seal Bomb, Sleep Bomb, 6 Bones, Raw Meat (+5 max. health upon consumption), Crimson Haze (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects permanently), Level-Up Mushroom, Strong Wasabi (-2 poisoned permanently), Gold Bar x2, Soma,

Tools:

Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Shovel, Magic Compass, Magic Shovel (will always find something when used, limited to three uses per quest)

Samuel the Doubly Blessed

Level 21.33 Paladin *Immune to Light, Darkness, Blinded, Asleep, Confused, and Jinxed*

Power Bonus: 0

Health: 28/28

Ether: 12/22

SP: 15

Gold: 0

Equipment: Sword of the Warrior Priest (WP: 5, Meditates become hits), Armor of the Warrior Priest (SP: 1, Immune to Light and Darkness Elementals, Immune to Blinded, Asleep, Confused, Jinxed), Soul-Link Chain (Kiray), Orcish Barbed Shield (SP: 11), Cloak of Necrotic Shielding (SP:3, provides Special Guard against Undead enemies; back wear)

Inventory: Scroll of Blinding, Scroll of Arc Sleep, Scroll of Sealing, Shadeaux Mace (WP: 9, Deals Fragile)

Kiray Nastayo (KingoftheZempk),

A Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something

*Absorbs

Water

*

*

Immune to

Fire

* *Bleeding -3 (permanent)* *Blessed*

24 year old female human

Level 16 Knight

Power Bonus:

6

Defense:

29

Health:

21/24

Gold:

167

Equipment:

Smith’s Katana (WP:10,

Darkness

elemental), Fishy Scale Mail (SP: 6, wearer absorbs water-elemental damage as health, immune to

Fire;

suitable for knights, dragoons, skirmishers, and regulators, body wear), Mythril Shield (SP: 20), Soul Link Chain (Allows the user to pair up with another party member, each of them gaining all the effects that the other has. The partner has to equip the chain as well (ie. one chain can be shared by two people); accessory) (Samuel)

Inventory:

- x3 Potion, Banana (Restores full health when eaten), 2x Nostrum, Ambrosia, 2x Mead, Smelling Salts, Mediocre Pongcanis Brew (Encouraged + Enraged), Blind Bomb, Seal Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Phoenix Essence, x3 Bones, Soma, Ambrosia, x3 Remedies, x3 Grand Potions, Tonic

- Bedroll, Everlasting Venom (Adds the poisoned by 10-effect to one weapon permanently), Dragon Scale, x3 Fire Bomb, x4 Venom, Sharp Tip (-2 bleeding)

-Flameproof Armor (SP:1, no longer flameproof; bodywear, suitable for anyone), Inert Blade (Greatsword, WP 5)

,

Sanctified Rito Longsword (WP:6, doubled against Flying enemies; longsword), Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks), Heavy Flail (WP: 5, causes fragile; mace), Anointed Gladius (WP: 8, damages Undead; great sword), Snug Armor (SP: 5, Cannot be De-Equipped, Suitable to all classes that use shields, body wear), Sword of Fire and Light (WP: 7, Fire-Light Elemental, Greatsword), Two Fanged Orcish Shield (SP: 7, Immune to Darkness, Shield Bash Replaces Meditate)

Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight)

*Party Leader*

264 year old female Elven Minstrel

Level 37.5 *2x XP**Counterstriking* *Immune to sealed*

Power bonus:

,+8

(quest #102)

Defence:

7

(Darksteel armor 6 +lesser etherial cloak 1)

Health:

55/55

(Base Cleric 9 +Level bonus 35 -Quest #102 5 +Minstrel Bonus 11 +3 Darksteel armour)

Ether:

21/50

(Base Cleric 5 +Level bonus 35 +Minstrel Bonus 4 +zoot cookie #102 1 +Lesser Etherial cloak 3)

Gold:

504

Equipment:

Nocturne Flute (WP:6, causes

asleep

-effect, instrument), Lesser etherial cloak (SP:1, Max. ether +3, immune to

sealed

; backwear), Medal of Valor (Double experience from battles; accessory), Counterstrike Gloves, Darksteel Armour (SP:6, Max. Health +3; bodywear),

Inventory:

Mutt's Flute (WP:10, inflicts

Weakened

-effect, instrument), Party Maracas (WP:4, user is

hastened

, instrument), Battered wooden flute (WP:6,

Darkness

-elemental), Sword of the Warrior of the Light (WP: 14,

Light

-Elemental, Meditate becomes hits, longsword), Mourning Star (WP: 10;

Fire

-elemental; inflicts

Fragile

-effect; mace), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer), Axe of the Minotaur Champion (WP: 30; user is

Slowed

and Immune to

Hastened

; cannot be equipped at the same time as a shield; axe), longsword, Shield (SP: 5), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3, Immunity to

Ice

and

Water

, Bodywear, Suitable for Barbarians, Regulators, and Beast Warriors)

•

Helm of the Lord of Light (Headwear, Immunity to

Light

and

Jinxed

, Suitable for Knights)

, Sylvania's Cowl (Permits Animal Talk, Headwear), Leather armour (SP:1; Bodywear),

•

Opal

(2),

Topaz

(2),

Diamond

,

Amethyst

•

Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion,

Hundred Hero Hymn

(

Inspired

-effect to all allies for 10 ether, song),

•

Potions (7), Elixirs (2), Remedy, Nostrum, Tiger Balm, Venom (4), Fire Bomb, Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bomb, Water Bombs (2), Dirt Bombs (2), Air Bomb, Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Ether Core(2), Grand potion(2), Ambrosia (4), Health Core, Red Death Blood (Once applied to a weapon the first successful hit deals doomed, consumable) (2), Neautralizers (2), Smelling Salts (3), Sushi (restores 5 health and ether)

•

Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass, Telescope

•

Grating Stone

Marcellus

Level 27 Black Knight *Immune to Light, Stunned, Jinxed and Blinded* *Bleeding -3 (permanent)*

Health: 45/45

SP: 8

Equipment: Whip (WP: 16), Dark Knight Armor (SP:6, Immune to Stunned), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2, Immune to

Blind

), Helm of the Lord of Light (Immune to Light and Jinxed, Suitable for Knights)

Inventory: Mead x3, Grand Potion x2, Potion x2

Grimwald Gjinko

69 year old male gnome Sage

Level:

21.66

Power Bonus:

+1 permanent, +5 spells, +5 front row

SP:

0 (+5 back row)

Health:

29/29

Ether:

20/25

Gold:

485 (Owed 38 by Benji)

Glory Points:

8

Equipment:

Single-Fanged Stave (WP: 20), Spellbound Gloves (Increases the power of spells by 5, doubled if the enemy is weak to the element), Robes of the Disciple of Ennoc (+5 max. health, +5 max. ether, meditation restores 2 ether, body-wear), Strategist's Shako (+5 power while in the front row, +5 SP while in the back; headwear)

Inventory:

• Spellbound hood (SP: 2, Increases the power of spells by 3, doubled if the enemy is weak to the element, headwear, suitable for Mages, Clerics and Necromancers), , Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max Ether +4; back wear), Staff of the Order Imperial (WP: 10, Light Elemental), Magical Staff (WP:15; Staff)

• Shovel, Pickaxe, Bedroll

• Opal, Amethyst, Diamond, Topaz,

Garnet

,

Sapphire

,

Emerald

,

Aquamarine

,

Ruby

• Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sleep

• Potion x7, Tonic x7, Grand Tonic x3, Sushi (restores 5 HP and 5 Ether) x4, Remedy x2, Elixir x4, Neutralizer, Mead x4, Nostrum x3, Smelling Salts x4, Mulled Wine x2, Ambrosia, Bone x5, Ice Bomb, Root Beer (Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against Undead enemies for 20 damage (Does not affect non-Undead enemies)), Plague Venom

Deborah, The Golden Warden

Level 26.66 Warden *Immune to Afraid, Cursed, Hexed, Instant Kill*

Health: 48/48

SP: 20

Gold: 15

Equipment: Crossbow (WP: 10), Deborah's Helm (SP: 4, Immune to Afraid), Deborah's Armor (SP: 6, Immunity to Cursed, Hexed and Instant Kill), Shield of the She-Wolf (SP: 10, on rolls of damage/free hits user deals SP to opponent if they survive the attack)

Inventory: Mead x2, Grand Potion, Soma x2, Ambrosia

Ser Abel Justice

Healer

Rolls: 1-2 Heals 62 health, 3-4 heals 16 health, 5-6 Healng Fails

Yu Shu Counter: 30 (Yu Shu: Out of Combat)

Loot Pile (Will be Considered Nerwen's should it be required in combat unless specified otherwise now)

Feather of Lithe x2,

Mead x2

Trickster's Mask of the Angel,

Mulled Wine

Order Imperial's Assassin Cowl (Immune to Light and Darkness, Wearer is Nimble, Suitable for Assassins, Chi Monks, Infiltrators, Rogue Thieves, Paragons)

Potion

150 Gold

Grating Stone

Burning Knuckle Helmet (SP: 10, Wearer suffers burning -3 effect)

Never Blessed Helmet (SP: 8, Immunity to Blinded, Doomed and Blessed, Wearer deals double damage to Holy Enemies, suitable to Knights, Barbarians, Regulators, and Skirmishers),

Never Blessed Armor (SP: 10, Immune to Darkness, Light, and Blessed, Wearer deals double damage to Demons, suitable to Knights, Barbarians, Regulators, and Skirmishers)

[Chromeknight]

[color#008080]I don't deny Ennoc's right to judge, but it is rare that he intervenes to bring judgment before death. And even rarer that he would act openly against the servant of another.

Yet perhaps Avery belongs to neither Helvetia or the Red One any longer and he wishes to claim her for himself.[/color]

Team, Samuel and Nerwen are still under etherwise, but everyone else seems good to go?

Zeph expects consumable use to win, so be prepared to use stuff.

[KotZ]

Kiray drinks a nostrum and a mead from her pack. "Nerwen, there's a mulled wine in the loot pile. May I use it?"

[LordoftheNoobs]

Grimwald takes a Mead and a Smelling Salts.

[Palathadric]

"Nerwen, some of that armour would be worthwhile for us to equip this fight.The person it's given to does not need to keep it, but...it's probably better than anything we have now," I point out. "Some of those weapons may also be more suitable to Kiray or Samuel or the other one than you."

I bow my head respectfully as the bald man prays.

[KotZ]

"Good idea, Monk," Kiray says. "Can I put on the Never blessed equipment?"

[Zepher]

OoC: Not so much that I expect you to use them, but you did ask to see updated stats before the battle, so it felt rather unfair to just plunge you into the battle in that case.

Deborah chugs a mead and then tosses it on the floor, letting it shatter.

"Looks like we're finishing this after all, Yu Shu," she says, smirking at the wobbly werelioness. "Good."

"By staying, you've put Morta in danger. So we must win."

[Palathadric]

"By staying, you've put Morta in danger. So we must win."

"Ha!" I laugh at Marcellus, then.

"Simon," I say, whenever he's finished praying, "I hope you'd do us the honour of slaying the witch before the battle. It would be easier on all of us than me having to argue about the need to end her once we've won."

[Zepher]

Simon's eyes don't open, but the tip of his mouth jerks up into a sad smile.

"Your request betrays your soul, Monk. You are as much a greenskin at heart as Yu Shu is. A machine of violence. What has the witch done to you? Why does she not deserve to live?"

"See," mocks Morta. "Simon and I are friends. Just because you choose to sit in the darkness, unaware of the mysteries of the world, doesn't mean everyone does. You with your rejection, Nerwen with her know all there is to know... I think Kiray might be the only fun member of the party after all."

"Why aren't we killing the child while his eyes are closed," whispers Avery to Pretzel.

[KotZ]

"Fun?" Kiray repeats. "Not sure what constitutes your idea of fun, but I'll accept the compliment... I think." Kiray shifts her feet uncomfortably.

[Palathadric]

"Why aren't we killing the child while his eyes are closed," whispers Avery to Pretzel.

I shrug.

"Feel free," I mumble back, "but don't say I told you to. This is no true disciple of Ennoc anyway."

I feel offended by the boy's comment, but choose to shrug it off.

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen hands Kiray the never blessed armour and helmet and a mulled wine.

Just because I know better than to play your games, I get tagged as a know it all.

Don't be offended Monk, he seems to think greenskinness is a state of mind rather than literal colour of skin. And he hunks that's everyone but him.