Heroica RPG- Quest #133: A Walk Through The Parlor

[Mencot]

"Exactly my dear Keliim, you found dead bodies. If I were using them, why would I leave them behind. As far as to what I can tel you of your homeland and how you came to be here, what do you offer to me in exchange for this information? You ask for secrets of my home, would you give everyone who asked they key to your back door? I think not. Perhaps at a later date we can discuss the possibility of a trade between us. My knowledge for . . . well what is it you have to offer me?"

"An deal, Ofcourse, I wouldn´t had thought anything less."

Keliim takes an step forwards "What could there be what I could ever offer thee in exchange, thou can control others to do thy wishes? But if thee know something what I can do, tell me?"

"But to give it on a later date, that would work fine. If tellin the truth I art not ready to leave Eubric behind just yet, because I have some "business" with a few people and a familyhouse to attend and it can get a bit deadly."

"I and we would have a lot to ask of thou, because thou seem to have a lot of knowledge but maybe we should finish this quest soon."

Aristune stands silently in the back of the group marveling at the precision and coordination he has seen and continues to see in the Brothers under this woman's command. He wishers to himself under his breath.

Such order, such discipline. She controls them as a perfect General controls his phalanx.

Keliim turns he eyes on Aristune in the back "Thou been awfully quiet, come over here and greet before our way part!" He turns back to the Queen "This Королева, this man is Aristune, he is one of the Caliph´s men and he habt help us a lot here.

Edited June 27, 2015 by Mencot

[Asphalt]

"A deal, a trade, an oath offered of your own free will? I accept these terms." Quicker than the eye can follow, Королева strikes out with one of her forelegs. The tip bites into Keliims forearm. Keliim feels the briefest moment of flaring hot pain, but then it is gone. In its place is a bone white scar in the shape of a stylized Spider. "There Brave Barbarian, you now bear my mark. It seals the contract between us. The terms are as you agreed, at a later date I may call upon your for a service rendered, in exchange I will answer three questions regarding my home and travel through it."

From this point on until Keliim fulfills his service he will bear the title DEMON SWORN.

Aristune moves forward and bows deeply before Королева.

"This humble one is honored to be in your presence Mistress."

Rise child of the dessert, I accept your homage.

​She turns her attention back to Keliim.

"If you wish to leave this place you have but to place the keys within the portal. At such time, I will depart, and you may do as you will after. The Men before you will be released from my service, and you may tell the Red King what you wish."

Edited June 27, 2015 by Asphalt

[Scubacarrot]

Calamity rolls her eyes at Keliim's stupidity. Why he wished to travel to the void was beyond her, but a later to be named service to a demon usually resulted in regret.

"Is it safe to assume you will not interfere with out meeting with the Red King, lady? Rulers are seldom happy with surprises such as yourself."

[Mencot]

"A deal, a trade, an oath offered of your own free will? I accept these terms." Quicker than the eye can follow, Королева strikes out with one of her forelegs. The tip bites into Keliims forearm. Keliim feels the briefest moment of flaring hot pain, but then it is gone. In its place is a bone white scar in the shape of a stylized Spider. "There Brave Barbarian, you now bear my mark. It seals the contract between us. The terms are as you agreed, at a later date I may call upon your for a service rendered, in exchange I will answer three questions regarding my home and travel through it."

From this point on until Keliim fulfills his service he will bear the title DEMON SWORN.

Keliim feels the sting in his forearm for a while but then the burn wears off. He looks at the spider shaped scar and thinks, "was this too wise, because now I bear two demon marks on my body" he lifts up his sleeve on the right arm and shows of an similar white scar but in a shape of an demon scull, the mark of the daemon god Karain.

On Keliim right upperarm can also be seen his tribe scar tattoo, in a shape of big flames and fire.

The big man bows his head and says "As it be said, let it be done!"

​She turns her attention back to Keliim.

"If you wish to leave this place you have but to place the keys within the portal. At such time, I will depart, and you may do as you will after. The Men before you will be released from my service, and you may tell the Red King what you wish."

Keliim looks at everyone else, "Alright, if thither isn´t aught else, anyone of thee want to ask Королева! Then I guess we will move on, lets start putting the keys to the portal! If I remember correctly the order was from left to right: blue (sapphire), Green (Emerald), Red (Ruby), Turquoise (Aquamarine) and Yellow (Topaz)"

The big man looks at the Queen again and asks, "So when thy release this men, we can take them with us back to the Caliph, aye?

Calamity rolls her eyes at Keliim's stupidity. Why he wished to travel to the void was beyond her, but a later to be named service to a demon usually resulted in regret.

OoC: I guess Calamity didn´t listen or pay any attention to Keliims and the queens conversation then, because Keliim clearly stated why he wanted to know and what was the reasons, posts 543,545,546 and 548. One would think she would had heared something.

Edited June 27, 2015 by Mencot

[Endgame]

"Keliim, you're stretching my trust pretty thin here..."

But the docile Terry does what he's told, and slots in the keys as instructed, incapable of resisting commands from authority.

[Asphalt]

When the portal opens I will free these men, whether they choose to go with you or not is entirely up to them. I make no claim as to their actions once I am gone.

Asitune continues to watch with awe as the spider queen marks Keliim as her own and moves to place his staff in the Altar.

"Allow me to do my part Lady."

Two of the five portal keys have been placed in the altar.

[Mencot]

Keliim instructes Calamity to place the two keys she has in her possession, if she has something to discuss with the queen she should do it now. Keliim tells Rethinal that he will place his key last.

"Keliim, you're stretching my trust pretty thin here..."

Keliim whispers to Terry so that nobody else can hear or sence anything of it, "Be calm for once, stay ready."

Edited June 27, 2015 by Mencot

[Scubacarrot]

OoC: I guess Calamity didn´t listen or pay any attention to Keliims and the queens conversation then, because Keliim clearly stated why he wanted to know and what was the reasons, posts 543,545,546 and 548. One would think she would had heared something.

I've read it, Calamity thinks one thing of it, and constructs as Keliim eventually travelling to what she calls the void, and making a deal with a demon for it, if you wanted superfluous out of character explanations mate.

"I know what to do, leader, my leader." Calamity remarks, as she jams her two keys into place, all the while not taking her eyes of the queen.

Edited June 27, 2015 by Scubacarrot

[Mencot]

"That was four keys, Rethinal use the last." Keliim looks at the Queen and says, "Now would be the time to release the falcon brethren!"

[Mencot]

Rethinal steps up to the altar and puts the final Key in place.

[Asphalt]

Excellent, just as it is needed. The Spider Queen closes her eyes and focuses on the Portal, As she does the colors shift slightly from orange to green and back again, the portal flares and increases in size from a doorway to a small tunnel. Very good, that should take me to within its confines.

As the portal forms completely, Королева turns to the party

You have done well, You may tell your boy-king what you wish. Keliim, you will know when I choose to claim my contract. Farewell Children, until we meet again. Here is a little something to remember me by. She reaches behind her head and removes her necklace. She tosses it to the floor of the room as she enters the portal. As the Spider Queen passes through the portal she snaps her fingers. When she does a large spider drops from the back of each of the Falcon brothers and scuttles through the ring ahead of her. Perhaps this is what she meant by her Weblings and how she was able to control something outside of her bailiwick. The party watches as the self proclaimed "Lower Etheral" disappears through the portal.

Wait, I would join you. You alone have been able to obtain the order which I seek.

As the giant spider creatures last legs begin to disappear through the portal Aristune dives into the fiery ring after her. The two pass through its event horizon and it winks out of existence, Leaving the party standing in the Altar room starring at 5 bewildered looking Falcon Brothers and an inactive portal.

Королева's Blessing (When equipped the player gains the ability to Animal Speak to Spiders only, and all spiders are Enamored with him for the first three rounds of battle. Accessory, usable by anyone)

Edited June 27, 2015 by Asphalt

[Mencot]

Excellent, just as it is needed. The Spider Queen closes her eyes and focuses on the Portal, As she does the colors shift slightly from orange to green and back again, the portal flares and increases in size from a doorway to a small tunnel. Very good, that should take me to within its confines.

As the portal forms completely, Королева turns to the party

You have done well, You may tell your boy-king what you wish. Keliim, you will know when I choose to claim my contract. Farewell Children, until we meet again. Here is a little something to remember me by. She reaches behind her head and removes her necklace. She tosses it to the floor of the room as she enters the portal. As the Spider Queen passes through the portal she snaps her fingers. When she does a large spider drops from the back of each of the Falcon brothers and scuttles through the ring ahead of her. Perhaps this is what she meant by her Weblings and how she was able to control something outside of her bailiwick. The party watches as the self proclaimed "Lower Etheral" disappears through the portal.

Keliim nods, keeping his eyes on the queen an his hand firmly on his axe. Just thinking if the queen would do something what she else then she told and attack in the last minute. But she doesn´t, she releases the hostage and goes through the portal.

He thinks, "I will be waiting." He looks at the scar, "Maybe I am scarred by two diffrent demons but my heart is enlightened by something good, made an oath to do only good deeds. And hopefuly when we meet next, thou won´t habt anyone "innocent and alive" at hostage then."

Королева's Blessing (When equipped the player gains the ability to Animal Speak to Spiders only, and all spiders are Enamored with him for the first three rounds of battle. Accessory, usable by anyone)

He goes over to pick up the neckless then suddenly.

Wait, I would join you. You alone have been able to obtain the order which I seek.

Aristune runs an jumps into the portal, the big man try to stop him but misses. "Aristune, wait, Noo what art thou doing?"

Keliim watches bemused, "That maybe wasn´t so wise."

He picks up the Королева's Blessing. He looks at the falcon brethren and walks over to the commander.

"I am Keliim, we where sent here by thy King to save thee. How does thee feel, do thou know where to art?

Keliim also investigates the room for anything.

Edited June 28, 2015 by Mencot

[Scubacarrot]

Calamity tries to get the portal to work to get them back to the palace.

[Asphalt]

The commander blinks his eyes and looks around him.

"Where I am is known to me, though you are not. Explain yourselves."

Though unsteady on his feet Commander Hizari's grip on his great sword has not lessened. His eyes clear and he stares down Kaliim in open challenge.

"You are no initiates, how are you in this place?"

[Mencot]

OoC: We are not going to fight these men any more, right? Because I would had rather done it when they were mindcontrolled then and the queen still was around, she was the evil being after all, behind everything here.

Keliim looks at the man and calmly explaines the whole thing to the falcon men. WHO they are, how they where hired by the Red King, the Caliph to investigate this place. He told them about the spider queen and Aristune and his betrayal. And how the falcon men was under the Control of the queen and held hostage, how they had saved their lives when heard from the spider queen that the men were still alive.

Edited June 29, 2015 by Mencot

[Endgame]

"Aristune, the HELL do you think you're doin'!"

Terry reaches out, and his hand scuffs the bottom of Aristune's boot as he tosses him through the portal. Terry looks solemnly at it, before drawing the only conclusion a farmboy ike him could.

"Well. He's dead now."

Not sure whether to mourn the lost of an ally or breath a sigh of relief that the authoritive man was gone, perhaps happier, Terry turns to the men.

"Your Caliph sent us into the Parlor after you folks went missing, and we've had some, uh, misadventures."

[Asphalt]

Hizari listen's patiently as Keliim explains his presence. As the barbarian finishes his tale he sheathes his sword and extends his hand.

"Then it would seem that my men and I are in your debt outlander. Perhaps you would hear my tale in return. When we arrived here we searched for the missing Initiates. From what we were able to glean from those we found they were simply overwhelmed by the denizens of the desert. I found their final survivor, a cowering lump of a man, hiding in a chest. I left him where he was and my men and I returned to the portal chamber. There we found the spider. She demanded we set her free, she wove a tale of how the magic of our mages drew her to this place and then trapped her within its walls. We were foolish and arrogant. I thought her nothing but another challenge harnessed for the Parlor. WE attacked and were swarmed by her spiders. I remember a sharp pain in the back of my neck, and then nothing more until I found myself facing you moments ago. I thank you, and I honor the wisdom of the Caliph for sending you."

"Aristune, the HELL do you think you're doin'!"

Terry reaches out, and his hand scuffs the bottom of Aristune's boot as he tosses him through the portal. Terry looks solemnly at it, before drawing the only conclusion a farmboy ike him could.

"Well. He's dead now."

Not sure whether to mourn the lost of an ally or breath a sigh of relief that the authoritive man was gone, perhaps happier, Terry turns to the men.

"Your Caliph sent us into the Parlor after you folks went missing, and we've had some, uh, misadventures."

"Mourn not the loss of that coward. He has reaped what he has sown. Now tell me friends, the portal keys have not yet returned to their places within the Parlor. Would you return with us to the Caliph or fight your way through its confines once more?"

[Mencot]

Keliim shakes Hizaris hand and listens to his tale and says "It annoys me that we hadt to let her escape but her mindcontrol power would had overwhelmed us in the end and also when we found out that you were alive there was no way I would hadt attacked you." He turns to the other heroes "What do thou friends say, shall we do the challange again, now that the queen-bitch is gone it shall be a blast." the big man says sarcastically with a loud laugh.

Edited June 29, 2015 by Mencot

[Scubacarrot]

"I'm up for it, there has been a great lack of treasure. And now we don't have to be so careful. What's the chance two demons have made their lair here? A girl can dream."

Calamity turns to Terry.

"He's only probably dead. If he's not, next time we'll see him he'll be a whole lot more powerful, and crazier, I'm thinking..."

[Endgame]

"He's only probably dead. If he's not, next time we'll see him he'll be a whole lot more powerful, and crazier, I'm thinking..."

Gulp.

"Now I'm not sure which alernative I prefer...

We wouldn't be fighting through again, would we? It'd take us maybe half an hour to just retrace old ground and stick the keys back... Will the portal home stay open?"

[Scubacarrot]

"But you're sure which alternative is a whole lot more... evil." Calamity chuckles as she pats Terry's shoulder. She wouldn't show it, but she was glad the party made it through the encounter with the unchained demon alive. "I imagine we just continue where we left off, right? I highly doubt what we killed has come back to life. Would be interesting."

[Asphalt]

Make your decision quickly, once the keys reset you will face a new set of Monsters and Challenges. Part of the spells encasing this place signal the surface when it is time to send more beasts in. Some is automatic, it draws from the holding pens, others are brought in for special occasions. The Parlor has no down time. I personally, would advice returning with us.

Commander Hizari moves to the portal and begins re-ancoring the Portal Keys. He holds the final staff in his hands and looks to the players.

Are you ready to leave?

QM NOTE: yes if you decide to stay you will have to do it all over again. I didn't really plan for that and based on the number of inactive players at this point it would take quite a while to gather up all 5 again.

Edited June 29, 2015 by Asphalt

[Scubacarrot]

Calamity looks sceptically at the Commander. "Is there no way I can -magically- rig this to give us a while longer while we kill some stuff and grab some actual loot? "

[Endgame]

"Don't forget the Caliph has promised us a pretty good reward, Calamity..."

[Scubacarrot]

"I know, I just kind of want to see the look on the faces of the beetles when we defeat them."